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DCI Finnegan Yorkshire Crime #3
Vertigo Alley: Text K For Killer
People can’t simply vanish into thin air… can they?A missing hiker. A covert drugs operation. A ticking clock. And one seriously pissed off Detective Inspector!When an elderly hiker fails to return home, DCI Frank Finnegan assigns the task to his brightest officer— Detective Inspector Prisha Kumar. What initially turns out to be a missing persons case soon becomes far more baffling and suspicious.Meanwhile, DS Zac Stoker is on an undercover operation aimed at disrupting the importation of illicit drugs by sea. He's supposed to be a back-up. Another set of eyes and ears, helping an unwholesome character from Police Scotland. But he’s soon dragged into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.DCI Finnegan must manage his limited resources, cool frayed tempers, massage injured egos, and ultimately piece together two different deadly puzzles before it’s too late!With his superiors conspiring to put him out to pasture, can he catch a killer, bust a drugs ring, and end speculation about his retirement?Set in the rugged and atmospheric countryside of North Yorkshire, Vertigo Alley is Book 3 in the DCI Finnegan series.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 9, 2023
About the author
Ely North
22 books33 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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 16, 2025
Vertigo Alley takes Ely North’s coastal mystery series into darker territory, with a new case that quickly draws readers into a web of suspicion, betrayal, and half-buried secrets. The atmosphere is rich and compelling — the locations feel tangible, from the windswept backstreets to the claustrophobic corners where danger lurks. North writes with a sharp eye for setting, giving the novel a strong sense of place that grounds the action.
The plot itself starts with a solid hook and builds steadily, dropping hints and clues at regular intervals. While this makes the story easy to follow, it also makes the mystery less challenging — many of the key revelations can be guessed before they’re fully revealed. For seasoned mystery readers, this predictability might dull the suspense a little.
However, the book redeems itself with its final act. The twist at the end is clever, satisfying, and ties together the threads in a way that feels purposeful rather than forced. More importantly, it opens a door directly into the next installment, giving the series momentum and leaving you curious about what’s to come.
Overall, Vertigo Alley is a mixed experience: not as tightly plotted or surprising as it could be, but still a gripping read thanks to its atmosphere, pacing, and strong closing twist. For fans invested in the series, it’s worth reading — especially for the way it links forward into the next chapter of the story.
The plot itself starts with a solid hook and builds steadily, dropping hints and clues at regular intervals. While this makes the story easy to follow, it also makes the mystery less challenging — many of the key revelations can be guessed before they’re fully revealed. For seasoned mystery readers, this predictability might dull the suspense a little.
However, the book redeems itself with its final act. The twist at the end is clever, satisfying, and ties together the threads in a way that feels purposeful rather than forced. More importantly, it opens a door directly into the next installment, giving the series momentum and leaving you curious about what’s to come.
Overall, Vertigo Alley is a mixed experience: not as tightly plotted or surprising as it could be, but still a gripping read thanks to its atmosphere, pacing, and strong closing twist. For fans invested in the series, it’s worth reading — especially for the way it links forward into the next chapter of the story.
October 28, 2025
No3 is vertigo alley in the yorkshire crime series ( finnegan and fumar) have their hands full again. This is a follow on from book 2 partly and its a theme of these books. In this one we encounter missing persons ,undercover police and some clever work is needed by franks team to solve it (no spoilers). So get out and buy the book and ENJOY.
March 25, 2023
Vertigo Alley,the quest for a killer.
alan@thepipeshop.co.uk
Wow, what an end to a great book,had me pumped up the whole way, can't wait to read the next book and find out your real authors name.
alan@thepipeshop.co.uk
Wow, what an end to a great book,had me pumped up the whole way, can't wait to read the next book and find out your real authors name.
July 14, 2023
Lots of food coppers cases
As always good copper stuff in the fine English and Scottish tradition. Always good who done it that keeps you hanging until the end. Great cast and storyline
As always good copper stuff in the fine English and Scottish tradition. Always good who done it that keeps you hanging until the end. Great cast and storyline
July 23, 2024
Great read
Two investigations unknowingly linked. Very believable characters. Rolls along at the right pace. Couldn't put it down. Will definitely read some of the others in the series.
Two investigations unknowingly linked. Very believable characters. Rolls along at the right pace. Couldn't put it down. Will definitely read some of the others in the series.
February 6, 2025
Another Excellent Story
Another excellent story in the Yorkshire Crime Thriller series with all the usual characters. A great storyline that moved at a fast pace and an unexpected ending.Looking forward to reading more.
Another excellent story in the Yorkshire Crime Thriller series with all the usual characters. A great storyline that moved at a fast pace and an unexpected ending.Looking forward to reading more.
July 14, 2025
A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.
Frank and the team are investigating two missing persons. They are elderly and went hiking together.
These are enjoyable enough especially as I'm getting to know the characters more.
As with the first two I've read, it needs a good edit.
Frank and the team are investigating two missing persons. They are elderly and went hiking together.
These are enjoyable enough especially as I'm getting to know the characters more.
As with the first two I've read, it needs a good edit.
September 30, 2025
Two crimes
Tinnitus hands the reins to Prisha who turns a slovenly DS into a respected detective only for a mishap to occur. Zac gets converted and brings in a drug ring in the same area as the murders. Coincidence?
Tinnitus hands the reins to Prisha who turns a slovenly DS into a respected detective only for a mishap to occur. Zac gets converted and brings in a drug ring in the same area as the murders. Coincidence?
June 6, 2023
This is the third book in the series. All of them have been a very good read.
Happy to recommend these books to anyone who enjoys detective stories.
Happy to recommend these books to anyone who enjoys detective stories.
December 26, 2024
You are best to read this series of books in order. This is a great murder mystery with great locations & characters, so very difficult to put down.
February 1, 2025
I hope Cartright makes if after doing good with fhis latest case.
Beale was a pain poor Zak
I suspected Lewis as fhd top man
As Always a cracking story
Beale was a pain poor Zak
I suspected Lewis as fhd top man
As Always a cracking story
May 26, 2025
Enjoyed this one and Zac going undercover was brilliant, very funny in places.
September 30, 2025
My least favourite out of this series so far.
Almost unbelievable storyline and the character of the undercover cop was far too stereotyped.
Was waiting for a bombshell at the end.
Almost unbelievable storyline and the character of the undercover cop was far too stereotyped.
Was waiting for a bombshell at the end.
February 15, 2026
Another great read where two crimes intertwine ,good police procedures and story line .Love Frank and Zak is a steady person to the team .
February 7, 2024
3.5 stars. The best of the first three books. Good story line, all of the characters are in play, which makes the book much more engaging.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews