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Yorkshire Detective Mystery #1

Murder on a Yorkshire Moor

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A mysterious death and a world of problems for a retired cop

On a walk up the moor near Ilkley in Yorkshire, ex-detective Henry Ward and his loyal terrier Tessa stumble across the body of a young man, who is clearly deceased.

Probing further, Henry decides that if the bag of drugs in his pocket is anything to go by, the lad has been up to no good.

Despite resistance from the officer in charge – curt ex-Met officer DI Kate Barnes who’d rather Henry kept out of her way – Henry pursues his own line of inquiry. So much for thinking he’d retire in a quiet countryside cottage and leave his troubled days as a DCI in Bradford behind.

But quickly Henry finds himself ahead of the local police. Yet old and tired, with a bad hip, and possibly terrible judgement, is he really cut out to track down a killer?

191 pages, Hardcover

First published February 6, 2023

358 people are currently reading
182 people want to read

About the author

Ric Brady

8 books20 followers
Ric Brady is a British crime writer known for infusing his novels with heavy doses of dark humour. Hailing from Yorkshire, his writing vividly captures the essence of northern England, a trait prominently featured in his 'The Yorkshire Detective Mystery Series'. This series centers around the character of former-DCI Henry Ward, bringing the mysteries of Yorkshire to life.

Published Works: 'The Yorkshire Detective Mystery Series':

1. 'Murder on a Yorkshire Moor'
2. 'Butcher on the Moor'
3. 'Missing on Ilkley Moor'
4. 'Detective on the Moor'

Published by The Book Folks, these novels have not only reached the top 100 in their genre on Amazon but have also cultivated a growing fan base.

Beyond novels, Ric has explored other creative avenues including theatre and interactive fiction, demonstrating his wide-ranging storytelling skills. Drawing inspiration from renowned authors like Ian Rankin, John Grisham, and Dean Koontz, Ric crafts books that blend suspenseful narratives with his distinct brand of humor.

Currently residing in France, Ric's storytelling continues to be influenced by his Yorkshire heritage, setting his captivating crime tales amidst its rich landscapes. When not immersed in writing, he teaches English and frequently returns to the UK to seek inspiration, savor Yorkshire tea, and brainstorm ideas for future works.

Learn More: To keep up with Ric Brady's ongoing writing journey and discover his upcoming projects, visit ricbradywrites.com.

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5 stars
433 (40%)
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392 (36%)
3 stars
183 (17%)
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46 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra Vdplaats.
588 reviews18 followers
August 23, 2023
When retired former DI Henry Ward goes for a walk with his dog Tessa, he finds a young man leaning against a wall at the end of a field. The young man is missing his right shoe and at first appears to have fallen asleep after a night out, but Henry soon discovers that something worse has happened. Thus begins the story that will turn Henry's quiet and somewhat lonely life upside down. He lives alone and has little contact with his adult children, and it is suggested that his career with the police has come to a somewhat questionable end.

He lives next door to the pub - and he is kept somewhat in check by the neighbour, Mrs Whitehead, who occasionally feeds him tasty scones and apple pie. I wish I had a neighbour like that!
The story is quite short and there is little time for good story building. I missed a more gradual plot building; fortunately, the author chose to focus more on Henry & Mrs Whitehead, which really saved the story. I enjoyed the banter between them and would love to see them come together again in another adventure.
Initially I was a little worried about whether Henry would survive this adventure, his health really leaves a lot to be desired. He has asthma, a new hip that is still bothering him and I get the impression that he is not taking very good care of himself.
Fortunately, there is Mrs Whitehead who keeps an eye on him and also redirects him a wee bit too when he does things that get in the way of police work.

I did find it unfortunate that Mrs Whitehead was not as present later in the story, Henry more or less exchanged her for young Nicolas. I actually liked the way the two oldies set out to find out the truth and fulfill their promise to William's mother.

A somewhat predictable story, the twist at the end made up for everything however, and I hadn’t seen that coming at all!.
I would have liked to see more descriptions of the setting (beautiful Yorkshire!- ), that would have made the story a bit more vivid; -if, as a writer you want to involve your readers in the story, it should be such that you as a reader want to be there yourself, you want to see where Henry lives, and you want to see for yourself how beautiful Addingham and its surroundings are!
Personally, I know how wonderful this part of Britain is, but unfortunately the author has failed to convey this love for this area to his readers.
I’d like to have seen less focus on, - in my view- , unnecessary details for more balance and pace of the story.

That said, I have Henry in my heart and would love to come to Addingham someday to enjoy a wee dram of whisky with him and watch the double-decker buses driving by.

*** 3+ stars. Recommended, looking forward to reading ‘Butcher on the Moor’- part 2 of this series, in which Henry must come to the rescue again.

Profile Image for Stacey .
661 reviews17 followers
October 15, 2024
I came across this book on my kindle when I was looking for a book with the prompt "A county in the title"; I think I picked it up as a freebie quite a while ago!

Although from the cover it doesn't seem like it, this felt like a cosy murder mystery to me with some gruesome and drugs thrown in! A retired cop stumbling across a dead body on the moors, with help from his neighbour to investigate, in a small village in Yorkshire.

I wouldn't say I loved any of the characters, however Henry did make me chuckle with his words and antics that he knew he shouldn't be doing! I'm a sucker for a dog too so I loved his dog the most 🙈

The storyline flowed well with a few twists here and there, although it did seem to drag at points and I found myself checking how much was left.

I think the book could have done with another roung of editing as there were quite a few spelling errors which annoyed me a little.

Overall, I did enjoy the setting and Henry's stubbornness to investigate so I will add the next story to my tbr - how long it takes me to get to it is another matter!

3.5⭐️ using CAWPILE
Profile Image for Donna Morfett.
Author 9 books71 followers
August 23, 2023
This is a lovely, light hearted fun read.
Retired DCI Harry finds a body on the Yorkshire Moors.
Initially the police decide there's no foul play until they go to move him. Harry always has his trusty dog by his side.
Harry decides he will try and investigate the murder and get ahead of the police. He's such a nice character people seem to warm to him and tell him things. He has quite a way with words that also makes it seem like they have no choice!
He upsets the new local copper who doesn't know him and his reputation, and the cloud he left the force under.
The story is quite twisty and the reveal relatively shocking and the last quarter is particularly gripping.
I would recommend.
Profile Image for karla_bookishlife.
1,093 reviews38 followers
August 30, 2023
A gripping, short crime mystery coming in at under 200 pages. From the moment ex- DCI Henry Ward comes across the body of a young man on the Yorkshire Moors, I was glued to the page. Despite having left the force for over a decade, Henry cannot help but follow the clues in a bid to bring closure to the family. Despite warnings not to interfere with the case, Henry always seems to be a step ahead of the detectives. With a multimillionaire drug dealer adversary with a string of corrupt officers at his disposal, finding the truth isn't easy, or safe. Henry proves that he is still a force to be reckoned with even in retirement. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Wendy.
643 reviews8 followers
May 18, 2024
A young man is murdered on a Yorkshire moor. His body is discovered by Henry Ward, a retired policeman. He works behind the scenes (staying out of the way of police!) to find out who murdered this boy. Profanity.
Profile Image for Andy Wormald.
449 reviews22 followers
September 15, 2023
This is the first in what promises to be an exciting new series, and I have to say outright, that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. In terms of the number of pages it is not a long read, but it more than packs a lot in, wonderfully plotted, with engaging and likeable characters, and not without a twist or surprise.

It reads more as a cosy crime novel and for me that was part of its charm, it features retired detective Henry Ward who when he finds the body of a young man, has a hankering to get back in the game and investigate for himself, somewhat at the annoyance of the police.

Henry is a really likeable endearing character, of a certain age which slows him down which befits the pace of the book, sharp of mind, you can take to him instantly and whilst he may appear to someone trying to meddle, his heart is in the right place and crucially he is does not stray outside the realms of the law, for me that worked in giving the story credence. He is able supported by neighbour and parish counsellor Mrs Whitehead, the way they are both written you can form a mental image. I look forward to seeing how they develop in future books. For me all the characters within the book are written and presented in a way that gives them an air of believeability. The location of the book also played its part in adding a degree of atmosphere to the book, set in West Yorkshire.

I found the book wonderfully plotted and executed with aplomb on the page, it is a tight plot where everything is knitted together in a way that you keeps guessing and turning the pages as things are slowly revealed. The story is written in a way that allows the action to flow on the page.

It is a read which twists and turns and as you read on has surprises in store that I hadn’t seen coming, the ending is both satsyfying but also leaves you wondering

Overall for me this was an engaging read that kept me hooked and entertained from first to last, a read that will appeal to any crime fiction fan and one I would recommend, I for one am definitely looking forward to reading more of the exploits of Henry Ward
1,260 reviews12 followers
March 13, 2023
This is an endearing light read - Henry Ward is a retired detective, happily seeing out his days in Yorkshire. He's on a walk with his dog Tessa and stumbles over the body of a young man. This sets in train as series of events, as he promises the boy's mother he will try to find out who killed her son, but the local team really don't want an old fogey like him interfering.

However, his efforts start to produce more results than the local detectives, as he uncovers shady dealings involving drugs. But not all policemen are honest, and he will need to keep an eye for any crooked ones determined to stop him finding out and bringing the guilty to justice. Henry struggles with an aging body that won't allow him to be as nimble or quick as once he was (although at 69 he shouldn't be quite as decrepit as portrayed!) but his mind is sharp and he's a wealth of experience to bring into play.

Its a good read, and I'd like to see more in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Folks for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Anne.
Author 1 book8 followers
April 11, 2023
This nearly hit the abandoned reading shelf, but I stuck with it to the end. I can't say as I enjoyed it though.
332 reviews6 followers
November 1, 2023
🤗Murder on a Yorkshire Moor by Ric BradyWhat a delightful read! The perfect cozy mystery. You know the one – set in Yorkshire, a grumpy retired DCI with a delightful older neighbor who checks in on him with tea and scones – and oh yes – there’s a murder of course – and the grumpy retired DCI finds the victim – in the middle of a Yorkshire moor.

Author Ric Brady has created a delightful character in Henry Ward – retired from the police force for 10 years. He has many aches and pains and lives with his dog. He left the force under questionable circumstances but must have been pretty good because he retired with full benefits and lots of friends still in high places.

💫So – brief synopsis💫

⁉️Henry Ward finds a young man dead and left in the middle of the moors. Who is he and why is he dead? Where is his phone? Why is there a dead sheep (also killed) nearby?

We have a cast of characters from a rigid police detective who tells Ward to stay out of the investigation (of course he doesn’t), his lovely neighbor who is helping him, and a bunch of potential suspects that includes the victim’s friends, work mates, and drug dealers.

🍻Throw in the requisite pubs, rugby players and more and you have a story that makes you think of those fabulous mystery shows on PBS Masterpiece (“Inspector Morse, Endeavor, Grantchester)…that’s the feeling.

❤️I just loved it! Great writing with humor and great fun! Also a twist!

🤗Thank you @the_book_folks and Ric Brady for including me on this tour!

I will definitely read the second, BUTCHER ON THE MOOR, and the third, MISSING ON ILKLEY MOOR, in this series – both out now!
Profile Image for Annie (is so far behind 😬).
413 reviews11 followers
June 28, 2023
A solid (ex) police procedural set in beautiful Yorkshire, although slightly on the short/light side as far as depth goes. It’s barely over 3 hours in length, making it an easy afternoon read.

Enjoyable cast of characters starting with retired DCI Henry Ward who finds himself pulled into the murder of a young man whose body he found while out walking his terrier Tessa on the moors. There are some wispy grey clouds of suspicion hovering over him and his reasons for retirement, but no evidence of wrongdoing, and he has taken himself away from Bradford to the village of Addingham to live quietly with his advancing age and health issues (asthma and a bad hip).

The story itself is good, reasonably complex, if not especially ‘meaty’ and descriptive. The author is apparently also a playwright and I think that’s what comes through here, well thought out, a good plot, but just not as in depth and detailed as a standard police procedural.

Regardless, I really enjoyed this and it’s actually a pleasure to have a slightly shorter book to concentrate on. It’s definitely going on my TBR pile and I’ll be buying the rest in the series. Recommended for those who like police procedurals, but with a light cosy edge to them.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.
1,630 reviews
Read
September 22, 2023
A mysterious death and a world of problems for a retired cop...

On a walk up the moor near Ilkley in Yorkshire, ex-detective Henry Ward and his loyal terrier Tessa stumble across the body of a young man, who is clearly deceased.

Probing further, Henry decides that if the bag of drugs in his pocket is anything to go by, the lad has been up to no good.

Despite resistance from the officer in charge – curt ex-Met officer DI Kate Barnes who’d rather Henry kept out of her way – Henry pursues his own line of inquiry. So much for thinking he’d retire in a quiet countryside cottage and leave his troubled days as a DCI in Bradford behind.

But quickly Henry finds himself ahead of the local police. Yet old and tired, with a bad hip, and possibly terrible judgement, is he really cut out to track down a killer?

MURDER ON A YORKSHIRE MOOR is the first in a series of detective mysteries by Ric Brady. Be sure to also get yourself the second, BUTCHER ON THE MOOR, and the third, MISSING ON ILKLEY MOOR.


Simplistic. Won't read more of author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Janet.
5,177 reviews64 followers
November 23, 2025
On a walk up the moor near Ilkley in Yorkshire, ex-detective Henry Ward and his loyal terrier Tessa stumble across the body of a young man, who is clearly deceased. Probing further, Henry decides that if the bag of drugs in his pocket is anything to go by, the lad has been up to no good. Despite resistance from the officer in charge – curt ex-Met officer DI Kate Barnes who’d rather Henry kept out of her way – Henry pursues his own line of inquiry. So much for thinking he’d retire in a quiet countryside cottage and leave his troubled days as a DCI in Bradford behind.
The first in the series & the first book I’ve read by the author. A fairly quick read but it set the scene for the series. I liked Harry & his neighbour Mrs Whitehead his neighbour. I felt the murder mystery was secondary to the characters. There were some twists & turns & the pace gradually increased & I read it in two sittings
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Profile Image for Danielle.
232 reviews13 followers
August 27, 2023
This was an entertaining, quick read that had me flying through the pages to see what Henry would find out next! Brady has crafted a well-plotted crime story set in a great location with a good mix of characters and excellent twists.

I found Henry such an endearing character, he’s a retired ex-detective who can usually be found with his dog Tessie by his side. We see hints that he didn’t leave the force on his own terms, and when he stumbles across a dead body old habits are hard to kick – he feels compelled to help and find out what happened.

I enjoyed following Henry’s investigations as he sets out to solve the murder on his own. He finds key pieces of evidence, tracks down important witnesses and starts to piece events together. Amidst the deceit and corruption Henry uncovers more than he bargained for!

This is a wonderful mystery to curl up with and the start of what promises to be a good series. With its quintessentially English charm it’s a lovely way to spend a cosy afternoon. I’m curious to see what’s next for Henry!

With thanks to @thebookfolks for a place on the Tour and my gifted copy.

Profile Image for EmmaReadsCrime.
436 reviews64 followers
May 14, 2023
While out on a walk with his dog, retired DCI Henry Ward comes across the dead body of a young man. He’s starts to investigate the murder as a request of the deceased’s mother, much to the annoyance of DI Barnes who is leading the case.

I actually grew up in Yorkshire so it was so refreshing to read a book based there. The author is actually the son of one of my Mum’s friends so she asked me to read it. Her instructions were to not post anything on social media if it was rubbish, but it was far from it! It was also only 99p on kindle which was a bargain.

The book is shorter than the average book which resulted in me flying through the story. It had excellent twists at the end. I will definitely be purchasing book 2 as it left me wanting more!
Profile Image for Nisha Mathias castelino.
113 reviews
August 27, 2023
Henry Ward is a retired police officer who stumbles on the body of a young boy William while walking his dog Tessa up the moor. He starts an investigation on his own after meeting with William's mother which starts a chain of events.

Murder on the Yorkshire Moor is a first in the series of detective mysteries by Ric Brady. I liked Henry's thought process and approach to solve William's murder ahead of the police. It is just the right length with enough twists to keep you engaged. A fast paced cosy mystery that was a palette cleanser from some of the dark psychological thrillers I was reading earlier.

Thank you Book Folks for sending me a digital copy to read and review.
Profile Image for Kelly.
2,473 reviews118 followers
August 22, 2023
I received a copy of this for free, to review as part of a book tour with The Book Folks.

This was a satisfying murder mystery. I thought it was a very nice length, just enough to fill up an hour or two. It had a sort of simplicity and relatability that meant it felt quite cosy and comforting to read. I was interested in the characters, even if I didn't find them all particularly likeable. If this is going to be part of a series, I would probably be interested in reading the others.

Thank you to The Book Folks, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,673 reviews12 followers
August 28, 2023
The Yorkshire Moors - the perfect setting for a crime thriller; they're so vast and seemingly endless and I can the atmosphere to be quite isolating.

This was my first foray into reading a book by Brady and it won't be my last. What the short story lacks in pages it certainly makes up for it in content; the plot is compelling, has some great, unexpected twists, and a wonderful cast of characters. Henry's brilliant isn't he?

Murder on a Yorkshire Moor is an entertaining and enjoyable read that I would recommend.
Profile Image for Vikkie.
520 reviews35 followers
August 28, 2023
Retired Henry goes on what should be a routine dog walk. Then he comes across a young man, missing a shoe who he initially thinks has fallen asleep.

I loved Henry, his banter and relationship with Mrs Whitehead have made this a fun read. This is shorter than I usually prefer, so I didn’t feel as though I was as stuck into this one.

However, this is well written and original. I felt as though I was watching events play out in front of me as I’ve read this one.

This was a quick and easy read which I devoured in just one sitting. I would definitely read more by this author.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Sarah W.
1,008 reviews33 followers
August 23, 2023
I liked at this was a shorter read and involved a retired detective. Henry knew police procedure, so he knew the things to look out for and questions to ask when he decides to involve himself in the investigation. I loved how Henry’s internal monologue explained the information he received. It made the case easy to follow and what his next steps were going to be. I feel like this book focused more on the plot that character building (which is fine with me). Even though this is the first in a series, something happened in Henry’s past that I felt we only got small pieces of. Other than Henry working his way on the case the whole thing seemed pretty realistic even with the small twists. I’d read the next in the series.

Thank you @the_book_folks for the gifted copy.
133 reviews
April 8, 2024
⭐️ - awful, probably DNF
⭐️⭐️- didn’t like but not terrible, actually finished it
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - it was ok, passed the time
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - good story, good writing, entertaining, just not great
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - great, could not put it down, excellent writing and story

As noted, it passed the time. In many ways just ordinary. Nothing to make it stand out in any way. But not bad either. I’ll pass on this author, as I have 40+ more books on my kindle.
Profile Image for Kathy.
3,873 reviews290 followers
May 23, 2024
Tried out a new author and enjoyed the book. A retired detective gets involved in fighting crime even though warned off by the local police. This challenge was sometimes awkward, sometimes amusing, but he eventually won me over. Initially I had thoughts of setting book aside, but it gained momentum. Looks like there are 5 books in this Yorkshire offering. I should be back before long.

Kindle Unlimited
476 reviews7 followers
February 10, 2025
First of a great series

I have read other books of this series and can confirm the series is great. Good character development, likable and professional. The thriller/mystery stories are top notched and hard to put down. The stories have a unique plot as based on other detective tales. Each story is entertaining and a delightful read.

I trust you will be as pleased with reading the Yorkshire detective series as I
Profile Image for Lee Brothers.
1,371 reviews14 followers
November 17, 2025
First book of a new series. You never know how your characters are going to act in that first book. I was so happy to read that Henry was it gonna be a goofball or stupid but be a real retired detective. Smart and intelligent. The storyline is great. I love it. Definitely a mystery and I like to try and solve those too. I like it that the author gave several different avenues for solving the plot. He also did very well in the reveal. I am looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews165 followers
March 31, 2023
This is a solid mystery that kept me guessing and turning pages. The first in a series, it features a likeable ex detective.
The setting is lovely, the characters fleshed out, and I enjoyed it.
Can't wait to read the next one.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Profile Image for Timstandish.
62 reviews
July 9, 2023
Slow pacing

Really wanted to like this book. Has a main character about age . Grumpy, bored and constantly walking his dog. But it was so slow moving for over half the book. Almost gave up three times. The only reason it doesn't have just a two star rating from me because of the final thirty pages.
321 reviews2 followers
September 29, 2023
I enjoyed Henry's sleuthing in an area near where I live. I thought Henry and Mrs Whitehead were lovely characters and I enjoyed the unusual angle of a retired policeman solving a case.It was an easy short read with quite a few twists and no unnecessary packing. I look forward to more escapades with Henry and Mrs Whitehead.
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,621 reviews8 followers
March 5, 2025
Ach! the embarrassment of old age….

A many years retired DCI stumbles across a dead body as he walks his pup on the moors.

Obviously a homicide victim, the puzzle of the young man’s death piques his curiosity, and the game’s afoot, albeit hampered by a bad hip, asthma and blood pressure.
88 reviews
June 10, 2023
This was a first novel of a series. The following books may flesh out the characters more effectively. I neither liked, or disliked the cast of characters. The story line was somewhat rushed. Three stars because I did stick with it til the end, it didn’t end up in the “abandoned” file.
Profile Image for Candy Denman.
Author 12 books37 followers
August 22, 2023
I really loved Henry, a retired detective. he was endearingly grumpy and managed to teach the youngsters how to solve a crime in this cosy mystery set on the Yorkshire Moors. I enjoyed it so much, I bought the next in the series as soon as I had finished this one!
Profile Image for June Richland.
121 reviews
November 6, 2023
A slow steady read rather than a page turner. Got a bit confused at the rapid conclusion. Not sure why the author had his main character (an old retired Yorkshireman) say "gotten" repeatedly. Its American slang. Found it rather annoying. (I'm an old retired Yorkshirewoman!)
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