Murder in the Pennines

Detective Chief Inspector Jack Harris #12

by John Dean

A detective and his dog on the trail of a killer in England’s last wilderness.

The North Pennines — vast, windswept, and steeped in silence. Until murder tears the peace apart.

A holiday camp bomb scare. And a past that won’t stay buried.

When a bomb threat at a North Pennines holiday resort forces DCI Jack Harris into action, the last thing he expects is to be dragged back to his past and the horror of the Kosovo War. But the discovery of forged identities and war crimes links two apparently harmless businessmen to a massacre Harris witnessed twenty-five years ago as a young NATO soldier.

With his team, he travels far beyond the familiar landscapes of the North of England to confront ghosts that refuse to stay in the past and powerful forces willing to kill.

A gripping British police procedural steeped in atmosphere, secrets, and shocking twists.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2025

About the author

John Dean is a freelance journalist who has runs his own business and draws heavily on his years as a crime reporter for newspapers and magazines to create his novels.

He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association and cites Sherlock Holmes as his all-time favorite detective. He lives in the South West of Scotland.

(Also writes under the pseudonym John Stanley)

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[David Stimpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better and better

What a Wonderful Series . This Story is Different to all the Others but Rounds up a Part of Hawks Past . I love the Stories and the Characters. More Please

[Linda Woodley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant storyline
Poor Harris and Matt nearly got shot while in Kosovo, thinking Moreau was on there side.
A real page turner, I look forward to the next one

[Susan Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great to have Jack Harris back! Great story, but sad at the same time, with some history of Kosovo involved.

[Assia Alexandrova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Half-baked plot

I understand the need to bring closure to the Kosovo theme, but having lived half my life in the Balkans, I found the episodes that take place there to be superficially described, with hurried plot devices and potholes galore. Jack should have stayed home and run things from there. Also in this particular book, he is strangely devoid of character. Does he really care solely about getting rid of his nightmares?

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seems to be the last in the series but maybe there's more to come?

The past has haunted Harris since his soldier days in Kosovo and this story echoes the horror and forces confrontation. It's sad and disturbing and knowing who to trust is a problem.

The writing style is fast-paced and the characters suit the plot, likeable or not. I liked the banter between the team and the great sense of place.

Engaging throughout.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

John Dean is a favorite of mine. DC I Jack Harris is a dedicated officer and an animal lover. This book dealt with Jack's past. It was tense and filled with action. I highly recommend this book. Beth P.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Excellent Story

Another excellent story by John Dean in the Back Harris series with lots of the usual characters. The storyline was superb and each one in the series seems to get better. Looking forward to reading more.

[none · Rating 5 out of 5]

John dean

Excellent read his style of writing has you on the edge of your chair on every page love DCI jack Harris and sgt Matty Gallagher so well written you feel like you know them both.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the Lakeview holiday camp a bomb been found and the two owners discovered dead. It would seem to be a professional hit and that means Harris is going back to Kosovo.