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Port Stirling #1
Shallow Waters
The Oregonian, 10/25/20: "Brisk, instantly engaging police procedural".
A sleepy Oregon coastal village with secrets as dark as its January storms. A new, handsome police chief with his own shadowy past.
The last thing Port Stirling Chief of Police Matt Horning needed on day one of his new job was for the mayor’s daughter to turn up dead - stabbed to death - in a mysterious tunnel on a remote Oregon beach. Horning, escaping professional troubles in Texas, accepts the vacant job in Port Stirling, Oregon, looking for a fresh start in what he thought would be a peaceful coastal town where the far west meets the mighty Pacific Ocean. Nothing much ever happens here…or does it?
The crime doesn't make any sense, and there is no apparent motive for the murder of little Emily Bushnell. She wasn't sexually assaulted, her family is respected in the small community where everyone knows everyone, and there doesn't appear to be a reason for her death. Human bite marks on Emily's body discovered by the medical examiner during the autopsy add an even stranger twist to the puzzling homicide.
With only a ragtag county crime team to assist him, Horning must match wits with a diabolical killer, the likes of which this quiet village has never seen. An aggressive county district attorney with political ambitions, who doesn’t fancy relinquishing the limelight to the new chief of police, makes Horning's job even more difficult. Will Matt be allowed a new beginning in his life, both personally and professionally. or will the forces in play be too many obstacles to overcome?
For one week in the wild and stormy month of January, Horning calls on all of his detective skills to investigate the unlikely murder. As soon as he starts asking questions, Port Stirling begins to unveil its dark underbelly amid stunning revelations.
From the 300-foot bluffs ringing the white-sand pristine beach, to the posh golf resort at odds with the blue-collar town, Chief Horning and his new team work at break-neck speed to uncover the facts. Without a murder weapon and very little physical evidence, will Matt and his new colleagues find the killer before he – or she – strikes again? Will a psychopath ruin Matt Horning’s new life before he can even start it?
In this shocking story set in a beach town not unlike where she grew up, native Oregonian Kay Jennings introduces a thrilling new mystery series set alongside Oregon’s rugged Pacific coast. Shallow Waters combines an intriguing police procedural with a spooky murder mystery, in a remote part of southwest Oregon you aren't likely to forget.
A sleepy Oregon coastal village with secrets as dark as its January storms. A new, handsome police chief with his own shadowy past.
The last thing Port Stirling Chief of Police Matt Horning needed on day one of his new job was for the mayor’s daughter to turn up dead - stabbed to death - in a mysterious tunnel on a remote Oregon beach. Horning, escaping professional troubles in Texas, accepts the vacant job in Port Stirling, Oregon, looking for a fresh start in what he thought would be a peaceful coastal town where the far west meets the mighty Pacific Ocean. Nothing much ever happens here…or does it?
The crime doesn't make any sense, and there is no apparent motive for the murder of little Emily Bushnell. She wasn't sexually assaulted, her family is respected in the small community where everyone knows everyone, and there doesn't appear to be a reason for her death. Human bite marks on Emily's body discovered by the medical examiner during the autopsy add an even stranger twist to the puzzling homicide.
With only a ragtag county crime team to assist him, Horning must match wits with a diabolical killer, the likes of which this quiet village has never seen. An aggressive county district attorney with political ambitions, who doesn’t fancy relinquishing the limelight to the new chief of police, makes Horning's job even more difficult. Will Matt be allowed a new beginning in his life, both personally and professionally. or will the forces in play be too many obstacles to overcome?
For one week in the wild and stormy month of January, Horning calls on all of his detective skills to investigate the unlikely murder. As soon as he starts asking questions, Port Stirling begins to unveil its dark underbelly amid stunning revelations.
From the 300-foot bluffs ringing the white-sand pristine beach, to the posh golf resort at odds with the blue-collar town, Chief Horning and his new team work at break-neck speed to uncover the facts. Without a murder weapon and very little physical evidence, will Matt and his new colleagues find the killer before he – or she – strikes again? Will a psychopath ruin Matt Horning’s new life before he can even start it?
In this shocking story set in a beach town not unlike where she grew up, native Oregonian Kay Jennings introduces a thrilling new mystery series set alongside Oregon’s rugged Pacific coast. Shallow Waters combines an intriguing police procedural with a spooky murder mystery, in a remote part of southwest Oregon you aren't likely to forget.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2019
737 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 7, 2021
needs editing. a lot of editing.
I read this book on kindle unlimited because I had bought a paperback copy for my daughter and wanted to see if I should get her the rest of the series.
So many problems. So many cringe-worthy phrases and concepts. Susan will be 16 tomorrow, but she is driving her brother around.
None if the characters had much depth. Lots of things were hinted at, but never explained or explored.
No, I won't be getting any more of these, even for free.
I read this book on kindle unlimited because I had bought a paperback copy for my daughter and wanted to see if I should get her the rest of the series.
So many problems. So many cringe-worthy phrases and concepts. Susan will be 16 tomorrow, but she is driving her brother around.
None if the characters had much depth. Lots of things were hinted at, but never explained or explored.
No, I won't be getting any more of these, even for free.
January 17, 2021
For the most part I really enjoyed this book. I was however waiting for a grand twist at the end that never came so the end was a bit anti-climactic for me.
May 4, 2025
I quit halfway through the book. Maybe a potential for a good story, but the book is poorly written and definitely not edited well. I wanted to like this book and I was hoping to find a new mystery series to enjoy, but i will not be pursuing any more of this series.
August 11, 2021
Very good
Very good story. Especially the kicker. I am usually never surprised. This time I was! Hope sequel is as good
Very good story. Especially the kicker. I am usually never surprised. This time I was! Hope sequel is as good
July 1, 2023
*Rounding up to a 3.5*
This was a good attempt at a first mystery novel by Kay Jennings. Having been to the Oregon coast many times, her descriptions were awesome and really helped paint the setting of this small coastal community. There is truly something special about the Oregon coast and she nails it.
However the plot was played a little to safe, with the characters seemingly all to nice to each other. The killer was a bit easy to predict with a few red herrings thrown, with these being quickly debunked. I suppose the drama didn't feel quite there, as if she was trying to create suspense but it sort of fell flat.
With that being said, Matt Horning is a great main character with part of his back story told here. There also was a few love stories being started here and it will be interesting to see how they progress in the series.
I look forward to reading the rest of her series and this was a good first attempt at mystery.
This was a good attempt at a first mystery novel by Kay Jennings. Having been to the Oregon coast many times, her descriptions were awesome and really helped paint the setting of this small coastal community. There is truly something special about the Oregon coast and she nails it.
However the plot was played a little to safe, with the characters seemingly all to nice to each other. The killer was a bit easy to predict with a few red herrings thrown, with these being quickly debunked. I suppose the drama didn't feel quite there, as if she was trying to create suspense but it sort of fell flat.
With that being said, Matt Horning is a great main character with part of his back story told here. There also was a few love stories being started here and it will be interesting to see how they progress in the series.
I look forward to reading the rest of her series and this was a good first attempt at mystery.
April 29, 2023
Loved the setting, a few of the people, and the seal. Definitely reads like a first novel.
March 7, 2024
This book is set in the PNW, along the Oregon coast. Police Chief Matt Horner has just arrived in town, after recently being hired and he’s met with the brutal murder of a 4 year old girl. It turns out she is the Mayors daughter.
Matt immediately starts his investigation and finds some help from a variety of local resources. He becomes fast friends with these folks.
Matt is fairly likable, he seems like he will fit in.
A few of the things I didn’t like:
He gets angry at Fern and tells her she needs to set up a lunchtime date to talk to a minor suspect. They argue back and forth and she finally agrees, the next page is them interviewing the suspect at 5:00 pm. No explanation.
What did the homeless guy, Robert, have to do with anything?
A grown man who talks to a seal? And the conversations are all included?
This book was too long, it could have been cut down 100 pages.
The ending was very anticlimactic. It was just over. I didn’t like it at all.
Matt immediately starts his investigation and finds some help from a variety of local resources. He becomes fast friends with these folks.
Matt is fairly likable, he seems like he will fit in.
A few of the things I didn’t like:
He gets angry at Fern and tells her she needs to set up a lunchtime date to talk to a minor suspect. They argue back and forth and she finally agrees, the next page is them interviewing the suspect at 5:00 pm. No explanation.
What did the homeless guy, Robert, have to do with anything?
A grown man who talks to a seal? And the conversations are all included?
This book was too long, it could have been cut down 100 pages.
The ending was very anticlimactic. It was just over. I didn’t like it at all.
July 14, 2019
I love that this book is set in Bandon, Oregon. Names of places were changed but if you know the area it is a fun read. Good, easy to read mystery.
September 26, 2020
While I had fun reading the majority of this book, I was extremely disappointed by the author’s attempts to delve into the world of mental illness and psychology. She may have a career as a fiction writer, but she falls short as a mystery author.
*Spoiler Alert*
I felt the ending was a total cop out. Why take the time to build up this whole mystery and then use the deus ex machina to slip out of having to come up with a creative or thoughtful conclusion? I also took offense with the portrayal of mental illness and the perpetuation of the myth that people with schizophrenia are dangerous and threatening to the safety of society. In fact, it is the people with chronic mental illness that are often the victims of violence and exploitation. As a mental health professional, it makes me cringe when authors confound psychosis and psychopathy.
*Spoiler Alert*
I felt the ending was a total cop out. Why take the time to build up this whole mystery and then use the deus ex machina to slip out of having to come up with a creative or thoughtful conclusion? I also took offense with the portrayal of mental illness and the perpetuation of the myth that people with schizophrenia are dangerous and threatening to the safety of society. In fact, it is the people with chronic mental illness that are often the victims of violence and exploitation. As a mental health professional, it makes me cringe when authors confound psychosis and psychopathy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2025
A child's body found not usually my cup of tea but since I had already read two books in the series, I felt a need to read the first book that started it all. I was not disappointed. A dysfunctional family, a torrid affair, a crazy neighbor, an odd ball farmer and a federal agent meant so many twists to this mystery. Still, it kept me at the edge of my seat with an emotional ending.
August 20, 2021
Good read - light but well-crafted
Characters well drawn, plot intriguing.
Liked the description of the setting. Hope it will be the first of a series.
Characters well drawn, plot intriguing.
Liked the description of the setting. Hope it will be the first of a series.
December 31, 2021
Never boring
This book will hold your interest the entire read. The plot was well written and cannot wait to get started on the second book.
This book will hold your interest the entire read. The plot was well written and cannot wait to get started on the second book.
August 28, 2025
I agree with most other reviewers of this book, but there was one aspect that irritated me. I can't for the life of me understand why the author felt the need to append every mention of time with "am", "pm", or "o'clock". In her telling of the story, if an event obviously took place in the morning, why did she feel the need to state the time as "8 o'clock AM". Nobody speaks like this. Anyone would understand it if it was written as "8 AM". I know this is petty, but it happened so often in the story that it really distracted me from an otherwise reasonably good book.
On the positive side, I appreciate that the author clearly was familiar with the Oregon coast communities, and she wrote about them accurately. I've read other books that claim to take place on the Oregon coast that have no connection to reality. For example, one of them talked about the pine trees when referring to the dominant species of fir trees, and also had their character drive 2 hours east towards a mountain cabin in the coast range. Anyone who has been to Oregon knows that driving two hours east from the coast would put you in the Willamette Valley.
Overall, it was a good read. I'd recommend it.
On the positive side, I appreciate that the author clearly was familiar with the Oregon coast communities, and she wrote about them accurately. I've read other books that claim to take place on the Oregon coast that have no connection to reality. For example, one of them talked about the pine trees when referring to the dominant species of fir trees, and also had their character drive 2 hours east towards a mountain cabin in the coast range. Anyone who has been to Oregon knows that driving two hours east from the coast would put you in the Willamette Valley.
Overall, it was a good read. I'd recommend it.
July 1, 2022
Engrossing and Deeply Disturbing Mystery
I couldn't put it down! The novel very accurately portrayed how society judges actions and demeanor of those around them. I found the novel engrossing and deeply disturbing in its in-depth look at a Family reeling from devastating loss. Kay Jennings' first foray into a mystery novel is a hit in my opinion. I think this story will stay with me for a long time...though I hope not. When a novel takes you on a journey in a part of the country you've never been And makes you feel like you've lived there forever, it says a great deal about it's author's ability to engross you in the story with emotion tantamount to its setting. That played an important part in the story. I'm as far as far from the Pacific northwest you can get it. That said, I can feel and understand how the weather and setting played an important part in driving the story. I'm looking forward to reading the next exciting novel from this promising author.
I couldn't put it down! The novel very accurately portrayed how society judges actions and demeanor of those around them. I found the novel engrossing and deeply disturbing in its in-depth look at a Family reeling from devastating loss. Kay Jennings' first foray into a mystery novel is a hit in my opinion. I think this story will stay with me for a long time...though I hope not. When a novel takes you on a journey in a part of the country you've never been And makes you feel like you've lived there forever, it says a great deal about it's author's ability to engross you in the story with emotion tantamount to its setting. That played an important part in the story. I'm as far as far from the Pacific northwest you can get it. That said, I can feel and understand how the weather and setting played an important part in driving the story. I'm looking forward to reading the next exciting novel from this promising author.
March 1, 2021
I am so happy I stumbled across this series. I really like the characters and I LOVE any story set in the Pacific Northwest. The author does a wonderful job fully fleshing out characters but not all at once. The reader gets to know each character a little at a time as in real life. Descriptions of the Oregon coast are beautiful and make me long to go back. As west Texas dwelling gal, Oregon is one of my most favorite places. I'm very much looking forward to following the goings on in Chinook County.
LIBERAL SPOILER ALERT: Like so many wonderful storytelling (liberal) authors, Ms. Jennings takes a jab regarding a husband walking in front of his wife "Trump-like" . . . . unfortunately it doesn't seem as though those who dislike the former President will be able to do their jobs without acknowledging him at least once. He'll live in their heads rent-free forever.
LIBERAL SPOILER ALERT: Like so many wonderful storytelling (liberal) authors, Ms. Jennings takes a jab regarding a husband walking in front of his wife "Trump-like" . . . . unfortunately it doesn't seem as though those who dislike the former President will be able to do their jobs without acknowledging him at least once. He'll live in their heads rent-free forever.
October 7, 2024
Shallow Waters
Kay Jennings
September 30-October 6, 2024
Excellent book. Great storyline, Amazing & Likeable characters. Set on the coast of Oregon between Port Orford and Florence in the fictitious town of Port Sterling. The newly hired police chief Matt Horning from Texas had just arrived the morning the police discovered the gruesome body of the mayor's 4-year old daughter, Emily. With the new chief at the helm along with his team of officers plus having to deal with the town's arrogant D.A. they work together to solve the disturbing murder. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 ☆s. Once started, I couldn't put it down. Great job
Kay Jennings for an amazing mystery.
Kay Jennings
September 30-October 6, 2024
Excellent book. Great storyline, Amazing & Likeable characters. Set on the coast of Oregon between Port Orford and Florence in the fictitious town of Port Sterling. The newly hired police chief Matt Horning from Texas had just arrived the morning the police discovered the gruesome body of the mayor's 4-year old daughter, Emily. With the new chief at the helm along with his team of officers plus having to deal with the town's arrogant D.A. they work together to solve the disturbing murder. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 ☆s. Once started, I couldn't put it down. Great job
Kay Jennings for an amazing mystery.
August 16, 2025
My wife and I love the Southern Oregon coast! This book captures the vibe of the area very well. The book is rare in this time. The characters are well developed, have positive attitudes and are likable. No silly sex, or unwanted violence. Just a good, clean mystery. It involves the murder of a young girl where the body is found in a cave adjacent to the beach. We hike that beach a lot. The descriptions of the area are spot on. The story is very good and keeps one's interest throughout. It is a quick read, well suited to a weekend excursion at the coast. I look forward to the other books in the series.
March 4, 2023
Very good. Another excellent read. I read book 2 first and reading this one cleared up some details about the main characters, mainly Matt Horning, which was helpful. While these stories are mainly stand-alone, it’s definitely better to read them in order. I enjoyed Ms Jenning’s writing style. There’s a lot about police procedure, but it seems to fit with the story. Characters are likeable and it’s heartwarming to see a group of people come together and work as a team with no in-fighting, petty jealousies…even fictitiously. I particularly enjoyed the details of Oregon life and weather.
January 12, 2024
typical run of the mill mystery novel. my grandparents sent me this series because the location of port stirling was inspired by a town we used to vacation at!
didn’t love the main character - felt like an overbearing, always know what’s right male cop. really did not like how he was trying to be protective of the female psychological profiler, it came off as such a jerk move. i enjoyed the pace of the book and it kept me intrigued but i didn’t love the ending or the concept of a 14 year old with schizophrenia
didn’t love the main character - felt like an overbearing, always know what’s right male cop. really did not like how he was trying to be protective of the female psychological profiler, it came off as such a jerk move. i enjoyed the pace of the book and it kept me intrigued but i didn’t love the ending or the concept of a 14 year old with schizophrenia
April 6, 2024
Go with review by Leann Wheeler dated March 7th. I too saw this as a kindle unlimited read and it sounded good but was a disappointment.
Liked the town setting, beaches/cliffs but the murder was tragic and the family of the victim extremely unlikeable. All narcissistic.
The new chief of police's first day in town and there is a murder. Everyone but the pompous DA likes him immediately (rare) and he solves this within his first week. He's got an odd habit of speaking to a seal and talking to himself in quotes which does nothing for the story.
Liked the town setting, beaches/cliffs but the murder was tragic and the family of the victim extremely unlikeable. All narcissistic.
The new chief of police's first day in town and there is a murder. Everyone but the pompous DA likes him immediately (rare) and he solves this within his first week. He's got an odd habit of speaking to a seal and talking to himself in quotes which does nothing for the story.
July 28, 2025
disappointed
I wanted to enjoy this story, I was lured by the description of the coastal town in Oregon where I once lived (Bandon). But I was thoroughly put off by the narrative of a poor white cop being acquitted for “accidentally “ killing a “drugged up” black girl. I was outraged when I read this. Too many black bodies are wrongly killed by police, and too many white cops are not held responsible for their actions. The perpetuated narrative of black people being drugged up and violent is racist and wrong. Please do better, Kay.
I wanted to enjoy this story, I was lured by the description of the coastal town in Oregon where I once lived (Bandon). But I was thoroughly put off by the narrative of a poor white cop being acquitted for “accidentally “ killing a “drugged up” black girl. I was outraged when I read this. Too many black bodies are wrongly killed by police, and too many white cops are not held responsible for their actions. The perpetuated narrative of black people being drugged up and violent is racist and wrong. Please do better, Kay.
August 29, 2021
An Engaging Read
This is an engaging procedural withnicely developed characters and rather captivating scenic descriptions. Some grammatical mistakes are particularly annoying, especially the misuse of the word 'laying' ( which is almost inexcusable.) Still' the people have vitality and warmth, the story line captured this reader , and the coastal scenery added greatly to
to the pleasurable experience of Port Sterling.
This is an engaging procedural withnicely developed characters and rather captivating scenic descriptions. Some grammatical mistakes are particularly annoying, especially the misuse of the word 'laying' ( which is almost inexcusable.) Still' the people have vitality and warmth, the story line captured this reader , and the coastal scenery added greatly to
to the pleasurable experience of Port Sterling.
January 1, 2022
Clunky
A child is murdered the day the new chief of police arrives in a small Northwestern town. She is the young daughter of the mayor. The new chief must build a team and do some digging to find justice and prove himself.
I did not care for this book. The writing is clunky and the pace is slow. I identified the killer early on. None of the characters were mildly interesting. The back stories were boring the dialogue tiresome and the relationships predictable.Disappointed.
A child is murdered the day the new chief of police arrives in a small Northwestern town. She is the young daughter of the mayor. The new chief must build a team and do some digging to find justice and prove himself.
I did not care for this book. The writing is clunky and the pace is slow. I identified the killer early on. None of the characters were mildly interesting. The back stories were boring the dialogue tiresome and the relationships predictable.Disappointed.
January 1, 2023
My friend bought this book for me for Christmas. This is a new author for me and I am so glad she gave me this gift.
Kay Jennings is a wonderful author. I love the little town, Port Stirling in Oregon. The new police chief, Matt, who came from Texas, got to start his new life with a murder on his first day in town.
This story is fast paced and full of excitement from the very beginning to the end.
If you love a good mystery story, this is the one you should read.
Kay Jennings is a wonderful author. I love the little town, Port Stirling in Oregon. The new police chief, Matt, who came from Texas, got to start his new life with a murder on his first day in town.
This story is fast paced and full of excitement from the very beginning to the end.
If you love a good mystery story, this is the one you should read.
September 26, 2025
Potential but...the dialogue needed to be edited - too many cliches. I was looking forward to a new series but had to stop in the middle and read the ending. The characters in the police team were a positive in the sense they wanted to work together and were not harboring work place drama. The mystery was o.k but you could figure out which one did it from the earliest chapters. Not sure I can try another in series but maybe they improve.
October 26, 2025
3.5 stars
While I did like this book, it wasn't quite my cup of tea. It felt more like a domestic thriller than a classic murder mystery, somehow. Even if it wasn't. Just a feeling, I guess, and perhaps a highly personal one.
While I did feel kind of invested in Matt's new life and job - and how he had to hit the ground running, day one in town - I never quite warmed up to the book as much as I would have liked.
I did at least like it well enough to give the 2nd book a chance.
While I did like this book, it wasn't quite my cup of tea. It felt more like a domestic thriller than a classic murder mystery, somehow. Even if it wasn't. Just a feeling, I guess, and perhaps a highly personal one.
While I did feel kind of invested in Matt's new life and job - and how he had to hit the ground running, day one in town - I never quite warmed up to the book as much as I would have liked.
I did at least like it well enough to give the 2nd book a chance.
July 16, 2019
I enjoyed this book from page one. The characters, the Southern Oregon Coast locale..with the scenic beaches, sea food and brews and small town feel..hooked me. The mystery itself kept me wanting to skip ahead to know who the culprit was. It was a great who done it with various details regarding Oregon life and I can’t wait for Ms. Jennings next book.
January 1, 2020
While I enjoyed the book, I couldn't help but wonder (spoiler) why the obvious clue of the bite marks wasn't used to solve the crime...that is, taking samples from the family and matching them up with the marks on the body. But I suppose if it had, then the story would have been shorter and the introduction of other characters and themes would not have happened.
December 10, 2020
Excellent!
Loved it! Great first mystery novel, hopefully, the first of a series! Story itself was unusual, well written, well plotted, and decidedly scary. Great characters really worked well together, flaws and all. Their determination to find the killer of a 4 year old girl was admirable. This was an exciting reading experience!
Loved it! Great first mystery novel, hopefully, the first of a series! Story itself was unusual, well written, well plotted, and decidedly scary. Great characters really worked well together, flaws and all. Their determination to find the killer of a 4 year old girl was admirable. This was an exciting reading experience!
September 6, 2021
Shallow Waters
The story was good any my attention the whole way through. The parts that drive me nuts are mispronounced words such as me for medical examiner , saying 4 00 am or pm, instead of 4am or 4pm. There were a lot more words but I can live with it. I do so enjoy my audible. Thank you.
The story was good any my attention the whole way through. The parts that drive me nuts are mispronounced words such as me for medical examiner , saying 4 00 am or pm, instead of 4am or 4pm. There were a lot more words but I can live with it. I do so enjoy my audible. Thank you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews