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Yorkshire Murder Mysteries #1
The Body in the Dales
An unpopular victim. An impossible crime. A murderer on the loose.
A body is discovered deep in a cave beneath the Yorkshire Dales. Leading the investigation into the mysterious death are experienced DCI Jim Oldroyd and his partner DS Carter, a newcomer from London.
The deceased is Dave Atkins, well known throughout the village but not well liked. While there is no shortage of suspects, the details of the crime leave Oldroyd and Carter stumped. How did Atkins’s body end up in such a remote section of the cave? When someone with vital information turns up dead, it becomes clear that whoever is behind the murders will stop at nothing to conceal their tracks.
Oldroyd and his team try to uncover the truth, but every answer unearths a new set of questions. And as secrets and lies are exposed within the close-knit community, the mystery becomes deeper, darker and more complex than the caves below.
A body is discovered deep in a cave beneath the Yorkshire Dales. Leading the investigation into the mysterious death are experienced DCI Jim Oldroyd and his partner DS Carter, a newcomer from London.
The deceased is Dave Atkins, well known throughout the village but not well liked. While there is no shortage of suspects, the details of the crime leave Oldroyd and Carter stumped. How did Atkins’s body end up in such a remote section of the cave? When someone with vital information turns up dead, it becomes clear that whoever is behind the murders will stop at nothing to conceal their tracks.
Oldroyd and his team try to uncover the truth, but every answer unearths a new set of questions. And as secrets and lies are exposed within the close-knit community, the mystery becomes deeper, darker and more complex than the caves below.
Revised edition: Previously published as The Body in Jingling Pot, this edition of The Body in the Dales includes editorial revisions.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2017
8978 people are currently reading
7404 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Ellis
31 books705 followersDuring a long career teaching English, I wrote plays for children and occasional ghost stories. I have always been fascinated by the paranormal and by mysteries, conspiracy theories and unexplained crimes.
My love of my native county is deep and the settings of my Yorkshire Murder Mysteries within Yorkshire's varied landscapes are important. I have made a study of the sub-genre of the Locked Room Mystery during the height of its popularity between 1930 - 1960 in the stories of writers such as John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson and Ellery Queen. I was an avid watcher of BBC's "Jonathan Creek" in its heyday. I believe the element of puzzle is essential to crime fiction and my novels contain a double mystery: the standard "who dunnit?" but also "how dunnit?!"
I avoid the dark and gruesome in my writing and I strive to include some humour and elegance in style, a vivid sense of place and a compelling mystery! My characters both innocent and guilty are mostly ordinary people.
I am a member of a writers' group in Otley which has inspired me to write poetry and various forms of short fiction.
My love of my native county is deep and the settings of my Yorkshire Murder Mysteries within Yorkshire's varied landscapes are important. I have made a study of the sub-genre of the Locked Room Mystery during the height of its popularity between 1930 - 1960 in the stories of writers such as John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson and Ellery Queen. I was an avid watcher of BBC's "Jonathan Creek" in its heyday. I believe the element of puzzle is essential to crime fiction and my novels contain a double mystery: the standard "who dunnit?" but also "how dunnit?!"
I avoid the dark and gruesome in my writing and I strive to include some humour and elegance in style, a vivid sense of place and a compelling mystery! My characters both innocent and guilty are mostly ordinary people.
I am a member of a writers' group in Otley which has inspired me to write poetry and various forms of short fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,131 reviews
March 6, 2020
I’m not sure how I was turned on to this audiobook, but I’m so glad I was. It’s a fun mystery, with a dead body found in an impossible location. And the dead man was not well liked. In fact, the suspects are numerous and include almost everyone in town. DCI Oldroyd and DS Carter lead the investigation and they’re a wonderful duo. The old local copper and the young transplant from London.
There are a multitude of characters here to keep track of. The book is rich in detail, sometimes a little bit too much. I wasn’t sure I needed everyone’s back story.
It took me a bit to get used to the accent as the narrator truly captures the dialogue of the Yorkshire area. But once I did, I really appreciated the energy and emotion he brought to the story. Oldroyd’s sister, an Anglican priest, provides a bit of philosophy to the mix. I especially appreciated her comments on Hannah Arendt’s thoughts on the banality of evil.
I’d recommend this series for those that enjoy Joy Ellis’ Fens series. It’s got a similar feel, a straightforward police procedural with a strong sense of place. In fact, I, like Carter, really grew to love the fells and the potholes. And I could see why those that lived there felt they couldn’t live anywhere else.
I’m glad to see this is the first in a series and there are already other published books out
There are a multitude of characters here to keep track of. The book is rich in detail, sometimes a little bit too much. I wasn’t sure I needed everyone’s back story.
It took me a bit to get used to the accent as the narrator truly captures the dialogue of the Yorkshire area. But once I did, I really appreciated the energy and emotion he brought to the story. Oldroyd’s sister, an Anglican priest, provides a bit of philosophy to the mix. I especially appreciated her comments on Hannah Arendt’s thoughts on the banality of evil.
I’d recommend this series for those that enjoy Joy Ellis’ Fens series. It’s got a similar feel, a straightforward police procedural with a strong sense of place. In fact, I, like Carter, really grew to love the fells and the potholes. And I could see why those that lived there felt they couldn’t live anywhere else.
I’m glad to see this is the first in a series and there are already other published books out
September 17, 2018
Characters feel two dimensional caricatures and not even fixed in who they are - one minute Carter likes Steph, the next he's jumping into bed with the station slut. One minute he's loving rural life and not missing his City Wide Boy friend Jason who pushes money around then boozes the night away, the next he's ringing him after shagging the slut and laughing at the banter (Jason doing a falsetto of "ooh Andy, stick your big Yorkshire dick in me!" - at which point I nearly threw up).
Oldroyd not sharing because he wants his team to think for themselves, but then tells them they should know the answers as they've seen the same evidence he has - they haven't, he's gone off solo half the time.
Far too much about this annoyed me. Stilted, telegraphing all its punches, serious need of a good editor.
Oldroyd not sharing because he wants his team to think for themselves, but then tells them they should know the answers as they've seen the same evidence he has - they haven't, he's gone off solo half the time.
