Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Eagle Bay by Ken Cruickshank is a psychological murder thriller with infinite twists and turns. Eagle Bay has long benefited from the generosity and patronage of the powerful and wealthy Westbrooke family, who, for several generations, has been the pillar of the Eagle Bay community, responsible for many of the community assets enjoyed by the local population. The Westbrookes, however, hold a dark and evil secret in their past that they will do anything to suppress. John McCloud, his wife Skye, and two children, Johnny and Dakota, live their dream on their small property in Eagle Bay. John’s best friend since childhood is Thomas Westbrooke, the heir to the Westbrooke fortune. When John discovers an old newspaper photo that shows John's and Thomas’ grandfathers also knew each other, it intrigues and excites him. However, when he imparts the news to his best friend, he unleashes a dark and evil force that will change their lives forever. The Westbrookes have a secret that must be protected at all costs, and this seemingly insignificant discovery will imperil all of their lives.

Eagle Bay is an intriguing and deep dive into seriously troubled and warped minds. Author Ken Cruickshank has created a fascinating premise of mysterious artifacts whose existence must be protected at any cost. The characters he creates are engaging and relatable. I particularly enjoyed delving into the twisted minds of Thomas and his father. Thomas’ mercurial personality and rapid mood changes added tension and excitement to the narrative. Skye was a wonderful character who dealt with tragedy with poise and grace, never losing sight of her vision of the future and her family. Her needs were simple, and although she may have been naïve about Thomas’ true motives and behaviors, her own and Johnny’s rationality and decisive actions invariably saved the day. The novel's overarching theme can best be summed up with the idea that “Wealth and power corrupt, but absolute wealth and power corrupt absolutely.” The writer’s style of using differing perspectives in storytelling makes the read interesting and flows seamlessly from one action-packed scene to the next. I found the subtle twists clever, and I look forward to what I am sure shall be a future iteration of this adventure. This was a satisfying and enjoyable read and one I can highly recommend.