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THE WEST YORKSHIRE MYSTERIES: Seven gripping British detective crime thrillers
‘Yorkshire’s answer to Inspector Morse.’ The Bookseller
‘Enough to satisfy the most ardent lover of crime fiction.’ Yorkshire Evening Post
Seven gripping Yorkshire mysteries. One no-nonsense detective with an actual sense of humour. Over 2400 pages of twisty crime fiction.
Yorkshire isn’t just picturesque villages and rolling hills. From art world scandals, murdered chauffeurs, small-town vendettas and a serial killer who targets local clergymen, Detective Charlie Priest has seen it all. With his trademark dry wit and Yorkshire grit, he always uncovers the truth.
MEET THE DETECTIVE
Charlie Priest is now the longest-serving detective in the small town of Heckley, West Yorkshire. His father and grandfather were both detectives before him. After a messy divorce that left him cleaned out, he uses work and his dry humour as an escape. Priest is devoted to finding crooks and watching out for his team of young constables. He hates being called sir or Mr. Priest — it makes him feel old, and don’t ever say a bad word about his old, beat-up Ford Cortina. It’s still a ‘fine and reliable vehicle’, thank you very much!
THE SETTING
Heckley is a fictional town in Yorkshire, England. Locally referred to as The Tops, Heckley has picturesque views over the rugged hills, bleak moors and narrow lanes bordered by dry-stone walls. Residents like to nip to their local pub for a pint and a chinwag about local lore.
This character-driven detective mystery full of wry English humour and more twists than a village bypass is perfect for fans of Colin Dexter, Reginald Hill, J.R. Ellis, P.F. Ford and Roger Silverwood.
This box set
Book 1: THE PICASSO SCAM
Book 2: THE MUSHROOM MAN
Book 3: THE JUDAS SHEEP
Book 4: LAST REMINDER
Book 5: DEADLY FRIENDS
Book 6: SOME BY FIRE
Book 7: CHILL FACTOR
PRAISE FOR STUART
‘Excellent police procedurals, written with good humour, engaging characters, intelligent plots, and an interesting, lovingly-described location.’ Mudskipper Press
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Best detective books I have ever read.’ Fred.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Stuart Pawson is a wonderful writer.’ Jeannie J.S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The characters and situations are very well drawn, the irreverent humour and police politics absolutely spot on. Great writing!!’ Deewun
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Highly recommend these books to anyone looking for a good read.’ Manda.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Crime with good old-fashioned police work and a liberal sprinkling of off the wall humour.’ Ronnie
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fresh look at detective novels, full of twists & turns.’ Ramars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An accurate police procedural with wry Yorkshire humour, this series makes an entertaining read.’ ADW
‘Enough to satisfy the most ardent lover of crime fiction.’ Yorkshire Evening Post
Seven gripping Yorkshire mysteries. One no-nonsense detective with an actual sense of humour. Over 2400 pages of twisty crime fiction.
Yorkshire isn’t just picturesque villages and rolling hills. From art world scandals, murdered chauffeurs, small-town vendettas and a serial killer who targets local clergymen, Detective Charlie Priest has seen it all. With his trademark dry wit and Yorkshire grit, he always uncovers the truth.
MEET THE DETECTIVE
Charlie Priest is now the longest-serving detective in the small town of Heckley, West Yorkshire. His father and grandfather were both detectives before him. After a messy divorce that left him cleaned out, he uses work and his dry humour as an escape. Priest is devoted to finding crooks and watching out for his team of young constables. He hates being called sir or Mr. Priest — it makes him feel old, and don’t ever say a bad word about his old, beat-up Ford Cortina. It’s still a ‘fine and reliable vehicle’, thank you very much!
THE SETTING
Heckley is a fictional town in Yorkshire, England. Locally referred to as The Tops, Heckley has picturesque views over the rugged hills, bleak moors and narrow lanes bordered by dry-stone walls. Residents like to nip to their local pub for a pint and a chinwag about local lore.
This character-driven detective mystery full of wry English humour and more twists than a village bypass is perfect for fans of Colin Dexter, Reginald Hill, J.R. Ellis, P.F. Ford and Roger Silverwood.
This box set
Book 1: THE PICASSO SCAM
Book 2: THE MUSHROOM MAN
Book 3: THE JUDAS SHEEP
Book 4: LAST REMINDER
Book 5: DEADLY FRIENDS
Book 6: SOME BY FIRE
Book 7: CHILL FACTOR
PRAISE FOR STUART
‘Excellent police procedurals, written with good humour, engaging characters, intelligent plots, and an interesting, lovingly-described location.’ Mudskipper Press
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Best detective books I have ever read.’ Fred.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Stuart Pawson is a wonderful writer.’ Jeannie J.S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The characters and situations are very well drawn, the irreverent humour and police politics absolutely spot on. Great writing!!’ Deewun
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Highly recommend these books to anyone looking for a good read.’ Manda.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Crime with good old-fashioned police work and a liberal sprinkling of off the wall humour.’ Ronnie
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fresh look at detective novels, full of twists & turns.’ Ramars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An accurate police procedural with wry Yorkshire humour, this series makes an entertaining read.’ ADW
2113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2025
375 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Pawson
18 books36 followersStuart Pawson lived in Fairburn, Yorkshire, with his wife, Doreen.
After a career as a mining electrical engineer, he worked part-time for the probation service for five years, mediating between offenders and their victims. This gave him a good insight into the criminal justice system, and it was during this period that he started to write his first book, The Picasso Scam.
Stuart believed he must have some cowboy genes somewhere in his genome because he always had a strong affinity for the American West. His first visit to the USA was to work for a month at a Wyoming coalmine, and he holidayed over there many times. Although tone-deaf (some would say stone-deaf) he always thought it would be good fun to be a songwriter. The thought of composing a three-minute song as opposed to a 300-page book had a certain attraction. He managed to combine the two themes - song writing and the West - in the opening chapters of Laughing Boy, and he enjoyed writing that one immensely.
After a career as a mining electrical engineer, he worked part-time for the probation service for five years, mediating between offenders and their victims. This gave him a good insight into the criminal justice system, and it was during this period that he started to write his first book, The Picasso Scam.
Stuart believed he must have some cowboy genes somewhere in his genome because he always had a strong affinity for the American West. His first visit to the USA was to work for a month at a Wyoming coalmine, and he holidayed over there many times. Although tone-deaf (some would say stone-deaf) he always thought it would be good fun to be a songwriter. The thought of composing a three-minute song as opposed to a 300-page book had a certain attraction. He managed to combine the two themes - song writing and the West - in the opening chapters of Laughing Boy, and he enjoyed writing that one immensely.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 8, 2026
A great set of murder mysteries that I enjoyed reading my way through!
December 10, 2025
Definitely knows West Yorkshire - I felt it on every page. Lovely lead character and many wonderful detectives, bad people and especially the next door neighbour. Very different stories each with a twist kept me going back for more. Very enjoyable series and hope there will be more.
January 10, 2026
Charlie gives me a very human view of a Detective Inspector. The plots are intriguing and I feel as if I was with him on his travels through the moors. As soon as I finished one story I couldn't wait to start the next one. They all left me with warm feelings
December 4, 2025
Best read for ages
Really enjoyed the stories, jokes, sadness and all the other perspectives. Well written and crafted, couldn't put it down. Thank you!
Really enjoyed the stories, jokes, sadness and all the other perspectives. Well written and crafted, couldn't put it down. Thank you!
December 27, 2025
good read
Solid characters and well thought out plots set in the real West Yorkshire area. I would definitely recommend having got into the series.
Solid characters and well thought out plots set in the real West Yorkshire area. I would definitely recommend having got into the series.
January 9, 2026
Great Read
Loved every one, binge read one after another. Great characters and storylines, I would definitely recommend giving these a read
Loved every one, binge read one after another. Great characters and storylines, I would definitely recommend giving these a read
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews