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DI Ruth Hunter #9
The Conway Harbour Killings
A murdered sports coach. A missing girl. Can DI Ruth Hunter unpick a web of lies and betrayal before the killer escapes? Detective Ruth Hunter’s ongoing quest for her missing partner has taken a dramatic twist as she continues to live her life away from London in Snowdonia. When a popular rugby coach is brutally murdered, and a young woman vanishes, Ruth must examine the secret lives of a local community in shock. As Ruth, and her sidekick DS Nick Evans, begin to uncover a confusing mesh of dark deception, she realises that the answer might lie in the victim’s own clandestine life. However, every time Ruth thinks she has the killer in her sights the case turns to implicate another suspect. The Conway Harbour Killings is the ninth book in the suspenseful Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller series. If you like chilling police procedurals, true-to-life characters, and psychological twists, then you’ll love Simon McCleave’s page-turning thrill ride.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
April 13, 2023
A good book but not among my read again list.
March 15, 2023
Plot? The son ... ...
Unless I missed it, I don't see how the son dropped out of the plot. What about the bloody clothes his mum washed? What was the relevance of his trainers getting put in the wash?I
Thoughts anyone?
Unless I missed it, I don't see how the son dropped out of the plot. What about the bloody clothes his mum washed? What was the relevance of his trainers getting put in the wash?I
Thoughts anyone?
August 15, 2024
This will keep you guessing!
Ruth and Nick and the whole team catch the case of a murdered Rugby coach, former star and now womanizer / gym owner.
Being a womanizer and truly horrible person should not lead to murder, but, when you sleep with a Mom and her daughter, what would expect to happen? But did a jealous husband kill him, did his wife, or how about the daughter? To man suspects and not enough time!
But Ruth will get the bottom of the Conway Harbour Killing, and maybe even get Sarah back! Only time will tell!
Ruth and Nick and the whole team catch the case of a murdered Rugby coach, former star and now womanizer / gym owner.
Being a womanizer and truly horrible person should not lead to murder, but, when you sleep with a Mom and her daughter, what would expect to happen? But did a jealous husband kill him, did his wife, or how about the daughter? To man suspects and not enough time!
But Ruth will get the bottom of the Conway Harbour Killing, and maybe even get Sarah back! Only time will tell!
December 13, 2023
Got to love a good storyline
As usual the author has captured our attention and filled our senses with another well crafted case . The saga of Ruth and Nick progress with its usual ups and downs and keep the readers on our toes. As usual what happens next is the question of the day.
As usual the author has captured our attention and filled our senses with another well crafted case . The saga of Ruth and Nick progress with its usual ups and downs and keep the readers on our toes. As usual what happens next is the question of the day.
June 15, 2021
Love this series, couldn't put it down, keeps you guessing until the end, bring on August for book number 10!
June 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. Who knew that the solving of the murder of a school rugby coach could be so complex? DI Ruth Hunter and her team were faced with trying to work out who the murderer could be and found themselves sifting through the motives, means and opportunity of a large number of suspects. Having finally thought they had solved the case, they were then horrified when a tragic turn of events ensued, only to find out that they had the wrong person.
Meanwhile, Nick and Amanda suffer an extremely sad loss and Ruth continues her relentless search of her missing partner, Sarah. The ending is a swift wrapping up of the case, with Nick and Amanda departing on a much-needed vacation and Ruth receiving a mystifying and amazing phone call which is obviously going to spur her into action in the next book of this series.
As has been mentioned in a few of the reviews of this novel, there are some badly edited passages with name changes, missing words and scene changes not being obvious. However, if you are able to over-look these and just keep your head in the plot then it’s a good read and it doesn’t put me off from continuing to read this brilliant series.
Meanwhile, Nick and Amanda suffer an extremely sad loss and Ruth continues her relentless search of her missing partner, Sarah. The ending is a swift wrapping up of the case, with Nick and Amanda departing on a much-needed vacation and Ruth receiving a mystifying and amazing phone call which is obviously going to spur her into action in the next book of this series.
As has been mentioned in a few of the reviews of this novel, there are some badly edited passages with name changes, missing words and scene changes not being obvious. However, if you are able to over-look these and just keep your head in the plot then it’s a good read and it doesn’t put me off from continuing to read this brilliant series.
September 16, 2021
I love this series and this is a cracker of a book about the murder of a rugby coach who is a bit of a ladies man, and who is stabbed to death in his home. There are plenty of potential suspects to keep the story interesting.
The story just flows so easily and as usual, I just want to keep reading and find I generally finish these books within 2 days. This was no exception. As an added boost, we seem to be finally making headway in the ongoing search for Sarah so that is adding to the excitement of closing this chapter and wondering what will happen next.
The only thing that stopped this being 5 stars was the editing. Some chapters seemed to run into each other with no breaks. One minute you were reading 1 conversation and the next line was another conversation involving different people. It happened several times and made me stop and wonder if I had missed something. I hadn't come across this in the earlier books.
The story just flows so easily and as usual, I just want to keep reading and find I generally finish these books within 2 days. This was no exception. As an added boost, we seem to be finally making headway in the ongoing search for Sarah so that is adding to the excitement of closing this chapter and wondering what will happen next.
The only thing that stopped this being 5 stars was the editing. Some chapters seemed to run into each other with no breaks. One minute you were reading 1 conversation and the next line was another conversation involving different people. It happened several times and made me stop and wonder if I had missed something. I hadn't come across this in the earlier books.
October 4, 2022
Simon Mccleave is a prolific writer of these police procedurals with releases in this series coming in quick succession. As such, I do find the series can be a little uneven, with the last two books not coming up to scratch. This novel, however, heralds a welcome return to form and I really enjoyed reading this.
A brutally murdered rugby and sports coach who is also a bit of a charmer. A young girl goes missing. All again in picturesque Snowdonia. As DI Ruth Hunter and her dedicated team start to investigate, they encounter a complex web of intrigue among a large number of suspects.
Meanwhile, DS Nick Evans and his partner Amanda suffer a catastrophe and sad loss and Ruth encounters a number of leads in her ongoing search for her missing partner, Sarah.
This well-crafted domestic police procedural has plenty of twists and turns. As others have stated, the final editing and proofreading are a bit hit and miss, but the story makes up for it.
A brutally murdered rugby and sports coach who is also a bit of a charmer. A young girl goes missing. All again in picturesque Snowdonia. As DI Ruth Hunter and her dedicated team start to investigate, they encounter a complex web of intrigue among a large number of suspects.
Meanwhile, DS Nick Evans and his partner Amanda suffer a catastrophe and sad loss and Ruth encounters a number of leads in her ongoing search for her missing partner, Sarah.
This well-crafted domestic police procedural has plenty of twists and turns. As others have stated, the final editing and proofreading are a bit hit and miss, but the story makes up for it.
October 2, 2023
Classic McCleave book of the series. I read it in a day so it must hook me in!
I had to check that I was reading no 9 as the sequence seemed a bit off while reading the beginning. But no all was revealed.
I enjoy these books but get a bit annoyed by two things. First, that a few storyline are being stretched over several books. Is the reader being conned?
Secondly, McCleaves portrayal of women annoys me in a way I can't quite explain. Especially when he puts, in italics, their thoughts....often I question ' women don't think like that, do they?'
His female characters are gay or having affairs or wanting to have affairs or cold to the feelings of others, career driven. I'm monitoring....
As other readers have stated, the editing of the book is quite poor. Proof reading lessons required here. It's so basic
I had to check that I was reading no 9 as the sequence seemed a bit off while reading the beginning. But no all was revealed.
I enjoy these books but get a bit annoyed by two things. First, that a few storyline are being stretched over several books. Is the reader being conned?
Secondly, McCleaves portrayal of women annoys me in a way I can't quite explain. Especially when he puts, in italics, their thoughts....often I question ' women don't think like that, do they?'
His female characters are gay or having affairs or wanting to have affairs or cold to the feelings of others, career driven. I'm monitoring....
As other readers have stated, the editing of the book is quite poor. Proof reading lessons required here. It's so basic
September 3, 2021
Good case this time, interesting and there were a number of suspects. The boring side plot of Sara being missing rumbles on, I'll be glad when that is finished, it doesn't feel at all integrated with the book.
May 20, 2023
A traditional “whodunnit” murder mystery. McCleave loves a big twist at the end. Easy to read but full of small inconsistencies - dates wrong, missing punctuation, wrong police titles used. Feels sloppy and rushed.
July 2, 2023
Rejection can be deadly.
One minute he was admiring himself, preening over what good shape he was in for his forty eight years, then he was being stabbed to death.
His wife found him on the kitchen floor, when she arrived home from a business trip.
Ruth & Nick had very little to go on, no immediate suspects, no red flags. Just a former Welsh rugby player, local coach and womanizer.
There quite a few possibles. His star Under 18's player, Louis had hoped to catch the eye of a Wales U18s scout, but he had been fouled at the start of Saturday 's game and his hair trigger temper had seen him punch the other player . His sending off negated any chance of being picked. He had expected Geoff to overcome his outburst and talk him into a place. Geoff refused, both Louis and his father, Neil were not happy.
Some players mothers were overly familiar with the now deceased coach, could it have been an irate husband?
No one stood out to DI Ruth and her work partner, DS Nick. The team were going to have to start from scratch with this case.
And so it begins, another enthralling novel from a very talented author.
So many skeletons fall out of the closet, they have trouble keeping track of them all. One break after another is dismissed, others hover like a bad smell.
The twists and turns, unexpected revelations all come together at the end. Well worth reading as are all the books in this series.
Recommended.
One minute he was admiring himself, preening over what good shape he was in for his forty eight years, then he was being stabbed to death.
His wife found him on the kitchen floor, when she arrived home from a business trip.
Ruth & Nick had very little to go on, no immediate suspects, no red flags. Just a former Welsh rugby player, local coach and womanizer.
There quite a few possibles. His star Under 18's player, Louis had hoped to catch the eye of a Wales U18s scout, but he had been fouled at the start of Saturday 's game and his hair trigger temper had seen him punch the other player . His sending off negated any chance of being picked. He had expected Geoff to overcome his outburst and talk him into a place. Geoff refused, both Louis and his father, Neil were not happy.
Some players mothers were overly familiar with the now deceased coach, could it have been an irate husband?
No one stood out to DI Ruth and her work partner, DS Nick. The team were going to have to start from scratch with this case.
And so it begins, another enthralling novel from a very talented author.
So many skeletons fall out of the closet, they have trouble keeping track of them all. One break after another is dismissed, others hover like a bad smell.
The twists and turns, unexpected revelations all come together at the end. Well worth reading as are all the books in this series.
Recommended.
August 18, 2022
A murdered sports coach. A missing girl. Can DI Ruth Hunter unpick a web of lies and betrayal before the killer escapes?
Detective Ruth Hunter’s ongoing quest for her missing partner has taken a dramatic twist as she continues to live her life away from London in Snowdonia. When a popular rugby coach is brutally murdered, and a young woman vanishes, Ruth must examine the secret lives of a local community in shock.
As Ruth, and her sidekick DS Nick Evans, begin to uncover a confusing mesh of dark deception, she realizes that the answer might lie in the victim’s own clandestine life. However, every time Ruth thinks she has the killer in her sights the case turns to implicate another suspect.
I enjoyed this book. There are a large number of suspects and DI Ruth Hunter and DS Nick Evans are looking for motives from their suspects. The murder of the rugby coach is finally solved in the end. Rhona is still looking for Sarah and the search may be coming to an end. I'm looking forward to the next book as it will be centered in France looking for Sarah. If you like chilling police procedurals, true-to-life characters, and psychological twists, then you’ll love Simon McCleave’s page-turning thrill ride.
Detective Ruth Hunter’s ongoing quest for her missing partner has taken a dramatic twist as she continues to live her life away from London in Snowdonia. When a popular rugby coach is brutally murdered, and a young woman vanishes, Ruth must examine the secret lives of a local community in shock.
As Ruth, and her sidekick DS Nick Evans, begin to uncover a confusing mesh of dark deception, she realizes that the answer might lie in the victim’s own clandestine life. However, every time Ruth thinks she has the killer in her sights the case turns to implicate another suspect.
I enjoyed this book. There are a large number of suspects and DI Ruth Hunter and DS Nick Evans are looking for motives from their suspects. The murder of the rugby coach is finally solved in the end. Rhona is still looking for Sarah and the search may be coming to an end. I'm looking forward to the next book as it will be centered in France looking for Sarah. If you like chilling police procedurals, true-to-life characters, and psychological twists, then you’ll love Simon McCleave’s page-turning thrill ride.
September 3, 2025
A very enjoyable read, yes I think this was a real page turner of reasonably easy read short chapters all linking together.
Who killed the rugby coach?
As he was involved in coaching then not supporting the young prodigy is this relevant?
His current though philandering wife what has she been up to?
Oh what about Sgt Nick and his alcoholism, who’s winning him or the booze or a young female copper ?
The fact that the young players mums are swooning over coach is this relevant?
Conwy of course is a lovely place yes the castle and harbour are mentioned, aha yes Liverpool Arms pub , what about the excellent chip shops and the dive bombing thriving seagulls.
Perhaps the small boat people are involved? Seems to be all over the news in 2025 but the only boat people here are those in the marina at Conwy and Deganwy 😉
Who killed the rugby coach?
As he was involved in coaching then not supporting the young prodigy is this relevant?
His current though philandering wife what has she been up to?
Oh what about Sgt Nick and his alcoholism, who’s winning him or the booze or a young female copper ?
The fact that the young players mums are swooning over coach is this relevant?
Conwy of course is a lovely place yes the castle and harbour are mentioned, aha yes Liverpool Arms pub , what about the excellent chip shops and the dive bombing thriving seagulls.
Perhaps the small boat people are involved? Seems to be all over the news in 2025 but the only boat people here are those in the marina at Conwy and Deganwy 😉
July 13, 2021
Welcome back Ruth!
After the events of the previous books, I was really looking forward to this new outing and it’s fair to say I wasn’t disappointed.
McCleave returns with Ruth straight back in the middle of another murder investigation, this time focusing on the death of a rugby coach.
Whereas the previous novels have solely focused on the investigation with the occasional insight in to what the culprits are thinking, this new outing as a highly different approach in the sense we see this from a family directly involved in the investigation. Cleverly done.
My only criticism is that the proof reading is slightly off. If this was fine tuned then it would hit the five stars.
Mostly good and I certainly can’t wait for the next one.
After the events of the previous books, I was really looking forward to this new outing and it’s fair to say I wasn’t disappointed.
McCleave returns with Ruth straight back in the middle of another murder investigation, this time focusing on the death of a rugby coach.
Whereas the previous novels have solely focused on the investigation with the occasional insight in to what the culprits are thinking, this new outing as a highly different approach in the sense we see this from a family directly involved in the investigation. Cleverly done.
My only criticism is that the proof reading is slightly off. If this was fine tuned then it would hit the five stars.
Mostly good and I certainly can’t wait for the next one.
April 15, 2022
Again a really good book in the Ruth Hunter series. The actual crime gets a lot of time in this book where the ongoing mystery about Ruth’s love of her life Sarah is just touched briefly. The background developments about Nick gets some more attention and the sympathy only grows for him. One thing nags me though. I haven’t kept track but it seems to me that Ruth and Nick have a habit of letting people in their custody slip away so they have to chase them despite their bad conditions. This time ruth has to run after someone through traffic and elsewhere which must be a real struggle taking her smoking habit into consideration. But of course there has to be some unfortunate actions to get the story flowing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2021
Proof reading needs a little attention!
Carole Kendal the proof reader for this great book needs to pay a little more attention. I can understand that she will have been drawn into the great storyline and characters. There were a number of mistakes in the book but ,fortunately,they didn't detract much from the overall plot. A couple of chapters were started without a discernible break from the end of the previous one and at one point the incorrect name was mentioned. It said Williams instead of McElroy. I love these characters and storylines and can't wait for the next which I've preordered.
Carole Kendal the proof reader for this great book needs to pay a little more attention. I can understand that she will have been drawn into the great storyline and characters. There were a number of mistakes in the book but ,fortunately,they didn't detract much from the overall plot. A couple of chapters were started without a discernible break from the end of the previous one and at one point the incorrect name was mentioned. It said Williams instead of McElroy. I love these characters and storylines and can't wait for the next which I've preordered.
September 25, 2022
The murder of a popular Rugby coach provides the next case for Ruth and Nick to investigate. Much like the previous books in the series, it is difficult to work out who the actual culprit is and to be fair there is a quite a few potential suspects. Even when someone is arrested for the crime, all is not what it seems with some surprising consequences.
The book provides further insight into Nick and Amanda, as well as revealing slightly more information on Sarah, Ruth’s missing and once presumed dead partner. The dynamics of each of these characters relationships will no doubt further build in the next instalment.
All in all a good read and the author certainly doesn’t disappoint.
The book provides further insight into Nick and Amanda, as well as revealing slightly more information on Sarah, Ruth’s missing and once presumed dead partner. The dynamics of each of these characters relationships will no doubt further build in the next instalment.
All in all a good read and the author certainly doesn’t disappoint.
August 19, 2025
this was a good whodunit.
Lots of clues and possibilities, and then you had to change your guess and then change it again. Good story line with all kinds of reasons to pick one over the other of the whodunit maybes.
I guessed right, and for the right reason this time around.
This has been a good series, but.... The 'story' of our hero's missing lover is getting old - just a passing mention in the story and then another similar update. I hope the next book finally resolves this issue. At this point, other than historical perspective perhaps in our hero's love life, who cares....
Lots of clues and possibilities, and then you had to change your guess and then change it again. Good story line with all kinds of reasons to pick one over the other of the whodunit maybes.
I guessed right, and for the right reason this time around.
This has been a good series, but.... The 'story' of our hero's missing lover is getting old - just a passing mention in the story and then another similar update. I hope the next book finally resolves this issue. At this point, other than historical perspective perhaps in our hero's love life, who cares....
June 16, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.... another fab write by Simon. I had my suspicions which changed frequently and twits and turns proved the book to be fast paced and very enjoyable.
Geoff coaches rugby and has an eye for ladies. He is brutally murdered after an argument with a lad he coaches and their family. Ruth and Nick race against time to find the missing daughter of the same family and with the help of team peace together the events leading up to Geoff's death but with the usual surprises along the way.
Geoff coaches rugby and has an eye for ladies. He is brutally murdered after an argument with a lad he coaches and their family. Ruth and Nick race against time to find the missing daughter of the same family and with the help of team peace together the events leading up to Geoff's death but with the usual surprises along the way.
October 16, 2025
The Conwy Harbour Killings: (A DI Ruth Hunter Murder Mystery Book 9) Simon McLeave.
This is the second or third time I have read this book and it just gets better because you find different ways to work out the plot. But, it’ always got you sitting tensed up and not wanting to put the book down. Plus my family which is complicated doesn’t seem so bad after all. I thoroughly recommend anyone who love complicated Crime Stories to read all Simon McLeaves books. He is such a talented writer. Frank Marshall his new books are just as excellent too.
This is the second or third time I have read this book and it just gets better because you find different ways to work out the plot. But, it’ always got you sitting tensed up and not wanting to put the book down. Plus my family which is complicated doesn’t seem so bad after all. I thoroughly recommend anyone who love complicated Crime Stories to read all Simon McLeaves books. He is such a talented writer. Frank Marshall his new books are just as excellent too.
June 11, 2021
Excellent. Read very quickly. Love that they are set in Wales as it makes it feel cwtchy! Did notice two typos, at the beginning when Nick takes his daughter to the park I think she was referred to as Ella and later in the book when a video seen Zoe was referred to as Williams instead of Ellery. Didn't see the end of this coming. Look forward to the next one which I believe may be partly set in France.
June 13, 2021
Another brilliant Ruth Hunter story.
This time we have family intrigue at the core of the story. There are some intriguing twists in the story that really draw the reader in. There's also further development of Duty Hunter's personal life. The next in the series is already on order.Although I've stressed that this is part of a series, there is enough information about previous happenings for it to be fully enjoyed as a standalone book.
This time we have family intrigue at the core of the story. There are some intriguing twists in the story that really draw the reader in. There's also further development of Duty Hunter's personal life. The next in the series is already on order.Although I've stressed that this is part of a series, there is enough information about previous happenings for it to be fully enjoyed as a standalone book.
May 8, 2023
I didn't like this book as well a some of the others. While the basic crime/investigation was OK, I could do without so much Ruth/Sarah and Nick/Amanda/Georgie sagas. If you eliminate all that, the book would only be about 200 pages! I already have the next book. Depending on how that one goes will decide if I read the rest of the series. I found the first books 1-7 pretty good but I feel the author is runing out of ideas and filling it with too much other than police "stuff."
August 22, 2023
Another good book in the series that I'm absolutely hooked on. Sadly though I think that there were some loose ends that left untied at the end.
For example (SPOILER ALERT):
- Louis shouted to his parents at one point that his coach had been stabbed to death. His parents questioned this but we never got to the bottom of it.
- Louis and Neil, throughout the book, would always enter the house at very similar times but this was never addressed
For example (SPOILER ALERT):
- Louis shouted to his parents at one point that his coach had been stabbed to death. His parents questioned this but we never got to the bottom of it.
- Louis and Neil, throughout the book, would always enter the house at very similar times but this was never addressed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2024
Really Good Until the Ending
That was a great murder mystery with plenty of plausible suspects. It read quickly and I could not guess the murderer. I love how the police team works, jokes and swears amongst themselves. The plot was thick, dialogue pithy and the story drew me in. And when it was time for the reckoning, it all went thud. Such an anti-climax. But wait...we'll always have Sarah...
That was a great murder mystery with plenty of plausible suspects. It read quickly and I could not guess the murderer. I love how the police team works, jokes and swears amongst themselves. The plot was thick, dialogue pithy and the story drew me in. And when it was time for the reckoning, it all went thud. Such an anti-climax. But wait...we'll always have Sarah...
September 7, 2024
prolife
Another good read for DI Ruth and DS Nick fans. This is book nine in this series that I have plans to finish. This contemporary detective mysteries take place in the Snowdonia area in Wales with many references to local historical places, the local lore and beauty of that country. The cases are always filled with excitement, heart break and cruelty towards another human being. Most often from someone they knew.
Another good read for DI Ruth and DS Nick fans. This is book nine in this series that I have plans to finish. This contemporary detective mysteries take place in the Snowdonia area in Wales with many references to local historical places, the local lore and beauty of that country. The cases are always filled with excitement, heart break and cruelty towards another human being. Most often from someone they knew.
June 10, 2021
The best DI Ruth Hunter so far!
Just when I think the Sarah/Ruth story arc couldn’t get any more mysterious, book 9 happens! With a tangled family story, a murder, and wonderful descriptions of North Wales, Simon McCleave’s readers are in for a wild ride. Looking forward to book 10!
Just when I think the Sarah/Ruth story arc couldn’t get any more mysterious, book 9 happens! With a tangled family story, a murder, and wonderful descriptions of North Wales, Simon McCleave’s readers are in for a wild ride. Looking forward to book 10!
June 29, 2021
I'm one of nature's arch critics so for me to award 5 stars it has to be a cracking read, and it is. The authors style is not unique but unlike others he never let's fantasy take over, any flights of fancy are kept distant from the main enquiry. This yarn will turn you inside out and then blow your theories to bits.
Enjoy the read but make sure you read it to the very end
Enjoy the read but make sure you read it to the very end
July 7, 2021
Another enjoyable Ruth Hunter romp.They finally get their murderer but not until an innocent ( prime suspect) commits suicide. More background information on Nick and Amanda's relationship. How will Georgie react now that Nick has rejected her ? Will Ruth ever find Sarah ?
Is it just me but is there an awful lot of eye rolling in North Wales ?
Is it just me but is there an awful lot of eye rolling in North Wales ?
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