A gripping 5 star read by Kate Rhodes , The Di Ben Kitto series is set off the coast of Cornwall on The Isles of Scilly - the book is very much a locked in style and is a gripping page turner. Ive read all Kates Ben Kitto novels and there are all brilliantly written with a great cast of characters. A medium paced mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. 5 Star read!

This is a closed circle mystery, please don’t call it a locked room as it involves a whole island, that I loved and made me feel the sense of dread as the killer must be a person near you and a bit claustrophobic.
It was the first I read in this series and now, after reading the previous three novel, I’m able to spot more clues and better understand the characters and the setting.
The setting is lovely, the sun is shining but you cannot help feeling the darkness and the dread as this story will bring you to very dark places, read about senseless murders and mysterious clues that are related to the tradition.
It’s a tense, fast paced, gritty and gripping novel. There’s some heartbreak, there’s a lot of empathy for the victims, and there’s OH-NO moment.
Read it because it’s a book that will keep you on the edge till the last page.
Many thanks to Simon&Schuster UK and Compulsive Reader for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.

Great plot to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced thriller. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book

Pulpit Rock, book 4 in the DI Ben Kitto book is an ok crime novel. I've quite enjoyed reading the previous books, but I admit that I don't find the story in this one isn't as strong as the two first books in the series. Still, if you like crime novels set on an isle with a bleak atmosphere and lots of suspects then I recommend this series.

I started to read this then abandoned it as I realised I wanted to read the other three in the series. I came back to this afterwards. Ben Kitto is a DI on the Isles of Scilly. He is out training for a swimathon with the rest of his team, when they see a body hanging from Pulpit Rock. A woman wearing a bridal gown. Immediately Ben shuts down the island of St Mary’s where the murder has taken place. He actually lives on Bryher so sets up residence in the hotel, where the victim worked. The murdered girl is Latvian, and as they investigate they uncover a complex personal life. Sabine was working at the hotel to improve her English, planning to return to Riga after the summer to start university. As his team hunt the killer, another woman is attacked, a German journalist this time. These women were similar - strong, intelligent, confident, attractive - and the killer has treated them the same way. They have been dressed for a wedding, wear Cornish wedding rings and were killed the same way. He poses them, then seems to taunt Kitto’s team by sending Polaroids of them with the lines of a wedding song scribbled on the back. This case will really unsettle Ben and set him apart from the friends he’s made on these islands. Everyone has to be treated as a suspect and that means friends too, friends who are unimpressed to be treated this way. The case becomes more tense and claustrophobic by the day as the case becomes truly harrowing towards its conclusion.

I enjoyed meeting Ben’s team, because they are a varied bunch. Constable Isla Tremayne is a new recruit, only in her twenties and just finding her feet at the station. By contrast there’s the close to retirement DS Lawrie Dean. Jeff Pendelow was really interesting, a psychiatrist there for profiling, but struggling with grief. There’s an incredible sense of place here, very atmospheric and at times a little bleak. The case is bleak too and thoroughly engrossing. I loved the dog Shadow, who definitely has a mind of his own. I found myself guessing one way, then another, until the killer was finally revealed. This made me want to visit the Scilly Isles too so it’s had an influence all round. This was a great introduction to a character I will now look out for.

Thank you to NetGallery for letting me read this before publication. Having read the other books in the Ben Ditto series I was excited to see the fourth book on net gallery and it certainly did not disappoint.
The story line is gripping throughout, taking twists and turns. I was convinced the killer was a different person per each part, was definitely a surprise when we found out who it was.
I hope there is a fifth book to this series!

The first book I’ve read by this author and the fourth in the series of the DI Ben Kitto series. A real who dunnit which had you guessing throughout. My only criticism is that it did get really far fetched at the end and the reasoning behind the murders seemed extremely unbelievable.

As the scorching summer sun beats down on St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, DI Ben Kitto and his team are training for the annual Swimathon, until they discover a body hanging from Pulpit Rock, dressed in a bridal gown. An obsessive killer is hunting for female victims. Kitto has no choice but to stop anyone leaving St Mary’s, but soon another woman is attacked. The killer must be a trusted member of the community. Kitto’s investigation is being watched closely, the killer always one step ahead, as the next victim is chosen.

I am a big fan of this series and was eager to get stuck into this latest instalment. Unfortunately, something just did not click for me with this and I cannot quite say why. The plot was intriguing and definitely gripping to begin with but somewhere along the way it felt stale and all a bit predictable. This is now book four so fairly established and sadly it seems there is a formula to this series and the read suffered from a lack of twists and shocks. I did like the concept but it was lacking energy.

We are of course reunited with the character of Ben Kitto in this read which I liked, it is always great to catch up with characters. I did not think there was a lot of development for his character in this book though which was a bit of a shame. We also catch up with other characters as well and it was enjoyable to see known names and see where they are at in their lives.

I do still thoroughly enjoy the setting of St Mary's, the beauty of the landscape really comes across and there is a sense of isolation and danger throughout. St Mary's really does provide an excellent setting for a crime read and helps to create a brooding atmosphere.

I wanted to enjoy 'Pulpit Rock' as much as I have enjoyed the other instalments but sadly there was just something missing and I did not connect with this read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an advance copy.

Pulpit Rock is the fourth novel by Kate Rhodes featuring DI Benesek ‘Ben’ Kitto. After years working in the murder squad in London, Ben had had enough and decided to move back to the small Scilly island of Bryher where he was born. In Pulpit Rock, Ben is training for a swimathon when he sees a body hanging from the local landmark of Pulpit Rock. The victim is a woman and she is found wearing a wedding a dress. For Ben it becomes clear that it is murder and, after another woman is attacked, that a serial killer is on the island. Since no one is allowed to enter or leave the island, everyone becomes a suspect, including people who Ben knows very well.

I really enjoy this series. I love the setting of the Scilly Islands, so atmospheric and beautiful, often remote and cut off from the mainland, a place that it is described in vivid details by the author and that it has a very central part in the story.

I like the protagonist DI Ben Kitto. I find him smart, decisive, intrepid and I enjoy reading about his interesting love life. On the job, he is really good and, in this new novel, he finds himself in the difficult position to suspect and interview close friends, people he grew up with, and even his own colleagues. I love his dog Shadow and their entertaining relationship was one of my favorite part of the story.

The plot is well-structured and well-written. It is suspenseful, engrossing and thrilling. You never know when the killer might strike next and I didn’t figure out who the killer was until it was revealed.

The DI Ben Kitto series is one of my favorite crime series and I am already looking forward to the next book, in the meantime, I highly recommend Pulpit Rock!

As DI Ben Kitto and his team are out practising their swimming they discover the body of a young woman dressed as a bride and hung from a local landmark. It soon becomes clear that this is not a suicide and the Islands Police have a murder on their hands. Reacting quickly they shut down St Mary's but another woman is murdered and now there is a serial killer on the loose. One of Ben's childhood friends is an easy suspect but things don't add up and the race is on to save another girl's life.
I haven't read all of Rhodes' books set on the Scilly Isles but the couple I have read have impressed. Unlike many in the genre the central character, Kitto, is not necessarily the focus, more a narrator with personal insights. The love for the islands and their historic way of life is evident and the isolation and small population lends a different slant to what might otherwise be a fairly generic (if strong) police procedural.

Another amazing installment of the DI Ben Kitto series set in the Scilly Isles. These books are so dark and atmospheric, the descriptive writing so intense you can wholly imagine yourself right there along with Ben and his team as they race to find the killer. Do read this series from the start, it's wonderful

I have to say the book was well crafted and very well written, but to me lacked the spark that the earlier Ben Kitto books had. Maybe it was because I had just finished reading a book I had very much enjoyed and that anything would have been anti-climatic, but somehow I did not find it particularly inspiring.

It will not prevent me however wanting to read the next in the series or anything else by the author, and maybe I will go back to Pulpit Rock and try again sometime.

Summertime on St Mary’s, the largest of the Scilly Isles, and DI Ben Kitto was looking forward to nothing more than the annual Island Swimathon – until when training, his team arrive at Pulpit Rock to find a body hanging from it – a woman dressed in a bridal gown.

It soon becomes clear that a serial killer is stalking the island, looking for more victims. With all exit routes from the island closed, the killer must be part of the local community – it seems impossible that the killer could be unknown to people. But the attacks keep happening…

The fourth of the Scilly Isles series earns two negative marks. Well, two-and-a-half. First of all, the blurb (on Amazon at least) refers to it as a Locked Island Mystery. What the bloody hell does that mean? Anyway, this has nothing to do with a traditional locked room mystery and the island is big enough that while technically, it’s a closed circle of suspects mystery, it’s a big enough circle that we never meet everybody on the island. Of course, that’s nothing to do with the book itself.

Second black mark is for the fake-out at the end. It’s actually a plus point for the book, because one of the strengths of the series is the recurring characters, and the almost-death of one of them – a very important one – really upset me. I’ve become invested in this series since the first book, Hell Bay – still the best in the series, but this one is strong too – and I’m not prepared to say goodbye to that character yet.

The half negative mark? Well, it has to be said Kitto isn’t much of a detective, as he arrests at least two innocent people, accuses a few more and when he unmasks (literally) the murderer, he’s surprised at who it is. Because this isn’t a clued mystery – it’s more of a whodunit thriller. But it is a very good example of that genre.

There’s a good variety of suspicious characters on the island for the reader to play Guess Who? with, and it’s good to see Kitto’s personal life developing again, in a way that readers of the first book will probably be pleased with. This is a very good standalone thriller with added bonuses for readers who have read the other three books.

Pulpit Rock was published by Simon & Schuster in October 2020 and is available as a hardback or an ebook. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #SimonandShusterUK for giving me an ARC of #PulpitRock by #KateRhodes in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars – ****

DI Ben Kitto and his team are training for the annual Swimathon on the Scilly Island of St Marys when they discover a body hanging from Pulpit Rock. The victim has been dressed as a bride and it soon becomes clear that there is a killer on the Island.

The Island goes into lockdown while Ben and his team try to track down the killer and it is not long before another young woman is attacked. Will Ben and his team be able to track down the killer before another woman is killed? Or will they be too late to save the day?

This is the first of Kate Rhodes novels that I have read and whilst this is the fourth in the DI Kitto series I didn’t feel that not reading the others caused me any detriment. I would imagine that if I go back and read the first three there will be some minor spoilers in this novel, but nothing that I would be worried about.

Rhodes’ style of writing is fast paced and once again I found myself unable to guess the culprit. It was a very enjoyable read and I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.

I received a free copy of this via NetGalley and Simon & Schuster in return for an unbiased review. I always look forward to Rhodes’ Kitto series, and recently recommended them to a friend who tore through them all at lightning speed. I did kind of guess who did it here, at least half of the answer... very well thought out and written - one of those books that you enjoy reading, and when you’re not reading it you’re thinking about it. Deserving of a rare 5 stars from me.

I loved the setting for this book. The Scilly Isles is not somewhere I am familiar with, but my interest has certainly been piqued after reading this book, it may well go on my wish list of places I would like to visit. Having said that I hope it is less violent in the future! I have not read the previous books, but being late to the party didn't spoil my enjoyment of this one. I liked the characters in the book as well as the setting. I did find the pace a little slow, but I am an impatient reader. The plot was good and I enjoyed reading this book.

I think I've read all of Kate Rhodes' Scilly Isles books, and they never disappoint. This one is a classic whodunnit, with several very convincing suspects, and yet I did not guess who the culprit was. Her writing is expertly evocative and yet eminently readable. Brilliant.

Pulpit Island is the fourth instalment in a gripping and atmospheric crime series set on a small island where there is no escape. It isn't necessary to have read the preceding books in the series as each story is self-contained and enough backstory is provided to bring new readers to speed. An island on lockdown. A killer on the loose. As the scorching summer sun covers the small Scilly island of St Mary’s, DI Ben Kitto and his team are training for the annual Swimathon. But their morning session comes to a climactic end when they discover a body hanging from Pulpit Rock. The victim has been dressed up in a bridal gown, and Ben quickly realises that a dark and sinister killer is at large on the island. To prevent the killer from escaping, Ben has no choice but to lock down St Mary’s, yet in doing so he is unwillingly trapping the killer’s next victim. When another woman is attacked, Ben gathers the island’s at-risk residents inside the local hotel for safety, but the killer is already watching and remains one step ahead. Everyone is a suspect. No one is safe. 

This is a compulsive, exciting and superb addition to what has become an excellent series with a cast who are relatable, engaging and developed and a setting that is so atmospheric that it is a character in itself. It's impeccably plotted with a touch of romance and a great sense of place. There is action aplenty and never a dull moment and the fact that it's based on one of the Scilly isles creates more tension as with a killer on the loose, it's not as easy to escape the area; this is further intensified by Kitto locking down the tiny St Mary’s to stop the murderer from escaping to the mainland, so everyone feels they have to watch their backs. I love the quirky, eccentric characters who lit up the pages and clever plotting meant several twists and turns caught me off guard. The blossoming relationship between Ben and his ex Nina is interesting and it's nice to see a little happiness for them both. All in all, this is a well-written mystery with bags of intrigue and a large suspect pool. Right up until the end you are unsure who the perpetrator is but Rhodes wraps it all up nicely. Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for an ARC.

I'm always very keen to get back to the Isles of Scilly in the company of Ben Kitto and co. I love an island setting, and Kate Rhodes writes very atmospheric and evocative crime fiction. While out swimming, Ben discovers the body of a young hotel worker, What seems like it may have been a suicide turns out to be a far more complex case.

Very engrossing and enjoyable mystery.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

a swimathon around the island

a apparent suicide hanging over a cliff dressed in a wedding dress...but before to long its deemed as a murder.

can the local island police figure out who and why before another girl goes missing..

an intriguing storyline based on one of the islands off the isles of scilly....makes for an interesting read and i hadnt guessed who it was.....plenty of red herrings