Happy Camp: Discipline, Godliness, Fun:

DCI Finnegan Yorkshire Crime #7

by Ely North

Discipline, Godliness, Fun!
Welcome to Happy Camp…When a picturesque market town is shaken by a gruesome murder, DI Kumar and DS Stoker find themselves at the centre of a chilling case, facing two unsettling is a deranged psychopath on the loose, or is a twisted mind seeking retribution?

The discovery of another lifeless victim bearing the same macabre signature confirms a serial killer is stalking the streets with impunity.

Under the unwavering leadership of DCI Finnegan, the investigation exposes a dark history of abuse, hidden behind a veneer of respectability. As they painstakingly build a profile of the murderer, a startling twist questions everything they assumed.

Has the killer led them on a merry dance, whilst hiding in plain sight?

Set against North Yorkshire’s captivating landscapes and timeless fishing villages, Happy Camp is not just a case to solve; it’s an expose of how the shadows of yesteryear inevitably creep into the future.

Happy Camp is the seventh instalment in the acclaimed DCI Finnegan Yorkshire Crime Thriller series.

Unleash your inner detective and plunge into a captivating tale of suspense and intrigue today.

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2024

About the author

Ely North writes British crime fiction the way his detectives drink—steadily, seriously, and with the occasional lapse in judgement.

He is the author of the DCI Finnegan Yorkshire Crime Thrillers and the DI Prisha Kumar Yorkshire Cold Case Mysteries, fast-paced police procedurals set in Whitby and across North Yorkshire. His books have amassed tens of millions of pages read on Kindle Unlimited, with readers across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Europe and beyond.

Ely writes about Whitby because it is the most beautiful and atmospheric place he knows—and he has never trusted anywhere that pretty.

At the centre of the DCI Finnegan series is Frank Finnegan—old, old-school, and not remotely bothered about either. Raised on The Sweeney and seventies cop shows, he still thinks Regan and Carter had the right idea about most things. Finnegan doesn't have much time for procedure, feelings or technology. He'd rather get on with the bit that matters—catching the bastards.

The setting matters almost as much as the murders. Whitby brings the harbour, the abbey, the 199 Steps, sea fret rolling in off the North Sea, cobbled streets, narrow alleys and hidden-away yards. Bodies are supplied courtesy of Ely. Readers have been known to follow the investigations on Google Maps, and a few have even booked holidays inspired by the books. None, so far, have been found unresponsive on the beach—touch wood.

Ely doesn't write cosy crime, but neither does he dwell on gore for the sake of it. He writes about coppers who are good at their jobs and bad at most other things, villains who believe they're the hero, and the kind of gallows humour that gets you through a twelve-hour shift—or a long-running series.

If you grew up with Taggart, Morse, Columbo, Heartbeat and The Professionals, and have spent the years since wondering where all the proper coppers went, you may just have found them.

When he isn't killing people on paper, Ely cooks. Badly, according to his wife. Enthusiastically, according to him. The cats—of which he has none—have refused to comment, as have his daughters, of which he has two.

Reviews

[Kaye]

I have really enjoyed reading the DCI Finnegan books over the past few months. I didn’t think I could fit another crime thriller series in my reading life but I was wrong and I’m so pleased I was! These books just keep getting better and better. Definitely recommended

[Mrs G]

Another brilliant read by Ely North. This one is darker and grittier than the others in this series. It is very political. The title, knowing how Ely North writes, led me to think that the story would be anything but happy! A series of murders are all linked to the Happy camp of the title. Young deprived adolescents are chosen to go to the camp to help with repairs and build new relationships with boys of a similar age and background. The reality is exactly the opposite, harsh regimes and sadistic punishment for no reason. When the first murder happens roughly 40 years later there is no apparent motive, but then a second and third one all with the same grotesque method happen, Frank and his team realise that there is a link, perhaps to the camp. Frank has been advised to slow down due to his health so he tells Prisha that she is in charge.
I love the way that Yorkshire dialect is used quite a bit, poor Dinkel is completely baffled! Being a true Yorkshire lass I understand it all. Who would know what "I'll go to the foot of our stairs" means. I do!

[K Hall]

Brilliant

This series just gets better and better, I'm absolutely loving the stories and all the character's. Some really distressing and heartfelt moments in this one. My heart breaks for the children that find themselves in such abhorrent circumstances, which still sadly goes on today. Ely North really is a first class author and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Delia Shepherd]

liked orevious books but this one seems to support one party & demonising the other

Disappointed - author could have made her political affiliation more vague but instead attacks the Labour Party but not the conservatives or any other party so I’ve gone right off her books now which I used to enjoy

[Linda Woodley]

A very enjoyable read but a disturbing stor
Sebastian got his comeuppance and was found guilty of Chans murder
I have read all of this series now so I have to wait until April for the next one
I hope there is more to come

[Sarah]

A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.

For me, the title is a massive giveaway, however I really enjoyed this one.

A gruesome murder of a seemingly nondescript boring old man. Who worked for the church... Hmmmm as Prisha might say.

Needs an edit as they all do, but a good read all the same.

[Keith Wood]

Unhappy camp.

I didnt like the way the ending of the police enquiery ende. Everything seemed a little bit too convenient. The way some of the suspects were quick to confess their guilt without to much pressure. Still a good read but could habe been a little better.

[Mark Reynolds]

Happy Camp

Another brilliant book in the DCI Finnegan books. Once you start reading it you can't put it down, looking forward to the next book

[Pauline Gurnett]

Retribution

Enjoyable though rather gritty. Another well written tale of how good solid police work and gut instincts get the better of the perpetrators.

[Gary]

Frank is a gas

Frank pushes his team on a string of murders. He decides Prisha needs to take over and he steps back

[M A Roden]

Great read with characters you feel that you know. A real page turner.

[Douglas Law]

Another good episode in the Yorkshire Crime Thriller series.

[MRS KIM V BARCLAY]

brilliant read

Great read love the characters and the stories. Set in one of my favourite places. It’s well written and an intriguing read

[Roxanne Rampage]

Enjoyable and gritty, another good one from Ely North. I'm getting invested in the characters although I do find Prisha a tiny bit annoying.

[Gina]

another brilliant story

Well what a twist or twists in this tale. Gory murders of payback!!!! Off to see if the next story follows this without giving it away.

[Joanne harmer]

Happy camp

Although there was action from the start of this book it took me a while to be gripped but once I was I had to keep reading. Another good crime mystery.

[M R B Davis]

Fox to catch a Fox

Prisons again takes the lead and uses intuition to establish who killed who and why. A protagonist also gets his just deserts.

[P Knights]

Reading all these books in sequence. Well worth a read