Blood Rites

DI Haig Crime Thrillers #5

by David J. Gatward

Book 5 in the thrilling crime series by David J. Gatward, author of the DCI Harry Grimm Thrillers, and set in the hauntingly beautiful Somerset countryside.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2026

Reviews

[Claire]

Love this series but this one was not the best in it .

[Maryann (Mae)]

Once again, a well-rounded addition to this series. I will say that the way the story is told both confused and entertained me. I had no problem visualizing the look on Gordy's face, as well as the rest of the team, as it appeared on mine as well.

[Mr David Bevan]

Didn't enjoy this. Found the plot rather convoluted and disjointed. The finish was disappointing. Won't read any more in this series.

[Blake Borate]

The book was okay but not up to usual standards.

[Sandra Palmer]

Not the best - fairly average. Sorry.

[John Hinchliffe]

This fifth book in the DI Haig Crime Thrillers series is an excellent listen. Once again, Dave Gatward has come up with an original and compelling plot as Gordy and her team investigate a gruesome murder. There's an intriguing list of suspects, plenty of twists and turns, and the story keeps you guessing right to the end. Highly recommended. Ruth Urquhart's narration is, once again, spot on and brings the characters and story to life.

[Michael Fallon]

Sad but happy

Easy to follow as usual and totally engrossing I couldn t put it down! Great characters with little of their backgrounds but not too much to detract from the
storyline. A totally unique story and I would never guess who done it.Really looking forward to the next book and chapter in Gordys life ,with a little of her time and friends up north hopefully

[M R B Davis]

Old values

A hedge layer and countryman is murdered in a strange way and the village is rallied to find the killer. The police are eventually called and Grordy with Pattie investigate the subterfuge. The murderer is a surprise and the reasons are greed. But not before more deaths!

[Nancy]

Aggravating

Took a long time of meandering to get to the point. The Gordy of the Harry Grimm novels is not the Gordy of these books. She doesn’t seem to have a clue about how to do her job for most of the book. Then it basically just comes to her. I hope after her time in THE Highlands she finds her way back to being the detective she was before.

[Erin Gilmore]

DI Gordy Haig and her team investigate a bizarre murder of a hedge layer in a small town, one with ritualistic overtones. When a local family is also murdered, the case is even more murky. Gordy is still struggling with her grief and decides to take a trip on her own to try to reset herself. Very good read.

[SkyGrey]

Soooo good!

Gordy has really taken to the job as a DI and doing so well with her team. I love how bits of Harry still make their way into the novels.

This book really sends you on a ride down a curvy and twisted road. I have to admit I was clueless to the mastermind behind the madness it was that good! Looking forward to the next adventure!

[Jacqueline freegard]

this book was disappointing, not sure why.

I usually love Dave Gatwards books, but this one just didn’t capture my imagination, Gordy has become boring and disjointed. Struggled not to give up on it, hoping after her Highlands solo trip she will be back in good spirits and dealt with her grief.

[margaret biggins]

Great read

Another great read Gordie and her team are starting to feel like family.This story was a bit different but still hard to put down until I finished it .Can't wait to read what Birdie and the team get up to next.

[Carole Gourlay]

Love this series

I absolutely love this series , not sure which I love best Grimm or Gordy! This book kept me entertained for the past couple of days, such a good read, well written and I didn’t guess who’d done it.

[David Stimpson]

That's the Best

I loved this Book and. The Story was the Best of the series. I liked Gordy in this one and She is settling in well. I am now looking forward to reading the next Book

[Lee Ann Wilson]

A good read. As expected.

Just one question. What happened to her new puppy? A need to know! Am I wrong that she got one while attending her old bosses wedding? Or am I out in left field thinking?

[Laura]

Good story

Gordie is a fun character go follow. She's not as self-assured as she came across in the DCI Grimm books. She also has more if a whimsical side than was apparent in the previous series.

[Beth]

Blood Rites

This was another good story from David J. Gatward. DI Haig has another tough murder to solve. This one had a lot of twists and turns. I don’t know how the author comes up with these stories but I hope he never stops!

[J LEA]

Loved it. More please.

Love this series of books, and Grimm, cannot wait for next one. Great back story, characters draw you in and the storyline are addictive.

[Mrs A Hampton]

Excellent, as always.

Good plot, interesting characters and a delicate trail of breadcrumbs to follow.

Ready for the next book in the DI Haig series.

[Maureen]

Another excellent read in this series. Great characters, story and setting. Kept me engrossed as it twisted and turned.

[mrs H M Burke]

You have done it again Dave.

Well done every book gets more enjoyable can't put them down;-) Amazing how you think of such things(bit scarey actually.😅😮

[Marktroth]

BLOOD RITES

Another great book by David j gatward have read all the harry grimm books and am looking forward to reading the next one which is coming out soon great author

[Delyth Woods]

Brilliant

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. They just get better and better. The storyline was different, and intense. I read it in a couple of sittings.

[Chris & Phil Butterworth]

Always different

This time a bit more messy of any wait for Gordy in Scotland
I used to I like his Yorkshire ones but I've been converted

[Tresi Fair]

great

[Teresa]

Excellent

Another excellent story in this series! Compelling characters and premise, as always. A disturbing death in an oddly quaint village.

[Mainer207]

Not my favorite but I enjoy David’s work.

[Neil Dobson]

Just finished reading Blood Rites, book 5 in the DI Haig series by David J Gatward, another amazing read in a fantastic series, Gordy is on par with Grimm 😊