Kate Rhodes writes the Isles of Scilly mystery series which features detective DI Ben Kitto and his dog Shadow. She is from South London, and writes poetry as well as crime.
Kate's latest title The Mermaid's Cry is published on the 16th of July 2026.
Describe your latest book in one sentence.
Someone in Penzance believes that the mermaid of Zennor is calling to them from the sea, crying out for the souls of drowned children, because she longs for a family of her own.
What soundtrack do you suggest readers should listen to while they read your latest book?
Any album by Scott Matthews. In my opinion he’s the best singer/songwriter currently working in the UK. All his songs are magical, but Elusive is my favourite song of all time.
What's next?
Another book in the Isles of Scilly Mystery series, set at Bishop Rock lighthouse. I’ve always been obsessed by lighthouses and the odd, isolated lives of the keepers, before they were automated, so it’s been a real pleasure to set a story there!
What was the first book you remember reading?
Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved that series at the time, because the family’s struggles as they pioneered their way across America were so different to my suburban existence in South London. It’s the first time a story held me, completely immersed.
Please list your top five all-time favourite books (any genre)
Okay, in no particular order:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- The stage play of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
- Brighton Rock by Graham Greene
- The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
- Tideline by Penny Hancock
I’m an eclectic reader, but I have a woefully short attention span these days. If I don’t like a book, I tend to abandon it after a couple of chapters and move on to the next one in my TBR pile. It shames me to admit this!
What is the most underrated crime novel, and why does it deserve more attention?
Tideline by Penny Hancock. It’s a brilliant and immersive crime novel, atmospheric and compelling. Why the heck wasn’t it made into a film?
The Gumshoe Dude sneaks into your latest story while you’re not looking. What is he doing there?
Being cast from Bishop Rock lighthouse, I’m afraid, onto the rocks below. Sadly, neither my detective, Ben Kitto, nor his dog Shadow can prevent him from dying a horrible death on the rocks below!
And now for the quick questions:
Top book on your TBR (to-be-read)
A proof of Before I Sleep Forever by SJ Watson. I am super-excited to read the sequel to Before I Go to Sleep!
Poirot or Rebus?
It breaks my heart to choose, but I have to say Poirot, for his moustache alone.
Keyboard or pen?
Keyboard for prose, pen for poetry.
Audio or E-book?
Audio, provided it’s a human voice, not the awful soulless echo of AI. Please continue to use real voiceover actors, all you big publishers our there!
If you turn on the radio now, what station is playing?
Radio 4, ideally. If not Radio 2, for some old school pop.
And finally, your writing beverage of choice?
No alcohol, sadly. It messes with may brain. So a strong cup of tea and a digestive biscuit or three will do nicely, thank you!
Questions ©Bonnie Burke-Patel and Anneli Meeder; Responses ©Kate Rhodes, author photo ©Kate Rhodes
