Cold Dawn

by James Ellson

Against the rules, Manchester DCI Rick Castle removes a prisoner from Strangeways and returns to Nepal.

His aim: to bring to justice his nemesis Hant Khetan, rumoured to be the next Osama Bin Laden.

When the prisoner escapes, Rick and his small team must search for him along the paths of the Everest foothills. Trekking in the shadow of snow-capped mountains and through earthquake-flattened villages, Rick becomes increasingly desperate.

If they can’t find him, Rick can’t even begin...

372 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2022

About the author

James Ellson was a police officer in the UK for 15 years, starting in London and finishing as a Detective Inspector at Moss Side in Manchester. When he left the police he started writing, and has been writing ever since.

James’s debut novel The Trail was published in 2020, and the sequel Cold Dawn in August 2022.

He also writes short stories, and was runner up in the 2021 Bay Tales Christmas short story competition with Roisin's Christmas Party. His story The Translator was published in a 2022 anthology (To Serve, Protect, and Write) of former police officers, now writers.

James is a keen climber and mountaineer, and has visited Nepal many times. In 2004 he climbed 6,812 metre Ama Dablam, and in 2008 soloed the Matterhorn. He lives in the Peak District with his wife, and manages their smallholding, which includes bees and an orchard.

Reviews

[ToriJaneReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely needed to have read the first book for a better understanding but overall not too hard to follow if you haven't read it.

[Surjit Parekh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts about James Ellson’s Cold Dawn weaves you in its web with the fine-threaded story and characters, delivering a final blow that will leave you shaken to your core and grasping at the threads. James Ellson’s police procedural thriller takes you in the enchanting and mystic of Nepal. Writer James Ellson’s story is skilfully written and well plotted which weaves in multiple threads, leading to a stellar climax packed with numerous twists that are as good as the first book. While the first one undoubtedly had a certain novelty to it, the sequel stands strong too, it intrigues and entertains. The story of James Ellson’s Cold Dawn begins with Against the rules, Manchester DCI Rick Castle removes a prisoner from Strangeways and returns to Nepal. His aim to bring to justice his nemesis Hant Khetan, rumoured to be the next Osama Bin Laden. When the prisoner escapes, Rick and his small team must search for him along the paths of the Everest foothills. Trekking in the shadow of snow-capped mountains and through earthquake-flattened villages, Rick becomes increasingly desperate. If they can’t find him, Rick can’t even begin. DCI Rick Castle is back in Nepal. Let the manhunts begin. Overall James Ellson’s Cold Dawn serves many twists and turns to keep you hooked throughout, A riveting climax held together by compelling ending. I would like to say a big big thank you to James Ellson and publishers Unbound Books for kindly sending me gifted copy for me to read and review this brilliant book.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Nick Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another absorbing read. Really enjoyed the second instalment of the DCI Castle series and his continued struggle to bring Hant Khetan to justice. Twists, turns and tension throughout.