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DCI Harry Grimm #14
Silent Ruin
A vanished couple. A disoriented treasure hunter. A body with suspicious injuries.
Harry Grimm is starting to feel like a local – almost. But when his quiet happiness is interrupted by a confused eighty-year-old detectorist claiming to have seen Medieval knights fighting in a nearby ruined castle, the chief inspector is forced to investigate the bizarre claims. However, his focus is soon split to a second case when a teen and her boyfriend disappear without a trace.
As the unflappable DCI spearheads the search for the young lovers, he and his team confront conflicting witnesses, spiraling hostilities, and enraged families pointing accusing fingers. And with the aging detectorist continuing to cause disturbances around the village, Grimm takes his muddled statements more seriously after the discovery of a brutally battered corpse.
Can this gruff detective follow the cryptic clues to a killer?
Silent Ruin is the dramatic fourteenth book in the DCI Harry Grimm Crime Thrillers series. If you like beloved casts of characters, dark mysteries, and rising tension, then you’ll adore David J. Gatward’s transfixing whodunit.
Buy Silent Ruin to decipher whispers of murder today!
Perfect for fans of L. J. Ross, J. D. Kirk, Adam Croft, Simon McCleave, Alex Smith, J. M. Dalgliesh, J. E. Mayhew, and J. R. Ellis.
Harry Grimm is starting to feel like a local – almost. But when his quiet happiness is interrupted by a confused eighty-year-old detectorist claiming to have seen Medieval knights fighting in a nearby ruined castle, the chief inspector is forced to investigate the bizarre claims. However, his focus is soon split to a second case when a teen and her boyfriend disappear without a trace.
As the unflappable DCI spearheads the search for the young lovers, he and his team confront conflicting witnesses, spiraling hostilities, and enraged families pointing accusing fingers. And with the aging detectorist continuing to cause disturbances around the village, Grimm takes his muddled statements more seriously after the discovery of a brutally battered corpse.
Can this gruff detective follow the cryptic clues to a killer?
Silent Ruin is the dramatic fourteenth book in the DCI Harry Grimm Crime Thrillers series. If you like beloved casts of characters, dark mysteries, and rising tension, then you’ll adore David J. Gatward’s transfixing whodunit.
Buy Silent Ruin to decipher whispers of murder today!
Perfect for fans of L. J. Ross, J. D. Kirk, Adam Croft, Simon McCleave, Alex Smith, J. M. Dalgliesh, J. E. Mayhew, and J. R. Ellis.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2023
1623 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
June 6, 2023
I've read all of the Grimm books and enjoyed them. This one not so much.
It seemed weak and unimaginative. I just didn't feel anything for the characters in this one, even the team seemed a bit lacklustre. I was beginning to think I didn't really care what happened but I was 90% through by then so finished it.
Suddenly it ended and was rather odd. I don't know whether things will be cleared up in the next book but I'm not sure I'll read it to be absolutely honest.
The kindle version had quite a few mistakes too. It was almost like David didn't write it & asked it to somebody else who isn't as good.
It seemed weak and unimaginative. I just didn't feel anything for the characters in this one, even the team seemed a bit lacklustre. I was beginning to think I didn't really care what happened but I was 90% through by then so finished it.
Suddenly it ended and was rather odd. I don't know whether things will be cleared up in the next book but I'm not sure I'll read it to be absolutely honest.
The kindle version had quite a few mistakes too. It was almost like David didn't write it & asked it to somebody else who isn't as good.
July 15, 2023
I have read every DCI Grimm book, all wonderfully written, interesting and well thought out, until this one.
At 41%, I wondered if this was the correct book I had chosen to read as nothing had happened, none of the main characters were involved and it was slow.
It picked up a bit, but had none of the mystery or excitement of the 13 previous books. The ending was also badly done. And then a one line cliffhanger.
I was so disappointed.
I will get book number15 and hope the series is back on track.
At 41%, I wondered if this was the correct book I had chosen to read as nothing had happened, none of the main characters were involved and it was slow.
It picked up a bit, but had none of the mystery or excitement of the 13 previous books. The ending was also badly done. And then a one line cliffhanger.
I was so disappointed.
I will get book number15 and hope the series is back on track.
October 31, 2023
I love the characters. I love the community that has been created for our detectives. I love their interaction with each other; their dialogue and banter like real folks is what helps these characters come alive. Their personalities have really been hashed out and developed.
But this mystery drove me crazy. I could follow the thread of the mystery, but our favorite characters couldn't figure it out until the very end. I kept telling them in my head. "put it together, come on, you're smarter than this" It was frustrating, but I am still looking forward to the next book!
But this mystery drove me crazy. I could follow the thread of the mystery, but our favorite characters couldn't figure it out until the very end. I kept telling them in my head. "put it together, come on, you're smarter than this" It was frustrating, but I am still looking forward to the next book!
June 6, 2023
It depends what you're looking for in a crime novel. If it's non-stop action and serial killers, then the DCI Grimm books may not be for you. But if you want characters developing as they solve a case, then you're in the right place.
David Gatward is a gentle author whose characters (and there are many) are as gentle as he is. The ways the characters speak and act are gentle too. But the final action is tough enough.
I did wonder if there was too much repetitive dialogue in Silent Ruin. Perhaps the author could have cut some out. But David Gatward writes like that. Perhaps in our most difficult world we need his style more than ever. Yes, five stars.
David Gatward is a gentle author whose characters (and there are many) are as gentle as he is. The ways the characters speak and act are gentle too. But the final action is tough enough.
I did wonder if there was too much repetitive dialogue in Silent Ruin. Perhaps the author could have cut some out. But David Gatward writes like that. Perhaps in our most difficult world we need his style more than ever. Yes, five stars.
July 8, 2023
Both the beginning and the ending of the book were different. At the beginning, several chapters were written before any of the main characters appeared. The ending was way too fast for the complexity of the plot and left me wondering what really just happened. I was very disappointed , even though I enjoyed most of the book.This is not the best Grimm book by a long way.
August 18, 2024
Silent Ruin is book fourteen in the DCI Harry Grimm Series by David J. Gatward. DCI Harry Grimm becomes involved in a strange, confusing story from an elderly resident who contacts one of his team and two missing teenagers. At first, these two cases stretched his team to the maximum until they connected what the older man saw at the local historical site. The readers of Silent Ruin will continue to follow DCI Harry Grimm and his team's investigation to discover what happens.
I enjoy reading books in this series, and Silent Ruin did not disappoint. From the first page, I was engaged with the story and the characters and had trouble putting the book down. However, I had to. I love David J. Gatward's portrayal of his characters and their interaction with each other. Silent Ruin is well-written and researched. I like David J. Gatward's description of the settings of Silent Ruin, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Silent Ruin will learn the meaning of detectorist and understand the problems that grief and guilt have on a person and everyone around them.
I recommend this book to all readers who enjoy crime mystery.
I enjoy reading books in this series, and Silent Ruin did not disappoint. From the first page, I was engaged with the story and the characters and had trouble putting the book down. However, I had to. I love David J. Gatward's portrayal of his characters and their interaction with each other. Silent Ruin is well-written and researched. I like David J. Gatward's description of the settings of Silent Ruin, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Silent Ruin will learn the meaning of detectorist and understand the problems that grief and guilt have on a person and everyone around them.
I recommend this book to all readers who enjoy crime mystery.
June 3, 2023
I was loving the book. All the characters are great. However the ending was quite abrupt with loose ends hanging.
June 2, 2023
Silent Ruin by David Gatward is Book 14 in the DCI Harry Grimm crime thriller series. It is a superb read with an interesting storyline and the usual police team, who all work well together now considered how very different everyone is.
The storyline concerns kidnapping, murder and blackmail and is a very clever story.
I think the series just gets better and better and is always a good read.
Highly recommended
Also readWhen Jayne Met Tank by David Gatward which is a short story, I enjoyed reading this as well. The humour is genial and funny.
The storyline concerns kidnapping, murder and blackmail and is a very clever story.
I think the series just gets better and better and is always a good read.
Highly recommended
Also readWhen Jayne Met Tank by David Gatward which is a short story, I enjoyed reading this as well. The humour is genial and funny.
June 3, 2024
My first in this series. It was good. I’m sure if I knew all the characters better it would have been better but a good stand alone as well.
June 13, 2023
Gave me a head ache
I'm a huge fan of this series and have awaited patiently for this latest novel. A big disappointment. Slow and never took off for me. The characters were a miserable group of losers and I was confused through out the book by the dialogue.
I'm totally dismayed at this happening.
I'm a huge fan of this series and have awaited patiently for this latest novel. A big disappointment. Slow and never took off for me. The characters were a miserable group of losers and I was confused through out the book by the dialogue.
I'm totally dismayed at this happening.
June 3, 2023
Liked the book but very disappointed in the typos and spacing throughout the Kindle edition book.
June 5, 2023
Wow. This was different. I gave it a 3 right now, but I may come back and change that after I have a think. It started out differently than I remember the other novels ( which isn’t alway a bad thing). And I’m still thinking about the ending. Just not what I expected. Again…not always a bad thing.
And I think there are typos and odd letters added here and there. Not the authors fault, I don’t think
And I think there are typos and odd letters added here and there. Not the authors fault, I don’t think
June 21, 2023
Disappointing. Yet again, the crime and the plot was secondary to the characters. I love these characters but I choose to read CRIME. The plot was overly complex and the ending trite. Added to that, there was endless repetition (sometimes covered by calling it a team meeting) and much unnecessary detail ail.
All in all, I wonder if Mr G is fed up with these characters……..
All in all, I wonder if Mr G is fed up with these characters……..
September 21, 2023
Not as taken with this story.
While I did enjoy this book, I felt the reader could solve the mystery much quicker than Grimm and Co. This is unusual for this series. Yes, there was a more detailed plot revealed at the end, but the basis was way too easy to figure out..or maybe I read too many of this type of book! Still, a very good read.
While I did enjoy this book, I felt the reader could solve the mystery much quicker than Grimm and Co. This is unusual for this series. Yes, there was a more detailed plot revealed at the end, but the basis was way too easy to figure out..or maybe I read too many of this type of book! Still, a very good read.
October 24, 2023
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I received a copy of Silent Ruin as a Tandem Readalong for the Kindle Storyteller Award, in which this novel is a finalist.
The Award aims to highlight the best work published on Kindle Direct Publishing, and I can see why this one made the cut. The author has put a lot of work into developing the police team in the Harry Grimm series and has created a vivid landscape in which their investigations take place. I’ve never been to Wensleydale but I’ll be amazed if it’s not exactly as David Gatward describes it!
This is the 14th book in the series, and I really felt it - there were lots of references to earlier cases, in such a way that I won’t need to read those books as their main plots have been spoilered. At first I was baffled by this decision on the author’s part, but then I realised that the most important thing to him is that we know as much as possible about each of the police team.
The problem for me was that there are just so many of them. There’s a reason that investigation teams in most police procedurals are stripped back to two or three main characters supplemented by a few “series regulars”. When I’m reading a crime novel my main interest is the crime and its solution, not the backstory of the investigators. It’s a fine line, but for me it felt like the team could be halved. This novel would have worked for me with Harry Grimm, Jadyn (the other police character I felt I really got to know) and another detective made up from the little bits of all the others, plus Sowerby and Harry’s boss in their more specialist roles.
With fewer police characters, so fewer subplots for them, there would have been more space for the main plot, which I felt was a bit rushed in the last third of the novel.
All of this makes it sound like I didn’t like Silent Ruin and that’s not true. I *did* enjoy it. I’d just have liked to see the main plot really sparkle.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed David Gatward wins the £20,000 prize. He’s really created a world I think others would love to get to know.
Three Word Review: so many policemen.
I received a copy of Silent Ruin as a Tandem Readalong for the Kindle Storyteller Award, in which this novel is a finalist.
The Award aims to highlight the best work published on Kindle Direct Publishing, and I can see why this one made the cut. The author has put a lot of work into developing the police team in the Harry Grimm series and has created a vivid landscape in which their investigations take place. I’ve never been to Wensleydale but I’ll be amazed if it’s not exactly as David Gatward describes it!
This is the 14th book in the series, and I really felt it - there were lots of references to earlier cases, in such a way that I won’t need to read those books as their main plots have been spoilered. At first I was baffled by this decision on the author’s part, but then I realised that the most important thing to him is that we know as much as possible about each of the police team.
The problem for me was that there are just so many of them. There’s a reason that investigation teams in most police procedurals are stripped back to two or three main characters supplemented by a few “series regulars”. When I’m reading a crime novel my main interest is the crime and its solution, not the backstory of the investigators. It’s a fine line, but for me it felt like the team could be halved. This novel would have worked for me with Harry Grimm, Jadyn (the other police character I felt I really got to know) and another detective made up from the little bits of all the others, plus Sowerby and Harry’s boss in their more specialist roles.
With fewer police characters, so fewer subplots for them, there would have been more space for the main plot, which I felt was a bit rushed in the last third of the novel.
All of this makes it sound like I didn’t like Silent Ruin and that’s not true. I *did* enjoy it. I’d just have liked to see the main plot really sparkle.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed David Gatward wins the £20,000 prize. He’s really created a world I think others would love to get to know.
Three Word Review: so many policemen.
October 30, 2023
Silent Ruin - David J. Gatward
Book 14 of the DCI Harry Grimm series... book 14 and plenty more on the cards apparently.
So, despite joining Harry and his team so late in the series, I do not at all feel like I'm nearing the end of his or their journey! Although there are some references to previous plot lines, it's vague enough that you're filled in on what you need to know without any unnecessary recapping of previous books.
This felt like such a cosy crime read to me, from the village vibes of wensleydale to the scenic bars and castle ruins. The story is told from what appears to be 2 storylines, yet its obvious they become interlinked. John is an 80 year old "detectorist" who ends up in an unprovoked bar brawl, who decides to take his metal detector out into the castle ruins, where he watches a bizarre scene unfold. We also learn about Ellie, and her plans to leave her family household secretly with her boyfriend.
All of the characters had something that made you connect with them and feel what they were feeling throughout the story. When I first met Harry his indifference threw me a little, he immediately hit me as a no-nonsense guy who just wanted to do his job well and make a difference only where it would matter. By the end of the book I felt completely on Harry's side and seemed to understand him well.
The start of the book is quite a slow burn with lots of scene setting and getting to know the characters and their stories. The second half is so action packed and fast paced that it balances the book out as a great quick read. Although the ending did seem quite abrupt, it didn't put me off the book or the series and I'm eager to read from book 1 and invest myself into the world of Harry Grimm (TODAYS BOOKMAIL IS BOOK 1!!).
Absolutely loved the live hosted by @Tandemcollectiveuk and @Davidjgatward learning about how Harry Grimm came to be.
Book 14 of the DCI Harry Grimm series... book 14 and plenty more on the cards apparently.
So, despite joining Harry and his team so late in the series, I do not at all feel like I'm nearing the end of his or their journey! Although there are some references to previous plot lines, it's vague enough that you're filled in on what you need to know without any unnecessary recapping of previous books.
This felt like such a cosy crime read to me, from the village vibes of wensleydale to the scenic bars and castle ruins. The story is told from what appears to be 2 storylines, yet its obvious they become interlinked. John is an 80 year old "detectorist" who ends up in an unprovoked bar brawl, who decides to take his metal detector out into the castle ruins, where he watches a bizarre scene unfold. We also learn about Ellie, and her plans to leave her family household secretly with her boyfriend.
All of the characters had something that made you connect with them and feel what they were feeling throughout the story. When I first met Harry his indifference threw me a little, he immediately hit me as a no-nonsense guy who just wanted to do his job well and make a difference only where it would matter. By the end of the book I felt completely on Harry's side and seemed to understand him well.
The start of the book is quite a slow burn with lots of scene setting and getting to know the characters and their stories. The second half is so action packed and fast paced that it balances the book out as a great quick read. Although the ending did seem quite abrupt, it didn't put me off the book or the series and I'm eager to read from book 1 and invest myself into the world of Harry Grimm (TODAYS BOOKMAIL IS BOOK 1!!).
Absolutely loved the live hosted by @Tandemcollectiveuk and @Davidjgatward learning about how Harry Grimm came to be.
June 27, 2023
Another month, another DCI Harry Grimm novel. This one works a lot better than the previous book as it feels less bloated with unnecessary subplots. The case of a missing teenage couple who have supposedly run away together turns into something entirely more sinister as the investigation goes on.
As always, the plot is set against the scenic background of the Wensleydale region and its (mostly) endearing inhabitants. I say mostly because while Harry's team is as likable as ever, it seems that almost everyone they have to inteview for their investigation is either standoffish or even outright hostile to the point of utter stupidity in that they don't realise why they might be arrested for their behaviour. Now, I don't know any people from Yorkshire but this kind of behaviour happens so often in the Harry Grimm novels that one might almost think it's a common regional character trait. Also, why the hell do Harry and his team make a guessing game out of every conversation during which they are trying to relate some vital piece of information to each other? Just out with it!
Another slight point of criticism is that at some point it becomes blatantly obvious what has actually happened, at least to the reader, while the police are still having trouble connecting the dots. To be fair, this happens rather late in the novel and isn't nearly as much of a problem as in some of the earlier books in the series where the investigators at times came across as incedibly dense. Also, there is a plot twist that at least I didn't expect.
Anyway, this is another entertaining and somewhat satisfying entry into a series that can at times be a little bit hit or miss.
As always, the plot is set against the scenic background of the Wensleydale region and its (mostly) endearing inhabitants. I say mostly because while Harry's team is as likable as ever, it seems that almost everyone they have to inteview for their investigation is either standoffish or even outright hostile to the point of utter stupidity in that they don't realise why they might be arrested for their behaviour. Now, I don't know any people from Yorkshire but this kind of behaviour happens so often in the Harry Grimm novels that one might almost think it's a common regional character trait. Also, why the hell do Harry and his team make a guessing game out of every conversation during which they are trying to relate some vital piece of information to each other? Just out with it!
Another slight point of criticism is that at some point it becomes blatantly obvious what has actually happened, at least to the reader, while the police are still having trouble connecting the dots. To be fair, this happens rather late in the novel and isn't nearly as much of a problem as in some of the earlier books in the series where the investigators at times came across as incedibly dense. Also, there is a plot twist that at least I didn't expect.
Anyway, this is another entertaining and somewhat satisfying entry into a series that can at times be a little bit hit or miss.
January 23, 2025
The 14th book in the DCI Harry Grimm series. It starts off very slowly. We don't even meet any of the regular characters until 20% of the book is done. Frankly, that 20 % could've been chopped and it would've been a better book. There were too many chapters with other than the main characters that added nothing to the story.
The plot itself resolves around two things. One is when an elderly man sees what he thinks are knights fighting at night outside the ruins of a castle that he's exploring. Is he mad or is there something to it? Two, and the most important, an under-aged girl runs off with her boyfriend. When they find the boyfriend's crashed motorcycle, they hunt for him and the girl. I'll not say more to avoid spoilers.
The last half of this book was much, much better than the first. We get a good look at how Harry has changed and started to fit in with the community. He has his own house, but he and his girlfriend Grace are growing closer. Characters in the team are being fleshed out a bit more. There's a sense of urgency when they're trying desperately to find the girl.
It's a personal preference of mine to stick with points of view of the main and primary characters rather than writing through the eyes of victims or the unknown people in a story. However, when it's the point of view of Harry or the people in his life, it's very well done and easy to read.
The plot itself resolves around two things. One is when an elderly man sees what he thinks are knights fighting at night outside the ruins of a castle that he's exploring. Is he mad or is there something to it? Two, and the most important, an under-aged girl runs off with her boyfriend. When they find the boyfriend's crashed motorcycle, they hunt for him and the girl. I'll not say more to avoid spoilers.
The last half of this book was much, much better than the first. We get a good look at how Harry has changed and started to fit in with the community. He has his own house, but he and his girlfriend Grace are growing closer. Characters in the team are being fleshed out a bit more. There's a sense of urgency when they're trying desperately to find the girl.
It's a personal preference of mine to stick with points of view of the main and primary characters rather than writing through the eyes of victims or the unknown people in a story. However, when it's the point of view of Harry or the people in his life, it's very well done and easy to read.
May 22, 2025
Returning to this series was a pleasant experience, reuniting with the characters was almost like coming home! Their vivid, eloquent and realistic portrayal is what makes the series such a nice read. Really enjoy that aspect of the DCI Grimm books and this one is no exception.
But on the downside, I felt disappointed with the crime fiction aspects. The clues dropped for the reader seemingly ignored by the investigating team though they are certainly aware of them. The author joining the dots with a solid line to establish a connection for the readers, but again the investigation team left completely oblivious to that which seems to be staring them in the face. It's not quite slap stick policing, but it is certainly less crisp than what I have come to accept as the norm from the works of the other authors I read. And then in the final chapters, our key characters amazingly, with no real explanation of how, suddenly understand everything and consequently make the arrest.
The series is advertised as "Crime Thrillers" but it is because of what I see as a lack of polish in that area which has me rating this book at only 3 stars. But the characters and character interactions are great!
But on the downside, I felt disappointed with the crime fiction aspects. The clues dropped for the reader seemingly ignored by the investigating team though they are certainly aware of them. The author joining the dots with a solid line to establish a connection for the readers, but again the investigation team left completely oblivious to that which seems to be staring them in the face. It's not quite slap stick policing, but it is certainly less crisp than what I have come to accept as the norm from the works of the other authors I read. And then in the final chapters, our key characters amazingly, with no real explanation of how, suddenly understand everything and consequently make the arrest.
The series is advertised as "Crime Thrillers" but it is because of what I see as a lack of polish in that area which has me rating this book at only 3 stars. But the characters and character interactions are great!
July 9, 2023
This Book Was….
This book was going to get a 5 star ***** review, but then the ending happened, well more like it didn’t happen, the book seemed to just stop short as though the author got bored with it, or maybe reached a character limit.
It’s disappointing as I was really enjoying this one, I literately nearly read the book in one gulp last night, but by 2am I had to quit. It’s been the authors best book to date, story wise & had me turning page after page which is why I’m so surprised that it was finished the way it was.
Will I buy the next book? Yes, of course, but I’m still left feeling a little jilted
Oh yes, and there are SO many editing errors I picked up in this that I lost count, at least TWENTY, which in this day & age is nothing short of shocking, they ranged from full on typos that shouldn’t even of passed a basic spell check, to words joined together (ditto), to words just entirely missing. They are spread over the book, so if this is a ‘thing’ for you, it’s not constant (except for a few pages in a row) so it won’t entirely wreck your read. Whoever proofread or edited this, needs to be fired, there’s no excuse for this these days.
This book was going to get a 5 star ***** review, but then the ending happened, well more like it didn’t happen, the book seemed to just stop short as though the author got bored with it, or maybe reached a character limit.
It’s disappointing as I was really enjoying this one, I literately nearly read the book in one gulp last night, but by 2am I had to quit. It’s been the authors best book to date, story wise & had me turning page after page which is why I’m so surprised that it was finished the way it was.
Will I buy the next book? Yes, of course, but I’m still left feeling a little jilted
Oh yes, and there are SO many editing errors I picked up in this that I lost count, at least TWENTY, which in this day & age is nothing short of shocking, they ranged from full on typos that shouldn’t even of passed a basic spell check, to words joined together (ditto), to words just entirely missing. They are spread over the book, so if this is a ‘thing’ for you, it’s not constant (except for a few pages in a row) so it won’t entirely wreck your read. Whoever proofread or edited this, needs to be fired, there’s no excuse for this these days.
June 4, 2023
A mot intriguing series. The latest book #14 Silent Ruin was hard to put down. As well as enjoying the way the book started out and of course loving Harry Grimm I very much enjoyed the characters developing and growing in their
own roles.
I enjoyed the weather and setting descriptions. I felt like they were characters too.
Of course the cake and cheese I always look forward too. Nice to see the Homemade reference to the fruitcake as it is not readily available where I live and I have been reduced to making my own. LOL
Food mentions take me to another level in the book. It is amazing how much of a role food can increase my interest in the book. Harry and Company enjoying their biscuits while I eat my cookies. Words may be different but the feeling is the same. Looking forward to David Gatward's next book.
own roles.
I enjoyed the weather and setting descriptions. I felt like they were characters too.
Of course the cake and cheese I always look forward too. Nice to see the Homemade reference to the fruitcake as it is not readily available where I live and I have been reduced to making my own. LOL
Food mentions take me to another level in the book. It is amazing how much of a role food can increase my interest in the book. Harry and Company enjoying their biscuits while I eat my cookies. Words may be different but the feeling is the same. Looking forward to David Gatward's next book.
December 31, 2024
This series is one of my favourite finds of the year. To say that I am invested is a severe understatement. Harry Grimm is one of those characters that you cannot help but fall in love with. Despite his spiky, ornery demeanour, he is just misunderstood. He believes that he is Grimm by name and grim by nature, but that could not be further from the truth. An army veteran (medical discharge) he joins the force in Bristol, however, his maverick attitude and lack of rule abiding soon has him sent to "coventry" out of sight, out of mind. He is seconded to the Dales, as far from his comfort zone as possible. However, the Dales are magical, and Harry soon becomes to love it there, including the Wensleydale on fruit cake. Each book is fabulously written, the characters are amazing and you cannot help but fall in love with them and the Dales. One of my favourite series.
October 25, 2023
I rarely give detective, crime thrillers a 5 star, I find them fairly cut and paste but Silent Ruins was on a whole different level. There were quite a few role players in the story however I felt there was enough time spent on each interaction between Harry Grimm and the other that I knew who I was reading without feeling overwhelmed by information. The plot was brilliant, with the different situations that Harry Grimm was dealing with I didn’t feel like I couldn’t connect the dots. All in all this book was so brilliantly written, the ending was superb and I 100% recommend this book and series if crime thrillers are you thing or if you are looking to get into it. It flowed beautifully, it wasn’t complicated and I found myself thinking about the case even when I wasn’t reading it.
October 26, 2023
My first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style as well as the story. Despite this being the 14th (yes, 14th!) book in the DCI Harry Grimm series, I didn't feel as if I'd missed out on anything. The characters were well-developed and expertly written.
In fact, Harry is a very likable character, despite his abruptness and dry sense of humour. He works with his team well.
The story itself drew me in straight away and I didn't end up figuring out the ending. My only issue was that it wrapped up very fast and the ending seemed to come out of nowhere. I finished the final page thinking "oh...isn't there more?"
But other than that, a great crime thriller. I'm not sure I'll be starting the series from the beginning, but I'll certainly read any others in the future.
In fact, Harry is a very likable character, despite his abruptness and dry sense of humour. He works with his team well.
The story itself drew me in straight away and I didn't end up figuring out the ending. My only issue was that it wrapped up very fast and the ending seemed to come out of nowhere. I finished the final page thinking "oh...isn't there more?"
But other than that, a great crime thriller. I'm not sure I'll be starting the series from the beginning, but I'll certainly read any others in the future.
October 29, 2023
This was the first of the Harry Grimm books that I’ve ever read and I really enjoyed it. I thought that Harry was a fantastic character and a great choice for a DCI. This one had me guessing all the way through. I had no idea what had happened to Ellie. I think that Harry is a very determined, strong willed, intelligent character. The setting in the story was absolutely amazing and fit the story perfectly. The story is very well written and moved at a decent pace. I will definitely be reading some more of the series as I would love to see how Harry started out and de elopes throughout the series. The story is also packed with some excellent support characters in the members of Harry’s team.
December 19, 2023
The beginning of the book was drawn out and a little slow. There were several seemingly unrelated stories and little involvement from the police team until almost halfway through the book. It did help to remind the reader that police rarely have the luxury of dealing with just one crime at a time as many books lead you to believe. Once the mystery kicked in and the team was engaged, the story picked up and the plot was interesting. I like the cast of police characters although the book did not focus a lot on their personal lives. I enjoyed too that the team had an officer that was good at convincing people to talk and cooperate. I listened to the audible version and the voice OK.
June 27, 2023
Another good one. I love this series.
His stories are fast paced and wonderful. Characters are the best! Love them all
A quote from the story that I just had to stop and read more than once for its beauty:.
"Darkness had crept across the moors, thick and oily, and in the valley below lights blinked like ships at sea, the distant promise of cosy rooms, comfy sofas, and something on the telly to fall asleep to. The rain had drifted away to reveal a bright sky of stars cut by thin clouds cast across the ether like the strokes of an artist’s brush in a giant’s hand."
His stories are fast paced and wonderful. Characters are the best! Love them all
A quote from the story that I just had to stop and read more than once for its beauty:.
"Darkness had crept across the moors, thick and oily, and in the valley below lights blinked like ships at sea, the distant promise of cosy rooms, comfy sofas, and something on the telly to fall asleep to. The rain had drifted away to reveal a bright sky of stars cut by thin clouds cast across the ether like the strokes of an artist’s brush in a giant’s hand."
October 11, 2024
Quite frustrating
Let's be honest they're all a bit dim aren't they , I feel the author has done the characters a huge disservice in these books .
I've solved the case a quater way through while the dci and his team are still blundering around without a clue what's going on ignoring important evidence and clues that quite literally tell them exactly who, what, why and where choosing instead to either stuff their faces with cake and cheese or clock off .
This one was particularly frustrating because it was BLATANTLY obvious what was going on .
Let's be honest they're all a bit dim aren't they , I feel the author has done the characters a huge disservice in these books .
I've solved the case a quater way through while the dci and his team are still blundering around without a clue what's going on ignoring important evidence and clues that quite literally tell them exactly who, what, why and where choosing instead to either stuff their faces with cake and cheese or clock off .
This one was particularly frustrating because it was BLATANTLY obvious what was going on .
June 3, 2023
Excellent
The Harry Grim series is so worth reading. The cases always entertain as the team works to solve a case whether dead or gruesome or both. Best is the feeling of being there through the vivid descriptions of the land itself. Silent Run is full of interesting characters who seem unrelated, but play a real mesh at the end. Another fabulous read from David Gatwood. Start with the first one and enjoy your stay in Wensleydale.
The Harry Grim series is so worth reading. The cases always entertain as the team works to solve a case whether dead or gruesome or both. Best is the feeling of being there through the vivid descriptions of the land itself. Silent Run is full of interesting characters who seem unrelated, but play a real mesh at the end. Another fabulous read from David Gatwood. Start with the first one and enjoy your stay in Wensleydale.
June 7, 2023
Loved it!
I love how you deal with lots of different crimes and also take out time to get involved in the community when you have a bunch of girl bullies that need a new path in life. Harry’s department is small but they are not only close with each other they are also close with the community. A great place to live with incredible countryside views, lots of tea, cake and cheese!! Thanks David for your love with these books!!
I love how you deal with lots of different crimes and also take out time to get involved in the community when you have a bunch of girl bullies that need a new path in life. Harry’s department is small but they are not only close with each other they are also close with the community. A great place to live with incredible countryside views, lots of tea, cake and cheese!! Thanks David for your love with these books!!
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