Yorkshire Murders, Books 1–9

DI Gardener #1-9

by Ray Clark

Leeds, West Yorkshire — a city haunted by shadows and secrets. In the quiet of the night or the crush of the crowd, death comes without warning — and no one sees it coming.

Detective Inspector Stewart Gardener is no stranger to horror. His wife’s murder still scars him. But when bodies start turning up in grotesque, inexplicable circumstances, even Gardener’s hardened team are shaken. A man reduced to a skin-sack. A killer who vanishes into fog. A message etched into flesh. Nothing is as it seems — and no one is safe.

With his loyal partner DS Sean Reilly, Gardener must navigate a city where corruption runs deep, and every clue only tightens the noose. Each case pushes him closer to a truth he may not survive. Because this killer isn’t just clever — he’s watching.

THE SETTING
The series unfolds across the gritty streets and shadowy corners of Leeds and its surrounding towns, but many of the darkest cases lead into the windswept moorlands, abandoned quarries, and isolated villages of Yorkshire. From the fog-drenched paths of Ilkley Moor to the crumbling stone walls near Burley in Wharfedale, the landscape is as much a character as the detectives themselves — bleak, brooding, and soaked in secrets.

Included in this 9-book box set:
Book 1: Impurity
Book 2: Imperfection
Book 3: Implant
Book 4: Impression
Book 5: Imposition
Book 6: Imposture
Book 7: Impassive
Book 8: Impious
Book 9: Implication

Perfect for fans of gritty police procedurals with a psychological edge.

2723 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

The British Fantasy Society published Ray Clark's first work in 1995 - Manitou Man: The World of Graham Masterton, was nominated for both the World and British Fantasy Awards. In 2009, Ray's short story, Promises To Keep, made the final shortlist for the best short story award from The Tom Howard Foundation. Ray is based in Goole, and has set his Gardener and Reilly crime series in nearby Leeds.

Reviews

[W H Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do not like the fact the box set does not count as 9 books and for once I did not review them individually this was because I thought the books would not be that thrilling to read. I was wrong there.the first book I did find lacking a bit though it was quite graphic in the murder details this was the same with all the books and they did keep me wanting to read more to see how the stories unfolded. The last one in the set I did quickly work out who the killer could be but felt sorry for one of them in the end. Good series and I may well get the next three to read as well

[JANE · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me

Did not finish reading this book. I found the deaths too gory and nasty. It was a good thing I was reading a book and not watching it on TV the visuals would have made me feel ill. If you like this type of story please read. Only read of you are into horrific murders

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these books during a cruise. Interesting to see how Gardener and Reilly's relationship with their team developed during the course of the books. Not entirely convinced by the titles being totally relevant to the storylines but made a good read anyway. Will move on to no. 10 now.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk

[Christina Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book set. Loved the characters and storylines. The description of Frankie creased me up and Reilly is my kind of cop straight talking with a hint of humour. DI Gardener is the sort of detective a lot of police forces would like to have great people person and very intelligent

[SENGAALLAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

good in parts

Good characters but no real development of them. Hard for the reader to get involved. GrFirst few stories were very good, but very strange non-endings for some. This reader was left a bit frustrated by them.

[Sue Owadally, . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read

Enjoyed these 9 books. The characters were good and interesting. The story lines kept me hooked and to be honest as soon as one was finished I was on to the next one.

[Lesley Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent read

Each book was superbly written certainly vary varied and exciting.
I just didn’t like the abrupt endings in each one, it seems a tad to soon as they could have given more,
But hey the books are a fabulous read definitely

[Barbara Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good storylines, characters real to life, one felt you knew them. Details of scenes were authentic. Police work description appeared accurately written gave insight to how it's done. Storyline kept one interested and page turning, enjoyed it very much..well done.

[Lisa Kidder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multiple mysteries in small hamlet challenging the DCI.

This series moved a little slowly. The plots were developed and the crimes were solved methodically. The crimes themselves were a variety of interesting cases. 🤔

[Marleen Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Wow, very gripping tales in the 9 books. All had excellent stories, mysteries and puzzles galore. Certainly kept me awake late into the night to finish a book.

[stan sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Reads.

Quite enjoyed the plots, not to gorry and quite believable characters. Well written and nicely presented.
Looking forward to any following books.

[Bob's iPhone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book series. I look forward to getting more of series with more of these characters.

[Miriam Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

Read all the books good stories although pretty gruesome. Guess I enjoyed them because it’s the area I am originally from. Would certainly recommend

[Shirley Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay found a new author to love. Finished book one, loved it!

[Sue Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yorkshire Murders

Excellent series. Well written and very cleverly constructed to keep hour guessing. Detailed and intricate p!ots which are very well thought through.