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DCI Finnegan Yorkshire Crime #1
Black Nab: Text M For Murder
They say bad things come in threes.Whitby’s DCI Frank Finnegan is starting to believe it.
An unsolved murder. Two missing schoolgirls. An unreliable witness.
THE MURDERSix months ago, Shirley Fox was found at the foot of Whitby’s 199 Steps. Murdered. No witnesses. No motive. No suspects. Finnegan never closed the case.He just hit a dead end.
THE GIRLSNow two schoolgirls are missing from Saltwick Bay. A remote beach. A sunny afternoon. A mother sunbathing yards away. Bored, and with no phones to distract them, the girls wander across the rocks towards Black Nab.
Then vanish.
THE WITNESSWhen the murdered woman’s husband offers up information about the missing girls, Finnegan should be relieved. But Dudley Fox is a shell of a man — drowning in grief, pills, and conversations with a dead wife. Is he the break Finnegan’s been praying for…Or a killer steering him away from the truth?
Two cases. One broken witness. And a copper who never says die.
Black Nab is Book 1 in this fast-paced, gritty Yorkshire thriller series set in Whitby. Laced with dry gallows humour and twists aplenty.
Start the DCI Finnegan series today.
An unsolved murder. Two missing schoolgirls. An unreliable witness.
THE MURDERSix months ago, Shirley Fox was found at the foot of Whitby’s 199 Steps. Murdered. No witnesses. No motive. No suspects. Finnegan never closed the case.He just hit a dead end.
THE GIRLSNow two schoolgirls are missing from Saltwick Bay. A remote beach. A sunny afternoon. A mother sunbathing yards away. Bored, and with no phones to distract them, the girls wander across the rocks towards Black Nab.
Then vanish.
THE WITNESSWhen the murdered woman’s husband offers up information about the missing girls, Finnegan should be relieved. But Dudley Fox is a shell of a man — drowning in grief, pills, and conversations with a dead wife. Is he the break Finnegan’s been praying for…Or a killer steering him away from the truth?
Two cases. One broken witness. And a copper who never says die.
Black Nab is Book 1 in this fast-paced, gritty Yorkshire thriller series set in Whitby. Laced with dry gallows humour and twists aplenty.
Start the DCI Finnegan series today.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2022
About the author
Ely North
21 books34 followersEly North writes British crime fiction the way his detectives drink—steadily, seriously, and with the occasional lapse in judgement.
He is the author of the DCI Finnegan Yorkshire Crime Thrillers and the DI Prisha Kumar Yorkshire Cold Case Mysteries, fast-paced police procedurals set in Whitby and across North Yorkshire. His books have amassed tens of millions of pages read on Kindle Unlimited, with readers across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Europe and beyond.
Ely writes about Whitby because it is the most beautiful and atmospheric place he knows—and he has never trusted anywhere that pretty.
At the centre of the DCI Finnegan series is Frank Finnegan—old, old-school, and not remotely bothered about either. Raised on The Sweeney and seventies cop shows, he still thinks Regan and Carter had the right idea about most things. Finnegan doesn't have much time for procedure, feelings or technology. He'd rather get on with the bit that matters—catching the bastards.
The setting matters almost as much as the murders. Whitby brings the harbour, the abbey, the 199 Steps, sea fret rolling in off the North Sea, cobbled streets, narrow alleys and hidden-away yards. Bodies are supplied courtesy of Ely. Readers have been known to follow the investigations on Google Maps, and a few have even booked holidays inspired by the books. None, so far, have been found unresponsive on the beach—touch wood.
Ely doesn't write cosy crime, but neither does he dwell on gore for the sake of it. He writes about coppers who are good at their jobs and bad at most other things, villains who believe they're the hero, and the kind of gallows humour that gets you through a twelve-hour shift—or a long-running series.
If you grew up with Taggart, Morse, Columbo, Heartbeat and The Professionals, and have spent the years since wondering where all the proper coppers went, you may just have found them.
When he isn't killing people on paper, Ely cooks. Badly, according to his wife. Enthusiastically, according to him. The cats—of which he has none—have refused to comment, as have his daughters, of which he has two.
He is the author of the DCI Finnegan Yorkshire Crime Thrillers and the DI Prisha Kumar Yorkshire Cold Case Mysteries, fast-paced police procedurals set in Whitby and across North Yorkshire. His books have amassed tens of millions of pages read on Kindle Unlimited, with readers across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Europe and beyond.
Ely writes about Whitby because it is the most beautiful and atmospheric place he knows—and he has never trusted anywhere that pretty.
At the centre of the DCI Finnegan series is Frank Finnegan—old, old-school, and not remotely bothered about either. Raised on The Sweeney and seventies cop shows, he still thinks Regan and Carter had the right idea about most things. Finnegan doesn't have much time for procedure, feelings or technology. He'd rather get on with the bit that matters—catching the bastards.
The setting matters almost as much as the murders. Whitby brings the harbour, the abbey, the 199 Steps, sea fret rolling in off the North Sea, cobbled streets, narrow alleys and hidden-away yards. Bodies are supplied courtesy of Ely. Readers have been known to follow the investigations on Google Maps, and a few have even booked holidays inspired by the books. None, so far, have been found unresponsive on the beach—touch wood.
Ely doesn't write cosy crime, but neither does he dwell on gore for the sake of it. He writes about coppers who are good at their jobs and bad at most other things, villains who believe they're the hero, and the kind of gallows humour that gets you through a twelve-hour shift—or a long-running series.
If you grew up with Taggart, Morse, Columbo, Heartbeat and The Professionals, and have spent the years since wondering where all the proper coppers went, you may just have found them.
When he isn't killing people on paper, Ely cooks. Badly, according to his wife. Enthusiastically, according to him. The cats—of which he has none—have refused to comment, as have his daughters, of which he has two.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
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August 24, 2022What a brilliant book, I loved DCI Frank Finnegan a good policeman and a great character, along with his team and a really brilliant story I couldn't put this down, and on top of that it's set in Yorkshire, I can't wait for the next book in the series.
December 17, 2025
Solid enough series starter set in Whitby. Ending leaves some aspects of the case still up in the air and I'm happy enough with the series to go back for more as long g as it doesn't get too silly.
August 17, 2025
Looking forward to book 2 in the series
October 31, 2024
The unsolved murder of a local woman.
A spate of armed robberies on petrol stations.
Two missing schoolgirls.
They say bad things come in threes, but this is challenging the resilience of battle-hardened Yorkshire copper, DCI Frank Finnegan.
With a new, and feisty, street-smart female officer joining his ranks, will it be the boost he needs to solve the crimes?
When the grieving husband of the murdered woman offers up vital information relating to the missing schoolgirls, things swiftly escalate.
Is he telling the truth, creating a diversion, or masking a dark secret?
I was sort of enjoying this book until the ending as it left the story unfinished. I hate that the author expects you to find out what happens when you buy the next book. I feel cheated. The grieving husband storyline felt unrealistic as well or is that revealed in the next book? Considering the title of the book relates to this and yet doesn't reveal an answer is very bad writing in my opinion. Sadly I'm now not interested enough to find out.
A spate of armed robberies on petrol stations.
Two missing schoolgirls.
They say bad things come in threes, but this is challenging the resilience of battle-hardened Yorkshire copper, DCI Frank Finnegan.
With a new, and feisty, street-smart female officer joining his ranks, will it be the boost he needs to solve the crimes?
When the grieving husband of the murdered woman offers up vital information relating to the missing schoolgirls, things swiftly escalate.
Is he telling the truth, creating a diversion, or masking a dark secret?
I was sort of enjoying this book until the ending as it left the story unfinished. I hate that the author expects you to find out what happens when you buy the next book. I feel cheated. The grieving husband storyline felt unrealistic as well or is that revealed in the next book? Considering the title of the book relates to this and yet doesn't reveal an answer is very bad writing in my opinion. Sadly I'm now not interested enough to find out.
October 23, 2022
Great copper story
Well written with plenty of twist and turns. Characters are well thought out and tell a good story. Good copper book
Well written with plenty of twist and turns. Characters are well thought out and tell a good story. Good copper book
December 6, 2023
A good page turner
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, pleased to know that some strings from this book continue in the next one. Can't wait to read it!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, pleased to know that some strings from this book continue in the next one. Can't wait to read it!
August 2, 2023
This book is written in the present tense, which is rather unusual for a crime drama, and it took a bit of getting used to. However the story was excellent and I really enjoyed it once I got into it. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Read
October 10, 2023What a fantastic book! I was gripped in the final chapters and already excited to start the 2nd DCI Finnegan book.
The plot was great, the characters are likeable and lots of humour built in through them.
The plot was great, the characters are likeable and lots of humour built in through them.
August 14, 2025
The book ended and I immediately wanted to pick up the sequel.
Black Nab – Text M for Murder is a sharply written crime mystery set against the brooding coastline and tight-knit communities of North Yorkshire. It follows a tangle of events sparked by a cryptic text message, a suspicious death, and a cast of characters whose lives are more interconnected than they seem. Ely North masterfully balances an intricate investigation with vivid sense-of-place, blending small-town secrets, local politics, and the kind of misdirection that keeps you second-guessing everyone.
The pacing is tight, the dialogue feels authentic, and the shifting perspectives draw you deeper into both the mystery and the characters’ personal stakes. Each chapter builds tension without resorting to gimmicks, and the final reveal is both clever and satisfying — making the central mystery feel earned.
The book ended and I immediately wanted to pick up the sequel.
Black Nab – Text M for Murder is a sharply written crime mystery set against the brooding coastline and tight-knit communities of North Yorkshire. It follows a tangle of events sparked by a cryptic text message, a suspicious death, and a cast of characters whose lives are more interconnected than they seem. Ely North masterfully balances an intricate investigation with vivid sense-of-place, blending small-town secrets, local politics, and the kind of misdirection that keeps you second-guessing everyone.
The pacing is tight, the dialogue feels authentic, and the shifting perspectives draw you deeper into both the mystery and the characters’ personal stakes. Each chapter builds tension without resorting to gimmicks, and the final reveal is both clever and satisfying — making the central mystery feel earned.
The book ended and I immediately wanted to pick up the sequel.
January 7, 2024
What works - This is a decent procedural with a good plot. The police work feels real, as does the less than perfect ending.
What doesn’t - Word usage and grammatical errors. The word is ‘kosher’ oh editors, not ‘kosha’. I read an article the other day about male writers and female characters. Although I’m guessing ‘Prisha’ is intended to be portrayed as capable, intense, smart and focused, as written she comes across as a know it all, obsessive and generally nasty bitch. Certainly not someone anyone wants as a partner since second guessing everyone is her specialty. I’ve known guys like that, so maybe it’s a reflection, hard to say but I do know she’s really an unpleasant character.
I have the first three books in a package, so I’m planning on trying book two, we’ll see if the characterization improves. Right now, I’ll give this an ok read and 3 stars.
What doesn’t - Word usage and grammatical errors. The word is ‘kosher’ oh editors, not ‘kosha’. I read an article the other day about male writers and female characters. Although I’m guessing ‘Prisha’ is intended to be portrayed as capable, intense, smart and focused, as written she comes across as a know it all, obsessive and generally nasty bitch. Certainly not someone anyone wants as a partner since second guessing everyone is her specialty. I’ve known guys like that, so maybe it’s a reflection, hard to say but I do know she’s really an unpleasant character.
I have the first three books in a package, so I’m planning on trying book two, we’ll see if the characterization improves. Right now, I’ll give this an ok read and 3 stars.
Read
October 4, 2026I picked up Black Nab mainly because it’s set in Whitby, having grown up on the Yorkshire coast myself, but I was gripped very quickly.
I loved recognising places like Whitby, Scarborough, York and Northallerton, and the little local details really added to it. Even phrases like “calm the farm” felt familiar.
The story kept me guessing, and by the end I was completely invested. Zac wasn’t the only one with tears. I’m saying no more than that because anything else would give too much away.
My only very local niggle: I’ve always been taught that it’s the North York Moors, not the North Yorkshire Moors. :-)
Far too many unanswered questions to leave it there, so I’m very glad I already have the next book ready to read.
I loved recognising places like Whitby, Scarborough, York and Northallerton, and the little local details really added to it. Even phrases like “calm the farm” felt familiar.
The story kept me guessing, and by the end I was completely invested. Zac wasn’t the only one with tears. I’m saying no more than that because anything else would give too much away.
My only very local niggle: I’ve always been taught that it’s the North York Moors, not the North Yorkshire Moors. :-)
Far too many unanswered questions to leave it there, so I’m very glad I already have the next book ready to read.
June 10, 2024
I was so disappointed. This book is written in a series of short, choppy sentences, entirely in the simple present tense, and completely devoid of engaging description. I wanted to like it, and could almost have forgiven the distracting writing, but when two female characters discussed a third having "shaved her vagina", I gave up. Honestly, if you are going to write about female characters and include anatomical details, it would be nice if you knew what you were writing about, or at very least took a moment to research. Here's a hint: the vagina is an internal part of a woman's anatomy, and no woman in the history of the world has ever shaved hers.
August 9, 2025
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Nathaniel Priestley
DCI Frank Finnegan has some challenges ahead, an unsolved murder, a spate of armed robberies and two missing schoolgirls but when the grieving husband of the murdered woman claims to have received a txt from his dead wife with information about the missing girls Frank will have to look closer, is he telling the truth? Or Hiding a darker secret?
Overall an enjoyable read.
A narrator can make or break a book for me but I’m please to say this narrator does a fabulous job.
Narrator: Nathaniel Priestley
DCI Frank Finnegan has some challenges ahead, an unsolved murder, a spate of armed robberies and two missing schoolgirls but when the grieving husband of the murdered woman claims to have received a txt from his dead wife with information about the missing girls Frank will have to look closer, is he telling the truth? Or Hiding a darker secret?
Overall an enjoyable read.
A narrator can make or break a book for me but I’m please to say this narrator does a fabulous job.
October 2, 2026
This was my first time reading a book by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last! I was hooked from the beginning. The story is fast paced, gritty and full of twists that kept me guessing right until the end.
I really enjoyed the Yorkshire setting and the characters, especially Finnegan. There’s plenty of suspense, mystery and just the right amount of dark humour throughout.
A brilliant start to the series and I’m already looking forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommended!
I really enjoyed the Yorkshire setting and the characters, especially Finnegan. There’s plenty of suspense, mystery and just the right amount of dark humour throughout.
A brilliant start to the series and I’m already looking forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommended!
December 9, 2024
I read through this very quickly . I didn't hate it I liked the main male character but frank but very quickly decided that prisha needed to be quiet more often and stop being a rude pain in the rear . The other characters were well rounded. Im guessing the author will fill it all out a bit more as the series moves on maybe with some descriptive scenery and a bit of thoughtful insite as this was too quick and with not much to think about but I did enjoy it
December 21, 2025
Sorry but the present tense writing style was very irritating and completely put me off this. The characters are badly portrayed and for the most part totally unlikeable. The DCI is a bad tempered tyrant not at all realistic and I had issues with his attitude from the get go. I stayed with it as it started off ok but I gradually lost more and more interest. After 200 pages I didn’t care anymore. Not for me. Won’t be reading any more of this author.
November 30, 2023
Please pay a proofreader
The punctuation, spelling, etc is all over the shop throughout the book. The characters are lazy copy-pastes. There is an overly generous helping of clumsy exposition in dialogue. (And kudos to the character who waxes her “vagina”. the curse of men writing women strikes again!)
The punctuation, spelling, etc is all over the shop throughout the book. The characters are lazy copy-pastes. There is an overly generous helping of clumsy exposition in dialogue. (And kudos to the character who waxes her “vagina”. the curse of men writing women strikes again!)
July 10, 2025
A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.
Frank Finnegan is a DCI based in Whitby. There has been a spate of robberies in petrol stations. His team also have a 6-month old murder hanging around them.
When two teenagers go missing, they become a priority.
I really enjoyed this. It could have done with a proofread or two but the errors weren't enough to put me off. I'm looking forward to reading the next.
Frank Finnegan is a DCI based in Whitby. There has been a spate of robberies in petrol stations. His team also have a 6-month old murder hanging around them.
When two teenagers go missing, they become a priority.
I really enjoyed this. It could have done with a proofread or two but the errors weren't enough to put me off. I'm looking forward to reading the next.
July 19, 2025
DCI Frank Finnegan oversees the cases from robberies, murder and now two teen girls come up missing. When the husband of a murdered woman thinks he knows what happened to the missing girls, not because he witnessed something but swears his wife told him via text messages. No Spoilers! I highly recommend this first book in the series and do plan on reading more.
July 20, 2025
I have never enjoyed a book written in present tense. I still don't. I really struggled with getting through it and as I didn't like the characters much (whom every one else seems to love) it simply was more of a strife to finish. Simply put, the plot and writing never tickled my senses, and that's a bad thing.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
August 1, 2025
A small seaside town detective, DCI Frank Finnegan is a good old school copper. He's in his later prime, happy marriage with a doting wife and has a wry sense of humor. It's pretty slow at first and seems like average small town detective but somehow along the way the cast and their chemistry just got me hooked. A good enjoyable read.
August 28, 2026
Excellent enjoyable read
A new author for me, and I will be definitely be reading more. I thoroughly enjoyed the start to this new series, barely putting my tablet down. Great character's and a story that keeps you wanting to read more, with humour interspersed throughout. Next book downloaded 👍
A new author for me, and I will be definitely be reading more. I thoroughly enjoyed the start to this new series, barely putting my tablet down. Great character's and a story that keeps you wanting to read more, with humour interspersed throughout. Next book downloaded 👍
September 19, 2024
I really wanted to like this book but only ending up finishing it because I wanted to know the ending, which was ultimately disappointing!
I couldn’t get on with the writing style so won’t be reading any more
I couldn’t get on with the writing style so won’t be reading any more
November 10, 2024
Excellent Story
An excellent story by Ely North set in the Whitby area. Lots of interesting characters and a great storyline. I feel that there may still be more to come with this case. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
An excellent story by Ely North set in the Whitby area. Lots of interesting characters and a great storyline. I feel that there may still be more to come with this case. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
November 21, 2024
I loved this book. Good plot, interesting characters and a fast pace that made it difficult to put down. I immediately started to read the next book in the series. So pleased I discovered this author.
January 16, 2025
A bit slow to the DCI Finnegan series but I'm glad I have found it. Loved the storyline in Book 1 and now that I've moved on to Book 2, I like the continuation of the charachters. So far, the stroyline of Frank and his team are positive and I'm looking forward to working my way through to the end of the series to date
April 19, 2025
Black Nab
Murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and contact with the murder victim from the other side. This story has it all.
As the Police work to solve the kidnapping of two girls, their first break through comes from the Widower of the murder victim!
Murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and contact with the murder victim from the other side. This story has it all.
As the Police work to solve the kidnapping of two girls, their first break through comes from the Widower of the murder victim!
August 29, 2025
A new author to me. As a (North) Yorkshire lass I absolutely loved the setting as I know the area well.
Great storyline and the characters were believable.
The audio book narration was perfect.
I'll look forward to the next book in the series.
Great storyline and the characters were believable.
The audio book narration was perfect.
I'll look forward to the next book in the series.
October 22, 2025
Black nab is the first in the d.c.i. finnegan series by ely north a new author for me. A local woman murdered, armed robberies, two schoolgirls vanish and are all connected. This is for frank and team to uncover the truth. So buy the book and really ENJOY.
November 17, 2025
Good story, I like the characters, but I feel that it ended too abruptly with too many loose ends and some weird events that needed an explanation. I feel that it is more like a serial than a stand alone novel. I am giving it the benefit of the doubt with four stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews