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DCI Craig Gillard #8
The Body on the Moor
You can never escape the past. Especially on the moors...
After the National Crime Agency cracks a major drug gang, junior barrister Julia McGann finds herself defending the violent enforcer Terrence Bonner. This high-profile case is a coup for her, but almost immediately things start to go wrong. Intruders break into her house and then a young girl turns up at her door with a horrifying story to tell.
Three months later, DCI Craig Gillard and his team struggle with the shocking murder of a much respected local headmaster, found dead in his own car. The baffling crime fills the newspapers but yields few clues. As Gillard sifts the evidence, a pair of blood-spattered gloves seems important.
Why were they used for both the murder, and for the burglary at Julia’s house? What secrets is the barrister hiding... and what happened on the Derbyshire Moors two decades ago that could be the key to these shocking events?
A story of deceit, vengeance and blackmail, bestseller Nick Louth will leave you reeling in this unputdownable, unpredictable crime thriller.
After the National Crime Agency cracks a major drug gang, junior barrister Julia McGann finds herself defending the violent enforcer Terrence Bonner. This high-profile case is a coup for her, but almost immediately things start to go wrong. Intruders break into her house and then a young girl turns up at her door with a horrifying story to tell.
Three months later, DCI Craig Gillard and his team struggle with the shocking murder of a much respected local headmaster, found dead in his own car. The baffling crime fills the newspapers but yields few clues. As Gillard sifts the evidence, a pair of blood-spattered gloves seems important.
Why were they used for both the murder, and for the burglary at Julia’s house? What secrets is the barrister hiding... and what happened on the Derbyshire Moors two decades ago that could be the key to these shocking events?
A story of deceit, vengeance and blackmail, bestseller Nick Louth will leave you reeling in this unputdownable, unpredictable crime thriller.
333 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2021
175 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Nick Louth
41 books294 followersNick Louth is a freelance journalist and author, based in Lincolnshire UK.
Before beginning writing fiction, he was a foreign correspondent for Reuters news agency, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times, MSN, and many financial magazines.
Before beginning writing fiction, he was a foreign correspondent for Reuters news agency, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times, MSN, and many financial magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
July 13, 2021
This is book 8 of the DCI Craig Gillard series and I have read them all, but it can definitely be read as a stand alone. Nick Louth continues to impress with his story arcs, he tries really hard (and succeeds) to mix it up.
What I liked about this book was that it was different to the usual police procedural/murder mystery stories where one or more people are killed, police follow the clues, some twists later and maybe a bit of suspense and voilá - the perpetrator is caught and banged up. It didn’t work like that in this book which is why I don’t want to say much about the plot.
This one is more about karma, impossible choices and how far you would go to protect your future and how blackmail doesn’t always pay.
Junior barrister Julia McGann finds herself dumped with an important but difficult to win case defending a brutal client who is almost certainly guilty of some brutal crimes. He is portrayed so well as a very frightening, intimidating man. But Julia will do her job. Until her life starts to spiral out of control. How did it come to this? The story jumps between the present and the recent past and you learn the shocking truth. This particular story has a lesser focus on the police detectives but rather puts the spotlight on the poor young barrister who was put through the wringer!
What I didn’t like about the book was …. well, nothing really it was a great story and I really enjoyed reading it. I don’t want to say any more but I will be interested to see what the author comes up with next. Many thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for providing a free copy of the book which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
4.5 stars rounded up.
What I liked about this book was that it was different to the usual police procedural/murder mystery stories where one or more people are killed, police follow the clues, some twists later and maybe a bit of suspense and voilá - the perpetrator is caught and banged up. It didn’t work like that in this book which is why I don’t want to say much about the plot.
This one is more about karma, impossible choices and how far you would go to protect your future and how blackmail doesn’t always pay.
Junior barrister Julia McGann finds herself dumped with an important but difficult to win case defending a brutal client who is almost certainly guilty of some brutal crimes. He is portrayed so well as a very frightening, intimidating man. But Julia will do her job. Until her life starts to spiral out of control. How did it come to this? The story jumps between the present and the recent past and you learn the shocking truth. This particular story has a lesser focus on the police detectives but rather puts the spotlight on the poor young barrister who was put through the wringer!
What I didn’t like about the book was …. well, nothing really it was a great story and I really enjoyed reading it. I don’t want to say any more but I will be interested to see what the author comes up with next. Many thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for providing a free copy of the book which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
4.5 stars rounded up.
November 15, 2021
I've read all the previous Gillard books - which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story-line of this book was far fetched. The main character Gillard to a back seat in this book which I found baffling.
February 6, 2023
I absolutely love this series, but this was so far-fetched that it crossed the line to the unbelievable. I highly doubt a professional barrister would make the choices that the lead character made in this book. The ending was shocking for this author. The story not really complete. I am hoping that somehow, this storyline is revisited in future books, especially as there is one vital clue still in the good old postal system.
August 9, 2021
Disappointed
A major disappointment, an uThiscnrealistic story line, A very disappointing ending, not worth wasting my time and money, I expected more from this author
A major disappointment, an uThiscnrealistic story line, A very disappointing ending, not worth wasting my time and money, I expected more from this author
October 7, 2021
I quite liked this book at the beginning, but lost interest half way through.
August 11, 2023
It might be me, but this book has a strange title. There is no moor in sight.... There is a body in a car and one in a prison. Julia is very stupid and makes a lot of mistakes, usually when she's drunk. The ending was very strange.
I'm sad this book didn't live up to the authors' reputation.
I'm sad this book didn't live up to the authors' reputation.
August 5, 2021
The Body on the Moor is the eighth instalment in the DCI Craig Gillard Crime Thrillers series. Junior barrister Julia McGann is like most junior members of the legal profession; she is everything from the errand girl to the one who gets all of the caseloads labelled as tedious and therefore unwanted by colleagues and superiors. This time, however, she has been handed an interesting but rather terrifying brief on a vicious and notorious gangster who is well known for doing more than just throwing his weight around. It isn't really any wonder she was landed with the case as the guy isn't someone you would enjoy spending any amount of time defending or talking to; he's intimidating and scary, and that's just for starters. Representing him could make or break Julia’s legal career, but she soon realises that it's unlikely she will win the case given her client's penchant for crime and illegality.
There's also the small matter of the evidence against him and she finds herself in financial difficulty leading her to make some really poor decisions that end up placing her life in danger. Her life begins to spiral and she has no idea what she can do to stop it. Will she live to tell the tale? Elsewhere, DCI Gillard is currently investigating the gruesome discovery of the body of a horrifically murdered local school headteacher. What is it that connects the arrested crime kingpin, the offed headmaster, the anxious barrister and a homeless teenage girl? This is a compelling and absorbing addition to the series in which a gritty and baffling case ensues. It's well written, moves apace and provides plenty of palpable tension and devilish twists in the tale to keep you feverishly depleting the page count. An adrenaline-pumping, action-packed yarn that gives you hours of entertainment and a few shocks along the way.
There's also the small matter of the evidence against him and she finds herself in financial difficulty leading her to make some really poor decisions that end up placing her life in danger. Her life begins to spiral and she has no idea what she can do to stop it. Will she live to tell the tale? Elsewhere, DCI Gillard is currently investigating the gruesome discovery of the body of a horrifically murdered local school headteacher. What is it that connects the arrested crime kingpin, the offed headmaster, the anxious barrister and a homeless teenage girl? This is a compelling and absorbing addition to the series in which a gritty and baffling case ensues. It's well written, moves apace and provides plenty of palpable tension and devilish twists in the tale to keep you feverishly depleting the page count. An adrenaline-pumping, action-packed yarn that gives you hours of entertainment and a few shocks along the way.
August 5, 2021
The Body on the Moor is the eighth book in the excellent DCI Craig Gillard series set in Surrey, England. As with all series, you get more out of them by reading in order, but these all work well as stand-alones, and this one more than most, as the focus is not on Gillard, but instead it features a new character, struggling barrister Julia McGann. I’d go so far as to recommend that if you haven’t read this author before, you could easily start with this one, because you can safely then go back and read the others without being spoiled (well apart from as to whether certain minor characters survive, that is.) This one is less of a police procedural, and more of an
exploration of the shades of grey between good and evil, with Gillard in the background as an observer.
Julia is facing the biggest case of her rather disappointing career, defending a coarse violent gangster arrested on multiple charges, including murder. She thinks this will finally gain her the respect of her firm, and some much-needed income, but things soon start going wrong for her and she is forced to make some dreadful choices. Adam Heath was the arrogant headmaster of an in demand school, with a sleazy personal history, but who could hate him enough to kill him? Gillard is involved in both cases, but how do they connect?
In a sea of formulaic police thrillers, this was a clever unpredictable mystery which reveals just enough with every turn to make you think you know what’s going on, only to twist the plot again. Julia was brilliantly drawn, torn between the demands of her position and her delicate middle-class sensibilities. I liked the evolution of the relationship with Dezzy but am not going to say any more as you really need to avoid spoilers for the full impact of this one, but will just suggest rereading the prologue after you get to the end. For Gillard fans, don’t worry, he still plays an important role, just not the lead, and his team also play their parts perfectly (especially my favourite character of this series, Rainy.) 4.5 rounded up for managing to surprise me once again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC. I am posting this review voluntarily. The Body on the Moor is published today.
exploration of the shades of grey between good and evil, with Gillard in the background as an observer.
Julia is facing the biggest case of her rather disappointing career, defending a coarse violent gangster arrested on multiple charges, including murder. She thinks this will finally gain her the respect of her firm, and some much-needed income, but things soon start going wrong for her and she is forced to make some dreadful choices. Adam Heath was the arrogant headmaster of an in demand school, with a sleazy personal history, but who could hate him enough to kill him? Gillard is involved in both cases, but how do they connect?
In a sea of formulaic police thrillers, this was a clever unpredictable mystery which reveals just enough with every turn to make you think you know what’s going on, only to twist the plot again. Julia was brilliantly drawn, torn between the demands of her position and her delicate middle-class sensibilities. I liked the evolution of the relationship with Dezzy but am not going to say any more as you really need to avoid spoilers for the full impact of this one, but will just suggest rereading the prologue after you get to the end. For Gillard fans, don’t worry, he still plays an important role, just not the lead, and his team also play their parts perfectly (especially my favourite character of this series, Rainy.) 4.5 rounded up for managing to surprise me once again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC. I am posting this review voluntarily. The Body on the Moor is published today.
July 25, 2021
I had enjoyed the two previous novels in this series so was eager to read this one but unfortunately it failed to live up to the previous ones. I enjoy the authors writing and the characters in this series but this time the story just didn’t grip me. I will not give up on either the author or the series as I am sure it is just a blip for me.
There are plenty of other positive reviews for this book so obviously just a personal feeling. I have other novels by this author that I plan to read very soon.
After the National Crime Agency cracks a major drug gang, junior barrister Julia McGann finds herself defending the violent enforcer Terrence Bonner. This high-profile case is a coup for her, but almost immediately things start to go wrong. Intruders break into her house and then a young girl turns up at her door with a horrifying story to tell.
Three months later, DCI Craig Gillard and his team struggle with the shocking murder of a much respected local headmaster, found dead in his own car. The baffling crime fills the newspapers but yields few clues. As Gillard sifts the evidence, a pair of blood-spattered gloves seems important.
Why were they used for both the murder, and for the burglary at Julia’s house? What secrets is the barrister hiding… and what happened on the Derbyshire Moors two decades ago that could be the key to these shocking events?
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
There are plenty of other positive reviews for this book so obviously just a personal feeling. I have other novels by this author that I plan to read very soon.
After the National Crime Agency cracks a major drug gang, junior barrister Julia McGann finds herself defending the violent enforcer Terrence Bonner. This high-profile case is a coup for her, but almost immediately things start to go wrong. Intruders break into her house and then a young girl turns up at her door with a horrifying story to tell.
Three months later, DCI Craig Gillard and his team struggle with the shocking murder of a much respected local headmaster, found dead in his own car. The baffling crime fills the newspapers but yields few clues. As Gillard sifts the evidence, a pair of blood-spattered gloves seems important.
Why were they used for both the murder, and for the burglary at Julia’s house? What secrets is the barrister hiding… and what happened on the Derbyshire Moors two decades ago that could be the key to these shocking events?
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2022
Did not like this at all.
I know its fiction but the storyline was too much for me. I have enjoyed the previous books in the series but this was hard to enjoy. No characters to.like, and having two normal.people act the way they did was a bit ridiculous. I also hated the ending.
I know its fiction but the storyline was too much for me. I have enjoyed the previous books in the series but this was hard to enjoy. No characters to.like, and having two normal.people act the way they did was a bit ridiculous. I also hated the ending.
November 28, 2022
Nope. I did not like this book at all.
First of all, the main character was supposed to be DCI Craig Gillard, who felt more like a very small side character. Not sure what the point was of this but I hated it.
Also, the whole ending was just pointless. Why go through all that trouble and then do that?
First of all, the main character was supposed to be DCI Craig Gillard, who felt more like a very small side character. Not sure what the point was of this but I hated it.
Also, the whole ending was just pointless. Why go through all that trouble and then do that?
May 1, 2022
The DCI hardly featured in this book in the series about him. The barrister and her friend, who were supposedly well-educated and worldly, behaved stupidly and unbelievably throughout the book.
Disappointing book in an otherwise good series.
Disappointing book in an otherwise good series.
November 15, 2021
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Canelo Crime for approving me for an ARC of this book.
After being approved for the ARC I also found an audio version so gave that a listen on my commute to work. I enjoyed Marston York’s narration as well as his ability to voice the different characters.
I always look forward to the latest Craig Gillard book from Nick Louth. I find his writing so easy to absorb and quickly get swept up into the investigation. This book was no exception! Whilst this is book eight in the series you can read each one as a standalone, Nick Louth gives the reader enough information from previous books without rehashing over every storyline.
This was slightly different to his usual method of story telling. Normally the reader is following along with Craig trying to solve the crime from start to finish, this time Craig Gillard wasn’t the central focus. Instead the story flicked between two different timelines told months apart. Don’t worry Craig is still running the investigation and up to his usual tricks but as a reader I felt I was slightly ahead of him on this one.
The story unfolded differently to usual crime reads and it was refreshing to see things from a different angle. I felt that Julia was in a tricky position and could understand her predicament. This story highlighted the depths of blackmail and how far someone would go to protect their future. I have to admit that I loved Dezzy. Whilst she was a rascal I loved her candid attitude and determination to look after herself. The friendship she had struck up with Julia was unusual and very strained at points but I felt she had come the furthest in growing up.
As always Nick Louth has some shocking moments up his sleeve and I felt he left the most shocking for the end. Without spoiling it I found myself shouting no at the book because whilst I could see what was going to happen, I didn’t want to believe it. This crime read will have you gripped and wanting more, I look forward to reading the next instalment of the series.
After being approved for the ARC I also found an audio version so gave that a listen on my commute to work. I enjoyed Marston York’s narration as well as his ability to voice the different characters.
I always look forward to the latest Craig Gillard book from Nick Louth. I find his writing so easy to absorb and quickly get swept up into the investigation. This book was no exception! Whilst this is book eight in the series you can read each one as a standalone, Nick Louth gives the reader enough information from previous books without rehashing over every storyline.
This was slightly different to his usual method of story telling. Normally the reader is following along with Craig trying to solve the crime from start to finish, this time Craig Gillard wasn’t the central focus. Instead the story flicked between two different timelines told months apart. Don’t worry Craig is still running the investigation and up to his usual tricks but as a reader I felt I was slightly ahead of him on this one.
The story unfolded differently to usual crime reads and it was refreshing to see things from a different angle. I felt that Julia was in a tricky position and could understand her predicament. This story highlighted the depths of blackmail and how far someone would go to protect their future. I have to admit that I loved Dezzy. Whilst she was a rascal I loved her candid attitude and determination to look after herself. The friendship she had struck up with Julia was unusual and very strained at points but I felt she had come the furthest in growing up.
As always Nick Louth has some shocking moments up his sleeve and I felt he left the most shocking for the end. Without spoiling it I found myself shouting no at the book because whilst I could see what was going to happen, I didn’t want to believe it. This crime read will have you gripped and wanting more, I look forward to reading the next instalment of the series.
November 11, 2021
Thrilling
August 16, 2021
As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot - there are plenty of reviews like that out there already!
I've read several other books in the "Gillard" series, but this book works just fine as a standalone.
Unlike the other books I've read so far, Gillard takes something of a back seat (which is a bit unusual for a series IMHO).
Being honest, I did not enjoy this one as much as the previous novels unfortunately, as I didn't think that the plot was very believable on the whole.
I found myself unsympathetic to the main character (Julia), and could not really understand her actions - she could have chosen to take an entirely different (legal) path out of her dilemma. Julia was both weak and strong at the same time, and I found her overall a rather confusing and unpleasant person.
Destiny was an interesting character - I felt some sympathy towards her horrible experiences of life, but at the same time some of her actions were deplorable!
Overall I felt a bit disappointed that justice wasn't done (in my opinion anyway), so am giving this 3 stars. I'll happily read further novels by Nick Louth though, as I've enjoyed all the others I've read so far.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions my own.
I've read several other books in the "Gillard" series, but this book works just fine as a standalone.
Unlike the other books I've read so far, Gillard takes something of a back seat (which is a bit unusual for a series IMHO).
Being honest, I did not enjoy this one as much as the previous novels unfortunately, as I didn't think that the plot was very believable on the whole.
I found myself unsympathetic to the main character (Julia), and could not really understand her actions - she could have chosen to take an entirely different (legal) path out of her dilemma. Julia was both weak and strong at the same time, and I found her overall a rather confusing and unpleasant person.
Destiny was an interesting character - I felt some sympathy towards her horrible experiences of life, but at the same time some of her actions were deplorable!
Overall I felt a bit disappointed that justice wasn't done (in my opinion anyway), so am giving this 3 stars. I'll happily read further novels by Nick Louth though, as I've enjoyed all the others I've read so far.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions my own.
December 2, 2022
I started reading Nick Loth’s DCI Craig Gillard series this year and was instantly taken with the characters and their development, storyline and the author’s ability to keep the plot realistic. That is until I read The Body on the Moor. Very disappointed in the plot and the direction it took. I had to stop reading at Chapter 19 when everything I predicted came to pass and kept unfolding in a frustratingly unrealistic manner. This story focused on a brand new character and less on DCI Gillard and crew and not in a good way. I do not recommend this novel and hope it is not your first DCI Gillard book. The narrator is excellent and masterfully keeps you engaged in the story, it is one reason why I kept listening. Start with any of the other books in the series and give this a miss.
December 1, 2023
Excruciatingly bad. So tired of the ridiculous decisions made by the character Julia, I skipped to the end to avoid anymore torturous nonsense. Have enjoyed the previous books, so have no idea where this one came from??!!
April 30, 2022
An extra star for the wonderful narration. I’ve been a fan of this series. Up ‘til now.
Oh dear, this was not good. First of all, DCI Gillard was barely in the book. Julia, the barrister in the center of the story, made so many wrong decisions - really stupid decisions that an educated woman should not be making - that it was painful to continue reading/listening. I just about packed it in and stopped but I was curious as to how it would end and I was sorry I had continued. The ending left a lot to be desired. So disappointing.
Oh dear, this was not good. First of all, DCI Gillard was barely in the book. Julia, the barrister in the center of the story, made so many wrong decisions - really stupid decisions that an educated woman should not be making - that it was painful to continue reading/listening. I just about packed it in and stopped but I was curious as to how it would end and I was sorry I had continued. The ending left a lot to be desired. So disappointing.
November 1, 2024
Thrilling!!!
March 1, 2022
My husband picked this up at a charity sale, otherwise I would not have read it. I have read one other book in this series, and I didn't like it. I didn't even manage to finish this one. There were no likeable characters. Also, this wasn't the traditional detective story I was expecting. This would be fine if you like this type of story, but I don't.
January 28, 2022
Nick lost it on this one. Gillard is shuffled off to the sidelines and instead the main character is perhaps the worlds most gullible and senseless lawyer. I got to the point of asking the author "you're not going down that hackneyed road" and gave up. I was forgiving in some of the questionable plot development in the other Guillard books but not this one. Skip it.
February 9, 2023
Plodded to a very unrealistic end
March 18, 2023
2*. I dnf’ed. this book. I just couldn’t connect with anyone. I was lost most of the time. My fault because I just couldn’t keep up with who anyone was.
September 8, 2023
weird and not completely believable twists
March 27, 2023
Spoilers ahead. As usual, since the 6th book, another out of the box plot.
Do not read this if you don't want the story spoiled.
The story comes at you from different POVs. One of the POVs is the murder of Adam Heath, a headmaster at a school. He is found decapitated while sitting in his car. Gillard and the Surrey police do their usual police protocol looking for physical clues, interviewing witnesses and digging into Heath's life to see if he has any enemies who might want to do away with him.
The second POV is that of a barrister (Julia McGann). She takes the case of a local criminal kingpin (Bonner) accused of multiple crimes. She tries to advise him to the best of her ability despite his hardheadedness and lack of acumen regarding finer points of the law.
Meanwhile someone has been camping out in Julia's backyard. It turns out to be a homeless street girl (Destiny), who has been through the foster system, ran away and got sold up the river as a child prostitute. She eventually escaped and is hiding out from her captors. Against her better judgement, Julia takes her in.
As the mystery unwinds, we find that Bonner was the head boss of Destiny's prostitute ring and she found Julia in order to persuade her to screw up Bonner's case so he could be incarcerated. Of course Julia refuses to do that.
So we get to the point where we connect Heath with Julia. It turns out that they had an affair while Heath was married and he was just stringing her along whereas he was the love of her life to her. She even had a miscarriage that left her unable to have children. One day in a drunken fugue with Destiny she said that she wishes Heath was dead (or that she could kill him, I can't remember). Destiny records this on her phone and then goes and kill Heath in order to get Julia to do her bidding. She blackmails Julia with the video. This is where I disagree even though I'm not a lawyer. I feel that the Julia should have gone straight to the cops, there is no reason that anyone sane would believe Destiny, video or not. Instead Julia "is forced" to do Destiny's bidding.
Anyway, without spoiling the rest of the story, the believability of the plot gets worse and worse, gets more farfetched. Nothing beyond this point makes sense.
Besides all of the above, I did not like the 2 POVs. I did not want to see anything from the criminal's POV. It spoiled any suspense factor. I get that the author wants to do something different but this isn't it. Not only are we spoiled of the mystery but frankly it's unbelievable. So it's just a 3 star for me.
Spoilers of what followed. Really don't read this unless you want the plot ending.
Julia agrees to kill Bonner. She shoots him. The police and ballistics accept this as a suicide. Destiny avoids getting captured. She naively allows Julia to lead her to her final death.
Do not read this if you don't want the story spoiled.
The story comes at you from different POVs. One of the POVs is the murder of Adam Heath, a headmaster at a school. He is found decapitated while sitting in his car. Gillard and the Surrey police do their usual police protocol looking for physical clues, interviewing witnesses and digging into Heath's life to see if he has any enemies who might want to do away with him.
The second POV is that of a barrister (Julia McGann). She takes the case of a local criminal kingpin (Bonner) accused of multiple crimes. She tries to advise him to the best of her ability despite his hardheadedness and lack of acumen regarding finer points of the law.
Meanwhile someone has been camping out in Julia's backyard. It turns out to be a homeless street girl (Destiny), who has been through the foster system, ran away and got sold up the river as a child prostitute. She eventually escaped and is hiding out from her captors. Against her better judgement, Julia takes her in.
As the mystery unwinds, we find that Bonner was the head boss of Destiny's prostitute ring and she found Julia in order to persuade her to screw up Bonner's case so he could be incarcerated. Of course Julia refuses to do that.
So we get to the point where we connect Heath with Julia. It turns out that they had an affair while Heath was married and he was just stringing her along whereas he was the love of her life to her. She even had a miscarriage that left her unable to have children. One day in a drunken fugue with Destiny she said that she wishes Heath was dead (or that she could kill him, I can't remember). Destiny records this on her phone and then goes and kill Heath in order to get Julia to do her bidding. She blackmails Julia with the video. This is where I disagree even though I'm not a lawyer. I feel that the Julia should have gone straight to the cops, there is no reason that anyone sane would believe Destiny, video or not. Instead Julia "is forced" to do Destiny's bidding.
Anyway, without spoiling the rest of the story, the believability of the plot gets worse and worse, gets more farfetched. Nothing beyond this point makes sense.
Besides all of the above, I did not like the 2 POVs. I did not want to see anything from the criminal's POV. It spoiled any suspense factor. I get that the author wants to do something different but this isn't it. Not only are we spoiled of the mystery but frankly it's unbelievable. So it's just a 3 star for me.
Spoilers of what followed. Really don't read this unless you want the plot ending.
Julia agrees to kill Bonner. She shoots him. The police and ballistics accept this as a suicide. Destiny avoids getting captured. She naively allows Julia to lead her to her final death.
December 5, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Canelo Crime for the electronic copy.
This is Book #8 in the DCI Craig Gallard series and I've read most of the previous ones, however, this one doesn't feature Craig, or his wife, as heavily as others - it has a main character, on which the plot turns, in Julia McGann - a junior barrister who, after the NCA had rounded-up a major drug gang, is assigned to defend the enforcer, Terrence Bonner..
Whilst preparing for the trial Julia is convinced she has an intruder on her property, she also loses her bag which results in a burglary at her home followed by a visit from a girl who had obviously been sleeping in her garden shed - but who knew her name and occupation. Destiny Flynn worms her way into Julia's home, telling her that her life is at risk should anyone know her whereabouts after absconding from a children's home.
Three months on from the NCA operation Craig is called to a murder where the victim is a local headmaster who had been decapitated in his car on his own driveway - only - his head is missing. Gradually his extra-curricular affairs begin to surface alongside detailed forensic analysis which tied the gloves worn by the killer were also worn in the burglary at Julia's house. What's the link between the two?
Then there's an extremely gruesome discovery......
I know this is a novel, but really some of the antics which Julia and her friend Rachel get up to are, well, too farcical for belief. This, for me, doesn't have a satisfactory ending - although obviously this might lead into the next book, which - by the way - I do hope Craig plays more of a major part in.
A little disappointed, though will still read the next one.
This is Book #8 in the DCI Craig Gallard series and I've read most of the previous ones, however, this one doesn't feature Craig, or his wife, as heavily as others - it has a main character, on which the plot turns, in Julia McGann - a junior barrister who, after the NCA had rounded-up a major drug gang, is assigned to defend the enforcer, Terrence Bonner..
Whilst preparing for the trial Julia is convinced she has an intruder on her property, she also loses her bag which results in a burglary at her home followed by a visit from a girl who had obviously been sleeping in her garden shed - but who knew her name and occupation. Destiny Flynn worms her way into Julia's home, telling her that her life is at risk should anyone know her whereabouts after absconding from a children's home.
Three months on from the NCA operation Craig is called to a murder where the victim is a local headmaster who had been decapitated in his car on his own driveway - only - his head is missing. Gradually his extra-curricular affairs begin to surface alongside detailed forensic analysis which tied the gloves worn by the killer were also worn in the burglary at Julia's house. What's the link between the two?
Then there's an extremely gruesome discovery......
I know this is a novel, but really some of the antics which Julia and her friend Rachel get up to are, well, too farcical for belief. This, for me, doesn't have a satisfactory ending - although obviously this might lead into the next book, which - by the way - I do hope Craig plays more of a major part in.
A little disappointed, though will still read the next one.
July 7, 2021
DCI Gillard has seen and heard some shocking things in his career but recently things have definitely gone up a notch. He's had to face a thug giving vent to what he plans to do to Craig's wife, Sam, when he's released from custody but even that paled into insignificance when he viewed the crime scene of a recently deceased headmaster murdered on his own driveway.
The career making case Julia McGann has been allocated is almost a no-win situation given the evidence discovered against her thuggish client. Almost immediately her life begins to spiral even more out of control than usual. When she finds herself on the receiving end of a personal crime and the ever escalating fear for her own safety Julia doesn't think things can get worse; how wrong she is.
Wow! This is the best DCI Craig Gillard book yet and they've all been excellent. I was gripped from the very beginning and even though, for the most part, the police had a supporting role the storyline revolved around what they could and couldn't do. Once again Gillard was a first class protagonist who dominated his parts of the book but wasn't as central to the outcome as usual. Without spoilers, I am sure this change will be absolutely essential to future outings and I can't wait to see what Nick Louth does next.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this excellent book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This can be read as a standalone and is brilliant as such but adds an extra level to the series which I loved.
The career making case Julia McGann has been allocated is almost a no-win situation given the evidence discovered against her thuggish client. Almost immediately her life begins to spiral even more out of control than usual. When she finds herself on the receiving end of a personal crime and the ever escalating fear for her own safety Julia doesn't think things can get worse; how wrong she is.
Wow! This is the best DCI Craig Gillard book yet and they've all been excellent. I was gripped from the very beginning and even though, for the most part, the police had a supporting role the storyline revolved around what they could and couldn't do. Once again Gillard was a first class protagonist who dominated his parts of the book but wasn't as central to the outcome as usual. Without spoilers, I am sure this change will be absolutely essential to future outings and I can't wait to see what Nick Louth does next.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this excellent book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This can be read as a standalone and is brilliant as such but adds an extra level to the series which I loved.
June 4, 2022
I had just finished Louth’s ‘The Bodies in Westgrave Hall’ when I started this book, which was written at about the same time. It’s good but not quite as good as Westgrave Hall. In both cases I was listening to the audiobook. ‘The Body on the Moor’ spends a bit more time with characters other than DCI Gillard, which is good for variety and character development.
In ‘The Body on the Moor” the National Crime Agency cracks a major drug gang giving troubled junior barrister Julia McGann a major career opportunity to defend a violent criminal enforcer Terrence Bonner. Immediately things start to go wrong. Intruders break into her house and then a young girl (Destiny) turns up at her door with a horrifying story to tell. Julia tries to do the right thing and help Destiny but she ends up in a situation that threatens both her career and her life because Destiny has killed her ex-boyfriend and has a video of a drunk Julia wishing her ex was dead and is using it as blackmail.
This set of events connects with the murder of a respected local headmaster found dead in his car and it seems that a certain pair of garden gloves is a factor in both deaths. The narrative delves into the connections between events months and even decades apart. It works pretty well and the characters are engaging but the decisions they make -- Julia in particular -- seem highly improbable.
Given the existing set of facts the ending is okay but it feels a bit flimsy. It was an enjoyable book but not Louth’s best.
In ‘The Body on the Moor” the National Crime Agency cracks a major drug gang giving troubled junior barrister Julia McGann a major career opportunity to defend a violent criminal enforcer Terrence Bonner. Immediately things start to go wrong. Intruders break into her house and then a young girl (Destiny) turns up at her door with a horrifying story to tell. Julia tries to do the right thing and help Destiny but she ends up in a situation that threatens both her career and her life because Destiny has killed her ex-boyfriend and has a video of a drunk Julia wishing her ex was dead and is using it as blackmail.
This set of events connects with the murder of a respected local headmaster found dead in his car and it seems that a certain pair of garden gloves is a factor in both deaths. The narrative delves into the connections between events months and even decades apart. It works pretty well and the characters are engaging but the decisions they make -- Julia in particular -- seem highly improbable.
Given the existing set of facts the ending is okay but it feels a bit flimsy. It was an enjoyable book but not Louth’s best.
July 11, 2021
The Body On the Moor is another absolutely page turner read in the DCI Craig Gillard series, although it can be read as a stand alone you’ll be rushing to read the others in this series.
Here we have Julia a put upon junior barrister finding herself in all kinds of trouble and danger when she is given the brief to defend a vicious major criminal. A head teacher who is murdered in a most terrible manner and a young homeless girl who links all this together in a very macabre way.
This time our wonderful DCI tends to take a back seat so the much of the story develops with out much input from Craig and his team, but when they do enter the fray the pages light up!
The story takes us from past to present but only in months not years and plays an integral part to its development. I did at times find myself shaking my head at Julia’s role but oh boy it left me open mouthed towards the end.
Gillard and team have their work cut out for them and as usual Craig’s intuition is spot on.
An ending I just didn’t see coming, a story that kept me up reading late into the night, and a rollercoaster I didn’t want to get off. Brilliant as usual with this very clever story teller.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Here we have Julia a put upon junior barrister finding herself in all kinds of trouble and danger when she is given the brief to defend a vicious major criminal. A head teacher who is murdered in a most terrible manner and a young homeless girl who links all this together in a very macabre way.
This time our wonderful DCI tends to take a back seat so the much of the story develops with out much input from Craig and his team, but when they do enter the fray the pages light up!
The story takes us from past to present but only in months not years and plays an integral part to its development. I did at times find myself shaking my head at Julia’s role but oh boy it left me open mouthed towards the end.
Gillard and team have their work cut out for them and as usual Craig’s intuition is spot on.
An ending I just didn’t see coming, a story that kept me up reading late into the night, and a rollercoaster I didn’t want to get off. Brilliant as usual with this very clever story teller.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
August 6, 2021
Junior barrister Julia McGann finds herself representing Terrence Bonner, a drug gang enforcer. What could potentially be a case to put her firmly on the map soon turns into a nightmare when her house is broken into and a young homeless girl turns up on her doorstep with an interesting tale to tell. Some time later, DCI Craig Gillard is investigating the brutal murder of a local headteacher. With little to act upon, there is one curious piece of evidence – a pair of gloves that appear to have been used in both the murder and the break in at Julia’s house.
The Body on the Moor is the eighth book in the Craig Gillard series and what a cracker it is! This is a bit different from the others in that Craig takes more of a back seat than he has in the previous books, much of this one focusing on barrister, Julia. I really liked this move as it was something I was not expecting and definitely kept me on my toes throughout!
It is not a spoiler to say that, due to the gloves connection, we know that the two storylines must converge at some point and I found myself trying to work out how. I hoped that this would not be some coincidental event like can often happen in crime fiction but I knew that this would not be the case with Nick Louth’s writing. What we find is a well-constructed plot which drip feeds you information so that you slowly see the big picture. There were several ‘Aha!’ moments where I began to realise where the plot was going.
Just when I thought I couldn’t like this book any more, we are hit with an ending that truly made me gasp. This twist was not something I expected and was a very fitting way to end the book. Again, Nick Louth has whetted my appetite for the next book in the series!
The Body on the Moor is the eighth book in the Craig Gillard series and what a cracker it is! This is a bit different from the others in that Craig takes more of a back seat than he has in the previous books, much of this one focusing on barrister, Julia. I really liked this move as it was something I was not expecting and definitely kept me on my toes throughout!
It is not a spoiler to say that, due to the gloves connection, we know that the two storylines must converge at some point and I found myself trying to work out how. I hoped that this would not be some coincidental event like can often happen in crime fiction but I knew that this would not be the case with Nick Louth’s writing. What we find is a well-constructed plot which drip feeds you information so that you slowly see the big picture. There were several ‘Aha!’ moments where I began to realise where the plot was going.
Just when I thought I couldn’t like this book any more, we are hit with an ending that truly made me gasp. This twist was not something I expected and was a very fitting way to end the book. Again, Nick Louth has whetted my appetite for the next book in the series!
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