*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This took me a while to get into but I ended up really liking it! would recommend for sure

Part of a series of books but I read it as a standalone. Very descriptive with good character development.

"Ten years ago, DCI Oldroyd was the only person who could see the monster hiding behind Adam Blake’s charm. Oldroyd proved that Blake was a deadly serial killer, responsible for murdering many innocent people. Having vowed to take revenge on Oldroyd, on a crisp autumn morning Blake escapes from jail…"

This is the first book I've read featuring Chief Inspector Oldroyd, and even though it's #11 in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series, you don't need to have read the previous stories to understand how deeply disturbing Adam Blake's crimes were, and why Oldroyd has concerns about his escape from custody. AND! Although it appears at first that this is the main mystery in the book, things take a strange turn and Oldroyd has a completely different, yet connected series of crimes to solve.

I enjoyed Oldroyd and his team and how the crimes were connected. I'm going to look for the other novels in this series, since this was an enjoyable read.

I received a free audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

The Otley Murders by J.R. Ellis is a richly detailed and thoroughly engaging mystery that delivers on every front. With a strong sense of place and a cleverly constructed plot, Ellis draws readers into a layered investigation filled with intrigue, red herrings, and smart procedural work.

The depth of the story is one of its greatest strengths—every detail feels purposeful, and the pacing keeps the tension simmering without ever feeling rushed. The characters, especially the investigative team, are well-developed and bring both heart and intelligence to the unfolding case. As the mystery deepens, the reader is kept guessing, and the payoff is as satisfying as it is surprising.

Entertaining, atmospheric, and expertly plotted, The Otley Murders is a standout in the genre. J.R. Ellis has crafted a mystery that will satisfy seasoned crime readers and newcomers alike. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys intelligent, immersive, and compelling detective fiction.

I just couldn't get into this title. I wanted to like it, but it feels dry and stilted. Not sure if it was how it's read or just that I didn't connect with the characters and/or author.

J.R.Ellis is a mastermind when it comes to
plot twists! The twists and turns of this
story almost gave me whiplash. I did sort of guess who the killer was at the start but then throughout the book my prediction changed and then in the ending it actually was the person I originally suspected! I love a good guessing game and they kept me getting the whole way through. I will be adding more J.R.Ellis books to my library!
I struggled to listen to this narrator, and often got confused with which character was talking as there was little difference occasionally when switching dialogues.

I really enjoyed this! It's a murder mystery that really comes to life because of how locally specific it is. I absolutely loved the facts about Otley at the start of each chapter, and Ellis manages to paint a very vivid picture of the town. I also enjoyed that there was not just the murders, but also the escape of a prisoner to figure out - this added another layer to the narrative and made it way more interesting. It worked really well for me as an audiobook.

The Otley Murders is the eleventh book in J.R. Ellis’s Yorkshire Murder Mystery series, but it worked perfectly as a standalone. The engaging mystery and intriguing characters kept me hooked from beginning to end. I’m definitely planning to read more from the series. Michael Page’s narration brought the story to life brilliantly.

Thank you to NetGalley & Brilliance Audio for letting me read this ARC.

The latest in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series, this is another good solid read.

DCI Oldroyd had sent Adam Blake away for multiple murders over 10 years ago, and he has recently broken out of prison. He had threatened harm to Oldroyd and his family in the past, and this has Oldroyd on edge. When man is found murdered at the community arts theater, with the word Vindicta on his forehead, Oldroyd suspects Blake.

Steph and Oldroyd work the murder case, and it intensifies when a second body is found - with the same phrase inscribed on the body. Meanwhile, Andy is giving the job of figuring out how Adam Blake escaped - his first real opportunity to lead a case of his own. It was good to see the team working so well together.

I've read all of the books in the series, and like the atmospheric setting of the Yorkshire location, as well as the local dialect used. The pace is not quick, but measured and thoughtful. There are quite a few plot trails to follow with red herrings thrown in too, and a good plot twist in the second half of the book that I didn't see coming.

Oldroyd is out of sorts a little in this one, as he is worried about the risks to himself and his family. The writing still suffers from the same issue in all of the books - we hear often and from several different angles how clever Oldroyd is. But in many ways we only hear this rather than being shown that trait. It gets a little repetitive given the number of times we hear this. However, these are still good books to listen to or read.

I listened to this book, and enjoyed the narration. The narrator did an excellent job with the dialects, the pace and the general gloomy sense of the Yorkshire landscape.

The Otley Murders AUDIO by JR Ellis was a very entertaining trip to Yorkshire, accent and all. Years earlier, before computers, Detective Oldroyd connected a spree of murders committed by Adam Blake of elderly and well-to-do women who befriended him, changed their wills and died suddenly. He used multiple aliases and disguises. After being found guilty, he promised Oldroyd in open court that he would come for him. Now he has escaped from prison, in a well-planned operation, with what appeared to be inside help. At the same time a body was found in the Old Court House, which was now an arts center. Across the deceased’s forehead was the word, vindicta, in marker. There were no other clues. Is it a coincidence that Adam Blake has just escaped?

This book was full of great characters with a worthy mystery. The relationships between the police officers was solid, filled with respect and affection. The mystery was two-fold, which made it all the more intriguing. The pacing was perfect. It was an old fashioned English mystery.

Michale Page was the perfect reader, using the Yorkshire accents to perfection. Couldn’t have asked for better, he kept a calm tone even during times of high stress. I thoroughly enjoyed the listen.

I was invited to listen to The Otley Murders by Brilliance Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BrilliancePublishing #JREllis #TheOtleyMurders

The Otley Murders by J.R. Ellis
narrator, Michael Page
A Yorkshire Murder, Book 11
I have read most but not all of the books in this series and enjoyed them all, this one especially. I like DCI Oldroyd and his team and family too.
Especially Andy and Steph and it was nice to see Andy have his own case. I know he wants advancement but I would hate to see the two of them leave the team. I also enjoyed the twist although it was not really too much of a surprise. I appreciated the clue related to the Agatha Christie play The Mousetrap which is based on her story Three Blind Mice.
Narration by Michael Page was excellent as always and I love the Yorkshire accents. I also enjoyed the fact that the author uses the local dialect.

I enjoyed listening to the book being read to me. The narrator was very good, and read it well. Ideal for travelling. I always enjoy J R Ellis books and this was no exception. I did feel that there were too many side plots all happening at the same time. I would have preferred to have seen the Blake storyline expanded further than it was. It was a good listen and I am sure it will be a good read. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author goes gifting me the audio version.
This book was really good. I did not know this was part of a series, and I feel like I was missing some things due to the book kept talking about past events aka books, but I didn't feel completely lost while reading it. I loved that it was read by a male narrator. He did a really good job and I enjoyed how he read it. This was a good mystery thriller. The book kept me guessing and before I knew it the novel was done. I would read from this author again.

3.5 stars, rounded up
The Otley Murders is the 11th in the Jim Oldroyd series, a steady police procedural that takes place in Yorkshire. While part of a series, it works fine as a stand-alone.
Ten years ago, Jim put a romance scam/serial killer away. Now, he’s managed to escape from prison. He reaches out to Jim to tell him that he’s coming for him. Meanwhile, a dead body is found with the Latin word Vindicta written on its forehead; posed in the old courthouse jail cell.
This isn’t a fast paced story and at times, it does drag a little. But it’s well thought out. There’s a big twist at the halfway point. The book continues well after the murderer is caught, in another interesting development.
The characters of the police team are well developed. Part of my enjoyment with police procedurals is watching the team interact and it works well here.
Michael Page does a good job as the narrator.
My thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for an advance copy of the audiobook.

THE OTLEY MURDERS, AUDIOBOOK - A new to me author who reminds me of the writing style of Agatha Christie. An interesting book with good characters and story lines set at a good pace. I did not appreciate the last chapter, which was a lecture disguised as conversation between man and wife. It was delightful to hear infrequent use of mild cursing; no vulgar language. The narrator does an excellent job with his reading and the various characters. He is clear and easily understood. Narrator: Michael Page. Length: 8 hours and 26 minutes. Source: Netgalley. 4*

If you like your murder mysteries cozy but clever, with just enough menace to keep things interesting, this one’s worth a spot on your TBR. The characters are quirky in a good way, the setting is atmospheric and windswept, and the plot, while not shocking, unfolds at a satisfying pace. I especially liked how the personal lives of the investigators added some extra depth without distracting from the central case. The Orkney Murders by J.R. Ellis strikes a nice balance between traditional mystery and character-driven storytelling.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for mild language, mature themes, and crime-related content.

A fantastic book in the series. This book was read through Audio. The reader was fantastic. Reading the series in order does brings one to rely on each character’s personality and what they will bring to the story. Having the same consistent characters brings life to each book and draws you into the story as if you’re part of it.

“The Otley Murders” by J.R. Ellis was completely engaging. I was drawn in from the very start and couldn’t put it down. The pacing, the atmosphere, and the sense of mystery were perfectly crafted, and the narration brought the story to life in all the right ways.

I loved the intricate plot and the way the case unfolded. The characters felt authentic and layered, and the setting added a classic British crime vibe that worked so well on audio. Every chapter left me wanting more.

A solid 5 stars from me! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from J.R. Ellis.

DCI Oldroyd is investigating a murder at Otley when he hears that Adam Blake has escaped prison after ten years inside and who vows to seek revenge against the man who caught him. Can Oldroyd concentrate on his current case whilst being in 8n danger himself or will the pressure get to him?

Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Very good characters in this well paced murder mystery. Oldroyd and his team will work through the evidence and clues to solve the murders whilst others seek to recapture Blake.

JR Ellis’ latest installment of the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series, The Otley Murders, was fantastic.

Much like most modern police stations, many investigations took place in tandem in the book, and these diverse plot lines allowed for so many assumptions and red herrings to be thrown in to allow for dramatic plot twists and turns, that one is left guessing as to who did what until the end of the book.

A trigger warning should be noted that child abuse and neglect, self harm, and drug abuse are themes used in this mystery, but they are all used for a reason in the plot, and handled with respect.

This book’s plot advancement preyed on obvious assumptions that one would draw, given certain facts at the outset. This was a fabulous ploy, and left me shocked half-way through the book because of this.

Thank you So much to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing and Brilliance Audio for the brilliant Audio ARC!!!