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DCI Harry Grimm #20
Stone Cold
Buried in a nightmare come true. Can Harry escape his fate in a deadly race against time?
When he wakes up imprisoned in a cave, disorientated and alone, DCI Harry Grimm knows he’s been abducted, but by who? And why? Fearing his kidnapping has been perpetrated by any one of the numerous criminals he’s put behind bars, and with escape unlikely, he knows his disappearance could have devastating consequences for the community he’s come to love.
As the team search frantically for their missing DCI, death comes to the Dales, when the body of a local artisan cheese maker is discovered. With their resources already stretched to breaking point, the team find themselves in a desperate battle against seemingly impossible odds.
As the clock ticks down and a second body surfaces, Harry must escape his captor to uncover a web of secrets. But who can he trust when the enemy might be someone he knows?
Stone Cold is the hair-raising twentieth book in the DCI Harry Grimm Crime Thrillers series. If you like hard-nosed heroes, beauty spots turned sinister, and a race against time, then you’ll be gripped by David J. Gatward's terrifying mystery.
When he wakes up imprisoned in a cave, disorientated and alone, DCI Harry Grimm knows he’s been abducted, but by who? And why? Fearing his kidnapping has been perpetrated by any one of the numerous criminals he’s put behind bars, and with escape unlikely, he knows his disappearance could have devastating consequences for the community he’s come to love.
As the team search frantically for their missing DCI, death comes to the Dales, when the body of a local artisan cheese maker is discovered. With their resources already stretched to breaking point, the team find themselves in a desperate battle against seemingly impossible odds.
As the clock ticks down and a second body surfaces, Harry must escape his captor to uncover a web of secrets. But who can he trust when the enemy might be someone he knows?
Stone Cold is the hair-raising twentieth book in the DCI Harry Grimm Crime Thrillers series. If you like hard-nosed heroes, beauty spots turned sinister, and a race against time, then you’ll be gripped by David J. Gatward's terrifying mystery.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
1562 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 4, 2025
This was ok but not the best.
This one felt rushed to me and I had it figured out long before the halfway point. I have to say not this author's best effort. I was looking forward to this but was a bit disappointed. I found myself rushing to finish it just to get it over with...not a good way to go.
This one felt rushed to me and I had it figured out long before the halfway point. I have to say not this author's best effort. I was looking forward to this but was a bit disappointed. I found myself rushing to finish it just to get it over with...not a good way to go.
December 27, 2025
Stone Cold is book twenty in the DCI Harry Grimm series by David J. Gatward. DCI Harry woke up one morning to his worst nightmare: imprisoned in a cave, with no idea why or where. His team is already stretched thin with the search for Harry and the investigation into the death of a local cheese maker. When a third body is found, will this finally destroy his team or make them stronger? Are all these incidents connected? Readers will continue to follow DS Matt Dinsdale and his team to discover what happens.
Long-running series can lose momentum, but the DCI Harry Grimm books remain gripping. Each new entry, including Stone Cold, draws readers into its characters and high-stakes plot from the first page to the last. This instalment strengthens my enthusiasm for the series. I enjoy the way David J. Gatward highlights another consequence of grief on a person. I also learn that family does not have to mean biology.
I love David J.Gatward's portrayal of his characters and their interactions with one another throughout this book. Stone Cold is well-written and researched by David J. Gatward—I like David J. Gatward, who lets me imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
Long-running series can lose momentum, but the DCI Harry Grimm books remain gripping. Each new entry, including Stone Cold, draws readers into its characters and high-stakes plot from the first page to the last. This instalment strengthens my enthusiasm for the series. I enjoy the way David J. Gatward highlights another consequence of grief on a person. I also learn that family does not have to mean biology.
I love David J.Gatward's portrayal of his characters and their interactions with one another throughout this book. Stone Cold is well-written and researched by David J. Gatward—I like David J. Gatward, who lets me imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
April 6, 2025
Only two stars as this was quite a short story and I didn't enjoy it as much as his earlier books. I am finding the recent ones a tad boring as they are padded out with too much scenery description and unnecessary dialogue. Also, I found the storyline quite unbelievable that a main character would have acted this way and not notified the team about what was happening. It just seemed so obvious who it was as well. The reason for the killings seem far fetched too. Yes, his mental health was affected but not to the extent that his reasoning for abducting DCI Grimm occurred to him.
I have always been a huge fan of Mr Gatward's books but the quality of this was below par I'm afraid.
I have always been a huge fan of Mr Gatward's books but the quality of this was below par I'm afraid.
April 2, 2025
A wonderful addition to the series. Where's Harry? They are all worried but step up to the task. Great storyline. Characters are terrific with the addition of a new one who sounds like he will fit right in.
May 4, 2025
I have to say the first few chapters are rather repetitive, showing everyone wondering what's happened and how to resolve matters. But once the book gets going there's plenty of action.
The author, as usual, gives us vivid descriptions of places, together with a warm "family" feel to the police unit.
The author, as usual, gives us vivid descriptions of places, together with a warm "family" feel to the police unit.
April 3, 2025
Not good for fingernails! -
Another great murder mystery from David Gatward. The usual banter and charm, Dales backdrop, cheese, and dogs. The Hawes-area (the literary murder capital of the Dales) is in a tither with things that should be there but aren’t, and things that aren’t there but should be. Matt is in charge of the “team” while Harry is otherwise engaged. Askew, the reporter, is “helping” out. Walker too. A new “temporary” team member is introduced and sleep deprivation is real. Rebecca and her mother investigate “non” murder scenes. Boxes of cheese get delivered. And, there are alpacas. In sum, lots of things are not what they seem. With stretched resources, and shenanigans above and underground, Harry and his team try to understand what is going on in their quiet corner of the world. The final scene suggests that Harry’s troubles will become more complicated.
Another great murder mystery from David Gatward. The usual banter and charm, Dales backdrop, cheese, and dogs. The Hawes-area (the literary murder capital of the Dales) is in a tither with things that should be there but aren’t, and things that aren’t there but should be. Matt is in charge of the “team” while Harry is otherwise engaged. Askew, the reporter, is “helping” out. Walker too. A new “temporary” team member is introduced and sleep deprivation is real. Rebecca and her mother investigate “non” murder scenes. Boxes of cheese get delivered. And, there are alpacas. In sum, lots of things are not what they seem. With stretched resources, and shenanigans above and underground, Harry and his team try to understand what is going on in their quiet corner of the world. The final scene suggests that Harry’s troubles will become more complicated.
April 12, 2025
3 1/2 stars rounded up
Stone Cold puts a much needed twist on David J. Gatward's formula for the DCI Harry Grimm series by making Harry the victim of a kidnapping (not a spoiler, it's literally how the book starts) and putting Matt and the rest of the team in the spotlight as they investigate their bosses' disappearance. Matt actually does a pretty good job in leading the team, so I wouldn't mind him doing that more often.
And while it's pretty obvious who kidnapped Harry relatively early on, as Gatward is once again giving quite a lot of equally obvious hints, the "why" is the big question here. To be honest, the solution to the case is a bit wild and the motivations of the kidnapper as well as the reason for kidnapping Harry in the first place call for some degree of suspension of disbelief. But all in all, this was one of the better cases in recent memory and it wasn't nearly as frustrating to follow the investigation as in some of the previous books in the series.
Some small criticism though (AGAIN): While Gatward seems to be slowly shifting his stance on journalists by making the team cooperate with one in some capacity, the way his characters talk about journalists in general is still alarmingly hostile and full of contempt. Occasionally working with a journalist comes across here like occasionally working with a drug dealer, a convicted murderer or some other kind of criminal. The vitriol towards Ascew especially from Matt seems somewhat uncharacteristic, as Matt is otherwise portrayed as a universally likable and open minded fellow who can get along with almost anyone. Nevertheless, babysteps.
Stone Cold puts a much needed twist on David J. Gatward's formula for the DCI Harry Grimm series by making Harry the victim of a kidnapping (not a spoiler, it's literally how the book starts) and putting Matt and the rest of the team in the spotlight as they investigate their bosses' disappearance. Matt actually does a pretty good job in leading the team, so I wouldn't mind him doing that more often.
And while it's pretty obvious who kidnapped Harry relatively early on, as Gatward is once again giving quite a lot of equally obvious hints, the "why" is the big question here. To be honest, the solution to the case is a bit wild and the motivations of the kidnapper as well as the reason for kidnapping Harry in the first place call for some degree of suspension of disbelief. But all in all, this was one of the better cases in recent memory and it wasn't nearly as frustrating to follow the investigation as in some of the previous books in the series.
Some small criticism though (AGAIN): While Gatward seems to be slowly shifting his stance on journalists by making the team cooperate with one in some capacity, the way his characters talk about journalists in general is still alarmingly hostile and full of contempt. Occasionally working with a journalist comes across here like occasionally working with a drug dealer, a convicted murderer or some other kind of criminal. The vitriol towards Ascew especially from Matt seems somewhat uncharacteristic, as Matt is otherwise portrayed as a universally likable and open minded fellow who can get along with almost anyone. Nevertheless, babysteps.
August 31, 2025
The Team of Constables at Hawes.
This is the first review I have ever written. However, I am so captivated by your stories. Your words paint pictures in my mind, like I can see the people, the town, and the vels and fels. The dogs; Fly first and then Smuge cuddling by the heat at the Community Center. How the very land they see, the weather that blows, rains and occasionally the sun that shines, fills them up. Every character that you write about becomes real. The evolution of their personalities and job growth. I see Harry and how his story grows more through each book as do all of the team. I want a Bacon Butty as well, not sure what a Chocolate Hobnob is, but I'll try it. The actual police work, the murders in each books are totally different and convoluted and complications abound. I'm eager for book 21 to see where a certain event is potentially going to happen. This is second time for me reading the DCI HARRY GRIMM books. I'm getting ready to start the DCI GORDY HAIG books, very excited to read those books. I encourage anyone who reads Detective stories to read these books. Actually I would say read every book David J Gatward writes.
This is the first review I have ever written. However, I am so captivated by your stories. Your words paint pictures in my mind, like I can see the people, the town, and the vels and fels. The dogs; Fly first and then Smuge cuddling by the heat at the Community Center. How the very land they see, the weather that blows, rains and occasionally the sun that shines, fills them up. Every character that you write about becomes real. The evolution of their personalities and job growth. I see Harry and how his story grows more through each book as do all of the team. I want a Bacon Butty as well, not sure what a Chocolate Hobnob is, but I'll try it. The actual police work, the murders in each books are totally different and convoluted and complications abound. I'm eager for book 21 to see where a certain event is potentially going to happen. This is second time for me reading the DCI HARRY GRIMM books. I'm getting ready to start the DCI GORDY HAIG books, very excited to read those books. I encourage anyone who reads Detective stories to read these books. Actually I would say read every book David J Gatward writes.
July 2, 2025
When he wakes up imprisoned in a cave, disorientated and alone, DCI Harry Grimm knows he’s been abducted, but by who? And why? Fearing his kidnapping has been perpetrated by any one of the numerous criminals he’s put behind bars, and with escape unlikely, he knows his disappearance could have devastating consequences for the community he’s come to love.
As the team search frantically for their missing DCI, death comes to the Dales, when the body of a local artisan cheese maker is discovered. With their resources already stretched to breaking point, the team find themselves in a desperate battle against seemingly impossible odds.
As the clock ticks down and a second body surfaces, Harry must escape his captor to uncover a web of secrets. But who can he trust when the enemy might be someone he knows?
The team continues to search for Harry not knowing what happened to him. Beautiful descriptions of the countryside are interesting to visualize what is happening. The final chapters include a twist not anticipated. Highly Recommend. Another book I could not put down until the end
As the team search frantically for their missing DCI, death comes to the Dales, when the body of a local artisan cheese maker is discovered. With their resources already stretched to breaking point, the team find themselves in a desperate battle against seemingly impossible odds.
As the clock ticks down and a second body surfaces, Harry must escape his captor to uncover a web of secrets. But who can he trust when the enemy might be someone he knows?
The team continues to search for Harry not knowing what happened to him. Beautiful descriptions of the countryside are interesting to visualize what is happening. The final chapters include a twist not anticipated. Highly Recommend. Another book I could not put down until the end
April 4, 2025
I have enjoyed this series . For some reason this one just didn’t grab me. It seemed like a lot of the part that I read was just rehashing the past….. filling in space. It may just be the day or the mood I’m in . I will set this aside to try again at another time, since I have enjoyed the previous 19 books in the series. May revise my review later. AND in checking thru Harry’s house and then Ben’s house 2 items came to them that any police officer would have been curious about. So why were those two things ignored? I think there is a good story line here, however it didn’t fill enough pages for the Editors, so there was a lot of ‘fill in’. Just not up to the usual caliber of this author. Saddens me, I really enjoy these books and look forward to a new one.
April 4, 2025
One of the best yet.
I especially enjoyed this current novel. I feel like I actually know all of these people. If you haven't read any of this series, I suggest you start now and from the beginning. I love them so much that last fall I had the opportunity to visit the UK and Ireland. I made a special effort to visit some of the places in these books. It was a special highlight of my trip. That should tell you something of the enjoyment I get from reading about Harry and all of the rich and full characters.
I especially enjoyed this current novel. I feel like I actually know all of these people. If you haven't read any of this series, I suggest you start now and from the beginning. I love them so much that last fall I had the opportunity to visit the UK and Ireland. I made a special effort to visit some of the places in these books. It was a special highlight of my trip. That should tell you something of the enjoyment I get from reading about Harry and all of the rich and full characters.
April 1, 2025
intense and brilliant
Another wonderful read in the DCI HARRY Grimm series keep them coming DAVID I am a fan or this series and hope to get to read many more stories in the beautiful Dales. The characters are so vivid and real it makes the reader feel like we know them even though we know they are fiction.
Recommend you-read the books in order as the characters develop in a brilliant way in the series.
Lady Anita R-P
Another wonderful read in the DCI HARRY Grimm series keep them coming DAVID I am a fan or this series and hope to get to read many more stories in the beautiful Dales. The characters are so vivid and real it makes the reader feel like we know them even though we know they are fiction.
Recommend you-read the books in order as the characters develop in a brilliant way in the series.
Lady Anita R-P
April 1, 2025
What can I say.... this book has two murders, a kidnapping, a person being blackmailed and help from an unusual source, the team have their work cut out trying to get to the bottom of all this, with the help of detective superintendent walker and a new face in the form of a detective inspector.. the twists and turns in this book make it a 5🌟 book yet again for david gatward and he leaves us dangling at the end with a hint of what to expect in book 21
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up.
Didn’t love this one as much as the others. Felt not right to have Harry out of the fight and Ben traumatised AGAIN. Askew being decent was a nice surprise actually and he was a great ally. Would’ve liked to see more in terms of Andrew’s mental health and maybe an explanation that they would recommend psychiatric help in his sentencing or something, because it was unbearably sad what was happening with him.
Didn’t love this one as much as the others. Felt not right to have Harry out of the fight and Ben traumatised AGAIN. Askew being decent was a nice surprise actually and he was a great ally. Would’ve liked to see more in terms of Andrew’s mental health and maybe an explanation that they would recommend psychiatric help in his sentencing or something, because it was unbearably sad what was happening with him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2025
I found the latest Harry Grimm to be completely silly and beggared belief. Without giving spoilers, I don’t believe that characters we have come to know, could not have acted differently and spoken up and in doing so keep everyone safe while apprehending someone in desperate need of mental health intervention.
April 3, 2025
Too shirt, but, so good!
As a fan of a well written murder mystery, I follow some really good authors.
David J. Gatward, is one of the best. Harry Grimm is a damn fine character, and his crew, are a joy to read about.
From an amazing local, to great murders, these are some of the best. I highly recommend these books!
As a fan of a well written murder mystery, I follow some really good authors.
David J. Gatward, is one of the best. Harry Grimm is a damn fine character, and his crew, are a joy to read about.
From an amazing local, to great murders, these are some of the best. I highly recommend these books!
April 7, 2025
Another excellent entry into the Grimm series and a new character introduced to the team. The relationships between the characters continue to grow and develop and the mystery in this one was interesting and tragic. And the teaser at the end… can’t wait for the next installment. Thankfully we get a Gordy Haig installment to tide us over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
Harry Grimm is kidnapped and kept captive in an abandoned mineshaft while the rest of the team deals with a series of mysterious deaths. Rumors abound in the Dales, and the team and Harry are assisted by a surprising ally. A new DI joins the team, “temporarily.” It remains to be seen how well DI Ethan Morgan will fit with the team.
April 10, 2025
This book was a disappointment. The story really dragged while Harry was missing. All I read several times was “Smudge was ok, so Harry will be too”. The plot was so far fetched that it did not keep my attention and I skimmed many parts. The villain’s character was not very well developed. Harry is a HERO, I guess.
April 13, 2025
Good story
Harry and the gang really have their hands full when an unknown person bent on revenge makes am opening move by kidnapping Harry. This, naturally, throws the whole team into a tizzy, which is only compounded when bodies start showing up. To make matters more challenging, no one could have suspected the killer's motive for acting.
Harry and the gang really have their hands full when an unknown person bent on revenge makes am opening move by kidnapping Harry. This, naturally, throws the whole team into a tizzy, which is only compounded when bodies start showing up. To make matters more challenging, no one could have suspected the killer's motive for acting.
April 14, 2025
Harry Escapes Thank Goodness!
This story has Harry kidnapped. It's not clear why but he seems safe from harm in an underground cave. But his team are searching for him and then other deaths start happening. So his team have to investigate those deaths while still trying to locate Harry. There's a lot of action in this thriller.
This story has Harry kidnapped. It's not clear why but he seems safe from harm in an underground cave. But his team are searching for him and then other deaths start happening. So his team have to investigate those deaths while still trying to locate Harry. There's a lot of action in this thriller.
April 15, 2025
Another home run for Gatward.
I enjoyed this latest Harry Grimm book but not quite as much as most of the previous ones. Mainly because I had read just a few pages when I knew the first who and not many more pages to guess the final who. Still a good read and recommend it. Thanks David
I enjoyed this latest Harry Grimm book but not quite as much as most of the previous ones. Mainly because I had read just a few pages when I knew the first who and not many more pages to guess the final who. Still a good read and recommend it. Thanks David
May 2, 2025
disappointed
Unable to believe that Ben would not have gone straight to Harry the one man who could have ended it at the start. And the to say Ben was as much a victim as Harry laughable should charged with aiding & abetting in the murders and with his record sent back to prison for a long time
Unable to believe that Ben would not have gone straight to Harry the one man who could have ended it at the start. And the to say Ben was as much a victim as Harry laughable should charged with aiding & abetting in the murders and with his record sent back to prison for a long time
June 2, 2025
Hate being caught up with the series but Harry Grimm series so good. This time Harry wakes up bound in the dark in a cave. The focus is on each member of the team as they must work to figure out where and why was Harry abducted and when murders begin happening around the area are they connected in any way to the missing Harry. Just a solid good read.
December 22, 2025
Stone Cold by David J. Gatward is a tense, fast-paced crime thriller that grips from the very first page. With a terrifying premise, strong character dynamics, and a relentless race against time, this twentieth DCI Harry Grimm novel proves the series is as compelling and emotionally resonant as ever.
April 2, 2025
Knocked out of the ball park!
Well Dave you have done it again , what a cracking book from the first page,I think this is the best one yet,although I did work out who kidnapped Harry, didn't spoil the read,pre ordered number 21
😉
Well Dave you have done it again , what a cracking book from the first page,I think this is the best one yet,although I did work out who kidnapped Harry, didn't spoil the read,pre ordered number 21
😉
Read
April 6, 2025One day, a police procedural may exist where a well-adjusted, romantically fulfilled and unfailingly sunny detective capers through harrowing cases without any trauma at all. For now, readers , will have to settle for another bleak crime-fighting stint with ………………….
April 6, 2025
good to see Harry and the gang again
Glad to see that this isn’t the last Yorkshire murder. As usual, great plotting. A complicated plot as well, from 3 pov characters. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Glad to see that this isn’t the last Yorkshire murder. As usual, great plotting. A complicated plot as well, from 3 pov characters. Thoroughly enjoyable.
April 7, 2025
Dave Gatward Wins Again
Well, the book is STILL not long enough but the storyline is surprisingly different from the usual Harry Grimm. I adore Harry Grimm and his world but, in this book, that world changes a bit. Dive into Stone Cold to see what I mean.
Well, the book is STILL not long enough but the storyline is surprisingly different from the usual Harry Grimm. I adore Harry Grimm and his world but, in this book, that world changes a bit. Dive into Stone Cold to see what I mean.
Read
April 9, 2025As usual it was a terrific read, looking forward to next book, already put the order in. Just a thought could you include a picture of the boss man, I know it will give nightmares but would be a bit of fun. We could see if his features ?? What do you think. Well done great read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews