Waiting For Death

Wild Fens #17

by Jack Cartwright

Coming December 2025

Genres: Crime

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart in mouth

I would say the ending was horrific. I was counting up the numbers of already dead and then it all got worse.

I didn’t know those people. They were just the bit parts Jack needed to flesh out the book.

These were our people. Freya, Ben, Jim, Cruz, Nillson. It was a foregone conclusion that some or all of them wouldn’t make the next book.

Jack Cartwright had my heart racing at one of the vilest possible ways that multiple people could die.

I was simultaneously amazed at his talent and swearing at his apparent need to end this book with a horrible big bang.

You have to read it to understand.

[Mrs Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

with Freya and Ben literally just home from their 'non honeymoon' holiday, a call to a paintball gaming centre where the body of a man who was at his stag party is found, while looking into the history of both the victim and his fellow stags past and trying to see what...if any links there are, leads Freya and team looking to one suspect to chase who has disappeared.. giving them more reasons to believe he is guilty. but as one by one each of the other friends go missing and theres another body, it becomes a race to find them before the body count increases! we get a glimpse of Chapman's past when she describes with passion how a victim of bullying could react, and further on Cruz steps up to the fore, when tasked taking control of murder scene, leaving Freya, Ben, Gillespie and Nillson to carry on with the search for the other missing friends.
tensions and emotions run high at the end of this case, showing once again how close the team are at having each others backs when needed.
yet another fantastic page turning book 📖 which deserves as many 5🌟 as it can get 👏

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy these Freya Bloom books, especially because of the well-defined characters and the relationships.

A man is found dead...

The team investigate a brutal murder and the twists and turns were brilliant. Disturbing mixed with humour portrayed reality, therefore, the story was believable. There was a great sense of place and varied human behaviour - psychologically intriguing.

Well-written and engaging.

Recommended.

[Karen Oakley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting story from Freya Bloom and the team. Well thought out police procedural although I did question their thought process on sticking to one or two suspects before gathering all the necessary information. The ending had me on the edge of my seat. DI Gillespie was his usual funny, irascible self but my only other complaint is that Gillespie takes his banter with Cruz just a little too far, considering this story centred on bullying as its subject. Hence the lack of one star.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never knew anyone who could blend humor and drama so seamlessly in a story like Jack Cartwright can and does. His characters jump off the pages right into your heart. A superb novel worth 10 stars.
Highly Recommended.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. This is the best of the series so far, although I thought I knew the identity of the the murderer from about the third chapter but with all the red herrings and twists I was never sure . I will not say whether I was right or wrongly would not want to spoil it for anyone. I have just pre-ordered the next in the series published next April, Keep them coming Mr Cartwright.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I have just finished 1 to 17 and could not put them down good job I am retired they were absolutely brilliant reads now I have got wait till April for the last book can't wait

[Chrissie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it enormously. I think the characters have bedded in beautifully.

A most enjoyable book. Jack Cartwright has spun a realistic drama with our favourite characters so beautifully bedded into their characterisations.
A must read in the group.

[Angela Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold your breath

Absolutely convinced that this would be the book and I d lose so many of my favourite characters be prepared to hold your breath Mr Cartrightyou are a master in your field 😊

[Deanne Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant - a real cliffhanger.

Loved it. Couldn’t put it down. Just had to find out who the murderer was. Well done Jack. Thank you.

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Freya and Ben get along - or not! Returning from their Italian holiday a frightening series of crimes begins in Lincolnshire which ultimately involves the team learning a great deal more about themselves. Truly great read.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk

[Mrs E A Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

Another good read, from Jack Cartwright, with all the twists and turns, I also love the characters, they’re beginning to be like family.

[Mr David Bevan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK, although the story dragged a bit in the middle.

[Rich Holmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

As usual, Cartwright takes us on a convoluted journey with twists and turns. Fast paced murder mystery. Good read for a cold winter day.

[Trevor Irons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Cartwright - Always a good read

One book left to read in the Wild Fens series. None have disappointed. Looking forward to The Deadly Wolds Series

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this family so much

This is the best one yet and this is one series that I'm grateful for the break between books to allow me time to recover from the excitement

[Jean Brierley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for book 18to come out

Good read keeps me on the edge of my seat even take the my kindle upto bed
can't wait till the next book is out

[margaret biggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another good read I couldn't put it down think this is best one yet and can't wait to see what happens next.

[H Svinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing installment but what is this obsession with fire! Oh my can we have one where I'm not stressing over members of the team!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always brilliant !

[Patreesa osmond-humphreys · Rating 2 out of 5]

waiting for death

Not as good as previous books so bit disappointing. Will carry on to the next and last book in the series

[Lora King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barely home from their pseudo honeymoon, Freya, Ben and the team have to find a killer on a revenge rampage. Such a great series, I see a bit of easing off on making Freya a bitch in this one.

[Rosemary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed all of the others in the series and was looking forward to reading this one. However for some reason it just didn’t work for me. It felt too long over 450 pages and I felt the story seemed to be very slow. Hopefully the next one will return to its very high standard