When the body of internationally-renowned vocalist Gareth Jones is found hanging in the tower of a church, the walls daubed in occult symbols, the world of classical music, and the local dales community in which he grew up, is shaken to its core.
With the worst winter in years sweeping through Wensleydale, the spectre of a friend’s death haunting one of his team, and a killer driven by forces darker than he could ever imagine, Grimm and his team are up against the creator of not just a masterpiece, but a symphony of pain.
And it’s up to Harry to make sure that when the curtain comes down, there’s no chance of an encore…
I simply love this series, more for the recurring cast of characters and the wonderful descriptions of the Dales than for the mysteries themselves. I usually guess the culprit WAY too early, but the wonderful humor of the author keeps mem coming back.
What can I say about a 5 star series that keeps getting better and better? There are two investigations in this book, one that is ongoing and unofficial with Jim Metcalfe deciding to do his own investigating into the death of a friend from the previous book and the solved one which is such a twisty tale in itself, where the famous member of a group of childhood friends is found murdered in a very gory way. I think I decided who the culprit was 5 times and all 5 times I was wrong. I can’t recommend this book highly enough and as always, I can’t wait for the next one. My only problem with this series is that there could be no plot whatsoever and I would still love reading about Harry Grimm and his team - I still don’t understand the love of cake and cheese though.
I really don't know if I'm enjoying this series or not but they're such easy reads that I'll continue. I won't be trying fruitcake and cheese like the locals do though. Fuck that.
Disappointing. A thin plot, replicated sentences, shallow communication and protagonists. Half of the pages are filled with winter weather and conditions in the dales. And the originality of the first two books is now fully gone. The witty remarks are laboured and randomly placed. I still try the next book and hope things are picking up again as Harry Grimm and its team could do far better.
Death's Requiem is book 6 in the DCI Harry Grimm series by David J. Gatward. DCI Harry Grimm and his team caught the case of the death of world know singer Gareth Jones who had decided to reinvent his music career in his hometown of Wensleydale. At first, DCI Harry Grimm was baffled at what was the reason for the murder of Gareth Jones. However, the more he and his team investigated, the more troubling the case became. Was it occult, jealousy or revenge? The readers of Death's Requiem will continue to follow DCI Harry Grimm and his team's investigation to discover what happens.
I am pleased I found this series; how David J. Gatward portrayed his characters and their interaction ensures I engage with his plots from the start. Death's Requiem did not disappoint, and it was well-written and researched by David J. Gatward. I like David J. Gatward's description of the settings of Death's Requiem, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Death's Requiem will learn about the consequences of rustling for rural communities. Also, the readers of Death's Requiem will understand the effects of jealousy on everyone involved.
DCI Harry Grimm and his brother Ben are really beginning to settle down into life in Wensleydale. With the people from the small town welcoming and for the most part friendly and the beautiful scenery, it’s hard for them not to both start feeling at home. Bad things still happen in small towns though, and Harry all too soon is finding himself wrestling with both a strange murder in the local church and a surprisingly professional group of animal smugglers.
I really enjoyed this next book in the DCI Grimm series. While I feel the reader would enjoy it more having read the previous installments, this book can absolutely be picked up and read as a standalone. The two main plot threads are very well explained and handled in this book – and even though the animal smuggling/kidnapping has been very loosely alluded to in previous books it was more of a throw-away sort of comment, the actual plot aspect and in-depth investigation is completely contained in this book. The murder begins and concludes in this book, and I feel adds an excellent counterpart to the animal/farming based plot and the two bounce very well off each other.
I am also very pleased to see the further development of a number of the main characters. Jim in particular I feel is coming along very well, from the very young and rather inexperienced police officer in the first book to now being heavily invested in his work and really learning and growing. I also was really pleased to finally see a bit more of Ben’s character – Harry’s brother. While the cast of characters could be seen as on the small side, I really feel they are each well drawn, individual to each other and there’s enough characters to feel like a good unit without there being too few or too many. The fact we can spend time with them all and watch them develop is an integral part to the story being really well rounded and enjoyable to my mind.
The occult/paranormal aspect to this story is very, very lightly handled – I really wasn’t sure to even give it a “paranormal” tag, but there is a “spell” cast in the past by a bunch of the local kids and with the fresh murder some symbols were left so I really felt while light and not a strong part of the plot it was present enough that it needed mentioning. Readers looking for a spiritual/occult/paranormal mystery should definitely not consider this a strong or heavily invested story – and equally readers looking to avoid a paranormal tale shouldn’t shy away from this. The small country town, the characters and the two mysteries are definitely the focus of this story – not the occult/paranormal themes.
Readers looking for a good bunch of characters, a small country town setting and two interesting, concurrent police procedural style investigations should be really satisfied with this book. I found it to be another excellent addition to this series I am really looking forward to the next one.
I am giving up at 30%. I've read this whole series and I've never been sold on it, but my Mum loves it and raves about it and it always has high reviews and I kept thinking it was me missing something.
Maybe I should still find the same jokes funny after 6 or 7 books. Maybe I should warm up to the team that we know nothing about. Maybe I should like the simple plots that are barely investigated. But I've had enough.
I am 30% in and NOTHING has happened. We've met an arsehole singer and we've already had the jokes about Grimm's face. I can't even begin to guess what the main plot is or will be because it has been so aimless.
The Grimm books are unlike any U.K. Police procedurals I've read. The characters work well together and seem to be genuinely friends. Every other book like this has at least 1 person of higher rank who is there to make the "hero"'s job harder and life miserable. This book was a good mystery with other things among the squad happening to keep everything moving. I read it almost in one sitting! I can't wait for the next Harry Grimm book! I've recommended this series to family and friends and most have enjoyed them also!!
This book continues Gatward's achievement of writing one excellent mystery after another. The mystery is itself interesting as it involves devil worship among childhood friends now grown apart occurring in a monstrous snow storm. There's also more on the life of Grimm's coworkers and his brother Ben that makes them rounded as well and interested in changes in their lives as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I did the ones that preceded it in this series. Again I recommend reading them in order which is not hard as they are all great reads.
This is the sixth book in the DCI Harry Grimm series by David J. Gatward. The main story line is about a musical celebrity born in the town who's brutally murdered and hung in a church surrounded by occult symbols. Was a ritual murder or is it just dressed up like that to fool the police?
The secondary and personal stories were more interesting than the main one. Jim is still reeling from the murder of a friend. The friend was also apparently involved in the sheep rustling of his dad's prizewinning flock. However, they're nowhere on the murder or the thefts. Jim just isn't himself and Harry's worried.
On the plus side, Harry's brother Ben is doing pretty well. He's still got a job, is staying clean and is dating. Also Harry is now the permanent DCI for the group and that comes with more worries and concerns for his team.
Frankly, this particular novel was a bit weak on the main plot and I'm disappointed that they still haven't figured out the loose ends from previous books. I do like the characters though, so I'll keep hanging in there for at least a few more books.
The way David writes about the Yorkshire Dales is a joy. You recognise immediately how much he loves it there, yet he isn't afraid to share their mystique and wonder. Encouraging anyone to come and see for themselves. I have and will continue to spend time down there. Its as though someone from another realm drew a line across the borders of Yorkshire and Cumbria creating a magical realm. The North. Moving the border of Scotland down, pulling the counties in. I'm off, my minds full of excellent memories and reading these books has made Harry and his intrepid team real. Each story is wrapped in magic, even though there is darkness and ill doing afoot. Just loving them. Can you tell, lol. I hope your enjoying them too and this review will keep you as well as spreading the word. Enjoy.
My Thoughts: It is not only Harry and Harry alone who is the focus of the story this time around. Jim gets a bit of the limelight, too.
By now I am, of course, a fan of this series. Thus, already bought subsequent books in this series...
The dabbling into the paranormal which kinda started in the last book continues here. However, this series has not turned paranormal thriller/mystery.
Oh! I love the way Aubrey Parsons gives Gordy her Scottish accent! Wonderful narration!
Quantitative Evaluation: Story telling quality = 4.5 Character development = 4.5 Story itself = 4.5 Writing Style = 4.5 Ending = 4 World building = 5 Cover art = 3.5 Pace = (8 hrs and 1 min listening time) Plot = 4 Narration = 5
This series is one of my favourite finds of the year. To say that I am invested is a severe understatement. Harry Grimm is one of those characters that you cannot help but fall in love with. Despite his spiky, ornery demeanour, he is just misunderstood. He believes that he is Grimm by name and grim by nature, but that could not be further from the truth. An army veteran (medical discharge) he joins the force in Bristol, however, his maverick attitude and lack of rule abiding soon has him sent to "coventry" out of sight, out of mind. He is seconded to the Dales, as far from his comfort zone as possible. However, the Dales are magical, and Harry soon becomes to love it there, including the Wensleydale on fruit cake. Each book is fabulously written, the characters are amazing and you cannot help but fall in love with them and the Dales. One of my favourite series.
I love Harry Grimm and his latest adventure (Death’s Requiem book 6) is certainly terrific. Gareth Jones is a famous singer and returns home to Askrigg to launch his latest release. Gareth’s old gang from childhood comes together but the launch does not go according to plan. The investigation does not seem to be getting anywhere and there don’t seem to be any telling clues. It is a great book and I love the way the team are friends as well as colleagues. The characters are what do it for me in a book and the characters in the Harry Grimm books are so engaging. I listened to the launch interview on David J Gatward’s FB page and Gareth Jones is based/named for Aled Jones so was imagining him as I read the book.
I am delighted with this Addison to DCI Grimm's series. Jim one of the PCSO"s in the unit is having a difficult time with his friend's death and goes off piste. Leaving Harry to pick up the pieces. Meantime he is looking for the murderer of Gareth, an ex-choirboy, gone to stardom. Gareth had gone home to hi.s childhood area to make a new album, after having a fraught year or so. He starts with a concert for the locals and bigwigs in the church. Only to be found hanging there by the vicar when she goes to put on the heating. The character of DCI Grimm is slowly changing, thanks to the area and co-workers who have also become friends. But let's hope not too much. The character needs to maintain his ruff edges or will go soppy.
I'm addicted to this series and I am happy to say I also got my dad hooked. What I really enjoy is the set up at the beginning. These books don't start with a dead body. There is background and build up to the crime and I think it makes for a more interesting read. You end up with some emotional skin in the game not just for the repeat characters but also for those involved directly in the crime be it victim, witness, or the guilty one. These also play out fantastically well in my head. More than just words on the page each of these books has been a masterpiece mystery playing out in my head.
Love the characters in this series, they are so wonderfully developed that it is like spending time with friends. Gatward has a gift for beautiful descriptive writing, so much so that I find myself wanting to visit Wensleydale in the dells. An intriguing murder to solve with numerous suspects and the continuation of the unsolved murder from the previous book finds the team also battling a bad snowstorm. Such a joy to read anything written by David Gatward.
I am a mystery lover, and look forward to new authors and series. I enjoyed this mystery and the characters, as well as the setting which is almost a character itself. Gatward’s descriptions of the dales and the biting cold are superb. Harry Grimm is an excellent but not perfect DCI, and member of his team are each unique, with strengths and weaknesses that a real work team would have. This mystery was on the more predictable slide but entertaining nonetheless.
A concert in a church, the death of the singer later. No giveaways there, because you can get all of that from the book's blurb. There's a long list of suspects too, so there are plenty of possibilities.
There are also some background stories going on, a couple continuing from previous books.
I'm enjoying the DCI Harry Grimm books. They aren't "laugh out loud" books, but there's humour and light moments. Grimm's staff are growing on me too. That took a little time, but I've come to like them and see their quirks.
Just finished reading Death's Requiem, book 6 in the DCI Harry Grimm series by David J Gatward and another excellent tale.
A well known singer returns to his roots in Yorkshire for a concert in his local church. He is welcomed by his old chums but alas, is found murdered in the church the following day. Harry and the team have their work cut out as there are lots of suspects but everyone has an alibi....
If you liked the previous books in the series, you'll enjoy this one too. Now for book #7 😁👌😁
I just can't get enough of DCI Grimm and his fantastic team who are more like family than colleagues. Following on from the previous book's cliffhanger, PCSO Jim decides to investigate further on his own and in the midst of the winter snow a former choir boy turned celebrity meets his maker in a macabre setting. There's a lot of unexpected and riveting action before the final denouement. David Gatward's mastery of descriptive writing is a joy to read.
This series just gets better. The stories are always good, twisty and sometimes dark but they are nicely counterbalanced by the brilliant characterisation of Grimm and his team. There is always some underlying humour but this one made me laugh - some acerbic one liners and the arresting the dognapper scene in particular. The scenery is beautifully described, making me want to get back out into the dales and wander around. Looking forward to the next one.
I just love this series, the descriptive writing is brilliant, I love the Yorkshire Dales and you can almost smell the fresh air. Grimm is a brilliant character and so are the other members of his team including Fly the dog. As soon as these books come out all others in my library are put aside so I can catch up with Grimm and his team. Waiting patiently for the next one 😁
And as usual David J Gatward delivers another fine, exciting and entertaining volume from the series of Harry Grimm police novels. Harry is getting more and more into the grip of the dales, even on occasion muttering nowt instead of nothing. And the storyline gets more complicated, as the sheep rustling and the murder of Jim's friend starts to develop across the different books. I won't tell anything, just read them. All. They're great.
An excellent addition to the Grimm series. I loved this one, it had a nice blend of twists and turns that kept the story interesting, with a good pace. I’m also loving the continuing character developments, I feel like I know them and, from the great descriptions, the area they live in. Would definitely recommend this series from the start to see the characters progress.
I have enjoyed this series. For the most part each book can stand alone, there is an underlying crime that runs through each book that remains in the background. This is what keeps me coming back. I also love the continuous character development beyond Grimm. Hayward is taking time to round them out and give them substance. Looking forward to the next book.
I've thoroughly enjoyed every book in this very well written series. The DCI and his team have really established a groove. Harry is becoming more likeable while still maintaining a surly and brittle facade. His team knows he's butter cream. Nice crime story in the Northern English countryside. Entertaining and intelligent. I highly recommend if British crime is your thing.
I chose this rating because the story was even better than I thought. I have loved all of Grimms tales and this is just as good. The team are all so good together. The story of a young man making good in the music world who comes back to his roots. He's then killed in a violent way. It takes Grimm a while to get to the culprit but the journey is well worth it. Can't wait for the next one.