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Dr. Jo McCready #5
The Corpse Light
'The Yorkshire moors are beautifully evoked - as much a part of the story as the characters - and McEvoy has become one of our most interesting crime writers' - DAILY MAIL
A young woman is left for dead while walking the Yorkshire moors. A local man is found murdered at a landfill site.
But what do these seemingly unconnected crimes have in common?
Forensic profiler Jo McCready is brought in by DCI Callum Ferguson to find out. Were the victims led to their deaths by the mysterious lights flickering on the moors?
But Jo has a secret. Local gangster and prison inmate, Chris McGarry, knows the dead man and wants revenge. He also has leverage on Jo, and as the investigation intensifies, he presses her to pass on police information.
Jo must tread carefully to find the killer. Will she follow the light - or step into the dark . . .
WHY YOUR FAVOURITE CRIME AUTHORS LOVE LESLEY
'Compelling. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid' - STEVE CAVANAGH
'McEvoy really knows her stuff' - IAN RANKIN
'I devoured it in one sitting' - PETER JAMES
'I can't wait to read more' - DOROTHY KOOMSON
'A terrifically clever thriller' - GRAHAM BARTLETT
Author Lesley McEvoy uses her insider knowledge to create unbelievably gripping, unputdownable crime novels - perfect for fans of Val McDermid, J.R. Ellis and Elly Griffiths.
A young woman is left for dead while walking the Yorkshire moors. A local man is found murdered at a landfill site.
But what do these seemingly unconnected crimes have in common?
Forensic profiler Jo McCready is brought in by DCI Callum Ferguson to find out. Were the victims led to their deaths by the mysterious lights flickering on the moors?
But Jo has a secret. Local gangster and prison inmate, Chris McGarry, knows the dead man and wants revenge. He also has leverage on Jo, and as the investigation intensifies, he presses her to pass on police information.
Jo must tread carefully to find the killer. Will she follow the light - or step into the dark . . .
WHY YOUR FAVOURITE CRIME AUTHORS LOVE LESLEY
'Compelling. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid' - STEVE CAVANAGH
'McEvoy really knows her stuff' - IAN RANKIN
'I devoured it in one sitting' - PETER JAMES
'I can't wait to read more' - DOROTHY KOOMSON
'A terrifically clever thriller' - GRAHAM BARTLETT
Author Lesley McEvoy uses her insider knowledge to create unbelievably gripping, unputdownable crime novels - perfect for fans of Val McDermid, J.R. Ellis and Elly Griffiths.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 30, 2025
3.5 / 5.0
Probably given the fact that I haven’t followed the series and reading the fifth instalment, but I found this book gripping and interesting from the start, the only difficult part is getting to grips with the character dynamics and relationships which I found were trying to get deep and develop but felt somewhat surface level. This book does delve into SA and assault/ abuse just as an FYI if it’s not your cup of tea. Overall it’s a great read but maybe too deep into the series and picking this book up did make it difficult to understand the dynamics.
The book centres around forensic profiler Jo McCready who is brought in my DCI Callum Ferguson to solve the connected death of a man murdered on the edge of the landfill site with the assault of a young woman whilst walking the Yorkshire moors. I do have to admit the scenery description was top notch describing the Yorkshire landscape best!
Overall it’s a great read, maybe not the series for me but it’s a great book nevertheless!
Probably given the fact that I haven’t followed the series and reading the fifth instalment, but I found this book gripping and interesting from the start, the only difficult part is getting to grips with the character dynamics and relationships which I found were trying to get deep and develop but felt somewhat surface level. This book does delve into SA and assault/ abuse just as an FYI if it’s not your cup of tea. Overall it’s a great read but maybe too deep into the series and picking this book up did make it difficult to understand the dynamics.
The book centres around forensic profiler Jo McCready who is brought in my DCI Callum Ferguson to solve the connected death of a man murdered on the edge of the landfill site with the assault of a young woman whilst walking the Yorkshire moors. I do have to admit the scenery description was top notch describing the Yorkshire landscape best!
Overall it’s a great read, maybe not the series for me but it’s a great book nevertheless!
August 9, 2025
The Corpse Light by Lesley McEvoy deserves more than 5 stars it is a fabulous book, it is the fifth book in the Murder in Yorkshire series.
Jo McCready is a forensic profiler who is personally connected to what appear to be two separate incidents. Red a former client of hers who she was particularly fond of is found murdered. Then when on a walk on the moors in dreadful weather with her beloved boxer dog Harvey she stumbles across a walker who has taken a wrong turn, later the young women is found close to death.
Jo then does what she does best and assists the police with bringing the culprits to justice. However, during the investigation she has her position compromised by local gangster Chris McGarry and finds herself walking an unenviable tightrope.
I've loved all the books in this series as they are set in my home county and an area I am familiar with. The authors love of her home county shines through as does her knowledge of the subject she writes about. Best book in the series so far. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the advanced copy. I also want to praise Clare Corbett the narrator of the audiobook she is outstanding.
Jo McCready is a forensic profiler who is personally connected to what appear to be two separate incidents. Red a former client of hers who she was particularly fond of is found murdered. Then when on a walk on the moors in dreadful weather with her beloved boxer dog Harvey she stumbles across a walker who has taken a wrong turn, later the young women is found close to death.
Jo then does what she does best and assists the police with bringing the culprits to justice. However, during the investigation she has her position compromised by local gangster Chris McGarry and finds herself walking an unenviable tightrope.
I've loved all the books in this series as they are set in my home county and an area I am familiar with. The authors love of her home county shines through as does her knowledge of the subject she writes about. Best book in the series so far. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the advanced copy. I also want to praise Clare Corbett the narrator of the audiobook she is outstanding.
October 22, 2025
Dr. Jo continues to walk the morally grey path in this one. Perhaps, even wearing a bit more towards the darkness than ever before, which was equally unsettling as exciting.
Of course it all worked out for the best, eventually, but the way there... It was twisty and interesting.
I have feeling I will return to this series one day to actually binge all books in a row - to get the full experience!
Really good narrator, too. That's a real bonus.
Of course it all worked out for the best, eventually, but the way there... It was twisty and interesting.
I have feeling I will return to this series one day to actually binge all books in a row - to get the full experience!
Really good narrator, too. That's a real bonus.
August 31, 2025
My first read by the author, but definitely not my last, I loved everything about this book, as a connoisseur of the police procedural this is right up there.
I found this to be a gripping and engaging read which had me hooked from the opening pages
Deft plotting, this is intricately layered, a story firmly rooted in the past, where the truth will shock. A hard hitting read but wholly compelling, this was a book which I found hard to put down.
The author cleverly takes two seemingly random murders, then twists them seamlessly together. You then get to follow the thought processes that tie them together
The characters within the book feel authentic, they belong to the area, you can picture each
I found Jo McCready a really likeable character, strong willed and independant but underneath a softer side which come across with her relationship with DS Callum. However, undercutting that the author injects tension into the narrative between her and Chris McGarry who is currently in prison, for me that created plenty of doubt in the story as to how things would play out
As a Yorkshireman I loved the Dales setting that sense of bleakness and loneliness formed by the countryside, you get a teal feel for the geography and topography, the winter setting just adds another dimension to the atmosphere, it all heightens the senses
There is a nice steady pace to the book, the author ratchets up the suspense at the right times to keep things flowing, all building to the dramatic finale where the twists and turns slap you in the face as the shocking truth is revealed, in someways you have to have a certain sympathy for the characters.
You get that overiding sense of following an investigation in real time, the teamwork involved. You can also see the author drawing on her own experiences to give the read that authentic feel
As a read it shows how the consequences and actions of the past can never stay forgotten and just how lives can be impacted and affected
Overall this is a superbly written read, plotting which is cleverly constructed to keep the reader in the doubt, combined with a real quality to the storytelling, highly recommend, i will certainly be looking out for the rest of the series
I found this to be a gripping and engaging read which had me hooked from the opening pages
Deft plotting, this is intricately layered, a story firmly rooted in the past, where the truth will shock. A hard hitting read but wholly compelling, this was a book which I found hard to put down.
The author cleverly takes two seemingly random murders, then twists them seamlessly together. You then get to follow the thought processes that tie them together
The characters within the book feel authentic, they belong to the area, you can picture each
I found Jo McCready a really likeable character, strong willed and independant but underneath a softer side which come across with her relationship with DS Callum. However, undercutting that the author injects tension into the narrative between her and Chris McGarry who is currently in prison, for me that created plenty of doubt in the story as to how things would play out
As a Yorkshireman I loved the Dales setting that sense of bleakness and loneliness formed by the countryside, you get a teal feel for the geography and topography, the winter setting just adds another dimension to the atmosphere, it all heightens the senses
There is a nice steady pace to the book, the author ratchets up the suspense at the right times to keep things flowing, all building to the dramatic finale where the twists and turns slap you in the face as the shocking truth is revealed, in someways you have to have a certain sympathy for the characters.
You get that overiding sense of following an investigation in real time, the teamwork involved. You can also see the author drawing on her own experiences to give the read that authentic feel
As a read it shows how the consequences and actions of the past can never stay forgotten and just how lives can be impacted and affected
Overall this is a superbly written read, plotting which is cleverly constructed to keep the reader in the doubt, combined with a real quality to the storytelling, highly recommend, i will certainly be looking out for the rest of the series
August 2, 2025
By the fifth book in a series, you're either fully invested or ready to move on. And I’m firmly in the former camp with Dr Jo McCready. The Corpse Light delivers another solid mix of psychological insight and gripping atmosphere. The Yorkshire Dales setting adds a real sense of bleakness and isolation that suits the tone perfectly. Jo continues to be a smart, relatable lead, and it’s refreshing to see her character still developing this far in. Lesley McEvoy keeps the pace tight and the tension steady throughout. If you’ve followed the series this far, this one absolutely holds up. And if you’re new to it, I’d suggest starting from the beginning: it’s well worth it.
July 6, 2025
What a read this was, very clever writing and plotting! I loved the Yorkshire setting and the characterisation. Forensic profiler, Jo, is brought in to help DCI Ferguson solve the murders of two people. Jo has a connection to a local gangster who appears to have a hold over her and leans on her for information. Could they be connected? The author had me hooked from the opening chapter, with it's tension and gripping writing which continued throughout. A very good, well written and researched crime thriller which I am sure fans will thoroughly enjoy reading. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
August 17, 2025
This book is the fifth in the series and a first for me as it was based on a new case it was easy to follow and despite the reference to previous characters and cases the author provided another detail that this didn't cause any confusion and I was able to follow along the story telling.
The descriptive writing in terms of the characters personalities and the atmospheric setting in which the case unfolds adds to the drama, suspense and mystery.
A solidly written creative plot.
The descriptive writing in terms of the characters personalities and the atmospheric setting in which the case unfolds adds to the drama, suspense and mystery.
A solidly written creative plot.
December 4, 2025
Book 5 in the Dr Jo McCready series. Another good addition to the series! I enjoy this series as it makes a change from police procedurals as it involves Forensic profiling which adds a different edge to the storyline.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 1, 2025
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Having read the previous 4 books in the series I was delighted to receive this one and it's every bit as good as the others. Loved it.
Having read the previous 4 books in the series I was delighted to receive this one and it's every bit as good as the others. Loved it.
September 11, 2025
A great read with interesting and believable characters. This is number five of a series but it works well as a standalone book and I’m looking forward to reading the rest. It’s also set in my local area which adds some extra interest - although I think I’ll be avoiding the moors for a while!
August 5, 2025
Good read
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews