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Hidden Norfolk #6

The Dead Call

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When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time...

When a woman's body is found in the sea at Blakeney Point with a single blow to the head, DI Tom Janssen and his team must work out who wanted her dead and why? What would drive someone to murder an elderly woman in such a savage and callous manner?

A formidable woman, a Watcher of the local nature reserve, who dedicated her life to preserving her natural surroundings has made many friends along the way… and even more dangerous enemies. A veteran campaigner – just how did she manage to succeed against all the odds when facing those with far greater resources than her own.

Meanwhile, a man is found murdered in his kitchen showing no signs of having put up a fight. This second case brings murder a little too close to home for the entire team. Tom finds himself questioning the motives of those closest to him and he must face the uncomfortable reality that you never truly know those around you.

The team must keep secrets from one another, straining their bonds of friendship in order to catch a ruthless killer before they are able to strike again...

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2020

3863 people are currently reading
515 people want to read

About the author

J.M. Dalgliesh

38 books928 followers
Jason 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

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5 stars
5,387 (55%)
4 stars
3,271 (33%)
3 stars
893 (9%)
2 stars
116 (1%)
1 star
61 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
Profile Image for Lewis Weinstein.
Author 13 books610 followers
August 14, 2022
somewhat formulaic but interesting nevertheless ... two murders, seemingly not connected, plus enough personal story to make you care ... altogether worth reading
291 reviews5 followers
November 1, 2020
Book six finds the intrepid investigators dealing with two murders, one that comes too close to home. As usual the writing is very descriptive and paints a picture of the Norfolk area. The characters continue to develop and the storyline is complex and intriguing. Excellent series and recommended.
87 reviews
November 3, 2020
Just the job

Really enjoyed another in the North Norfolk series. The character of Tom Janssen has great appeal. This area of the country is known to me and well represented. The plot has few twists and I look forward to reading more from this writer.
Profile Image for David Lowther.
Author 12 books30 followers
October 2, 2022
The Dead Call is the best, so far, of the Hidden Norfolk series.
The author had done a fine job in making the main characters both credible and interesting. Each of the books I’ve read have followed a similar pattern with a crime followed by a slow build up to an exciting and captivating ending. I’m sure they’ll continue to improve.

David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of’39, all published by Sacristy Press.
264 reviews3 followers
December 31, 2020
The Dead Call - 5 Star Brilliance

I am never disappointed with Jason’s writing and this book is no different. The storyline is gripping and intense, the possible suspects changing from moment to moment. I can’t wait to read the next book although still waiting for next Dark Yorkshire book. Keep writing Jason. We need you.
Profile Image for Vivienne.
761 reviews6 followers
December 19, 2021
Jasons Books get better with each one living in the area also helps to understand the places he is setting his stories in. The twists of the suspects keep you guessing. looking forward to reading more of Hidden Norfolk
9 reviews
November 4, 2020
Great story as usual. Well thought out plot which kept me guessing to the end.
Profile Image for M.
1,576 reviews
November 4, 2020
This would’ve been a 5 star read but there are hiccups in the murder storyline

There are good story synopses at Goodreads and Amazon, so here’s a review. I enjoyed the wonderful albeit leisurely atmospheric beginning, which introduces readers to a cold and foggy morning on the Norfolk coast . . . in June. I loved the descriptions of the mercurial weather, nature reserves, rugged coastlines, “vintage”houses, etc. The bifurcated plot—with two seemingly unrelated murders—is satisfyingly complex. The characters are well-drawn, especially those in the domestic storyline featuring DI Tom Janssen’s nuclear family.

As a crime fiction fan, I read steadily to discover the culprit(s), the various motives, and how the storylines merged. There are a lot of interesting topics in this book: environmental destruction, poachers, endangered birds, infidelity, homophobia, shabby chic homes of landed gentry, investigative journalists, etc.

I’d have given this 5 stars, because I’ll probably read this book again. I ignored the many punctuation problems, but there are hiccups in the mystery storylines.



Addendum: why I docked a star.
If you don’t like SPOILERS, please stop reading now.



SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS




Gage crime scene:
1. White wine bottle in rack, plus an almost empty Rioja bottle on table. Remains of pasta in red sauce on dishes. Pathologist found champagne in Gage’s stomach. No red wine or foodstuffs mentioned.
2. No champagne bottle—which has fairly distinctive shape—found at scene. No follow up.
3. Detective found a wine glass w deep pink lipstick on rim. No follow up.
4. Laptop found, perhaps encrypted. No follow up with computer boffins.
5. Camera SD cards found. No follow up on card contents.
6. Camera missing. No follow up. Gage was an investigative journalist, not a hack reporter.

I have niggles about the Beckett murder, but I’ll stop here. Yeah, I’m picky about crime fiction.
Profile Image for John.
Author 11 books14 followers
April 20, 2021
A chilling prologue which grabs – but in the end turns out to be quite misleading. A ferocious environmentalist woman is found dead: she has created many enemies, especially amongst developers. Tom Janssen is a local detective who works on the case. Mary the dead woman lives with her sister Janet in a rundown old mansion. Another body, an investigative journalist Aidan who is brother of Tom’s wife Alice, is found stabbed. Tom is warned off the case as Alice has been seen at the time of the death: she is the prime suspect. The behaviour between Tom and Alice is puzzling, deliberately so, and although Tom doesn’t believe Alice murdered her ex he leaves home. An interesting situation though: top cop’s wife a murder suspect. From here on for me the story begins to lose credibility, although it is an ingenious plot. The dialogue is at times cutesy and false (that bloody terrier…), the attitudes of the two policewomen to both Tom and Alice doesn’t ring true, and it ends Agatha Christie style, Tom lecturing his final audience on his construction of events. Another fault: Dalgleish over-explains as if we are too dumb to get the point … Mind you, I’ll try another Dalgleish before passing final judgement. He collects mostly 5 stars including this book so I have to withhold judgement, but still stick with three stars for this one.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
345 reviews9 followers
November 17, 2020
Twitchers and windmills

When books arre written and read in series order there often comes a point when there are so many similarities that you could be reading the same book.

Not so with Jason Dalgliesh. Yes, his main cast remains the same but even they grow each time. Giving a bit more of themselves.

It is not possible to make Norfolk different but the storyline of the Dead Call is very different from the previous five books. The characters are diverse and complicated each in their own way. Is Janet an elderly lady, sweet and a little batty or is she a scheming horror? How fortunate to have such a loving son.

There are the hard working dedicated builders who built their businesses from the ground up. Also greedy, grasping toads. But who is who?

Another fantastic whodunnit .
Profile Image for Steven Toby.
229 reviews
December 4, 2020
Two Murders

The two dead bodies show up very close to each other, one on the shore and the other in a house in the harbor village. One’s an old lady and the other is a middle aged journalist. They are not obviously related and when DI Jannson seems to be too close to a suspect to be allowed on one case he’s assigned to the other. But of course the two murders are related and he is soon working both cases.
This book is as good as the others. I feel like I know some of the characters from the police and their friends and relatives after reading 2 of the earlier books in the series. The local color of the Norfolk coast is well enough drawn that it rings true (well, I’ve never been there but the resort atmosphere carries over from other places I’ve visited).
Another fast moving mystery from Mr. Dalgleish.
15 reviews
December 21, 2020
The confession

Interesting until the interrogation with Hansel when it seemed like the author had been told , “Wrap it up.” And so it was neatly wrapped up with explanations for everything. Where was the foundation? Then, to add insult to incredulity, Tom has another insight and solves the second murder. A one man detective band.
263 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2021
This was a typical British murder mystery. A very fun light read. You will want to read the series with the ongoing plots surrounding the investigators. However, after several books they do get tiresome, so give a break with more meaningful books.
1,630 reviews
Currently reading
March 7, 2024

When a woman's body is found in the sea at Blakeney Point with a single blow to the head, DI Tom Janssen and his team must work out who wanted her dead and why? What would drive someone to murder an elderly woman in such a savage and callous manner?

A formidable woman, a Watcher of the local nature reserve, who dedicated her life to preserving her natural surroundings has made many friends along the way… and even more dangerous enemies. A veteran campaigner – just how did she manage to succeed against all the odds when facing those with far greater resources than her own.

Meanwhile, a man is found murdered in his kitchen showing no signs of having put up a fight. This second case brings murder a little too close to home for the entire team. Tom finds himself questioning the motives of those closest to him and he must face the uncomfortable reality that you never truly know those around you.

The team must keep secrets from one another, straining their bonds of friendship in order to catch a ruthless killer before they are able to strike again...

Good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
443 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2025
It’s taken me a bit longer to listen to book 6 but only because life has been busy, the book was just as enjoyable as the others in the series so far. I liked that this one was a bit more personal and I thought maybe it was going to shake things up between Tom and Alice but it all worked out by the end. One thing I don’t really understand is why the author has taken the time to let us readers know that there is chemistry between Tom and Tamara if Tom is staying with Alice, they’re going to get married and be a family. It seemed unnecessary to have them develop feelings in the books for it to go no where. I’m not sure how many books are in the series but so far over 6 books they’ve stayed together and nothing has developed further between the DI & DCI. I actually hoped they would end up together, I’m not 100% set on Alice. Other than my little quibble over the romantic side story I have enjoyed the books so far. This was no exception and I’ll be listening/reading book 7 next.
Profile Image for Patricia Burton.
160 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2021
A little too close for Tom's liking!

Why would anyone have a reason to murder an elderly lady who's just checking on the nature reserve, she watches over everyday. It makes no sense to DCI Tamara Greaves' murder team. Even though the murdered lady in question seems to have been a force of nature herself, but nothing makes any sense!

Our favourite DI Tom Janssen seems to be more settled in his private life at the moment, that is until someone throws a grenade into his life, a murder that's far to close to home. Band from being part of the investigation, and the evidence
mounting against someone he knows his mind and body are in turmoil!
I couldn't put this gritty read down, so many emotions playing against one another enormous lows and the odd highs I had to get to the end!

Loved it!
2 reviews
November 2, 2020
“The Dead Call is Dalgliesh in his exceptional style for creating drama, draws the reader into a sense of mystery from the start. His excellent storytelling, enables you to feel part of the unfolding plot and his skill in depicting realistic characters and relationships of both personal and professional level in his writing will not let you down. With a talent for enabling the reader to feel and breathe the natural geography of The Wash and life there, we find ourselves drawn into the battles of detective work and trauma where DCI Jansen’s personal life caught up in part of the intrigue of the unfolding mysteries . Can Janssen hold together the detective work of his team this time? We keep the pages turning to find out! A thoroughly engaging read for us.”--
22 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2021
Best yet

I think The Dead Call is the book in the series where J M Dalgliesh has really settled into the Dark Norfolk series. Don’t get me wrong, the other books in the series have been really good reads, fast paced and well written but this one really felt like he knew who all his main characters were, and felt confident to add the extra dynamic of the home life as more than just a passing mention. A fabulous added dimension done with a deft hand and a promise of possible twists to come.
Overall the story was intriguing and kept my interest. I’d definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for a great series to read but if you’ve read the Dark Yorkshire books, it’s got a very different feel, so don’t expect more of the same.
Profile Image for Jean .
664 reviews21 followers
October 30, 2020
J. M. Dalgliesh has written another fine mystery/police procedural. Although I enjoy both the Dark Yorkshire and the Hidden Norfolk series, I am particularly pleased when there is a new Hidden Norfolk. I am especially fond of the police In this series. I get my hands on the latest book and zoom — the booK is read in less than a day and it is time to wait once again. The characters in Dalgliesh’s books are well-developed. The plots are designed carefully. They are satisfying reads. I recommend The Dead Call and both of these series.

I was fortunate to be able to read this book as an ARC. My review expresses my thoughts about the book, freely, and honestly given.
49 reviews
December 11, 2022
There was a distinct feeling of similarity about this yarn that had me wondering what it actually was. The author continually refers to folk running tongues round their mouths, creating finger pyramids when musing and drumming on tables. I suspect this is because he uses so many characters in his books he then struggles to give them individual characteristics.That said this yarn is a decent read, Dalgleishs books always are, and kept me entertained to the very end.
I wondered if the author had deadlines to meet hence the repetitive nature of his descriptions, that must be possible so I've scored it 4 although others may well disagree.
Profile Image for John Hardy.
720 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2024
Hidden Norfolk, DI Janssen #6. The usual crew investigate the finding of a woman's body. It turns out she was an activist who spent her life getting in the way of developers, thereby making enemies. This naturally causes the investigation to become more complex. I had an early inkling of the truth, just a guess, really. Mystery solvers will have a hard time.
The police team work well together, and have lives outside the force. A second body is discovered, so there are two converging investigations. DI Janssen has to pull back from one of them as someone close to him is involved.
It's a good mystery, and I've come to really enjoy this series.
Rating 4.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,036 reviews
January 29, 2025
Book 6 of 16 “THE DEAD CALL” (Tom Janssen Series) by J.M. Dalgliesh. A great addition to the series. This is about two murders that occur but are treated as unrelated events. An elderly female body is discovered in the water. She is an activist disliked by many locals. She favors protecting the birds and their habitats to developing the land. She does not want the wind farms to come ashore and ruin the land. It is a longer book but very well written. The whole series keeps the reader ‘awake’ and not sure how it will end. A very well written series. I’m now reading Book 7 Kill Them Cold.
Profile Image for gerry.
458 reviews5 followers
November 15, 2020
Two messy, complicated murders to solve

This novel would make a great movie: the drama increases dramatically when the girlfriend of Detective Tom Janssen is implicated in the murder of her ex husband and several significant clues are pointing her way. This story combines other conflicts--environmentalists versus developers, gays versus traditionalists and detective versus detective as Tom is blocked out of the investigation involving Alice, his girlfriend. Both Tom and Alice have had quite a go of it from their ex spouses in this series. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Pamela Paterson.
590 reviews5 followers
August 23, 2021
This was a lot better than the last outing. DI Janssen was still the main focus of this book and unfortunately I will still be subjected to the presence of my least favorite character in this series. This is the 3rd book I’ve read back to back and if I was to give the characters a color it would be beige. They have no personality.

While this book ventured into the personal life of Tom this time around I kind of hope the story would throw us a curve ball and give us an unexpected turn of events, but it didn’t like the characters the story was BEIGE but better than the last one.
74 reviews
November 22, 2022
I had read the author's first entry in his other series and quite enjoyed it. This book was a mixed bag. The story was good, a solid police procedural and I thought the ending was very good. However, I just could not get invested in it. The issue was that the characters were flat, nothing more than stock photos. The most interesting character was the MC's dog. The MC, in particular, never came across as a 3 dimensional character. This is never good but when much the book is based on personal drama, it's even worse. Yet, to his credit , the author came up with a good finish.
Profile Image for Susan.
7,248 reviews69 followers
October 31, 2020
The body of eighty-three year old Mary Beckett is discovered at Blakeney Point. DI Tom Janssen and DC Eric Collet investigate. But when another body is discovered, at Cody, it is DCI Tamara Greave and DS Cassie Knight who investigate. But are the two cases connected. What are the motives.
An interesting and well-written crime story with its cast of well drawn characters. A good addition to the series.
Received an ARC from the author.
1,909 reviews18 followers
November 2, 2020
Excellent!

Lots happening with 2 murders! Great characters who work together very well to investigate. Great police procedural, with mental rather than physical muscle used to solve the murders. Tom must step aside in one investigation since Alice is involved. She is my least favorite character and often makes very poor decisions. I understand it is to develop the story line but I was still not sympathetic! Terrific story line, with a surprising ending.
Profile Image for Shannon M (Canada).
497 reviews177 followers
November 8, 2020
Somewhere between 3 and 3.5. It was another easy-to-read cozy mystery in the Hidden Norfolk series, but I felt it was just a bit off. I immediately guessed the motive for Mary’s murder, if not the exact manner in which it occurred. The other murder mystery was not as well developed as it should have been. Somehow the two mysteries just didn’t mesh well with the two teams working independently.
Profile Image for Richard Cole,.
75 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2020
Norfolk Crime Scene

A well constructed crime novel involving murder, corporate dishonesty and family feuding.

The death of a local wild life activist, in an area where big business has a proposed development which could be detrimental to the local environment, seemed to be closely connected. As did the death of a respectable investigate journalist.

All is not how it seems, however, and the many strands of the, story are skillfully drawn together. A good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews

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