What do you think?
Rate this book
The Trail
Crime thriller.A missing person enquiry leads Manchester DCI Rick Castle to Nepal.'intelligent and pacy thriller' (Paula Hawkins, Girl On The Train)'a stunning debut' (Stephen Booth, Cooper and Fry crime series)Manchester. DCI Rick Castle is inspecting his bees when his boss phones. A minor cannabis dealer has been reported missing. His father’s a war hero.Rick flies to Nepal, and heads up the trail. Through villages of staring children and fluttering prayer-flags. Brilliant blue skies, and snow-capped mountains.He finds a dead body. Then a second.Nothing in this world was ever straightforward. Nothing. Finally, he puts himself in the firing line, and has a decision to make. Is it the right one? The moral one?
Paperback
20 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
James Ellson
10 books21 followersJames Ellson was a police officer in the UK for 15 years, starting in London and finishing as a Detective Inspector at Moss Side in Manchester. When he left the police he started writing, and has been writing ever since.
James’s debut novel The Trail was published in 2020, and the sequel Cold Dawn in August 2022.
He also writes short stories, and was runner up in the 2021 Bay Tales Christmas short story competition with Roisin's Christmas Party. His story The Translator was published in a 2022 anthology (To Serve, Protect, and Write) of former police officers, now writers.
James is a keen climber and mountaineer, and has visited Nepal many times. In 2004 he climbed 6,812 metre Ama Dablam, and in 2008 soloed the Matterhorn. He lives in the Peak District with his wife, and manages their smallholding, which includes bees and an orchard.
James’s debut novel The Trail was published in 2020, and the sequel Cold Dawn in August 2022.
He also writes short stories, and was runner up in the 2021 Bay Tales Christmas short story competition with Roisin's Christmas Party. His story The Translator was published in a 2022 anthology (To Serve, Protect, and Write) of former police officers, now writers.
James is a keen climber and mountaineer, and has visited Nepal many times. In 2004 he climbed 6,812 metre Ama Dablam, and in 2008 soloed the Matterhorn. He lives in the Peak District with his wife, and manages their smallholding, which includes bees and an orchard.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 13, 2020
DCI Rick Castle is dealing with the usual issues of Manchester as well as problems with his family, but when he gets allocated a job of a missing person little does he know that his investigation will lead him to virtually the top of the world, as he heads to Nepal to solve the crime. Dealing with numerous issues in Nepal and back home, Rick is facing a challenge like never before and he is making life and death decisions. Can he solve the crime and do the right thing?
An interesting crime thriller that at times is dealing with some huge issues from history and the current day like the death of workers for the Qatar football World Cup. I would have awarded this 3.5 stars.
An interesting crime thriller that at times is dealing with some huge issues from history and the current day like the death of workers for the Qatar football World Cup. I would have awarded this 3.5 stars.
February 19, 2020
I am not very keen on books that call themselves thrillers. I recall how I had to drop Daniel Silva's "The Unlikely Spy" and John le Carre's "A Perfect Spy" after some 50-70 pages. So I think the word "thriller" on the cover of this book is a mistake, created expectations before I even started.
The novel is certainly interesting because it combines Manchester and Nepal - two very dissimilar places - but it's not for me.
I have to declare a personal interest though. I have been fascinated in the way the book came about, through a kind of crowdfunding although there is also a publisher involved. I'm one of the numerous contributors and wish it every success.
The novel is certainly interesting because it combines Manchester and Nepal - two very dissimilar places - but it's not for me.
I have to declare a personal interest though. I have been fascinated in the way the book came about, through a kind of crowdfunding although there is also a publisher involved. I'm one of the numerous contributors and wish it every success.
January 4, 2021
2.5 stars.
This book starts off as a police procedural, with Manchester detective looking into the missing son of Gurhka Brigideer who has perhaps been kidnapped while in Nepal or perhaps has deliberately disappeared following a drug deal.
The solution is relatively easy to spot, and at 50%, the author gives up on the 'who-done-it' and instead switches to a kind of 'survival thriller'.
On the postive side, the book is engaging and well paced (small plip towards 2/3rd mark) but it picks up towards end.
I couldnt work out if the Brigadeer was supposed to be a Gurhka (and Calix mixed race)- found that poorly explained and the Falklands rationale reason was completely implausible (as was suicide).
On the less so postive- there are quite a number of problems with this book- firstly the main detective is really bland, but for me its author's treatment of women in book which is really poor - Rick seems to see station as his personal dating pool as he mentally discusses the pros/cons of dating junior collegues, and he actively pursues female worker while she is at work! very tacky... and this book is definately one that would fail the Bechtel Test... The author spends more time describing Calix's knife than he does the female victim - and the female characters are very thinly drawn (considering women make up 80% of fiction readership, this is something that Ellson needs to seriously improve if he wants to sell more books) There is simply no way that a police analyst in a wheelchair would be taken to a house, only then to have to be carried to attic (by dodgy dectective who had asked her out while at work) in 2021 and then there is no way she would take her bra off and wave it out window to get his attention. This is 2021 not 1970... you can do better than that!
I also found the book implausible in terms of money... how had Calix's parents afforded a £1m house (from description), hadnt they wondered where Calix's money came from? Why would police fund Russell to go to Nepal (easy to get a local translator)? Why were police from Manchester even being sent (& for so long?). The more you consider it, the more plot holes emerge.
All in all, it was too long - and seemed confused in focus (was it a police procedural, was it a thriller) and author has spent insufficient time on developing the characters and exploring how to resolve plot issues (and considering he spends time thanking reading group, he needs to search out people who can give him more honest feedback).. but the writing style shows promise and pacing was good.
This book starts off as a police procedural, with Manchester detective looking into the missing son of Gurhka Brigideer who has perhaps been kidnapped while in Nepal or perhaps has deliberately disappeared following a drug deal.
The solution is relatively easy to spot, and at 50%, the author gives up on the 'who-done-it' and instead switches to a kind of 'survival thriller'.
On the postive side, the book is engaging and well paced (small plip towards 2/3rd mark) but it picks up towards end.
I couldnt work out if the Brigadeer was supposed to be a Gurhka (and Calix mixed race)- found that poorly explained and the Falklands rationale reason was completely implausible (as was suicide).
On the less so postive- there are quite a number of problems with this book- firstly the main detective is really bland, but for me its author's treatment of women in book which is really poor - Rick seems to see station as his personal dating pool as he mentally discusses the pros/cons of dating junior collegues, and he actively pursues female worker while she is at work! very tacky... and this book is definately one that would fail the Bechtel Test... The author spends more time describing Calix's knife than he does the female victim - and the female characters are very thinly drawn (considering women make up 80% of fiction readership, this is something that Ellson needs to seriously improve if he wants to sell more books) There is simply no way that a police analyst in a wheelchair would be taken to a house, only then to have to be carried to attic (by dodgy dectective who had asked her out while at work) in 2021 and then there is no way she would take her bra off and wave it out window to get his attention. This is 2021 not 1970... you can do better than that!
I also found the book implausible in terms of money... how had Calix's parents afforded a £1m house (from description), hadnt they wondered where Calix's money came from? Why would police fund Russell to go to Nepal (easy to get a local translator)? Why were police from Manchester even being sent (& for so long?). The more you consider it, the more plot holes emerge.
All in all, it was too long - and seemed confused in focus (was it a police procedural, was it a thriller) and author has spent insufficient time on developing the characters and exploring how to resolve plot issues (and considering he spends time thanking reading group, he needs to search out people who can give him more honest feedback).. but the writing style shows promise and pacing was good.
March 3, 2020
A hugely enjoyable and skillfully-crafted detective novel, which starts as a slow-burner and then has you gripped, unable to put it down. The plot and combination of settings are highly original and rich in authentic detail - from policing the mean streets of Manchester to trekking in the intense mountain landscapes of Nepal. The story takes in matters as diverse as mountaineering, workers’ rights, the FIFA World Cup, bee-keeping and disabilities, all worn lightly and woven around the central twin plotlines: of a detective on ‘the trail’ of his quarry, and that of the ‘quarry’ himself.
In DI Rick Castle, the author has created a believable, multi-dimensional protagonist: career-driven but self-doubting; seemingly content in his bee-keeping solitude yet longing for a partner; outwardly calm and capable but with glimpses of psychological trauma in his backstory. A rich array of convincing supporting cast members surround him, with even the most minor ones described with delicate care. The writing is wonderfully economical, propelling the plot forward with pace and heightening the tension; the dialogue is crisp and the descriptive prose powerful in its succinctness - upon a visit to his therapist, Castle sees on the table ‘..a box of man-size tissues, one sticking out. A white flag of surrender. He nodded.’
Moral ambiguity is everywhere in the narrative: can the ends justify the means? Can revenge bring peace? Characters are never fully ‘goodies’ or ‘baddies’ but seem to oscillate between the two. As the author says, ‘nothing in this world is straightforward’.
Overall, this is an excellent read: suspenseful, well-written, hugely satisfying. And for anyone who has ever visited Nepal, one of the book’s absolute highlights was for me that it evokes the country so beautifully. I felt transported there – to the clear mountain air, with the Hinku river pounding in my ears... I can’t wait to hear more from DI Castle!
In DI Rick Castle, the author has created a believable, multi-dimensional protagonist: career-driven but self-doubting; seemingly content in his bee-keeping solitude yet longing for a partner; outwardly calm and capable but with glimpses of psychological trauma in his backstory. A rich array of convincing supporting cast members surround him, with even the most minor ones described with delicate care. The writing is wonderfully economical, propelling the plot forward with pace and heightening the tension; the dialogue is crisp and the descriptive prose powerful in its succinctness - upon a visit to his therapist, Castle sees on the table ‘..a box of man-size tissues, one sticking out. A white flag of surrender. He nodded.’
Moral ambiguity is everywhere in the narrative: can the ends justify the means? Can revenge bring peace? Characters are never fully ‘goodies’ or ‘baddies’ but seem to oscillate between the two. As the author says, ‘nothing in this world is straightforward’.
Overall, this is an excellent read: suspenseful, well-written, hugely satisfying. And for anyone who has ever visited Nepal, one of the book’s absolute highlights was for me that it evokes the country so beautifully. I felt transported there – to the clear mountain air, with the Hinku river pounding in my ears... I can’t wait to hear more from DI Castle!
June 5, 2021
My thoughts about James Ellson’s brilliant gripping police procedural crime thriller The Trail, which takes Manchester’s Detective Chief Inspector Rick Castle,from the streets of Manchester to all the way to Nepal in search of a missing drug dealer,who has been reported missing is spectacular,Author James Ellson writes a powerful story that is truly remarkable and hardhiting and the suspense is brilliantly written loved every bit of The Trail be it the story the suspense and the characters Author James Ellson knows his stuff as he himself was also in the police force which is mindblowing. James Ellson is a pure talent that excels well in his writing. The story of James Ellson’s The Trail begins in Manchester were we see DCI Rick Castle is inspecting his bees when his boss phones. A minor cannabis dealer has been reported missing. His father’s a war hero.Rick flies to Nepal, and heads up the trail. Through villages of staring children and fluttering prayer-flags. Brilliant blue skies, and snow-capped mountains.He finds a dead body.
Then a second.Nothing in this world was ever straightforward.Nothing.
Finally, he puts himself in the firing line, and has a decision to make. Is it the right one? The moral one?. James Ellson’s The Trail is not only brilliantly written and well plotted,the way the story ends it blows you away with its breathtaking suspense and mystery which is fantastic.James Ellson’s The Trail is a smashing debut crime thriller,that will take you on a journey through riddles and mysteries that will blow you away when it is solved. The Trail is definitely highly recommended. I would like to say thank you to Author James Ellson for kindly gifting me a copy to read and review this spectacular debut that gives you goosebumps.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Then a second.Nothing in this world was ever straightforward.Nothing.
Finally, he puts himself in the firing line, and has a decision to make. Is it the right one? The moral one?. James Ellson’s The Trail is not only brilliantly written and well plotted,the way the story ends it blows you away with its breathtaking suspense and mystery which is fantastic.James Ellson’s The Trail is a smashing debut crime thriller,that will take you on a journey through riddles and mysteries that will blow you away when it is solved. The Trail is definitely highly recommended. I would like to say thank you to Author James Ellson for kindly gifting me a copy to read and review this spectacular debut that gives you goosebumps.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
May 23, 2023
Mr Ellson combines his several years’ experience as a senior CID officer in Manchester with his love of mountaineering to produce a complex and attention-holding thriller. His protagonist, DCI Rick Castle, is busy with his beehives when his boss phones to tell him that the son of a war hero is missing. The son is a minor cannabis dealer and has apparently joined a group of British backpackers in Nepal. Rick goes to Nepal to find them, and him.
The delightful evocation of Nepalese life and scenery that follows is darkened by a delineation of the forces menacing the backpackers. A tense and compelling story ensues. Rick’s personal life and interests including an uncomfortable “office romance” provide depth to his character and make the reader empathise with his difficulties - trying to enforce the law in a foreign country and, of course, to save lives. I challenge anyone to set the book aside when the climax is reached.
As well as exploring the personal dimensions of his protagonist, the author gives us the social and political context of his story and makes it relevant: memories of the Falklands War and associated incidents; corruption in FIFA; constraints on policing.
Multifaceted and memorable as the novel is, the atmosphere it evokes is as bleak as the snowscapes of Nepal. There isn’t a lot of humour, and dialogue is fairly sparse. I think it’s aimed mainly at male readers, though I know one woman who was enthusiastic about it, so it’s not gender-exclusive.
Overall feeling? Mr Ellson’s second novel is now on my (extensive) reading list.
The delightful evocation of Nepalese life and scenery that follows is darkened by a delineation of the forces menacing the backpackers. A tense and compelling story ensues. Rick’s personal life and interests including an uncomfortable “office romance” provide depth to his character and make the reader empathise with his difficulties - trying to enforce the law in a foreign country and, of course, to save lives. I challenge anyone to set the book aside when the climax is reached.
As well as exploring the personal dimensions of his protagonist, the author gives us the social and political context of his story and makes it relevant: memories of the Falklands War and associated incidents; corruption in FIFA; constraints on policing.
Multifaceted and memorable as the novel is, the atmosphere it evokes is as bleak as the snowscapes of Nepal. There isn’t a lot of humour, and dialogue is fairly sparse. I think it’s aimed mainly at male readers, though I know one woman who was enthusiastic about it, so it’s not gender-exclusive.
Overall feeling? Mr Ellson’s second novel is now on my (extensive) reading list.
March 8, 2020
This book is written with a powerful authority, right from the onset you feel that the author knows and understands the life of a Detective Chief Inspector and this gives the narrative great authenticity.
The reader is taken on a journey in the story, from the streets of Manchester to the mountains of Nepal, and the author is easily able to make each scene come to life, with well developed and interesting characters. 'Nothing is ever straightforward' we are told in The Trail. And none of its characters are straightforward either, which makes the book's plot keep twisting and turning right to the end.
A very good read - highly recommend.
The reader is taken on a journey in the story, from the streets of Manchester to the mountains of Nepal, and the author is easily able to make each scene come to life, with well developed and interesting characters. 'Nothing is ever straightforward' we are told in The Trail. And none of its characters are straightforward either, which makes the book's plot keep twisting and turning right to the end.
A very good read - highly recommend.
Read
February 28, 2020I don't normally choose to read a thriller but I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this one.
A gripping read which as the book evolved had me wanting to creep upstairs and find out what was going to happen next!
I much enjoyed the descriptions of Nepal especially the small details. Learning about how a police investigation unfolds was interesting and all the characters were very real and believable.
l am much looking forward to reading the sequel as Rick Carter clearly has more work to do!
Juliet Holland
A gripping read which as the book evolved had me wanting to creep upstairs and find out what was going to happen next!
I much enjoyed the descriptions of Nepal especially the small details. Learning about how a police investigation unfolds was interesting and all the characters were very real and believable.
l am much looking forward to reading the sequel as Rick Carter clearly has more work to do!
Juliet Holland
March 17, 2020
I thought it was really good, I liked it a lot. It's a police procedural, a page-turner, and it works very well in that regard. It's sort of hyper local (the detail of Manchester, Nepal, of life as a detective) but has a global reach, it's not insular. It took me to situations which I'd not been taken before, and it did it authentically. Memorable characters are everywhere, I particularly enjoyed any passage where the Brigadier's involved. I thought it was decent, and I've recommended it to my friends, and I'm looking forward to seeing whether there's a sequel.
April 15, 2021
This is the first book I read from this author and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait to read other books from this great writer! Amazing job! a must-read! A fantastic book that has it all! I happily endorse this story to any and all who are looking for a mystery enjoyable read and a completely different experience than anyone could imagine on their own. ¡Great book!
May 18, 2025
I bought this from the author at Stockport market and thought I'd start at book one. I thought the characters were good and I particularly enjoyed the setting in Nepal, you can tell the author has first-hand experience. it's a combination of crime and thriller but not a who done it more like a why done it. not perfect but a very good start for a new author and always nice to welcome a local talent to the crime world. if I see James again I'll buy book two.
June 11, 2025
I found this book really engaging and I needed to know what happened! Not my usual setting choice for a book and I definitely don’t fancy going on a hike through Nepal now but very interesting concept and character choices!
I found a couple of the descriptions a little confusing which is what brought my rating down a star. I also don’t know if I like the Brigadiers ending of suicide… I don’t know if an eye for an eye is what the Gurka would have wanted…
Overall really enjoyed!
I found a couple of the descriptions a little confusing which is what brought my rating down a star. I also don’t know if I like the Brigadiers ending of suicide… I don’t know if an eye for an eye is what the Gurka would have wanted…
Overall really enjoyed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2020
Just finished reading the Trail. Really enjoyed it - couldn't put it down in fact. An interesting plot with unexpected twists along the way and a great depth of characters. A police chase from Manchester to Nepal. The novel is very well written and very evocative of travelling in Nepal. Let's hope there's a sequel - I can't wait for the next DCI Castle novel
December 24, 2021
Disappointing and predictable throughout. I eventually finished it but stopped caring what was going to happen long before the end. The Nepal setting was different and could have been interesting, but the idea that a British police officer can march around Nepal leading a criminal investigation, enjoying full powers of arrest and detention and giving orders to a foreign military…….seriously??
January 10, 2025
The writing was laconic and vibrant. However, I didn't enjoy the story or find it interesting in places. I didn't like the main detective, and I found myself disagreeing with some of the plot and character developments, manipulated rather than authentic sounding. However, much interesting current information and background,
October 20, 2022
The blurbs promise us a new Mancunian policeman with all the local colour that might entail. Then the chap is sent of to Nepal, which has little if non of the characteristics of Manchester. As far as I was concerned, that was end of story.
April 12, 2023
Really enjoyed how the story was weaved together. Didn't talk down to the reader, and the descriptions were raw, complex, gritty yet real. Can't wait to read the next one.
February 14, 2024
Good read
I enjoyed the book from the beginning. Sometimes it takes a while to get into a book, but not this. Had me drawn in from the beginning.
I enjoyed the book from the beginning. Sometimes it takes a while to get into a book, but not this. Had me drawn in from the beginning.
March 8, 2024
I loved this story line and will definitely be reading more James Ellson.
January 24, 2025
Almost DNF at the 30% mark but ploughed on... did not enjoy it at all.
Poorly written, poor characters, overly descriptive and long .. won't be reading any more.
Poorly written, poor characters, overly descriptive and long .. won't be reading any more.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews