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Cumbria Crime: Whaley & Gaskill #3
The Island: A Cumbria Crime Novel
‘A gripping continuation of the story begun by DI Zoe Finch.’ Rachel McLean
It doesn’t matter how far you run. The past is never more than a bullet away.
A shooting at a remote sheep farm doesn’t sound like a job for DI Carl Whaley’s ‘Ghoul Squad’, even when the victim happens to be a retired police officer.
Particularly when ‘remote’ is putting it mildly.
But what the Ghoul Squad wants to work on, and what they have to work on, are two very different things.
And as the dead man’s past comes together, piece by painful piece, it starts to look like a case for PSD after all. His former colleagues won’t answer their questions, and senior officers are blocking their every move, but they’re used to that. If anything, it just makes them more determined to find those answers.
What deadly secrets had the victim discovered? Who had he told? And why do the army want to get involved?
Struggling against a wall of silence, the challenges of the location, and the threat of military interference, the Ghoul Squad will do all it can to learn the truth – even if it puts their lives in danger.
It’s a good thing, then, that they’ve got Nina Kapoor to help them this time round.
The Island is the third book in the exciting new Whaley & Gaskill series, featuring Carl Whaley, Denise Gaskill, and a host of colleagues from the bestselling ‘Cumbria Crime’ books.
It doesn’t matter how far you run. The past is never more than a bullet away.
A shooting at a remote sheep farm doesn’t sound like a job for DI Carl Whaley’s ‘Ghoul Squad’, even when the victim happens to be a retired police officer.
Particularly when ‘remote’ is putting it mildly.
But what the Ghoul Squad wants to work on, and what they have to work on, are two very different things.
And as the dead man’s past comes together, piece by painful piece, it starts to look like a case for PSD after all. His former colleagues won’t answer their questions, and senior officers are blocking their every move, but they’re used to that. If anything, it just makes them more determined to find those answers.
What deadly secrets had the victim discovered? Who had he told? And why do the army want to get involved?
Struggling against a wall of silence, the challenges of the location, and the threat of military interference, the Ghoul Squad will do all it can to learn the truth – even if it puts their lives in danger.
It’s a good thing, then, that they’ve got Nina Kapoor to help them this time round.
The Island is the third book in the exciting new Whaley & Gaskill series, featuring Carl Whaley, Denise Gaskill, and a host of colleagues from the bestselling ‘Cumbria Crime’ books.
459 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 28, 2026
Left me wondering till the final reveal
I like the 2 dimensional aspect of the story and the closure of the long running investigations
Thought maybe the acting DCI was maybe pushing the boundaries a bit but who knows may be people are that nasty when they get temporary power
Great outcome for Denise
I like the 2 dimensional aspect of the story and the closure of the long running investigations
Thought maybe the acting DCI was maybe pushing the boundaries a bit but who knows may be people are that nasty when they get temporary power
Great outcome for Denise
October 9, 2026
A few surprises as usual.
A clever story linking two very distant places. And still a hint that there is more to be uncovered! It’s difficult not to suspect everyone even the ones you think are the good guys! Very much looking forward to the next one.
A clever story linking two very distant places. And still a hint that there is more to be uncovered! It’s difficult not to suspect everyone even the ones you think are the good guys! Very much looking forward to the next one.
October 9, 2026
a real page turner
Loved this book
Interesting kept me guessing at each turn. Carl and Denise and the rest of the Ghouls are amazingly human which makes them seem like old friends
Loved Chloe is it too much to hope we will be seeing more of her😬
Loved this book
Interesting kept me guessing at each turn. Carl and Denise and the rest of the Ghouls are amazingly human which makes them seem like old friends
Loved Chloe is it too much to hope we will be seeing more of her😬
October 20, 2026
Didn't find this one as gripping as others I've read previously. Is Carl tired or is it Joel. Just ordered Joel's new book, not a follow up on this one. Let's see what different detective brings and completely different area
October 2, 2026
Another gripping tale and looking forward to the next instalment in February
October 4, 2026
Brilliant book
I stayed up very late to finish this book. It has so many twists in the plot.Once again Joel Hames has produced a fantastic novel.
I stayed up very late to finish this book. It has so many twists in the plot.Once again Joel Hames has produced a fantastic novel.
October 5, 2026
Whilst the plot was a tad fantastical it was still a solid plot and a good read to the end.
October 18, 2026
Great book
Could not put this one down, kept me guessing until the end. Looking forward to the next instalment in the new book.
Could not put this one down, kept me guessing until the end. Looking forward to the next instalment in the new book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews