Burnt Island by Kate Rhodes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: Three stars
Reviewed by FernINTRUDERS HERE ARE BOUND TO DIE
As the sun sets on St Agnes on bonfire night, a man’s charred body is found on Burnt Island, surrounded by threats in the old Cornish language.
Deputy Chief of Police Ben Kitto has no choice but to ban all travel between the islands, forcing the community of just eighty islanders to remain within reach, while he hunts for the killer. Ben quickly suspects the motive is to rid the island of newcomers who threaten tradition, and when a second fire results in the disappearance of another islander, he only has forty-eight hours before another life is lost . . .
On the tiny Scilly Island of St Agnes moments before the annual Fifth of November fireworks and festivities one of the locals is found burned to death, his charred body a very clear message that a killer looms large amongst the 80 locals. DI Ben Kitto is determined to keep the small community safe, but there are many hidden currents, and he can’t deny the tension looming between the old Cornish ways and the newer incomers.
I have been really enjoying this British Police procedural series revolving around a small group of islands off the Cornwell coastline. While Ben and Eddie – his sergeant – as well as their boss the Chief of Police are all regular characters each book so far in the series had felt very much like a standalone because while the links between the islands are strong and plenty of the locals visit the other islands the core community of each group remains quite discreet. This lets the books feel very much as if they stand alone, because each community is quite distinctive, and this helps keep the stories separate. I am really enjoying this, and I definitely feel readers should feel comfortable starting pretty much anywhere so far in the series.
I thought the plot to this book was very well handled. After Ben begins to investigate it’s quite clear there is no real reason for the victim to have been killed. Instead of feeling random this leads to the fact that there’s something much deeper underlying the plot and I thoroughly enjoyed the investigation looking into what was really going on. I thought this was paced very well, my only small disappointment was how Ben followed through on one thread that was clearly an “easy out” kind of explanation and while I could clearly see why and how he went down this path and the supporting evidence that led him there, I was a bit sad Ben didn’t listen to Eddie or his advice and thoughts and neither did Ben stop to think about how this lead was a bit of a cop out and too pat and easy to be readily believed. In a backhanded way I could see that jumping on believing that the local weirdo was responsible certainly pushed the plot forward and helped develop the tension and pacing, but it felt to me rather like picking on the shy and quiet kid instead of actually looking for the real answer.
With quite a bit of action and a good pace I enjoyed this murder mystery and am growing to be quite a fan of the series as a whole. I’m looking forward to the next story in this series.
Molly Merriwether readily accepts an invitation to Waverly Hall, eager for adventure and amusement with her best friend. She never expected to be left unchaperoned with three intriguing young gentlemen for weeks.
Sharon Gable, a seasoned interior designer in Columbia, South Carolina, swears off love after ending a relationship filled with deceit. She focuses on expanding her business with her best friend and avoiding romance until she’s unexpectedly set up with architect Bradley DuPont at an engagement party. Despite her resistance, Sharon finds herself drawn to Bradley’s undeniable charm and rugged allure.
Borderland is not just a poetry collection—it’s an invitation to explore the most vulnerable corners of the human experience. Award-winning author Ross Victory takes readers on an emotional journey across the intersections of masculinity, race, bisexuality, and grief. In a fearless blend of narrative and free verse, Victory dismantles societal expectations, offering a space where identity can exist fluidly and unapologetically.
Ross Victory, (he/him), is an award-winning author, music artist, and entrepreneur from Los Angeles. Featured in LA Weekly, LA Blade, American Reporter, and Bi.org, Ross rediscovered the healing power of writing after losing his father and brother. A former English teacher, Ross creates immersive narrative experiences. He published “Views from the Cockpit,” a father-son memoir, in 2019, resulting in a portfolio of six original titles and a music catalog of 20 songs. His works explore self-discovery, adventure, bisexuality, and family. In 2023, he released the Pride anthem “Bisexual Daze” and Book 1 of the L.A.-based horror series “Grandpa’s Cabin.” Ross also publishes articles and reflections about grief, biphobia, and elder abuse on Medium.com and recently spoke at their Annual Writer’s Conference. This fall he will release his first poetry collection titled, “Borderland,” exploring the intersection of race, masculinity, and sexuality.
