Gallows Walk

Inspector Yarrow #1

by Giles Ekins

In 1950s United Kingdom, West Garside is a small, rather uneventful town. That is, until a bungled bank robbery leaves two people dead. Former Battle Of Britain pilot and now detective, DI Christopher Yarrow is called in to lead the manhunt. Soon, a burnt out getaway car and some vital clues reveal more about the gunman's identity. With every step, the killer seems to be a step ahead of Yarrow and his team. Can they find him, and bring him to justice before more lives are lost? This is the large print edition of Gallows Walk, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.

Genres: Mystery

456 pages, Hardcover

Published September 8, 2021

Reviews

[Linden]

DI Yarrow, a war hero who has lost sight in one eye, has a new shocking case in the early 1950's. Someone has attempted to steal the weekly payroll money, and they have murdered the courier and also inadvertently killed a child when speeding away from the crime. Some of the officers under Yarrow are dedicated and caring, while others embody many of the sexist and aggressive forms of policing characteristic of the time. I enjoyed the look into the 1950's small town in Britain, but was a bit disappointed that loose ends were not wrapped up, perhaps to encourage continued reading of the series.

[Paul Bennett]

A police procedural set in the 50’s. I was attracted to the era and chose the book for that reason. The story was ok although there was very little that was evocative of the era (references to Ruth Ellis, Derek Bentley, Albert Pierrepoint were thrown in but the novel could have been set at any time). There was little deep characterization and many of the characters were caricatures with no nuance whatsoever. The bullying father, Jack Palmer, the egotistical pathologist, the gung ho DCI Blundell and the bent cop Rawlings were lazily drawn and comical. There are thousands of British police procedurals out there and many are better than this.

[Martin]

Police

Very good book well written I was in the force late 60/70ts and worked with some police from that era when copper's worked on instinct and hard work no computers,it took me back to times when police were respected and respected the public when crime was investigated and police actually walked the streets,all swept away by political correctness and fast track school children in senior jobs,go soft on crime was coming along and respect for the police and law and order was in decline

[E North]

Read this in a day. Good "old school" story

Liked the story behind the lead but not all the fuffing , I'm not a prude but it would still have been a good book without that. Probably just me. Interested to read more of this series to see how the policing methods change over the years. Liked the way snippets of facts were shared throughout the story.

[Ted Tayler]

Old-school story with an engaging set of characters and a storyline. Another writer who knows how to spin a good yarn. Well worth a read. I enjoyed it & I think you will too - if you're getting on a bit like me!

[Lynn E. AronSpeer]

Exquisite in detail

Yarrow is the perfect spokesman for a thorough investigation of the villain, Frankie S. His whole police following are well described and accounted for. The story is well worth one’s time.

[Garry]

Good book

This is a gritty English old time police story.good story ,good characters,well worth a read,highly recommend it a real page turner

[Constance M.]

good, believable characters.
interesting story, including the flash backs to provide background

[Melanie J.]

3.75

Not your typical detective whodunnit.

[Random Hodgepodge]

DNF 9%. Too much back and forth into WW2.

[Page]

Hard boiled police procedural. Well done in its way but not particularly engaging.

[Susan]

1954 West Garside. D.I. Yarrow and his team investigate when a bank robbery goes wrong and a young man and a female child are killed.
An enjoyable historical mystery