One wrong does not justify another in the desolate landscapes of SENTA, the Bannau Brycheiniog army training grounds, DCI Warlow and his seasoned investigators find themselves ensnared in a deadly game of shadows.
A man, recently released from prison after a 20-year wrongful conviction, is discovered dead, igniting a storm of doubt and suspicion. As long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface, the line between truth and deception blurs. With everyone involved in the original case now a potential suspect, they must tread carefully and confront the crimes of old as well as the present.
As the stakes escalate, can Warlow decipher the puzzle of the past before the present claims another victim?
Rhys Dylan lives on the edge of the Black mountains of Wales with his wife and a dog who doesn't like the rain.
Though he has written books for children and adults under different pen names in other genres, the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series sees him return to crime and his love of Celtic noir and dark humour.
He hopes readers will find a brief escape from a very troubled world inside the stories. He does not expect to get rich as an author, but as someone once famously said, money can't buy you love, but it can get you some great chocolate digestives.
How can this be book 12 in the series? They are so good & DCI Warlow is back on fine form, although he does need to man up over a certain situation in his life! A well plotted police procedural which does link to previous cases so don’t read it as a standalone, read the lot.
A body is found on army training grounds in an isolated building. The victim is known to the team because he was recently released from prison following a gross miscarriage of justice. Meanwhile, missing sadistic killer Roger Hunt is still at large & on the prowl.
The writing is spot on without a wasted word & the characters are brilliant. I’ve known them for so long now that they have their own voices & it is just like connecting with long lost friends. After a cuddle with Cadi, I’m off for biscuits & a cup of tea. Made with loose tea, Rhys!
Another clear winner from Rhys Dylan. DCI Warlow and team are back to solve another crime as they use solid police work to catch the killer. As I live in South Wales I love seeing place names I recognise! The usual banter is here but I still groan at DS Gil's dad jokes lol! The killer was found but the ending was left open as the hunt for Hunt continues. Looking forward to the next book.
#12 A Matter of Evidence (DCI Evan Warlow) by Rhys Dylan. I LOVE THESE BOOKS. The characters are wonderful and the stories fit the location. Wales. Of course, Dylan lives in Wales so he knows the terrain and it is rugged. The stories are of his imagination but they are good. This one is about a man who spends 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit only to be murdered. The entire Warlow series would make a great TV show and maybe one day it will be done. For now we have to be satisfied with the books so start with Book #1 and sit back and enjoy the Welsh countryside, a bit of the language, and the imagination of a great storyteller, Rhys Dylan. You’ll be glad you took the time.
This is Book 12 of the DCI Evan Warlow series by Rhys Dylan. It is Springtime in West Wales and Maisie Sanders is on a VIP tour of the MOD’s Sennybridge Training Area (SENTA) camp in the Welsh Upland with her personal guide, chartered surveyor, Rodrick McEwan. During a sidetrack stop to check on one of the abandoned properties used for troop shelters during military exercises, they discover the body of a man, purposely hidden in a corner under a heap of leaves and twigs… abruptly bringing the guided to a halt.
DCI Evan Warlow and his rapid response team are tasked with investigating the death. The body is identified as Mark Morgan, a man recently released after a twenty-year wrongful conviction sentence. There is a plethora of suspects, and it is up to Evan, Jess, Gil, Catrin, and Rhys to wade through the muck and figure out who is responsible and bring them to justice.
Another solid book in this series from Rhys Dylan. A great read, and as always, the character development is top notch. Warlow and his team run like a well-oiled machine.
There is still the secondary plot line that began as a cliffhanger in Book 10 (No One Near), and I wonder how much longer this will strung along before it is concluded.
Now, I must look into getting my hands on the next book in the series, which will probably be in the near future.
Mark was recently released from prison after serving time for a crime he did not commit. Sadly, he is now the subject of a murder investigation after his body is found in an isolated location. There are a few people who were around when the attempted rape was reported, and apparently Mark was suspicious of who was the real perpetrator. Evan and his team, after several harrowing incidents, will keep searching for the truth.
I have read and enjoyed all 12 of these crime novels set in Wales. They all follow the same formula, centring around a murder investigated by the same group of detectives. Although working as stand alone novels they are more like a number of episodes in a series, with some parts of the plots carrying forward to later books. The characters and their relationships develop slowly over the course of the 12 books. Excellent if you are looking for a quick, undemanding read.
This is another cracker of a read. There are two stories in play here. One is related to an earlier case where Gil is following up on some related videos with a connection to a possible missing child and where Catrin and Rhys are pulled into appearing in a true crime documentary on the earlier case. The other involves a miscarriage of justice where the body of a released man who was falsely imprisoned many years ago, is found.
As usual, this was compelling reading. The characters always feel like family so I get a warm sense of like coming home when I settle down to read the latest story. The thing about these books is that I tend to have to read it in one, or two, sittings and this was also the case here. It's not all police procedural and I love the personal elements to it which we have here. There's the usual humour throughout especially when Rhys and Gil are involved. The ending has set things up nicely for book thirteen.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5-Star Review for A Matter of Evidence by Rhys Dylan
Rhys Dylan delivers yet another masterclass in crime fiction with A Matter of Evidence, a riveting addition to the DCI Evan Warlow series. This novel is a perfect storm of atmospheric suspense, character-driven tension, and intricate plotting that keeps the reader fully engaged from the first page to the haunting final chapter.
Set once again against the haunting backdrop of mid-Wales, the landscape is as much a character as the people within it—wild, unforgiving, and full of secrets. Dylan’s descriptive prowess shines, drawing the reader deep into this moody environment and giving the case an ever-present sense of foreboding.
The story centers around a chilling and complex investigation into a murder that seems straightforward at first—but as always in Dylan's universe, appearances are deceiving. When new forensic evidence comes to light, DCI Evan Warlow finds himself unraveling not just the mystery of a killing, but the tangled threads of a cover-up, past trauma, and conflicting motives that touch some of the most trusted members of the community.
What sets this book apart is its compelling emotional depth. Warlow is at his most human here—torn between professional duty and personal convictions. His internal conflicts add layers of complexity, especially as the evidence begins to point in disturbing and uncomfortable directions. Supporting characters such as DS Lees and forensic pathologist Rhiannon Hughes play critical roles, providing not only technical insight but emotional resonance as the case unfolds.
Dylan masterfully paces the narrative. Each twist feels earned, each red herring perfectly placed, and the eventual revelations both shocking and satisfying. The courtroom scenes and police procedural elements are meticulously detailed, adding an authentic realism that anchors the more psychological and emotional aspects of the story.
The title, A Matter of Evidence, is fitting—not just in the legal sense, but in how truth, justice, and memory are often built on fragile, contested foundations. Dylan explores how personal histories and suppressed secrets can alter the course of justice, and he does so without ever slowing the taut, driving momentum of the investigation.
In short, this is a standout novel in an already outstanding series. For fans of brooding British crime fiction, flawed but determined detectives, and morally complex mysteries, A Matter of Evidence is not to be missed. Rhys Dylan continues to raise the bar—and then deliver far beyond it.
Book 12 in the fabulous DCI Evan Warlow: A Black Beacons Murder Mystery Series and this was a cracking one. I genuinely love this series and would recommend it to any police procedural reader. Alongside the main crime there’s another thread relating to a previous open case; the continued search for missing killer Roger Hunt and part of this investigation has led Warlow to think a missing child, Freddie Sillitoe, may be connected to the case. What I love about this series, as well as the excellent crime cases, is the fabulous team Warlow has working with him and his family and friends. The characters are so well fleshed and I love them all, yes of course Cadi is my favourite character! Sorry Rhys. Well paced throughout and would read well as a stand-alone but honestly just start at book one and read them all.
Briefly, a body has been found in an isolated building on army training grounds and is soon identified as Mark Morgan, a man recently released from prison after a terrible miscarriage of justice led to him wrongly serving 20 years in prison. Whilst he was in prison his mother went missing and since his release he has been looking to clear his name by finding the guilty party.
There are a number of potential suspects and enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the reveal. Molly and Jess are still living with Warlow after Jess’s former husband became a target for drug dealers and there was some concern that Jess and Molly could also be targeted. Evan Warlow can I just say it’s time to man up and say what you need to say to Jess - before it’s too late! A really good storyline with the usual banter and wry humour and a great conclusion with a thread still ongoing… Loved it.
I absolutely adore the Warlow series, A Matter Of Evidence is number 12 but can easily be read as a stand alone, but I urge anyone to read the rest of the books.
There are two stories within the book, one involves Gil looking into a previous case and hopefully solving the disappearance of a young child.
When a body is found on a Military training ground Warlow and the team are sent to investigate but when Warlow recognises the victim all hell is going to break loose within the police force. This case involves a miscarriage of justice that the victim spent twenty years in prison for a crime he didn't commit but who wanted to murder him and why? There are so many elements to this story that it had me completely hooked from the start. Rhys's description and knowledge of rural Wales is second to none. Also the characters feel like family. Oh and what a cliffhanger of an ending! Bravo Mr Dylan.
This is like being welcomed back into a fabulous, if at times, quirky family. In A Matter of Evidence by Rhys Dylan, the 12th book in this amazing series, Evan Warlow and his team are on the hunt for the brutal killer of Mark Morgan. A man who’s been recently from prison after serving 20 years for a crime he didn’t commit. As ever, there’s plenty of action and drama, as they try to fit the pieces together to uncover and apprehend the murderer. There’s also enough humour, usually at Rhys’s expense to lighten some of the more darker undercurrents of this story, as it does also refer back to a previous case. I do have to admit though that I wish I could give Evan a shake and tell him to sort himself out when it comes to his personal life! This is another brilliant book from the awesome pen of Rhys Dylan, and like the others in the series, the only reason I didn’t read it in one sitting was due to those inconvenient things called sleep and work.
DCI Evan Warlow and his colleagues are back in A Matter of Evidence. A wrongly convicted man is finally released after twenty years. Unfortunately for him, not everyone is happy to see him freed. How far will the actual murderer go to cover their tracks. This well plotted police procedural with its compelling characters is thoroughly gripping. Pacy, thrilling and full of twists and turns, this genuinely brilliant whodunnit oozes all the dread, mystery, and excitement I’ve come to expect from this brilliant series. Rhys Dylan just gets better and better, and this latest installment keeps the reader turning the pages to a breathless finale. I am looking forward to the next book by this fantastic author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
DCI Evan Warlow and his team kept me completely involved. I've been following Rhys Dylan since I read the first book in this series and always enjoy getting back to these characters and the well-developed plots.
A Matter of Evidence has a two-fold plot, one concerning a missing child and the other the discovery of the body of a man who had served a twenty year sentence for a crime he didn't commit.
There is also an arc from a previous book about Jess's missing husband that remains open.
The development of the characters and the consistently intriguing plots always make me yearn for the next book to see what DCI Evan Warlow and his team get up to next.
If you haven't read this series, start with the first one and get the pleasure of knowing the next book will be just as good.
Incredibly good series. I really enjoy the visit with all the characters as they always stay true to their characters. Evan Warlow is always sensible - on the outside, with lots of feeling brewing on the inside. Gil is really a good mentor -but his advice is wrapped with cynicism and witty humor. Always has me laughing till the tears have to be tended before I can read any further. Catrin is very serious and wise - a stabilizing force. Rhys is very endearing and predictable. Jess is the heart of the team. Please don't move ... make a move! See what I did there? Gil is ever in my head! I'm on edge until the next one, but it's thankfully only weeks ago. Thank you, Rhys Dylan, for the series and the emails.
If you like your police procedurals with twisted plots, well drawn characters and the backdrop of Wales to bring colour and a sense of place to your reading, then look no further.
The key players feel like well known colleagues and even some of the baddies have an ongoing story which adds a sense of reality and intrigue.
This latest installment creates lots of possibilities for the next book as well as settling some of the loose ends from the last one. Rhys Dylan knows how to write a gripping story for sure.
Definitely worth going back to the beginning of the series if you are not already familiar with them.
Joy is the first word that comes to mind after reading the continuing stories of DCI Warlow and his intrepid detectives. This case opened up the proverbial can of worms especially about how Governments require the innocent parties to prove that they are not guilty before any compensation is paid out!! I really love the way that the author integrates the detectives into a cohesive unit and the camaraderie is without doubt a mainstay of the story. Joking aside it enables the reader to integrate with the story and considering the subject matter, enjoy the book. Recommended without prejudice. Roll on the next book.
I think this is my favourite so far. The plot was interesting and I really felt for the victim, more so than usual. I like Mr. Dylan's style of writing as the tension ramps up chapter by chapter. As per usual, I read this in one sitting as it is so easy to lose yourself in the writing and I always need to know the outcome. Now it's another wait for book number 13! If you haven't read any of this series, you really are missing out. Start with 'The Engine House', you won't be disappointed and the beauty is there are a further eleven books to read after. Bravo Rhys, a job really well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I was initially drawn to the compelling portrayal of the murderers, but I found myself equally invested in the character development. The author demonstrates remarkable skill in crafting narratives that captivate the reader's attention, while also exhibiting patience and dedication in building a cohesive and engaging family dynamic. The series has evolved from featuring a retired DCI to now presenting a DCI supported by a strong family unit, comprising talented and perceptive police officers who excel in solving crimes. I am thoroughly captivated by this series and eagerly anticipate future installments.
A body of a man who had been wrongly convicted of murder and has recently been released is found on an army training ground in Wales. DCI Warlow and team are confronted by the need to revisit the old, still unsolved, case and find the murdered in a case that is attracting media attention and where the police cannot afford to make one more mistake. This series rewards those who read it in order as we continue to see the development of the team and characters in the always beautiful scenery of Wales. Well plotted and I look forward to the next instalment which should resolve some unfinished threads.
Admittedly a bit of a mean-spirited 3 stars, but, while I enjoy this series, I am sick to death of the ridiculous, non-stop pun -fest, primarily driven by grandpa Gil but spreading to all the main characters with each passing installment. I now find myself leafing through page after page, not bothering to read these lengthy, terrible word plays. I’m guessing the author himself fills the air around him with pun after pun, believing everyone in his circle revels in such humor (news flash: they don’t). I really want to see what happens to Catrin in the next book as she blindly enters a phase of the hunt, but, for now anyway, I’m done. Fed up.
Twenty years ago the Welsh justice system had failed Mark Morgan, convicting him of attempted rape without evidence. Eventually he was released without compensation, but now final justice has eluded him. Someone has murdered him. As always plenty to challenge Evan Warlow, and the reader's brain, in this investigation.
This series has developed an interesting structure: individual cases embedded within a long ongoing investigation in which police officers are unwittingly assisting the cause of evil.
There are other ongoing strands which link these novels into a continuum, and characters are steadily developed as life goes on.
A Matter of Evidence: A Black Beacons Murder Mystery (DCI Evan WarLow Crime Thriller Book12)
This book did not disappoint, it was amazing and kept me guessing until the very last chapter. It is lovely to read about the Brecon Beacons having spent holidays there. The description of the valleys is just as I remember. It just adds to the pleasure or reading. I also am getting to think of the Police as someone I know being so familiar with them come on Rhys Dylan give Jess and Wolf a chance!!
Another tale of DCI Warlow and his team Despite having reached number twelve in this series, Rhys Dylan manages to keep the stories alive and without getting anywhere near being hackneyed or stereotyped. A major feature is the dark humour full of puns of the team in their interactions which do not diminish in any way their seriousness and professionalism in investigating and solving crimes. Here we have a wrongly convicted person, two killings and arson, as well as further investigations into a longruunning case. It's well worth a read.
I started reading this series and before I realized it I was on book 12. I very much like everyone in the books. They feel teal and like people I have come to know. The plots are very well composed and out of 12 books I have only rightfully guessed two murderers.. I love the "Wolf" Evan Warlow and his associates and indeed the whole country of Wales.
This particular book was very good full of suspense. The characters work well together, share bits of personal information and genuinely care about the victims and each other.
I love the series and this is one of the best entries. The book had a nice balance if a twisty murder plot and glimpses into the personal lives if the police team that you grow to love. There is a link to an old case that was mishandled by the police and it makes the current police squad even more dedicated to finding justice. There are lots of great Wales locations to enjoy as well as local customs and culture that make the series unique, especially for American readers. Start at the first book and enjoy them all!
This was an exciting book, especially when Jess and Catrin were caught in a burning garage. Evan may be a great detective, but in matters of the heart, he is backward. His romantic relationship with Jess, if there is one, moves at the speed of a glacier and it is frustrating to the reader. Jess is no help in this matter either, as she wants to move on with her own place with Molly again. Molly will be heading to uni after the summer and Jess could have an empty house.
Obviously, it is designed to lead into the next book. But a bit frustrating to have a tiny bit of closure at the same time as a cliffhanger. I am in shock about waiting until the sequel is out...months from now...to know what is going to happen. 😩 The usual humor, puns and silliness amongst the police team as well as a romantic conundrum for Warlow and plenty of Cadi. A good read.