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Detective Inspector Declan Walsh #6
A Ritual For the Dying
When the body of a famous television academic is discovered in Greenwich Park, carefully positioned beside a megalithic stone fountain and missing a hand, DI Declan Walsh and the team of the Last Chance Saloon find themselves not only involved in a case that connects to the supernatural, but one that also involves 17th century architects, Ley Lines, nuclear reactors and a secret, black market organisation that specialises in particular occult items; some that date all the way back to both Aleister Crowley and the Elizabethan Magician, Dr John Dee himself, and connected to a missing treasure.
But as the team hunt a killer, one that uses ritualistic locations and weapons to perform their murders, Declan will journey on a heretical treasure hunt through an underground pagan and spiritual subculture of witches, shamans, druids, magicians and heathens, a world of esoteric luncheons and virtual sabbats, and where curses are believed real, and the dead indeed talk...
...But is one of those dead voices that of his one-time love, Kendis Taylor?
But as the team hunt a killer, one that uses ritualistic locations and weapons to perform their murders, Declan will journey on a heretical treasure hunt through an underground pagan and spiritual subculture of witches, shamans, druids, magicians and heathens, a world of esoteric luncheons and virtual sabbats, and where curses are believed real, and the dead indeed talk...
...But is one of those dead voices that of his one-time love, Kendis Taylor?
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2021
889 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Jack Gatland
79 books244 followersJack Gatland is the pen name of #1 New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee, who has been writing in all medias for over thirty years including comics, graphic novels, middle grade books, audio drama, TV and film for DC, Marvel, BBC, ITV, Random House, Penguin USA, Hachette and a ton of other publishers and broadcasters on licenses such as Doctor Who, Spider Man, X-Men, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Doctors, Wallace and Gromit and Shrek. As Tony, he’s toured the country talking to reluctant readers with his ‘Change The Channel’ school tours.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 11, 2023
No 6 in the series was a bit of a let down. More Agatha Christie meets Dan Brown than the previous 5 books. Tough to get into as too many characters left me wondering who was who.
July 22, 2023
A Ritual For the Dying is book six in Detective Inspector Declan Walsh series by Jack Gatland. DI Declan Walsh and his team at Last Chance Saloon caught a case of the murder of a television academic. Detective Inspector Declan Walsh and his team go on a treasure hunt through the tunnel of pagan rituals to find the killer. The readers will continue to follow Detective Inspector Declan Walsh and his team to discover what happens.
A Ritual For The Dying is the first book I read by Jack Gatland. I enjoy that Jack Gatland incorporates supernatural themes throughout the plot of A Ritual For The Dying. I engaged with the story and the characters from the start. I love Jack Gatland's portrayal of his characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. A Ritual For The Dying is well-written and researched by Jack Gatland. I like Jack Gatland's description of the settings of A Ritual For The Dying that complemented the book's plot.
The readers of A Ritual For The Dying will learn about Queen Elizabethan Magician Dr John Dee. The readers will understand the problems law enforcement officers have when one of their colleagues becomes a murderer.
I recommend this book.
A Ritual For The Dying is the first book I read by Jack Gatland. I enjoy that Jack Gatland incorporates supernatural themes throughout the plot of A Ritual For The Dying. I engaged with the story and the characters from the start. I love Jack Gatland's portrayal of his characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. A Ritual For The Dying is well-written and researched by Jack Gatland. I like Jack Gatland's description of the settings of A Ritual For The Dying that complemented the book's plot.
The readers of A Ritual For The Dying will learn about Queen Elizabethan Magician Dr John Dee. The readers will understand the problems law enforcement officers have when one of their colleagues becomes a murderer.
I recommend this book.
February 13, 2024
Declan and Team catch a case of Occult, Treasure and Intrigue
A lost library, hidden treasures, blood pact, and bodies that keep turning up. One body turns up, dumped in a graveyard, missing his hand. All seems strange to say the least, as Declan and the Last Chance Saloon catch this case brought to them by PC DeGeer.
A Ritual For The Dying extends the character development of the whole team, it gives the reader yet another slightly thrilling story. So looking forward to the next in the series.
A lost library, hidden treasures, blood pact, and bodies that keep turning up. One body turns up, dumped in a graveyard, missing his hand. All seems strange to say the least, as Declan and the Last Chance Saloon catch this case brought to them by PC DeGeer.
A Ritual For The Dying extends the character development of the whole team, it gives the reader yet another slightly thrilling story. So looking forward to the next in the series.
September 4, 2022
First time I am reading this series and uhm, the number of new names was overwhelming at times! Especially since several characters changed their names at one point or another, and they were reffered to by both at them at different situation. Honestly, it was a bit of struggle to follow up at times, although it got bit easier later in the book. But if you are starting with this series, pick another book!
Also this one may be one of those which are better read in chronological order, as end Epilogue felt like a prequal to another book. However I was able to enjoy the book on its own, although I felt like I had no chance to get behind the truth of it all.
Will I try another book? I think I will and I will see if I like it or not.
Also this one may be one of those which are better read in chronological order, as end Epilogue felt like a prequal to another book. However I was able to enjoy the book on its own, although I felt like I had no chance to get behind the truth of it all.
Will I try another book? I think I will and I will see if I like it or not.
April 9, 2022
very disappointed
I usually enjoy this series but this time Garland has jumped the shark with a thin plot and thinner characters. I am not sure what he intended to do with this plot but whatever it was, he didn’t do it. It was reading scrambled eggs. There’s the usual cast of characters along with Declan - and then this bunch of cardboard cutouts we care nothing about and can barely keep sorted. I’ll give the series one more try but if this is the direction it’s going, I’ll be among the gone.
I usually enjoy this series but this time Garland has jumped the shark with a thin plot and thinner characters. I am not sure what he intended to do with this plot but whatever it was, he didn’t do it. It was reading scrambled eggs. There’s the usual cast of characters along with Declan - and then this bunch of cardboard cutouts we care nothing about and can barely keep sorted. I’ll give the series one more try but if this is the direction it’s going, I’ll be among the gone.
December 10, 2024
Luckily this was a charity shop buy so I don't begrudge the euro spent. What I do begrudge is the time spent trying to make sense of what I was reading. Yes, it was my first Jack Gatland and was possibly a bad place to start as it is No. 6 in the Declan Walsh series.
First I thought it must be self published as the editing is so poor, but I persevered. The plethora of characters didn't help, maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I knew anything about them from earlier books. The long winded style didn't help either, too much information slowing the pace.
'They were currently standing at the Southern entrance to Greenwich Park in South East London; giant, wrought-iron gates held between six tall, pale brick pillars, each adorned with an enormous lamp and with the gates themselves spiked, the black painted vertical tines of the wrought iron resembling spears, as if warning all who enter to play by the rules..... or be punished.
Simon had seen photos of Blackheath Gate, as it had been called from around ten years earlier; they used to be far more ornate, with large, flowing gold motifs along the top but sometime in the last decade it had been decided by the council to remove these and renovate them into the stark, cold gates that the park now had in order to widen the roadway entrances, allowing larger vehicles to enter.'
I should have stopped there but I carried on to page 105 before calling it a day.
I hope that Satan himself appears later and slays most of the characters with the railings that resemble wrought-iron spears but he hadn't shown up by p.105 and now I'll never know.
First I thought it must be self published as the editing is so poor, but I persevered. The plethora of characters didn't help, maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I knew anything about them from earlier books. The long winded style didn't help either, too much information slowing the pace.
'They were currently standing at the Southern entrance to Greenwich Park in South East London; giant, wrought-iron gates held between six tall, pale brick pillars, each adorned with an enormous lamp and with the gates themselves spiked, the black painted vertical tines of the wrought iron resembling spears, as if warning all who enter to play by the rules..... or be punished.
Simon had seen photos of Blackheath Gate, as it had been called from around ten years earlier; they used to be far more ornate, with large, flowing gold motifs along the top but sometime in the last decade it had been decided by the council to remove these and renovate them into the stark, cold gates that the park now had in order to widen the roadway entrances, allowing larger vehicles to enter.'
I should have stopped there but I carried on to page 105 before calling it a day.
I hope that Satan himself appears later and slays most of the characters with the railings that resemble wrought-iron spears but he hadn't shown up by p.105 and now I'll never know.
March 22, 2022
Once more I found myself being thrown head first into the totally amazing and captivating world of DI Declan Walsh and the brilliant Last Chance Saloon team. This was the sort of story that fascinates me – a complex, tantalising and exceedingly supernatural experience. The case itself was almost beyond solving with so much occult and pagan practices coupled with nuclear reactors and Ley Lines, things that little is known about but are always interesting. There were occasions when I found myself becoming so involved that I lost track of time and normal life just seemed to stand still around me, such was my concentration on trying to work out what was going on. Naturally all the normal team were involved in trying to catch the criminals, although there were plenty of false starts and aborted arrests. However, Declan finally managed to get his head around what was going on and, despite the many twists and turns, he cracked the case and the murderers were apprehended and locked up.
One of the things I love about these novels comes at end when the author details all the settings he uses in the story, explaining whether they really exist and giving us brief history. This is extremely fascinating as, when I am reading about the locations I find myself wanting to know more.
One of the things I love about these novels comes at end when the author details all the settings he uses in the story, explaining whether they really exist and giving us brief history. This is extremely fascinating as, when I am reading about the locations I find myself wanting to know more.
October 20, 2021
Quirky
I'm no fan of stories about the occult. But I am a kinda fan of the Last Chance Saloon and it's oddball denizens.
As usual, the climax of the story culminates in an Agatha Christie style that spells out all the background so the readers can finally understand all the twists and turns and see all the bits that were left purposely vague.
There are some places that are good for a chuckle, but no spine tingling thrills. However, make sure to check out the Wikipedia box. All the historical references are real. That alone makes this book worth the effort.
All in all, A Ritual for the Dying is a pleasant day's reading and is good practice for Americans to brush up on their British.😁
I'm no fan of stories about the occult. But I am a kinda fan of the Last Chance Saloon and it's oddball denizens.
As usual, the climax of the story culminates in an Agatha Christie style that spells out all the background so the readers can finally understand all the twists and turns and see all the bits that were left purposely vague.
There are some places that are good for a chuckle, but no spine tingling thrills. However, make sure to check out the Wikipedia box. All the historical references are real. That alone makes this book worth the effort.
All in all, A Ritual for the Dying is a pleasant day's reading and is good practice for Americans to brush up on their British.😁
October 5, 2024
Terrifically twisty
As the saying goes “nobody could make this up.” But Jack Gatland can tell the weirdest tales, and make a compelling mystery with tons of drama and well-researched detail in the telling. At one point Monroe says “Someone should make a list of characters.” And that is good advice for any reader that reads or listens to this novel in chunks, or else it is easy to get lost. (Might just be me!) We have witchcraft, ley lines, hypnosis, and a lot more esoteric content that is very informative. ‘Hidden’ London has its own fascination. The plot is not just twisted like a pretzel, but more like a bag of pretzels. The audio book is very well narrated by Mr Laing and I recommend both versions without reservation.
As the saying goes “nobody could make this up.” But Jack Gatland can tell the weirdest tales, and make a compelling mystery with tons of drama and well-researched detail in the telling. At one point Monroe says “Someone should make a list of characters.” And that is good advice for any reader that reads or listens to this novel in chunks, or else it is easy to get lost. (Might just be me!) We have witchcraft, ley lines, hypnosis, and a lot more esoteric content that is very informative. ‘Hidden’ London has its own fascination. The plot is not just twisted like a pretzel, but more like a bag of pretzels. The audio book is very well narrated by Mr Laing and I recommend both versions without reservation.
August 5, 2021
A Ritual for the Dying is book 6 in the DI Declan Walsh by Jack Gatland. All the characters of the Last Chance Saloon are back and they certainly appeal to me. They are a mixed bag but all gel and form a great team. I found this book very entertaining, engrossing and maybe a little bit different with elements of the occult involved and of course a murder or three. I have loved all 6 books in the series.
December 6, 2021
Convoluted, lost interest
Gatlan’s detective characters are engaging and his writing is deft, but his plots are becoming so convoluted and the host of secondary characters so huge that I am beginning to lose interest. I had to push through to finish this. Didn’t really care who did what by the conclusion. Judging by the teasers at the end, the convolution is just going to get worse and more improbable.
Gatlan’s detective characters are engaging and his writing is deft, but his plots are becoming so convoluted and the host of secondary characters so huge that I am beginning to lose interest. I had to push through to finish this. Didn’t really care who did what by the conclusion. Judging by the teasers at the end, the convolution is just going to get worse and more improbable.
July 7, 2022
Another great DI Declan Walsh and the Last Chance Saloon novel. You always hit the ground running with these books which I love.
I admit that I wasn’t so sure about the subject matter in this one, the occult, dark magic etc but I was quickly won over and thoroughly enjoyed this outing.
Although Declan is the main character, it’s not to the detriment of any of the other team members and Billy and De’Geer developed nicely in this instalment.
Looking forward to getting on with book 7.
I admit that I wasn’t so sure about the subject matter in this one, the occult, dark magic etc but I was quickly won over and thoroughly enjoyed this outing.
Although Declan is the main character, it’s not to the detriment of any of the other team members and Billy and De’Geer developed nicely in this instalment.
Looking forward to getting on with book 7.
April 4, 2025
I do enjoy a little occult storyline. This time the MOD/Spooks are sorta involved but I've accepted this will just be how this series goes.
The Last Chance Saloon team members really make the story, their camaraderie and support of each other.
One thing that is difficult is the long cast of characters to keep track of in these novels. I'm all for red herrings and misdirection but achieving this by having many characters is just too overwhelming to keep track of.
The Last Chance Saloon team members really make the story, their camaraderie and support of each other.
One thing that is difficult is the long cast of characters to keep track of in these novels. I'm all for red herrings and misdirection but achieving this by having many characters is just too overwhelming to keep track of.
August 14, 2025
This one got kinda boring, too long, too many little details
I have always disliked paranormal crap thrown into detective stories, it's like cheap thrill stuff. To the author's credit it's all bunk in the end or I would've stop reading his books. Two cliffhangers this time, one regarding his ex wife and one regarding his visit to see Tessa. This tale was just too long and boring details -- who cares about a hand of god and stupidity like that?
I have always disliked paranormal crap thrown into detective stories, it's like cheap thrill stuff. To the author's credit it's all bunk in the end or I would've stop reading his books. Two cliffhangers this time, one regarding his ex wife and one regarding his visit to see Tessa. This tale was just too long and boring details -- who cares about a hand of god and stupidity like that?
October 31, 2021
The sixth instalment of the Di Walsh books. Have enjoyed the previous versions but this one was overly complicated and I found I lost the plot and got characters confused, so struggled to complete the book. The plot centred around black magic and I found this less believable than previous books, so hopefully the 7th instalment will get back to former heights
April 19, 2022
complicated plot
I really love Gatland’s Declan Walsh books & A Ritual for the dying further built on the main characters I the series. This one however had a very complicated plot with so many characters involved it was hard to keep up. Won’t stop me reading the next one though!
I really love Gatland’s Declan Walsh books & A Ritual for the dying further built on the main characters I the series. This one however had a very complicated plot with so many characters involved it was hard to keep up. Won’t stop me reading the next one though!
November 18, 2022
Jack Gatland
Confusing with far to many passive characters, (The Magpies), Ritual for dying not much better. Needs tighter editing and more attention given to structure and punctuation. Altogether I found the writing had some merit in the storyline, however it becomes boring and muddled. Would not read the next one.
Confusing with far to many passive characters, (The Magpies), Ritual for dying not much better. Needs tighter editing and more attention given to structure and punctuation. Altogether I found the writing had some merit in the storyline, however it becomes boring and muddled. Would not read the next one.
January 15, 2023
I've read the previous 5 books and find Declan Walsh and the Last Chance Saloon team (as they are known) kind of fun to follow, but this one I didn't care for as much. I found it too convoluted and was glad when I finished it - which I had to do in order to figure out who did it. On to the next one.
April 18, 2023
I have been mostly enjoying this series, but I’m afraid this one has far too many complications involving week characters with name changes that I totally lost the plot. I like the base characters, apart from the character of Declan’s new house share which I find over the top in cheekiness which I would be very surprised if Declan would accept it. Gave me the impression that her character is more superior than Declan.
October 1, 2023
I have enjoyed all of the series that I have read before this one. Oh dear, I was really disappointed. A lot of gobbledy gook about the occult and totally unbelievable plot. And it might have been me but I felt there were also errors in the book. But perhaps the author confused himself and not just me.
January 29, 2025
I'm absolutely loving this series. I'm not missing skipping #3 as there are so many references to what happened I feel like I read it. 😂 In this book we dip into the world of ley lines, mind control and long grudges causing deaths around London. These books are great mysteries and I love trying to unravel the story lines.
September 25, 2021
They just keep getting better
As many twists as an Agatha Christie, but much funnier. The character development as the books go on is believable and the story refers back to previous books without revealing the plots. Now, when is the next one due? Great stuff.
As many twists as an Agatha Christie, but much funnier. The character development as the books go on is believable and the story refers back to previous books without revealing the plots. Now, when is the next one due? Great stuff.
November 4, 2021
Very interesting book
This book was so interesting that I couldn't stop reading until the end. Very involved and many twists to the storyline. This is definitely a must read along with this whole series which I will be starting the last one next.
This book was so interesting that I couldn't stop reading until the end. Very involved and many twists to the storyline. This is definitely a must read along with this whole series which I will be starting the last one next.
January 9, 2022
Whew…
Love this series! While I happily gave this five stars, I will admit to having problems keeping the suspects straight, as at least two had multiple names. A lot going on, but still a very good read. Kudos to the author.
Love this series! While I happily gave this five stars, I will admit to having problems keeping the suspects straight, as at least two had multiple names. A lot going on, but still a very good read. Kudos to the author.
January 28, 2022
So disjointed
Wow, nothing about this book made sense. Skip to the wrap up, although even it didn't make a whole lot of sense. One more try, if the next book is as disjointed as this one, I will be onto a new author.
Wow, nothing about this book made sense. Skip to the wrap up, although even it didn't make a whole lot of sense. One more try, if the next book is as disjointed as this one, I will be onto a new author.
February 11, 2022
Curses, murders, all connected to mystic events... A real puzzle for Declan Walsh and the team
Dark magic fans video at night in a Park. When they discover dead body with a hand missing. Let lines, ancient curses.... Mystics, mediums, all sorts in here , read on
Dark magic fans video at night in a Park. When they discover dead body with a hand missing. Let lines, ancient curses.... Mystics, mediums, all sorts in here , read on
February 26, 2022
Confusing characters
I think that giving main characters two different names made this excellent story very confusing,until the final chapter when Declan's explanation of events became a lightbulb moment!
I think that giving main characters two different names made this excellent story very confusing,until the final chapter when Declan's explanation of events became a lightbulb moment!
March 1, 2022
Complex
A bit of a tall story with so many characters it was difficult to keep up. Despite that the story flows and the reader is held with intrigue in the hope everything will be clarified. In some ways it is. In others it isn't.
A bit of a tall story with so many characters it was difficult to keep up. Despite that the story flows and the reader is held with intrigue in the hope everything will be clarified. In some ways it is. In others it isn't.
March 8, 2022
I have enjoyed the previous books and have downloaded the next book but this one … this is one of those books that make reading on a kindle frustrating because you can’t easily flick to the end. I probably skim read a third then skipped to the epilogue … I hope the next one will be back to form.
May 20, 2022
I really like the Last Chance Saloon team of characters but like may other reviews stated the plots are so complicated with a lot of secondary characters that it's hard to keep interested in what's going on. I struggled to keep going with this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews