The Harder They Fall

Deadly Wolds Mysteries #2

by Jack Cartwright

The price of truth is death…When a man falls from a church tower in a remote Lincolnshire village, a devastating chain of events is triggered that will not only change the landscape forever – it will rewrite history. The only clue for Detective Inspector George Larson and his team is a hand-typed memoir signed by the victim.

Chapter by chapter, Dean Worthing unveils the brutal details behind his childhood, his brothers, and the savage family charged with their care.

Urged by his senior officers to label the death as a suicide and to close the investigation, George seeks surety in Worthing’s memoirs, searching for the tiniest detail to prove them wrong.

When he reaches the final chapter, George is left with little doubt. There is more to Dean Worthing’s death than meets the eye, but to find the killer he must dig deep and face his own personal demons.

The Harder They Fall is the second book in the latest murder mystery series, the Deadly Wolds Mysteries by Jack Cartwright, the bestselling author of the Wild Fens Murder Mysteries .

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Crime

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2025

Reviews

[Kirk]

Really good story!

Well written stories, good characters, and interesting murder plots.
These books are good, old fashioned, murder mysteries. An older, experienced detective, watching over a younger detective, and a couple of uniforms, ready to move up.
I’m enjoying these books.

[Audrey]

Wow wow wow ! Jack Cartwright I would never believe that one of your books would affect me as this one did! What a well thought out well written book ! I read it practically in one sitting ! I don’t do spoilers but I did cry for those poor children ! I practically urged George along every step of the way ! I did realise who the culprits were early on but that did not spoil the book ! If I could have given it 20 stars I would have ! I’m thankful and look forward to meeting up with George again in February!

[Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey]

I am really enjoying this series. Byron, Ivy et al. They all make excellent characters and in th8s book, we find out more personal information.

The sadness that comes with dementia is so heart-rendingly portrayed, it takes me back to my parents. Luckily my pops remembered me all the time, but my mam was hit and miss.

The story itself is twisty turny and, again, has excellent characters. Including Freddo.

Roll on the next one soon, please!

[Mrs M.]

Jack Cartwright is a a master wordsmith

I love the characters in this series. I want to know more about them and that keeps me reading without stopping.
The stories are intriguing and the way the Characters portray Dementia is so true to life. George has hidden depths and I am eager to read the next in the series.

[Karla]

I loved this book!

Such a great story! Really fell in love with the characters in this part of the series. The length was a treat too! It gave time for the story to develop, I know that's a random compliment but it didn't feel rushed. The relationship between George and Ivy is not traditional and I like the tension. Great cliffhanger!

[Karen Oakley]

I really enjoyed this book. It's a little different to other murder books in that it starts an investigation into a possible suicide. Did he jump or was he pushed? The plot was intriguing with George and the team struggling to piece together the clues. There was more background to the team with Campbell and Byrne's personalities shining through more. Poor DS Ivy Hart is going through the mill with her home life situation and this starts a confrontation between her and George. I do have one teeny tiny criticism (hence a dropped star) in that I would have expected George to knuckle down and read the whole manuscript in one night straight away. Surely that would have given him more clues earlier?
However I did like DI George Larson more in this book. He seemed more approachable and human and not so irritable. I look forward to the next in the series.

[Julie Powell]

This was a heartbreaking story of how evil human behaviour can be. I have always believed that religion is used as an excuse to hurt others and that narrow minds are dangerous, this story is one example.

A body crashes onto a parked car, apparently fallen from a church roof...

George's team is tasked with finding the truth, however, nothing is straightforward. There are harrowing details in this tale and as I stated at the beginning, heartbreaking, especially knowing that things haven't changed much even now.

The characters suited the twisty plot, and the emotions were described well. I don't like George's boss and his pathetic power plays.

Overall, this was a disturbing and engaging British crime thriller, well-written and fast-paced.

Highly recommended.

[Lora King]

DI Larson and his team have present day suicide or two and a historic case of child abuse that weave together for over 40 years. The team is gelling well and growing in trust. Could just one Chief Inspector and those above be less stereotypical. Are they really that boring and full of themselves. Also if you were handed a manuscript that "maybe" tells a story that relates to your case, wouldn't you read it all the way through and not just occasionally at night... Had to take a star away as I kept yelling to do just that.....read it

[Janice Staines]

And the sins of the fathers shall be visited on the children!

This is the second book in the series and it certainly grabs at the heart. A family of abandoned brothers suffer horrendous treatment under those who were meant to care for them. Noe they are grown men and they are out for revenge- no matter what the cost to themselves! A brilliant read!

[Christmas Angel]

George is grieving over Grace, Ivy's marriage is going down fast and now there are dead bodies to deal with and deranged neighbors in their crosshairs. Rarely a moment to themselves, George and Ivy have their hands full. Will it all work out well or will it explode? Highly Recommended.

[S Nicholls]

Hmm second book in the series didn't enjoy the plot as much as the first one, it seemed all over the place to me and was quite confusing and unfinished to me

I did however enjoy the development of the characters and the insights into their lives so will stick with it

[Lynn Bennett]

George and Ivy at their best

George and Ivy get to solve a mystery of the death of a writer Dean Worthing. They find a manuscript which he’s written which tells his story of his childhood and the abuse he and his ‘brothers’ suffered.
Very twisted but interesting tale.

[Julian Tremayne]

This is a gripping story, with the extracts from the journal quite unputdownable. Geroge Larson may be old but he is very dogged and determined, as well as shaping his new team. Can't wait for the nexg one.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire

[beverley hunter]

the harder they fall

Gripping, well written, detailed, great characters and plot. Highly recommend for a weekend when you’ve got nothing much planned as you won’t want to put it down.

[Paul Carter]

Took a while to get going, no gory murders but quite dark as it touches on religion, secrets, abuse and loyalty. Quite a few twists and a lot of tension within the team. Deep enough to get you thinking not deep enough to trouble you. Worth reading.

[S McK]

Loved it!

An intricate plot that started with an apparent suicide and ended with murder!

Exciting throughout, with intense scenes and a storyline spanning decades, involving neglect, abuse, escape, despair and revenge.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

[jean rasbridge]

excellent. waiting eagerly for the next one!

I loved the first book in this series, and as I get to know the characters, this one even more so.

[janice robertson]

The harder they fall

Oh I do like these books have read and enjoyed them stories are great mind have to say I guessed who the baddies were before the end roll on next instalment

[lisa unwin]

Enjoyed it

Another fantastic book by Jack cartwright. This series just keeps getting better and better. The new team in this series are really developing well

[Kay Frances Ackerman]

A great read. Excellent plot & couldn’t work out who were the culprits.
More like this please with George, Ivy, Campbell & Byrne.
Most enjoyable read. Thank you.

[Nicola Ferry]

Enjoyed this. So many twists and turns.

[joanne]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book twist and turns everywhere,i highly recommend
It and the series .
Can't wait to read the next one

[Mr David Bevan]

I'm struggling to get into the characters. It was a good story line, and provoked plenty of thought. But at times it seemed to drag. Maybe I give the series a rest and return to it later.

[Gerald Belt]

Outstanding book. Difficult to put down.

[John Barnicle]

The ending was a little difficult to follow.

[Nicola]

Enjoying this series and getting to know the team of characters

[Jeanne C]

Anything set in the Wolds.

[Joann Wallace]

Great story and well written, but you knew who did it early on.

[Jhmtan]

Not a usual mystery, well plotted.

[M R B Davis]

Intriguing

The apparent suicide leads to uncovering age old abuse and the problems of four brothers. It takes some unravelling and, with the help of a memoir the story unfolds.