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DS Glyn Capaldi Mystery #2
Dead People
DS Glyn Capaldi, half Welsh, half Italian, all maverick, returns in the CWA shortlisted series blowing fresh life into crime fiction
DS Glyn Capaldi, exiled to the big empty middle of Wales to atone for past sins in Cardiff, is called in to investigate a human skeleton that has been uncovered during the excavations for a wind farm in a remote valley. The body is missing its head and its hands. Identity erasure or a ritual killing? Glyn's assertion that there must be a local connection is overruled by his superiors, They believe that the body has been transported and dumped, a theory that gains support when additional bodies start to pile up. But Capaldi is unconvinced, and sets out to prove that there is someone within the local community capable of achieving the levels of cold and manipulative brutality that have been demonstrated.
DS Glyn Capaldi, exiled to the big empty middle of Wales to atone for past sins in Cardiff, is called in to investigate a human skeleton that has been uncovered during the excavations for a wind farm in a remote valley. The body is missing its head and its hands. Identity erasure or a ritual killing? Glyn's assertion that there must be a local connection is overruled by his superiors, They believe that the body has been transported and dumped, a theory that gains support when additional bodies start to pile up. But Capaldi is unconvinced, and sets out to prove that there is someone within the local community capable of achieving the levels of cold and manipulative brutality that have been demonstrated.
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Ewart Hutton
4 books27 followersEwart Hutton was born and raised in and around Glasgow before slipping south to university in Manchester, and then on to diverse occupations in London. He has won numerous awards and prizes for his radio plays which have been produced for BBC Radio 4, RTE, and Radio Clyde. His stage play The Making of Forfar Athletic's Austrian Supporters Club won the joint Traverse Theatre and Scottish Television Enterprise's Comedy Play Competition, and his play Letters from Ezra was a joint winner of the Croydon Warehouse Theatre's International Playwriting Festival. He now lives on the Welsh Marches with his wife Annie. Good People is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 24, 2025
This was a difficult book to find its focus. It starts with Detective Sargeant Glyn Capaldi being assigned to rural Wales investigating throw-away cases of missing items. Until he is called to a construction site where a body is discovered. And, then another. Could a serial killer be in the area?
And yet, his superiors want him off the case? But, he still seems set in solving it. The central plot seems complicated and convoluted, but eventually finds its way to a satisfying conclusion at the end. But was it satisfying reading getting to the end? Not exactly for this reader. But maybe you will feel differently?
And yet, his superiors want him off the case? But, he still seems set in solving it. The central plot seems complicated and convoluted, but eventually finds its way to a satisfying conclusion at the end. But was it satisfying reading getting to the end? Not exactly for this reader. But maybe you will feel differently?
March 9, 2015
Detective Sergeant Glyn Capaldi is half Welsh and half Italian and all in trouble with his superiors most of the time. He is also a very likable guy which keeps you hoping he will be right in his hunches.
Construction of a wind farm has come to a sudden halt when a body is found and an archaeological dig begins to determine the history of the site. But when another body is found and then a relatively new burial, Capaldi begins to wonder about a serial killer or ritual killings.
Throw into the mix a hermit who lives in a nearby shack, a couple of women running a high-end antique shop in the middle of nowhere and a few other characters and Capaldi has his hands full.
When the answer is finally found, you wonder why you didn't see it all along.
Except for the end of the book where it gets serious, there is a lot of humor in the writing by Hutton which makes it not only a good story, but fun to read.
Construction of a wind farm has come to a sudden halt when a body is found and an archaeological dig begins to determine the history of the site. But when another body is found and then a relatively new burial, Capaldi begins to wonder about a serial killer or ritual killings.
Throw into the mix a hermit who lives in a nearby shack, a couple of women running a high-end antique shop in the middle of nowhere and a few other characters and Capaldi has his hands full.
When the answer is finally found, you wonder why you didn't see it all along.
Except for the end of the book where it gets serious, there is a lot of humor in the writing by Hutton which makes it not only a good story, but fun to read.
February 14, 2024
Decent murder mystery, a bit messy at times but I liked the voice of the main character. Every character seemed individual and there were quite a few twists of events I wasn’t expecting.
March 11, 2024
I drove through the Welsh setting of this book on my way to St. David's and that puts the dead bodies found in this book in a whole new light! More animals than people in Dinas! :) Detective Sergeant Glyn Capaldi is a half-Italian from Cardiff who has been exiled to remote Wales because according to his superiors, he fucked up. Now he's an outsider trying to solve a case and stonewalled at every turn. Decapitated skeletons have turned up at a new wind farm that is being built, but then the body of a local girl appears in the same area, too. Dinas is a close-knit community so everyone knows everyone AND all the gossip. Capaldi solves the case, despite the idiots who are his superiors, of course.
Loved how a key point of the case is that someone else had listened to his voice mail messages, and he knew that because the light on the machine wasn't blinking. That's a plot line that can't happen anymore! :)
Loved how a key point of the case is that someone else had listened to his voice mail messages, and he knew that because the light on the machine wasn't blinking. That's a plot line that can't happen anymore! :)
September 6, 2021
never heard of this author before but saw it in a charity shop and thought it sounded good. glad I got it was great storyline with good twists. Read it in a day. Will definately be getting the other 2 books in this set.
December 31, 2017
I liked that this story took place in Wales. Otherwise, I didn't find anything special about the book.
Read
December 30, 2022Enjoyed
October 17, 2015
Detective Sergeant Glyn Capaldi has been exiled to rural Wales, where his top case seems to be finding a man who is castrating sheep. While brooding on his banishment, he is surprised when a body is found buried in the hillside near a newly constructed wind farm. In short order, two more bodies are found in the same hill and all are missing their heads and hands, making identification impossible. Unhappily for Capaldi, a former colleague who is now the “boss” arrives to take control (and credit) when yet another body is found nearby, this time a younger and more recently interred body.
As clues are gathered, all signs suggest a local eccentric, and Capaldi’s nemesis moves the investigation to another city where connections seem to lead. Capaldi is left in charge of clearing up some local questions, which suits him just fine since he believes the distant trail is one set to derail the police while the real story is local. Much happens as he makes inquires; a female archaeologist has Glyn in a romantic tizzy and two married couples running an upscale antiques barn throw a number of wrenches into the works.
Glyn Capaldi is an interestingly developed character, strong enough to make choices that anger his bosses while at the same time evidencing a lack of confidence with women. As he deals with his past disgrace and his new subordinate role to a power hungry previous colleague, he has both internal and external struggles about how to portray his situation. Hutton does a terrific job of letting the reader meet Capaldi with all his flaws and inconsistencies intact. Capaldi is not the only fully realized character; even the relatively minor characters are nuanced.
And while I’ve never been to Wales, I felt as though I had been after reading this book. The descriptive language reminded me of Ann Cleeve’s Shetland series, though the location seems less cold and more wet. It’s a beautiful thing when an author can transport the reader to a new location, and Hutton did an exceptionally fine job of that.
Throughout the book, Capaldi takes his investigation in a direction very different from that of the police establishment. Until the end, I was never quite sure whether he was on the right track or if he was seeing misdirection where there was none. This kept me on my toes and had me constantly questioning the clues he uncovered. Capaldi was trying to second guess the murderer, and I found myself attempting to second guess Capaldi as well. This provided a great deal of tension in the book, making it intensely engaging.
This is the second of the Glyn Capaldi series. I’ve already got the first on order, and happily the third will be published soon.
This review first appeared at www.reviewingtheevidence.com.
As clues are gathered, all signs suggest a local eccentric, and Capaldi’s nemesis moves the investigation to another city where connections seem to lead. Capaldi is left in charge of clearing up some local questions, which suits him just fine since he believes the distant trail is one set to derail the police while the real story is local. Much happens as he makes inquires; a female archaeologist has Glyn in a romantic tizzy and two married couples running an upscale antiques barn throw a number of wrenches into the works.
Glyn Capaldi is an interestingly developed character, strong enough to make choices that anger his bosses while at the same time evidencing a lack of confidence with women. As he deals with his past disgrace and his new subordinate role to a power hungry previous colleague, he has both internal and external struggles about how to portray his situation. Hutton does a terrific job of letting the reader meet Capaldi with all his flaws and inconsistencies intact. Capaldi is not the only fully realized character; even the relatively minor characters are nuanced.
And while I’ve never been to Wales, I felt as though I had been after reading this book. The descriptive language reminded me of Ann Cleeve’s Shetland series, though the location seems less cold and more wet. It’s a beautiful thing when an author can transport the reader to a new location, and Hutton did an exceptionally fine job of that.
Throughout the book, Capaldi takes his investigation in a direction very different from that of the police establishment. Until the end, I was never quite sure whether he was on the right track or if he was seeing misdirection where there was none. This kept me on my toes and had me constantly questioning the clues he uncovered. Capaldi was trying to second guess the murderer, and I found myself attempting to second guess Capaldi as well. This provided a great deal of tension in the book, making it intensely engaging.
This is the second of the Glyn Capaldi series. I’ve already got the first on order, and happily the third will be published soon.
This review first appeared at www.reviewingtheevidence.com.
January 12, 2016
Second book in a new series that I am liking overall, although it runs a bit towards the macabre and therefore pushes the boundaries of realism a bit. I'm not quite sure what I mean by that, but I think I personally enjoy a story that revolves around more banal crimes, whereas this series seems intent on proving that a backwards area of "Pig Wales" can serve as the setting for increasingly interesting and elaborate schemes. Regardless, the characters are well-written, the pacing is near perfect, the narrator appropriately self-deprecating (though inclined a little too much to statements of regretful -- and regrettable -- foreshadowing of the "if only I'd known what was coming next" variety), and the setting just unfamiliar enough to be considered alien and exotic. (I have visited Wales. My memory of it is being in a major hotel chain and not being able to drink the water from the taps as it wasn't safe.)
This series is similar to Stephen Booth's with its wild rural setting, but in contrast to the local policeman making friends with the outsider policewoman from the big city, here Glyn Capaldi, the big city policeman with the Italian name, has no local allies and very few friends -- an outsider in every sense of the word -- which puts a different dynamic on his crime solving. In these books being local is a liability that puts blinders on one's imagination and therefore one's investigative ability. Glyn regularly finds his way around obstacles others can't see (or won't acknowledge) and pokes his nose where the locals won't go. It can be wearying to read at times, when he is constantly trying to outwit his fellow investigators as well as local criminals, but it is never boring, and that, to me, is one of the highest recommendations I can give!
This series is similar to Stephen Booth's with its wild rural setting, but in contrast to the local policeman making friends with the outsider policewoman from the big city, here Glyn Capaldi, the big city policeman with the Italian name, has no local allies and very few friends -- an outsider in every sense of the word -- which puts a different dynamic on his crime solving. In these books being local is a liability that puts blinders on one's imagination and therefore one's investigative ability. Glyn regularly finds his way around obstacles others can't see (or won't acknowledge) and pokes his nose where the locals won't go. It can be wearying to read at times, when he is constantly trying to outwit his fellow investigators as well as local criminals, but it is never boring, and that, to me, is one of the highest recommendations I can give!
May 19, 2024
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Dead People is the second Glyn Capaldi mystery from Ewart Hutton. Set in the barren Welsh countryside, Capaldi is, this time, invited to help with a strange case. As in Good People, the mystery begins right away and continues without letup.
A body has been found at the Cwm Cesty Nant wind farm construction site. Identification is difficult without a head or hands, but it is recent. Nearby, an archeological dig has discovered a mummified Scot and both sites are being investigated. Capaldi is certain there is a local connection, but the force contends they were killed elsewhere and dumped. Two other bodies are soon uncovered and attention is directed to the local crazy man and his cabin in the woods.
