Jericho Cay

Bay Tanner #11

by Kathryn R. Wall

While restoring her Hilton Head home after a brush with a hurricane, PI Bay Tanner reluctantly accepts bestselling true-crime writer Winston Wolfe as a client. Arrogant and secretive, Wolfe is researching the cold-case disappearance of reclusive millionaire Morgan Tyler Bell from his secluded private island off the South Carolina coast. Adding to the mystery, Bell’s personal assistant vanished as well. But what has Bay’s investigative antennae quivering is the apparent suicide at the time of Bell’s longtime housekeeper. After viewing the scene inside the millionaire’s abandoned mansion on Jericho Cay, Bay isn’t so sure she should’ve taken the case.

Bay’s husband and new employee is hot to pursue the inquiry. A former sheriff’s deputy, Red would like nothing better than to solve the one case his old boss has never been able to close. But as Wolfe’s behavior becomes more and more bizarre, Bay is torn between her desire to earn her hefty fee and her fear that something much more sinister is going on just below the surface. Is Bell dead or alive? And who is the elusive man in the red baseball cap who just may hold the answers to all her questions?

While dealing with another tragedy that strikes at the heart of her family, Bay Tanner must dig beneath the lies and evasions that threaten all she holds dear—and her own life as well.

Jericho Cay is filled with Southern charm and local color, making it a terrific addition to Kathryn R. Wall’s sultry Lowcountry series, one of the most absorbing on bookshelves today.   

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Southern

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2011

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

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read all of the books in this series, I eagerly await each one. This one did not disappoint. I feel as if I am a part of Bay Tanner's family and I find it difficult to wait between books to find out what happens to her next. A wonderful, easy mystery series to enjoy. The fact that it is set in the beautiful Low Country of SC is the cherry on top of the sundae!

[Karla Huebner]

This one was a mystery, well into a series (which I have not read), in which a private eye takes on a case relating to the past disappearance of a reclusive millionaire but then has to deal with the very strange client who hired her, while also dealing with complex family difficulties. It was a bit of a mixed bag. Some aspects of the story would have been clearer to me had I read the preceding books in the series, of course. On the other hand, the PI seemed curiously unclear about how to run her business. I'm guessing that this may not be the best book in the series.

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is number 11 in a series that may be totally new to me, which opens up some good possibilities. There were enough clues about some previous events to want to catch up on the series, as well as at least one unsettling unresolved situation by the end of the book, which makes me want to read the next volume. Not a cozy, and a wild plot.

I may have read at least one book sometime in the pre GR past. Some of the hints of traumatic events and cases in her past seemed to echo faintly.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than #10--thank goodness! Bay finally has calmed down a bit, and she is no longer quite as catty and disparaging as she had become in the past two editions. And this was a decent mystery. Sure, there is personal stuff going on, but it didn't get in the way of the work of detecting, mainly because she finally let her co-workers take on tasks they can do better than she can. The ending had a great cliffhanger, just as the one leading to this one. I'll be sad when this series ends.

[Kathryn C. Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Page Turner

I am an inveterate mystery reader, and the Bay Tanner series satisfies my need for fast pacing and colorful characters, not the least of which is Hilton Head Island. This South Carolina gem is my favorite vacation spot and I love the references to favorite restaurants and other locations.

[Barb VanHorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still enjoying this series. The author writes well and develops her characters throughout the series. At first, I was a little confused with the story until I realized that I begins very soon - in time - after the last book ended. However, it all made sense... And, I was left with the feeling that something is afoot with Bay's newly found sister... What's next?

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather confused book with a lot of frantic activity, no clear story arc, and a lot of questions left unanswered. Also supposedly the main character, Bay, has a lot of money; but she runs her business in a very amateurish way. I won't be reading any more of this series: it just isn't entertaining.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by this author. The story kept my interest. I liked how the author developed the characters. I also liked how she described the locations. I will read another book in this series.

[erin demers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

As Lehrer usual, this is a wonderful read. It will keep you on your toes as you try.to solve the mystery!

[Penny Sunser · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn't put it down

[Amy Whitaker marzano · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last few pages of this book filled me with a feeling of dread. I need the next book in the series immediately.

[Marie L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent


Loved this book and the author. I've already purchased the next book in her series and can't wait to start reading.

[Sue Zealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

riveting

Moved quickly with twists and turns. So far this one is the best in the series, though I haven’t read them all yet!

[P. Kirby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm struck by how accessible Jericho Cay is given that it's the eleventh Bay Tanner book and this is my first encounter with the series. Obviously, a whole lotta stuff has happened in the previous books and that stuff has wrecked all manner of tumultuous change on Bay's life. In this episode, she is still adjusting to married life with her former brother-in-law now husband; and getting her long-lost sister (who is mentally ill) settled on the family plantation. Oh, and there's the matter of the hurricane that recently blew through the area.

Into this chaos comes a new client, Winston Wolfe, a bestselling true crime writer. (Why is it that fictional writers are always "bestsellers" or at least, able to live comfortably off their writing? Or, as in Californication, former best sellers who are still living large on their royalties?)

Wolfe's latest project is Tyler Bell, a reclusive millionaire who vanished several years before, leaving an unclaimed estate and a dead housekeeper at his private island, Jericho Cay. To say Wolfe is eccentric would be an understatement. F*cking weird being more apropos. Wolfe hires Bay and her detective agency to prove that Tyler Bell is alive. Naturally, Wolfe knows more about the case than he's letting on, but refuses to share any information with Bay. Hello, client from hell.

It isn't long before the exasperating and evasive Wolfe is himself one of the "disappeared."

What I liked about Jericho Cay is that the author manages to use the extensive backstory (from previous novels) without resorting to obvious info-dumps while providing enough information to make the story accessible to a first time reader of the series. I was tempted to give this 4-stars just on that basis alone. I went with three because this is the eleventh book in an established series, and as such, has the somewhat watered-down feel of a book that is relying on established settings and characters. In other words, I need to go back and read earlier books, which I suspect are much stronger overall. This story felt like a pause before the next storm.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the momentous events of last year's book, Covenant Hall, you might think that Bay Tanner would deserve some peace and quiet in her personal and professional life. But, no. As she, her husband, Red, and Lavinia Smalls deal with the aftereffects of a hurricane, they also must figure out how to integrate Bay's newly-discovered half-sister Julia and her caregiver into the family. Red and Bay are working on their relationship, and a new case presents itself to the agency. Although the client is quite annoying, they can't resist either the fat fee he offers or the chance for Red to help solve a cold case that baffled his erstwhile colleagues in the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department.

As the Tanners and agency partner Erik begin their investigation, they start to suspect their client has not been completely forthcoming with them. His behavior becomes increasingly erratic and they sense he is afraid of something. Meanwhile, a family tragedy causes more complications for Bay and Red.

A complicated plot (oddly enough, with some similarities to One O'Clock Jump, the mystery I read just prior to this one), somewhat ominous developments in Bay's personal life, and the Low Country setting make this a reasonably worthy entry in this engaging series, although it is not one of the best. It probably would not be a good place to start if you haven't already enjoyed the earlier books.

[Debbie Maskus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kathryn R Wall's Bay Tanner series hails from Hilton Head Island and the surrounding coastal area of South Carolina. Bay Tanner, the primary character owns and operates an investigation company along with her partner, Erik. This episode features the disappearance of a millionaire and the inquiries of an author into the disappearance. Bay deals with the destruction after hurricane Kitty at her family mansion and her own home, the moving of her half sister and her caregiver to the family mansion, the death of her half sister's caregiver, the lingering doubt about her marriage, and the aging of Lavinia Small. Sometimes, Bay's attitude toward money seems too cavalier, and she comes across as a rich snob. The final chapter leaves the reader with questions, and of course, the formula for another novel in this series. This book is not as well written as other books in the series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized after starting to get into this story that I remembered Bay Tanner. I looked up author on Goodreads and noted that I read her first two books, 'In For A Penny' and 'And Not A Penny More"
in 2001/ 2002.
Once I identified this beautiful small town USA in the Lowcountry Carolina area, my visual memory of this area kicked in , as well as, recalling the smart beautiful Bay Tanner. I enjoyed the chase, and had to stop off for a glass of ice tea for a breather. This small town mystery was full of real life conversations that made her characters come to life.
I always enjoy a reference to classic mystery fiction, for example, Agatha Christie 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles'.
I enjoyed this read and will not hesitate to check out more on Kathryn R. Wall's series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Millionaire Tyler Bell and his assistant both disappeared from remote, secluded Jericho Cay. Shortly before, or possibly afterward, Bell's housekeeper committed suicide. Now, years later, true crime writer Winston Wolfe wants to hire Bay Tanner's investigative agency to find out what happened to Bell. Soon his assistant reappears, but Bay isn't sure if it's really the assistant, or an imposter. Might Wolfe be an imposter, too? Bay and her new husband Red are bewildered by the many possibilities, but Red is determined to find an answer.

[Maribeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. I don't usually read mysteries so it was a nice change of pace. This is the 11th in a series so sometimes I felt out of touch when references were made to events and people from prior books. I liked the references to Hilton Head as I've spent a fair amount of time there. The book had some unexpected twists, but I didn't like that there was a cliffhanger at the end with regard to a family situation. I am guessing it will be resolved in the next book....

[Raidene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! It's a quick easy read that evokes Hilton Head for those who have visited this South Carolina gem and makes those who have not yearn to be walking on the beach at sunrise or sunset. Start at the beginning of the series and get to know Bay Tanner and her wonderfully quirky Southern relatives and friends.

[Karen Ortega · Rating 3 out of 5]

The female p.i., her widowed father and his housekeeper --- not to mention the love-interest. I found the formula for this series to be much the same as the Nancy Drew series we grew up with, only now it's written on an adult level. This book did not have the charisma of her earlier books, but not a bad read.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the Bay Tanner series. Well-written and interesting characters. I love how their lives are progressing and the southern mysteries are always intriguing. The ending leaves plenty of room for more intrigue in future books so I hope the series continues for a long time.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was back to the wonderful writing of Kathyrn Wall that I am accustomed to. Her books are full of Southern Lowcountry charm, family ties and mystery and this was no exception!

[MaryAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual in this series, lots of intrigue and excitement, plus a little romance and family relationships.

[Rcpgpugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved all most all of her books. This one was no exception. fun, exciting, and takes place in one of the most beautiful places(in my opinion) in the world. Great murder mystery.

[Chriser123 Dittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Hilton Head read. It's so much fun learning about the South Carolina area in this book by local writer Kathryn Wall. I also met her at a restaurant this trip.

[Jan]

this was absorbing, good story, interesting characters. I will look for others in the bay tanner series.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! It's just such an easy, fun read! I am sorry this is the last one! This series got me avidly reading again----so I am grateful!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters and story; good for slow days.

[Daryl-lynn Essig]

Nice series. Bay Tanner lost her husband, was an accountant, now is a detective. Set near Hilton Head. Enjoy the southern touch.