The Tenby Harbour Murders: A gripping crime thriller full of twists

Detective Inspector Caren Waits #2

by Stephen Puleston

Fame hides many sins. But someone is making sure they all come to light.

The sudden death of national treasure Noah Voce on a film set in Tenby shatters the calm of the seaside town—but for Detective Inspector Caren Waits, it’s only the beginning of a nightmare. Loved by millions, Voce seemed untouchable… until someone silenced him.

The cast and crew are tight-lipped while the relentless demands of the press and the looming shadow of PR lawyers keep Caren on a razor's edge. As she battles to keep control of the investigation, she has to deal with the fallout from discovering her late husband had been living a secret life.

As Caren digs deeper into Voce’s life, the perfect image the actor portrayed begins to unravel. And when a second victim, another actor, turns up dead, the pressure mounts. Caren’s search for answers takes a chilling turn. The answer will be more shocking than Caren could ever have imagined.

If you love fast-paced crime thrillers with a determined female detective, The Tenby Harbour Murders will keep you hooked until the final page.

This is the second novel in the DI Caren Waits series. Perfect for fans of Simon McCleave, Rhys Dylan and Rachel McLean.

Pick up your copy today by clicking the BUY NOW button at the top of this page!

296 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2025

About the author

I write mysteries and thrillers.

I have published the first novel in a series featuring Inspector Drake based in North Wales and also the first in a series with Inspector John Marco based in Cardiff. The first Drake mystery is called BRASS IN POCKET and the second WORSE THAN DEAD. The third, AGAINST THE TIDE.

My second detective is Inspector Marco who comes from an Italian/Welsh background and he lives in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The first Inspector Marco novel SPEECHLESS has been published on Amazon and the second and third in the series will be published in 2015.

Before turning to crime fiction I had written three other unpublished novels and you can read about my writing and about Wales, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, on my website http://www.stephenpuleston.co.uk/

I was brought up on the Isle of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast and went to school in Holyhead. After a degree in Theology from London University I decided to train as a lawyer and returned to work in the practice run by my father on Anglesey. For many years I worked as a lawyer in a small practice representing clients in the criminal courts and doing divorce work all of which has given me valuable raw material for my novels.

I still live and work in North Wales where the Inspector Drake novels are set.
You can contact me on twitter @stephenpuleston or @inspector_marco
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17G6iIA

Reviews

[Julie Devonald-Cornelius]

Brilliant book

Last week I read the first book in this series it was so good I immediately got book 2 The Tenby Harbour murders was even better than the first book and that was brilliant. Got to get straight to book 3now I'm hooked on Dci Caren Waits series.

[Jackie Preston]

This novel gets off to an interesting start. We are introduced to a Detective Inspector and a bit of her back story and personal circumstances. Her morning routine is immediately cut short by being summoned to a dead body. A celebrity actor is found dead in a trailer adjacent to a filming location in Tenby, South Wales. DI Caren Waits is the Senior officer in charge, aided by her Detective Sergeant and Detective Constables.

This is the second in a series involving Caren who is trying to make a life as normal as possible for her four-year old son despite a demanding job. There appears an overarching backstory to sustain the series in that she has not long been widowed. However, having not read the first I didn’t feel I had missed anything significant.

The dialogue is realistic which is a skill not all authors master. Police and other characters are developed well. Instead of the often-stock characters the characterisation in this story is of realistic people with relatable human feelings and actions. However, there were only 7 uses of the f*** word (one by a police officer!) which is probably less than one would hear in real life. This struck me particularly as some of the characters who seemed angered by the inconvenience of being questioned about the murder/murder victim and others who were uncooperative as far as their engagement with the police did not always curse about their predicament. There is little friction in the investigating team and senior officers are not pressuring the investigation like in other police procedural or dramas so the tension is about the investigation progressing rather than the cliche of police politics (this might not accord with real life police work). However, as a reader I found this refreshing.

I am new to NetGalley reviewing so my inexperience might well be conveyed in the more critical comments as I find my feet! I chose this book for its title as I know Tenby well. The story was delivered chronologically with skill and detail. There was a lot of realist everyday detail in the descriptions. But sometimes unnecessary elements e.g. the name of the road written 'in white paint' as the main character is driving in pursuit of a person of interest and e.g. 2 in her gathering up the rubbish from her car and placing it in the bin in the HQ reception area. This detail was also used in conveying the locational elements which then meant I personally did get distracted on occasion as I kept thinking about whether they were accurate or not!

The narrative flows through the day-by-day police investigation and evening domesticity with the main character's son and her supportive parents. The crimes are solved and their motives become apparent as expected of the traditional whodunnit crime genre. The book ends with a great cliffhanger hook indicating the series is to continue and therefore inviting the reader to stay along for the ride.

Readers of Simon McCleave and Michael Hambling might also enjoy the South Wales police procedural setting.

[J Kromrie]

Thanks to Highgate publishing and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Tenby Harbour Murders by Stephen Puleston (Detective Inspector Caren Waits Series)

The Tenby Harbour Murders is a confident, atmospheric procedural that thrives on tension—professional, personal, and psychological. Stephen Puleston drops DI Caren Waits into a case that looks straightforward on the surface but quickly fractures into something far more layered, and the result is a mystery that feels grounded yet quietly gripping.

🌊 Tenby’s postcard charm becomes a sharp contrast to the violence at its center. Puleston uses the harbor, the narrow lanes, and the tourist bustle to create a sense of a town that looks open but hides its secrets well. The setting isn’t just a backdrop—it shapes the investigation, the suspects, and the pressure bearing down on Caren.

🎬 The death of a well‑known actor on a film set should be a clean, high‑profile case. Instead, it becomes a maze of conflicting stories, hidden grudges, and a production team more interested in protecting reputations than telling the truth. Puleston builds the mystery with deliberate precision, letting each new detail shift the ground beneath Caren’s feet.

👮Caren is the novel’s anchor. She’s methodical, perceptive, and unwilling to be intimidated—whether by celebrity egos, media scrutiny, or the emotional fallout of her own life. Puleston gives her a compelling internal arc: she’s solving a murder while also confronting painful revelations about her late husband. That dual pressure adds emotional depth without overwhelming the procedural core.

As the investigation widens, the story gains momentum. A second death raises the stakes, and the connections between the victims reveal a web of ambition, resentment, and long‑buried conflicts. Puleston avoids cheap twists; instead, he lets the tension build through character motives and the slow peeling back of lies.

The Tenby Harbour Murders is a smart, steady, character‑driven crime novel that balances procedural detail with emotional nuance. Caren Waits emerges as a detective worth following—resilient, flawed, and deeply human. The mystery is layered, the pacing assured, and the final reveal satisfying without feeling forced.

A strong entry for readers who enjoy community‑rooted crime fiction, police procedurals, complex female detectives, and mysteries where personal and professional stakes collide.

[Cidney]

Ok I've read books 1 and 3 and now read book2, it would have helped if I had read them in order!!! However I shall be as undeterred as Detective Inspector Caren Waits appears! Caren is called out to a murder of a well known actor found dead in his trailer who was appearing in a period film in Tenby, that's a beautiful coastal town in Wales, and there is not a shortage of people who might want to do him harm for he is not that nice a guy. His wife and her assistant also fit that bill. So no shortage of suspects then. I am surprised at how good at getting at working out who the murderer is! I am wondering if Mr Puleston's readers are getting better at this!!! Just a thought!!

Anyway the plot thickens and there are no shortage of suspects and even the dead are piling up behind them and some of them were their shoo-ins for the killer. I do like Caren and her team, well Alice hmm least said but she does play a pivotal role in the story just like all the other members of Caren's team and associates do, and I like the nice little touches with her small son who spends a lot of time at his grandparents or Caren's newly found friend Susan.

What bothers me about Aled is that his diet seems to consist only of chips? And that's both his mum and his grandmama cooking them. I think someone should buy them both cookery books for christmas. Because of this child's appalling diet I was tempted to knock a point off, but that seems a tad mean... Mr Puleston in the next book could you please have Aled eating something healthy?

[Linda]

Did the beloved star murdered have feet of clay?🤔

A good police procedural murder mystery with a whole movie set full of potential killers (and then some)! The investigation conducted by Welsh widow DI Caren's Waits and her team into murder around the filming of a new drama in Western Wales kept me guessing. A delusional stalker is only one of a good mix of characters identified as likely suspects. And Caren's a very sympathetic lead with small son Aled to fret over, her husband's sudden death and estate to settle, and the need to prove herself in her new, more supervisory role.

Caren is a working single mom with a horribly unpredictable schedule when she's on a murder investigation, especially when resolving the murder has greater urgency due to the risk the killer may chalk up more victims. I understand the frequent references to Caren's childcare issues but I could have done with briefer accounts as it edged on being a bit repetitive.

The mystery regarding her dead husband and his activities in the years immediately before his demise: a bit of added suspense, some personal angst for Caren and a nice little cliffhanger drawing me into the next book in the series. I am also hoping to learn more about Alice, Rhys and Huw, the members of her team, as the series moves on.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Carol Butler]

This is the 2nd book starring Caren Waits, and she is doing quite well in her new role as DCI. Her team are coming together well, even Alice, but she still has her moments when a prostitute is a prostitute and a crook is a crook and not worthy of police protection.
In this episode, a period drama is being televised, and the lead actor is murdered, or perhaps not; it could have been an accident.
Caren and the team get themselves organised, and it seems most of the actors have all got ghosts in the closet, so it's twiddling out the truth from fiction. A very complex case, and it seems actors take their drama a bit over the top.
Caren lost her husband in a road traffic accident and is waiting for the insurance to finalise and pay up, but instead of a settlement soon, it seems her husband may have had an affair, so until it's all sorted, she cannot settle down with her son.
Stephen certainly knows how to spin a yarn, and this one is up there with the others.
I have always enjoyed the Drake novels and Marco, and now this one, a strong female character, a complex story to get your teeth into, I do hope there is more to come in the pipeline.
I was given an ARC to read, and this is my take on the said novel.

[Diana]

The Tenby Harbour Murders by Stephen Puleston

This is the second installment in Puleston’s new series featuring DI Caren Waits. She is a single mom, her husband having died prior to the start of the series. She moved for her career promotion and luckily, her parents, a big source of support for her and her son, live nearby. Despite their support, she has internal struggles finding the right balance between work and the amount of time the job takes from her to be with her son.

Now that her new team has gone through the stages of teamwork (getting used to working together; the various personalities, the team finds themselves investigating the murder of a famous actor at the filming location in nearby Tenby. As in the previous book, she finds herself quickly under pressure to solve the case quickly. Their main suspects have alibi’s further complicating their investigation.

On the personal side, she is also dealing with her deceased husband’s estate and the issues surrounding the inquest and insurance. Only to find out that he may have been involved with another woman and the possibility that she may have a claim to his estate.

This can be read as a stand alone police procedural mystery.

Thank you to Stephen Puleston for an advanced copy of this e-book.

[Emily Pennington]

Multiple Murders . . .

The sudden death of celebrity actor Noah Voce on a film set in Tenby has Detective Inspector Caren Waits, a widow with a young 4-year-old son Aled, hurrying to the scene as the officer in charge. The victim, Voce, had generously appeared at many charity events and fund raisers and was well-liked. What would motivate someone to silence the popular actor? The pathologist, Dr Nigel Langmore, reported the cause of death was massive blood loss caused by a wound to the bottom of the abdomen where the weapon had damaged several arteries indicating a sustained and deliberate attack. And while they are still investigating Voce’s murder, a second victim turns up dead, and the pressure mounts as this victim was also an actor. Are the murders related? Will Caren’s team be able to close in on the murderer before someone else is killed?

Caren’s investigation is well documented so that the reader can tag along and gather information to keep the story line exciting. Caren’s immediate and ongoing command of the environment around her is quite impressive (even if some of the terms and places are unfamiliar to me). There is a steady influx of action and suspense in this fast-paced mystery that will keep the reader guessing. You won’t want to miss this one!

[Kathleen]

DI Caren Waits returns in The Tenby Harbour Murders, second in this excellent series. Her life has settled down after a dramatic introduction to her new team, her young son is happy in his new school, her husband’s estate is nearly settled except for one unsettling claim and there may be a new man in her life. Then nationally beloved actor Noah Voce is found stabbed to death in his trailer. He, his wife and fellow actors are in historic Tenby to film a period drama. Caren and her team must find a killer among a cast of talented actors and their acquaintances and all have perfect alibis. With intense pressure from her superiors and the press, Caren, Huw, Rhys and Alice work overtime to solve this complicated case. Then there is another murder.

The Tenby Harbour Murders combine a riveting police procedural with the emotional weight of Caren’s personal story. She is a complicated character, so well described that you feel her anxiety as she tries to arrange child care, deal with grief as she settles her husband’s will and quickly solve a murder. Tenby, a seaside town on Carmarthen Bay is an atmospheric location. The well executed plot has a final twist that left me wanting more. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Highgate Publishing and Stephen Puleston for this ARC.

[Lynsey Spedding]

This is the second installment in the Caren Wait series, however I found it worked well as a standalone. When two celebrities are murdered and the media frenzy begins, Caren finds herself under immense pressure to solve the case quickly. As she spends more time with her team, she starts to see their strengths and learns that they can really rise to the occasion when needed. Even when she has to reprimand them, they respond positively and gain more respect for her—something her predecessor struggled with.

The investigation takes her all over West Wales, uncovering strange characters and diving deep into the mystery.

I absolutely love Caren and her team—the author paints such vivid pictures that I can easily imagine each one of them. The story is filled with action: drama, foot chases, car pursuits—it had me hooked! I didn’t expect the red herring, though I found it a bit of a letdown. However, the thrilling ending and shocking cliffhanger more than made up for it. Now I can’t wait for the next book!

I highly recommend this novel and the author!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the authors for giving me the opportunity to review this book with an ARC.

[Sharon]

Caren Waits is getting more accustomed to her new role as a Detective Inspector and is developing good working relationships with her team. In this book, they are looking for the murderer of a famous actor, and later in the story, one of his co-stars. There was a red herring and the eventual discovery of the murderer was unexpected. Stephen Puleston does a good job of keeping the story interesting. Detective Inspector John Marco makes a couple of brief appearances here and this is a nice tie-in from an earlier Puleston series.

This is the second book in the Waits series, but can be read as a standalone since Puleston revisits things that were brought up in the first book. Caren’s predecessor, whose last name we see earlier in this book, is identified later as Sammy Evans. Info about him would have been more relevant earlier, when he was first mentioned. I thought a little too much time was spent on Caren asking other people about Evans, since nothing is learned. Maybe in the next book?

Many thanks to Stephen Puleston and Book Funnel for an advance review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandass]

Stephen Puleston keeps on telling these lovely tales set in Wales. The fact that she is a busy police Inspector, is learning to speak the local language, while tracking down a murderer or two is enough to make me wonder where she gets the time or energy. She's also raising a preschooler when she's not dropping him off at her parents, and she's struggling to find her way through settling her husband's estate. She lives on sugar, caffeine and adrenaline.
She's pretty smart and has a great co-worker who's grown to be quite trustworthy and reliable as are her teammates. They'd better be, because they're surrounded by people I'd have no interest in hanging out with.
They're stuck in a small town in which a movie is being shot. All the people involved become suspects when a lead actor is murdered. And a couple of days later another person associated with the actor is murdered. I was waiting to see if there'd be a third murder. And wasn't too far off in my speculation when there was an attempt on another life. You'll have to read the book to see how that goes.
I read an ARC of the book provided by the author.

[Roroblu'sMum]

4* Policing at its finest, but also most selfish where Caren's child is concerned.

OK, so this book follows on immediately from book 1, with the reveal about Caren's late husband getting worse. I can't recall if there was mention in book 1 or this one, if she loved him, but she didn't seem too upset/broken/enraged at the discovery about the full extent of his indiscretion. I'd have been baying for blood! Even her lawyer didn't seem especially quick to action. But, there's going to be some nasty fallout if what she's being told is the truth.

That aside, there's a case to be investigated and that, and the storyline, are done well. But, Caren is a selfish daughter and absent mother, and takes advantage of her parents to be able to do her job. It feels like something is going to have to give at some point. It resonates with the Max Manning Kane and Granger tales in this respect, and there, somethings's definitely about to give. I'd still read more of this series, as it lacks the faux gloss of US detective tales, and keeps it real.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books for my reading pleasure.

[Audrey]

This is the second book in the new Caren Wait series! This book was a great as the first. When two celebrities r murdered and the press swarm this becomes a huge case for Caren! The pressure is intense for her to solve this quickly. As she gets to know her team more she realizes they can really step up when needed. When she has to reprimand them they take it well and respect her more for finding and calling them out unlike her predecessor. Her relationship with Susan is growing as is their sons. I didn’t care for how little time she spends with her son but I do like that it is quality time. The murders had her all over West Wales investigating. This was an in-depth investigation with some very weird characters. I love Caren and her team. I can picture all of them based on the author’s description. There was drama, foot chases and car chases. It was an exciting book. I didn’t see the red herring for what it was disappointing myself. The dramatic ending was fantastic but the cliffhanger made me anxious for the next book. I highly recommend this book and author!

[J.]

This is the second DI Inspector Caren Waits mystery, but it works well as a standalone story. It was so well-done, that I can’t wait to go back and read the first book! Caren is settling into her role with her new team in a new town when a celebrity is found murdered at a movie location at Tenby, Wales and Caren’s team is investigating. From the very beginning, I was completely engrossed with the story. The characters (especially Caren) are well-rounded and the mystery fascinating. Prepare to spend the day reading when you begin this book.
Thanks to Highgate Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Martha Brindley]

This is an excellent follow up to the first in the Caren Waits series, set in south Wales. Her team are beginning to settle in and work well together as they investigate the death of a man filming a period drama. I really like the characters, even Alice, as we see their characters develop as the investigation proceeds. I liked the interesting plotting and the pacing was a bit more steady right to the end as the suspense built up. The ending left me wanting to find out what is next in store for Caren on the domestic front. I hope there is a lot more to come in this very promising series and one which I highly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[John Mccormick]

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
A well written Police procedural a clever intelligent mystery, the second book in this series but whilst there are some references to the first book this works as a standalone story. Comes across as an enjoyable old fashioned murder mystery as there is no gruesome description of the crimes. At times the Author is too descriptive for example explaining how our heroine places her used coffee cup between the seats of the car in the cup holder provided, which I did not mind but think some readers would think is over the top.
Recommended.

[Michelle]

This was almost a DNF for me; as it is, I raced through 50% of it just to get to the end. The book just isn’t well-written. Every sentence is written in passive voice, the plot is uninteresting, the characters are not well-developed, and there is far too much unnecessary detail. I am giving it two stars instead of one because it is an early copy that perhaps will be edited before publication. Also, I hate to give an author only one star because it takes considerable time, effort and dedication to write a book. Unfortunately, it took the same for me to finish reading this book.

[Mandy]

This is the second in the Inspector Caren Waits series but can easily be read as a standalone.

The body of Noah Voce, a well-known actor, is found on the set of a film which is being made in Tenby. It’s clearly a suspicious death so Caren and her team are called in to investigate. The problem is that Noah was greatly loved and popular, so why was he killed? While they’re trying to find the killer, another murder occurs.

A great police procedural, highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Highgate Publishing for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

[Catherine Stratman]

Excellent follow-up to The Paxton's Tower Murders!

The author has again left us wanting more of this series! This series is edge of your seat, twisty, and has the wonderful backdrop of Wales. This time Detective Inspector Caren Waits and her team are tasked with finding the murderer of a well liked actor. But some things are not left in the past. Add a second murder to the mix and DI Waits and her team may be in over their heads. Plenty of action to keep the reader interested!

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Rosemary]

The Tenby Harbour Murders - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

The Tenby Harbour Murders is Stephen Puleston's outstanding new DI Caren Waits Welsh-based, crime-thriller.

Deception and revenge are hidden behind a killer's public facade, until Caren and her team shatter their illusion - and unmask the truth.
Meanwhile Caren battles personal issues that could change her life completely.

Grab a copy of The Tenby Harbour Murders today, to see how this popular tourist destination hides murder amongst its many attractions!

[Viragored]

I enjoyed the story, a decent plot with a few twists. I'm not usually good at working out who the villain is going to be, but the villain was on my early short list - some good hints must have been given.
I think it would be a better book if the writing style were more lively. Maybe that is just me, as plenty of other people like the author's books. I'm a bit biased towards his stories because of family connections to the areas he is writing about and am looking forward to the next one.

[Ruth Kittner]

good characters and development

Caren is an interesting woman. Great case, and enough suspense. Author is clearly more comfortable writing male characters but to give credit where it’s due, he’s progressing well with a female detective. There could be more interplay with Caren specifically trying not to be as obsessed with a case as her previous boss but also alert to the problems he created with his own family.

[Susan Green]

A fascinating addition to a new series with DI Caren Waits. Caren is still getting to know her team and the area. This was a very involved investigation with a surprising and very tense ending. There is also a cliffhanger. I've read every one of the author's books and can't wait for the next one in the series.

[Jim Phillips]

An excellent police procedural with a well written storyline and an outstanding female main character. A traditional whodunnit with plenty of action, drama, and suspense. Contains plenty of possible suspects and lots of alibis. Has a cliffhanger ending that will have you wanting the nest book now. Very enjoyable murder mystery that I highly recommend.

[Beth]

Another Winner!

I’m really enjoying this new series! Caren Waits is a character that seems like a real person. She is good at her job and she has a life outside of her job. The case involved a famous actor who’s been murdered. There were twists and turns and I was kept guessing. I look forward to the next book! Beth P.

[S McK]

Gripping!

Caren and her team are in the thick of it again, with two murders to contend with.

The team are coming together and working the evidence but the culprit is alluding them. After some dogged police work, it starts to fall in to place.

Great characters and storyline. I'm so intrigued by Caren's backstory and the revelation, on the last page that I cannot wait for the next book!

[Bryan Biery]

Excellent procedural

Heroine keeps a stiff upper lip as her personal world shifts on its axis.
She is losing her personal life all over again after the death of her husband.
In short order she has taken on a rental close enough to her parents with her young son and a promotion to a new office.
Now a murder greets her the first day
A good read!

[Melvyn Homer]

The Tenby Harbour Murders. Inspector Caren Waits second big case is a complicated affair, involving a film production in Tenby which soon turns to murder. Multi faceted, full of twists and turns, the team finally pin down the culprit. A great addition to the series.

[Richard JF Gallick]

Having read the first book in the new series by Stephen Puleston, DI Waits. The new books are excellent reads and to the high standards of Stephen Puleston. I look forward to the series developing and enjoying the work of DI Waits