Grave Omens

DI Haig Crime Thrillers #4

by David J. Gatward

A shocking death. A disturbing clue. A detective struggling to separate truth from superstition.

On the quiet roads of Somerset, tragedy strikes when a man is killed by a truck. But it’s the ghostly dress hanging in a nearby tree that sends chills down Detective Inspector Gordy Haig’s spine.

Still haunted by her partner’s death, Gordy uncovers a disturbing the dead man’s daughter had been killed years ago at the exact same spot, and now her roadside memorial has been vandalised. Gordy doesn’t believe in coincidences and becomes convinced she’s dealing with a flesh-and-blood murderer.

As she digs deeper, secrets unfold, and Gordy questions the version of events she’s being given. Who stands to gain from the murder, and what really happened to the girl? Gordy suspects that superstition masks a darker truth. Can she uncover it and catch a killer before all hell breaks loose?

Grave Omens is the gripping fourth book in the DI Haig Crime Thrillers series. If you like deep characters, a dark countryside labyrinth, and twisty plots that keep you guessing, then you’ll love David J. Gatward’s chilling ride.

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2025

Reviews

[David Stimpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok . That's All

I can't warm to Gordys new life . The Story is Pretty Good but I just don't feel that I will ever get to like this series as much as the Grimm series

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. Much better than the previous one in the series

[Michelle Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

The supernatural is still at work but luckily with human explanations this time.

Gordy in these books doesn't have the same 'feel' as the Gordy we came to know and love in the Grimm novels. I realize that because I am an audiobook user and these series have different narrators, it could just be how each voice actor is presenting the character.

The very moment I finished this book, I started the novella "How Grimm Saved Christmas" and Gordy is in that one and is the Gordy we once knew. She is dryer, meaner, gruffer, in her own series and I am not sure why.

[SkyGrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite DI Haig Novel so far!

This is definitely my favorite book in the series so far. Gordy is settling into her job as a boss with a fantastic team that work very well together. They are different from when she worked with Harry and team but I see all of them becoming her new little work family. It’s wonderful to see her relationship growing slowly with Charlie. I really like Charlie so I hope she sticks around for Gordy. They are just so cute together.

Fantastic mystery once again. I had some figured out but nothing as twisted as David makes his thrillers! Keep up the wonderful work.

[K Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition

I really enjoyed this and found it very difficult to put down, however part of the plot, concerning the dress, should have raised more questions. I can't go into detail, as it would give the story away, but I did find it annoying, as it was even more obvious when another detail was uncovered. I still loved it though and look forward to the next book.

[Julie Pryke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the best!

I would say this is the best book in the series so far. A quite unusual plot and a chance to see that Gordy is beginning to settle in Somerset with a great team and the new friends she has made developing into solid, firm friendships.

I would recommend reading all David's books in order to fully enjoy them. You haven't read the 'Grimm up North' series then maybe even read them first as Gordy is introduced in them.

This is not essential though as references and made to her back story which are sufficient for the reader. You would miss a great treat though!

Thanks David! And Happy New Year!

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this story starts off a little slowly and with a very dark tone, but once it finds its stride it really motors along. The plot is engaging, with an intriguing mystery that keeps you listening as Gordinia and her team work to uncover the truth. Ruth Urquhart’s narration is excellent throughout. She brings the characters to life and does a great job of building tension, which adds a lot to the overall listening experience.
Highly recommended.

[Erin Gilmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth Gordy Haig police thriller continues the series as Gordy battles her grief and moves on with her life. Her team works to solve the vandalism of memorials to teenagers who tragically died in a car crash 25 years earlier. Things become more complicated when the father of one of the teens is killed in an accident near the memorial site. This kept me guessing until close to the end. A solid entry in the series.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy David J Gatward's books particularly Harry Grimm and the first two DI Haig novels. Unfortunately the last two novels Death Springs and Grave Omens just didn't seem to meet David's usual standard. They were both so unbelievable. The writing is good and I enjoy the different characters but unfortunately the story didn't meet with my expectations. I thing that he is a wonderful author but I am not sure that I will read anymore DI Haig books.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Although it's a spin off series, Gordy's stories have a completely different feel than the main series. There's also a bit of a hint of old folk tales about them, although, of course, the mysteries turn out to have completely mundane explanations, it gives the stories a bit of a spooky flare.

[Gary Melia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best of this series. Several factual errors in the book (an example a character’s drink changes from vodka to whisky). The maudlin from the main character regarding Anna, especially in the earlier part of the book, is repetitive and getting boring now. This does improve over the second part of the book - hopefully that will continue into the next book in the series.

[Alasdair MacCaluim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Gatward's Harry Grimm series and was keen to read the adventures of Grimm's former colleague DI Haig.

While the Gordy Haig books have been enjoyable enough, they haven't held a candle to the Grimm books - until now!

With this fourth book, Gatward and Gordy really hit their stride with a much better plot than the first three books. If you've given up on the series, it's worth trying again and if you've not started, maybe start with this one.

It's also great to find out that Gordy is a big 80s metal fan just like me!

[Helen Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

This is such a brilliant book! The story is amazing and very unexpected. Recommend reading the DI Haig books in order though and also after the DCI Grimm books as links to that series to with certain references. Definitely one of the best books that David has written in my view.

[Dawn of Sandwiches. · Rating 5 out of 5]

More DCI Haig, Please!!

Love this series and the Grimm series also. Very well written and thought out. Thank for your wonderful stories, and your discretions of the surroundings seem so wonderfully cold, bleak and beautiful all at the same time

[Patricia Leggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking goods read

Stayed up half the night to finish this book.. A really good believable story, I love all David Gatwards stories is style of writing is such that you just want to keep reading.Thoroughly

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a strange tale about missed opportunities. A car accident with 2 young people killed, although one of the bodies has never been found. What could have been people supporting each other, turned into people hating each other and a lot of harm done. It's a great read though.

[M R B Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Some authors i tend to skip read, chapter by chapter. David Hayward gets me booked and, at the end of a chapter i move straight on. Fighting stuff in this story, if a bit unrealistic.

[Lilian Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by David J Gatward, Di Haig and the 4th book in in the series, held me in suspense from start to finish, well worth the read and perhaps although it not such a surprise ending to me, ( I did suspect some if it), I loved it

[Judi Strain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

A great read yet again from the very talented David Gatward. Although I just kept reading to find what had happened, equally I didn't want it to end. A real page turner again, thank you

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, up until the final explanation, I found the story a bit hard to believe ! Many questions left, “why didn’t the parents look for her” “It took her 25 years to work out a way to escape “ I quite like Gordy but prefer Grimm !

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guessed the ending at the halfway mark, but it was still satisfying to read, although I would’ve liked more of the aftermath to be shown. The first half felt quite slow though, and I trudged through it.

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite an intriguing story and I can't wait for No. 5. Nice to see references to Harry Grimm.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk

[Maryann (Mae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. I enjoyed how this one played out. This series just keeps getting better, not that all of this author's books aren't well written.

[janice robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grave omens

Well that's me read the last four books of this series and I have to say enjoyed everyone have book five already bought so can't wait

[Hilary Sumsion]

Great story

As usual, full of interesting characters, but also of kindness and beauty, despite backdrop of trauma. We are getting to know the Somerset team well now.

[Philip Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gordy's latest l

Because it wasn't good enough for 5 stars, but quite a good tale. I prefer his Yorkshire stories to the ones set in the South West.

[Becky Plankenhorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 stars. Too much talk between the characters that didn't have anything to do with the main plot.

[Marktroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

grave omens

Another good book by David j gatward will definitely read the next one but am looking forward more to the next in the harry Grimm series 👍

[Alison June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grave omens

Wow what a read I was glued to the book from start to finish thank you Said cannot wait for the next. Alison

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kidnapping and holding Anna captive is somewhat plausible. Anna’s escape and eventual theft and use of a drone to scare and punish her father, implausible.