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DI Ruth Hunter spent some of the happiest days of her childhood in Snowdonia, and she's always dreamt of returning to make a life there. In the aftermath of her partner's disappearance, she re-assesses her life. She's nearly 50, and she's tired of the crime-ridden streets of London and the hopelessness of it all. 

That's when she makes her move, taking a position with the North Wales Police and giving up the hectic city life. What she doesn't know at the time, however, is that Wales can be far more deadly than she ever imagined.

With more than a dozen titles in the DI Ruth Hunter / Snowdonia Mysteries series, it's a great choice for those who like to get stuck in for a nice long reading binge. It's also a great choice for those who enjoy diverse characters. A far cry from the usual out-of-shape, middle-aged, and alcoholic male detective, DI Ruth Hunter is a woman, a lesbian, and a mother. 

All of Simon McCleave's DI Ruth Hunter “Snowdonia Mysteries” Book Series in Order

 

***ADMIN NOTE: We recommend NOT reading the descriptions for book 10 if you aren't to that point in the series yet. The overview of book 10 is a mild spoiler for one of the longer-running plotlines, and while it wouldn't personally bother *US* to know about it in advance, we know some people prefer to let things unfold over the course of the series. 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 1 | The Snowdonia Killings

Newly arrived in Wales, DI Ruth Hunter is hoping for a quieter life. Unfortunately, she's barely settled in before a woman has been brutally murdered, left with strange symbols carved into her skin. It seems she's traded the garden variety drug and poverty crimes of London…for a seriously deranged killer.

Paired with an obstinate deputy, the case will be a struggle – and when another victim is found, it only complicates matters. 

Get it: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 2 | The Harlech Beach Killings

Finding Wales to be less sedate than she originally hoped, DI Ruth Hunter is struggling with stress. That's not helped when the body of a millionaire businessman washes up on the secluded North Wales shoreline. 

Anxious to prove her abilities, Hunter digs in. Unfortunately, the trail leads her to a notorious Liverpudlian drug dealer her hot-headed partner has a history with. His private vendetta puts the entire case at risk, so she'll have to work quickly to solve it.

Get it: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 3 | The Dee Valley Killings

When a new missing persons case comes to her attention, DI Ruth Hunter quickly senses there's more to the story. Then, when a man's body is found, completely shredded to pieces, she realises she might be on the trail of a serial killer. 

Working with a partner she's still not entirely keen on, she soon has a suspect in mind. He always seems to be one step ahead of them, and when he begins to claim a personal connection to her, Ruth fears for the safety of her family.

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Snowdonia Mysteries Book 4 | The Devil's Cliff Killings

Though she's resolved to put grief behind her, DI Ruth Hunter's recovery is compromised by the case of a missing 16-year-old girl named Rosie. She soon connects the disappearance to a nearby battle for control of a prison.

As she and DS Nick Evans investigate, they uncover all manner of intimidation, bribery, and even slavery. At the same time, their investigation begins to have negative repercussions for those closest to them.

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Snowdonia Mysteries Book 5 | The BErwyn River Killings

When two seemingly ordinary suicides strike DI Ruth Hunter as suspicious, she's keen to investigate. Digging into the victims' lives, she finds a web of abuse tied to the music industry.

Working alongside DS Nick Evans, they become frustrated by a lack of obvious suspects. It's not until a shocking twist that they're able to put the pieces together – but will they be able to stop the killer in time?

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Snowdonia Mysteries Book 6 | The White Forest Killings

Tasked with transporting a dangerous Islamic terrorist across Snowdonia to a safehouse, DI Ruth Hunter and DS Nick Evans feel they've been assigned a boring, tedious waste of time. They couldn't be more wrong.

The journey into Snowdonia turns dangerous quickly, leaving them fighting to keep themselves and their suspect alive. 

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Snowdonia Mysteries Book 7 | The Solace Farm Killings

After a series of local teenagers go missing, DI Ruth Hunter and DS Nick Evans find themselves investigating a local religious group headquartered at the remote Solace Farm. They soon realise the enigmatic group leader isn't what he seems – and everyone could be in danger.

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Snowdonia Mysteries Book 8 | The Menai Bridge Killings

When two young runaways seem to have done a “Bonnie and Clyde”, DI Ruth Hunter and her team are desperate to find them. Their disappearance after a brutal murder, however, suggests the young couple might not be the dangerous criminals everyone thought. 

Digging into their disappearance and backgrounds, she'll uncover a web of abuse, betrayal, and tragedy. The real question is whether she'll be able to find them before they ruin their lives forever.

Get it: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 9 | The Conway Harbour Killings

When a rugby coach is murdered and a young woman vanishes, a small community is left reeling from shock and horror. As DI Ruth Hunter and her partner DS Nick Evans investigate, they uncover a web of secrets and deception. 

Every time Ruth thinks she's found the culprit, the case takes a turn and it seems to implicate someone else. 

Get it: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 10 | The River Seine Killings

Seven years ago, DI Ruth Hunter's partner disappeared. Though she's tried to heal emotionally, she's never given up the search – and now, she might just have a lead. 

As a new set of clues leads her to France, she'll find herself caught up in the dark world of political corruption and sex trafficking. With obstacles at every turn, she'll be risking both life and career in an attempt to save her partner.

Get it: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 11 | The Lake Vyrnwy Killings

Set against the beautiful scenery of Lake Vyrnwy is a grisly crime scene. A local man has been reported missing, and his links to a Merseyside gang might offer insight into his disappearance. Of course, there are also signs that it could be a simple domestic issue that got way out of hand. 

When the missing man is spotted in a variety of locations, Ruth and Nick will have to figure out whether he's on the run and trying not to be found – or whether something far worse is going on.

Get it: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 12 | The Chirk Castle Killings

When Ruth and Nick are called to a fatal shooting at well-known tourist spot Chirk Castle, there's just one witness – the victim's 10-year-old son Daniel. They soon find out that the victim was a small-time drug dealer and he may have stolen a load. 

When a local girl is also murdered, it changes the scope of the investigation. Maybe it wasn't about drugs at all. Maybe the real truth lies in 10-year-old Daniel's early childhood. The challenge will be unlocking those secrets before the murderer finds the sole witness to their crimes.

Get it: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 13 | The Portmeirion Killings

When a London journalist falls victim to an intentional automobile accident, it looks like his death could be related to his investigation into plans for a nuclear plant. The powerful American company running the project has a questionable past and plenty of reasons to want the story buried. Then again, many local residents stand to make a tidy sum from the deal.

When another murder turns the case on its head, Ruth and her team will struggle to find a suspect with good motives for both killings.

Get it: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Mysteries Book 14 | The Llandudno Pier Killings

No description has been offered for this one yet, but the cover and title certainly give us a good clue about the setting. We'll update this when we know more.

Pre-order: Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org (supports independent bookshops)

 

Snowdonia Killings TV Adaptation

Set to being filming in late 2023, Simon McCleave's Snowdonia novels are headed for television. Filming was originally due to take place last year, but the impacts of COVID are still being felt, with disrupted schedules and crews unavailable for many projects as everyone struggles to get back on track. 

Netflix is said to be among the distributors interested in carrying the series, but for now it's too soon to know where it will ultimately end up.

Will There be More Books in the DI Ruth Hunter series?

Given that McCleave is alive and well and continuing to add to the series (with one available for pre-order as we write this), there's no reason to suspect there won't be more to come.