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DI Tanner #15
The Watch House
ANOTHER CHILLING NORFOLK BROADS CRIME THRILLER!
Set within the mysterious beauty of the Norfolk Broads, this fast-paced British detective series is a dark cozy Norfolk murder mystery with a slice of humour and a touch of romance, one that will have you guessing until the very end, when the last shocking twist is finally revealed.
The Watch House is a totally addictive gripping crime thriller, the fifteenth in a chilling series of serial killer books, ones which will rapidly convert followers of L J Ross, Faith Martin, Joy Ellis, Damien Boyd, J M Dalgliesh, and Elly Griffiths into David Blake devotees.
Set within the mysterious beauty of the Norfolk Broads, this fast-paced British detective series is a dark cozy Norfolk murder mystery with a slice of humour and a touch of romance, one that will have you guessing until the very end, when the last shocking twist is finally revealed.
The Watch House is a totally addictive gripping crime thriller, the fifteenth in a chilling series of serial killer books, ones which will rapidly convert followers of L J Ross, Faith Martin, Joy Ellis, Damien Boyd, J M Dalgliesh, and Elly Griffiths into David Blake devotees.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
About the author
David Blake
41 books306 followersNO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR
With number one bestsellers in both the UK and Australia, to date David has written twenty-two books along with a collection of short stories. He's currently working on his twenty-third, Bluebell Wood, which is the next in his series of fast-paced crime thrillers. When not writing, David likes to spend his time mucking about in boats, often in the Norfolk Broads, where his crime fiction books are based.
Get news of all future releases, ARC reader info, free books, and all promo offers by signing up to my newsletter:
www.david-blake.co.uk/CONTACTDAVID
With number one bestsellers in both the UK and Australia, to date David has written twenty-two books along with a collection of short stories. He's currently working on his twenty-third, Bluebell Wood, which is the next in his series of fast-paced crime thrillers. When not writing, David likes to spend his time mucking about in boats, often in the Norfolk Broads, where his crime fiction books are based.
Get news of all future releases, ARC reader info, free books, and all promo offers by signing up to my newsletter:
www.david-blake.co.uk/CONTACTDAVID
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 14, 2026
An exhausting task
This was one of the hardest detective novels I've ever read and I've read a multitude. Even read several by same author! DCI Tanner has gone completely mad and his team's gone round the bin as well. This novel is one of the worst I've read lately. I've read all the previous Tanner novels but I'm done. HATE Tanner's attempt at humor and his team's obvious ineptitude. Wasn't under the impression that I was reading police procedural satire. Getting to the end was like swimming through jello!
This was one of the hardest detective novels I've ever read and I've read a multitude. Even read several by same author! DCI Tanner has gone completely mad and his team's gone round the bin as well. This novel is one of the worst I've read lately. I've read all the previous Tanner novels but I'm done. HATE Tanner's attempt at humor and his team's obvious ineptitude. Wasn't under the impression that I was reading police procedural satire. Getting to the end was like swimming through jello!
May 25, 2026
Hello , the 1970s called and want their humour back.
The 12 year old school child humour in this doesn’t always sit comfortably with subject matter. Some one is potentially dying or in danger but hey let’s make silly jokes with a play on words and delay actually doing anything in.
The police station seems chaotic, poorly managed and they bumble about in complete ignorance of any real plans. The hint of misogyny is still there as well.
It’s a bit of a shame that an otherwise decent plot is spoilt by such childish humour.
The 12 year old school child humour in this doesn’t always sit comfortably with subject matter. Some one is potentially dying or in danger but hey let’s make silly jokes with a play on words and delay actually doing anything in.
The police station seems chaotic, poorly managed and they bumble about in complete ignorance of any real plans. The hint of misogyny is still there as well.
It’s a bit of a shame that an otherwise decent plot is spoilt by such childish humour.
May 13, 2026
I'm a great fan of David Blake's writing and his excellent character DI Tanner. This storyline runs at a much faster pace and there's much more humour within his relationship with his boss Forrester and in his marriage with Christine and the growing family. The conclusions in the story are not what I anticipated but it's another great read and difficult to put down once you are into the beat of the storyline.
May 19, 2026
Another twisty, witty outing for DCI Tanner. When a suspected suicide turns up with several bodies, Tanner steps into possibly his most tangled web yet. The mystery is fast paced and unpredictable. I couldn’t put it down. My only criticism is that it moved at such pace we didn’t get the full picture. With several bodies being discovered at the start, no answers are supplied for their deaths and burials. But, we did end on a cliffhanger - suggesting this mystery isn’t quite done yet.
May 27, 2026
I really enjoyed these books until the last few, the humour is ridiculous and it seems the way to deal with things is to add more murders. Hard work to read unlike the early novels. I found myself asking why aren’t they doing this or that. Vicky seems to be the only one with any brains and lots of the plot made no sense. Why do all the suspects end up dead. Very disappointed. Have a rethink My Blake.
May 15, 2026
Great read
After two students find a body they stumbled across while out on a trip to the countryside in a watch tower that looked abandoned it started a twisting and complicated case for Tanned and Vicky to find out what happened to their victim. Lots of twists in this case concerning his family and colleagues.
After two students find a body they stumbled across while out on a trip to the countryside in a watch tower that looked abandoned it started a twisting and complicated case for Tanned and Vicky to find out what happened to their victim. Lots of twists in this case concerning his family and colleagues.
May 25, 2026
A real page turner, very much enjoyed by myself
I have not written a review for a while, but I have read all the DI/DCI Tanner books and will continue to do so as long,as David Blake continues to write these books.
I found this book a particular good read that my world stopped until I got to the end, always a sign of a good book in my humble opinion.
I have not written a review for a while, but I have read all the DI/DCI Tanner books and will continue to do so as long,as David Blake continues to write these books.
I found this book a particular good read that my world stopped until I got to the end, always a sign of a good book in my humble opinion.
May 31, 2026
I usually love these books but was shocked when it ended. Was reading on kindle. It seemed as if it wasn’t finished somehow? No explanations, became ridiculous with the amount of bodies and no answers really came as to why. Unless I missed it.
I will buy the next and probably re read the first ones again as I loved those. But this became ott imho.
I will buy the next and probably re read the first ones again as I loved those. But this became ott imho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2026
Hmmmmm
Not sure about this book slow going to begin with,didn't like the picky tanner thing going on.and the end felt rather rushed like it should have more of an explanation about why? Not his best and it's rather gutted me as I've been waiting for this to come out.
Not sure about this book slow going to begin with,didn't like the picky tanner thing going on.and the end felt rather rushed like it should have more of an explanation about why? Not his best and it's rather gutted me as I've been waiting for this to come out.
May 26, 2026
I enjoy this series a lot. The stories are great and I love the characters. However, I get tired of so much smart aleck jokes. It calmed down a bit. I had decided to stop reading the book because of it but glad I continued.
May 17, 2026
Great series
I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.
I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.
May 23, 2026
The Watch House
Wow, what a story. Twists and turns within every chapter. A great conclusion. Who would have guessed who the watcher was?
Wow, what a story. Twists and turns within every chapter. A great conclusion. Who would have guessed who the watcher was?
May 31, 2026
A nice outing for DCI Turner, but ultimately we don't know ALL the answers as to why some of the managed to be targeted.
May 31, 2026
Magnetic reading
If you have a job to do don't pick this book up - it's very hard to put down!! You've done it again David - well done
If you have a job to do don't pick this book up - it's very hard to put down!! You've done it again David - well done
May 14, 2026
His best book yet, brilliant
I was more than happy to find out that this new book had been released. I love this series, mainly because they are set in the lovely Norfolk countryside where I live, and the stories are always believable.
Reading of the new adventures of the whole police team and their families just get better and better each time. It's a great book.
I was more than happy to find out that this new book had been released. I love this series, mainly because they are set in the lovely Norfolk countryside where I live, and the stories are always believable.
Reading of the new adventures of the whole police team and their families just get better and better each time. It's a great book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews