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DI Tanner #8

Long Gore Hall

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A CHILLING NORFOLK BROADS CRIME THRILLER
An intruder shot dead to be seen rising from the grave, an escaped psychopath with a hidden murderous intent, and a forgotten mansion lying in the midst of an ancient Norfolk marsh.


The ancestral owner of Long Gore Hall arrives from overseas with an ambitious plan to renovate his crumbling family home. But when he shoots an intruder only for the body to vanish into thin air, DI Tanner is left searching for a body that doesn't seem to want to be found.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2022

837 people are currently reading
167 people want to read

About the author

David Blake

41 books297 followers
NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR

With number one bestsellers in both the UK and Australia, to date David has written twenty-two books along with a collection of short stories. He's currently working on his twenty-third, Bluebell Wood, which is the next in his series of fast-paced crime thrillers. When not writing, David likes to spend his time mucking about in boats, often in the Norfolk Broads, where his crime fiction books are based.

Get news of all future releases, ARC reader info, free books, and all promo offers by signing up to my newsletter:

www.david-blake.co.uk/CONTACTDAVID

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5 stars
2,142 (55%)
4 stars
1,227 (31%)
3 stars
370 (9%)
2 stars
80 (2%)
1 star
33 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
Profile Image for Jenny.
2,340 reviews73 followers
March 26, 2023

Long Gore Hall is book eight in the DI Tanner series by David Blake. DI Tanner found love again with Christine until someone from her past came to town to make him question their relationship. On top of that, DI Tanner and his team caught a case of the owner of Long Gore Hall shooting an intruded. However, the body disappears when he arrives on the scene. DI Tanner and his team were also investigating two young boys' disappearances. Are these cases contacted with each other? The readers of Long Gore Hall will continue to follow DI Tanner to discover what happens.

I enjoy reading books in the DI Tanner series by David Blake. I am always sorry when I finish reading a book in this series, and Long Gore Hall did not disappoint. At times I had to laugh at the way the characters interacted with each other. I love David Blake's portrayal of his characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. As always, books in this series are well-written and researched by David Blake, and Long Gore Hall kept up the tradition. I like David Blake's description of the settings, which allows me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The readers of Long Gore Hall will understand the consequences of law enforcement corruption for everyone involved. The readers of Long Gore Hall will learn about the dangers for people around the Norfolk Broads.

I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Anthony Brooks.
256 reviews7 followers
September 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Brilliantly Atmospheric Crime Thriller – David Blake at His Best






Long Gore Hall by David Blake is a masterclass in atmospheric crime fiction, weaving suspense, mystery, and chilling tension into a story that grips you from the very first page. Blake once again proves why he is one of the most compelling voices in modern crime writing, delivering a novel that is equal parts haunting and unputdownable.

Set against the backdrop of the eerie and desolate Norfolk landscape, Long Gore Hall immediately captures the reader with its brooding setting. Blake has always excelled at creating a sense of place, and here the decaying grandeur of the hall itself becomes almost a character—its walls echoing with secrets, its grounds steeped in history and menace. The author’s descriptive prose makes you feel as though you’re walking the corridors, peering into the shadows, and waiting for something sinister to reveal itself.

At the heart of the novel is Detective John Tanner, one of Blake’s most enduring and layered characters. Tanner’s blend of grit, determination, and quiet vulnerability makes him deeply relatable. In this installment, he faces not only a baffling case but also the inner turmoil of his own demons, which adds an emotional depth that elevates the narrative far beyond a standard police procedural. His moral compass and humanity shine through, even as he confronts darkness both outside and within.

The mystery itself is intricately plotted and cleverly paced. What begins as a seemingly straightforward investigation soon spirals into a web of deceit, family secrets, and shocking revelations. Blake keeps readers guessing throughout, scattering red herrings with precision while gradually tightening the noose of suspense. Just when you think you’ve pieced the puzzle together, he blindsides you with a twist that feels both unexpected and inevitable.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, each character bringing their own complexity to the story. Allies and suspects alike are painted in shades of gray, ensuring that you’re never entirely sure who can be trusted. This moral ambiguity adds to the tension and highlights Blake’s talent for exploring the darker side of human nature.

Another standout feature is Blake’s ability to balance the procedural detail with heart-pounding drama. His police work feels authentic and grounded, yet never bogs down the pacing. The dialogue crackles with realism, the action scenes are taut and vivid, and the quieter moments allow for reflection on justice, loyalty, and the cost of obsession.

By the time the final chapters unfold, Long Gore Hall delivers a climax that is both shocking and satisfying, tying together the threads of the investigation while leaving just enough lingering unease to stay with the reader long after closing the book.

In short, Long Gore Hall is a triumph—dark, atmospheric, and utterly engrossing. David Blake has once again raised the bar for crime thrillers, offering a story that lingers in the mind and reminds us why we love the genre. Fans of Blake’s previous novels will be thrilled, and new readers will find themselves hooked from the start.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves crime fiction with atmosphere, intelligence, and unforgettable characters. A five-star read all the way.
Profile Image for Kath Middleton.
Author 23 books158 followers
March 13, 2022
Tanner has moved into a house with Christine. The police get a call from a man who says he shot an intruder who jumped out at him with a knife. When they get there to his crumbling, gothic looking mansion, there’s no body, and it looks as if the injured man left, possibly badly wounded. There’s a report that a dangerous prisoner has escaped from a hospital facility nearby. This brings Tanner’s partner Christine under suspicion on several points which makes the case very awkward for him. The villain is finally brought to justice but not before a young officer is put in great danger. It’s a thrilling and exciting denouement. This is a very readable series.
1,286 reviews
March 19, 2022
Long Gore Hall by David Blake is book 8 in the Det Tanner series. I have read them all and really enjoyed them. This was no exception. It played out at a cracking pace with plenty of curve balls to test Tanner’s wits. Tanner can be belligerent at times but he is also clever. There is a touch of romance. I would recommend this.
1,910 reviews18 followers
March 12, 2022
Very Tension Filled!

Extremely intense, from the first page! Everything Tanner believes and everyone he trusts is brought under suspicion. Nothing and no one is as it appears. The police are scrabbling to find a murderer, escaped mental patient, and 2 kidnapped young boys. Christine disappears and is under suspicion. Very scary mystery!
Profile Image for helen.
254 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2022
very intriguing book

Starts of a bit slow but then it becomes very intriguing. Lots of action, plenty of humour and quite fast paced .
2 reviews
March 15, 2022
Slight slow start but then was hard to put down as I wanted to know what happened next . It then became fast paced (with a bit of humour ). Great storyline with lots of twists and turns . The characters seemed more realistic . I thought this was one of the most enjoyable books in this series !
Profile Image for Mrs Melanie J Kiddle.
14 reviews
March 15, 2022
Brilliant

Another detective story from around my local area, so good to be able to picture the places within the story.
Profile Image for Georgina Gane.
67 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2022
What I expected however it didn’t end well. I do like a full explanation and I feel there was a lot left unexplained. Maybe the next book will follow onto do this.
46 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2022
Long Gore Hall

Another great read,.could not put it down what an unexpected twist at the end fantastic i have read all your books and enjoyed them all thankyou
Profile Image for Jacky Mercury.
277 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2022
Tanner's back

The maverick DI Tanner is once again ripping up the rule book in order to catch an escaped psychopath, but everything is very much not as it seems.
Profile Image for Les Wilson.
1,834 reviews14 followers
September 4, 2022
A very good book which I forgot to mark as finished. Well worth reading.
Profile Image for Trish R..
1,772 reviews58 followers
June 4, 2022
Very good mystery, which I never figured out, I had to be told at the end. I did feel sorry for Lawrence Hambleton.

A smidge of romance and the F-bomb was used 18 times.

As for the narration: Jonathan Keeble is an awesome narrator. I've listened to all 18 of his narration of the DCI Ryan Mysteries, by LJ Ross, and have loved every one of them, as well as all 8 of these DI Tanner books.
18 reviews
April 6, 2022
A very good read

I am glad Christine is still in a relationship with D. I. Tanner. Found this to be an interesting story with twist and turns which you did not expect. A very good read , which I expect from David Blake. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Keshav Nair.
298 reviews
June 24, 2022
The 8th installment in the DI Tanner series by David Blake is a cracker of a spine. I have read all the previous books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed all of them and this was no exception.

DI Tanner and Christine have moved into their new home and begun to settle down in their life. Meanwhile, the owner of Long Gore Hall, an old and crumpled mansion located near Norfolk marshes has returned to rebuild his ancestral home. One night, he finds an intruder lurking in his mansion and shoots him in self-defense. DI Tanner and his team reach the mansion only to find that the man whom the owner had allegedly fatally shot is nowhere to be found and seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

In a parallel storyline, a prisoner from the psychiatric ward of a nearby hospital is reported to have escaped despite the tight security at the facility. Soon two young boys are reported missing and all inquiries lead to the involvement of the escaped prisoner. Meanwhile, Tanner's investigation leads to the finding that the intruder at the Long Gore Hall whom the owner claimed to have shot is none other than the escaped convict. Also, it becomes known that Christine was a nurse at the same hospital years back, where the prisoner was being treated and some clues at the scene of the crime in the present case bring her under the umbrella of suspicion.

DI Tanner is at an ambiguous intersection in his investigation, with a firm hypothesis that Christine has nothing to with this case. However, he is shattered when an eyewitness recount having seen Christine and the escaped prisoner traveling together in a car. How could a fatally wounded or near-dead prisoner drive off in a car? The case becomes even more entangled when Christine goes missing.

DI Tanner is now in a race against time to unravel the truth. He had to find the two missing young boys, one of whom happens to be the son of the Chief Superintendent of Police, and Christine. Several questions need answers - Who is behind these kidnappings? How could a fatally wounded psychiatric prisoner plan such a heinous crime? Are there any stakes in this case by the owner of Long Gore Hall? Is Christine an accomplice to these crimes or merely collateral damage? DI Tanner has to solve this case before it is too late.

Although the book seems to be slow-paced in the beginning, it rapidly picks up momentum and keeps the readers guessing. The element of surprise has been retained throughout the machination without ruining the reader's enjoyment of the suspense. DI Tanner's brilliance, experience, attention to detail, and analytical inferences finally bring an end to this fiasco, but with some casualties along the way.

A well-recommended series for all crime lovers and I am already signed up for the next one. Keep going David Blake and keep your fans engaged in many more riveting thrillers featuring DI Tanner.
Profile Image for Ian .
122 reviews3 followers
April 30, 2022
My initial reaction to the title was that I wasn't going to like this book. I have no reason to feel that way other than the strange title. I have very much enjoyed the DI Tanner series so I just had to put the title out of my mind. That said I think I was predisposed to think negatively about this book.
I have followed John Tanner through the trials & tribulations of his personal life & career & at least initially everything seemed too settled & happy for it to be a true DI Tanner tale. That soon changes & Tanner finds himself facing a number of challenges not least in his personal life. He does seem to have a problem when building relationships & this book continues the theme.
As this series goes I have to say that this would not come close to being my favourite. Perhaps my reaction to the title coloured my view more than I thought! That said I didn't find the crime & storyline to the usual high standards I expect from David Blake. I didn't find the 'baddie' very believable. It would also seem that Tanner's colleagues keep running into trouble just when the reader is getting to know them. The writing does build the regular characters & relationships very well & this for me makes this book OK. I'm less impressed by the actual storyline which I find far fetched on this occasion.
However, overall a good read with the twists & turns of the plot & the ongoing relationships enough to keep the interest going. The later developments in Tanner's life elude to yet another lifestyle & possible career change in the next book. Will I like the new changing version of John Tanner? Only time & reading the next book will tell.
548 reviews3 followers
July 13, 2022
I’d read books by David Blake before and liked them. This one is pretty recent. DI Tanner is an attractive character, flawed but not irritating, with just enough weaknesses and strengths to make him realistic. As usual, the geography of the Norfolk Broads is beautifully described as are the internal police station politics that play an important part of the narrative. There’s a touch of humour and a tolerable hint of romance, making a nicely balanced, enjoyable read. And, the twist at the end of the book is nicely done -- maybe a touch iffy on the credibility front but pretty clever all the same.

The book begins in a creepy, crumbling mansion in a remote setting on the Broads. The new owner inherited the estate and came to examine the place prior to restoration. Soon after arrival he sees an intruder coming at him with a knife and shoots him with a shotgun. Then he calls the police to report the incident. DI Tanner investigates and speaks with the owner, who seems to fear he may be arrested, however, things get complicated when the body of the victim can’t be found despite lots of blood. They get even creepier when an intoxicated homeless man swears he saw the shooting but that the victim got up and walked away and vanished.

Additional complications include the body of a young reporter found with a face contorted by fear, an escaped murderer from a nearby mental hospital, other red herrings and distractions. Some think it almost qualifies as a cozy but I think it’s more gripping and thrilling than that. It was definitely worth my time.
15 reviews
September 18, 2025
Still in the middle of this audiobook, great narration by the way. Overall the plots are amusing.

Getting a little tired of the consistent lack of professionalism of most of the police force: I am amazed how none of them have been hauled to HR yet. In my experience, not saying "good morning" is cause enough, let alone all that smirking and screaming going on!!

I am not sure I understand how being the SIO still requires asking permission of a superior for doing anything? It's getting a bit tiring to hear officers berated for not being in the office during an investigation (yes you, Forrester and Whittaker).....yes, I know the author can write whatever they want!

Some editorial oversight would be helpful: "smirk" is overused, and the thesaurus should be put away. Note sure that objections can come skulking in one's mind (Chapter 56)?

Tanner started off rather sympathetic in the series but is getting to be a bit annoying....if set around 2022, are men still so ignorant of how kitchens and cooking work? Why is he so rude to people in general now?
22 reviews
December 4, 2022
Another interesting ride!

A few previous reviewers have downgraded the stars given because they were unhappy with the accuracy of the police prodecures within the story.
I agree with them, in the same way I would agree with them if they were reviewing episodes of Columbo or Sherlock Holmes. But for me, the procedural parts, clearly not accurate, are incidental to the desire I have to find out who did what to whom, how and why.
Yes, some of the chapters do jar a little as they're a bit out of place and the same with some of the dialogue, but the stories move on quickly enough for me to overlook these occasions.
Overall, I've read all of the books in this series so far, and enjoyed them all.
303 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2022
As always, a fantastic read!

What a great book! I was so immersed in it, I didn't move from my chair for hours! All the while trying to figure out, unsuccessfully I might add, who done it! Turns out there was more than one in this instance! But I can't tell you any of the gory details, what would be the fun in that. Of you decide to read this book, but have not read any of the prior books in the series, I suggest you start from the beginning ! There is a wealth of information that helps with the development of all of the series. This one had all the twists and turns, a few surprises, and an outstanding plot line, and sub plot as well. David Blake is an amazing author!
Profile Image for Campbell, c.
92 reviews3 followers
May 13, 2022
From mental hospital to a plane

Yes ! an escaped mental patient takes the DI Tanner and the staff to great lengths to find the truth about three deaths and two youths disappearance .
Why would Superintendent Whittaker try so desperately to take over responsibility of the investigation. Personal family and twists of fate bring a boiling caldron of information to the forefront. Who isn’t who. And why dose it keep focusing on a man recently returned from South Africa and his decaying inheritance!
Great who done it ! Enjoy! Try to figure the truth out for yourself! Bet you can’t!
13 reviews
May 12, 2022
An amazing author

Anyone who loves Norfolk and a good mystery will get thoroughly lost in this series. Back in September 2020 when I first visited Norfolk these books were everywhere in the local shops. I found it great fun trying to find the spots mentioned. Now we have been three times and each place is recognised almost instantly along the rivers. You really feel as if you're there. But whether or not you're familiar with Norfolk David Blake will keep you mesmerised from the first page. Can't wait for the next one to come on sale.
28 reviews
May 28, 2022
Another cracker from David Blake.

As usual things start off innocuously enough for Tanner and the team with a random break and enter. But it doesn't take long for things to ramp up to a murder or two, kidnappings and all manner of confusion before reaching the peak of intrigue and excitement and, once again finishing with an open ending which begs your attention and immediate downloading of the next book. Can't wait!
832 reviews5 followers
June 10, 2023
Very Satisfying Ending!

As always, Blake's books are a joy to read. Why does Tanner always have to fight his supervisors to do his job properly??? What is going on with Christine and how does he remain hanging in with her? What's with all the murders and the escaped psychopath? These things I understand...but how does the mistaken identity and the respective fingerprints work? I still can't get my head around those! What am I missing??? On to the next...
8 reviews
June 27, 2023
He's done it again.

Twists and turns. False leads. And a touch of romance.
Another once you've started, you've got to finish.
Riveting plots with descriptive narrative. I feel I'm standing next to him as the story unfolds, but can I beat Tanner to the correct solution? Only time will tell,and I'm not letting you know.
I really must get some sleep now, as I've got the next one lined up already!



Profile Image for Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs'.
2,781 reviews43 followers
May 16, 2025
I am currently binge listening as rate the narrator so highly I am listening to everything that he narrates I feel like. However this wasnt the best story it got better but I had to force myself to listen and whereas the others I just binge listen and continue this one I stopped and had to listen to other audio books instead.

I dont know what it is about the story but it just didnt engage me at all - it did get better towards the end.
496 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2022
Complicated but Interesting

There's a lot going on in this novel. It begins with a serial killer escaped from a police medical facility where he was serving a life sentence and being treated as a psychopath for murdering his parents. Dead bodies keep appearing and friends and relatives of police officers go missing. Well worth reading.
136 reviews
August 10, 2022
Excellent detective story with a very unusual twist.

Good to catch up with John Tanner, and the story is well written and unusual. Set in the wilds of Norfolk, complete with a crumbling mansion, three or four murders and a psychotic escaped prisoner, it made for a really good read.
45 reviews
August 10, 2022
A Good Old Fashion Mystery

A great read with a twist, you are reading the on going plot of a true British murder story.

When you think that know the bad guys a bunch more possibilities appear.

Even better, you are wrapped up the British culture and terminology

Read, learn and enjoy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews

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