Jordan Point

Bay Tanner #13

by Kathryn R. Wall

Hilton Head private investigator Bay Tanner has seen enough murder and mayhem to last her several lifetimes. Her decision to accept only the most mundane cases has led to a more settled life with her husband and employees until the appearance of an old friend scuttles all her good intentions. Sylvia Reynolds, lovingly known as Pudge back when their crowd shared forbidden cigarettes in the girls' restroom, has morphed into Sylvie Reynaud, one of the world's former top fashion models. Every few months she and a few women meet at Sylvie's spectacular north island home to drink, party, and commiserate as they slide into middle age. Except one of them has a husband who enjoys using her as a punching bag, and her injuries are becoming more serious every time the group meets. Sylvie wants Bay to help put a stop to it before their friend ends up dead. It sounds straightforward enough at first—until Mary Alice Stuart's husband suddenly disappears from the yacht they keep docked at a local marina. Then evidence that points to something more sinister than a simple marital squabble begins to mount, and his battered wife becomes the prime suspect. But could the petite, very proper woman they all called Scarlett really be capable of violence—or worse? Or is this just another facet of James Stuart's vicious campaign to punish his wife? With her longtime partner Erik Whiteside off on a personal mission and with an inexperienced employee as backup, Bay tries valiantly to balance the demands of her other clients with the search for James Stuart and her own private fears for the safety of her beloved Lavinia Smalls. One thing she knows for certain—friends in need can be a deadly serious business. A Bay Tanner Mystery #13

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2015

About the author

Kathy wrote her first story at the age of six, then decided to take a few decades off. She grew up in a small town in northeastern Ohio and attended college in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. For twenty-five years she practiced her profession as an accountant in both public and private practice. In 1994 she and her husband Norman retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Her road to publishing success has taken many twists and turns. She self-published her first Bay Tanner mystery, In For a Penny, in 2001 using the innovative print-on-demand technology. Its success led to an offer from a small, regional publisher who reissued the first novel along with its sequel, And Not a Penny More, on Valentine's Day of 2002. A reprint of both books had to be ordered within six weeks.

Then serendipity struck. An editor for St. Martin's Press, visiting relatives in nearby Beaufort, was introduced to the Bay Tanner mysteries. A month later she called to offer Kathy a hardcover contract. They have since published Perdition House, Judas Island, Resurrection Road, Bishop's Reach and Sanctuary Hill in both hardcover and paperback. The eighth Bay Tanner novel, The Mercy Oak, is slated for release April, 2008.

Kathy is a founding member of Island Writers' Network and serves as treasurer for both the Sisters in Crime National Board and the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

Kathy has been a mentor in the Hilton Head schools and participates as a Friend of Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry. When not writing and touring for her books, Kathy and Norman play tennis, share long walks on the beach, and enjoy the lush beauty of the tidal marsh from the decks of their Hilton Head condominium. She has two stepsons and four grandchildren.

Series:
* Bay Tanner

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

love Kathryn R Walls "Bay Tanner" books!

[Barb VanHorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good ending for the Bay Tanner series. I enjoyed how Wall ended the series on a pleasant note ... I wish she had written more, but I understand that this was the end. Throughout, I enjoyed the mysteries and Bay's relationships with all of the other characters. I was sorry that Wall didn't really flesh out what Bay might have learned from reading the old diaries she found in the attic. That would have been interesting

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finishing this book is a sad event for me! I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole series so much I hated to have it end.

I tried to go to Kathryn Wall’s website but I had no success.

This is a great series of crime solving and mystery as well as a love story or two that kept me reading every night. Now I’m sad it’s over.

[MaryAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series through the years. It has just enough Southern, just enough intrigue, just enough romance, and just enough reality to make it readable. I hope there will continue to be more!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final book in series. I’m sad about that. Best book in series & I loved the Note from the Author at the end. Thank you Kathryn R. Wall for making our annual treks to HHI even better as we sought out locales mentioned in these mysteries.

[Diane L. Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining book with a surprise ending.

[Kayte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have devoured and loved this series. It is so sad to finish it but I was grateful to see that things wrapped up and we weren’t left hanging. Thank you Mrs. Wall for many good books.

[Pcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't see the ending coming. I will really miss Bay!

[Mary Byrnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I loved this book and series. I'm sorry there will be no more Bay Tanner mysteries. But I do love how all was tied up and explained.
The story was one of the better ones in the series. I thought I had figured it out but the resolution was a surprise. This series was recommended to me by a friend and I am glad she did.

[Beachreader · Rating 2 out of 5]

The previous book in this series was quite good, one of the very best Bay Tanner stories I thought. But this one seemed disjointed and hastily written, plus there was a puzzling epilogue. It appears that the series has ended, but why wouldn't the author have the courtesy to inform her loyal readers in the acknowledgements at the end of the book.

Disappointed all round.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner by Kathryn Wall! A great easy beach read and keeps you engaged! I so look forward to her books! Love that she speaks of places I know from all my vacations in HHI! After reading the epilogue I question if this is the ending of the series of Bay Tanner! I sure hope not!!!!

[Rcpgpugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this may be the last book involving Bay Tanner. So sad. I truly enjoyed this series. The characters in this book were not my favorites. Just a little to strange for me. But, I love Kathryn Wall as an author. I wish her happiness in her new adventure in life.

[Kaye Amick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bay Tanner...a friend through the years

I stumbled upon Kathryn Wall's books simply from the title In for a Penny and was hooked. I was always so delighted to see the next title . This book has a touch of sorrow of a friend moving away. I hope to hear from her again.

[Deshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely got the impression that this is the last book in this series. Makes me sad. It's like friends I will never hear from again.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love BayTanner!

[Nancy Pavona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Bay Tanner series! I've visited Hilton Head many times and can the places mentioned in each book. Please don't let this be the last of the series!

[Kathy C. Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What? No more Bay Tanner?

I have read all 13 Bay Tanner books in less than two months! I love Kathryn Wall's writing especially since her bo

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fear this may be the last Bay Tanner mystery and that is said. As a long time visitor to Hilton Head I have enjoyed reading and learning about the area. The stories are fun and a good read.