The Watch House

DI Tanner #15

by David Blake

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.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2026

About the author

Having sold over a million books around the world, and with number one bestsellers in both the UK and Australia, David is best known for writing fast-paced crime thrillers that are impossible to put down.

When not writing, David likes to spend his time mucking about in boats, often in the Norfolk Broads, where most of his books are based.

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Reviews

[Margaret Ridings · Rating 1 out of 5]

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!

[Anne Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mr Paul Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Peter Dixon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This author just does not learn. In places this book was far better than the last few in the series: riveting and fast paced. But then he spoils it in the most spectacular ways. People of all ages talk in paragraphs of smug smart arsery, which does not happen in real life (and it ruins the rhythm of the novel at the same time). A young female who fawns over an older man - it's like reading an old guy's fantasy. Police officers who appear intelligent on one page only to start talking drivel and failing to follow up on major plot points on the next (if Person B has turned up in place of Person A, is Person A in danger and why is it not an immediate priority to find out, etc.). In places, this book will make you squirm uncomfortably. The ending - those last 3 chapters or so - utter tripe. I wonder if the poor editor has any say whatsoever, other than checking for spelling errors. Highly doubtful.

[Debra Whisson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[SUSAN GARRETT · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ally Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Samantha trebble · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Sharon Mucha · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Keith Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute knockout of a book

Dear Mr. Blake, you have excelled yourself in book15, the storyline and writing is by far for me the best yet, it has everything to be a great story, totally engrossed from start to finish....... But is it finished ?

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

I enjoyed this DCI Tanner book a great deal, There were many twists and turns that kept me in suspense. Who is it? Why are they doing this? And no one in the department is safe.

[wendy geen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.

[Mary Howick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Watch House

Wow, what a story. Twists and turns within every chapter. A great conclusion. Who would have guessed who the watcher was?

[Allan Segal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Marie Salt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disappointed about how it ended. No idea why the murderer did what he or she did.

[Elizabeth Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

intriguing

A bit of an odd book but it kept me reading as was so intriguing. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Debbie Furze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed this but it got very silly . No real explanation at the end either or clear motive as to the events that happened.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.