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Detective Chief Inspector Jack Harris #12
Murder in the Pennines
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.
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
137 books85 followersJohn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 9, 2025
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
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
October 9, 2025
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
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
September 28, 2025
It's great to have Jack Harris back! Great story, but sad at the same time, with some history of Kosovo involved.
April 21, 2026
I have really enjoyed the other books in this series, but this one spends too much time in Kosovo tangled in the ongoing struggles between Serbs and Albanians. Jack Harris and Matty Gallagher are caught in the middle when they go there to track down people who have killed two men in their area. It's hard to believe they would have been able to do that, but their trip puts them in grave danger. I only hope that Harris's return to the scene of a massacre that has haunted him for decades after his service in Kosovo will bring him some closure so he can stick to solving crimes in the Pennines!
September 28, 2025
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?
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?
January 14, 2026
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.
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.
October 31, 2025
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.
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.
November 3, 2025
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.
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.
December 29, 2025
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.
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.
May 3, 2026
After 12 books in the series and now with Hawk’s new responsibility on track, I’m really going to miss him and his team 😔 Please hurry back with more books?
October 1, 2025
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.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews