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DI Haig Crime Thrillers #3
Death Springs
When the body of Simon Miller, a keen member of an outdoor swimming group, is discovered in a remote woodland pool, Detective Inspector Gordy Haig’s new life in Somerset takes a sinister turn.
Disappointed to be called away from her first date since the death of her partner, and frustrated by a lack of evidence, Gordy finds the waters muddied further by a local builder claiming he’s received supernatural visions about Miller's death.
When another member of the swimming group is attacked, Gordy begins to wonder if the builder knows more than he should. Could he be involved in the murder, or is he really receiving messages from beyond the grave?
With springs of spiritual healing fast becoming pools of death, can Gordy act quickly enough to prevent further bloodshed?Dive beneath the surface of Death Springs today!
Disappointed to be called away from her first date since the death of her partner, and frustrated by a lack of evidence, Gordy finds the waters muddied further by a local builder claiming he’s received supernatural visions about Miller's death.
When another member of the swimming group is attacked, Gordy begins to wonder if the builder knows more than he should. Could he be involved in the murder, or is he really receiving messages from beyond the grave?
With springs of spiritual healing fast becoming pools of death, can Gordy act quickly enough to prevent further bloodshed?Dive beneath the surface of Death Springs today!
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2025
1059 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 4, 2025
I have read all the books by this author and prefer the Dells series. I am not sure that I like Gordie in a stand alone series. She was fine in a supporting cast. The plot in this book was interesting and I learned about cold water swimming. The book would have been much better without the ghost appearances . This was unnecessary and stupid.
July 2, 2025
Tremendously disappointing
A pointless ghost story disguised as a mystery. I love the author's Harry Grimm books and this offshoot series with an interesting and appealing protagonist started well. This third book in the series is just terrible. Ghosts, visions, ridiculous coincidences. I wouldn't be surprised if book 4 has vampires.
A pointless ghost story disguised as a mystery. I love the author's Harry Grimm books and this offshoot series with an interesting and appealing protagonist started well. This third book in the series is just terrible. Ghosts, visions, ridiculous coincidences. I wouldn't be surprised if book 4 has vampires.
July 3, 2025
It was a good book but I thought some parts were redundant. The explanation about the last swim was repetitive. I like the crime novels about DCI Grimm better.
July 18, 2025
Silly
Not particularly enjoyable or plausible. Don't like Gordy's character. Way too much empty, irritating conversation between shallow characters that spoils the story.
Not particularly enjoyable or plausible. Don't like Gordy's character. Way too much empty, irritating conversation between shallow characters that spoils the story.
July 12, 2025
Oh dear. I have persevered with DI Haig crime thrillers as I like the Grimm series very much but I am not finding these thrilling at all. They remind me of the 'cosy' murder books you can get which are very mild. I had got to 50% on my kindle and they had only just discovered the body! The first half was filled with countryside descriptions and filler from previous books. Very slow, which made me skip over quite a bit. The story was rather far fetched (again!) without an ounce of tension and I do find Gordy quite curt and dismissive. I don't warm to her at all. I'm afraid this will be my last DI Haig book.
December 5, 2025
Mmmm OK
A Good Story. Not really warming to Gordy and the other Characters. This seams Far Fetched at Times and the Story suffers for it
A Good Story. Not really warming to Gordy and the other Characters. This seams Far Fetched at Times and the Story suffers for it
July 24, 2025
When the body of Simon Miller, a keen member of an outdoor swimming group, is discovered in a remote woodland pool, Detective Inspector Gordy Haig’s new life in Somerset takes a sinister turn.
Disappointed to be called away from her first date since the death of her partner, and frustrated by a lack of evidence, Gordy finds the waters muddied further by a local builder claiming he’s received supernatural visions about Miller's death.
When another member of the swimming group is attacked, Gordy begins to wonder if the builder knows more than he should. Could he be involved in the murder, or is he really receiving messages from beyond the grave?
Gordy had been a great Detective Inspector in previous cases. Gordy is so hung up on the loss of her partner she is not the officer she is in previous cases. She shows far too much whining and not focused. Most of David Gatward's books and characters are excellent reads. This one, not so much. Gave a 4 star because it is Gatward. Gordy's issue also is with the crime board on which information is listed on board with persons being investigated, and items that need to be followed up upon. She has people on her team who can use the electronic crime board since they used a similar "white board" in school. Yet, Gordy does not use her team efficiently to have them do the white board but wastes time hunting down the "old stuff board on wheels". Lots of pages are given over to dragging this old board around. Character of DI Haig is dumbed down in this book, sadly. It finally does drag to the end of the book with an arrest being made but loses some of the character of Gordy who is too unsure of herself.
Disappointed to be called away from her first date since the death of her partner, and frustrated by a lack of evidence, Gordy finds the waters muddied further by a local builder claiming he’s received supernatural visions about Miller's death.
When another member of the swimming group is attacked, Gordy begins to wonder if the builder knows more than he should. Could he be involved in the murder, or is he really receiving messages from beyond the grave?
Gordy had been a great Detective Inspector in previous cases. Gordy is so hung up on the loss of her partner she is not the officer she is in previous cases. She shows far too much whining and not focused. Most of David Gatward's books and characters are excellent reads. This one, not so much. Gave a 4 star because it is Gatward. Gordy's issue also is with the crime board on which information is listed on board with persons being investigated, and items that need to be followed up upon. She has people on her team who can use the electronic crime board since they used a similar "white board" in school. Yet, Gordy does not use her team efficiently to have them do the white board but wastes time hunting down the "old stuff board on wheels". Lots of pages are given over to dragging this old board around. Character of DI Haig is dumbed down in this book, sadly. It finally does drag to the end of the book with an arrest being made but loses some of the character of Gordy who is too unsure of herself.
October 28, 2025
A disappointment. I've found this series to be far less to my taste than the original Harry Grimm books, with the things I dislike about those (lazy repetitive writing elements, shallow character interactions) amped up. Not every book needs to wax lyrical about cake and cheese, or crisps and cheese... And while the attempt to build DI Haig's character around her grief, and eventual recovery from it, is different and overall, I think, fairly well done, it's unfortunately pretty tedious.
Both series have always been a somewhat uneasy mix of "cozy" elements and graphic violence. The balance in the Grimm books, though trending a bit too much towards the former for my tastes, generally works for me; but it doesn't here, and the books have been increasingly hard to get interested in. The initial scene setting in this volume takes up over 15% of the book, and I almost gave up before the main character even made an appearance.
But it's the author's decision to introduce a supernatural element as a major part of this book that is the turning point for me. There's no attempt to have this be ambiguous, to leave any doubt as to whether there may be a mundane explanation for the events; and to do this in the middle of what up until now had been presented as a typical police thriller series is bizarre and, for me at least, breaks faith with the reader.
I disliked Death Springs, found it hard to get into and harder to finish, very much disliked the unheralded change in nature compared to everything that's come before it, and won't be reading any more of the DI Haig books.
Both series have always been a somewhat uneasy mix of "cozy" elements and graphic violence. The balance in the Grimm books, though trending a bit too much towards the former for my tastes, generally works for me; but it doesn't here, and the books have been increasingly hard to get interested in. The initial scene setting in this volume takes up over 15% of the book, and I almost gave up before the main character even made an appearance.
But it's the author's decision to introduce a supernatural element as a major part of this book that is the turning point for me. There's no attempt to have this be ambiguous, to leave any doubt as to whether there may be a mundane explanation for the events; and to do this in the middle of what up until now had been presented as a typical police thriller series is bizarre and, for me at least, breaks faith with the reader.
I disliked Death Springs, found it hard to get into and harder to finish, very much disliked the unheralded change in nature compared to everything that's come before it, and won't be reading any more of the DI Haig books.
July 31, 2025
3.5 but rounded up.
I love Gordy. Loved her in the main Grimm series and have been pleased with her own spinoff series.
However, when I watch the author's FB live about the book and he mentioned that this has a bit more of a supernatural leaning, which he loved because he started his writing career as a horror writer and was happy to send this series in that direction, I WAS WORRIED.
If you've read any of my other reviews where the police procedural authors have a supernatural installment, I am ok with it as long as in the end, reality is clear and the supernatural was really just a regular bad guy. If I start a series, even a copper one, that has its own mystical or supernatural leaning, that's fine. But it's the dropping in of this in the middle of a series where this element doesn't exist bugs me. It's a personal flaw.
Gordy seeing the medium in her debut book, fine. Even this one ended with a human bad guy but left the supernatural a bit too open. I did love the story, even the inclusion of the reluctant medium, but if Gatward is going to make Gordy's entire series like this, I will struggle.
If the author want a police crime series set within the supernatural, I urge him to remove it from the universe that not only Gordy and Grimm reside but so do DCI Jack Logan (JD Kirk) and DCI Robbie Kett (Alex Smith) along with others, since there's a lot of cameos among those writers in this genre.
I love Gordy. Loved her in the main Grimm series and have been pleased with her own spinoff series.
However, when I watch the author's FB live about the book and he mentioned that this has a bit more of a supernatural leaning, which he loved because he started his writing career as a horror writer and was happy to send this series in that direction, I WAS WORRIED.
If you've read any of my other reviews where the police procedural authors have a supernatural installment, I am ok with it as long as in the end, reality is clear and the supernatural was really just a regular bad guy. If I start a series, even a copper one, that has its own mystical or supernatural leaning, that's fine. But it's the dropping in of this in the middle of a series where this element doesn't exist bugs me. It's a personal flaw.
Gordy seeing the medium in her debut book, fine. Even this one ended with a human bad guy but left the supernatural a bit too open. I did love the story, even the inclusion of the reluctant medium, but if Gatward is going to make Gordy's entire series like this, I will struggle.
If the author want a police crime series set within the supernatural, I urge him to remove it from the universe that not only Gordy and Grimm reside but so do DCI Jack Logan (JD Kirk) and DCI Robbie Kett (Alex Smith) along with others, since there's a lot of cameos among those writers in this genre.
November 17, 2025
1.5? 2 stars? I don’t know. What I do know is that there’s no way, over 20 books deep in this universe, Gatward thought this would be a great addition. One of the things that’s always frustrated me about this universe is how unbelievably (key word) dense the detectives are. They’re shown or told something plainly, and immediately are like no way! What do you mean! It can’t be! Erm, use your fucking brain. It’s there in abundance in Death Springs. And to randomly have a book that’s paranormal in genre when it’s been nothing of the sort even remotely at any point so far?? Last point to make: I love Gordy in the DCI Grimm series, and I know she’s been through unimaginable loss, but in this book particularly, she’s so bloody rude and condescending and disbelieving of victims of crime or witnesses. Drives me round the bend. Hoping the next book pretends none of this exists.
July 6, 2025
Death Springs by David Gatward
Death Springs is book 3 in the DI Haig crime thriller series. This book covers the wild swimming idea , which has taken route across the country. It covers a wide aspect of this story and the wild swimmers who take enjoyment from immersing in cold water.
Simon is found murdered in the Death Springs and Gordy needs to find who is responsible for his death and two further attempted murders.
An excellent story, great characters and looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Death Springs is book 3 in the DI Haig crime thriller series. This book covers the wild swimming idea , which has taken route across the country. It covers a wide aspect of this story and the wild swimmers who take enjoyment from immersing in cold water.
Simon is found murdered in the Death Springs and Gordy needs to find who is responsible for his death and two further attempted murders.
An excellent story, great characters and looking forward to reading the next in the series.
October 14, 2025
Such a twist!
This was definitely a very twisty thriller. I did not have a clue as to who was the killer and happy it was not anyone in the original Ebb. The club/group that is totally a group but tells everyone they aren’t lol. That really was funny.
The only thing I didn’t like was the ghost bit. I don’t want Gordy to end up with characters into superstition, characters having a premonition or supernatural abilities in every novel. It takes away from the thriller detective aspect.
Looking forward to the next one!
This was definitely a very twisty thriller. I did not have a clue as to who was the killer and happy it was not anyone in the original Ebb. The club/group that is totally a group but tells everyone they aren’t lol. That really was funny.
The only thing I didn’t like was the ghost bit. I don’t want Gordy to end up with characters into superstition, characters having a premonition or supernatural abilities in every novel. It takes away from the thriller detective aspect.
Looking forward to the next one!
December 20, 2025
Very enjoyable
This is a spin off series, from the Grimm series, featuring Gordy, Harry's second in charge. After her partner died, Gordy decides to still move to Somerset, as they had planned, and take up the new position she had been offered, for a new start. This is the 3rd book in this series, and she is making new friends and settling into her new job, even considering dating again.
The crime itself is a bit baffling for the team, but they get their man in the end. An easy read, with mystery and a bit of fun.
This is a spin off series, from the Grimm series, featuring Gordy, Harry's second in charge. After her partner died, Gordy decides to still move to Somerset, as they had planned, and take up the new position she had been offered, for a new start. This is the 3rd book in this series, and she is making new friends and settling into her new job, even considering dating again.
The crime itself is a bit baffling for the team, but they get their man in the end. An easy read, with mystery and a bit of fun.
July 2, 2025
It was great to Catch Up with Gordy and Her Team Again! It’s always a pleasure diving back into a David Gatward story, and Death Springs doesn’t disappoint. The story is fast-paced, gripping, and full of the twists and turns we have come to expect. Ruth Urquhart delivers another superb narration, perfectly capturing the mood and bringing each character to life. Exciting from start to finish. Highly recommended.
August 10, 2025
Slow and steady story telling in this murder mystery
. I like the evolution of Gordy through this series and this story helps. However, this was a very slow story (no murder mystery/body/etc. well into the book). The repetition while often useful seemed like filler more so than usual. Ghosts and psychics(?) not necessary. A big fan of David Gatward’s but this book was less satisfactory than all others I have read (including every Grimm book).
. I like the evolution of Gordy through this series and this story helps. However, this was a very slow story (no murder mystery/body/etc. well into the book). The repetition while often useful seemed like filler more so than usual. Ghosts and psychics(?) not necessary. A big fan of David Gatward’s but this book was less satisfactory than all others I have read (including every Grimm book).
July 13, 2025
This latest novel about Gordy shows her still struggling with the loss of Anna but being dragged into a speed-dating session - with interesting results. Not sure how relevant the ghostly experiences of Tony Mills are, or how they might be treated in real life, but I am certainly looking forward to reading no. 4 in the autumn.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk
July 14, 2025
The third Gordy Haig mystery/thriller. Gordy and her team investigate the murder of a member of a cold water swimming group, Simon Miller. They are assisted by an unlikely psychic ally (who hates that he sees ghosts). Gordy enters the dating world again, and, wonderfully, Anna lets her know it’s okay. I really enjoyed this book and am a fan of the new series.
September 7, 2025
Not Gory This Time!
Previous books in this series have involved unusual and very gory murders. This time there are usual but not gory murders. For which I'm glad. I think it was about time the author scaled them back. I enjoyed this mystery and it was great to see that DI Haig was winding down on her unending grief at the loss of her lover. So this rates a five star review.
Previous books in this series have involved unusual and very gory murders. This time there are usual but not gory murders. For which I'm glad. I think it was about time the author scaled them back. I enjoyed this mystery and it was great to see that DI Haig was winding down on her unending grief at the loss of her lover. So this rates a five star review.
July 5, 2025
I love the Grimm stories with the development of well rounded characters and the imaginative situations and probably with there having been many Grimm books I have been spoilt. I feel this series at the moment is lacking but maybe as it continues it will also improve
July 6, 2025
strange story
I found the first 5 chapters trialling! Then Gordy appears and things looked up. However there are many unanswered questions left lingering at the end. Why was Charlie so defensive? What happened to Tony? Why did Daniel want to kill Charlie and Gail?
I found the first 5 chapters trialling! Then Gordy appears and things looked up. However there are many unanswered questions left lingering at the end. Why was Charlie so defensive? What happened to Tony? Why did Daniel want to kill Charlie and Gail?
July 7, 2025
Good Story
Found it a bit slow at first but after first two chapters I couldn't stop reading it until I finished it.Getting used to Gordie and her team and really enjoying this series.
Found it a bit slow at first but after first two chapters I couldn't stop reading it until I finished it.Getting used to Gordie and her team and really enjoying this series.
July 12, 2025
Good story
Harry is still my favorite, but I also enjoy reading Gordy's further adventures. This one had a bit if a completely unexpected twist which I'll be interested to see if it carries into future books.
Harry is still my favorite, but I also enjoy reading Gordy's further adventures. This one had a bit if a completely unexpected twist which I'll be interested to see if it carries into future books.
July 16, 2025
Wonderful
I am a David J. Gatward fan. I’m awaiting the latest installment in the DCI Grimm series where DCI Haig was an integral part of that team. I am completely enjoying this spinoff series where Gordy is the lead detective.
I am a David J. Gatward fan. I’m awaiting the latest installment in the DCI Grimm series where DCI Haig was an integral part of that team. I am completely enjoying this spinoff series where Gordy is the lead detective.
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July 21, 2025Another Excellent Story
Another excellent story in the DI Craig series by David. Lot's of the usual characters and a very good storyline. It also looks as though she is going to move on in her personal life.Looking forward to reading more.
Another excellent story in the DI Craig series by David. Lot's of the usual characters and a very good storyline. It also looks as though she is going to move on in her personal life.Looking forward to reading more.
July 23, 2025
Another Winner!
I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about Gordy moving away. But she’s doing pretty good! This story was a complicated one. I didn’t guess the killer until the end. I look forward to the next book. Beth P.
I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about Gordy moving away. But she’s doing pretty good! This story was a complicated one. I didn’t guess the killer until the end. I look forward to the next book. Beth P.
July 26, 2025
DEATH SPRINGS
Really enjoyed this third book in di haig series and have also read all the dci harry grimm books why do I have to scan a qr code to read the next one in the series why can’t I just download it to my kindle like I’ve done with all you other books I’ve read 🤷🏼♂️?
Really enjoyed this third book in di haig series and have also read all the dci harry grimm books why do I have to scan a qr code to read the next one in the series why can’t I just download it to my kindle like I’ve done with all you other books I’ve read 🤷🏼♂️?
July 28, 2025
Excellent
Murder is murder, but putting a different slant on it is hard. This book has a lovely mix of the supernatural and the normal about it. Well written, yet again. Characters work well together. Highly recommended.
Murder is murder, but putting a different slant on it is hard. This book has a lovely mix of the supernatural and the normal about it. Well written, yet again. Characters work well together. Highly recommended.
August 4, 2025
Outstanding crime thriller
Loved the story from beginning to end. i enjoyed all the characters funny in parts of the book. The story kept me on the edge of my seat till the end, and I can't wait to read next in the series 🙌
Loved the story from beginning to end. i enjoyed all the characters funny in parts of the book. The story kept me on the edge of my seat till the end, and I can't wait to read next in the series 🙌
August 10, 2025
Brilliant!!
Loved this book, super read.
All 3 books have been really good. Looking forward to book 4.
Great story, know the area, very much on point with the description of each town.
Many thanks! ☺️
Loved this book, super read.
All 3 books have been really good. Looking forward to book 4.
Great story, know the area, very much on point with the description of each town.
Many thanks! ☺️
September 6, 2025
I didn't mind this so much, but it was a bit of an unrealistic story. I will try the next book in the series when it is released. Love the Harry Grimm series. I like Gordy but the ghost segments in the story not so much
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews