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.

A truly gripping read, I’d not read the first book in the series and it didn’t detract from this story, however it has made me go in search of it!

This has an easy plot to follow, not too many characters to muddy the picture but nonetheless it kept you turning the pagers in eager anticipation of finding out the culprit followed by an exciting chase to apprehend him. There were also interesting back stories for both our detectives, heartbreaking and sympathetically written and true to life.

A thoroughly recommended 5* read

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

A good, solid police procedural that kept me interested. I enjoyed the setting and the characters were well drawn. Good team of Leo and Shan and I shall read more in the series.

This book was suspenseful, a pacey page-turner and a thrilling read! My mind is literally blown with that twist it was phenomenal!

The book was genuinely unputdownable and I can’t remember the last time I said that about a book! This plot oozed mystery and suspense it’s a perfect read for thrillers! I’d highly recommend this book!

This book certainly lived up to its name and tagline.

I hadn't read the previous book, but I didn't need to in order to be able to pick up and follow the dangling plot points that were littered throughout. The story itself covers the tragic death of a young man. The case quickly narrows down to an exclusive shooting estate, filled with the rich who consider the death an annoyance in that it messes with their time. The difference between the rich and the poor is explored here, and the way in which they regard the law.

About roughly half way through the story, the book takes a major twist and shift. Not only does it have some heart pumping, adrenaline filled moments, but it then moves into a part of a murder case that isn't often covered in these sort of thrillers.

The detectives and their families were all very well fleshed out, and their struggles captured with tact. The moments of softness, of stillness, were needed to counteract the drama of the rest of the story. Very enjoyable and likeable duo, I look forward to reading more with these characters and following the next stage of their journeys.

This is the first book I have read by this author but will not be the last.

This is the second in the series of Leo Donovan and Shan Young detective novels - the characters were new to me but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.

This case involves the murder of Tyler, an 18 year old environmental activist found dead on the moors following a brutal attack.

The attack took place on a shooting estate and the shooting party guests and estate staff are all potential witnesses or maybe perpetrators. As the case develops their secrets are uncovered but a motive for murder is more elusive.

Alongside the case both Shan and Leo are dealing with significant personal issues which threaten to derail their investigation.

I liked the detective team and the supporting characters and look forward to reading more about them in the future.

The second book in the Shan Young and Leo Donovan series finds them investigating the death of a young biracial environment photographer and protester.
As in The Fells, the first of this series, we see the police at work and as real people with everyday problems. (Leo's son Luke went to prison and Shan had a miscarriage in The Fells.) These problems continue to influence their lives in this book.
Fire on the Fells has a clever well planned plot with plenty of twists and turns as is usually the case with this author. It also has a fantastic finish about which I will say no more! Cath Staincliffe is one of my favourite authors for police procedurals and I can recommend any of her books if you're looking for a satisfying read. This is no exception.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I was slightly disappointed by this book. I found the writing style rather forced, and the characters seemed rather cliched. Some good descriptions of the area conjured up a real sense of place.

This is the second outing for detective duo Leo and Shan, this time investigating the death of a young eco-protester.
In her trademark fluent and richly descriptive style, the author explores the theme of exploitation of the Yorkshire Dales by wealthy, pleasure-seeking hunters. The difficult backstories of the two dedicated police officers are woven through the investigation. Perfect for fans of sombre, gritty police procedurals with a strong sense of place.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Upon publication, I will post this review on my blog and on GoodReads.

Leo and Shan are grieving as the second instalment of this series begins. Leo is numb following the incarceration of his son for hate crimes and Shan is similarly lost following a miscarriage. The murder of a young environmentalist brings another grieving family into the mix. The murder site is part of the grounds of a vanity hunting lodge and the contrast between the overdevelopment of the land by this business that enables entitled rich people to ‘hunt’ with ease and the love of nature by the victim makes an excellent but tragic point. The exploration of these ideas is woven adeptly into the mystery by Cath Staincliffe. ‘Fire on the Fels’ is a compelling police procedural with characters you will come to care about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for my copy of Fire on the Fens by Cath Staincliffe.
Another great story about DI Leo Donovan and DC Shan Young.
Set in the beautiful Yorkshire dales this story revolves around a young man Tyler Prasad.
He's been shot and left for dead on the edges of one of the big estates who are hosting shooting party.
Wrong place, wrong time or something much more sinister.

We find out the outcome of Leo's son's trial and the repercussions it has for him and Ange, including on the current case where an Eco-Activist is shot dead. I like Leo and Shan as a duo because Shan has as much input as Leo does despite her lower rank, and Leo listens to and respects her ideas. This book is set against a backdrop of lots of family issues, both for Leo and Shan, and for the suspects involved. Leo and Shan get caught up in a fire on the fells, and as always, the author describes the effects of that very well, and the feelings involved at the time and afterwards. It did test credibility though that people who were hurt in the fire seem to carry on as normal after with seemingly few problems, e.g. burnt hands forgotten about.
I always look forward to new books by Cath Staincliffe so was grateful to receive an ARC from NetGalley.

Summer can be murder, out on the sun-scorched Yorkshire Fells. No one loves the Fells like Tyler Prasad. An eighteen-year-old dreamer who came here to join an eco-protest. But Tyler’s past followed hot on his heels. Now Tyler lies dead in a ditch. His handsome face shot to pieces in a brutal attack that baffles Detective Leo Donovan! Great read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It had gripping suspense, murder, mystery, intriguing, action, and some shocking twists! The storyline was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I love Cath Staincliffe's books. This follows on from The Fells with a new case for police officers Leo Donovan and Shan Young. Leo is also dealing with a difficult and painful family situation regarding his son Luke, who was arrested at the end of the previous book having been drawn into far-right activism. Shan, too, has challenges to contend with in her relationship with Erin and the loss of their baby.

Here, Leo and Shan are investigating the horrifying death by shotgun of a young man, eighteen-year-old Tyler Prasad, while he is photographing wildlife up on the fells. Tyler's senseless death and its impact on those who love him remain at the core of the story.

The natural environment is also central, and those who fight to protect it, including Tyler and Leo's wife Ange. Cath Staincliffe does a brilliant job of rendering the beauty and danger of the landscape.

Great read.

A Gruesome Find..
The second outing in the Detectives Donovan and Young series and a sizzling summer on the Yorkshire Fells brings more than was bargained for when a gruesome find causes consternation for the team of law enforcers. A nearby country house retreat is a hive of grouse hunters- but, it appears, also a hive of secrets and the detectives soon have their work cut out as they hunt a killer. A haunting tale, well written with a propulsive plot and a cast of credible characters.