This story struck a powerful emotional chord—profound, heartfelt, and deeply affecting. It opens with the tragic death of a young boy, Tyler Prasad, a moment that casts a long shadow over the narrative and deeply impacts the entire community. Set once again against the hauntingly atmospheric backdrop of the Yorkshire Fells, the landscape feels both serene and unsettling. That tranquility, however, is disrupted by the presence of a local grouse shoot and the imposing country estate, Patefield Grange, which becomes central to the unfolding mystery.

It was compelling to see the return of Leo Donovan and Shan Young. Their evolving partnership continues to be a highlight of the series. This installment delves further into their personal lives, especially Shan’s, with a subplot involving her and her partner Erin that is handled with great care and emotional nuance.

The pacing remains steady throughout, though the investigation itself unfolds at a deliberate, thoughtful pace. Donovan and Shan face mounting pressure as they navigate obstacles and race against time to uncover the truth. The plot is layered with unexpected twists, keeping the reader constantly guessing. A harrowing event late in the story significantly raises the stakes, bringing a sense of urgency and real danger that had me turning pages late into the night.

Once again, the author delivers a masterfully constructed mystery, blending emotional depth with a gripping plot. The moody, rural setting enhances the story's tension, while the chemistry between the lead detectives brings warmth and complexity. I’m already looking forward to the next chapter in this excellent series.

The first book I have read by this author but definitely not the last.Set in North Yorkshire fells the author conveys the beauty and also the harshness of the landscape and sets the background for a very good and well plotted crime novel. Leo and Shan are a team of different but compatible detectives investigating the death of a young man who is active in an ecological group campaigning to save the fells. The action is mainly based around a grouse shooting estate and the methods they use are well described. Alongside the investigation there are the events affecting both detectives lives which add to the overall enjoyment of the book. This is the second in a new series and I have already purchased the first and look forward to reading both that and any future books in the series.

4* Tragic and sad, but Shan and Leo see that justice is done.

Book 2 in this series can be read as a standalone, but if you were as vested as I was in finding out what happens to Luke after his disgusting behaviour and radicalisation in book 1, you'll want to read both back to back. There's no gap between the tales and this one starts really, really satisfyingly, and sadly for Leo and Ange, realistically. Thankfully they're a strong, united couple, they're both spouses and parents (not one or the other), and they're grown adults who have each other's back, and it was good to see such a positive relationship.

Back to the main storyline- Tyler never should've been killed. He sounded like one of life's good guys, an achiever without the need for fanfare, a decent person - son and activist - with lots to offer. His death was tragic but Shan and Leo didn't stop, despite being at death's door at one point, until they got their man. The tale, once again, was part police procedural and part family relationships that were breaking down. Kind of believable in Leo's case, but kind of irritating in Shan's, as she could and should have pulled up her big girl panties and faced Erin.

I devoured this and ended up bummed that at the end, there'll be a wait for book 3. This author is now firmly on my autobuy list wgere this duo of detectives is concerned.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books, for my reading pleasure.

This is a police procedural with substance. In addition to a murder mystery, Cath Staincliffe explores a number of themes including political activism, racism, fell farming and more. The lead characters have back stories and I like their interactions. The plotting is taut and fast paced and the hell of fire raging wild is almost palpable. There’s a real feeling for Yorkshire and enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. Enjoyed this.

This is a great police procedural with a strong Yorkshire Dales setting (though the precise locations are fictional). Shan and Leo both have their own demons to deal with, making them rounded and realistic characters. I learned more about shooting parties and looking after the land, as well as the wildlife on the moors and dales. I loved this book and definitely recommend it. I’ll be looking out for more in this series.

My second book in this series and I am so glad that it is indeed about solving a puzzle who killed Tyler, but also about lots of things that probably every reader comes across in the news every single day and how the need for equality, diversity, diversifying ecosystems or the ridicule and discomfort of these themes give us a chance to rethink what is important in life.

The author skillfully involves a wide variety of topics. Into this fast moving story. You become completely engrossed in the search for the perpetrator in the murder of the young student Tyler.

Fire on the Fells is a haunting and beautifully atmospheric read that pulls you deep into the wild, rugged heart of the Lake District. Cath Stancliffe delivers a suspenseful tale full of hidden tensions and layered characters,

The story blends mystery and emotional drama perfectly, with a slow-burn intensity that builds toward a gripping and satisfying climax. The landscape is so vividly drawn it feels like a character in its own right—moody, unpredictable, and breathtaking.

My only reason for holding back a fifth star is that a couple of the subplots could have used a touch more depth, but overall, this is a beautifully written and absorbing read. If you love character-driven mysteries set against evocative backdrops, Fire on the Fells should definitely be on your 2025 TBR list.

The first book I've read by this author and I was very impressed. I loved the writing style and the pacing was great, lots of red herrings and dead ends in the investigation and intriguing links between characters. I also enjoyed following the lives of the investigators. It was great to have police officers who weren't alcoholics or dysfunctional, but they did have some moral dilemmas to deal with which brough more interest to the story. They were relatable humans and I'd read more of this series to find out how their lives pan out. the book is peppered with fantastic descriptions of both people and landscapes that really brought the story to life. A fabulously engrossing read and my favourite crime book for a very long time!

As we meet DI Leo Donovan and DC Shan Young, Leo’s son, Luke, has just been imprisoned for a racially motivated attack, whilst Shan, sadly, has recently suffered a miscarriage.

On the work front they have to deal with the tragic case of 18 year old Tyler Prasad. Tyler was about to start Uni- an environmental activist, he’d been found brutally murdered whilst photographing wildlife on the fells. The area where his body was found is part of one of the big estates who host shooting parties.

The pursuit of the killer brings danger to everyone involved, not least from the blisteringly high temperatures causing wildfires across the fells. This particular event is described in great detail and is simply terrifying.

Set in the Yorkshire dales, this is a terrific read. Leo and Shan make an great pair, and we slowly get to hear more about their personal struggles alongside their latest case. The storyline itself featured some really interesting characters, and together with many false leads and some unexpected twists, this reader was gripped right the way through. I Iook forward to hearing more of Leo and Shan in the future. I hadn’t read the first in the series but it wasn’t a problem.

I really enjoyed this book, very well written with lovely descriptions of the fells , I could almost have been there. I’d not read the previous book featuring Leo and Shan but that didn’t matter at all this works very well as a stand alone novel. Interesting storyline and great characters.

Murder mystery set among the moors .Part of a series with interesting characters and a good storyline.

This is the second in the series of Leo Donovan and Shan Young as they investigate the murder of teenager Tyler who is found dead on the fells in ground that belongs to an estate that organises shooting parties.
Police procedurals have steadily incorporated officers with interesting character and complicated personal lives but in this book I felt that this had gone a bit too far and relegated the solving of the crime to a secondary interest in the book.
Surprisingly, despite the major traumas that had befallen Leo and Shan in the previous book , I did not feel I had missed out by not reading it. Maybe that is because the author gives us so much realistic details about these traumas and their effects on the officers . Leo and Shan are both very likeable and I felt for their sufferings from their personal life. They form a good investigative team largely unsupported by others in this rural setting and I was rooting for them to solve the crime. But there was not a huge amount of sleuthing to be done as a second murder quickly revealed the likely killer. The fire referred to in the title was described in terrifying detail that had the small of smoke in my nostrils. Otherwise the posh estate and it’s characters were described in rather cliched terms and I felt was a bit of a letdown in the story. So I had mixed feeling about this book. I liked reading about all the issues but could have done with some more surprises in the investigation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC

Two totally different detectives each with their own difficulties to face but can they put them to one side and concentrate on he murder of a young boy. Chan a young Chinese detective has recently had a miscarriage and Leo whose son has been sent to prison for a year after his father reported him. It is grouse shooting season and they are called to the moors when a young boy is found shot. The manor house where the shoot is being coordinated from seems to be the logical place to start but no one there is very helpful or truthful.
As suspects are narrowed down more deaths occour and are two detectives are led onto the moors for a final chase but soon have to flee for their lives as the suspect sets fire to tinder dry grass..........

Police procedural thriller set in the Yorkshire Dales - very good

Detectives Donovan and Young are called in to investigate the murder of a young man on the moors and this leads to a deadly confrontation as well as the fire of the title. I haven't read the previous book about these two detectives but all becomes clear as the book progresses. There are quite a few characters, reasonably well-developed and the plot moves along well, becoming a bit of a page-turner. There's a lot about the main two characters, their background and current relationships. as well plenty of description of the nature of the area. It's very good without being outstanding. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily..

Tyler Prasad is an eighteen year old lad. He loves the countryside and everything that goes with it.
He now lies dead on his beloved fells with his face shot to bits. Why and by whom?
There is a shooting party on the nearby estate and Detective Leo Donovan is convinced someone knows more than they are revealing..

Fire on the Fells is the second police procedural book featuring Detectives Donovan & Young.
Like its predecessor the book is as much about their personal lives as the crime they’re called upon to investigate - the murder of a young man who had come to join an eco-protest. There are no shortage of suspects including shooting party guests staying nearby at a country house retreat Patefield Grange.
With themes including climate change and baby loss Cath Staincliffe has written another enjoyable easy read, although I found the plot a little predictable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an ARC

Book two in this series featuring Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Young.

I really enjoyed the first book, although it's not essential to have read it before getting stuck into this one. The two detectives are likeable and relatable, with their own personal issues that cross over into their work on occasion, in this instance, the conviction of Leo's son for a racially motivated attack. The murder of an eighteen year old activist in the grounds of a hunting lodge takes the two onto the moors and into danger as the plot plays out brilliantly. The pace doesn't let up and neither does the tension!

3 .5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Cath Staincliffe and Joffe for an ARC in return for an honest review.

There were parts of this novel that I enjoyed - the setting which gave a strong sense of place, the solid police procedures and the twist towards the end. But overall I struggled with the writing style and found some of the family background of the investigative pair a bit overdone - and it's quite a cliche to have detectives with tortured backgrounds.

So whilst admiring parts, on the whole I didn't enjoy it as much as other detective series.

Fire on the Cells by Cath Staincliffe


This book is the second in the series and the continuing detective in the form of Shan and Leo.who are investigating the death this time investigating the death of an eco-protester.
Still set in the Yorkshire Dales which the author calls fells ( I thought that is mainly used for Cumbria ).
Whilst the murder is being investigated we are still finding out about the duo and their difficult back stories into their lives and this definitely adds to the mystery & drama of the book.
Full of intrigue and suspense and enjoyed the authors description of the area as well as the plotline.