The Boatyard

Cumbria Crime: Whaley & Gaskill #1

by Joel Hames

BOOK 1 IN A THRILLING NEW CUMBRIA CRIME SERIES

'A gripping continuation of the story begun by DI Zoe Finch' - Rachel McLean

DS Denise Gaskill is happiest tracking down corrupt cops, not being forced to visit the psychiatrist. She’s getting little sympathy from her boss, DI Carl Whaley, who has problems of his own. And DC Harriett Barnes has a difficult new colleague to handle. Even without investigating police corruption, there’s more than enough to keep Cumbria’s Professional Standards Division busy.

But when a man is found murdered in a Windermere boatyard, it becomes clear that the investigating team have secrets of their own, and with Carl’s team taking over, the case threatens to spiral out of control.

Who is the dead man? Why was the emergency call that might have saved him ignored? And is there a connection with the death of a local police officer?

As the investigation takes twist after dangerous twist, working out who they can trust and who’s manipulating them has never been more important. With the pressure mounting, can Carl and the team find a way through the lies before anyone else winds up dead?

The Boatyard is the first book in the exciting new Whaley & Gaskill series, featuring Carl Whaley, Denise Gaskill, and a host of colleagues from the bestselling ‘Cumbria Crime’ books.

423 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2026

Reviews

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable British crime drama with plenty of twists and turns. I liked the team dynamics with familiar characters and the new recruit where thoughts and feelings gave further depth to the story.

I am always surprised when people resent the revealing of corruption when surely any team is better without it...bad people should be rooted out everywhere.

Well-written and fast-paced, this story was entertaining and engaging.

Recommended.

[MS M ADAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in this series and didn’t disappoint

Almost a seamless follow on from the Cumbria Crime Series it finished with an end of definitely more to come. The crime(s) were complicated but the inter team relationships are just as intriguing. I read it immediately after reading The Marsh ( Joel and Rachel McLean)and The Beach Hut Murders(Rachel McLean) which gave a great sense of continuity.

[Kisxela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Joel Hames’ The Boatyard, even though it was delightfully silly at times. Reading it felt like diving into the script of Rowan Atkinson’s The Thin Blue Line—full of bumbling cops, awkward situations, and that same dry, quirky British humor.
At first I nearly put the book down, but once I got used to the style, the large cast of characters, and their wonderfully simple, one-track minds, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It grew on me in the best way.
What stuck with me most is the refreshing realism: maybe cops really are like this—flawed, ordinary, and a bit daft—rather than the invincible superheroes we usually see in books and films. In the end, it gently reminds us that we’re all a little ridiculous and far less heroic than we like to imagine. Highly recommended for a fun, surprisingly insightful read.

[Paul Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jury is out on this book and author. Author is new to me so was expecting differences from my usual reading however, to me, this read like a first Novel from an author. I came close to putting the book away several times but persevered. The story line was all over the place to start, too many characters in different rolls and no comfortable flow from one element to the next. At times i felt i was reading an episode of the Sweeny or a police crime book from the 70s / 80s such was the content and attributes of the team, at other times I wondered if they knew they were even in the police force.
I'm not sure how far to follow the series through so to be fair I'll read the next installment, The Viewpoint, and see if things improve for me. As it stands from finishing this book, the Jury is out!

[Laura Rigby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book difficult to follow at first, each character was referred to by their job title or name and it confused me. I guess that I am used to the DC Ryan series by LJ Ross and the style of writing is slightly different. By the time that I was a third to half the way through, I understood the characters and knew the name and job titles so could finally follow the book and became interested.

The storyline was interesting and I enjoyed reading and i would definitely try book 2 and come back with a better review of how I think that this series is going… watch this space!

[Jayne Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t Put It Down!

This was such a gripping read! I almost didn’t buy it now that Joel Hames isn’t collaborating with Rachel McLean, but I am so glad I did. I love the way he has developed the familiar characters whilst introducing new ones. The plot with all its twists kept me in suspense right until the end. I didn’t think I could possibly enjoy it as much as the previous Cumbria books ………. I was soooooo wrong!

[Gill Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracking story

This first book in a new solo series by this author following his successful collaboration with Rachel McClean did not disappoint in any way.
All the characters were as real as they were in the collaborative series 'Cumbria Crime' and developed with skill and insight by Joel Hames. I enjoyed it immensely and have now ordered the second book. I will, no doubt follow that with book three - due to be released for sale in October (hope I can wait that long).

[jacquelyne hough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fragmented but a good read

I found that the story for me, flitted from one character to another a little too quickly giving it a fragmented feel.
Maybe this was because I haven't read these characters before and was not familiar with who is who. Still a pretty decent read though.

[Jue · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To lose one cop," Branthwaite had said first thing, " may be regarded as a misfortune, two looks like carelessness."

This was an enjoyable novel with plenty of twists and turns.
With the return of characters from the cumbrian crime series books by Rachel McLean and Joel Hames and a new recruit to the Professional Standard division.

[John Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book but I could tell it wasn't to the standard when Joel and Rachel wrote together but this was a good read none the less and I'm sure things will improve as the series goes forward. I highly recommend this series if you are new to Joel or Rachel McLean or if you enjoyed the Zoe Finch Cumbria series.

[Gillian Margaret Keay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read, excellent continuation of the Cumbria series. Well done Joel and Oreo. Would have given it a 5 but I spotted one of the clues a long time before the detectives did (no spoiler)

[Mr David Bevan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy this book. There were too many characters and I struggled to work out who was who and the pecking order. Also I thought, mistakenly, that this was the first book in a series. But it became obvious that there is at least one before it.

[John Eddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dropped the ball!

Joel, I have enjoyed what you have been doing with Rachel, but I think you dropped the ball when no one responded to Marcus's last text.

[Niv]

too maby characters, hard to follow - dnf at 11%

[M R B Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthraling

Whalley without Zoe turns out to be different and the psd get involved in amurder. Investigations become sticky but the detail in the evidence wins through.

[Joan C Barrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this book. How wrong I was, it was brilliant. Looking foward very much to next one. Great the way two teams worked together and now a new team member in Carl's team!

[Sharon Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

Excellent addition to this series of books. This group is like a family. Been reading since the team stared in Birmingham

[Marg goby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marg’s bedtime read

Very good first book , plenty of action and twists and turns I’m ready to read book 2 hopefully soon

[Sue Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Annepickles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Nice to know the team is still working book kept you guessing to the end and waiting for the next book

[Eileen Keane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a smashing start to the new series! I can't wait for the next one.

[Snowy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really good read. I like how he’s integrated new and familiar characters seamlessly together. The plot kept you guessing till the end. Looking forward to book 2.

[MRS KIM V BARCLAY · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyable

I really enjoyed this. Never thought I would but characters were familiar but nice to have a different perspective. Well worth a read

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great storyline. Not enough of Carl. Far too much alcohol - how on earth can they do their jobs drinking that much!!!

[Mrs D Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very reluctant to start this book having read all of Rachel McLeans other books and characters. I shouldn’t have worried the book was written in the same excellent style!

[Lynn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent plot and the fallibility of the characters was so well constructed. Lots of very good res herrings

[Douglas Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some familiar characters appear in Joel's solo book & continuation of the Cumbria Crime series. A great & entertaining read.