Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
Well it’s a while since I’ve joined in with this meme!
This week I’m featuring a book I will be reading later this month; Hell Bay by Kate Rhodes will be published on 25 January 2018. This is a new series from this author whose previous Alice Quentin series was a huge hit with me.
Blurb
DI Ben Kitto needs a second chance. After ten years working for the murder squad in London, a traumatic event has left him grief-stricken. He’s tried to resign from his job, but his boss has persuaded him to take three months to reconsider.
Ben plans to work in his uncle Ray’s boatyard, on the tiny Scilly island of Bryher where he was born, hoping to mend his shattered nerves. His plans go awry when the body of sixteen year old Laura Trescothick is found on the beach at Hell Bay. Her attacker must still be on the island because no ferries have sailed during a two-day storm.
Everyone on the island is under suspicion. Dark secrets are about to resurface. And the murderer could strike again at any time.
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First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
Laura steals out of bed while the rest of the island sleeps. By 6 a.m. she’s in the kitchen, cramming toast into her mouth, staring out at the late winter darkness. North wind batters her face as she leaves the cottage, a whiplash of blonde hair streaming across her shoulders. All of her sixteen years have been spent her; she only has to glance at the sky to second-guess its moods. A line of pink is gathering over Gweal Hill as she climbs its sharp incline, careful not to snag her tights on the bracken and coarse grass.
Excerpt taken from an ARC
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Personally I think that sets the scene very well indeed in conjunction with the synopsis, already in just a couple of sentences I have a feel for Laura’s world.
So would you keep reading?
Your thoughts in the comments box are always gratefully received.
Sounds an intersting twist on the locked room kind of mystery. I would be tempted to get this but I have been reading more than my usual quota of crime recently so want to change genres for a while.
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It’s always good to mix things up, conversely more of my recent books haven’t been crime fiction so I’m looking forward to getting back into the saddle with this one.
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I shall raise a toast to variety
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The synopsis does tempt me, so I’d keep reading – even though it’s in the present tense. Or is that just the opening? And what is she doing climbing a hill in tights?
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I had a peek ahead and the first chapter starts in the present tense too – I know youngsters these days!
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It has become a habit with me to read the first line of every known or unknown novel I may or may not read, and sometimes it influences my decision to read the book.
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Sometimes you get more of a feel than other times but doing this meme has certainly given me pointers towards those books I’ve fallen in love with.
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“traumatic” “grief-stricken” Present tense. *walks off, whistling jauntily* 😉
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Really?? And there was me thinking you were sure to go for this one – never mind only day 2 of 2018 I have plenty of time to break you… 😉
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I have really liked Kate Rhodes’ previous series. This one sounds promising and I’ll watch for it at some point. Think she’s done with Alice?
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I really hope not…
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The premise sounds interesting, Cleo. Like a few others who’ve commented here, I’m not so much a fan of the present tense. Still, i am interested in what happened to Laura and why. I hope you’ll enjoy it, and I hope you’ll post about it when you’ve finished it.
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I do understand the concern about the present tense but fortunately once I get into a book it doesn’t bother me too much – I’m looking forward to seeing what direction the author will take us in – I did enjoy the books I read in the Alice Quentin series.
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I’ve just finished reading this one and I really enjoyed it, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
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Good to know Jacob – I did so enjoy her Alice Quentin series so I was fairly confident but it’s always good to have confirmation.
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Ooh, love the excerpt and the synopsis! I feel sad as we watch Laura go through the motions of an ordinary day that ends so tragically. I must add this one to my list! Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
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That’s exactly how I felt Laurel… Thanks for returning the call 🙂
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Sounds like it could be a great read!
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Thanks for stopping by Tina 🙂
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I’ve enjoyed Kate Rhodes in the past, but I really don’t like the present tense. I have to read on and see if there were compensations for that.
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I understand the issue but fortunately once I get into a book it doesn’t bother me too much – I’ll keep you posted on the compensations.
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YES! YES! YES! This really appeals to me. I love novels set on islands – with a limited number of suspects. This is right up my street.
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It does sound very good doesn’t it?
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Oh, this does sound like a promising beginning and plot. I’d definitely keep reading! I need to get into a mystery soon – it’s been a few weeks!
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