Yes, directed - but by whom and why?
From the local youth rehabilitation farm to the upscale Barn Gallery owners, Capaldi keeps digging until the story of these historical and recent murders comes to light.
This series entry was slightly lighter, but just as complex. 'That's quite a shock for Dinas' someone comments - forgetting what the case in Good People revealed about the town of Dinas - so dark and nasty, yet surprisingly water under the bridge. Glyn has the chance at an affair, and his good friend Mac comes on the scene. That makes four people total that like Capaldi, everyone else barely tolerates him. The tension is continuous, and again, ripping off the veneer of local respectability reveals several nests of vipers.
These are solid detection novels starring a unique and (to the reader) likeable maverick. The next in the series is Wild People, and I won't hesitate. Solid.
Dead People is the second Glyn Capaldi mystery from Ewart Hutton. Set in the barren Welsh countryside, Capaldi is, this time, invited to help with a strange case. As in Good People, the mystery begins right away and continues without letup.
A body has been found at the Cwm Cesty Nant wind farm construction site. Identification is difficult without a head or hands, but it is recent. Nearby, an archeological dig has discovered a mummified Scot and both sites are being investigated. Capaldi is certain there is a local connection, but the force contends they were killed elsewhere and dumped. Two other bodies are soon uncovered and attention is directed to the local crazy man and his cabin in the woods.
Yes, directed - but by whom and why?
From the local youth rehabilitation farm to the upscale Barn Gallery owners, Capaldi keeps digging until the story of these historical and recent murders comes to light.
This series entry was slightly lighter, but just as complex. 'That's quite a shock for Dinas' someone comments - forgetting what the case in Good People revealed about the town of Dinas - so dark and nasty, yet surprisingly water under the bridge. Glyn has the chance at an affair, and his good friend Mac comes on the scene. That makes four people total that like Capaldi, everyone else barely tolerates him. The tension is continuous, and again, ripping off the veneer of local respectability reveals several nests of vipers.
These are solid detection novels starring a unique and (to the reader) likeable maverick. The next in the series is Wild People, and I won't hesitate. Solid.
February 11, 2015
This was an excellent library sale find and became my snuggle up companion during this 2-day northeast snow storm. The writing is top shelf. The personalities become visible. The dialogue in the Welch/Scottish brogue heard ringing in my ears as the story unfolds in a little town of Dinas in rural Wales. The story lives up to it's title as there are many dead people turning up as DC Glyn Capaldi conducts his investigation into the first discovery. Capaldi's superiors assume it's either a hit squad or a serial killer and they have unearth his dumping ground. Capaldi is not convinced. His job to identify the skeletal remains comes as a greater challenge, body parts are missing you see .
Most times we are taken into the mind of the killer. Hutton has chosen to show us the thought process of Capaldi as he juggles the pieces of a complex puzzle to catch a killer who seems to be manipulating the investigation. Every lead seems to be stonewalled. Who had motive? Why is there such a time gap between the murders?. And why this location for burial? You'll have to read the book to find out. But don't wait for a snowy night, this is a good one whatever the weather.
Most times we are taken into the mind of the killer. Hutton has chosen to show us the thought process of Capaldi as he juggles the pieces of a complex puzzle to catch a killer who seems to be manipulating the investigation. Every lead seems to be stonewalled. Who had motive? Why is there such a time gap between the murders?. And why this location for burial? You'll have to read the book to find out. But don't wait for a snowy night, this is a good one whatever the weather.
April 25, 2014
Inspector Glyn Capaldi, banished to the wilds of Wales for irritating his superiors, once again finds himself engaged in a mess of crimes - and irritating his superiors further. However, his instincts lead him down some entertaining paths and eventually lead to solving the death of a young woman who definitely trusted the wrong person. Along the way we find a number of skeletons both real and fake, archaelologists, retired soldiers from the Irish troubles, resentful local police, stuck up Londoners who are trying to run an upscale antique shop in the wilds of Wales and many other complicating factors.
Entertaining, as was the first book in the series, and promising more adventures of the unlucky Inspector Capaldi.
Entertaining, as was the first book in the series, and promising more adventures of the unlucky Inspector Capaldi.
December 23, 2013
3 1/2 stars. I don't think the author quite has his main character figured out yet, but this book was better than book 1, so I'm hopeful. An odd thing that he does is a sum-up, an epilogue, where he ties up the loose ends. I'd rather have those in the story or not at all. It feels a bit strange in this kind of book. I quite like some of the supporting cast, though, so I look forward to where this series will go.
June 12, 2014
There is a lot of misdirection in this murder mystery, some of it intentional for the reader, but much of it intended to lead the entire cast in circles. The case is a complicated one, at times hard to follow, but comes together for a clever solution. A solid effort with an engaging central character. Read our full review, here: http://www.mysteriousreviews.com/myst...
March 5, 2016
The second DS Glyn Capaldi novel brings more crime into the wilds of Wales. The author gets around the low crime rate with historical murder, as he did in the previous novel. This was twisty and turny, with such great character dynamics, and a grim sense of humour that is truly compelling.
The ending was satisfying, and I didn't see it coming. And those last lines - I think I'd better buy the next one.
(Very well read by Iestyn Arwel - he really brought the book to life)
The ending was satisfying, and I didn't see it coming. And those last lines - I think I'd better buy the next one.
(Very well read by Iestyn Arwel - he really brought the book to life)
October 17, 2017
This is the first book I've read by this author and it was pretty good. The story was well formed and very interesting. I do have to say that the author did wrap up the loose ends of the book very quickly, in just a few paragraphs. I feel like he could at least have dedicated an entire chapter to the events after the climax of the book. Other than that I found the book enjoyable and will read more from him.
June 11, 2025
DS Glyn Capaldi is a nice guy. He is of course misunderstood or is it (rigid?) and I like him well enough to ignore the flaws in this, the second book in the series. He is not convinced that the approach they follow is the right one, and goes sniffing around in the village. It's a clever story and DS Capaldi is very easy to root for, he definitely is the good guy in this book. Yaay!
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
May 19, 2014
A gritty graphic thriller, maverick cop, small community in Wales. I couldn't figure out the killer until the cop did. Lots of twists and turns. A new author for me. I would read another of his books..
June 3, 2014
I liked it! Just the right combination of mystery, blundering, incompetent bosses with over-sized egos, and a delightful village of characters! I be looking for Hutton's previous book, Good People.,
August 14, 2014
A headless and handless body is found on a site in a remote part of Wales; two others turn up in the same area. After some false leads, the killer is found. This was a fairly boring read, despite some plot twists, and the resolution of the case was not very credible.
September 22, 2014
2nd in what seems to be a growing mystery series, this was interesting enough that I would look for the first one. takes place in Wales. detective seems to be always and unfairly in trouble with his superiors, who are, of course, not superior in detecting ability
October 3, 2014
I couldn't get into this book it was slow and not a whole lot of action. The best chapters were the last two. If you like James Patterson book then I DON'T recommend this book. It will bore you to death while you wait for something to happen.
February 26, 2015
Despite almost improbable and convoluted plot twists, this is a really good crime novel. DS Capaldi is a really engaging character, a lovable police outsider who comes up trumps in the end. If you are a fan of Stuart Macbride then read this - you will enjoy it.
March 13, 2013
Liked this follow up to 'Good People', love Glyn Capaldi, look forward to more books on him.
April 22, 2014
A collection of bodies are found buried on the site being dug up for a wind farm. Capaldi is called on to investigate. The second brilliant novel featuring the Italian/Welsh cop.
will-not-read
June 17, 2014I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12733464
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12733464
September 14, 2014
I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of George Gently on BBC you will enjoy this book.
April 16, 2017
The second book I've read from this new author and series. I've enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews