Phantom Cove

by Kay Jennings

The honeymoon is over for Police Chief Matt Horning…in more ways than one. Secrets from the past return, hiding a killer. Winter on the Oregon coast – it doesn’t get any darker.
The alarming discovery of a ghost gun in a routine arrest in Port Stirling sets off warning bells for Matt Horning and his police colleagues. Is it the tip of the iceberg in this atmospheric and suspenseful crime thriller?
Matt Horning and Fern Byrne discover that greed and revenge are powerful motives for murder, as they investigate a terrifying crime in their small coastal village. In this alarming case, the ensemble cast of local characters must pull together to fight the evil that is dangerously close to home. And they’d better hurry.

Fans of Kendra Elliot, Robert Dugoni, Ann Cleeves, and David Baldacci will love the thrilling book 5 in A Port Stirling Mystery series.

Genres: Mystery

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2022

Reviews

[Bianca Poederbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can’t stop Reading 😵‍💫

[Mtnhiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the Port Stirling series

This book builds on previous stories and we get an interesting twist at the end to wrap things up. We also get to see the growth of characters along the way such as Jay, Fern and Sylvia. This is a page turner, and once I started it, I couldn't stop reading. Please continue writing the Port Stirling mysteries/thrillers.
With the growth of Ferns character, this opens a lot of options for future installments to this cast of great characters. Matt's reputation and stock continue to rise to new heights with each new story. I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt Horning be the new Governor of Oregon eventually. Keep the books coming, I need more to read.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular!

This series just keeps getting more and more excitung! I have read lots of police procedural during my long reading career and this one is outstanding! Characters are great, story always intricate and unexpected, and setting is wonderful . Read books in order because of the continuity in the story time line and events overlap books! All are complete and resolved---- no cliffhangers!

[Charles L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An especially satisfying addition to the Port Stirling series

Ms. Jennings has written another excellent story-this one with an unexpected twist. Matt and Fern are their usual likeable selves and secondary characters are given a chance to shine. Ending is definitely unexpected and there seems to be another story brewing. Keep 'em coming!

[Leek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read! In my opinion, the best one of this great series. A page-turner with a cast of great characters, that are evolving with each book into people you wish you could actually meet. A nice quirk towards the end, a very satisfying end. Only sorry that this was the last book of the series…so far.

[Theresa Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect end to the series!

Perfect end to the series, but I sang more Past Stirling adventures. This collaboration of local LEOs is fun, heartwarming, exciting and sometimes downright hilarious.

[Sarah E Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised

The characters were all very interesting in th own right and you could follow each individuals personality. The story keeps you going and wanting to keep reading. Didn't expect the person in the end. Very unexpected.

[Lucy Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one

Well-plotted, fast-paced, a satisfying addition to this enjoyable series. The genuine affection among the various characters lifts my spirits even as horrible crimes are being committed. Just enough bad-guy action to justify the genre.

[Chris Yaldezian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best one yet. However, it would be helpful to the reader not to start with this book. It is a series and this one does use pieces of prior books to provide some of the motivation for this one's plot theme. I recommend this book highly. But, don't want to give away any of it.

[Sharyl P · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT read! Best one yet!

I've read all Kay's Port Stirling books . This is the 5th one and I recommend you read the series in order. Wonderful characters, superb settings on the Oregon Coast, engaging stories with endings you'll love. Even better on Audible!

[Carolyn Polzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story teller

I have read all of your Port Stirling Mystery Novels and can't wait to read the next one!! I highly recommend. Ken P.

[Kay Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've now written six books in my series - working on #7 now! - and Phantom Cove is my favorite. It's more classic thriller than mystery/police procedural, although it is both of those things, too.

[Connie C Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

As usual this series has kept me entertained and this particular book is the best so far. The ending promises another Installment I shall be waiting to read.

[Robert M. Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I have read all 5 of Port Sirling ysteries and look forward to the next one.

[Dorcas Herr · Rating 5 out of 5]

kept me up at night ❤️

Love the setting, the characters and the twists and turns of this all round good mystery series. Always building tension all the way to surprise endings!

[Sally Trabulsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing this series - the only thing I find not to my taste is that the author chooses to mention former cases in the earlier books, that would have no meaning to anyone picking up one of her later books without any background. Maybe if I hadn't read these in order I might not have noticed so much, but I thought Jennings was overly committed to mentioning previous cases that had been solved - and then ended with a reference to what I assume is another case to come. I might get tired of this series but will try at least one more. I do like the characters.

[Bruce Mendelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book that I have read in the series. My wife and I spend a lot of time on the Southern Oregon Coast. I continue to enjoy the way that Kay Jennings is able to capture the flavor of the area. It is a good idea to read this series in order. The characters are very likable and continue to develop throughout the series. This was a quick read that was very enjoyable. I recommend the book, particularly if one is relaxing at the coast. I have already downloaded the next book in the series.

[Dana Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how she does it, but Kay Jennings writes THE best mystery novels!!! Our daughter turned us on to them and my husband and I have both read all of the books in this series. Can’t wait for the next one to come out!
She knows how to keep you enthralled in the book! The characters are perfect. I can imagine what they look like and their personalities. Great mystery series. I highly recommend them!

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riveting!

"Phantom Cove" is book five in Kay Jennings brilliant "Port Stirling" mysteries. As always, her story rockets along at warp speed, filled with pulse pounding moments of sheer terror, interspersed with two love stories. One between Fern and Matt, and the other between an amazing group of loyal, talented and dedicated friends. I thoroughly enjoy this series!

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I've read all the books in this series and really like them, I found this one very slow except for the last six chapters or so. Solid plot, just bogged down in the middle. The brightest spot was seeing a very dislike character brought down in a spectacular fashion!

[Elaine Erny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series by Kay Jennings

I just recently came across this series by Kay Jennings. I am addicted. I stayed up late every night reading each book. It has everything - great characters that you instantly become attached to, intense stories that keep you on the edge, twists and turns. I can’t wait for book 7!! Thank you Kay Jennings.

[Brittany Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The parallels with Jennings characters and my own personal trajectory keep getting deeper and it brings me such joy as I tear through this series. I’m not ready to be caught up and waiting for my next fix!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the thriller

Ok. Must say this is the best one so far, but I have said that as I progressed through the volumes in this series. Thoroughly enjoyable. If you start the series, and you are a fan of this genre, you will enjoy yourself.

[Debbie Stadig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast read but Great!

Will Matt die?….will Fern, Jay or Ed be next? This is so full of emotion that I had to finish it Immediately ! Don’t miss this cliff hangar story of intrigue, mystery, terror and all the Port Stirling significant law enforcement ❤️🙏💕

[Melinda Brewer]

I started listening to this audiobook but did not get very far. The narrator sounds like he is either half asleep or half drunk. I will read the Kindle Edition later because I really like the series.

[Sally Trabulsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continue to enjoy this series - this episode about the manufacture of ghose guns that are causing problems in the are. Matt and Fern and the gang figure it all out but at a cost to Matt - that will no doubt get solved in Book #6.

[Suellen Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well written!

The story has many twist and turns. The characters are portrayed with careful attention to quality. Again I want to emphasize the beautiful grammar that is my h appreciated. And there is adoring friends and family. I highly recommend this author.

[Ann Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!

Kay Jennings is a wonderful story teller. I've enjoyed every book in her series. I appreciate the author's characters and the way they develop in each book.

[KerryO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series, especially the relationship between Matt and Fern. The supporting characters are equally well-developed and a weekend visit to Port Stirling would be a treat!

[Reggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastic series!!!

These books are well written. Lots of suspense and action. Likable characters, well except the DA!! Looking forward to more.