Rate this book

When The Storm Dies

Name: When The Storm Dies (The Deadly Wolds Murder Mysteries, #1)
Rating: 4.33 (36 reviews)

When the storm dies…where will you hide?When a violent summer storm hits the Lincolnshire Wolds, the tiny village of Bag Enderby falls foul of the devastating deluge. Homes are flooded, fallen trees lie across the winding lanes, and in one picturesque valley, a terrible secret is unearthed – a woman’s body is discovered floating among the debris.

For Detective Inspector George Larson, the storm marks the beginning of a new episode. A return to where his career began all those years ago, with colleagues he hasn’t seen for a lifetime, and places that are etched into his heart. It’s as if the storm is wiping his slate clean for him to end his career in the place he loves – until his journey leads him into the heart of the crime scene, where he learns the victim’s name and memories of an unsolved murder float to the surface.

Florence Tucker suffered severe head wounds, which leaves George faced with a possibility that his new superior officer is keen to reject – is this a new investigation, or is George’s ageing mind trying to close an unsolved case that has haunted him for years?

With a community still reeling from the past, few are willing to speak the truth, leaving George with little option but to wade through the lies and deceit, and face his nightmare head on.

Why did Florence Tucker die? Who was the last to see her? And why are the locals terrified of digging up the past?

When The Storm Dies is the first book in the Deadly Wolds series of crime thrillers from USA Today bestselling crime writer, Jack Cartwright, author of the Wild Fens Murder Mysteries and the DCI Cook Murder Mysteries. Fans of Jack Cartwright also enjoy J M Dalgliesh, Anne Cleeves, LJ Ross, and Val McDermid.

GenresMysteryCrimeFictionSuspense

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2025

1956 people are currently reading

178 people want to read

About the author

Jack Cartwright

22 books38 followers

What do you think?

Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars

1,251 (52%)

4 stars

767 (32%)

3 stars

277 (11%)

2 stars

61 (2%)

1 star

21 (<1%)

Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

Julie Powell

Author 72 books324 followers

March 21, 2025

We were introduced to George Larson in the D I Bloom series and it was good to see him again. As a detective inspector, he is literally thrown in the deep end during a storm and flood as he starts a new job in familiar territory. The present collides with the past.

George is a likeable character and Ivy is good sergeant, both have their personal troubles.

I enjoyed this well-written British crime thriller, its atmospheric descriptions and twisty plot.

Engaging and recommended.

David Cox

50 reviews

January 19, 2025

Could have been good but spoilt by some silly errors. For instance, 2 women going over 50 hours without needing a toilet break. A confusing ending was it him or her or another woman and where did the action take place?
Disappointed.

Mary Ryan

1,486 reviews25 followers

February 13, 2025

This is the first in a new series by this author and it's off to a brilliant start. DI George Larson and his sidekick DS Ivy Hart find themselves in the middle of things on their first day when the bodies of a local couple are discovered after a violent storm ends. It seems both were murdered. Their daughter and a neighbour are missing. George knows both as it brings back memories of events ten years earlier when he was stationed here at the time.

I was engrossed in this right from the start. I liked how the location was described and the depiction of the storm was quite vivid. The relationship between George and Ivy was interesting and I enjoyed how events from the present day and years ago were nicely tied up together. I'm off to get the next one in the series now.

Laura Gregory

108 reviews1 follower

January 17, 2025

I wasn’t as hooked on this as I wanted to be. I really enjoyed following the personal lives of the detectives as well as the plot.
I almost wished there was more from Lucy and Sophie throughout, but appreciate that kept us on our toes.
It was quite sad at the end with Connor and the vulnerabilities that he obviously has, and how this translates to his behaviour.
I was so sad with for George at the end when he went to visit Grace and felt this tied the book up nicely.

Overall a good read but nothing groundbreaking :)

Elaine Anderson

196 reviews5 followers

May 15, 2025

This could have been an excellent book but at times just felt quite muddled. Shame as I liked the characters.

Muskslot

1 review

Want to read

July 4, 2025

Kathy

12 reviews

November 22, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Stormy, Heart-Pounding, Absolutely Addictive Adventure

When The Storm Dies by Jack Cartwright is one of those rare thrillers that grabs you by the collar from page one and refuses to let go—even when you promise yourself you’ll just finish this chapter before bed. (Spoiler: you won’t.)

Cartwright knows how to build tension like he’s assembling a lightning rod. The story opens with a bang, plunges you straight into chaos, and then somehow keeps escalating until you’re clutching the book like it’s a flotation device. The storm at the center of the novel isn’t just weather—it’s mood, metaphor, menace, and pure narrative adrenaline.

The characters? A delightfully messy crew of survivors, secret-keepers, and people who probably should have stayed home that day. You root for them, shout at them, and occasionally want to shake them—but you’re with them every step through the swirling danger.

What makes this a five-star blast is the sheer fun of it. It’s cinematic, twisty, and paced like Cartwright had a stopwatch in one hand and a bolt of lightning in the other. The final reveal hits with such force that you might briefly forget how breathing works.

Five stars: electrifying, wildly entertaining, and impossible to put down. Perfect for readers who love their thrillers fast, their twists bold, and their storms truly unforgettable.

Mrs Maureen

56 reviews

January 9, 2025

Another great book 📖 bringing us 2 new detectives.... DI Larson and his partner DS Ivy Hart, both starting at a new station in the wolds of Lincolnshire, a first day that begins with two murders, two missing people, and links to an unsolved case dating back 10 years, which DI Larson was in charge of, this book is full of the twists and turns we've come to expect from Jack cartwright, making us guess right to the end which one of the many people is the murderer...and does it solve both the new and old case??? Read it and see.... you won't be disappointed, another 5🌟 series in the making ... roll on book 📖 2👏

Elizabeth

347 reviews9 followers

January 20, 2025

Who cries at murder mysteries?

That would be me.

This is the first in a new series for Jack Carter. I have the second lined up as my next read.

It is set in the Wolds of Lincolnshire, starting in the middle of rain storms that verge on being apocalyptic. Ideal weather for houses flooding as water pours off the ground,parched from a dry summer.

Obviously there is/are murder/s but also people disappear.

DI Larson ,seemingly new to the area ,decides to tag present events on to a case of a missing child and a hanged man from ten years previously.

No spoilers okay but so far this is the best book I have read in 2025 (20th Jan).

Karen Oakley

348 reviews3 followers

January 7, 2025

This is a new series from Jack Cartwright introducing DI George Larson and DS Ivy Hart. This police procedural starts off a little slow as Larson gets to grips with a new case in the place he worked a missing child case before. The ending though is quite explosive and keeps you guessing until the end. My one criticism is can you go 50 hours without a bathroom break?
Not sure I have taken to DI Larson but will give the next book a go.

Janet Suggitt

4 reviews

February 13, 2025

Overall I enjoyed the story but found a couple of errors ( perhaps one of the errors is just on the kindle version - calling her Lucy Gibson once when she is Lucy Tucker )
One of the timelines is peculiar as well with Jason and Lucy on the Friday night. He appears to be in two places at once at 11:30 in the evening.
Have still given the book 4 stars as the story kept me involved and will look forward to book 2 in the series

Mrs Anita Baker

56 reviews

February 17, 2025

Promising start to new series to me. I like the way the characters are unfolding DI George Larson and DS Ivy Tate having worked together previously now have 2 new members in new location,though unbeknown to Ivy George previously worked there with a 10yr old unsolved case hanging over him which links to their first he literally drove into on arrival in area. Lots of suspects gradually make way till the real culprits are revealed in twist. I will definitely be reading moreover this series.

Julian Tremayne

315 reviews2 followers

April 20, 2025

I really enjoyed this new book, the first of a series, in which we meet some new characters, but also some familiar ones from other Lincolnshire stories. A long-standing grievance between familes finally comes to resolution under the watchful eye of Inspector George Larsen, who also shows a caring side towards his new team. Looking forward to the next one.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire.

Christmas Angel

1,308 reviews16 followers

December 30, 2024

A masterful story of denial, betrayal, depravity, regret, love, and loss. A sadness that overwhelms. Characters that glow and pull you into their lives and you want to know them inside and out. George and Ivy make a marvelous team. Superbly written and deeply felt. Where do we go from here?
Highly Recommended.

David

249 reviews1 follower

January 14, 2025

DI George Laeson made an appearance in one of theWild Fens series with Freya Bloom. What on earth made Jack Cartwright think that he was worthy of his own series. I found the character shallow and prejudiced. A lot of the peripheral characters from the wild fen series appear. I half expected Freya Bloom to come along and help him out. Not Cartwright\s best work

Wallace

419 reviews3 followers

February 15, 2025

Gripping and intense!

I was captivated by this book from the first page. The characters were well defined and bold in a rounded sort of way. The storyline was so simple yet profound, and it is not hard to like or imagine where Jack Cartwright is going with this as series. A solid 4-star read. Gripping and intense!

Lora King

1,076 reviews6 followers

June 21, 2025

first I've read in the series....a DI George Larson and his DS come to the Wolds to work and immediately they are swept up in a double murder along with 2 missing persons. And all of this could possibly tie back to the crime that Larson never solved 10 years ago when he lived there. It's a mystery also why he's moved back and where the heck is his beloved wife.. really good first book

british-crime-series crime crime-series

Audrey

537 reviews10 followers

January 14, 2025

This author will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and staying up late because you don’t want to put this book down ! I highly recommend this book! I don’t do spoilers but you will like these two new detectives!

Judith Wilkinson

7 reviews

February 24, 2025

Storm and memories!

The story itself evoked many memories and George's character brought a deep sadness to the role. The interlinked characters were very different but added to the complexity.

Bradley-Goodman

3 reviews

March 2, 2025

Excellent

One of the best of its ilk I have read, and I have read scores of British murder mysteries is Kindle Unlimited over the last few years. Reads like a Tana French novel. Really enjoyed it!

Mr David Bevan

203 reviews

March 19, 2025

As a first in a new series this story was OK. Seemed to get bogged down about half way through. But it all came out in the wash at the end. Now the groundwork has been laid I'll read the 2nd in the series.

Janice Staines

194 reviews1 follower

August 23, 2025

Omy first time reading this new seriesld nightmares and a new begging

My first time reading this author’s wot, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to catching up with all the others?

Alan Crickett

9 reviews2 followers

January 12, 2026

amazing books

Such an amazing read from the very beginning to the very end. I feel for Georges. It’s heartbreaking. I know these characters I think of them in my sleep and when I first wake up onto book 2.

janice robertson

453 reviews7 followers

January 7, 2025

When the storm dies

If this is the first book in this series well I can't wait to read next book in this series excellent read from start to finish

Mrs R Barrett

7 reviews1 follower

January 14, 2025

Did wonder when I started reading this book if I was going to like it . Result , I was hooked . Can’t wait for book 2 .

Linda Woodley

74 reviews

January 22, 2025

It was a very good story set at a steady pace then it started to liven upland I was judging them to look at the barns where Connor was keeping Lucy

Penny O'Hara

34 reviews

January 27, 2025

Beautifully written with wonderful, well drawn characters and no swearing. It reminded me of the DS Smith books by Peter Grainger. I loved that series and I think I will love this series too.

Mrs A E Sheffield

19 reviews

January 29, 2025

Read all Jack's books. This is very different but non the less up to his excellent standard. 2 great characters and more developing. A cracking read. Next in series downloaded