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DI Tanner #10

Bluebell Wood

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***EXPECTED PUBLICATION OCT / NOV 2023***

A CHILLING NORFOLK BROADS CRIME THRILLER!
A hanging man's body found by an uncontrollable dog, a murdered historian with an unpublished book, and a mysterious cottage, hiding in the shadows of Bluebell Wood.

Set within the mysterious beauty of the Norfolk Broads, this fast-paced British detective series is a dark cozy Norfolk murder mystery with a slice of humour and a touch of romance, one that will have you guessing until the very end, when the last shocking twist is finally revealed.

Bluebell Wood is a totally addictive gripping crime thriller, the ninth in a chilling series of serial killer books, ones which will rapidly convert followers of L J Ross, Faith Martin, Joy Ellis, Damien Boyd, J M Dalgliesh, and Elly Griffiths into David Blake devotees.

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

713 people are currently reading
99 people want to read

About the author

David Blake

32 books296 followers
NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR

With number one bestsellers in both the UK and Australia, to date David has written twenty-two books along with a collection of short stories. He's currently working on his twenty-third, Bluebell Wood, which is the next in his series of fast-paced crime thrillers. When not writing, David likes to spend his time mucking about in boats, often in the Norfolk Broads, where his crime fiction books are based.

Get news of all future releases, ARC reader info, free books, and all promo offers by signing up to my newsletter:

www.david-blake.co.uk/CONTACTDAVID

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5 stars
1,253 (49%)
4 stars
806 (32%)
3 stars
327 (13%)
2 stars
71 (2%)
1 star
51 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
104 reviews2 followers
November 6, 2023
Nobby The Policeman

This eagerly awaited book has turned out to be a bit of damp squib. DCI Tanner has been made to look and act like a fool and this has made the whole book a comedy of errors.
After countless books this has finished me from reading any more from this author.
Profile Image for Carole.
252 reviews
February 15, 2024
I find I'm getting irritated now by Tanner who is being portrayed as a thoughtless bumbling idiot - how he solcves anything is beyond me and I'm fed up with all the misogynist gibes in the team. This is juvenile stuff - i dont remember the earlier books being like this. Christine - get shot of him while you can!
Profile Image for Jenny.
2,335 reviews73 followers
January 20, 2024
Bluebell Wood is book 10 in the DI Tanner series by David Blake. DCI John Tanner's tow caught two cases a couple of days before marriage, which are the suspicious deaths of a teenage boy in the middle of Bluebell Wood and the death of a retired University Professor. At first, DCI Tanner's Team could not decide if the cases were connected, and it became a race to close the cases before he had to postpone his weddings. The readers of BlueBell Wood will continue to follow DCI Tanner's Team to discover what happens.

Bluebell Wood is another fantastic book by David Blake and an excellent addition to the DI Tanner series. While reading Bluebell Wood, I laughed at the characters' actions. Bluebell Wood continues the tradition of me engaging with the story from the first page. I love David Blake's portrayal of his characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. Bluebell Wood is well-written and researched by David Blake. I like David Blake's description of the Bluebell settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The readers of Bluebell Wood will learn about the consequences of dumping poisonous waste illegally into the ground. Also, the readers of Bluebell Wood will learn about cells called the amygdala, a part of the brain that plays a vital role in a person's emotions.

I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Anthony Fisher.
112 reviews3 followers
November 6, 2023
After reading the previous book Weaver’s Way, I wrote a very critical review. It felt like the book was written by a different author. Tanner’s character has changed so much I could barely recognise him.

In particular I did not like the many conversations he had with one of his Detectives PCs. The discussion belittled women, and sounded more like two school boys fanaticising about girls, behind the bike shed. There was also very little plot about the Norfolk Broads or his interest in sailing. These two elements were very much the main themes in all his previous books.

I also wrote in the in the review that I was unlikely to read any more books. I wish I had remembered to do that.

Having forgotten the above remarks, I unfortunately, bought this latest book ‘ Bluebell Wood’. I have read the first 117 pages and found all my criticisms of the previous book can still be levelled at Bluebell Wood. Although there is a reduction so far in the discussions belittling females, they are still there. All my other critical comments have travelled into this latest story. I have decided enough is enough, and have stopped reading the book. I must point out that I am male and have a wife and family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for JoJo.
702 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this series when it started but the last few books have seemed to be written by a 14 year old, full of trite comments and showing a group of incompetent police. I was ill with only this book and his following one to read so it passed the time, but I struggled between giving 1 or 2 stars and settled on 2 just based on my enjoyment of previous novels. It's a shame the writing has deteriorated so badly. No more for me.
Profile Image for Kath Middleton.
Author 23 books158 followers
November 2, 2023
The book starts with the discovery of a hanged man. He's young, and Tanner has a feeling there's more to this than a sad suicide. There's a property developer interested in the wood and he's none too scrupulous in his dealings. There's a lot for Tanner and his team to unravel - and it looks touch and go whether he'll make it to his own wedding and honeymoon. An exciting story.
Profile Image for Paula R. C. Readman.
Author 26 books50 followers
October 24, 2025
The writing is awful. The storyline was so familiar I found it hard to be drawn in.
Profile Image for Vanessa Krushner.
340 reviews10 followers
November 22, 2023
Great to catch up with John Tanner and his team
This was a good plot and was an entertaining easy read
Looking forward to the next one
2 reviews
February 29, 2024
I have read all of this series of books but this will be the last one I’m afraid. Tanner is made to look like the village idiot.
Far too much time spent on domestic stuff and unrelated issues, you have to wait until the last few pages before anything dramatic happens. Disappointing.
48 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2024
I'm about half way through this book. DCI Tanner isn't a particularly likeable character and he doesn't seem bright enough to be a DCI. The plot is ok, but the dialogue is stilted and not at all convincing. Maybe the second half will be better.

Unfortunately, I decided not to finish this book.
27 reviews
December 27, 2024
So bad I couldn’t finish it! Between the over use of sarcasm and the incredibly poor detective techniques I walked away before halfway through.
Profile Image for Keshav Nair.
298 reviews
March 21, 2024
"Bluebell Wood" by David Blake, the tenth installment in the DCI Tanner series is a heartwarming tale that transports readers to a picturesque countryside of Norfolk Broads setting filled with charm and nostalgia. The story follows the lives of various characters whose paths intertwine in unexpected ways, creating a tapestry of relationships, secrets, and emotions.

It is just a few days before DCI Tanner is about to tie the knot with his sweetheart Christine and they are expecting their first child soon. One morning, he receives a message from his team that the body of a teenage boy was found hanging in the middle of Bluebell Woods and is called to the crime scene. An older man who was strolling his uncontrollable dog near the woods was the first to call the police. Initial investigation inferred it to be a case of suicide. But Tanner has an inkling that it is more than a suicide. Later, he learns of a property developer who was interested in the Bluebell Wood to convert it into a sprawling commercial property and had paid a handsome sum to the local authorities. Then there was also a group of environmental activists who were protesting against this deforestation. 

As DCI Tanner begins his scrutiny into the case file and its involvement of various people, he is connected to a historian who has been writing his last book concerning Bluebell Woods. Shortly, before his book is published, he is found dead in mysterious circumstances, and the publishing house that was to print copies of this book, completely burnt down along with one of its proprietor. The case now takes a radical turn as DI Tanner is convinced that all of these incidents are related in one way to the Bluebell Woods. But he is unable to find any common threads to link them together.

DCI Tanner is in a race against time to find the killer and there are only two days before his wedding day. Christine and he had planned a honeymoon trip to Spain and unless the case is solved, his travel plans are deemed to be in jeopardy. As he embarks into the relentless pursuit of the killer, he is shocked at the revelation of the secrets in the Bluebell woods that ultimately led to the motives and crimes. Just when you gather your breath and collect your thoughts, there is a shocking twist that brings in a sense of unease and dread to the main plot.

Blake's descriptive writing style beautifully captures the essence of the Bluebell Wood setting, painting a vivid picture of its natural beauty and tranquility. Readers will feel like they are right there, wandering through the woods and experiencing the magic and wonder of this enchanting place.

The characters in "Bluebell Wood" are endearing and relatable, each with their unique quirks and flaws that make them feel like real people. Their journeys, struggles, and triumphs resonate with readers on a deep emotional level, drawing them into the story and keeping them invested in the outcome. The story has a sense of bland humor and sarcasm with DCI Tanner at its epicenter, making readers wonder if his character has changed over the ten installments in the series.

Overall, "Bluebell Wood" is a delightful read that is sure to tug at the heartstrings and leave readers with a sense of warmth and contentment. David Blake has crafted a touching and memorable story that reminds us of the beauty and magic that can be found in the simplest of moments.
Profile Image for Anthony Brooks.
252 reviews7 followers
September 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Gripping, Atmospheric Thriller – David Blake at His Best!






Blue Bell Wood by David Blake is another masterclass in crime writing, delivering everything fans of his Norfolk Broads series have come to love—moody landscapes, razor-sharp plotting, and characters that stay with you long after the final page.

The story opens with a haunting discovery in the serene yet unsettling setting of Blue Bell Wood, a place that Blake transforms from picturesque woodland into a backdrop steeped in menace and suspense. The contrast between natural beauty and chilling crime is one of the author’s trademarks, and it works brilliantly here.

DI Tanner and his team are once again tested to their limits, unraveling a case that is as complex emotionally as it is procedurally. Blake excels at blending police procedural detail with real human drama, and the tension builds steadily, each revelation pulling you deeper into the mystery. The pacing is spot on—never rushed, never dragging—just that perfect rhythm that keeps you turning pages late into the night.

What makes this book shine is the interplay of setting and character. The Norfolk Broads and surrounding countryside aren’t just locations; they’re characters in their own right, shaping the mood and reflecting the darkness of the crimes committed there. Tanner’s struggles, both professional and personal, add depth and relatability, grounding the narrative in human stakes.

If you’ve read Blake before, you’ll find Blue Bell Wood both familiar and refreshingly inventive. If you’re new to his work, this is an excellent entry point into his gritty, atmospheric storytelling.

David Blake once again proves why he’s one of the finest crime writers working today. Blue Bell Wood is chilling, immersive, and utterly unputdownable.

👉 Highly recommended for fans of tense, atmospheric crime fiction—this is five stars without hesitation!
Profile Image for Carol.
82 reviews2 followers
October 2, 2025
Although the storyline sounded interesting, this book failed to live up to expectations. The sentence structures frequently started with "ing" words or gerunds, a format that quickly became boring and repetitive. The language used was also repetitive and verbose, using a lot of unnecessary words and adjectives, frequent instances of tautology (looking at someone with "hostile belligerence", as an example), as well as what I found to be slightly whacky and unconventional descriptive phrases ("a conniving grin" or "a disgruntled rattlesnake", as two examples). Attempts at humour fell flat, the dialogue felt stilted, police personnel were depicted as either unintelligent or unhelpful, and there were simply no likeable or reglatable characters at all. I dislike giving negative reviews, particularly given how much time and effort has gone into writing a story, but I really, really struggled to finish this.
134 reviews1 follower
December 13, 2023
This is a little over 3 stars purely because the author stopped with the rather unpleasant and overbearing misogynistic Language in the previous book. However this time the author seemed quite determined to make the protagonist appear stupid.

It’s a shame as the plot is very good but a bit wasted when the main character has absolutely no control over his subordinates, they are rude to him, ignore him and completely fail to follow any orders. The officer also treated his own superior with the same disdain.

The one thing that really annoyed me though was the idea that a woman about to give birth could travel on a plane. The author clearly has no idea about airline rules about travelling , which was a shame, although I could see why it was important as it was needed to set up the next book.
41 reviews
April 27, 2025
Suspense

As usual, suspense was maintained.
This book needs a good sub-editor: there are a fair few typos needing correction.
Additionally, fact-checking is vital for verisimilitude. A medical examiner is different from a pathologist, as well as being a new profession, and different in function from an American medical examiner. In England you cannot get married ad hoc on a riverbank: it has to be in a building.licensed for that purpose; Church weddings can only take place in a church, and only in a parish where Banns have been published, and only conducted by a deacon or priest of that parish unless formal episcopal permission has been given. Also, we say, "I will" (not I do).
1 review
June 22, 2025
Did not enjoy this novel.
Any potential in the plot is destroyed by the author wanting to fill the pages with sarcastic remarks, trite comments and innuendo. Tanner is portrayed
as a thoughtless and incompetent leader with a team of flippant detectives who are lazy and more concerned with making arrogant, facetious comments just like Tanner.
The series has got steadily worse and this will be the last one we read.

Very poor.
It only deserves half a star...and that is for plot potential. Unfortunately the review does not allow for half stars.
79 reviews
March 24, 2024
PUNCTUATION APOCALYPSE

An otherwise entertaining book is marred with the most head-scratching, irritating punctuation and spelling errors imaginable. How can an editor be so cavalier with proofreading diligence? The occasional spelling error can be forgiven, but not when that same error occurs several times. As for semi-colons, the author or editor tor has never met any to his liking!
Profile Image for Angie Jones-Moore.
217 reviews7 followers
July 4, 2025
This series just keeps getting better.

The familiar faces and the complexity of their relationships keep growing, the writing make me feel as if I am part of the investigation as opposed to an observer.

Murder and intrigue as always with a missing dog, a wedding on the horizon and bodies turning up in an ever expanding web of the investigation.

Well written and a pleasure to read, kept me on my toes and I will look forward to the next one.
1 review
November 18, 2023
bluebell wood

I liked the story line but felt it dragged a little. However I did not put the book down until I had finished which means I really enjoyed it. ( I think dci Tanners fiancé has a lot of patience regarding his job. I can’t see many putting up with his work on her wedding day. ). I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
1,273 reviews
May 3, 2024
A really enjoyable read. A body found hanging from a tree in Bluebell Wood leads Tanner on a merry dance right up until the deadline of a special occasion. A few more dead bodies, a mugging and then also red herrings, all add up to a great story. Great humour, great characters and a great story make it a book worth reading for sure.
15 reviews
June 7, 2025
Imposter Author

This book & the characters seems unrelated to the original Norfolk Broads Murder Mystery books 1 through at least 5 more. I can only think it’s a different author!
The crisp writing style has disappeared. I understand Jenny’s death changed Tanner but he seems to have lost his knowledge & wherewithal of the former Met police officer seconded to Norfolk.
42 reviews
November 8, 2023
Blue bell Wood.

Exciting and intriguing story line.
I would recommend this series of books to my friends.
DCI Tanner certainly gets involved and lives to tell another day. Brilliant.
Profile Image for Mully.
81 reviews
November 9, 2023
Bluebell Wood

Loved the storyline and meeting up with Tanner, Christine and the gang. There were a few typos though, which surprised me.
The ending of the story was amazing and I never guessed who the killer was!
74 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2023
Great read

Another great mystery solved by DCI Tanner and his team who all seem to work well together even with all the sarcastic comments they say to each other. Can't wait to see the outcome of the honeymoon that Tanner and Christine eventually had
45 reviews
December 23, 2023
A Top British Realistic Mystery

Multiple murders, multiple suspects, surprise endings ,all handled by a typical local police force.

Real people who fight,don't like each other at times and then date. Oh yes some marry.

All I pull together to fight the crimes.
Profile Image for Jane Barrett.
10 reviews
February 26, 2024
Really disappointed. I’ve enjoyed the DI Tanner books up to now but this one has lost it’s way. Every character seems to have a flippant, sarcastic take on life and the dialogue felt like the author was trying too hard for laughs.
Profile Image for M R B Davis.
704 reviews5 followers
May 13, 2024
A tangled tale

Banners marriage is threatened by a series of deaths that appear to be linked to the Blue bell Wood. The mystery is solved but only after the perpetrator admits everything and then commits suicide. The log isn't found?
Profile Image for John Connolly.
Author 4 books2 followers
February 19, 2025
Another great book in this series. I’m still convinced John Tanner’s arrogance is going to be his demise one day. He really needs to cultivate and trust his team more and not insist on doing it all himself.
812 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2025
A good plot line with an intriguing story with plenty of red herrings .
Unfortunately I find Tanner quite unbelievable as a policeman and his ready and often used wit is getting more annoying book by book so this may be the last one for me .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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