Death at the Castle Gates

Jessica Raker #3

by Nick Oldham

His dying wish will be her biggest regret . . .

With her colleague Dougie Doolan’s health rapidly failing, former firearms officer Sergeant Jessica Raker takes on his hunt for local crook Rory Walton. Not only is Rory the suspected arsonist behind a house fire that claims the life of a young mother, but he and his brother are also burgeoning rivals to the Ribble Valley’s crime supremo, Mags Horsefield.

As Jess strives to bring Rory to justice, she is drawn into a deadly web of deceit and corruption. But there’s another case Dougie also wants Jess to solve . . . Is she ready to confront a terrifying night from her own past twenty years ago to help a dying colleague?

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

Nick Oldham was born in Belthorn, Lancashire, in 1956. He has been a police officer since the age of nineteen, spending the majority of his service in operational roles, before retiring in 2005. He lives with his partner, Belinda, on the outskirts of Preston.

Reviews

[David Prestidge · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back on duty with Nick Oldham's gutsy Lancashire cop, Sergeant Jessica Raker. We are in the unpretentious town of Clitheroe, and Raker's colleague DC Doolan is in the final stages of pancreatic cancer, but is determined to do his job until the - literally - bitter end. They are hunting a local low-life called Rory Walton, now wanted for murder, after he fire bombed his girlfriend's house. She subsequently died while in intensive care. Although a raid on Walton's hideout goes pear-shaped, the police discovered a cache of cannabis and firearms. More importantly, it triggers a memory in Doolan's mind - the shadow of a twenty year-old unsolved murder case, which Oldham gives us a glimpse of in a brief prologue. Hanging over the book, the series even, is the baleful shadow of Mags Horsefield (nee Goss) a once beautiful but always formidable woman who ruled with a local criminal reign of terror, but has now disappeared, along with her daughter Caitlin, a great friend of Jess's daughter Lily. We soon learn that Mags is alive and well. With Caitlin, she is living in a secure villa in Malta, protected by bodyguards and the same ferocious XL Bully dogs who terrorised her Lancashire scrapyard. Her criminal web is largely intact, and she sits at its centre, like a malevolent spider, controlling her empire via burner phones. Back in Clitheroe, Jess Raker's life becomes ever more complex. Her absent - and errant - husband, living away because of work, seems likely to become very 'ex'. Rory Walton has teamed up with his equally-criminal brother, and she has to concoct a plan to take them down. Her Boss, DI Price is determined to belittle her at every opportunity and is (unknown to her) in the pay of serious criminals. Added to those problems, she has encountered the spirits of two children murdered in Victorian times. It is unusual for Nick Oldham to venture into supernatural territory, and I was intrigued to see how this thread would be resolved. As one might expect from and ex-copper, Oldham makes the policing details utterly utterly convincing and, as with his long running and much loved character Henry Christie, he makes Jess Raker very human and totally believable. Death at the Castle Gates will be published by Severn House on 2nd June.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Death at the Castle Gates” is the 3rd book in the Jessica Raker series by Nick Oldham. I was not familiar with this author or series, but that does not impact the reading of this novel at all. It would be beneficial to have read the previous entries, but not a necessity.

Not knowing any of the back story, I read the opening scene to this book and assumed we had the first murder, only to realize it was just providing backstory to our main character, Sergent Jessica Raker. That’s on me since her name was clearly stated on the cover. Oops.

But it was such a great opening. And it set the tone for the rest of the novel. Even when we are more in the details of the procedural parts, it is never boring. The characters are so fun, and their interactions are fun to read.

The actual mystery is really good as Jessica strives to solve the crimes that have been presented to her, along with solve a mystery that haunts her dying partner, Dougie. The scenes between Jessica and Dougie are endearing. You can feel the love they have for each other. His failing health was sad to read even though I hadn’t read the previous novels. I can see Dougie having an impact for years to come even after his death.

I had one issue with this novel towards the end that kept it from being perfect. There is a standoff situation that felt contrived. The probability of this situation even being possible feels close to zero. And then the situation just wraps up quickly. It was a shame, because everything else had been on point up till then.

That being said, definitely a great book and one that makes me want to read the 2 previous entries and hope for many more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

For safety reasons, Sergeant Jessica Raker has relocated her family from London to rural Lancashire, a move that has strained her relationship with her husband. Jessica and her team are on the hunt for a local criminal who puts their lives in danger. One of their beloved colleagues, Dougie Doolan, is battling cancer, and his final wish is for Jessica to solve a case that has haunted him for years. Additionally, there are loose ends from her previous case involving a childhood enemy who has risen to become the queen of crime in the area, as well as a DI who seems to have a personal vendetta against Jessica. All these elements converge for a lot of action in the town of Clitheroe.

This fast-paced and engaging read had a compelling storyline and well-developed characters. I particularly admire Jessica, an all-too-human but dedicated individual grappling with personal issues while trying to make a way for herself in her new position. The camaraderie among the established team members is also noteworthy, and I couldn’t wait to see if DI Price and the annoying new team member, Ashley, would get their due.

There is a bit of the supernatural in this story, of which I am not a big fan, but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the narrative.

This is the third in the Jessica Raker series. I read the second book, and while I don’t believe it’s essential to read the prior installments to follow the plot and characters, doing so would provide valuable background information. The ending leaves room for a potential third story, which I eagerly anticipate.


Thanks to @NetGalley and @SevernHouseImprint for the DRC.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening prologue sets a rather creepy atmosphere which further continues as we meet once again with Police Sergeant Jessica Raker who, together with her small team of officers, seeks to keep the criminals at bay in rural Lancashire. However, as Jess discovers, to her cost, there is more going on in this small corner of the Ribble Valley than she could ever have imagined when she first moved to the North West from London. Chasing crooks is what Jess and her small team of police officers do best but this case is complicated from the start and it’s soon obvious that there is someone pulling the strings who may have previously had crime links in the area.

Those who have read the previous book in the series Death on Wolf Fell will be more than familiar with this author’s gritty style of writing and whilst this story pretty much picks up where the previous story ended there are lots of new clues to follow and plenty of twists and turns in a plot which hits the ground running and which doesn’t let up its exciting pace until the dramatic conclusion, which more than lends itself to another story featuring Sergeant Jessica Raker.

The setting is perfect, rural Lancashire at its best, the police procedural is authentic and utterly convincing, the crooks are so bad, they’re horrid and yet there’s also humour and heart, with well drawn characters who remain long after the story is told. Death at the Castle Gates had everything I wanted in a crime thriller, even a bit of a supernatural twist added for good measure, my only disappointment is that I’ll have to wait a while for the next book, which I hope won’t be too long in coming.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death at the Castle Gates by Nick Oldham is the third book in the Jessica Raker Thriller series and WoW what a excellent book this was and the best one so far. Once I started to read Death at the Castle Gates I was hooked, ended up reading it in one sitting, what a superb read this was.
For her own safety and the safety of her family, Sergeant Jessica Raker has now been relocated from London home and this move has been a hard one which has strained her relationship with her husband. Now they are in the Ribble Valley and the town of Clitheroe in Lancashire, and Police Sergeant Jessica Raker and her colleague DC Dougie Doolan are attempting to find Rory Walton as he is a suspect in an arson attack of a family home.

Their relationship between the both of them is so wonderful and caring especially as DC Dougie Doolan is terminally ill with Cancer, sadly he is very stubborn and will not rest until he solves a very old cold case which has haunted him from 20 years and asks Jessica to help him solve it before it is too late. Plus, be there for Jessica to help her in this recent case. I love his character.

Will Jessica solve this cold case before it is too late?

and will she find and catch Rory Walton as he is a suspect in an arson attack of a family home?

WoW this book was excellent and a great standalone book, however, I do recommend you read the other two books to get to know all the characters.

[Roger Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death at the Castle Gates is Nick Oldham's third outing with Sergeant Jess Raker and her team; and this is arguably the best. Though, it follows on the heels of absolute cracking novels; so the bar is set very high.

Straightaway, I was gripped by a thrilling prequel set in 2005 highlighting drama Jess had faced as a young woman, which is cleverly woven into the story for later. No spoilers here. Chapter two transports the reader to the present day where Raker and her team are chasing Rory Walton for fire-bombing his girlfriend's home.

But Raker faces difficulties on all sides; her trusted detective DC Doolan is dying, but refuses to give up work as he tries to chase down elusive cases, current and old. A transferee into Raker's team appears untrustworthy with a hidden agenda. And of course her line manager Inspector Price puts obstacles in her way at every opportunity; but why?

On top of this, Raker's nemesis, criminal Mags Horsefield is still on the run. Throw in a jailed serial killer, Charles Butcher, who is refusing to say where his victims are buried, and you are set for an explosive finale, with guns and gangsters aplenty. A reveal, when Raker pays Butcher a visit in prison left me open-mouthed.

Oldham has done it again; and some. This is a five star must have, Summer read. Highly recommended.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* Not exactly thrilling, but an engaging read.

I'm not actually sure exactly what Jessica did in her job, tbh, but it was a British policing role of some kind. It wasn't thrilling but I did engage with the tale and with the little hint of the paranormal. I'm not convinced on the incident with the person she was asked to visit in prison - the 2026 incident, not the 20-odd-years-ago one, but I liked the help she got.

I'm also not convinced about the racist copper and the victim that took their time reporting it. I'm pretty sure there's CCTV in some areas in nicks, however old they are, so this didn't really wash.

I normally hate cheating in books, but what happened here kind of felt okay, although where and when Jessica found time after a busy day's work, and rushing home to play mum - the latter because that's that it felt like, that she wasn't really present. I think I'd read another in this series, but I'm not inspired to read the previous two based on this one.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Severn House UK for my reading pleasure.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd in Jessica Raker series and it's a good one.
There is still uneasiness between Jessica and her husband, but she's kept busy at work and doesn't really have time to wallow. Her beloved colleague Dougie is dying of cancer and he asks Jessica for one last favor. Could she please visit a serial killer in jail and ask him where one of his victims is buried. Dougie is still haunted by that and Jessica will do anything for him.
The working relationship between Jessica and Samira is still going strong, I like that.
There are elements of the otherworldly in the story which was interesting, and I loved the female baddie hiding out with her daughter and the 2 bully dogs.
The action-filled ending was great and I'm curious as to the future of Jessica's marriage.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the series and although it is fine as a standalone, you do get more insight into Jessica's work and homelife if you read all the books and get to know the characters in the team better. The books are set in Clitheroe in Lancashire and involve a serial killer, now in prison. The first chapter refers to Jessica's own youth . There is a supernatural element to this book, not normally my thing, but it is done well here . Descriptions of people are well done, you can picture both the team and others well . I like Jessica's way of thinking in the investigation. Dougie is sadly very poorly and is haunted by a case from 20 years ago, Jess looks into this too. The book grabbed my interest from the first chapters and kept me engaged throughout . I still have a couple of questions unanswered, but perhaps something for a future book in the series?
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC. A great read and I look forward to more in this series

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a welcome return of PS Jess Raker and the glorious setting of the Ribble Valley and the town of Clitheroe. PS Jess Raker and her colleague DC Dougie Doolan are attempting to find Rory Walton as he is a suspect in an arson attack of a family home. Rory along with his older brother, Donny Walton are rivals to the unpredictable Mags Horsefield. Whilst Jess is dealing with investigations, she uncovers something far more sinister and she wants to solve this as well. Dougie is struggling with ill health asks Jess to look into a cold case that he could never solve. It was dark, descriptive, disturbing, entertaining, full of unexpected twists, great characters, and unputdownable. I love how Jess interacts with Dougie and Samaria. It all came together to an unexpected conclusion.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Jessica Raker series is the best yet! Superb plotting, as usual, and a host of familiar characters makes this a very enjoyable read. Catching up with Jess and Samira, is like catching up with old friends for a coffee and a chat. The fast pace and the tension throughout kept me interested until the last page. There are a couple of unexpected twists and some unanswered questions, which leave me wanting to read more of Jess and her team. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next installment. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Valettagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant read

This series just keeps getting better. I’m so pleased I found this author. Jess Raker is such a bad ass, Samira is going to be great as a PC and Vinnie and CID amazing. I wanted to cry for Dougie but live that Caitlin is giving her mum a taste of her own medicine.
Price? Disgusting human being!!
Absolutely loved it. I’m very invested in the characters as you can possibly tell.

[Ashley Lossie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. My first by this author, however, I enjoyed his writing and will definitely be looking into his other works. I enjoyed the protagonist, Sergeant Jessica Raker, and felt that the story was interesting. I enjoyed how she was tryin to help Doolan and their relationship. I also liked the justices she was trying to achieve.

[Gary K · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Nick Oldham book I’ve read for a while and it was up to its usual high standard.

Definitely only a book for Oldham fans and those that have read the previous books in the Jessica Raker series.