Far too much about this annoyed me. Stilted, telegraphing all its punches, serious need of a good editor.
August 5, 2019
The first in the addictive Yorkshire Murder Mystery series is imaginative, puzzling, complex, and frightening!
This is a debut?
You have my attention, Mr. Ellis!
Unless tha’s careful on thi ways,
Providence Pot will end thi days.
Deep under the Yorkshire Dales, cavers were scrambling along dark passageways. Apart from the eerie echoing of their voices, the only sounds came from water dripping on to their heads and gurgling down the shallow streams. There was the distant roar of an underground river. The dancing lights from their helmets illuminated the rocky walls and cast huge shadows into the heights above them. They were walking through a strange underground world of rock, mud and slime where the temperature remained at the same chilly level throughout the year and intricate systems of interconnecting tunnels plunged hundreds of feet below the surface. The slow action of water dissolving limestone over thousands of years had sculpted shapes like the cave art of a strange subterranean civilisation: long fingers of stalactites hung from the cavern roofs and stalagmites thrust in opposition from the floor. The cavers were still only halfway through the system. They were entering a long and fairly straight passage with a shallow stream in the bottom, about twenty feet high with rocky, uneven walls.
The leader called back, ‘Easy bit here. We’ll stop for a rest soon.’ Echoing replies reached him in his forward position. As he splashed down the tunnel, he calculated the time and distance. Two and a half hours to get here, stop for food, another two and a half hours to get through to the end. It was a big responsibility, leading an inexperienced party like this. So many things could go wrong. People fell and broke limbs and it was hours before Cave Rescue could reach them. Reckless amateurs got lost in the labyrinth of passages and sometimes died of exhaustion and hypothermia. Suddenly his foot struck something and he tripped forward. His first thought was how stupid he’d been to allow himself to get distracted. He’d be the one who broke his ankle, and then they’d all be in serious difficulties. Whatever he’d stumbled against had moved and seemed soft. He looked down to illuminate the object and staggered back in shock. His lamp was shining on to a human head. The body of a man lay across the floor of the passage. Congealed blood covered the matted hair and the skull was smashed at the back. Two facts immediately struck the caver. First: the dead man was not wearing any caving gear. Second: he knew who it was.
******
The Body in the Dales by J.R. Ellis is the first in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series.
The first thing that struck me about this book was the characters. I was drawn in by them immediately and by the end of the book, DCI Jim Oldroyd, DI Andrew, 'Andy' Carter, and DS Stephanie 'Steph' Johnson are firmly in my mind and I can't wait to see what they come up against next!
The storyline is rich and creative, flowing briskly and fluidity with many interesting leads cropping up as the case progresses. There are a number of well placed twists and turns, creating difficult questions and making the puzzle of the case even more complex and even harder to solve. I enjoyed the entire storyline with it's mix of genuine and warm characters and the unique murder mystery.
The story is set in the small village of Harrogate in the Yorkshire Dales, a beautiful place with many interesting and magnificent landscapes. The caves, known as potholes, with their stalactites, eerie darkness, and unpredictable dangers make for an ingenious, fresh and unique backdrop for a creepy murder scene!
The Yorkshire Dales are also the home of the famous veterinarian James Harriet which gave me a warm glow as they are some of my favorite books.
I was given all three books in this series by NetGally, the third one will be available for purchase in just a few days on the 13th of September. I started this book during breakfast and I just couldn't put it down! This is an addictive novel so I'm reading book two right after this one, followed by book three! (hopefully before the release date.)
So far, this is a fantastic series!!
Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, and J. R. Ellis for giving me all three books in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series for me to read in return for my honest review.
In a nutshell, I love this series and I can't wait until book number four comes out!!
This is a debut?
You have my attention, Mr. Ellis!
Unless tha’s careful on thi ways,
Providence Pot will end thi days.
Deep under the Yorkshire Dales, cavers were scrambling along dark passageways. Apart from the eerie echoing of their voices, the only sounds came from water dripping on to their heads and gurgling down the shallow streams. There was the distant roar of an underground river. The dancing lights from their helmets illuminated the rocky walls and cast huge shadows into the heights above them. They were walking through a strange underground world of rock, mud and slime where the temperature remained at the same chilly level throughout the year and intricate systems of interconnecting tunnels plunged hundreds of feet below the surface. The slow action of water dissolving limestone over thousands of years had sculpted shapes like the cave art of a strange subterranean civilisation: long fingers of stalactites hung from the cavern roofs and stalagmites thrust in opposition from the floor. The cavers were still only halfway through the system. They were entering a long and fairly straight passage with a shallow stream in the bottom, about twenty feet high with rocky, uneven walls.
The leader called back, ‘Easy bit here. We’ll stop for a rest soon.’ Echoing replies reached him in his forward position. As he splashed down the tunnel, he calculated the time and distance. Two and a half hours to get here, stop for food, another two and a half hours to get through to the end. It was a big responsibility, leading an inexperienced party like this. So many things could go wrong. People fell and broke limbs and it was hours before Cave Rescue could reach them. Reckless amateurs got lost in the labyrinth of passages and sometimes died of exhaustion and hypothermia. Suddenly his foot struck something and he tripped forward. His first thought was how stupid he’d been to allow himself to get distracted. He’d be the one who broke his ankle, and then they’d all be in serious difficulties. Whatever he’d stumbled against had moved and seemed soft. He looked down to illuminate the object and staggered back in shock. His lamp was shining on to a human head. The body of a man lay across the floor of the passage. Congealed blood covered the matted hair and the skull was smashed at the back. Two facts immediately struck the caver. First: the dead man was not wearing any caving gear. Second: he knew who it was.
******
The Body in the Dales by J.R. Ellis is the first in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series.
The first thing that struck me about this book was the characters. I was drawn in by them immediately and by the end of the book, DCI Jim Oldroyd, DI Andrew, 'Andy' Carter, and DS Stephanie 'Steph' Johnson are firmly in my mind and I can't wait to see what they come up against next!
The storyline is rich and creative, flowing briskly and fluidity with many interesting leads cropping up as the case progresses. There are a number of well placed twists and turns, creating difficult questions and making the puzzle of the case even more complex and even harder to solve. I enjoyed the entire storyline with it's mix of genuine and warm characters and the unique murder mystery.
The story is set in the small village of Harrogate in the Yorkshire Dales, a beautiful place with many interesting and magnificent landscapes. The caves, known as potholes, with their stalactites, eerie darkness, and unpredictable dangers make for an ingenious, fresh and unique backdrop for a creepy murder scene!
The Yorkshire Dales are also the home of the famous veterinarian James Harriet which gave me a warm glow as they are some of my favorite books.
I was given all three books in this series by NetGally, the third one will be available for purchase in just a few days on the 13th of September. I started this book during breakfast and I just couldn't put it down! This is an addictive novel so I'm reading book two right after this one, followed by book three! (hopefully before the release date.)
So far, this is a fantastic series!!
Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, and J. R. Ellis for giving me all three books in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series for me to read in return for my honest review.
In a nutshell, I love this series and I can't wait until book number four comes out!!
December 30, 2021
This is a very enjoyable mystery set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in England.
DCI Oldroyd and his new offsider, DS Carter, investigate a very strange case, that of a murder victim found underground in a cave system, a long way from the cave entrance and not dressed appropriately for caving. It takes a team of trained cavers to get the body out, so how did it get in there in the first place? Investigations reveal that most of the local villagers did not like the victim at all and there is an unusually large number of suspects.
Oldroyd is a very charming and intelligent character who loves his work and enjoys the challenge of a difficult case. He likes his team to be totally involved as well and expects them to work as hard as he does. At one point they all go down into a cave system which I thought might be above and beyond the normal call of duty! These are not the kind 0f caves that you walk into - more the kind called potholes accessed by ropes and holes in the ground with lots of crawling through narrow spaces.
The Yorkshire country side is beautifully described and the book is nicely written with some very interesting bits of historical interest. An excellent introduction to a very good series.
DCI Oldroyd and his new offsider, DS Carter, investigate a very strange case, that of a murder victim found underground in a cave system, a long way from the cave entrance and not dressed appropriately for caving. It takes a team of trained cavers to get the body out, so how did it get in there in the first place? Investigations reveal that most of the local villagers did not like the victim at all and there is an unusually large number of suspects.
Oldroyd is a very charming and intelligent character who loves his work and enjoys the challenge of a difficult case. He likes his team to be totally involved as well and expects them to work as hard as he does. At one point they all go down into a cave system which I thought might be above and beyond the normal call of duty! These are not the kind 0f caves that you walk into - more the kind called potholes accessed by ropes and holes in the ground with lots of crawling through narrow spaces.
The Yorkshire country side is beautifully described and the book is nicely written with some very interesting bits of historical interest. An excellent introduction to a very good series.
December 31, 2018
As a bona fide anglophile, books set in England always appeal to me. My mother was a war bride and I still have a lot of family in the 'old country'. I've read all of the James Herriot books and love the Yorkshire area. The setting, and the fact that this is a police procedural, is what attracted me to this book.
As with many traditional mystery stories, the novel opens with the discovery of a body. The man was found deep in a cave called "The Jingling Pot". He was not equipped with caving gear, and since there had been a team of cavers in that location just a few days previously, it was a mystery why they had not found him sooner. He had been dead for over a week. The victim is identified as Dave Atkins, a local rogue and financial speculator. He was an unpleasant man who was not liked by many - a fact that leaves the police with no shortage of viable suspects.
Tasked with solving this puzzling murder are the West Riding Police team of DCI Jim Oldroyd (an experienced local man), DS Andrew Carter (in his late twenties, who has been newly transferred to Yorkshire from the Met in London), and DS Stephanie Johnson (a local girl with a traumatic background).
This case is specially perplexing as Atkins' body was found some two hours into the cave system, parts of which were extremely narrow. It would be VERY difficult to transport a body through the cave. Also, it would have been near impossible for one person to do this on their own.
Many of the suspects they encounter in their investigations are experienced cavers, some of them are even on the cave rescue team. It would seem that local knowledge is the key to solving the case. Motives are many, but HOW and by WHOM was Atkins murdered?
MY THOUGHTS
The police team in this novel were very engaging. The older, experienced DCI Oldroyd, the younger city man, Andrew Carter, and the attractive though troubled local girl, Stephanie Johnson. I enjoyed their interactions, and thought their characters were well-rounded. They came across as very 'real' people.
As I mentioned earlier, the setting is one of my favourites. The Yorkshire Dales holds an endless fascination for me. The plotting was reminiscent of the traditional mysteries of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, etc. This made a nice change from the more convoluted thriller plots I've been reading recently. Written like a perplexing puzzle, the novel appealed on that level as well - I can never ignore a good puzzle.
The ending of this whodunit was tied up neatly. Nothing far-fetched, just believable, sound police work. The coppers displayed keen observational skills and some astute knowledge of human nature.
To my knowledge, there are three novels featuring this police team and I intend to read them all. Recommended!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Thomas & Mercer/AmazonUK publishing via NetGalley. This review is my way of saying thank-you.
NOTE: This title was previously published under the title: "The Body in Jingling Pot".
As with many traditional mystery stories, the novel opens with the discovery of a body. The man was found deep in a cave called "The Jingling Pot". He was not equipped with caving gear, and since there had been a team of cavers in that location just a few days previously, it was a mystery why they had not found him sooner. He had been dead for over a week. The victim is identified as Dave Atkins, a local rogue and financial speculator. He was an unpleasant man who was not liked by many - a fact that leaves the police with no shortage of viable suspects.
Tasked with solving this puzzling murder are the West Riding Police team of DCI Jim Oldroyd (an experienced local man), DS Andrew Carter (in his late twenties, who has been newly transferred to Yorkshire from the Met in London), and DS Stephanie Johnson (a local girl with a traumatic background).
This case is specially perplexing as Atkins' body was found some two hours into the cave system, parts of which were extremely narrow. It would be VERY difficult to transport a body through the cave. Also, it would have been near impossible for one person to do this on their own.
Many of the suspects they encounter in their investigations are experienced cavers, some of them are even on the cave rescue team. It would seem that local knowledge is the key to solving the case. Motives are many, but HOW and by WHOM was Atkins murdered?
MY THOUGHTS
The police team in this novel were very engaging. The older, experienced DCI Oldroyd, the younger city man, Andrew Carter, and the attractive though troubled local girl, Stephanie Johnson. I enjoyed their interactions, and thought their characters were well-rounded. They came across as very 'real' people.
As I mentioned earlier, the setting is one of my favourites. The Yorkshire Dales holds an endless fascination for me. The plotting was reminiscent of the traditional mysteries of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, etc. This made a nice change from the more convoluted thriller plots I've been reading recently. Written like a perplexing puzzle, the novel appealed on that level as well - I can never ignore a good puzzle.
The ending of this whodunit was tied up neatly. Nothing far-fetched, just believable, sound police work. The coppers displayed keen observational skills and some astute knowledge of human nature.
To my knowledge, there are three novels featuring this police team and I intend to read them all. Recommended!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Thomas & Mercer/AmazonUK publishing via NetGalley. This review is my way of saying thank-you.
NOTE: This title was previously published under the title: "The Body in Jingling Pot".
September 25, 2018
The characters barely stretch to 2 dimensions & the plot is ludicrously implausible. 2 of the main police officers are supposed to be in their 20s but read as stolidly middle-aged.
The author's disdain for tattoos and background as a teacher intrude into the story.
The DCI is a Holmesian smart-arse who knows everything right away but doesn't bother telling anyone; doesn't prevent a second crime; doesn't share any of his suspicions or theories with anyone else & generally sits around drinking tea instead of doing any actual police work.
There's a cringe-inducingly awful romance that makes zero sense and people are repeatedly being described as clever or noticeably good at their jobs without any evidence to back up the author's claims.
At one point, the cockney newbie wonders why characters so often conform to stereotype - gee I don't know, perhaps because this author can only write in cliches?
The author's disdain for tattoos and background as a teacher intrude into the story.
The DCI is a Holmesian smart-arse who knows everything right away but doesn't bother telling anyone; doesn't prevent a second crime; doesn't share any of his suspicions or theories with anyone else & generally sits around drinking tea instead of doing any actual police work.
There's a cringe-inducingly awful romance that makes zero sense and people are repeatedly being described as clever or noticeably good at their jobs without any evidence to back up the author's claims.
At one point, the cockney newbie wonders why characters so often conform to stereotype - gee I don't know, perhaps because this author can only write in cliches?
November 8, 2020
I enjoyed the audiobook in this first in J.R. Ellis' Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series. Narrated by Michael Page, who did well with the range of different voices and accents required for the male and female characters, including that of the local Yorkshireman DCI Jim Oldroyd, DS Stephanie Johnson and the new DS from the Met in London, Andy Carter.
When the body of a local man, Dave Atkins is found deep in a cave called Jingling Pot, the question is not so much who would want to kill him, as how did he get there. Although, like many locals he was a keen caver, he was not wearing caving gear when he was found. He was unpopular in the village, owing money to many and involved in shady money making schemes, and had affairs with several women, so narrowing down the suspects would not be not an easy job.
As well as the unfolding mystery, I enjoyed the history of caving and the exploration of caves and potholes on the Yorkshire Dales, as researched by Oldroyd in his quest for answers. The beautiful landscape is well described and the underground exploration is dark and atmospheric. The older, taciturn Oldroyd, a typical Yorkshireman made for a good contrast to the newcomer Andy Carter who was missing the bustle and nightlife of London but is perhaps ready for a change in his life. It looks like this is another series to add to my growing list of books to read.
When the body of a local man, Dave Atkins is found deep in a cave called Jingling Pot, the question is not so much who would want to kill him, as how did he get there. Although, like many locals he was a keen caver, he was not wearing caving gear when he was found. He was unpopular in the village, owing money to many and involved in shady money making schemes, and had affairs with several women, so narrowing down the suspects would not be not an easy job.
As well as the unfolding mystery, I enjoyed the history of caving and the exploration of caves and potholes on the Yorkshire Dales, as researched by Oldroyd in his quest for answers. The beautiful landscape is well described and the underground exploration is dark and atmospheric. The older, taciturn Oldroyd, a typical Yorkshireman made for a good contrast to the newcomer Andy Carter who was missing the bustle and nightlife of London but is perhaps ready for a change in his life. It looks like this is another series to add to my growing list of books to read.
September 7, 2018
I tried it out - it seemed like a series I would like, but it lacked intelligence/humour.
I liked the Yorkshire setting and the nature descriptions, limestone, caves, etc. But the people and dialogue lacked the spark I require.
Kindle Unlimited
I liked the Yorkshire setting and the nature descriptions, limestone, caves, etc. But the people and dialogue lacked the spark I require.
Kindle Unlimited
May 10, 2019
A complete disappointment. All tell, no show (take a shot every time someone says/thinks about how great a detective Oldroyd is and you'll be blackout drunk by chapter 3). The characters were flat cliches living in a soap opera. The mystery was okay but took a backseat to the never interesting drama.
August 21, 2018
This murder mystery set in Yorkshire is the beginning of a new series featuring DI Oldroyd and his team. Originally titled “The Body in Jingling Pot”, it has recently been re-published as “The Body in the Dales”, a shame in my opinion as the former name has more character, stands out, and more accurately sums up what it’s about. At this point there are two more books to look forward to.
A group of cavers discover a body deep underground in the Jingling Pot cave system. Clearly a murder, as the victim, an experienced caver himself, is not dressed for potholing and has been hit over the head, the police are perplexed as to why someone would carry a body so far, only to leave it in a populated caving route. DI Oldroyd, an old school detective, and his new DS, who recently moved from London and is finding his new environment a shock to the system, soon discover that the victim was highly unpopular in the village, being prone to seducing wives, swindling money and being an all-round selfish bastard. It seems like everyone has a motive, and many had the opportunity, so who did actually kill Dave Atkins, and why?
This reminded me a lot of the early Peter Robinson books, and given this is the name of a minor character, I suspect this is not a coincidence. While a bit slow and with rather more information about the incomprehensible (to me) hobby of caving (which I had forgotten is known as potholing in England) than strictly necessary, this had good characters, a large cast of suspects and it was not obvious whodunnit. There is minimal swearing, violence and sex and the solution to the mystery relies on good old fashioned police work rather than forensics - Oldroyd fancies himself as a modern day Sherlock, or Poirot, and has their slightly annoying habit of keeping his deductions to himself until the big reveal - supposedly to help teach his juniors to think for themselves.
I enjoyed this and will be reading the next ones soon, as I got them all for free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest reviews, so my thanks to the publisher, Amazon UK.
A group of cavers discover a body deep underground in the Jingling Pot cave system. Clearly a murder, as the victim, an experienced caver himself, is not dressed for potholing and has been hit over the head, the police are perplexed as to why someone would carry a body so far, only to leave it in a populated caving route. DI Oldroyd, an old school detective, and his new DS, who recently moved from London and is finding his new environment a shock to the system, soon discover that the victim was highly unpopular in the village, being prone to seducing wives, swindling money and being an all-round selfish bastard. It seems like everyone has a motive, and many had the opportunity, so who did actually kill Dave Atkins, and why?
This reminded me a lot of the early Peter Robinson books, and given this is the name of a minor character, I suspect this is not a coincidence. While a bit slow and with rather more information about the incomprehensible (to me) hobby of caving (which I had forgotten is known as potholing in England) than strictly necessary, this had good characters, a large cast of suspects and it was not obvious whodunnit. There is minimal swearing, violence and sex and the solution to the mystery relies on good old fashioned police work rather than forensics - Oldroyd fancies himself as a modern day Sherlock, or Poirot, and has their slightly annoying habit of keeping his deductions to himself until the big reveal - supposedly to help teach his juniors to think for themselves.
I enjoyed this and will be reading the next ones soon, as I got them all for free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest reviews, so my thanks to the publisher, Amazon UK.
July 12, 2018
5 stars
A group of cave divers find a body about two hours into a cave. The man is wearing no climbing gear and was obviously not planning a climb. They know who the man is.
DCI Jim Oldroyd and his new DS Andy Carter are called to the scene. They also work with DS Stephanie Johnson who is not at work that day. They learn the man was Dave Atkins and no one liked him much at all. They set about interviewing the locals immediately. The suspects are thick on the ground as the interviews show that most people believe Atkins was a braggart, a loudmouth and a womanizer.
Caver John Baxter phones Oldroyd up and wants to meet with him. He believes he knows who the killer is and how he got Atkins into the cave. When Oldroyd shows up at his home, he finds Baxter has been murdered.
The interviews continue in light of the two murders that have now occurred. Oldroyd goes to an antique bookshop and picks up a very useful volume and pertinent to the investigation. The police seem to be getting nowhere when Steph finally recalls what it is that she couldn’t remember. Oldroyd has an answer and tells Steph, Andy, Craven and the others about his plan. In an exciting conclusion, including a car chase, the story is concluded.
Ellis describes the beautiful countryside around Harrogate called the Dales. He speaks of an interesting and exciting cave climb with Oldroyd, Carter and Steph. I’ve read some about caving, but Ellis’ descriptions were complete and thrilling. Allison is Oldroyd’s sister and an Anglican priest, brilliant, fearless and Oldroyd’s Mycroft who plays a small role in this book. Hopefully, we shall see more of her in the future. Oldroyd’s team gets along remarkably well and they seem to love Oldroyd’s slightly eccentric personality. It is great fun to watch them and read about their exploits.
I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas & Mercer for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read, enjoy and review.
A group of cave divers find a body about two hours into a cave. The man is wearing no climbing gear and was obviously not planning a climb. They know who the man is.
DCI Jim Oldroyd and his new DS Andy Carter are called to the scene. They also work with DS Stephanie Johnson who is not at work that day. They learn the man was Dave Atkins and no one liked him much at all. They set about interviewing the locals immediately. The suspects are thick on the ground as the interviews show that most people believe Atkins was a braggart, a loudmouth and a womanizer.
Caver John Baxter phones Oldroyd up and wants to meet with him. He believes he knows who the killer is and how he got Atkins into the cave. When Oldroyd shows up at his home, he finds Baxter has been murdered.
The interviews continue in light of the two murders that have now occurred. Oldroyd goes to an antique bookshop and picks up a very useful volume and pertinent to the investigation. The police seem to be getting nowhere when Steph finally recalls what it is that she couldn’t remember. Oldroyd has an answer and tells Steph, Andy, Craven and the others about his plan. In an exciting conclusion, including a car chase, the story is concluded.
Ellis describes the beautiful countryside around Harrogate called the Dales. He speaks of an interesting and exciting cave climb with Oldroyd, Carter and Steph. I’ve read some about caving, but Ellis’ descriptions were complete and thrilling. Allison is Oldroyd’s sister and an Anglican priest, brilliant, fearless and Oldroyd’s Mycroft who plays a small role in this book. Hopefully, we shall see more of her in the future. Oldroyd’s team gets along remarkably well and they seem to love Oldroyd’s slightly eccentric personality. It is great fun to watch them and read about their exploits.
I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas & Mercer for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read, enjoy and review.
May 15, 2019
A murder victim nobody (including the readers....) liked or cared was dead. A series of cardboard cutout characters. Frequent references to Sherlock Holmes invited comparisons, all unfavorable to the current book. And tell, tell, tell. This book hd never heard of Show, Don't Tell. I got soooo tired of having every character's actions, thoughts, emotions, and personality spelled out for me. I like murder mysteries, and I wanted to like this one, but I. Did. Not. Not at all.
August 1, 2022
3.5 stars.
After having read several gritty thrillers over recent times, it was a pleasant respite to read a more traditional police-procedural mystery set in the countryside. The Body in the Dales brings to mind other country-based crime series, including Ann Cleeves's Vera Stanhope series set in Northumberland, Reginald Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe series, set in Yorkshire, and television series such as Heartbeat and Wycliffe.
DS Andy Carter has just moved from the Met in London to join DCI Jim Oldroyd's Harrogate-based team. On his first day on the job, Carter sets out with the DCI to the (fictional) village of Wharfedale, Yorkshire, after a call reporting that a body has been found in the nearby Jingling Pot pothole (cave), which is a real place in North Yorkshire. It doesn't take long for the detectives to determine that this wasn't an accidental death and that there is no clear explanation for how the body came to be present deep in the cave system. It also becomes apparent that there are plenty of people who could have wished the victim, local lothario and con-man Dave Atkins, harm.
