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Dark Yorkshire #2
Blacklight
Two women are missing. One who has it all. The other, has lost everything… DI Nathaniel Caslin is in conflict with his inner demons. His career is resurgent but the greater battle, that with his addiction, is still raging… and he is losing.An abandoned car and a desperate call to the police, lead Caslin into the heart of two families where secrets and lies are a way of life. What links the fate of an MP's granddaughter and that of a recovering drug addict, working in the sex trade?Past horrors and personal scandals tag with the present, as the tension mounts. Trust in those closest to him is brought into question, as Caslin pursues a deadly adversary. Lives hang in the balance and all the while, the clock is ticking… Dark, chilling and complex, Blacklight is a gripping thriller from a new talent in Crime Noir. Buy it today!
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2018
3679 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Dalgliesh
38 books930 followersJason Dalgliesh was born on the south coast of England and grew up in Hampshire, UK. He has worked in the power transmission industry, the retail sector, call centres and as a night-owl in a bakery. His greatest challenge of all is ongoing, as a stay at home parent.
He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.
The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.
Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.
Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.
You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com
You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire
He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.
The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.
Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.
Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.
You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com
You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
November 6, 2022
Dark Yorkshire #2 DI Nate Caslin
Two missing young women occupy Caslin’s cerebral powers in this one with the case taking several sinister turns. Although both cases are perplexing particularly puzzling is that of York university student and the MP for York’s granddaughter, Natalie Bermond as it seems she has different personas. The novel raises some good questions about which individuals get press/police focus as the other missing girl comes from a very different, less advantaged background. The danger levels ramp up high and it’s an immersive read for the first two thirds. However, it then turns into something resembling the Wild West which just feels so unrealistic. Is Caslin cast in titanium? He sure survives a great deal!!!
I do thoroughly enjoy the tour around York to places so familiar and I’ll definitely continue the series.
Two missing young women occupy Caslin’s cerebral powers in this one with the case taking several sinister turns. Although both cases are perplexing particularly puzzling is that of York university student and the MP for York’s granddaughter, Natalie Bermond as it seems she has different personas. The novel raises some good questions about which individuals get press/police focus as the other missing girl comes from a very different, less advantaged background. The danger levels ramp up high and it’s an immersive read for the first two thirds. However, it then turns into something resembling the Wild West which just feels so unrealistic. Is Caslin cast in titanium? He sure survives a great deal!!!
I do thoroughly enjoy the tour around York to places so familiar and I’ll definitely continue the series.
August 8, 2018
This three-book series is available on US Kindle Unlimited
I always need something on my kindle for train rides and night-night reading.
I didn't say anything about the first, so I will say something about the first two before I start reading the third.
It gets me in northern England, and I like that. It is off center, unrealistic in many ways, but it moves at a pace and yields murder victims in the mode of a shoot-em-up. With the number of bullets flying how can our DI survive?
And then there is that little extra on the side off the books help from intelligence services in the form of a willing bed partner with a powerful rifle.
Entertaining in its own way. I will go on to the third book.It is a little bit like a video game I wouldn't allow my kids to play when they were young. Now here I am in my dotage reading it.
No descriptions of landscape, something I enjoy, but many descriptions of wounds and targets.
I always need something on my kindle for train rides and night-night reading.
I didn't say anything about the first, so I will say something about the first two before I start reading the third.
It gets me in northern England, and I like that. It is off center, unrealistic in many ways, but it moves at a pace and yields murder victims in the mode of a shoot-em-up. With the number of bullets flying how can our DI survive?
And then there is that little extra on the side off the books help from intelligence services in the form of a willing bed partner with a powerful rifle.
Entertaining in its own way. I will go on to the third book.It is a little bit like a video game I wouldn't allow my kids to play when they were young. Now here I am in my dotage reading it.
No descriptions of landscape, something I enjoy, but many descriptions of wounds and targets.
March 10, 2019
Started rather well, and midbook went rapidly downhill.Implausible explanation for the crimes, really silly ending.
August 18, 2021
good fast read ... some parts not believable
September 2, 2020
Fine volume two in a series. More character development comes naturally with better dialogue. Also, much more action than older British crime novel series keep this one exciting. And, we still get the sense of a civilized people.
December 26, 2024
Cracking story!
November 30, 2018
Blacklight was the 2nd book of the series and I am now ready to start on Book 3. These stories by J.M. Dalgliesh keep you so interested that you just have a hard time putting them down. They are detective stories but always have the same people in them. I think this makes it more interesting. The main character is not without faults and problems so you never know what to expect from him. I did cheat between Book 1 and 2 and read a Cozy book which my daughter wanted me to read. I did enjoy it but you don't have to pay a lot of attention to keep up with them like you do with Dalgliesh's books but my daughter is writing for them so I have to support her also. Try J.M. Dalgliesh's series of books. I think you would enjoy them but they are not short books, just to let you know. I love long books so they suit me just fine.
April 13, 2020
2.5* generous
What started off as an improvement on the first book, the second, although the lack of character depth still exists, the plot and story developed to hook you.
Unfortunately, that is true until about 40% of the way in, then just goes from ridiculous to absolutely preposterous at the end.
What started off as an improvement on the first book, the second, although the lack of character depth still exists, the plot and story developed to hook you.
Unfortunately, that is true until about 40% of the way in, then just goes from ridiculous to absolutely preposterous at the end.
April 9, 2020
Gripping
A most enjoyable read. It sucks you in and you don’t want to put it down. I’m looking forward to the next adventure.
A most enjoyable read. It sucks you in and you don’t want to put it down. I’m looking forward to the next adventure.
June 23, 2020
3.5. Engrossing like the first one. A bit over the top and still pretty dark...this is Dark Yorkshire after all! Caslin has been a good companion on my walks every day.
Read
October 8, 2024I usually like this author, but this book went off the rails somewhere and I must finally record it as DNF, so no rating.
June 16, 2018
Too much is too much
the author uses the plot device wherein the protagonist is in existential danger. I guess Holland is about to lose his livelihood based on unfair prejudice for a good part of the two books I've read by this author. It is too much,too often.
Much time is spent repeating character description. Too much.
You
Plot complications are added to an already full plot. Too much.
I'll not read more of this author. Too much.
the author uses the plot device wherein the protagonist is in existential danger. I guess Holland is about to lose his livelihood based on unfair prejudice for a good part of the two books I've read by this author. It is too much,too often.
Much time is spent repeating character description. Too much.
You
Plot complications are added to an already full plot. Too much.
I'll not read more of this author. Too much.
April 4, 2020
Once again DI Caslin finds himself in a complex investigation, this time involving the disappearance of two young women from different backgrounds. His personal life is on a downward spiral and I felt that aspect overshadowed the main storyline in this second novel of the series. I can still see this as a TV production but I enjoyed the first book more and found that one more plausible too.
May 19, 2024
Horrible grammar
Dialogue and grammar full of errors. Punctuation made no sense. Had to give up the book for that reason. Cannot recommend this book.
Dialogue and grammar full of errors. Punctuation made no sense. Had to give up the book for that reason. Cannot recommend this book.
June 29, 2022
In the second book in the Dark Yorkshire series there is plenty going on. Two young women have been reported missing by their parents and, although they are similar in looks, they are polar opposites in every other way. One is a single mother who works in the sex trade. The other is at university and has every opportunity that money can buy. The search for the escort is very half hearted until Caslin gets involved whilst the search for the granddaughter of the local MP has half the force searching the streets. The trouble is there is no trace of either of them.
Caslin tries arresting the escort’s last trick but that proves fruitless, no matter how dodgy the bloke obviously is. Then he tries the crime lord who ran her, amongst many others as well as many other illegal operations. If the dodgy guy smelled off, the crime lord stinks to high heaven but there are no grounds to pursue him. He appears to be made of Teflon I.e. he’s non stick.
Meanwhile the girl born with a silver spoon in her mouth turns out to have been into all sorts of stuff her doting family knew nothing about, including a bad boy lover and a fixation with punishing her mother. From grandfather to granddaughter, that is one seriously unhinged family dynamic.
It kind of reminds Caslin of his own difficult relationship with his father and brother. When their parents spilt when Caslin was a child, he went down south with his mother. His father had always doted on his older brother, Stefan, anyway and distance definitely did not make their hearts grow fonder. Now Caslin is back in York, he veers between feeling angry, bitter and guilty depending on their last conversation. Now Stefan is staying with their father on one of his infrequent visits and the pair seem to spend their time drinking to excess. Caslin is doing his own drinking to excess, as well as abusing other substances, on his own. When he was shot at the end of book one in the series, Caslin was given opioid pain meds. Now he’s dependent on them. It’s not really helping with anything.
Caslin is certainly fits the part of the flawed maverick cop. The plots are interesting and offer good meeting points and counterpoints. The reasons I’m stuck on three stars are twofold: firstly, there’s just too much going on, less would be more; secondly, there’s still the odd clunky sentence. The writing is fine on the whole so when it happens, you notice. There’s enough to keep me reading.
Caslin tries arresting the escort’s last trick but that proves fruitless, no matter how dodgy the bloke obviously is. Then he tries the crime lord who ran her, amongst many others as well as many other illegal operations. If the dodgy guy smelled off, the crime lord stinks to high heaven but there are no grounds to pursue him. He appears to be made of Teflon I.e. he’s non stick.
Meanwhile the girl born with a silver spoon in her mouth turns out to have been into all sorts of stuff her doting family knew nothing about, including a bad boy lover and a fixation with punishing her mother. From grandfather to granddaughter, that is one seriously unhinged family dynamic.
It kind of reminds Caslin of his own difficult relationship with his father and brother. When their parents spilt when Caslin was a child, he went down south with his mother. His father had always doted on his older brother, Stefan, anyway and distance definitely did not make their hearts grow fonder. Now Caslin is back in York, he veers between feeling angry, bitter and guilty depending on their last conversation. Now Stefan is staying with their father on one of his infrequent visits and the pair seem to spend their time drinking to excess. Caslin is doing his own drinking to excess, as well as abusing other substances, on his own. When he was shot at the end of book one in the series, Caslin was given opioid pain meds. Now he’s dependent on them. It’s not really helping with anything.
Caslin is certainly fits the part of the flawed maverick cop. The plots are interesting and offer good meeting points and counterpoints. The reasons I’m stuck on three stars are twofold: firstly, there’s just too much going on, less would be more; secondly, there’s still the odd clunky sentence. The writing is fine on the whole so when it happens, you notice. There’s enough to keep me reading.
August 31, 2025
As the second book in the series, this continues to work well as a book that captures its protagonist and his world very well, and makes that very engaging. The crime part is effective overall and runs well enough. This series runs very well based on its complicated protagonist and how the world works for him- this is the true strength of the novel. A brilliant detective in some ways, but also a burned out, tragic, and beat down hero- unable to keep relationships going, drug addled, and with terrible family situations seemingly since birth. His complicated life makes him a more unique detective than some others and this makes this series more compelling- the crimes are just one complication, and often seemingly the part he is capable of dealing with the best.
This book continues to flesh out his world and the other characters bring both reality and complications of the world. Worth a read if you like crime fiction and a compelling protagonist who struggles with his world and himself.
This book continues to flesh out his world and the other characters bring both reality and complications of the world. Worth a read if you like crime fiction and a compelling protagonist who struggles with his world and himself.
September 2, 2025
Dalgliesh is probably my current favorite for this kind of crime novel (since Peter Grainger doesn't crank them out fast enough). However I am finding this series, Dark Yorkshire, less enjoyable than his other two. The main character is definitely less likable, the stories are more complicated than they need to be - indeed this one seemed in a rush to end without really feeling satisfying. It wasn't precisely a cliff hanger, but it felt like one of the main lines was just doopped with a thud, and the other really never got resolved. Others have mentioned it has a lot more violence which for some reason targets the main character rather than the victims or their stories. There's a lot of collateral damage that is just brushed off. If you like lots of action, this might be great but if you crave a bit more thought and character development, try his other series. I'll be looking forward to returning to Norfolk and Skye, but maybe not so much Yorkshire.
April 8, 2020
So there i was thinking what a terrific series this is : well-written police procedurals with engaging characters - self-published it would seem, but a good editor could turn these into bestsellers with a teeny bit of judicious work, and then - boom - the author stuck a second melodramatic ending on an already nicely complete narrative. No, no, no, Dalgliesh - we are not looking for the Man From U.N.C.L.E plot twists here, and wasn't it your main protagonist who said he did not believe in coincidences? Aw, come on. Stop while you are ahead! This was such a terrific mystery; you seriously did not need to do that.
Looking forward to #3, and praying you now know how to quit when you are already ahead.
Looking forward to #3, and praying you now know how to quit when you are already ahead.
December 28, 2021
I constantly had the feeling that the author had lost the plot of this book...because I sure did! I found myself going back to read whole sections to see if I had missed or misinterpreted something. On re-reading, things made no more sense than they did on the first reading. In one case I suspect that the chapter order may have been changed at the last minute because the sequence of events seemed out of order. The book clearly could have used better editing. I re-read several sentences as well, because they didn't make sense.
The disjointed plot(s) may have been okay if the characters were sympathetic, but I went away without any care or respect for any of the characters...certainly not enough to pick up the next book in the series.
The disjointed plot(s) may have been okay if the characters were sympathetic, but I went away without any care or respect for any of the characters...certainly not enough to pick up the next book in the series.
January 26, 2024
A thrilling ride
I found this book to be quite enjoyable.
The story begins with the discovery of a murdered girl among a group of bodies, including two missing prostitutes. As the plot unfolds, we gain insight into the complex relationship between Caslin, his father, and his brother.
The ending is unexpected, leaving me eager to read the next installments in the series.
What I appreciate most about this book is that Caslin is not the typical troubled, alcoholic, yet brilliant police officer often found in this genre. Instead, he is a complex and relatable character who struggles with everyday challenges while navigating his job and family responsibilities.
Overall, this is an excellent story featuring Eastern European gangsters, traitors, lovers, and backstabbers.
I found this book to be quite enjoyable.
The story begins with the discovery of a murdered girl among a group of bodies, including two missing prostitutes. As the plot unfolds, we gain insight into the complex relationship between Caslin, his father, and his brother.
The ending is unexpected, leaving me eager to read the next installments in the series.
What I appreciate most about this book is that Caslin is not the typical troubled, alcoholic, yet brilliant police officer often found in this genre. Instead, he is a complex and relatable character who struggles with everyday challenges while navigating his job and family responsibilities.
Overall, this is an excellent story featuring Eastern European gangsters, traitors, lovers, and backstabbers.
January 25, 2020
A very clever plot and successful conclusion. Nathaniel Caslin is the main character, a detective based in York, UK. He has had a troubled past, both in his career and his home life which seems to sour his outlook on life and those around him. When two women go missing, with fairly similar features, he initially thinks that they have been taken by the same perpetrator. How he and the other detectives solve the cases provides exciting reading.
Many of the local towns and villages featured in the story gave the book extra interest for me as they are in the locale where I was born and that my parents mentioned in many of their anecdotes.
Many of the local towns and villages featured in the story gave the book extra interest for me as they are in the locale where I was born and that my parents mentioned in many of their anecdotes.
January 6, 2021
This is the second book in a series of six, about a Detective called Nathaniel Caslin.
Once again we find him investigating one case, a missing university student, the daughter of an old school friend from 30 years ago, and ending up in a totally different direction, chasing down gangsters and getting involved with spooks.
I like these books and I like the character that is Nate. But sometimes he moves that fast you have a problem keeping up!
But I still give the book 5 stars because it keeps you on your toes, even if sometimes the plot seems like it wouldn’t go amiss in a Hollywood blockbuster.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Once again we find him investigating one case, a missing university student, the daughter of an old school friend from 30 years ago, and ending up in a totally different direction, chasing down gangsters and getting involved with spooks.
I like these books and I like the character that is Nate. But sometimes he moves that fast you have a problem keeping up!
But I still give the book 5 stars because it keeps you on your toes, even if sometimes the plot seems like it wouldn’t go amiss in a Hollywood blockbuster.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
May 20, 2023
I have now read 2 books in this series and I have not enjoyed them as much as The Hidden Norfolk Books.
This one is about the disappearance of 2 girls, although one turns out to be an accident. Nathaniel Caslin is a police officer who does not believe in doing thinks by the book. When the murderer of one of the girls is uncovered it turns out to be a character we had not previously met. The story however does not end here, as East European gangsters come to the fore and Nathaniel again finds himself in a life threatening situation. I enjoyed this but, but it was a bit bitty in parts with several plots going on at the same time. RECOMMENDED to British Thriller lovers.
This one is about the disappearance of 2 girls, although one turns out to be an accident. Nathaniel Caslin is a police officer who does not believe in doing thinks by the book. When the murderer of one of the girls is uncovered it turns out to be a character we had not previously met. The story however does not end here, as East European gangsters come to the fore and Nathaniel again finds himself in a life threatening situation. I enjoyed this but, but it was a bit bitty in parts with several plots going on at the same time. RECOMMENDED to British Thriller lovers.
May 30, 2023
The second in the Nate Caslin series. Caslin stays true to character, being somewhat self destructive and unwilling to submit to authority. However, the end of this one strains every ounce of credulity.
Caslin rushes headlong into disaster without thought or a game plan. Of course, it is not a spoiler to say he survives but in a most absurd manner. Up to then, this was entertaining and fast paced. The writer Dalgliesh has progressed a long way from the first Norfolk book, which was plodding and repetitive. The third Yorkshire book is already in print and it seems that there will be lots of loose ends to clear up in that one.
Caslin rushes headlong into disaster without thought or a game plan. Of course, it is not a spoiler to say he survives but in a most absurd manner. Up to then, this was entertaining and fast paced. The writer Dalgliesh has progressed a long way from the first Norfolk book, which was plodding and repetitive. The third Yorkshire book is already in print and it seems that there will be lots of loose ends to clear up in that one.
January 4, 2025
The Pace Never Let Up
This was a big improvement over the first in the series. Better plot, characterization and narrative flow. Still some editorial errors but minor. It was strange to have a Sara and a Sarah. The whole back story to Caslin's prior life with Sara, his ex-wife, gunshot wound and career upheaval remains shrouded. Will that ever get addressed or is there another series written before this one? The Sara addition to the story remains a bit implausible. Good read, though.
This was a big improvement over the first in the series. Better plot, characterization and narrative flow. Still some editorial errors but minor. It was strange to have a Sara and a Sarah. The whole back story to Caslin's prior life with Sara, his ex-wife, gunshot wound and career upheaval remains shrouded. Will that ever get addressed or is there another series written before this one? The Sara addition to the story remains a bit implausible. Good read, though.
September 19, 2018
I read Divided House by J.M. Dalgliesh last month and went straight into the next book in the Dark Yorkshire series. Blacklight continues the investigations of DI Nathaniel Caslin--in the current case two women are missing. One is the daughter of the local MP.
Nate Caslin still has problems, but his character rounds out a bit in this second book. I'm ready for the next one!
Kindle Unlimited/Hamilton Press
Detective Fiction. June 1, 2018. Print length: 319 pages.
Nate Caslin still has problems, but his character rounds out a bit in this second book. I'm ready for the next one!
Kindle Unlimited/Hamilton Press
Detective Fiction. June 1, 2018. Print length: 319 pages.
March 31, 2020
An interesting continuation of the Dark Yorkshire series with a fairly consistent presentation of the main characters from the first book and a solid but at times slightly confusing story line. Characters say and do the things you would expect of them (after coming to know them in book one) and all the pieces eventually come together though in my opinion not with out some creative wizardry. I did enjoy the book and can easily rate it at three stars.
April 3, 2021
Blacklight is an enjoyable read spoilt only by a lack of plot credibility at the climax. The procedural stuff is very well described and the characters interesting. I know the locations so well and they make an excellent backdrop to this competent thriller.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
February 22, 2022
good and then …
Story was around 70% until near the end when Caslin went cowboy.
He went on a solo escapade not long after taking a vicious beating.
Those 2 chapters bored the living sh*T out of me.
Like does this character not learn? Apparently not. Him versus the Serb mafia was far stretched and pathetic.
Honestly give this guy some brains or retire him due to too many blows to the head.
Story was around 70% until near the end when Caslin went cowboy.
He went on a solo escapade not long after taking a vicious beating.
Those 2 chapters bored the living sh*T out of me.
Like does this character not learn? Apparently not. Him versus the Serb mafia was far stretched and pathetic.
Honestly give this guy some brains or retire him due to too many blows to the head.
January 24, 2023
Blacklight ( The Dark Yorkshire Crime Thrillers Book 2)
what a book, it was written so well every bit of information was covered up until the last sentence. It was very violent but lots of funny and loving moments. I just can’t believe that life like this goes on. It obviously does in the cities. I just couldn’t wait to be able to continue reading this book. It would make a great to series out even a film. Thank you J M Dalgliesh for your talent with writing x
what a book, it was written so well every bit of information was covered up until the last sentence. It was very violent but lots of funny and loving moments. I just can’t believe that life like this goes on. It obviously does in the cities. I just couldn’t wait to be able to continue reading this book. It would make a great to series out even a film. Thank you J M Dalgliesh for your talent with writing x
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews