• Backwater Bay

  • Kurt Hunter Mysteries, Book 1
  • By: Steven Becker
  • Narrated by: Paul J. McSorley
  • Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (92 ratings)

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Backwater Bay  By  cover art

Backwater Bay

By: Steven Becker
Narrated by: Paul J. McSorley
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Publisher's summary

How much would it take for you to kill someone close?

From best-selling author Steven Becker comes a new mystery series:

When a body is found floating in the mangroves of Biscayne National Park, Special Agent Kurt Hunter has his first real case. He’s not looking for the spotlight or notoriety - he’s had both with disastrous results. But that seems unavoidable as the trail leads him to South Beach, and his introduction to the culture there is anything but comfortable.

In the National Parks Service’s version of the witness protection program, Kurt quickly finds out that the pristine waters surrounding Miami are very different from the National Forest he transferred from. Follow Kurt through this new world as he unearths a crooked family's greed to solve the case.

©2018 Steven Becker (P)2018 Steven Becker

What listeners say about Backwater Bay

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

My first Kirt Hinter Mystery Novel

and it was GREAT!!! The characters are so witty, relatable and likeable. Having lived in Florida for the better part of my adult life, I found myself right back there listening to the detailed description of sights and sounds.
Speaking of sounds, can I just listen to this narrator all day? Yes! Paul Mcsorley does and incredible job! With each character he brings them to life in such individual manner that you NEVER get confused as to whom you are listening! (I have listened to some books that call for extreme concentration just to figure out who is speaking.) his voice is clear, and soothing and is PERFECT for a detective novel.
I am hooked! on the author and the narrator and I can not wait to download the next in this riveting series!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I kept trying to figure out who did it. I love the water aspect of it. And of course Paul's voice is amazing!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good book

I enjoyed this book very much. Kurt Hunter is a transplant to Florida and is a man who knows his job, but tends to push the envelope when it comes to his boss and his co workers. I enjoyed the storyline, the descriptions of life and work, the development of the relationships and the characters.
Paul McSorley is the perfect voice for this character. He does a great job of projecting the thoughts and feelings of Kurt Hunter, as well as the other characters. He has such a way with his narration that I am visualizing the looks on their faces, feeling what they are feeling and seeing what they are seeing. I love the timber of his voice and his talent is outstanding!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

a well written mystery

It features a South Florida newbie named Kurt Hunter who is an avid fisherman but inexperienced in boats and all that goes with them. It was different seeing the outdoor boating life from someone new to it vs the experience that is shown by the character in the Mac Travis series. Kurt Hunter is a very different character from Travis but still pretty interesting, especially since he seems to overthink everything and second guess himself. This book is also told from the POV of someone who wants to work within the law.

This is a solid mystery novel from a talented writer and I appreciate the realism that Becker incorporates into his writing. A young woman is found dead and while trying to identify her, Hunter finds things that are suspicious. He's not a policeman so he can't actually open an investigation so in trying to keep his involvement within the confines of what his job allows, he looks for answers. I'm going to avoid spoilers here, but I can say that the mystery is wrapped up but there are still some unanswered questions. Like real life, not everything gets explained completely. But with those questions, it seemed like he was leaving the door open for the answers to get addressed in the next novel.

Paul J. McSorley's narration is as always, spot on. He makes slight voice changes for different characters and it's enough that you can keep everyone separate but the changes aren't strained or overplayed so that they distract from the performance.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good "Who done it" book

A well written interesting plot, fast paced action, a great location, and several twists and turns.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fun characters!

Backwater Bay: Kurt Hunter Mysteries, Book 1

By: Steven Becker Narrated by: Paul J. McSorley

Backwater Bay is a good murder mystery story. I love the characters and will be looking for more of their stories. I like the personalities of all the characters and the banter that is shared between them. It’s obvious the author has a great sense of humor. The narration was great too! I can’t wait to see what happens next! Overall, it’s a smooth read and a star book!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Cliffhanger

This book was very mysterious and left you wanting more. The Narration was on point. It left me wanting to know exactly who did the murder? His colleague did seem as if she was definitely up to something. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome Story, Awesome Narration!

I love a great action adventure book, and this one hit all the right buttons. Steven Becker is a new author to me, while I have listened to several other books by the talented Paul J McSorley. I love it when an author writes a book with unexpected twists and reveals the killer, whom I had no suspicion of. The imagery in this book was very well done. The narration was perfect with distinguishable characters, the right emotions, smooth delivery, and great audio production. The book kept me gripped from the very beginning. It is a standalone listen. I will definitely listen to more books by both Steven Becker and Paul J McSorley.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I Really Enjoyed It

The story was interesting and original. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the south Florida area and how the story was integrated with the local flavor. I will definitely look for the future books in the series.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I'm so excited for book 2! Fantastic read!!

If you like books by David Baldacci, Michael Connelly and James Patterson, you need to read/listen to the Kurt Hunter series!! This first book is fast paced, has unsuspecting twists, and leaves you wanting more. There was enough back story that I felt like I was being dropped into the life of a real person - the characters were believable.

I'm so glad I was late to finding this series because I'd have a hard time waiting for the next book. Also, the narration was spot on.

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