Oldroyd, Carter and DS Stephanie Johnson, aided by members of the local constabulary, begin interviewing the residents of the village and members of the local caving community, uncovering many jealousies, strained marriages and conflicting loyalties.
As mysteries go, this was fairly light and easy to read. The plot wasn't overly complicated and the characters were engaging, particularly the deceptively sensitive and intelligent DCI Oldroyd. I enjoyed Ellis's depiction of the picturesque Yorkshire landscape and towns, and found the setting of the cave as a crime scene intriguing and evocative.
The Body in the Dales may not meet the expectations of those who prefer gruesome crimes, particularly twisty plots or ingenious surprise endings, but would I believe appeal to readers who enjoy solid character-based crime mysteries in a unique setting.
After having read several gritty thrillers over recent times, it was a pleasant respite to read a more traditional police-procedural mystery set in the countryside. The Body in the Dales brings to mind other country-based crime series, including Ann Cleeves's Vera Stanhope series set in Northumberland, Reginald Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe series, set in Yorkshire, and television series such as Heartbeat and Wycliffe.
DS Andy Carter has just moved from the Met in London to join DCI Jim Oldroyd's Harrogate-based team. On his first day on the job, Carter sets out with the DCI to the (fictional) village of Wharfedale, Yorkshire, after a call reporting that a body has been found in the nearby Jingling Pot pothole (cave), which is a real place in North Yorkshire. It doesn't take long for the detectives to determine that this wasn't an accidental death and that there is no clear explanation for how the body came to be present deep in the cave system. It also becomes apparent that there are plenty of people who could have wished the victim, local lothario and con-man Dave Atkins, harm.
Oldroyd, Carter and DS Stephanie Johnson, aided by members of the local constabulary, begin interviewing the residents of the village and members of the local caving community, uncovering many jealousies, strained marriages and conflicting loyalties.
As mysteries go, this was fairly light and easy to read. The plot wasn't overly complicated and the characters were engaging, particularly the deceptively sensitive and intelligent DCI Oldroyd. I enjoyed Ellis's depiction of the picturesque Yorkshire landscape and towns, and found the setting of the cave as a crime scene intriguing and evocative.
The Body in the Dales may not meet the expectations of those who prefer gruesome crimes, particularly twisty plots or ingenious surprise endings, but would I believe appeal to readers who enjoy solid character-based crime mysteries in a unique setting.
February 9, 2024
A new author for me and I really enjoyed it. A different sort of murder/mystery but clever. There are more books in this series which I shall look our for.
May 3, 2022
4⭐ = Good.
Undecided on a three or four star rating but plumped for a four, as this for me, was certainly better than average.
I love holidaying in the Yorkshire Dales so was onto a winner with this one from the off.
There was no intense drama, just a down to earth police investigation, with normal people in a normal setting.
If it's excitement you want, maybe this isn't for you.
Great characters and I'll be interested to see how their relationships develop in future books in the series.
My only very slight criticism would be that there was a slight overkill on the cave descriptions. 😂
Undecided on a three or four star rating but plumped for a four, as this for me, was certainly better than average.
I love holidaying in the Yorkshire Dales so was onto a winner with this one from the off.
There was no intense drama, just a down to earth police investigation, with normal people in a normal setting.
If it's excitement you want, maybe this isn't for you.
Great characters and I'll be interested to see how their relationships develop in future books in the series.
My only very slight criticism would be that there was a slight overkill on the cave descriptions. 😂
March 15, 2022
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
It took me an entire month to finish this book. I’d pick it up and read a few pages and put it down because it made me sleepy. At times I thought perhaps I’ll pick it up another time when I’m more interested…never a good sign. I was hoping perhaps I’d find a new Louise Penny…no, not at all.
It starts with a young detective recently moved to the Dales from London. Why? I honestly don’t remember. But there he is, now part of team lead by the senior detective Oldroyd.
Aspects I enjoyed:
I loved the setting in Yorkshire and its description of the village and landscape. I also learned about potholes and cave exploration as a passionate pastime. All the more reason to visit Yorkshire.
Aspects that irked:
Oldroyd was sometimes too much in his head. We get to see him during his visits with his estranged wife which aids in giving us insight into his personality. I wish there was more of this with the other characters. Detectives Carter and Steph were flat and boring. At least the “village villains” were a little more fleshed out. Also, we’re told (via Steph) that Oldroyd likes to keep case ideas and theories in his head. Wouldn’t you want to share those thoughts and theories with your team rather than keep them to yourself?
SPOILER***
And speaking of Steph and Carter, why would an intelligent girl like Steph even entertain a relationship with Carter after he had a one night stand with the village tart just days after arriving to Yorkshire? I mean, I’d need at least a couple of weeks to reconsider his worth and get over my own hurt feelings.
At times I wished there was a list of the cast of characters in the book. It’s my own fault for not paying closer attention to who’s who, but it would have been helpful, I think.
I will give the 2nd book a try and perhaps it will be a little more interesting.
It took me an entire month to finish this book. I’d pick it up and read a few pages and put it down because it made me sleepy. At times I thought perhaps I’ll pick it up another time when I’m more interested…never a good sign. I was hoping perhaps I’d find a new Louise Penny…no, not at all.
It starts with a young detective recently moved to the Dales from London. Why? I honestly don’t remember. But there he is, now part of team lead by the senior detective Oldroyd.
Aspects I enjoyed:
I loved the setting in Yorkshire and its description of the village and landscape. I also learned about potholes and cave exploration as a passionate pastime. All the more reason to visit Yorkshire.
Aspects that irked:
Oldroyd was sometimes too much in his head. We get to see him during his visits with his estranged wife which aids in giving us insight into his personality. I wish there was more of this with the other characters. Detectives Carter and Steph were flat and boring. At least the “village villains” were a little more fleshed out. Also, we’re told (via Steph) that Oldroyd likes to keep case ideas and theories in his head. Wouldn’t you want to share those thoughts and theories with your team rather than keep them to yourself?
SPOILER***
And speaking of Steph and Carter, why would an intelligent girl like Steph even entertain a relationship with Carter after he had a one night stand with the village tart just days after arriving to Yorkshire? I mean, I’d need at least a couple of weeks to reconsider his worth and get over my own hurt feelings.
At times I wished there was a list of the cast of characters in the book. It’s my own fault for not paying closer attention to who’s who, but it would have been helpful, I think.
I will give the 2nd book a try and perhaps it will be a little more interesting.
September 13, 2018
Poorly written, two dimensional characters and uninspired descriptions of the Yorkshire Dales.
September 22, 2019
Enjoyable police procedural / murder mystery set in a village in Yorkshire.
November 15, 2020
I was introduced to J.R. Ellis', "A Yorkshire Murder" mystery series through book number five in series, "The Nidderdale Murders". I was so taken by it, that I requested that my local library purchase this first book in series, which they have graciously done.
Again, I was captivated by the brooding and unrelenting environment of the Yorkshire countryside which plays a strong role in this murder mystery. This time, its the circuitous cave systems deep below the surface which capture the imagination. A body is found in one system, which has been dead a few days. Yet, cavers were just there a day or so ago and did not encounter it. How did it get there and who had it in for this unfortunate fellow? We soon learn that there are lots of folks with reasons to murder this wretched man. DCI James Oldroyd and his newly hired Detective Andrew Carter are soon on scene having been called out from the Harrogate Division of West Riding Police. Oldroyd is an old Oxford man who is deeply wedded to his job and the Yorkshire environs. He has a strong philosophical approach to his work and is highly respected. Carter recently left service in London but is soon taken under Oldroyd's wing.
Ellis does a fine job of fleshing out the series of characters in this book, laying out well the personalities of the detectives who serve throughout the series as well as the players for this particular story. He also does an excellent job of painting a landscape such that the reader sees it as if standing by the characters in the book. Makes this reader want to visit and hike the dales.
If a mystery set with country village charm appeals to you, then I highly commend this series to your reading pile.
Again, I was captivated by the brooding and unrelenting environment of the Yorkshire countryside which plays a strong role in this murder mystery. This time, its the circuitous cave systems deep below the surface which capture the imagination. A body is found in one system, which has been dead a few days. Yet, cavers were just there a day or so ago and did not encounter it. How did it get there and who had it in for this unfortunate fellow? We soon learn that there are lots of folks with reasons to murder this wretched man. DCI James Oldroyd and his newly hired Detective Andrew Carter are soon on scene having been called out from the Harrogate Division of West Riding Police. Oldroyd is an old Oxford man who is deeply wedded to his job and the Yorkshire environs. He has a strong philosophical approach to his work and is highly respected. Carter recently left service in London but is soon taken under Oldroyd's wing.
Ellis does a fine job of fleshing out the series of characters in this book, laying out well the personalities of the detectives who serve throughout the series as well as the players for this particular story. He also does an excellent job of painting a landscape such that the reader sees it as if standing by the characters in the book. Makes this reader want to visit and hike the dales.
If a mystery set with country village charm appeals to you, then I highly commend this series to your reading pile.
September 30, 2020
I enjoy police procedurals, and was looking forward to starting a new series. But this book is awful. We have long side-passages filling out the character of someone who is unimportant to the plot. Stilted dialogue, 2-d characters. The list goes on. Long chapters pass with nothing happening to the plot, but we have details of which colour of wine gum the DI takes from a paper packet. And when action does take place it's over in a couple of lines. So we have action....slow filler...action.... slow filler....action....slow filler....result. The author must have had details of subsequent books available before the publisher agreed to take this on, because on it's own, this book is a non-starter.
I should also add that my wife was exasperated by my frequent sighs and gasps of annoyance while I was reading this. So it appears to be an instance of someone being annoyed by a book they haven't read.
I should also add that my wife was exasperated by my frequent sighs and gasps of annoyance while I was reading this. So it appears to be an instance of someone being annoyed by a book they haven't read.
October 5, 2023
An unpopular man is found dead down a pothole and everyone is a suspect. The first in this Yorkshire mystery series, it was very slow to develop, the characters were wooden and it wasn't that well written. I will give the other books a go and hope they improve!
November 14, 2021
One of those murder mysteries that you're not quite sure about but ends up growing on you very much by the end of the novel.
January 4, 2023
I wasn't exactly blown away by this book. The story was OK, but I wasn't really charmed by the characters and the mystery plodded along a bit too much.
I was waiting for the detectives to get down into the hole, to be honest. It felt pretty obvious that the solution would lie hiding somewhere down there.
On a very random note, this book taught me that you go "spelunking" in the US and Canada. The Brits apparently go "potholing".
Both sides of the pond seem to agree on also calling the whole affair "caving", though - a word I must say I actually prefer.
Personally, I don't really see the appeal of caving and this book certainly strengthened my belief in that. I've never felt the urge to explore narrow places under ground where I could easily drown if there were a sudden weather change, but each to their own. 😂
My biggest (sort of) issue I had with this book was actually the narrator, Michael Page.
The thing is... He's the narrator of all the Sherlock Holmes novels and stories I've listened to (several times).
Plus, he's the narrator of the Detective Lavender Mysteries and I had a huge semi-problem with that series too, simply because... He is Dr. Watson!
I had to remind myself several times, over and over again, that, no, this book takes place somewhere in the modern day and age. It's not back in the 1880s or something. It's not a period piece. It's something contemporary!
However, I really couldn't shake the "Watson" feeling - and it followed me around all the time.
To add insult to injury, there's even a character called Watson in the book. It did my head in. 😂
But... If I try to ignore the narration, I can't say that much of the story actually stayed with me for very long after the book was over.
The one thing I quite liked was DCI Oldroyd and I will probably come back to this series because of him. The other characters, like Carter and Steph (Spelling? And why is she not addressed by her surname like everyone else?) left me cold.
I was waiting for the detectives to get down into the hole, to be honest. It felt pretty obvious that the solution would lie hiding somewhere down there.
On a very random note, this book taught me that you go "spelunking" in the US and Canada. The Brits apparently go "potholing".
Both sides of the pond seem to agree on also calling the whole affair "caving", though - a word I must say I actually prefer.
Personally, I don't really see the appeal of caving and this book certainly strengthened my belief in that. I've never felt the urge to explore narrow places under ground where I could easily drown if there were a sudden weather change, but each to their own. 😂
My biggest (sort of) issue I had with this book was actually the narrator, Michael Page.
The thing is... He's the narrator of all the Sherlock Holmes novels and stories I've listened to (several times).
Plus, he's the narrator of the Detective Lavender Mysteries and I had a huge semi-problem with that series too, simply because... He is Dr. Watson!
I had to remind myself several times, over and over again, that, no, this book takes place somewhere in the modern day and age. It's not back in the 1880s or something. It's not a period piece. It's something contemporary!
However, I really couldn't shake the "Watson" feeling - and it followed me around all the time.
To add insult to injury, there's even a character called Watson in the book. It did my head in. 😂
But... If I try to ignore the narration, I can't say that much of the story actually stayed with me for very long after the book was over.
The one thing I quite liked was DCI Oldroyd and I will probably come back to this series because of him. The other characters, like Carter and Steph (Spelling? And why is she not addressed by her surname like everyone else?) left me cold.
October 28, 2018
I didn't feel there was much in the way of character development and I think the author missed the mark in describing the beautiful area the story is set in. The only character that had any flesh on her was the vicar, sister of the inspector -- A minor character!
With the clue of the new pile of rubble in the tunnel, and the references to water rushing by and disappearing, it wasn't hard to figure out early on that the body had been dumped elsewhere and moved by water. But it took the detectives the whole book to figure that out??
Not much in the way of team work. One member goes off solo and comes up with a theory that he doesn't share with other members of the team. Seems unlikely.
The plot is a good one and the setting had great possibilities, just not fulfilled by this author, in my opinion.
With the clue of the new pile of rubble in the tunnel, and the references to water rushing by and disappearing, it wasn't hard to figure out early on that the body had been dumped elsewhere and moved by water. But it took the detectives the whole book to figure that out??
Not much in the way of team work. One member goes off solo and comes up with a theory that he doesn't share with other members of the team. Seems unlikely.
The plot is a good one and the setting had great possibilities, just not fulfilled by this author, in my opinion.
July 7, 2019
A boring disappointment
The characters were boring and quite unlikable
The story was unnecessarily long and flat. It could have got to the point so much quicker as there was nothing much really happening for 3/4 of it. If I could give it a 0 I would.
The characters were boring and quite unlikable
The story was unnecessarily long and flat. It could have got to the point so much quicker as there was nothing much really happening for 3/4 of it. If I could give it a 0 I would.
May 16, 2024
3.5 Stars. Very enjoyable reading. Lots of local tid-bits about Yorkshire. Very real characters.
I particularly enjoyed the representation of the old school Yorkshire manner of speech because I read that Sir Patrick Stewart grew up there, and his wife said that when his brother phones, she can't understand a thing her husband's speaking as the two Yorkshiremen 'nattering'.
I particularly enjoyed the representation of the old school Yorkshire manner of speech because I read that Sir Patrick Stewart grew up there, and his wife said that when his brother phones, she can't understand a thing her husband's speaking as the two Yorkshiremen 'nattering'.
August 6, 2018
Read as "The Body In The Dales"
As a police procedural, I found this book not bad at all. The police officers are personable and DCI Oldroyd is a very likeable and humane character. There is just enough of the personal lives of the police officers to add a bit of interest but not enough to take over the story which I find happens a lot in some of the modern stories and which I don't like. Lots of suspects and a few red herrings. The plot is quite interesting being set in an area of caving activity but the ending was a bit unsatisfactory, however, to say why would give the game away so I won't.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital copy of this book.
As a police procedural, I found this book not bad at all. The police officers are personable and DCI Oldroyd is a very likeable and humane character. There is just enough of the personal lives of the police officers to add a bit of interest but not enough to take over the story which I find happens a lot in some of the modern stories and which I don't like. Lots of suspects and a few red herrings. The plot is quite interesting being set in an area of caving activity but the ending was a bit unsatisfactory, however, to say why would give the game away so I won't.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital copy of this book.
August 5, 2021
I enjoy the occasional crime novel but found this one disappointing. There were just too many characters in it, all of them rather two-dimensional, and the descriptions of the glorious Yorkshire countryside were equally lacking in intensity. The plot itself was thin and some of the dialogue was truly awful.
There are a lot of much better crime novels out there. I would not recommend this one.
There are a lot of much better crime novels out there. I would not recommend this one.
December 27, 2023
This hit just right with me.
The murder mystery was well conceived and plotted. Always interesting when the victim isn't well liked. Fun setting too, who doesn't like an underground cave system as the spot said victim was found? Couple that with a small town and some dark secrets, and you got yourself a page-turner.
The "main cast" of detectives were well-formed and felt like real people. For a 300ish page book, the author dedicated a good amount of time to them and their backstories. Definitely has me intrigued to spend more time with them and to continue on in the series.
I had this down as a 5 star for a bulk of it, but some of the character interplay felt rushed and not well established.
The murder mystery was well conceived and plotted. Always interesting when the victim isn't well liked. Fun setting too, who doesn't like an underground cave system as the spot said victim was found? Couple that with a small town and some dark secrets, and you got yourself a page-turner.
The "main cast" of detectives were well-formed and felt like real people. For a 300ish page book, the author dedicated a good amount of time to them and their backstories. Definitely has me intrigued to spend more time with them and to continue on in the series.
I had this down as a 5 star for a bulk of it, but some of the character interplay felt rushed and not well established.
May 21, 2021
A highly enjoyable read.
The plot is about a dead body found in an unlikely location, how did get there?
The main characters are, Oldroyd, Andy and Steph are well developed, they have their own personalities and torments.
I liked the way the investigation went, with all its clues, twists and turns, multiple supects and the way Oldroyd and its team reasoned to put the puzzle pieces in place.
The plot is about a dead body found in an unlikely location, how did get there?
The main characters are, Oldroyd, Andy and Steph are well developed, they have their own personalities and torments.
I liked the way the investigation went, with all its clues, twists and turns, multiple supects and the way Oldroyd and its team reasoned to put the puzzle pieces in place.
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