Death at the Yumbo Centre

by D Pickersgill

Dan just wanted sun, cocktails, and a break from real life. What he got instead? A blood-soaked body count and one very messy mystery.

On holiday in Gran Canaria with his old university friend Hugo, introverted millennial Dan expects drag queens, drunken flings, and debaucherous nights at the Yumbo Centre. But after a date with a dangerously charming local, a tragic death turns the holiday into something more sinister.

Secrets unravel. Tempers ignite. And as more bodies fall, Dan starts to realise—the island’s darkest stories are refusing to stay buried.

Death at the Yumbo Centre is the latest queer thriller from LGBTQ+ author D M Pickersgill, packed with sass, sunburn, and secrets too dangerous to stay buried.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2025

Reviews

[Bookstarreviews_]

5⭐️

A fun-fuelled, murderous gay thriller! 😍

I absolutely loved this read. I haven’t read many LGBTQ+ thrillers and Pickersgill really enthralls with this twisty book packed with sun, sex and secrets. I read the majority of this book in one sitting as its fast-paced nature, multiple POVs and short chapters had me truly hooked.

I loved how relatable this read was and how Pickersgill brought the characters to life. The message regarding the performative gays was very accurate too. I loved Dan’s character and although he made some unwise choices, I enjoyed his determination to unravel the truth.

This is a book about the past never staying buried and I loved how it pulsed with atmosphere throughout. I didn’t know who to trust and I liked this feeling. The Gran Canaria setting was perfect and I loved how subtly explosive this murder filled book was at times.

I thought this read was fantastic and I guessed a part of it, but I was very impressed with the twist. And that ending too! You best believe I bought part two IMMEDIATELY!!!

A huge thank you @dmpickersgill.books for this copy of Death at the Yumbo Centre. This is the perfect summer thriller read! 😍

You should check this book out! 🙌

💬: ‘a reminder that some people navigate life without ever having inner demons.’

⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️

[Ross Duffy]

3.5

[Zoe Costley]

From the very first chapter, the storyline had that perfect mix of intrigue, atmosphere, and character drama that keeps you glued to the pages. It’s so confidently written, with that smooth, addictive pacing that makes you think “just one more chapter”… and suddenly you’re at the end.

What really got me was the final reveal. I was so sure I knew who was behind the murders, and then Darren just flipped everything on its head. That twist was so sharp and unexpected it made me sit back and go, “Wait… WHAT?”, which is exactly what I want from a mystery.

A massive thank you to Darren for sending me this book. It was genuinely such a treat to read, and I’m already counting down the days until the next one drops in July.

[Ciprian - Codruț Chiticaru]

Honestly, I feel like I’ve just come back from Gran Canaria after two intense days (because I couldn’t put the book down) of banter and nonstop suspense. I’ve lost sleep, tears of laughter, and gasps throughout this book.

What started as a catchy story filled with messy, well-developed characters and lots of secrets, it turned into this obsession, as I tried to solve this case alongside Dan.

Even though some of my suspicions were kind of right by the end of the book, I never — NEVER - imagined the final plot twist.

This books was dark, funny, and very unpredictable. The story keeps you guessing to the very last page, and leave you stunned after you finish it.

I’m still speechless.

[Liam Bodle]

Look I tried. The many many many different character perspectives and short chapters didn’t do it for me. The writing was okay, but the main issue I had was the MC Dan should have been the POV (based on what I read). The annoying straight girl added nothing. The generic insta gays all kind of became the same character and I could really differentiate them as the book moves quickly without really developing much. It focuses on all the bad and what it is to be a gay man, which might be true (to some extent) but doesn’t make for interesting read. Been looking forward to this book for a while and after 100 pages I just wasn’t enjoying myself or found myself caring enough to carry on.

[Mark Lucas-Taylor]

Death at the Yumbo Centre

Having holidayed in Gran Canaria and having spent a lot of time in the Yumbo Centre this all read familiarly to me. Gran Canaria is a fantastic place to holiday but it definitely has its darker side.
I can relate to the parties, the hedonism, the attitudes and the sometimes soul destroying nature.
I never experienced anything the way Benny and Dan did but believe it could happen in the way portrayed.
D.M. Pickersgill has written a thrilling and engrossing story about the dark side of excess.

[kevin evans]

Excelent book . Ideal if you know the yumbo centrum and the bars in it. The book features thinly disguised venues all tourists that have been there know well but fortunately they are not as gory as in the book, with murders galore it keeps you wanting more even after it has ended.

[Joe S]

This was absolutely fantastic. Very easy to read and flows very well. Having been to the Yumbo all the memories came flooding straight back, it’s translated so well into the text. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting a thriller!

[David J Freeman]

Glad I wasn’t on my holidays when I read this.

Terrifically camp and frightening at the same time. The story opens up and gently unfurls keeping you guessing whilst taking you on a terrific rollercoaster whodunnit. A fabulous read.

[Roly]

After been to the yumbo centre many times I loved this!

[Jordan Stuart]

Read this while on holiday in Gran Canaria and visiting the Yumbo centre every night.
A great read and will definitely checkout his first book.

[Jordan King]

I really enjoyed this and hate that I’ve finished it! The characters were all flawed but relatable, a defo must ready for the girls, gays and theys x

[Lou Lou]

This was a great read , well written and thought out.
I loved the characters from the start, and the writing kept me wanting to read on.

No spoilers.. great twist , 100% worth a read

[Tom]

Awful

[Ross Meagrow]

2.5 stars!
It was a fun read but way too many characters. It started strong but then just got confusing. Great idea but just a little messy

[Paul Taylor-Pitt]

Great fun for Gran Canaria regulars, working out which bar is which. The perfect holiday read!