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Hidden Norfolk #14
Blood Runs Cold
Believe in nothing... and kill for something...
When a man's dismembered body is discovered at an abandoned quarry on the north Norfolk coast, DI Tom Janssen and his team must wade through his secretive life to figure out how he met his end.
The victim was a professional man, well respected within the community, working on behalf of many local business people and charities. However, he had a passion... a personal calling which brought him into direct conflict with established and powerful figures, each with their own agenda to protect.
With a community reeling from such a gruesome and seemingly macabre act of violence, the investigation team are placed under intense scrutiny. A brutal killer is at large, one who taunts the police at will and appears to act without motive or fear of discovery. The hunt is on to reveal the murderer before their promise to strike again comes to pass.
When a man's dismembered body is discovered at an abandoned quarry on the north Norfolk coast, DI Tom Janssen and his team must wade through his secretive life to figure out how he met his end.
The victim was a professional man, well respected within the community, working on behalf of many local business people and charities. However, he had a passion... a personal calling which brought him into direct conflict with established and powerful figures, each with their own agenda to protect.
With a community reeling from such a gruesome and seemingly macabre act of violence, the investigation team are placed under intense scrutiny. A brutal killer is at large, one who taunts the police at will and appears to act without motive or fear of discovery. The hunt is on to reveal the murderer before their promise to strike again comes to pass.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2023
1930 people are currently reading
830 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Dalgliesh
38 books931 followersJason Dalgliesh was born on the south coast of England and grew up in Hampshire, UK. He has worked in the power transmission industry, the retail sector, call centres and as a night-owl in a bakery. His greatest challenge of all is ongoing, as a stay at home parent.
He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.
The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.
Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.
Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.
You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com
You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire
He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.
The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.
Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.
Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.
You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com
You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
July 12, 2023
My first read of this author's works. And it was OK, an enjoyable crime thriller and police procedural. I can't say I got any real sense of rural Norfolk other than a few coastal village scenes. On the contrary, there seemed to be a lot of trivial and irrelevant description without the landscape and localities being captured. The story started slowly but ramped up along the way through to a gripping climax. The characters were well drawn and differentiated. I'm afraid a star was lost for the last chapter - an info-dump monologue where the whole mystery was explained. Why not write it all into the body of the story and do away with the telling?
July 1, 2023
Another cracker of a book…
JM Dalgliesh is one of my favourite authors and I await eagerly each book release. This one actually had me holding my breath whilst I skipped sentences to keep up with the story. I then had to go back and read it again to ensure I had not missed the essential detail.
Now I’ve just got to wait for the next one…
JM Dalgliesh is one of my favourite authors and I await eagerly each book release. This one actually had me holding my breath whilst I skipped sentences to keep up with the story. I then had to go back and read it again to ensure I had not missed the essential detail.
Now I’ve just got to wait for the next one…
December 17, 2025
I absolutely love this series, the characters have become more like friends as their personal lives are interspersed with the case they are dealing with. I think this is probably the most gripping story off all and there have been amazing stories. But right from the start the story was intriguing in a different way to the other. Listened on Audible with great narration.
December 18, 2024
I'm always kind of surprised that these books are on kndle unlimited...I think they are pretty well written mysteries. In this books, Tom Jannsen and his crew have part of a dead body that floated onto the surface of a quarry (scaring a bunch of kids). But no head or hands, meaning difficult to identify. It's believed to be a specific man due to paperwork found near the body...but the man doesn't seem to match. He's supposedly a nice, quiet, and humble man who helps others...and that type of man doesn't easily lead to a murder victim.
To add to the identification problem, it seems that another police department is looking into another case in which this man may be involved in. And they don't want 'certain' people questioned even about this murdered man because it may infringe on their own case. Which of course, puts Tom's and his boss, Tamara's back ups because murder is more important, right?
Very convoluted British mystery...as per usual, I love these types of mysteries, preferable to American mysteries. They are more 'couth' and less full of swearing in every sentence. And the people speak in full sentences and have more education. Less crass. I get enough crass stuff everyday in the news. I don't need it in the books I read...
To add to the identification problem, it seems that another police department is looking into another case in which this man may be involved in. And they don't want 'certain' people questioned even about this murdered man because it may infringe on their own case. Which of course, puts Tom's and his boss, Tamara's back ups because murder is more important, right?
Very convoluted British mystery...as per usual, I love these types of mysteries, preferable to American mysteries. They are more 'couth' and less full of swearing in every sentence. And the people speak in full sentences and have more education. Less crass. I get enough crass stuff everyday in the news. I don't need it in the books I read...
October 16, 2023
Well, I’ve read all fourteen of J M Dalgleish’s Hidden Norfolk series and enjoyed them the lot.
One of the most attractive aspects of a longish series of novels is that the reader eventually becomes familiar with the characters and the locations.
Tom leads a police team in the investigations and each member of the team has their own strengths, weaknesses, patterns of behaviour and difficulties but the back stories never interfere with the chief purpose which is to solve an often serious crime or crimes.
Blood Runs cold is particularly interesting in that, throughout the narrative, the readers are frequently asking themselves ‘why?’
The answer, of course, doesn’t come until the closing pages and, coupled with the excitement of the procedure of the investigation, makes for an exciting and rewarding read.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War, The Summer of ‘39 (all published by Sacristy Press) and Ordinary Heroes (to be published on November 16th 2023 by I M Books)
One of the most attractive aspects of a longish series of novels is that the reader eventually becomes familiar with the characters and the locations.
Tom leads a police team in the investigations and each member of the team has their own strengths, weaknesses, patterns of behaviour and difficulties but the back stories never interfere with the chief purpose which is to solve an often serious crime or crimes.
Blood Runs cold is particularly interesting in that, throughout the narrative, the readers are frequently asking themselves ‘why?’
The answer, of course, doesn’t come until the closing pages and, coupled with the excitement of the procedure of the investigation, makes for an exciting and rewarding read.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War, The Summer of ‘39 (all published by Sacristy Press) and Ordinary Heroes (to be published on November 16th 2023 by I M Books)
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April 23, 2024Believe in nothing... and kill for something...
When a man's dismembered body is discovered at an abandoned quarry on the north Norfolk coast, DI Tom Janssen and his team must wade through his secretive life to figure out how he met his end.
The victim was a professional man, well respected within the community, working on behalf of many local business people and charities. However, he had a passion... a personal calling which brought him into direct conflict with established and powerful figures, each with their own agenda to protect.
With a community reeling from such a gruesome and seemingly macabre act of violence, the investigation team are placed under intense scrutiny. A brutal killer is at large, one who taunts the police at will and appears to act without motive or fear of discovery. The hunt is on to reveal the murderer before their promise to strike again comes to pass.
Genre
Good, I think.
When a man's dismembered body is discovered at an abandoned quarry on the north Norfolk coast, DI Tom Janssen and his team must wade through his secretive life to figure out how he met his end.
The victim was a professional man, well respected within the community, working on behalf of many local business people and charities. However, he had a passion... a personal calling which brought him into direct conflict with established and powerful figures, each with their own agenda to protect.
With a community reeling from such a gruesome and seemingly macabre act of violence, the investigation team are placed under intense scrutiny. A brutal killer is at large, one who taunts the police at will and appears to act without motive or fear of discovery. The hunt is on to reveal the murderer before their promise to strike again comes to pass.
Genre
Good, I think.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
This episode earned a 5 when I realized I didn’t want to stop reading until I knew what was going on for sure. Dalgliesh nicely intertwined three three mysteries, each giving small clues to the other’s solutions. The lines are so entwined, the reader sees connections but not how the pieces fit together to make sense. Dalgliesh develops these without confusion which only intensifies the mysteries.
This book’s conclusion has that wonderful blend of action and surprise that Dalgliesh does so well. It moves swiftly to climax without losing the reader with the quick action. The resolution has a couple of nice twists. I admit, I was surprised by the survival/mortality rate of the characters. It was well after bedtime, but Inhad to keep going!
J.M. Dalgliesh deserves a 5 for this episode. Well done.
This book’s conclusion has that wonderful blend of action and surprise that Dalgliesh does so well. It moves swiftly to climax without losing the reader with the quick action. The resolution has a couple of nice twists. I admit, I was surprised by the survival/mortality rate of the characters. It was well after bedtime, but Inhad to keep going!
J.M. Dalgliesh deserves a 5 for this episode. Well done.
August 30, 2023
Wow
This time around Mr. Dalgliesh has written a story that keeps you turning the pages, not wanting the story to end. A dismembered body is found in an abandoned quarry, well at least some of it. Tom and his squad try to identify the body and start turning up unusual persons of interest, but how are they connected to the body and by the way who is this victim and how did he get there. That is the crux of this fascinating and believable storyline, with well developed characters and dialogue. The story ended way to soon. Can't wait until the next book. Mr. Dalgliesh you are a great writer.
This time around Mr. Dalgliesh has written a story that keeps you turning the pages, not wanting the story to end. A dismembered body is found in an abandoned quarry, well at least some of it. Tom and his squad try to identify the body and start turning up unusual persons of interest, but how are they connected to the body and by the way who is this victim and how did he get there. That is the crux of this fascinating and believable storyline, with well developed characters and dialogue. The story ended way to soon. Can't wait until the next book. Mr. Dalgliesh you are a great writer.
September 6, 2023
Can't Put It Down!
Body parts found in a lake starts this mystery off and it doesn't slow down as detectives search to identify the victim. It's amazing to me that J M Dalgliesh can write so many books with the same cast of characters on the police and family side and yet keep the originality and interest at such a high level. Book 14 is up there with one of his best books ever. I highly recommend along with each of his previous 13 books in the Hidden Norfolk series. It would be best to start at Book 1 and work your way through to Book 14 but this book could be read alone. I recommend that you start at Book 1 and enjoy them all as I have though.
Body parts found in a lake starts this mystery off and it doesn't slow down as detectives search to identify the victim. It's amazing to me that J M Dalgliesh can write so many books with the same cast of characters on the police and family side and yet keep the originality and interest at such a high level. Book 14 is up there with one of his best books ever. I highly recommend along with each of his previous 13 books in the Hidden Norfolk series. It would be best to start at Book 1 and work your way through to Book 14 but this book could be read alone. I recommend that you start at Book 1 and enjoy them all as I have though.
September 16, 2023
An odd one
I struggled when rating this book because even I didn't know if I liked it or not due to the nature of the case and the length of time taken to finish the introductions. Dalglish is a canny writer of novels involving his Norfolk crew, but this yarn weaves its road to completion, so slowly it takes you to the brink of despair. Fear, not reader, it unravels in a logical and somewhat abrupt fashion with every question answered. It is because of this odd method of revealing the truth and realising the agonies experienced by the author when concocting the finish it warrants five stats, nice one JM
I struggled when rating this book because even I didn't know if I liked it or not due to the nature of the case and the length of time taken to finish the introductions. Dalglish is a canny writer of novels involving his Norfolk crew, but this yarn weaves its road to completion, so slowly it takes you to the brink of despair. Fear, not reader, it unravels in a logical and somewhat abrupt fashion with every question answered. It is because of this odd method of revealing the truth and realising the agonies experienced by the author when concocting the finish it warrants five stats, nice one JM
January 9, 2025
Another cracking read in this series. A dismembered body is found and the hunt is on to identify the body and the perpetrator. DI Tom Janssen and his team have only one clue to the identity left at the scene but it is of the body? The plot was excellent in this as multiple suspects enter the fray and red herrings lead you down different paths. Love reading about Tom's home life that he shares with his wife Alice and adopted daughter Saffy. Such a welcome change not to have a detective with endless baggage and vices. The ending is terrific and has you on the edge of your seat! Each book in this series just gets better and better. Highly recommend.
August 30, 2025
Another very good Hidden Norfolk Crime Thriller. Returning characters and a story that moves right along. You always have a tid-bit in the beginning and you read on to see what that actually has to do with the current crime. This time, lots of twists and turns and a nice tidy ending with the culprits getting their comeuppance. I was hoping that by now, Francesca whould have been eliminated as a character. Tamera's mother just needs to disappear as she adds nothin to the stories except irratation.
Alices's father and his new lady are irratatingly unnecessary. Looking forward to the next installment.
Alices's father and his new lady are irratatingly unnecessary. Looking forward to the next installment.
June 21, 2023
While out setting off fireworks in an quarry, a group of boys discover part of a body of a man. So identification is impossible but the police have a suspicion of who he is. DI Tom Janssen and his team investigate. But soon it gets more complicated.
An entertaining and well-written modern murder mystery with its cast of varied and mostly likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An entertaining and well-written modern murder mystery with its cast of varied and mostly likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2023
My Blood Ran Cold!
Superb! I don’t know why I’m surprised. Jason has never disappointed with his writing. But this book was something else. I can usually work out who is the bad guy but this time I couldn’t get it. You had me foxed Jason!! The plot was exciting, intense and frustrating at times. With another ‘team’ supposedly having the jurisdiction. But once you start reading you find it difficult to stop. And when I neared the end my blood really did start to run cold. Brilliant writing.
Superb! I don’t know why I’m surprised. Jason has never disappointed with his writing. But this book was something else. I can usually work out who is the bad guy but this time I couldn’t get it. You had me foxed Jason!! The plot was exciting, intense and frustrating at times. With another ‘team’ supposedly having the jurisdiction. But once you start reading you find it difficult to stop. And when I neared the end my blood really did start to run cold. Brilliant writing.
February 3, 2024
Money laundering and murder in Norfolk.
This is the 14 th book in the series and I have binge read the whole lot. Cracking story lines in each book. Impossible to stop at just one as there are family dynamics that engage the interest as well as mayhem and murder . The ending in each book is hard to predict .
I found them all addictive reading. An excellent series . Very highly recommended. I am now about to download the series set in Yorkshire while awaiting book 15 in this one.
This is the 14 th book in the series and I have binge read the whole lot. Cracking story lines in each book. Impossible to stop at just one as there are family dynamics that engage the interest as well as mayhem and murder . The ending in each book is hard to predict .
I found them all addictive reading. An excellent series . Very highly recommended. I am now about to download the series set in Yorkshire while awaiting book 15 in this one.
July 17, 2023
Thought this one was better than the last in the series but still not as good as previous. The story is quite slow and then it felt like it resolved itself too quickly. Tom was also not really a main focal point of this book which was bizarre - I know the author is trying to highlight the other characters but it felt weird to have the main one on the sideline and I personally find Cassie annoying so wasn’t too happy with her being the lead.
September 15, 2023
Another thrilling case for Tom Janssen and his team
A group of kids make a grim discovery in an old quarry which leads to trying to identify a body. A possible missing person is maybe the person they have but that seems to be another mystery. The team are then leaned on by Major Crimes to stop questioning a particular acquaintance of the missing man adding to the puzzle.
It all comes to a gripping finale.
A group of kids make a grim discovery in an old quarry which leads to trying to identify a body. A possible missing person is maybe the person they have but that seems to be another mystery. The team are then leaned on by Major Crimes to stop questioning a particular acquaintance of the missing man adding to the puzzle.
It all comes to a gripping finale.
May 29, 2024
I have all the series so far and enjoyed every one of them.I lived in Norfolk from the late 40's to the early 60's and know the the North Norfolk coast very wells there was an added interest also we try to get the odd weekend up there as often as possible. In this book he even mentioned the The Lifeboat at Thornham. Want a fine lunch or dinner I have had there. I hope J M Dalglejsh is going to add to the series.
January 26, 2025
I have read many books by Dalgleish and have liked all of them ... but not this one ... too many characters ... not properly re-introduce when they appear in subsequent scenes ... a rushed and incoherent ending that left me not knowing who did what and why ... the early scenes were fine, but as the book went on it became a very difficult and unsatisfactory read ... Based on my reading of other Dalgleish novels I kept hoping for clarity but it never came
July 6, 2025
Tamara leads the way
This is an enjoyable read. The plot is a good one with an outside agency taking an interest. Tamara steps up and shows admirable leadership skills, I hope she's not reprimanded in the next book. The good news for me is that Danny is hardly visible in the story as I don't like the character, he brings nothing to the team and is bone idle. Sack him asap.
Cassie has her personal life to manage and let's hope it pans out.
This is an enjoyable read. The plot is a good one with an outside agency taking an interest. Tamara steps up and shows admirable leadership skills, I hope she's not reprimanded in the next book. The good news for me is that Danny is hardly visible in the story as I don't like the character, he brings nothing to the team and is bone idle. Sack him asap.
Cassie has her personal life to manage and let's hope it pans out.
June 28, 2023
another excellent outing for Tom Janssen
Another difficult and intriguing case to solve. From errant school boys letting off fireworks in a quarry to a police officer in mortal danger, the plot races along. Really recommend this - if you haven’t read any of this series before - you’re in for a treat!
Another difficult and intriguing case to solve. From errant school boys letting off fireworks in a quarry to a police officer in mortal danger, the plot races along. Really recommend this - if you haven’t read any of this series before - you’re in for a treat!
June 29, 2023
It started a little slow but the ending/resolution was very good. The final explanation of prison records in Thailand - that was good. My quibble is that the character they were searching for being gone for 17-20 years seemed unrealistic - especially as he was a smart guy and then especially for the people he searched out. Nice character growth for Tamera and Cassie
June 30, 2023
Couldn’t put this book down!
This book takes the series to an entirely different level! The team work so well together but this book developed the character of Cassie rather than Tom which gave it an added freshness. The storyline is very different from previous books but even more exciting! Definitely one to read!
This book takes the series to an entirely different level! The team work so well together but this book developed the character of Cassie rather than Tom which gave it an added freshness. The storyline is very different from previous books but even more exciting! Definitely one to read!
July 2, 2023
Another terrific read in the Janssen series. A body (or part of a body)is discovered in a quarry and so the mystery of who he is and why he was killed is the task for Tom and the team. Lots of twists and turns and a great up tempo conclusion. Read this book very quickly as a I couldn’t leave it down!! Highly recommended. Well done again Jason and looking forward to the next book already!!
July 13, 2023
A Vacation/An Arrest/Running/Undercover
A body found & a man missing. But not necessarily the same one. On the hunt for a murderer, a missing man, and then a warning from up above to lay off the
Investigation. Wheels begin to turn & everything seems to be coming apart, when at last the pieces click together.
A body found & a man missing. But not necessarily the same one. On the hunt for a murderer, a missing man, and then a warning from up above to lay off the
Investigation. Wheels begin to turn & everything seems to be coming apart, when at last the pieces click together.
July 20, 2023
Good story
Rough text, though. Quite a few grammatical and punctuation errors, and one small impossibility in the dialogue that I noticed. I'm wondering whether this Kindle edition was created from an advance reader's copy sent to reviewers, rather than the final published version.
Rough text, though. Quite a few grammatical and punctuation errors, and one small impossibility in the dialogue that I noticed. I'm wondering whether this Kindle edition was created from an advance reader's copy sent to reviewers, rather than the final published version.
August 13, 2023
One of the better plots in the series except for the very convoluted ending. Still a lively page turner which highlights the personal life of Cassie. One of the attractions of this series is the way the author delves into the lives of the policemen attached to the Norfolk CID. Very involving subplots accompany the main story which is why I keep reading the series.
August 16, 2023
A true police procedural, not a lot of action but full of meetings and interviews and background searches with many red herrings it's like watching someone assemble a jigsaw puzzle which can be tedious at times. Well-developed characters and their personal connections bring interest to the process.
December 14, 2023
Saved the best for last!
This series has been a good read especially if you love British police procedural. From the 1st book to this (maybe?) last in the series, the writing & plots have gotten better and of course character development makes a great addition. Perfect for winter. Cozy up and enjoy
This series has been a good read especially if you love British police procedural. From the 1st book to this (maybe?) last in the series, the writing & plots have gotten better and of course character development makes a great addition. Perfect for winter. Cozy up and enjoy
February 13, 2024
Each story just keeps on getting better.
I decided this time not to be lazy but to post a review of the wonderful time I have enjoyed reading this series. All of the different characters and story lines are amazing and it's been fun to sit back and see how they develop.
I love J M Dalgliesh and his crime team and I am excited to begin the next story!
I decided this time not to be lazy but to post a review of the wonderful time I have enjoyed reading this series. All of the different characters and story lines are amazing and it's been fun to sit back and see how they develop.
I love J M Dalgliesh and his crime team and I am excited to begin the next story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews