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DCI Warren Jones #5
Forgive Me Father
Who could kill a man of God?
A fire breaks out in a chapel, and DCI Warren Jones is alarmed by what is discovered at the scene. Curled up in the ash and debris is a body – and it’s soon clear that the chapel doors were locked from the inside.
The disappearance of a local priest, Father Nolan, and a cryptic note left in his room, point to an unusually violent suicide. But when further evidence confuses the picture, Warren begins to suspect foul play – and murder. Clearly, someone wanted this seemingly innocent man to suffer.
And when a discovery on a quiet riverbank sends the investigation reeling, Warren knows he must act quickly to discover who is behind this spate of grisly deaths – before another man of God is found dead.
A fire breaks out in a chapel, and DCI Warren Jones is alarmed by what is discovered at the scene. Curled up in the ash and debris is a body – and it’s soon clear that the chapel doors were locked from the inside.
The disappearance of a local priest, Father Nolan, and a cryptic note left in his room, point to an unusually violent suicide. But when further evidence confuses the picture, Warren begins to suspect foul play – and murder. Clearly, someone wanted this seemingly innocent man to suffer.
And when a discovery on a quiet riverbank sends the investigation reeling, Warren knows he must act quickly to discover who is behind this spate of grisly deaths – before another man of God is found dead.
513 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2019
About the author
Paul Gitsham
23 books94 followersThe first book I ever wrote was a novelization of ET. I was five years old, had a yellow pencil, an exercise book with ET on the front and boundless enthusiasm.
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 6, 2019
The fifth police procedural in the DCI Warren Jones series is another gripping and excellent novel from Mr Gitsham; it's actually up there with the best series' out at the moment in my eyes and is just as absorbing. From the first couple of pages, Gitsham grabs you and pulls you into the story and you live every moment with the characters. I very much enjoyed that religion was involved in the story as we all know how divisive it can be and division can lead to unpredictability - there were many twists, turns and plenty of misdirection where the author fools you into backing the wrong horse.
What I absolutely love about his books is that each story could've been ripped from the headlines as they are always formed from topical content. The narrative flows nicely and is very readable with never a dull moment and plenty of tension and action throughout. Warren Jones is a likeable protagonist who appears to have none of the flaws usually associated with police employees: e.g. alcoholism, family issues/cheating. He is a consummate professional who goes about his work quickly and quietly with little drama, but of course, as like all caseworkers, he is under a lot of time pressure to find the brutal killer and bring them to justice. Roll in the next instalment!
What I absolutely love about his books is that each story could've been ripped from the headlines as they are always formed from topical content. The narrative flows nicely and is very readable with never a dull moment and plenty of tension and action throughout. Warren Jones is a likeable protagonist who appears to have none of the flaws usually associated with police employees: e.g. alcoholism, family issues/cheating. He is a consummate professional who goes about his work quickly and quietly with little drama, but of course, as like all caseworkers, he is under a lot of time pressure to find the brutal killer and bring them to justice. Roll in the next instalment!
June 9, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ Digital for a review copy of Forgive Me Father, the fifth novel to feature DCI Warren Jones of the Hertfordshire police.
A body is found burned to death in a local chapel. Initially it looks like suicide but certain anomalies make Warren keep an open mind until it is proved to be murder. The victim is finally established as Father Nolan, a retired priest and he’s not the last.
I thoroughly enjoyed Father Forgive Me which is a good, painstaking police procedural where the team gradually narrow down the suspect pool and motive. I always like a procedural, especially when, like this one, it is told exclusively from the investigative point of view as it gives the reader the chance to work it out alongside the investigators. It works well here although there were times when they were a bit slow on the uptake, seemingly ignoring the elephant in the room when it comes to priests and sins. I did, however, like Mr Gitsham’s approach which I can’t explain without spoilers except to say that it takes good aim at social media mores.
Unusually in a modern novel many of the main characters are practising Christians. This leads to a fair amount of religious discussion as Warren struggles with his faith and DI Tony Sutton expresses a certain prejudice towards the Catholic Church. I guess it’s in keeping with the characters but it’s hardly nuanced, offers nothing new in terms of argument and could have been easily omitted.
I like DCI Warren Jones who is a quiet, competent professional. He is a caring leader, always mindful of his team’s wellbeing so he keeps an eye on their overtime and rest periods. It’s unusual in crime fiction but probably very realistic. I like the fact that his home situation impinges on his work and he agonises over his dual commitments as it makes him more human and real.
Forgive Me Father is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
A body is found burned to death in a local chapel. Initially it looks like suicide but certain anomalies make Warren keep an open mind until it is proved to be murder. The victim is finally established as Father Nolan, a retired priest and he’s not the last.
I thoroughly enjoyed Father Forgive Me which is a good, painstaking police procedural where the team gradually narrow down the suspect pool and motive. I always like a procedural, especially when, like this one, it is told exclusively from the investigative point of view as it gives the reader the chance to work it out alongside the investigators. It works well here although there were times when they were a bit slow on the uptake, seemingly ignoring the elephant in the room when it comes to priests and sins. I did, however, like Mr Gitsham’s approach which I can’t explain without spoilers except to say that it takes good aim at social media mores.
Unusually in a modern novel many of the main characters are practising Christians. This leads to a fair amount of religious discussion as Warren struggles with his faith and DI Tony Sutton expresses a certain prejudice towards the Catholic Church. I guess it’s in keeping with the characters but it’s hardly nuanced, offers nothing new in terms of argument and could have been easily omitted.
I like DCI Warren Jones who is a quiet, competent professional. He is a caring leader, always mindful of his team’s wellbeing so he keeps an eye on their overtime and rest periods. It’s unusual in crime fiction but probably very realistic. I like the fact that his home situation impinges on his work and he agonises over his dual commitments as it makes him more human and real.
Forgive Me Father is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 18, 2019
4 stars
When called to the scene of a possible suicide, DCI Warren Jones and his team get the feeling that something is not quite what it seems. The death takes place at the site of a very old abbey that is now used by the Catholic Church as a retirement home and local tourist attraction.
The identity of the dead man is found to be a retired priest and his death is determined to be a murder. But he is not the only priest to be murdered in this the most recent entry in Paul Gitsham's DCI Warren Jones series.
There are no surprises in this book as far as the plot goes. The novel is well written and holds the reader's interest. It is the story of a very thorough and painstaking police investigation into the deaths of what turns out to be several men. It contains many police characters of differing personalities which is really nice and keeps the reader interested in the story. Mr. Gitsham does a good job of making his characters individuals, but it is done subtly – not overdone. The bad guy is somewhat of a surprise, but the logic they use is flawed and makes little sense. But then I suppose most murderers make little sense to those of us who would never consider such an action themselves.
I want to thank NetGalley and KQ Digital for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review. ( I forgot that I had already purchased this book - dooh.)
When called to the scene of a possible suicide, DCI Warren Jones and his team get the feeling that something is not quite what it seems. The death takes place at the site of a very old abbey that is now used by the Catholic Church as a retirement home and local tourist attraction.
The identity of the dead man is found to be a retired priest and his death is determined to be a murder. But he is not the only priest to be murdered in this the most recent entry in Paul Gitsham's DCI Warren Jones series.
There are no surprises in this book as far as the plot goes. The novel is well written and holds the reader's interest. It is the story of a very thorough and painstaking police investigation into the deaths of what turns out to be several men. It contains many police characters of differing personalities which is really nice and keeps the reader interested in the story. Mr. Gitsham does a good job of making his characters individuals, but it is done subtly – not overdone. The bad guy is somewhat of a surprise, but the logic they use is flawed and makes little sense. But then I suppose most murderers make little sense to those of us who would never consider such an action themselves.
I want to thank NetGalley and KQ Digital for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review. ( I forgot that I had already purchased this book - dooh.)
June 14, 2019
Gripping Thriller
Once again Paul Gitsham has produced an utterly gripping thriller.
DCI Jones and team struggle to stop a killer at a priest's retirement home.
Wonderfully written story that ensures you read it to a gripping finale.
Once again Paul Gitsham has produced an utterly gripping thriller.
DCI Jones and team struggle to stop a killer at a priest's retirement home.
Wonderfully written story that ensures you read it to a gripping finale.
July 23, 2020
Interesting take on revenge for priests abusing children...I liked it and would probably read another by this author.
September 28, 2020
There was a high body count in this one and I got a bit confused towards the end, but then thankfully the murderer made a lengthy confession and things became clearer.
December 28, 2020
For some reasons I felt this was the best book in the DCI Warren Jones series. Very good whodunnit relating to a very poignant real problem.
July 17, 2022
3.5 stars
Read
July 21, 2025If you are a Catholic avoid this one
July 8, 2026
Rarely does a book capture my attention so completely from chapter one. The storytelling is flawless. I immediately went to Amazon to purchase a physical copy to keep forever.
June 10, 2019
I am a bit of a fan of this author, having read all this series, including the inbetweenie shorts. As with all series books, I would recommend starting at the beginning and reading in order. Although the main stories are self contained, there is a lot of character backstory and development to be found through the series and you would get the best from it if you have. This book especially deals with the aftermath and fallout from the shocking events of the previous one.
One of the things I do like about this series is that it is a little more drawn out than some of the genre, which feels more real than some where the story is wrapped up by the police in record time. This might not suit some, and indeed, I do personally prefer my books to get on with themselves, but occasionally I like to share in the frustration that I would imagine the authorities go through day after day. It's also a little more cerebral than some and I also like that challenge as a reader. Consequently, the pacing is a little slower than usual, bit of a slow burn, but once it gets going, it really takes off.
This book, like the rest of the series, contains topics that are very front and centre in the media today. A body is found burned in a chapel contained within the bounds of a priest's retirement home. On first appearance, it appears to be suicide but, on further investigation, things don't quite stack up and the police, led by Warren Jones, begin the task of getting to the bottom of things. But the church is a bit of a closed shop and they initially flounder. And then there's another death, also badly disguised as suicide. Leads start to come slowly but the suspect pool is still wide open. With the victims and indeed suspects associated to the church, it also becomes a bit of a hot potato. And then the stakes get higher with yet another body. Can Warren and his able team, still hurting from their own loss, cut through the noise and red tape and get to the bottom of things before the body count rises further?
Obviously due to the setting and victims in this book, there is a healthy dollop of religion in this book. But it's appropriate to the story and also delivered in a very not-preachy way. Warren has his own personal battle with this side of things with what he is going through with his wife at this time so it's a bit of a double edge sword for him at times.
Unlike some books where we hear from the perp along the way, this is delivered entirely from the side of the investigation so there is nothing the reader is privy to early. Again, against the norm for books these days, but refreshingly so. It also means that maybe the reader does make leaps that the police don't and I did do a bit of screaming at them when I thought of something ahead of them and had to wait for them to play catch-up!
The majority of the book is tension rather than action but this also works well with the narrative and you do get the action when appropriate towards the end which also fits well. it's not a hit the ground running kind of book but it does deliver at the right times.
Characters are good and not the stereotypical flawed cops that you also get from the majority these days. Yes, Warren has his issues outside work but he has a stable life and no major health issues which is also a bit of breath of fresh air.
All in all, a good addition to an already solid series. Roll on book six. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
One of the things I do like about this series is that it is a little more drawn out than some of the genre, which feels more real than some where the story is wrapped up by the police in record time. This might not suit some, and indeed, I do personally prefer my books to get on with themselves, but occasionally I like to share in the frustration that I would imagine the authorities go through day after day. It's also a little more cerebral than some and I also like that challenge as a reader. Consequently, the pacing is a little slower than usual, bit of a slow burn, but once it gets going, it really takes off.
This book, like the rest of the series, contains topics that are very front and centre in the media today. A body is found burned in a chapel contained within the bounds of a priest's retirement home. On first appearance, it appears to be suicide but, on further investigation, things don't quite stack up and the police, led by Warren Jones, begin the task of getting to the bottom of things. But the church is a bit of a closed shop and they initially flounder. And then there's another death, also badly disguised as suicide. Leads start to come slowly but the suspect pool is still wide open. With the victims and indeed suspects associated to the church, it also becomes a bit of a hot potato. And then the stakes get higher with yet another body. Can Warren and his able team, still hurting from their own loss, cut through the noise and red tape and get to the bottom of things before the body count rises further?
Obviously due to the setting and victims in this book, there is a healthy dollop of religion in this book. But it's appropriate to the story and also delivered in a very not-preachy way. Warren has his own personal battle with this side of things with what he is going through with his wife at this time so it's a bit of a double edge sword for him at times.
Unlike some books where we hear from the perp along the way, this is delivered entirely from the side of the investigation so there is nothing the reader is privy to early. Again, against the norm for books these days, but refreshingly so. It also means that maybe the reader does make leaps that the police don't and I did do a bit of screaming at them when I thought of something ahead of them and had to wait for them to play catch-up!
The majority of the book is tension rather than action but this also works well with the narrative and you do get the action when appropriate towards the end which also fits well. it's not a hit the ground running kind of book but it does deliver at the right times.
Characters are good and not the stereotypical flawed cops that you also get from the majority these days. Yes, Warren has his issues outside work but he has a stable life and no major health issues which is also a bit of breath of fresh air.
All in all, a good addition to an already solid series. Roll on book six. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
June 16, 2019
Is there a greater crime than killing a priest? Gitsham’s DCI Warren Jones series is a winner and his latest novel in the series doesn’t disappoint. Unafraid to explore gritty and difficult subject matters head-on, Gitsham here enters the world of religion and the nature of sin via his Middlebury-force detective in the fifth novel in the excellent crime series.
It begins with a body found burned to death on the ash-ridden floor of a chapel. The initial clues point to a violent suicide but the victim was a Catholic priest and within Catholicism committing suicide is a mortal sin. Moreover, why would a suicide victim lock themselves in? To prevent anyone from disrupting their final act? Maybe. But the priest isn’t the last man of God to die in gruesome circumstances.
Gitsham knows his stuff, both in regard to police procedure and in maintaining suspense. But he knows how to go beyond what a reader may expect in a crime novel too, and here there is an essentially theological inquiry of the nature of religion and man’s place in the universe, which brings a whole new dimension to the novel and allows the characters, including the protagonist, to evaluate their value systems. This thoughtful metaphysical examination in the midst of a multiple murder investigation is most satisfying.
DCI Warren Jones is that rare beast in crime thrillers: a man without too many flaws, who doesn’t live alone in a flat with a bottle of whiskey to cuddle up to. He is as mindful of the men and women who work under him as he is of the wider effects of the crimes he investigates. If there is one aspect of the series that stands out, it’s a sense of authenticity.
Forgive Me Father is definitely one of the best in the series. It’s an intelligent, compelling and humane investigation of the nature of good and evil. Five out of five stars.
It begins with a body found burned to death on the ash-ridden floor of a chapel. The initial clues point to a violent suicide but the victim was a Catholic priest and within Catholicism committing suicide is a mortal sin. Moreover, why would a suicide victim lock themselves in? To prevent anyone from disrupting their final act? Maybe. But the priest isn’t the last man of God to die in gruesome circumstances.
Gitsham knows his stuff, both in regard to police procedure and in maintaining suspense. But he knows how to go beyond what a reader may expect in a crime novel too, and here there is an essentially theological inquiry of the nature of religion and man’s place in the universe, which brings a whole new dimension to the novel and allows the characters, including the protagonist, to evaluate their value systems. This thoughtful metaphysical examination in the midst of a multiple murder investigation is most satisfying.
DCI Warren Jones is that rare beast in crime thrillers: a man without too many flaws, who doesn’t live alone in a flat with a bottle of whiskey to cuddle up to. He is as mindful of the men and women who work under him as he is of the wider effects of the crimes he investigates. If there is one aspect of the series that stands out, it’s a sense of authenticity.
Forgive Me Father is definitely one of the best in the series. It’s an intelligent, compelling and humane investigation of the nature of good and evil. Five out of five stars.
June 30, 2019
This was an amazing discovery, one of those that makes you go and buy quite a number of the previous books in the series.
I love this book, while I was reading I couldn't put it down even if I had some unfortunate stops due to eating, sleeping, working.
It's a bit slow at the beginning but after a while the past gets faster and it's a firework of red herrings, twists and turns that keeps you hooked and guessing till the end.
The cast of characters is amazing, they're well written and realistic, I like them with their flows and their problems.
I liked how the author handled the issues that is at the base of the plot: it's a mix of empathy towards the victims and a realistic approach to a dramatic issue.
I look forward to reading the next installment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I love this book, while I was reading I couldn't put it down even if I had some unfortunate stops due to eating, sleeping, working.
It's a bit slow at the beginning but after a while the past gets faster and it's a firework of red herrings, twists and turns that keeps you hooked and guessing till the end.
The cast of characters is amazing, they're well written and realistic, I like them with their flows and their problems.
I liked how the author handled the issues that is at the base of the plot: it's a mix of empathy towards the victims and a realistic approach to a dramatic issue.
I look forward to reading the next installment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
October 18, 2019
Forgive me Father by Paul Gitsham is a thriller story solved by DCI Warren Jones and his team. An innocent priest dies in a terrific fire break out in the chapel. When the police first assumes it as a suicide, evidences point in the opposite direction.
Two more priests are also found dead within a short period. All of them suffered to death. DCI Jones and his team do their best to find out the culprit before another priest ends up dead.
Who is killing the priests? Why? And why do these murders seem similar to decades old murders? What is the church hiding?
You must read the book to know the answers.
A compelling thriller with wonderful characters. Thumbs up to the author. He drew the plot in an excellent way.
Two more priests are also found dead within a short period. All of them suffered to death. DCI Jones and his team do their best to find out the culprit before another priest ends up dead.
Who is killing the priests? Why? And why do these murders seem similar to decades old murders? What is the church hiding?
You must read the book to know the answers.
A compelling thriller with wonderful characters. Thumbs up to the author. He drew the plot in an excellent way.
December 10, 2019
I thought a difficult subject, abuse in the Catholic church, was well discussed in this book. However, for me it was far too slow, with too much irrelevant detail. The ending for me was extremely poor. Trying to piece together why someone was murdered, the answer, oh, the murderer was "just mad" for me is not acceptable to a plausible storyline.
June 12, 2019
This is the fifth book in the DCI Warren Jones series and I would recommend starting at the beginning. This is another good, solid police procedural. A body is found burned in a church and at first it appears to be suicide. A super read. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
October 13, 2019
Loved other books in this series. This was ok but dragged a bit and way to heavy on the religious aspects. Hopefully just a glitch. Will still try the next one.
March 23, 2022
Excellent series along the lines of DCI Smith by Peter Grainger.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews