A body in the harbour. A death someone hoped would never be discovered.
When a fishing boat pulls its nets from the waters of Ramsgate Harbour, the crew expect their usual catch.
Instead, they find a body.
Detective Inspector Mara Ellison and DS Finn Rourke are called in to investigate what appears to be a tragic death.
But something about the case doesn’t sit right.
The victim, a quiet financial auditor, had recently been examining accounts connected to several redevelopment projects along the Kent coast.
Now the trail leads Mara into a world where money moves quietly, records disappear, and the people involved would rather the investigation stopped asking questions.
Witnesses grow reluctant to talk. Files begin to vanish. And someone is clearly paying very close attention to the police.
As Mara pushes deeper into the case, the investigation begins to reveal a pattern of secrets and silence that runs far deeper than anyone expected. And someone is determined to make sure those secrets stay hidden.
What began as a single unexplained death may be part of something far larger.
And someone is determined to keep the truth buried beneath the quiet harbour.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: • British crime fiction • Police procedurals • Atmospheric coastal mysteries • Slow-burn detective thrillers
Fans of LJ Ross, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter andMichael Connelly will enjoy the second gripping investigation in The Mara Ellison Series.
The Quiet Harbour is Book 2 in the Mara Ellison Series.
The investigation begins in Book 1 – Tide of Bone.
E.S Meyer has always had a passion for writing, as a dad of 4, time can often be a bit of a myth. Writing is an escape, an outlet for creativity, saved for downtime in the evenings which birthed the crime thriller writers first series. Balancing this with working full time has proven difficult, but we don't let creativity sit unexplored.
Honestly, there is not a huge difference between my review of book one and this book because everything I liked in the first book applies here as well.
That said, I did enjoy this instalment more. The pacing felt stronger, the character development was more pronounced, and it explores the overarching plot of the series in greater depth, which kept me fully engaged throughout. It is also very clear that this book is written with more confidence, and that the author allowed themselves to have more fun with the writing, which really comes through on the page.
The writing is once again very realistic and immersive. I particularly liked how the focus remained on the investigation, with natural shifts in pacing and atmosphere depending on the situation. The use of weather and smell to convey tone added an extra layer to the storytelling, and the occasional dark humour landed well for me.
The imagery is vivid, making it easy to picture each scene as it unfolds. I also appreciated the subtle details woven throughout, which added intrigue without giving too much away and kept me thinking as I read.
Overall, this is another very strong instalment, and I am really looking forward to continuing with the series.
This was a really great read that grabbed me from the very first page. This book moves along at a really great pace which is perfect for the flow of the story, has amazing characters and a story that will not disappoint. This book is a must read that needs to be at the top of your TBR list, no doubt about it.
I actually felt as though I was at the board! I felt immersed into the work of a detective and I loved that it was set in the town where I live. I will definitely be reading all other books by this author
Lovely to read a book from the area close to where I live & know. Great, interesting storyline which flowed perfectly. Kept me intrigued from start to finish. Top 10 reading!