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Ingo Finch #2
The Cold North Sea
A game of spies, a brutal murder, the fate of an Empire…
The North Sea, October 1904 – When Russian warships bombard the Hull trawler fleet, killing innocent fishermen, public outrage pushes Britain and Russia to the brink of war, the sparks from which could inflame the entire Continent.
Doctor Ingo Finch, once of the Royal Army Medical Corps, is long done with military adventuring. But when a stranger seeks him out, citing a murderous conspiracy behind the infamous “Dogger Bank Incident”, Finch is drawn back into the dark world of espionage.
With Whitehall, St Petersburg and rival Bolsheviks vying to manipulate the political crisis, the future of Britain, and Europe, is at stake…
A gripping and compulsive historical crime thriller, The Cold North Sea is an explosively entertaining read.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2018
16 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Dawson
7 books20 followersJeff Dawson is a journalist, author and scriptwriter. Amongst other things, he pens Real Dictators, the award-winning historical podcast (200m downloads) that goes out on Spotify, Apple, BBC Sounds and elsewhere.
He was, for many years, a feature writer for The Sunday Times' Culture section (interviewees including Robert De Niro, George Clooney, Dustin Hoffman, Hugh Grant, Angelina Jolie, Jerry Seinfeld and Nicole Kidman). Before that he was the US Editor of Empire magazine.
Jeff is the author of three non-fiction books — Tarantino/Quentin Tarantino: The Cinema of Cool (Cassell/Applause, 1995), Back Home: England And The 1970 World Cup (Orion, 2001), which The Times rated "Truly outstanding", and Dead Reckoning: The Dunedin Star Disaster (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005), the latter nominated for the Mountbatten Maritime Prize.
Historical thriller No Ordinary Killing (2017), an Amazon/Kindle bestseller, was his debut novel. The follow-ups, The Cold North Sea (2018) and Hell Gate (2020), continue the adventures of Captain Ingo Finch.
He was, for many years, a feature writer for The Sunday Times' Culture section (interviewees including Robert De Niro, George Clooney, Dustin Hoffman, Hugh Grant, Angelina Jolie, Jerry Seinfeld and Nicole Kidman). Before that he was the US Editor of Empire magazine.
Jeff is the author of three non-fiction books — Tarantino/Quentin Tarantino: The Cinema of Cool (Cassell/Applause, 1995), Back Home: England And The 1970 World Cup (Orion, 2001), which The Times rated "Truly outstanding", and Dead Reckoning: The Dunedin Star Disaster (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005), the latter nominated for the Mountbatten Maritime Prize.
Historical thriller No Ordinary Killing (2017), an Amazon/Kindle bestseller, was his debut novel. The follow-ups, The Cold North Sea (2018) and Hell Gate (2020), continue the adventures of Captain Ingo Finch.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 17, 2018
I really enjoyed Jeff Dawson’s first book, No Ordinary Killing, so I was delighted to see that he’d written a second book in the Ingo Finch series. I’m happy to say I found The Cold North Sea just as enjoyable as its predecessor.
When a stranger with a story of international conspiracy turns up unexpectedly at the house of Dr. Ingo Finch (who has previously spent time in South Africa but is now back in England) and the stranger leaves behind a notebook (of a kind) containing a possible clue, my immediate thought was, “We’re in The Thirty-Nine Steps territory here!”. Even more so when Finch is warned off investigating further and accused of involvement in a suspicious death.
As the mystery deepens and danger looms from seemingly every direction, a touching and timely reunion sees Finch team up with an old ally. However, his actions risk putting that ally in danger as well – the last thing in the world he’d want. The introduction of another narrator creates an additional point of interest as the reader wonders just how – and when – his story will connect with that of Finch.
With a story line full of narrow escapes from what seems like certain death, sinister organisations, ruthless individuals, conspiracy at the highest levels and an atmosphere of impending danger even on the quiet streets of London it’s all very Buchanesque! (I’m a great admirer of the author John Buchan so when I describe something as ‘Buchanesque’ it’s definitely intended as a compliment.) The book even features the use of trains and, at one point, a bicycle as a means of escape, as utilised by Richard Hannay during more than one of his adventures.
The scene that opens the book is based on a real life incident (variously known as the ‘Russian Outrage’, ‘The Incident of Hull’ or ‘The Dogger Bank Incident’) that could have plunged Russia and Britain into war in 1904. However, the plot of The Cold North Sea also feels very contemporary in that it deals with Russian aggression against British citizens and the fate of nations.
In the dedication to The Thirty-Nine Steps, addressed to his friend Tommy Nelson, John Buchan recalls their mutual fondness for ‘that elementary type of tale…which we know as the “shocker” – the romance where the incidents defy the probabilities, and march just inside the borders of the possible’. I don’t think there could be a better description of The Cold North Sea which is an accomplished, tremendously entertaining historical crime thriller full of twists and turns.
I’m hoping I’m right in interpreting the closing chapter of the book as meaning there’ll be more from Ingo Finch in the future. I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Canelo, and NetGalley.
When a stranger with a story of international conspiracy turns up unexpectedly at the house of Dr. Ingo Finch (who has previously spent time in South Africa but is now back in England) and the stranger leaves behind a notebook (of a kind) containing a possible clue, my immediate thought was, “We’re in The Thirty-Nine Steps territory here!”. Even more so when Finch is warned off investigating further and accused of involvement in a suspicious death.
As the mystery deepens and danger looms from seemingly every direction, a touching and timely reunion sees Finch team up with an old ally. However, his actions risk putting that ally in danger as well – the last thing in the world he’d want. The introduction of another narrator creates an additional point of interest as the reader wonders just how – and when – his story will connect with that of Finch.
With a story line full of narrow escapes from what seems like certain death, sinister organisations, ruthless individuals, conspiracy at the highest levels and an atmosphere of impending danger even on the quiet streets of London it’s all very Buchanesque! (I’m a great admirer of the author John Buchan so when I describe something as ‘Buchanesque’ it’s definitely intended as a compliment.) The book even features the use of trains and, at one point, a bicycle as a means of escape, as utilised by Richard Hannay during more than one of his adventures.
The scene that opens the book is based on a real life incident (variously known as the ‘Russian Outrage’, ‘The Incident of Hull’ or ‘The Dogger Bank Incident’) that could have plunged Russia and Britain into war in 1904. However, the plot of The Cold North Sea also feels very contemporary in that it deals with Russian aggression against British citizens and the fate of nations.
In the dedication to The Thirty-Nine Steps, addressed to his friend Tommy Nelson, John Buchan recalls their mutual fondness for ‘that elementary type of tale…which we know as the “shocker” – the romance where the incidents defy the probabilities, and march just inside the borders of the possible’. I don’t think there could be a better description of The Cold North Sea which is an accomplished, tremendously entertaining historical crime thriller full of twists and turns.
I’m hoping I’m right in interpreting the closing chapter of the book as meaning there’ll be more from Ingo Finch in the future. I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Canelo, and NetGalley.
December 20, 2018
This second book was as good if not better than the previous book. The trials of the last book have left deep scars in Finch's psyche. He has not been left unscathed by the powers that be. While he is struggling to get through the days without being blind drunk all day, a new issue falls into his lap. A man has tracked him down because of his previous stand against injustice in order to ask him for help with his predicament, to help him work with his conscience. This case is more dangerous(with a more international setting) because he has been warned off from the very beginning to not meddle. This does not help the situation because it makes him even more curious and concerned. In this book, by the time the end rolled around I was annoyed with Finch for not having listened. He has much harder issues to work through and undergoes even more physical trauma than before. With sheer determination fueling his every move and help from unexpected quarters his actions have historical repercussions. This has something for every kind of reader and I think it sets up a pretty strong base for all the future adventures in store for him. I would have given this book five stars if only I was not so personally disappointed with the ending. By disappointed, I mean with the turn of events and not the book/author's telling of it. It was so well done, that I felt that personally invested.
August 28, 2019
A recommended read. Based on a true story, by all accounts, The Cold North Sea is set in the early part of last century and deals with dirty tricks by all concerned - government, security services etc. - not unlike today really. The only people to trust are Ingo and Annie.
That Ingo he really is a tough guy and puts up with all kinds of mental and physical attacks. He is also incredibly resourceful and needs to be given the number of scrapes he gets himself into. There's plenty of excitement, some intriguing romance and terrific location and action description. Oh! and also there's the bentest (?) of bent coppers.
Very entertaining.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
That Ingo he really is a tough guy and puts up with all kinds of mental and physical attacks. He is also incredibly resourceful and needs to be given the number of scrapes he gets himself into. There's plenty of excitement, some intriguing romance and terrific location and action description. Oh! and also there's the bentest (?) of bent coppers.
Very entertaining.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
November 30, 2018
My thanks to Canelo for an eARC, via NetGalley, of the second in Jeff Dawson’s Dr. Ingo Finch series of historical thrillers.
While ‘The Cold North Sea’ works fine on its own, as the author provides some background on the events of the first book, I am glad that I read ‘No Ordinary Killing’ first as it establishes Doctor Finch and the stressful circumstances that have brought him to his current situation.
The novel opens with an account of the Dogger Bank incident in October 1904 when a British trawler fleet was fired upon by ships of the Imperial Russian Navy. Great Britain and Russia are soon on the brink of war. A few weeks later a strange, dishevelled man turns up in Finch’s local pub claiming to know him from South Africa and seeking his help with a conspiracy linked to the incident. Soon Finch is drawn again into the murky and dangerous world of espionage unsure who he can trust.
The novel is prefaced by “based on a historical event”. I had not heard of the events at Dogger Bank so it was interesting to learn of it. As with ‘No Ordinary Killing’ this was fast paced and action packed with plenty of twists and turns.
Dawson does a great job in describing Britain in 1904, especially London. Small details such as public transport in the city served to enhance my experience and I felt very engaged throughout. For me the hallmark of good historical fiction is that sense of immersion in another time.
Finch, even with his flaws, is a compelling protagonist. I certainly will look out for news of another adventure for Finch and hopefully his dodgy knee will have a chance to rest a bit beforehand.
March 17, 2019
Great Read
So this second book in this series was a bit of a slow burner for me, however when it stepped up a gear it did not disappoint. The same fast paced action as the co first. I look forward to the next instalment.
So this second book in this series was a bit of a slow burner for me, however when it stepped up a gear it did not disappoint. The same fast paced action as the co first. I look forward to the next instalment.
January 6, 2020
I enjoyed the previous book and this was a good second outing for Inigo Finch. There was an element of mystery and political intrigue though the corruption of the authorities again did make me think that we were repeating parts of the first plot. Despite his obvious flaws Finch does come across as quite a likeable character.
July 4, 2023
Book 2 in the series and a real page turner. Love how the Finch character is developing. Again, masses of well researched detail, scene setting and excellent bit part players who come into the story from time to time and leave you wondering just where this is going…and then when you get to the end it goes off at another unexpected tangent. This was better than book 1 although it is important to read the first before this one in my opinion.
Looking forward to book 3.
Looking forward to book 3.
June 4, 2023
Bizarrely I did enjoy this despite being new to Ingo Finch. It had a real period piece feel to it and I half expected Richard Hannay to appear at any moment. If any critiscm at all it dragged on and how the hero survived all the physical abuse he suffered is a miracle.
March 9, 2025
“For a moment he was back in that accursed sea cave at Cape Point, on the Cape of Good Hope, where he and Annie had nearly met their end. There followed another boom. He needed to get out of there”
Background: in 1904 the Russian navy, on its way to fight the Japanese in the Straits of Tsushima, shelled English trawlers in the Dogger Bank incident, bringing Russia and Britain close to war. An acquaintance from South Africa calls on protagonist Ingo Finch with information about it but is rebuffed. When the man is found dead, Finch is accused and starts a long investigation during which he’s accused of more murders.
This is the second in a series of adventures of Ingo Finch. The first evidently dealt with his exploits in the Boer War and South African events are constantly referred to, which I found obtrusive and annoying. Thorough research appears to have been done but there are a few anomalies: Britain didn’t start converting to natural gas until 1968; Finch chooses a flat-head screwdriver, which was the only option until the Phillips screw was invented in 1932. Not a bad read, though.
Background: in 1904 the Russian navy, on its way to fight the Japanese in the Straits of Tsushima, shelled English trawlers in the Dogger Bank incident, bringing Russia and Britain close to war. An acquaintance from South Africa calls on protagonist Ingo Finch with information about it but is rebuffed. When the man is found dead, Finch is accused and starts a long investigation during which he’s accused of more murders.
This is the second in a series of adventures of Ingo Finch. The first evidently dealt with his exploits in the Boer War and South African events are constantly referred to, which I found obtrusive and annoying. Thorough research appears to have been done but there are a few anomalies: Britain didn’t start converting to natural gas until 1968; Finch chooses a flat-head screwdriver, which was the only option until the Phillips screw was invented in 1932. Not a bad read, though.
December 2, 2018
I read a lot of books and get increasingly frustrated by poor imagination, bad grammar and predictable characters. So having read the first in the Ingo Finch slowly expanding series (No Ordinary Killing), my appetite was whetted for book number 2. It did not disappoint. In fact I'd go as far as to say I actually preferred it!
Set this time in good ol' blighty and particularly in Norfolk, I loved reconnecting with the troubled character of Dr Ingo Finch. A great subplot (will he ever get his girl?).
I would truly love to pick holes in it and believe me I tried. Every base covered, no obvious plot that you could see from Mars, Mr Dawson has even managed to nail the Norfolk dialect, in script no less!!!
Loosely based on factual events Mr D manages to put not only meat on the bones but then lathers it all in a rich flavoursome gravy. Dive in everyone!
PS. Would make great television drama!
Set this time in good ol' blighty and particularly in Norfolk, I loved reconnecting with the troubled character of Dr Ingo Finch. A great subplot (will he ever get his girl?).
I would truly love to pick holes in it and believe me I tried. Every base covered, no obvious plot that you could see from Mars, Mr Dawson has even managed to nail the Norfolk dialect, in script no less!!!
Loosely based on factual events Mr D manages to put not only meat on the bones but then lathers it all in a rich flavoursome gravy. Dive in everyone!
PS. Would make great television drama!
November 24, 2022
This story had a lot of potential, but for me it never fully lived up to it. Perhaps was because the history was way off beam, Bolsheviks running an assassination plot out of the Russian embassy in London in 1904 was too much of a stretch for me.
January 13, 2026
Read this without having read the first book. Very solid and enjoyable but nothing too special either
January 20, 2019
The Cold North Sea by Jeff Dawson was a fascinating read! Dr. Finch finds himself in a delicate situation, with a man’s gruesome murder pinned on him, and races against time to solve the mystery. Cleverly written, this is fast paced historical crime novel that I very much enjoyed reading.
February 3, 2019
Sorry but I battled with this one. Based on the blurb it should have held my attention but I spent most of the time wondering what was going on. I think I should have read the first one before reading this one as the backstory appears to be important
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews