Ashes of Betrayal: A Yorkshire Murder Mystery (DCI Harry Grimm Crime Thrillers, Book 18)

I love these books so much that I wish the author could churn them out even faster! My husband, sister, and I are all hooked on DCI Grimm. The stories are first rate, the characters are lovable (even Steve!), and this is just the most charming series. These keep getting better and better. Sets a high bar for other mysteries. You won’t be sorry you spent time in the Dales.

I love the characters in this series, and I also enjoy following their escapades. The characters continue to evolve and grow. I wonder where the next novel will take me as a reader.

Can’t believe that he comes up with such different plots and how the characters intertwine with past books. Love the characters and the descriptions of the countryside.

“Ashes of Betrayal” has so much action it was more difficult than usual to put the book marker in place when reading of Grimm and team. As usual with this series, the read goes much too quickly, and leaves one in great anticipation of the next book. Ashes of Betrayal features a double bonus in crossover of two characters from JD Kirk’s Jack Logan series. Gordy too fits the crossover characteristic, having moved on from "the Grimm team" to Somerset, a chance to get to know her better in different circumstances. It also adds to the anticipation that perhaps there will be more crossover in future from all three characters.

These are some of the best books I've read in a while. The characters are realistic. The place names like Cockett's Bakery are actually real places. I also love the sense of humour between the characters.

The Harry Grimm novels are some of my favorite British mysteries, and this was one of the best. I would have given it five stars, except for one thing. Harry supposedly was a Para -- a member of Britain's Parachute Regiment, roughly the equivalent of our Army Rangers. He certainly would have known why a .22 makes an excellent assassin's weapon -- because it's relatively quiet, there's rarely an exit wound from a head shot, and the slug often bounces around inside the skull, making sure the bad guy is really dead. And he would have never been foolish enough to leave the guy with the battering ram, or the girl with the gun, alive behind him. A quick heel stomp to the larynx or the bridge of the nose would have been instincive. The idea he would have stopped to make sure a drug cartel assassin was "all right" is ridiculous. Other than that, absolutely top notch.

In Ashes of Betrayal, Harry finally takes a few days off to get packed and move into his new house, but crime has other plans. Interesting plot and not an obvious whodunnit - it keeps you guessing. There are a few cameo appearances - a visit from Gordy which brings closure to her situation before she heads off to a series of her own. And some of Scotland's Finest lend a hand in solving the mystery. No spoilers, but I love it when characters drop in from another author's novel. David J. Gatward is truly a master at weaving so many threads together in every installment of the DCI Harry Grimm series. All the regular characters (to include Smudge, Fly and now Steve) have been lovingly developed over time so now we feel they are old friends. Descriptions of the gentle yet rugged beauty of the Yorkshire Dales as well as the village of Hawes leave many readers feeling like we've actually been visiting there once again. (Of course, we can not leave out the cheese and cake!)

This series just gets better and better. The plot is convoluted, entertaining and skilfully brought to a satisfying close. The characters continue to delight and grow and although I am usually a fast reader, I was forced to slow down and enjoy the wonderful descriptive writing to ensure I didn't miss any of the "scenery." The send off for Anna was beautifully done. Looking forward to the next installment.