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Detectives Donovan & Young #1
The Fells
Yorkshire Dales, Summer 1997. Vicky Mott slips out the door of her remote cottage, and into the pale dawn light. She scrawls a note for her friends.
Gone to see the sunrise. V xxx
That's the last anyone ever hears from twenty-year-old music lover Vicky.
Another victim of the Fellside Strangler?
That would make Vicky the fourth young woman to lose her life this summer. Snatched by a mysterious killer who stalks the fells . . .
But Vicky's body is never found.
2019. A skeleton is discovered in a twisty network of caves beneath the fells. Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Young think they can finally give Vicky's mother the closure she so desperately wants. After twenty long years of questions and anguish.
But the deeper they dig into the past, the less certain they become.
And nothing can prepare them for the shocking truth . . .
Gone to see the sunrise. V xxx
That's the last anyone ever hears from twenty-year-old music lover Vicky.
Another victim of the Fellside Strangler?
That would make Vicky the fourth young woman to lose her life this summer. Snatched by a mysterious killer who stalks the fells . . .
But Vicky's body is never found.
2019. A skeleton is discovered in a twisty network of caves beneath the fells. Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Young think they can finally give Vicky's mother the closure she so desperately wants. After twenty long years of questions and anguish.
But the deeper they dig into the past, the less certain they become.
And nothing can prepare them for the shocking truth . . .
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2024
1936 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Cath Staincliffe
59 books321 followersCath Staincliffe is a best-selling, award-winning novelist, radio playwright and the creator of ITV's hit series, Blue Murder, starring Caroline Quentin as DCI Janine Lewis. Cath's books have been short-listed for the British Crime Writers Association best first novel award, for the Dagger in the Library and selected as Le Masque de l'Année. In 2012 Cath won the CWA Short Story Dagger for Laptop, sharing the prize with Margaret Murphy with her story The Message. Cath was shortlisted again with Night Nurse in 2014. Cath's Sal Kilkenny private eye series features a single-parent sleuth working the mean streets of Manchester. Trio, a stand-alone novel moved away from crime to explore adoption and growing up in the 1960s, inspired by Cath's own experience. Letters To My Daughter's Killer was selected for Specsavers Crime Thriller Book Club in 2014 and featured on ITV3s Crime Thriller Club. Cath also writes the Scott & Bailey novels based on the popular UK TV series. Cath's latest stand alone book, The Girl in the Green Dress, was inspired by her experience as the parent of a transgender child. It tells the story of a transphobic hate crime and asks the question: how far would you go to protect your child? Cath is one of the founding members of Murder Squad - a group of Northern crime writers who give readings, talks and signings around the country. Cath was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK and now lives in Manchester, Lancashire with her family. You can follow her on Twitter, @CathStaincliffe, which she does when she should be busy writing!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
May 14, 2024
In a Nutshell: A police procedural focussed on discovering the truth about a crime that occurred two decades ago, as well as on the personal lives of the key characters. Most of the book was good enough but not gripping enough for me. But the ending was surprising and not over the top, which nudged up my rating. A good, one-time read. First of a planned series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
As a police procedural about an old crime resurrected with a new discovery, the book is pretty standard. You have the fresh evidence, the renewed speculations, the culpability of the potential suspects vis-à-vis the captured strangler, the unravelling of old theories, the revelation of the incompetence of the past investigation, the thinking and rethinking of old clues with a novel insight, and the final resolution. The tempo is fairly pacy almost all the way.
However, there are certain features that made this book stand out from typical procedurals, some of which work and some don’t.
👉 Giving the victim a voice – Reading Vicky’s third person perspective makes for a strange experience as the 2019 timeline offers some contrary insights about her fate. This writing decision led to some spoilers before the police detectives stumble on the truth, but overall, it adds to the story in a bizarre, almost voyeuristic, way.
👉 Most of the technical investigation happens in the background. Whether DNA checks or forensic analysis, hardly anything occurs on the page. We just get to read conversations with results of the investigative reports or interviews with family and suspects. So the thrill factor of being part of an active investigation was missing.
👉 The detailed look at the personal lives of the two detectives: the experienced Leo Donovan, who is struggling to handle his radical son, and his new investigative partner Shan Young, who seems to tick many trope checkpoints: Chinese origin, adopted, lesbian, in a committed relationship that swings between good and bad at the drop of a hat, pregnant. I think at least a third of the book is dedicated to the personal lives of these two characters, which gives us a great insight into their personalities but also adds much domestic drama to a genre that doesn’t need it.
👉 Shan Young is also a novelty because unlike most new detective recruits, Young isn’t cast as a genius protégé who handles everything perfectly. She makes wild assumptions, she jumps to conclusions based on flimsy evidence, and she doesn’t know how to curtail info during investigative interviews. At the same time, she also isn’t a bumbling newbie who somehow hits the right answer. It is clear how the experienced Leo has a lot to teach her, and their partnership will be interesting to follow in the subsequent books.
👉 The Yorkshire location was put to good use, especially during the chilling cave sequences. But other than this, the atmosphere felt off. I never felt captivated to the point of no distraction; the writing of the investigation somehow kept me distanced.
👉 The author truly shines in the emotional sequences. There are many touching moments in the writing, such as when Vicky's mother comes to see the newly-discovered skeletal remains. Rarely have I seen deep feelings captured so well in a police procedural.
👉 The ending is apt for the story. Without going into spoilers, all I can say is that this was among the most realistic endings I have seen in thrillers about new evidence in old crimes. Best of all, no annoying infodump.
All in all, the story was definitely good, the ending was great, and nothing annoyed me too much (which, if you know me, is a minor miracle.) However, for some reason I can’t figure out, the book never caught my unwavering attention and I could keep it aside easily.
One factor that I know hindered my enjoyment was that I didn’t like any of the characters in the 1997 timeline, partly because of the hazy character sketches (that we get through Vicky’s limited perspective), and partly because of their lifestyle choices. (Which is more of a ME problem than a BOOK problem.)
This is the first book of a planned procedural series with Detectives Donovan and Young, and as of now, I am undecided about whether I’ll read the next book. I like the balance to be tilted more towards the police investigation than towards family drama when I read this genre. So I guess it will depend on my mood whenever the next one comes out.
(That said, if I ever see this author writing a dramatic novel such as women’s fiction or historical fiction, I will definitely grab it because she is fabulous at portraying raw emotions.)
Recommended to lovers of police procedurals and crime mysteries. This is not a must-read, but a pretty good one, with the ending being the highlight.
3.5 stars. (I was at 3 stars for most of the way, but the ending satisfied me much with its realism.)
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through The Pigeonhole. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is currently available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
2019. Yorkshire Dales. When a caver stumbles upon the remains of a body inside a previously unknown pothole beneath the fells, Detective Leo Donovan wonders if they have finally discovered the remains of Vicky Mott, a twenty-year-old drama student who went missing in 1997 after scrawling a note for her friends that she was going to see the sunrise. There had been a serial killer active in the area, and soon after Vicky’s disappearance, the “fellside strangler” had been arrested. This discovery of Vicky’s body might provide closure for her mother after all the years of anguish. But as Donovan and his new assistant Shan Young investigate the remains, some secrets come tumbling out, until they are no longer sure about what the truth is.
The story comes to us in the third-person perspectives of various characters in the 2019 timeline, including the two detectives and Vicky’s mother Elizabeth, and also in Vicky’s third person perspective from 1997.
As a police procedural about an old crime resurrected with a new discovery, the book is pretty standard. You have the fresh evidence, the renewed speculations, the culpability of the potential suspects vis-à-vis the captured strangler, the unravelling of old theories, the revelation of the incompetence of the past investigation, the thinking and rethinking of old clues with a novel insight, and the final resolution. The tempo is fairly pacy almost all the way.
However, there are certain features that made this book stand out from typical procedurals, some of which work and some don’t.
👉 Giving the victim a voice – Reading Vicky’s third person perspective makes for a strange experience as the 2019 timeline offers some contrary insights about her fate. This writing decision led to some spoilers before the police detectives stumble on the truth, but overall, it adds to the story in a bizarre, almost voyeuristic, way.
👉 Most of the technical investigation happens in the background. Whether DNA checks or forensic analysis, hardly anything occurs on the page. We just get to read conversations with results of the investigative reports or interviews with family and suspects. So the thrill factor of being part of an active investigation was missing.
👉 The detailed look at the personal lives of the two detectives: the experienced Leo Donovan, who is struggling to handle his radical son, and his new investigative partner Shan Young, who seems to tick many trope checkpoints: Chinese origin, adopted, lesbian, in a committed relationship that swings between good and bad at the drop of a hat, pregnant. I think at least a third of the book is dedicated to the personal lives of these two characters, which gives us a great insight into their personalities but also adds much domestic drama to a genre that doesn’t need it.
👉 Shan Young is also a novelty because unlike most new detective recruits, Young isn’t cast as a genius protégé who handles everything perfectly. She makes wild assumptions, she jumps to conclusions based on flimsy evidence, and she doesn’t know how to curtail info during investigative interviews. At the same time, she also isn’t a bumbling newbie who somehow hits the right answer. It is clear how the experienced Leo has a lot to teach her, and their partnership will be interesting to follow in the subsequent books.
👉 The Yorkshire location was put to good use, especially during the chilling cave sequences. But other than this, the atmosphere felt off. I never felt captivated to the point of no distraction; the writing of the investigation somehow kept me distanced.
👉 The author truly shines in the emotional sequences. There are many touching moments in the writing, such as when Vicky's mother comes to see the newly-discovered skeletal remains. Rarely have I seen deep feelings captured so well in a police procedural.
👉 The ending is apt for the story. Without going into spoilers, all I can say is that this was among the most realistic endings I have seen in thrillers about new evidence in old crimes. Best of all, no annoying infodump.
All in all, the story was definitely good, the ending was great, and nothing annoyed me too much (which, if you know me, is a minor miracle.) However, for some reason I can’t figure out, the book never caught my unwavering attention and I could keep it aside easily.
One factor that I know hindered my enjoyment was that I didn’t like any of the characters in the 1997 timeline, partly because of the hazy character sketches (that we get through Vicky’s limited perspective), and partly because of their lifestyle choices. (Which is more of a ME problem than a BOOK problem.)
This is the first book of a planned procedural series with Detectives Donovan and Young, and as of now, I am undecided about whether I’ll read the next book. I like the balance to be tilted more towards the police investigation than towards family drama when I read this genre. So I guess it will depend on my mood whenever the next one comes out.
(That said, if I ever see this author writing a dramatic novel such as women’s fiction or historical fiction, I will definitely grab it because she is fabulous at portraying raw emotions.)
Recommended to lovers of police procedurals and crime mysteries. This is not a must-read, but a pretty good one, with the ending being the highlight.
3.5 stars. (I was at 3 stars for most of the way, but the ending satisfied me much with its realism.)
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through The Pigeonhole. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is currently available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
May 12, 2024
In 2019 a skeleton is discovered in a twisty network of caves beneath the fells in the Yorkshire Dales. Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Young believe the skeleton belongs to 20-year-old Vicky Mott who disappeared in 1997 while attending a music festival in the area.
I've really liked previous books by this author so when this appeared on Netgalley as Read Now, I grabbed it right away despite the fact that I already had way too many May books on my plate. I'm glad I made that decision though because I really enjoyed this book. The writing is top-notch, the characters are very real and the setting is so captivating. The story is told from the points of view of different characters, including Vicky who tells the story of what happened to her in 1997. Although I was hoping for a different ending I still give this book 4.5 stars rounded up. Any time I read a book in less than a week, it's a definite winner for me.
Much as I liked the two detectives in this book I'm hesitant to start yet another series but I'll probably do it anyway.
My sincere thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: May 9, 2024
NOTE: When I went to post my review on amazon I noticed that the book is available on Kindle Unlimited, free with a membership.
I've really liked previous books by this author so when this appeared on Netgalley as Read Now, I grabbed it right away despite the fact that I already had way too many May books on my plate. I'm glad I made that decision though because I really enjoyed this book. The writing is top-notch, the characters are very real and the setting is so captivating. The story is told from the points of view of different characters, including Vicky who tells the story of what happened to her in 1997. Although I was hoping for a different ending I still give this book 4.5 stars rounded up. Any time I read a book in less than a week, it's a definite winner for me.
Much as I liked the two detectives in this book I'm hesitant to start yet another series but I'll probably do it anyway.
My sincere thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: May 9, 2024
NOTE: When I went to post my review on amazon I noticed that the book is available on Kindle Unlimited, free with a membership.
July 11, 2025
In THE FELLS, Cath Staincliffe excels in creating deep emotional sequences. By the time I'd finished it, I felt sad—not unhappy, but I empathized with several characters, their sorrows greatly affecting me. The ability to evoke emotion in a reader is the mark of a good fiction writer, so I definitely recommend THE FELLS.
The story begins with the discovery of a skeleton in a cave, a body that is soon linked to Vicky Mott, a girl who went missing 22 years earlier while attending a music festival with her friends. It had been assumed that Vicky was another victim of the man known as the Fellside Strangler, a man who was eventually captured and had been imprisoned for years. However, Terence Bielby, the convicted strangler, denied having killed Vicky, and there were a few things about the skeleton that suggested a different killing method than Bielby traditionally employed.
The story introduces a new investigative police team—50-year-old DI Leo Donovan, arthritic and given to depressive moods, and his new partner, DC Shan Young, ambitious and given to "jumping" into the thick of confrontations. Both are likeable in their own ways, and both have family worries unrelated to the case they are tasked with solving.
Also important to the overall theme is the effect that the skeleton's discovery has on Vicky's grieving mother.
The story jumps between the investigation taking place in 2019, to the interactions between Vicky with her friends in 1997. The final section, showing what really occurred in 1997, is especially poignant.
A good start to a new series.
The story begins with the discovery of a skeleton in a cave, a body that is soon linked to Vicky Mott, a girl who went missing 22 years earlier while attending a music festival with her friends. It had been assumed that Vicky was another victim of the man known as the Fellside Strangler, a man who was eventually captured and had been imprisoned for years. However, Terence Bielby, the convicted strangler, denied having killed Vicky, and there were a few things about the skeleton that suggested a different killing method than Bielby traditionally employed.
The story introduces a new investigative police team—50-year-old DI Leo Donovan, arthritic and given to depressive moods, and his new partner, DC Shan Young, ambitious and given to "jumping" into the thick of confrontations. Both are likeable in their own ways, and both have family worries unrelated to the case they are tasked with solving.
Also important to the overall theme is the effect that the skeleton's discovery has on Vicky's grieving mother.
The story jumps between the investigation taking place in 2019, to the interactions between Vicky with her friends in 1997. The final section, showing what really occurred in 1997, is especially poignant.
A good start to a new series.
February 25, 2025
Cath Staincliffe is a new to me author, and this police procedural/cold case drama has made sure I need to change that.
A cold case or detective series are really nothing new, and I find it’s hard to always expect something fresh, something different, yet the author has not only managed that but completely surpassed my expectations in the process.
What I loved about this novel is that it’s provided from 4 points of view. The victim, the victims mother and both detectives working the case.
From the victim, Vicky, we hear exactly what happened when she disappeared in 1997.
From the victims mother, Elizabeth, we learn how she’s coped with Vicky’s disappearance, the pain that she’s endured, and the way she plans to bring some closure and move forward, through Elizabeth we also learn the fate of those close to her daughter at the time.
From Detectives Donovan and Young we learn their thoughts on the cold case, the suspicions, the work being put into the case, the shortcomings of the past investigation and the dedication they both have to the job.
The story flips back and forward effortlessly between characters and timelines, while I had a fair idea on who done it, the journey to get there was smart, it was intriguing, thought provoking, and emotional, the story played out really well, in fact the whole book, including the ending were extremely believable, which can be hard to get to I feel.
In regards to our two detectives, this was a perfect start to a new series, both have enough life going on on the sidelines and enough back story to make sure you don’t want to miss the next instalment,
The audiobook narration worked really well being performed by 4 different people, Mike Roger’s, Laura Brydon, Francesca Waite and Kerry Bennett. Each gave a fabulous performance.
Huge thanks to WF Howes Ltd via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook which is available to buy now 🎧
A cold case or detective series are really nothing new, and I find it’s hard to always expect something fresh, something different, yet the author has not only managed that but completely surpassed my expectations in the process.
What I loved about this novel is that it’s provided from 4 points of view. The victim, the victims mother and both detectives working the case.
From the victim, Vicky, we hear exactly what happened when she disappeared in 1997.
From the victims mother, Elizabeth, we learn how she’s coped with Vicky’s disappearance, the pain that she’s endured, and the way she plans to bring some closure and move forward, through Elizabeth we also learn the fate of those close to her daughter at the time.
From Detectives Donovan and Young we learn their thoughts on the cold case, the suspicions, the work being put into the case, the shortcomings of the past investigation and the dedication they both have to the job.
The story flips back and forward effortlessly between characters and timelines, while I had a fair idea on who done it, the journey to get there was smart, it was intriguing, thought provoking, and emotional, the story played out really well, in fact the whole book, including the ending were extremely believable, which can be hard to get to I feel.
In regards to our two detectives, this was a perfect start to a new series, both have enough life going on on the sidelines and enough back story to make sure you don’t want to miss the next instalment,
The audiobook narration worked really well being performed by 4 different people, Mike Roger’s, Laura Brydon, Francesca Waite and Kerry Bennett. Each gave a fabulous performance.
Huge thanks to WF Howes Ltd via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook which is available to buy now 🎧
April 28, 2024
I love cold case mysteries, and this one was fantastic! It is the first in a series. Detectives Shan and Leo are called to a crime scene. The skeleton of a woman was found by cavers.
The story is told in 4 different POV’s.: Shan, Leo, Vicky (the victim), and Elizabeth who is Vicky’s mom. The alternating POV’s do not detract from the story. Instead, they add clues and nuance to the characters. We get to see every character thoroughly- their faults, joys and struggles. I fell in love with Vicky’s character. And as the story was told through her voice, I kept hoping that she would make it out alive (silly me!).
The unfolding of what happened kept me up well into the night reading. The investigation leads to a serial killer that is in prison, the friend group that went to the festival together in 1997, and even the local bar owner.
I also loved how we got to see the personal lives of the detectives in a very realistic way. There is a side story type connection with one of them, and it interweaves with the main story in an unexpected way. And when Elizabeth is telling the story, it is very heartbreaking.
My only problem is the ending. It is left slightly hanging, and I wish we could see what happened next. We are told what certain characters plan to do- but not the result. I am hoping that this might be addressed in the next book.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you like cold crime mysteries and fleshed out characters!
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.
January 4, 2026
The Fells is a first book in the series featuring detectives Donovan and Young and what a fabulous beginning it is. We get a complex old missing person's case with multiple suspects, we get two detectives with differing policing styles and complicated private lives and it all falls into place nicely to give us a great story.
Cath Staincliffe is a new to me writer but I will definitely be reading more of her books. She's a fantastic writer.
The Fells kept me engaged from beginning to end, great, fast flowing story, seamless blending of past and present and fully fledged characters. So so good. Onto book two already.
Cath Staincliffe is a new to me writer but I will definitely be reading more of her books. She's a fantastic writer.
The Fells kept me engaged from beginning to end, great, fast flowing story, seamless blending of past and present and fully fledged characters. So so good. Onto book two already.
June 22, 2024
Set within the stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales, a tragedy unfolds which will impact the lives of several young students and those close to them with devastating consequences for some.
With little forensic evidence and few leads from the original case twenty years ago, the new team of slightly jaded Leo Donovan and his new partner Shan Young are finding it challenging to establish the truth.
The facts have been obscured, not just by time but by the recollections of those present at the time of the incident. It would be logical and certainly easier to lay the blame on the serial killer active at the time, but with a grieving mother seeking answers, the partners need to dig much deeper into everything they already have in evidence and follow every lead however unlikely it might be.
Both have issues in their private lives which threaten to distract them from the main case but slowly they begin to unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Vicky Mott and the fallout that has impacted so many lives.
There is an excellent flow to the writing with great characters across the board, stunning setting and enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged from page one.
This is the first in this particular series by Cath Staincliffe with more to come. I will be looking out for them and also exploring her other books. I can certainly recommend this to lovers of well written and intriguing mysteries and thrillers.
With little forensic evidence and few leads from the original case twenty years ago, the new team of slightly jaded Leo Donovan and his new partner Shan Young are finding it challenging to establish the truth.
The facts have been obscured, not just by time but by the recollections of those present at the time of the incident. It would be logical and certainly easier to lay the blame on the serial killer active at the time, but with a grieving mother seeking answers, the partners need to dig much deeper into everything they already have in evidence and follow every lead however unlikely it might be.
Both have issues in their private lives which threaten to distract them from the main case but slowly they begin to unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Vicky Mott and the fallout that has impacted so many lives.
There is an excellent flow to the writing with great characters across the board, stunning setting and enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged from page one.
This is the first in this particular series by Cath Staincliffe with more to come. I will be looking out for them and also exploring her other books. I can certainly recommend this to lovers of well written and intriguing mysteries and thrillers.
June 6, 2024
I am struggling to think of any other crime novel I have read that is so pedestrian. So slow and ponderous that there is no momentum and no tension at all, which to me, should be inherent in a police procedural.
A new DC joins the team and is immediately teamed with the lead detective - they appear to be the only team members, nobody else is mentioned! Both of them soft, fuzzy and woke - that's great but just seems unlikely!
The story goes that bones have been discovered and found to be linked to an old open case and the narrative meanders from there. Surprisingly "the team" tell a witness about their main suspect. Really?
Just too slow and too rambling for my taste.
A new DC joins the team and is immediately teamed with the lead detective - they appear to be the only team members, nobody else is mentioned! Both of them soft, fuzzy and woke - that's great but just seems unlikely!
The story goes that bones have been discovered and found to be linked to an old open case and the narrative meanders from there. Surprisingly "the team" tell a witness about their main suspect. Really?
Just too slow and too rambling for my taste.
April 20, 2024
What an excellent start to a new series.
Cath Staincliffe is a new author to me, but I have to say that she is going to be on my future reading list. I really enjoyed this chilling and haunting thriller. Right from the start I had this ominous feeling that it was going to be totally gripping and very hard to put down. The plot is well devised and holds the readers attention throughout, and I truly felt a great deal of empathy with the characters, which were lovingly created and very believable. The author has spent a lot of time bringing to life the atmosphere and her descriptions of the area are totally vivid and graphic. I also enjoyed the way we wove from the present to the past events, and saw the story unfold from the different perspectives of each of the main characters. The way the plot twisted from one possible outcome to another all the way through was riveting and kept me up long into the night trying to work out all the scenarios as they were told to us. The ending was totally emotional, and I admit that I shed a few tears. Thank you, Joffe Books, for giving me yet another fantastic opportunity to read and review a great book and I will most certainly be adding this author to my list of favourites.
Cath Staincliffe is a new author to me, but I have to say that she is going to be on my future reading list. I really enjoyed this chilling and haunting thriller. Right from the start I had this ominous feeling that it was going to be totally gripping and very hard to put down. The plot is well devised and holds the readers attention throughout, and I truly felt a great deal of empathy with the characters, which were lovingly created and very believable. The author has spent a lot of time bringing to life the atmosphere and her descriptions of the area are totally vivid and graphic. I also enjoyed the way we wove from the present to the past events, and saw the story unfold from the different perspectives of each of the main characters. The way the plot twisted from one possible outcome to another all the way through was riveting and kept me up long into the night trying to work out all the scenarios as they were told to us. The ending was totally emotional, and I admit that I shed a few tears. Thank you, Joffe Books, for giving me yet another fantastic opportunity to read and review a great book and I will most certainly be adding this author to my list of favourites.
April 21, 2024
Many thanks to Joffe Books for this free eARC.
A cold case warmed up with brilliant characters and plenty of suspects
If not for a caver exploring where no-one has gone before, the young woman's body would have lain undiscovered and undisturbed, and so would her Missing Persons case.
The story jumps between events in 1997, which led to a tragedy over a festival weekend from which one of a group of friends never returned.
In 2019 we meet police detectives DCI Leo and DC newbie Shan, and the banter between these two is brilliant. For sure, the author has human nature and the ways of the world spot on and conveys this in both brutal and humorous ways. I connected with every character, even the bit-parts, and lived this read instead of just turning the ebook pages.
Here are some lines that stayed with me ...
'He slaps the innuendo on with a trowel.'
And
'‘Opportunities for learning. It might be tea towel wisdom but there is some truth to it.’ This comment comes in relation to making mistakes. Never heard this before but love it!
And
'Her to-do list has sprouted offshoots. Is growing like bindweed.' This one reminds me of my to be read list!
This wonderful novel brings us characters of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and quirks, and they came to life rather than lying flat on the page.
As you've likely guessed, The Fells by Cath Staincliffe gets a resounding 5 stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
A cold case warmed up with brilliant characters and plenty of suspects
If not for a caver exploring where no-one has gone before, the young woman's body would have lain undiscovered and undisturbed, and so would her Missing Persons case.
The story jumps between events in 1997, which led to a tragedy over a festival weekend from which one of a group of friends never returned.
In 2019 we meet police detectives DCI Leo and DC newbie Shan, and the banter between these two is brilliant. For sure, the author has human nature and the ways of the world spot on and conveys this in both brutal and humorous ways. I connected with every character, even the bit-parts, and lived this read instead of just turning the ebook pages.
Here are some lines that stayed with me ...
'He slaps the innuendo on with a trowel.'
And
'‘Opportunities for learning. It might be tea towel wisdom but there is some truth to it.’ This comment comes in relation to making mistakes. Never heard this before but love it!
And
'Her to-do list has sprouted offshoots. Is growing like bindweed.' This one reminds me of my to be read list!
This wonderful novel brings us characters of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and quirks, and they came to life rather than lying flat on the page.
As you've likely guessed, The Fells by Cath Staincliffe gets a resounding 5 stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
May 8, 2024
The story is told from four different points of view. We have Detective Leo Donovan, Detective Shan Young, the missing woman’s mother Elizabeth, and the victim herself, Vicky. I wasn’t sure about Vicky’s POV, because it felt a bit like I was cheating. As the reader, I can see what happened, but no-one else can – it was speculation from everyone else’s point of view in 2019.
Vicky went missing in 1997, her body never discovered. Or maybe she isn’t dead at all, but decided to disappear. No-one believes this is likely – she had too much to lose, too much planned. There were people who suggested Lucy Partington ran off to join a cult (I knew her though not well) in 1973. Then her body was found in Fred West’s house in 1992 along with his other victims. In The Fells, a serial killer nicknamed the Fellside Strangler is in prison after being convicted of the abduction and murder of three young women. So it makes sense that he took her as well, like West.
Twenty two years later, a pot-holer discovers a skeleton in a cavern. the police can use DNA and other methods to find out whether it’s Vicky, and of course it is. But did she fall, was she pushed or was she killed and thrown in afterwards? Even with the most sophisticated means, it will be impossible to know, and even harder to prove. And that’s what bothered me about hearing from Vicky.
However, it’s a really good story and the detective team of Leo and Shan are brilliant. They obviously have their own stuff going on – this is the first of a new series of books – Leo’s son Luke being not just a pain in the neck, but a racist with a hideous agenda. Shan is in a relationship with Erin and is pregnant. There’s a lot more to come I’m guessing, and some things remain unresolved at the end of the book. Bring on book two!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author, and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.
Vicky went missing in 1997, her body never discovered. Or maybe she isn’t dead at all, but decided to disappear. No-one believes this is likely – she had too much to lose, too much planned. There were people who suggested Lucy Partington ran off to join a cult (I knew her though not well) in 1973. Then her body was found in Fred West’s house in 1992 along with his other victims. In The Fells, a serial killer nicknamed the Fellside Strangler is in prison after being convicted of the abduction and murder of three young women. So it makes sense that he took her as well, like West.
Twenty two years later, a pot-holer discovers a skeleton in a cavern. the police can use DNA and other methods to find out whether it’s Vicky, and of course it is. But did she fall, was she pushed or was she killed and thrown in afterwards? Even with the most sophisticated means, it will be impossible to know, and even harder to prove. And that’s what bothered me about hearing from Vicky.
However, it’s a really good story and the detective team of Leo and Shan are brilliant. They obviously have their own stuff going on – this is the first of a new series of books – Leo’s son Luke being not just a pain in the neck, but a racist with a hideous agenda. Shan is in a relationship with Erin and is pregnant. There’s a lot more to come I’m guessing, and some things remain unresolved at the end of the book. Bring on book two!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author, and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.
April 27, 2024
A skeleton is found in a cave. This made me interested. Multiple PoVs, which made me connect to the investigators and the victim's mother, but come on, the fact that we get a PoV from the victim, too, is a bit... extra. Had it been useful, I would have said it's ok. As it is, though, I didn't like it.
A detail that bothered me is the idea of cremating a skeleton. If they'd found the whole body, it would have made sense. But bones don't burn much. When a body gets cremated, they remain. People sift the ashes for metals, that get removed, and then they grind the bones and that's what gets put in an urn: tiny bone fragments. Moreover, have you checked if the law allows scattering human remains? In my country, that is not allowed. Urns can't be opened and they need to stay either in a designated place at the crematory, or buried in a grave... Or kept at home. I've seen people throwing "ashes" in the wind in films, but that's not legal everywhere. Even if it is legal there, I still find burning bones pointless. Moreover, if a new theory comes up later and they need to study the skeleton again for new info, ground bones will be, most likely, useless.
Anyway... All in all, I don't hate this book, but I don't love it, either. It's somewhat forgettable.
A detail that bothered me is the idea of cremating a skeleton. If they'd found the whole body, it would have made sense. But bones don't burn much. When a body gets cremated, they remain. People sift the ashes for metals, that get removed, and then they grind the bones and that's what gets put in an urn: tiny bone fragments. Moreover, have you checked if the law allows scattering human remains? In my country, that is not allowed. Urns can't be opened and they need to stay either in a designated place at the crematory, or buried in a grave... Or kept at home. I've seen people throwing "ashes" in the wind in films, but that's not legal everywhere. Even if it is legal there, I still find burning bones pointless. Moreover, if a new theory comes up later and they need to study the skeleton again for new info, ground bones will be, most likely, useless.
Anyway... All in all, I don't hate this book, but I don't love it, either. It's somewhat forgettable.
May 7, 2024
Very good book which I have recommended to friends who read.
The location was well described, the characters very realistic and the plot never descended into silliness in pursuit of a twist. Instead we are treated to a jolly good police procedural, meeting Leo and new recruit Shan.
We get to understand the sequence of events from different perspectives, the police, Leo and Shan individually, Elizabeth Vicky's Mum, and Vicky herself.
One moment, one decision and one life cruelly obliterated.
The story was sensitive, very sad at the end and for once there wasn't a neatly wrapped parcel denoting a tidy finish.
This is a series, if it is going to be one, that I will follow without hesitation.
With huge thanks to the author Cath Staincliffe, her publisher and Pigeonhole for granting access to this serialisation.
I am going to miss reading this book so I do hope there is another one coming soon!
The location was well described, the characters very realistic and the plot never descended into silliness in pursuit of a twist. Instead we are treated to a jolly good police procedural, meeting Leo and new recruit Shan.
We get to understand the sequence of events from different perspectives, the police, Leo and Shan individually, Elizabeth Vicky's Mum, and Vicky herself.
One moment, one decision and one life cruelly obliterated.
The story was sensitive, very sad at the end and for once there wasn't a neatly wrapped parcel denoting a tidy finish.
This is a series, if it is going to be one, that I will follow without hesitation.
With huge thanks to the author Cath Staincliffe, her publisher and Pigeonhole for granting access to this serialisation.
I am going to miss reading this book so I do hope there is another one coming soon!
April 23, 2024
Cath Staincliffe is one of my favourite writers, I’ve read everything she’s written over the years and so was thrilled to see that The Fells is the first in a detective series featuring Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Lewis. It’s set in the Yorkshire Dales where a caver discovers a skull and when Donovan and Young are called in it’s immediately linked to missing Vicky Mott who disappeared whilst in the Dales for a music festival 22 years ago, in 1997. At the time Vicky’s disappearance was linked to serial killer Terence Bielby currently serving life in Wakefield prison and this is where Donovan and Young begin their investigation.
This is another brilliant novel from the author; I loved Donovan and Young, there’s enough of their personal stories to help build up our understanding of them without this taking over the police procedural aspect. I particularly liked ( and was saddened and angered by) the very current storyline concerning Donovan’s son and the far right and look forward to reading how this develops in future novels.
Cath Staincliffe’s writing flows effortlessly, her dialogue is always believable and she brings a real sense of place to the novel. I enjoyed the dual timelines which worked well
A gripping and satisfying police procedural that I raced through over the course of 24 hours. I’d highly recommend this - and all of the author’s back catalogue- and can’t wait for the next in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
This is another brilliant novel from the author; I loved Donovan and Young, there’s enough of their personal stories to help build up our understanding of them without this taking over the police procedural aspect. I particularly liked ( and was saddened and angered by) the very current storyline concerning Donovan’s son and the far right and look forward to reading how this develops in future novels.
Cath Staincliffe’s writing flows effortlessly, her dialogue is always believable and she brings a real sense of place to the novel. I enjoyed the dual timelines which worked well
A gripping and satisfying police procedural that I raced through over the course of 24 hours. I’d highly recommend this - and all of the author’s back catalogue- and can’t wait for the next in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
April 24, 2024
This is the first in a new series from this author. It's also the first book I have read from the author and it certainly won't be my last.
The story flits between events in 1997 and the current date ie 2009, and is told from multiple POVs. One is the dead girl whose body is found at the beginning of the book in a cave, 22 years after she was reported missing when at a festival with friends. The other POVs alternate between the two detectives on the case Leo Donovan and his junior colleague Shan Young. This did not prove as distracting as I initially feared and actually I found it more enjoyable. The rural setting was quite vivid and I seem to be reading a few stories lately with similar settings and also involving caves!
It was easy to read and I was intrigued with the way Leo and Shan tried to figure out what happened all those years ago. There is a lot of sadness throughout and it felt quite palpable and quite emotional towards the end. I look forward to the next in the series.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.
The story flits between events in 1997 and the current date ie 2009, and is told from multiple POVs. One is the dead girl whose body is found at the beginning of the book in a cave, 22 years after she was reported missing when at a festival with friends. The other POVs alternate between the two detectives on the case Leo Donovan and his junior colleague Shan Young. This did not prove as distracting as I initially feared and actually I found it more enjoyable. The rural setting was quite vivid and I seem to be reading a few stories lately with similar settings and also involving caves!
It was easy to read and I was intrigued with the way Leo and Shan tried to figure out what happened all those years ago. There is a lot of sadness throughout and it felt quite palpable and quite emotional towards the end. I look forward to the next in the series.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.
May 7, 2024
I read this through my online book club, Pigeonhole, and the story kept me interested from the get-go. I liked the fact that we got glimpses into the two investigating detectives' backgrounds and would be willing to read another book with them at the helm.
Vicky goes missing while away with friends attending a festival. Her remains are recovered twenty-two years later by a diver in a cave. Did she fall? Was she pushed? Can the eyewitnesses and her friends be trusted? Particularly poignant was the prose describing Elizabeth, Vicky's mum, and her thought process. Four and a half stars.
Vicky goes missing while away with friends attending a festival. Her remains are recovered twenty-two years later by a diver in a cave. Did she fall? Was she pushed? Can the eyewitnesses and her friends be trusted? Particularly poignant was the prose describing Elizabeth, Vicky's mum, and her thought process. Four and a half stars.
January 18, 2025
Excellent procedural and a great start to what appears to be a new series. Solid characters with interesting back stories + a cold case + current events. Loved it!
Found this one thanks to a “based on your previous reading” suggestion from Kindle Unlimited (well done!) - my first by Staincliffe and I’m so excited to have a new author to binge — off to start book one of her Detective Janine Lewis series (Blue Murder).
Found this one thanks to a “based on your previous reading” suggestion from Kindle Unlimited (well done!) - my first by Staincliffe and I’m so excited to have a new author to binge — off to start book one of her Detective Janine Lewis series (Blue Murder).
April 23, 2024
Lovely to find another Cath Staincliffe book so quickly. I love her writing. It is so easy to read while her plots are clever and well planned. The Fells is a real cracker. With new team Leo Donovan and Shan Young it deals with a number of issues but also shows the police as real people with everyday problems as well.....and not just the alcoholism or burn out that seems to affect a lot of police procedural books these days. I will certainly be watching out for more from this team and happily recommend The Fells and all Cath Staincliffe's books if you're looking for a satisfying read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
August 28, 2024
Disappointed
The book is well written. A little too neat checking a bunch of boxes too politically correct for me. Written so well moving along expected more. Does no one eat meat anymore. Miscarriage response not much my wife had 4 still bothers both of us. Another reason disappointed but well written.
The book is well written. A little too neat checking a bunch of boxes too politically correct for me. Written so well moving along expected more. Does no one eat meat anymore. Miscarriage response not much my wife had 4 still bothers both of us. Another reason disappointed but well written.
March 5, 2025
The Fells, by Cath Staincliffe’s is book one in this mystery, thriller series. I listened to it as an audiobook. It was narrated by an incredible cast that included Mike Rogers, Laura Brydon, Francesca Waite, and Kerry Bennett. Their performances were simply amazing. I highly recommend listening to this audiobook. The ease between Donovan and Young was palpable, and their vulnerability and teamwork were evident throughout the investigation. The writing is well-done, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series!
Thanks W. F. Howes Ltd via NetGalley.

Thanks W. F. Howes Ltd via NetGalley.

April 22, 2025
I probably would say this book could be a 4, but it was written in present tense which always detracts from mysteries. I also found the prolonged use of flashbacks to be overdone. The detectives were fine although I don't need to know so much about their private lives. It becomes more melodrama than mystery as a result.
April 23, 2024
It's been a while since I warmed to new characters as much as I did Leo and Shan.
They have their baggage, issues and families that make them human, but they just came across as really decent people.
An interesting investigation into something that may or may not have been a crime, they worked well, left no stone unturned ,and made me feel a bit sad for Vicky.
Definitely looking out for book 2, and if it came with a flapjack recipe on the inside cover, I would not complain.
They have their baggage, issues and families that make them human, but they just came across as really decent people.
An interesting investigation into something that may or may not have been a crime, they worked well, left no stone unturned ,and made me feel a bit sad for Vicky.
Definitely looking out for book 2, and if it came with a flapjack recipe on the inside cover, I would not complain.
December 9, 2025
Good story. Well written. I enjoyed it.
May 14, 2025
1997 The Yorkshire Dales and an outdoor concert. Then one morning student Vicky Mott disappears. Then in 2019, while potholing, remains are found, found to be of Vicky. DI Donovan and DC Young investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery
An entertaining modern mystery
May 9, 2024
I do like a British crime thriller!
In 1997, a group of friends rent a cottage so they can attend a nearby festival; waking one morning to a note from one of their number saying she had gone to watch the sunrise - but she never returned. Twenty two years later, a body is discovered - who is it? How did it get there? These are the questions that Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Young must strive to answer.
I've recently went through a phase of re-watching old tv shows, one of which was Blue Murder written by Cath Staincliffe and it was soooo good that I went on the hunt for her latest novel. Her experience in writing crime shines through and this is a well-written, enigmatic read - I was never quite sure who the guilty party was until it was there in black and white. This is the beginning of what promises to be a terrific series, and I shall be watching out for the next one. An easy five stars, and definitely recommended.
In 1997, a group of friends rent a cottage so they can attend a nearby festival; waking one morning to a note from one of their number saying she had gone to watch the sunrise - but she never returned. Twenty two years later, a body is discovered - who is it? How did it get there? These are the questions that Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Young must strive to answer.
I've recently went through a phase of re-watching old tv shows, one of which was Blue Murder written by Cath Staincliffe and it was soooo good that I went on the hunt for her latest novel. Her experience in writing crime shines through and this is a well-written, enigmatic read - I was never quite sure who the guilty party was until it was there in black and white. This is the beginning of what promises to be a terrific series, and I shall be watching out for the next one. An easy five stars, and definitely recommended.
June 6, 2025
Some interesting facts, but perhaps trying too hard to include the natural world??
June 4, 2025
A hiker has found a skeleton in a local cave, and Leo and Shan learn that belongs to a woman who has been missing for over 30 years. Was a serial killer who is currently incarcerated responsible? A group of university friends had rented accommodations near a music festival, but one of them went missing. How much did the others know, or was there too much alcohol and cannabis involved to remember anything? The shocking truth will eventually come out, as will a disturbing secret involving Leo's son.
January 18, 2025
A decent police procedural but spoiled by the unnecessary SJW tropes throughout the book. The first like this that I've encountered of the crime genre that I've read, and I won't be reading another of her books for this reason. It was over the top and off-putting, though the story itself was engaging, hence the 3 stars.
May 8, 2024
‘A missing woman. A cold case. A dark secret, buried deep beneath the Yorkshire Dales. ‘
I’ve read a few Cath Staincliffe novels and always enjoyed them. The Fells, probably isn’t my favourite but it’s still a good story.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I’ve read a few Cath Staincliffe novels and always enjoyed them. The Fells, probably isn’t my favourite but it’s still a good story.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 4, 2024
Haunting
Great use of scenery to support this sad tale of anger, revenge and deception. Loved it. Look forward to the next.
Great use of scenery to support this sad tale of anger, revenge and deception. Loved it. Look forward to the next.
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