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DCI Tom Raven #7
Stained with Blood
A battle. A killing. An echo of history.
Scarborough Castle, high on the headland, is the picturesque backdrop for an English Civil War re-enactment. But the day takes a sinister turn when the town’s MP is shot and killed in broad daylight. DCI Tom Raven is quickly on the scene, but the investigation is soon commandeered by a senior officer from Counter Terrorism, leaving Raven sidelined.
When cryptic letters are received, taunting the police, it becomes clear that democracy itself may be the target. The MP had received a number of credible death threats and suspicion quickly falls on a Russian tycoon with interests in the town. But the murdered man had many enemies, and the list of people wanting him dead quickly grows longer.
As more lives are claimed by a ruthless mastermind driving the narrative, only Raven stands between justice and an outcome stained with blood.
Scarborough Castle, high on the headland, is the picturesque backdrop for an English Civil War re-enactment. But the day takes a sinister turn when the town’s MP is shot and killed in broad daylight. DCI Tom Raven is quickly on the scene, but the investigation is soon commandeered by a senior officer from Counter Terrorism, leaving Raven sidelined.
When cryptic letters are received, taunting the police, it becomes clear that democracy itself may be the target. The MP had received a number of credible death threats and suspicion quickly falls on a Russian tycoon with interests in the town. But the murdered man had many enemies, and the list of people wanting him dead quickly grows longer.
As more lives are claimed by a ruthless mastermind driving the narrative, only Raven stands between justice and an outcome stained with blood.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2024
About the author
M.S. Morris
20 books244 followersM S Morris is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of Margarita and Steve Morris. Together they write psychological thrillers and crime novels. The couple are married and live in Oxfordshire. They have two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 6, 2026
Stained with Blood.
This is #7 and latest of this excellent series .
One of the things that I have liked about the series is the way that we have been introduced to the whole team working with DCI Raven. This gives the stories more depth as each of them have their own lives and problems that can overlap both with each other and with the main story as needed.
As I started readed this one, a couple of things were mentioned which put the idea into my head that this wasn't going to be my sort of story. When I realized this I remembered that I had felt the same way with a previous book but I had been wrong then and once again here the authors turned the story another way - almost knowing my thoughts.
I have recently been introduced to Robin Knox's 10 Commandments for writing Detective fiction.from 1929. After finishing this story, I referred back to the Commandments and was pleased to see that almost 100 years later all were being observed although #10 was a bit close.
The story starts at a re-enactment of a local battle from the Wars of the Roses where the visiting local MP is shot. The story reaches much further afield with Ravens family along with team members and their partners with parts to play.
I didn't spot the villain and was convinced by the wrong person. Plenty of Red Herrings fair enough but a coincidence near the end was stretching it a bit I thought.
One bit made me smile and made me wonder if Becca and Raven aren't closer to our age that they are supposed to be. We have similar conversations to., Raven says, "Hey, isn't that......." " I think so" said Becca, "The Right Honourable what's-his-name, MP for somewhere or other".
From some of the earlier books in the series, I remember those cliff hanger endings preparing the canvas for the next episode. Out of the blue, we have another now, showing how much forward planning goes into a series like this.
Top marks again from me.
This is #7 and latest of this excellent series .
One of the things that I have liked about the series is the way that we have been introduced to the whole team working with DCI Raven. This gives the stories more depth as each of them have their own lives and problems that can overlap both with each other and with the main story as needed.
As I started readed this one, a couple of things were mentioned which put the idea into my head that this wasn't going to be my sort of story. When I realized this I remembered that I had felt the same way with a previous book but I had been wrong then and once again here the authors turned the story another way - almost knowing my thoughts.
I have recently been introduced to Robin Knox's 10 Commandments for writing Detective fiction.from 1929. After finishing this story, I referred back to the Commandments and was pleased to see that almost 100 years later all were being observed although #10 was a bit close.
The story starts at a re-enactment of a local battle from the Wars of the Roses where the visiting local MP is shot. The story reaches much further afield with Ravens family along with team members and their partners with parts to play.
I didn't spot the villain and was convinced by the wrong person. Plenty of Red Herrings fair enough but a coincidence near the end was stretching it a bit I thought.
One bit made me smile and made me wonder if Becca and Raven aren't closer to our age that they are supposed to be. We have similar conversations to., Raven says, "Hey, isn't that......." " I think so" said Becca, "The Right Honourable what's-his-name, MP for somewhere or other".
From some of the earlier books in the series, I remember those cliff hanger endings preparing the canvas for the next episode. Out of the blue, we have another now, showing how much forward planning goes into a series like this.
Top marks again from me.
August 12, 2024
The Best Book So Far
I find the Tom Raven crime thrillers just keep getting better. This one is the kind of book you just can't put down. Quite enjoyable.
I find the Tom Raven crime thrillers just keep getting better. This one is the kind of book you just can't put down. Quite enjoyable.
August 10, 2024
Very satisfying
Murders, history, politics, family (functional and dysfunctional), relationships, lawyers, professional jealousy, multiple red herrings, and Scarborough. What's not to like? A team effort from Raven and his team.
Murders, history, politics, family (functional and dysfunctional), relationships, lawyers, professional jealousy, multiple red herrings, and Scarborough. What's not to like? A team effort from Raven and his team.
August 15, 2025
This series is divine.
Raven may be a little stiff, socially, but he knows his job and has a terrific team. Hopefully, Becca and he will find romance. Visualization of the scenery is breathtaking. The meticulous progress of solving the cases is mesmerizing. Getting to see Raven's relationship with his daughter and her high moral code is inspiring.
Raven may be a little stiff, socially, but he knows his job and has a terrific team. Hopefully, Becca and he will find romance. Visualization of the scenery is breathtaking. The meticulous progress of solving the cases is mesmerizing. Getting to see Raven's relationship with his daughter and her high moral code is inspiring.
January 30, 2026
On the whole I enjoy this series, as indicated by my reaching book 7, however, as I noted in book 5 the constant involvement of the investigating team and their families as victims in the incidents is becoming a little too unrealistic. This was especially so in this case when Raven's daughter comes to town to complete her legal internship - who would have thought there might be a cross over and a conflict of interest between a senior police man and the law form - hmmm! But as I said, on the whole an easy and entertaining read.
August 10, 2024
Really really good
This is probably the best one yet, even though I did work out who the murderer was before the police did. I'm really looking forward to the next one!
This is probably the best one yet, even though I did work out who the murderer was before the police did. I'm really looking forward to the next one!
December 20, 2024
I have enjoyed the M.S. Morris DCI Tom Raven series tremendously. I found it almost by accident, and I count myself as lucky.
Yes, some things echo with other series. Raven is an ex-soldier, has a limp, and becomes a dog owner. He has history, and he has a difficult temperament. Those characteristics apply to quite a few other DCI's I've come across. But there is little in the way of repeated information (apparently only serving to lengthen the book), only necessary descriptions of places, and the team is small and feel true to life (4 or 5 members at the most). Non-police characters are also well-described. And the endings are surprising and not contrived.
This book, which begins with a murder at an English Civil War re-enactment, is full of non-stop action and great cliff-hangers.
I recommend this series.
Yes, some things echo with other series. Raven is an ex-soldier, has a limp, and becomes a dog owner. He has history, and he has a difficult temperament. Those characteristics apply to quite a few other DCI's I've come across. But there is little in the way of repeated information (apparently only serving to lengthen the book), only necessary descriptions of places, and the team is small and feel true to life (4 or 5 members at the most). Non-police characters are also well-described. And the endings are surprising and not contrived.
This book, which begins with a murder at an English Civil War re-enactment, is full of non-stop action and great cliff-hangers.
I recommend this series.
August 26, 2024
I really like Tom Raven and his team, family and villains . The writing is slick. There is not too much what I term as 'background noise’ i.e. information and description that has absolutely nothing to do with the plot. Tom’s back story has now settled into a smaller part of the narrative. However waiting to reveal the final surprise of this novel, right to the end was a brilliant piece of writing. I really can’t wait for the next book in the series.
So I’ll try M S Morris’s Oxford series to keep me busy during the autumn.
So I’ll try M S Morris’s Oxford series to keep me busy during the autumn.
March 22, 2026
DCI Raven is at the end of a well earned week off when at a local Civil War re-enactment the local MP is brazenly shot and killed. With questions of potential terrorism hovering DCI Raven is fine when a Super is brought in to lead the investigation, confident that his team is up for the challenge. Can they work out what was really going on behind the scenes?
I have been enjoying this British police procedural mystery series and found this to be a strong addition. I like how these books have a good balance between the murder mystery plot and movement in the main character’s private lives. As the series has moved along I also have appreciated that the authors somewhat highlight different team members through each of the stories so over time we readers get a better feel and connection to the characters.
While I feel this book absolutely progressed a number of the team members’ personal story arcs I didn’t feel this detracted from the main mystery in any way – the killing of a local MP at a community civil war re-enactment. The various layers of a small town overlapping also added what I thought was an interesting context in how everyone’s lives interweave together and how normal it was for people to simply know each other and have shared histories.
I’m very much enjoying the fairly recent addition of DCI Raven’s daughter – Hannah – to the mix and absolutely am hoping that she sticks around for at least a while. Her character in itself interests me, but I also admit to really enjoying that she brings out some of Raven’s better qualities and makes him more relatable to his colleagues. I see this as a very positive aspect to the story as a whole.
With a solid murder mystery and a number of interesting sub-plots that are slowly moving along I thoroughly enjoy this series and am looking forward to the next one coming.
I have been enjoying this British police procedural mystery series and found this to be a strong addition. I like how these books have a good balance between the murder mystery plot and movement in the main character’s private lives. As the series has moved along I also have appreciated that the authors somewhat highlight different team members through each of the stories so over time we readers get a better feel and connection to the characters.
While I feel this book absolutely progressed a number of the team members’ personal story arcs I didn’t feel this detracted from the main mystery in any way – the killing of a local MP at a community civil war re-enactment. The various layers of a small town overlapping also added what I thought was an interesting context in how everyone’s lives interweave together and how normal it was for people to simply know each other and have shared histories.
I’m very much enjoying the fairly recent addition of DCI Raven’s daughter – Hannah – to the mix and absolutely am hoping that she sticks around for at least a while. Her character in itself interests me, but I also admit to really enjoying that she brings out some of Raven’s better qualities and makes him more relatable to his colleagues. I see this as a very positive aspect to the story as a whole.
With a solid murder mystery and a number of interesting sub-plots that are slowly moving along I thoroughly enjoy this series and am looking forward to the next one coming.
Read
October 5, 2024A battle. A killing. An echo of history.Scarborough Castle, high on the headland, is the picturesque backdrop for an English Civil War re-enactment. But the day takes a sinister turn when the town’s MP is shot and killed in broad daylight. DCI Tom Raven is quickly on the scene, but the investigation is soon commandeered by a senior officer from Counter Terrorism, leaving Raven sidelined.When cryptic letters are received, taunting the police, it becomes clear that democracy itself may be the target. The MP had received a number of credible death threats and suspicion quickly falls on a Russian tycoon with interests in the town. But the murdered man had many enemies, and the list of people wanting him dead quickly grows longer.As more lives are claimed by a ruthless mastermind driving the narrative, only Raven stands between justice and an outcome stained with blood.Set on the North Yorkshire coast, the Tom Raven series is perfect for fans of David J Gatward, J M Dalgliesh, Simon McCleave, and British crime fiction.
Good.
Good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2026
Another very inteesting DCI Raven crime book. Lots of interesting characters, murder at a battle reenactment, tomfolerie with a will and red herrings. Just when you think that you know what is going on, it changes. Surprise character at the end who is the culprit. I didn't see that coming. looking forward to the next book. I will say that I was happy that in the last book, Dindsdale was not featured. But here we have his arrogant, whinning self back again acting like the king detective. Hopefully, in future books, he will be gone for good. A totally useless character in my opinion.
August 13, 2024
Another very good Tom Raven ; in fact one of the best, with a great story and sub stories; good geographical and atmospheric context well drawn and interesting characters .. a touch of good British crime story-telling in the vein of McDonald and Dodds, etc with more complexity .. I enjoyed the continuing story of Tom and his daughter Hannah (who’s commencing her legal career), Jess, Tony etc and this time a few themes of politics, British history and foreign investment
August 15, 2024
We have a murderer - the first death - how did he even know about the letters being written, the farmer was a recluse without even a landline (really???) who likely only left the house for groceries. They were sent to the office not the home. I also don't think he would have been blabbing about town and needed to be killed The third person killed had nothing to do with why he was angry - it was a family thing. So not a favorite
August 17, 2024
Another brilliant book in the series!
Having read all the books in the series so far and enjoying them immensely, I took my time to read this one over a few days instead of binge reading it to give it the respect due! DCI Tom Raven’s character is developed- flaws as well! The roles of policeman and lawyer play against each other with interest! Plot was well balanced with developing relationships- a really good read!
Having read all the books in the series so far and enjoying them immensely, I took my time to read this one over a few days instead of binge reading it to give it the respect due! DCI Tom Raven’s character is developed- flaws as well! The roles of policeman and lawyer play against each other with interest! Plot was well balanced with developing relationships- a really good read!
September 22, 2024
The further adventures of Tom Raven as outlined and explored in book #7 of this great series of stories about a detective who has moved back to his home town after a separation from his wife and the death of his father is well worth reading. So much so that I have pre-ordered book #8 in the series to carry on following Ravan's development as a character and to read more stories set in this lovely part of the world.
November 20, 2024
The last book available in the series currently so I will have to be patient until next year. I have enjoyed the series up to now, especially with the English seaside background of Scarborough and its sites. I also enjoy getting some insight into the town history. It kept me guessing who the killer could be with a bit of a surprise solution. With all these crime stories I read I am becoming an expert on pathology.
March 27, 2025
There is more tension in the plot of this seventh book in the Tom Raven series. The murder of an MP in Scarborough is the initiating incident in a series of murders. They seem linked, as they involve politicians, yet beneath the surface are the darkest of human failings; jealousy, greed, shame, and rage. All in all, this book had a most adept conception that added terror to the usual theme of death. A cliff hanger ended is the best way to entice the reader to read the next.
August 28, 2025
Another exciting book in this series and Scarborough Castle is centre stage in this one when an MP is fatally shot during an English Civil War re-enactment. There are multiple red herrings in this book which led me down the wrong path more than once. Raven is a great character and I really, really would like to see him in a relationship with Jess, and I enjoyed reading more about hisrelationship with his daughter. A cliffhanger at the end left me wanting more!
February 5, 2025
Another good Tom Raven story. For me this series hits the mark, the books are not too dark and at the same time not too frivolous. The characters are quite varied, but all believeable, interesting and consistant through the series. The cherry on top for me is that I like the scarborough area and enjoy the familiar scenery.
February 22, 2025
Never play with Guns
Small towns and past sins haunt this story. The saying goes that you can never go home again. It is tough but the good guys tough it out and come out victorious.. It also gives insight into the character of the other guy. It is not a frantic page turner but a well thought out complex series of crimes. Very good read.
Small towns and past sins haunt this story. The saying goes that you can never go home again. It is tough but the good guys tough it out and come out victorious.. It also gives insight into the character of the other guy. It is not a frantic page turner but a well thought out complex series of crimes. Very good read.
June 19, 2025
No7 in the series and we have the murder of a prominent person, (no spoilers) so its tom and his team again but he is not the s.i.o someone else is.This book is full of twists and turns which throw you off who you suspect and it ramps up the suspense. So go out and buy the book you will really enjoy this one.
August 21, 2025
Well Constructed Plot. Makes A Very Good Read
Having decided to read the whole Raven series because I like the work of the joint authors, I am getting to know the characters and their strengths and weaknesses. As in any series not everything works all the time, but in Raven book 7 it does all come together very well..
Having decided to read the whole Raven series because I like the work of the joint authors, I am getting to know the characters and their strengths and weaknesses. As in any series not everything works all the time, but in Raven book 7 it does all come together very well..
August 22, 2025
Very interesting!
So Raven's past catches up with him again! A terrific ending to an enjoyable story. I'm not sure if I'm more interested in the lives of the team or the crimes they are trying to solve. Maybe it's so well written that I can't decide! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
So Raven's past catches up with him again! A terrific ending to an enjoyable story. I'm not sure if I'm more interested in the lives of the team or the crimes they are trying to solve. Maybe it's so well written that I can't decide! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 27, 2025
not the best of the series
There is a lot going on in this book and ultimately the story is a bit silly. What bothers me the most is the relentless march towards putting Tom Raven and Becca Shawcross into a relationship. Falling in love with your co-worker is such a tired trope but the characters are obviously heading that direction and it will ruin the series for me.
There is a lot going on in this book and ultimately the story is a bit silly. What bothers me the most is the relentless march towards putting Tom Raven and Becca Shawcross into a relationship. Falling in love with your co-worker is such a tired trope but the characters are obviously heading that direction and it will ruin the series for me.
August 15, 2024
Stained with Blood
The book has everything I want from a murder mystery, a DCI who has a great team, an interesting background, a major red herring, murders and a suspenseful ending. Eagerly awaiting the next book.
The book has everything I want from a murder mystery, a DCI who has a great team, an interesting background, a major red herring, murders and a suspenseful ending. Eagerly awaiting the next book.
August 21, 2024
Great read and continuation of the series. I agree with the others that this is one of the best in the series. The characters are established in their roles, and I like they introduced another with the DSU. For those new to the series, there is enough history of Raven not to get lost.
August 29, 2024
Tom is a very stiff person in social settings, but he is a meticulous detective. As complicated and puzzling as the case becomes it ultimately gets resolved. Loose ends are tied up, and the ending is satisfying sometimes as in this case with a hint of what’s to come.
September 3, 2024
Stained with Blood
Loved book #7 and the cliffhanger ending, wow!! Love all the familiar characters with the twisting plot I never figure out. Now waiting patiently (not) until January 2025.
Loved book #7 and the cliffhanger ending, wow!! Love all the familiar characters with the twisting plot I never figure out. Now waiting patiently (not) until January 2025.
September 5, 2024
Another great entry in this series.
I have come to love Ravin. What a great TV series this would make. Always interesting with a twist of the solution to the crime. The team fit together perfectly.
I have come to love Ravin. What a great TV series this would make. Always interesting with a twist of the solution to the crime. The team fit together perfectly.
October 13, 2024
STAINED WITH BLOOD
Another great book by m s Morris can’t wait to read the 8 th book in this series when it comes out. Will now start the Bridget hart series by m s Morris while I’m waiting
Another great book by m s Morris can’t wait to read the 8 th book in this series when it comes out. Will now start the Bridget hart series by m s Morris while I’m waiting
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews