Death on Dartmoor

It didn’t take me long to realize that “Death on Dartmoor” was the second book in a series: The D.I. Dan Hellier series. Which helped to explain why I had some difficulties sorting which characters belonged to D.I. Hellier’s Team, which didn’t, who reported to whom, and the like. I worked it all out eventually, but was still frustrated at times because of my lack of understanding of past events referenced in this book. Despite this, as I settled into Death on Dartmoor, I was delighted with the story and with the characters.
This is a murder mystery, but it’s also a story that is as much about developing the main characters as it is about solving murders. In Death on Dartmoor, D.I. Dan Hellier and his team tackle two cases. There is the headless and handless “Bodies in the Bog” case, and there is the death of a teenage boy as a result of taking tainted drugs. In both these endeavours, Hellier’s team is ably assisted by Detective Chief Inspector Oliver and members of other teams. Following in the footsteps of these dedicated detectives as they work their way through two complicated cases was a tense build-up to a surprising, and, sometimes heartbreaking, end. Ms. Steadman took us smoothly step by step through the ups and downs of both cases and kept me guessing to the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The parts of a book devoted to brain storming in the Incident Room can be rather dull if not done well. Instead, these meetings were full of really great moments between team members. When in serious mode, the team knows who is boss, but it doesn’t stop such comments as: Sally to Hellier” “It’s just a car, boss, get over it.” And, from one team member to another, referring to Hellier”s white board notes: “Another ‘mind-map’ I’ll bet. Why can’t we have a list” Like a normal team.” And: ...”adding to the growing epidemic of late-onset diabetes in the UK by providing yet more doughnuts, but he had one anyway...”. Light moments of stress relief for the over-worked detectives.
The characters are human. I quickly came to establish close bonds with several of them. We get to see their doubts, their frailties, their mistakes as well as their successes. We get a look into some of the team’s personal life, and I suspect and hope that as the series grows, we will become even more embroiled in what drives these characters. Team members are close and obviously dedicated to Dan and to each other. They do not hesitate of take action when one of their own is in danger, quite happily pry into each other’s lives, and don’t hesitate to poke fun at each other when the occasion arises. They are, quite frankly, a delightful bunch.
All in all, a murder mystery that takes us into some very dark places whilst providing us with both sadness and humour, and which left me wanting more. In many ways, it is a book that reminds me of Peter Grainer’s D.C. Smith series. I suspect that D.I. Hillier will become as much a favourite to me as is D.C.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloodhouse Books for providing an ARC of Death on Dartmoor in exchange for an honest review.

Today was my lucky day: I received Death on Dartmoor by Bernie Steadman which is the second book in the West Country Crime Mystery series starring DI Dan Hellier. I was just reviewing the first book in the series a week or so ago and absolutely loved it. I am 1/3 of the way through this second book and so far it is just as amazing as book one which sometimes is hard to do but it hasn’t disappointed yet. Unfortunately I have now finished the book and it ended just as great as it began. Ms Steadman is fast becoming one of my favorite writers and I am looking forward to more West Country mysteries. The characters stayed the same as in the first book which was nice because there was no need to change them. I never guessed the ending and was pleasantly surprised. I only have one question and that is why two of the sergeants are called the flowerpot men? Maybe a British phrase I haven’t come across previously. No matter, I happily will recommend this series to anyone who loves good mysteries. A 5 star rating as the first one. Thanks again to #NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of Death on Dartmoor, the second novel in the West Country series of police procedurals, featuring Exeter based DI Dan Hellier.

Dan and the team are wondering if they will be back to directing traffic for lack of work when a couple of headless bodies are found in a local bog. It is soon established that they are modern corpses so the hunt is on to identify them but progress is slow so when Ryan Carr, a local teenager they met on their last big case, dies of a drug overdose Dan and the team are asked to find the drug dealer.

I enjoyed Death on Dartmoor which is a very good police procedural but must admit that I found it slower and less absorbing than the previous novel, Death in the Woods. This is probably due to the nature of the crimes they are investigating as it is difficult to inject pace into an old murder where memories and records are harder to excavate and interest isn't as pointed. I liked the use of technology to help identify the bodies and while none of it is new to me, an avid documentary viewer, it will surprise many readers as being possible. The drugs case is different in that it requires a lot of surveillance and obtaining proof of intent to supply, never mind the charge of manslaughter the team hope to bring, so it is necessarily painstakingly laborious. Ms Steadman is excellent on the procedure and raises some valid points about the politics of drug supply and usage but I found it slow going as entertainment.

Dan Hellier is settling into life and work in Exeter after returning from the Met with a new girlfriend, a good team and an interesting job. He does, however, seem to be accident prone with casualties on almost every raid he undertakes even if they aren't his fault. I have no doubt that Ms Steadman has the official response correct but it doesn't ever make much sense to me with procedure ruling over common sense and results.

Death on Dartmoor is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Another DI Dan Hellier book, good read with lots of twists and turns. Kept me wanting to read to the end! Can’t wait till the next book arrives.

I was drawn to this book on NetGalley by the Dartmoor setting and thoroughly enjoyed the local flavour of the novel. I'll be thinking of those bodies in the bog next time I'm in Princetown! Although I hadn't read the first book in the West Country Crime Mystery series I was able to pick up the story easily and it worked well as a standalone novel. The characters were well realised and the plot was nicely paced. The focus was rather more on the second of Dan Hellier's cases than the 'boggies' themselves (with a rather convenient coincidence, perhaps, to tie the two together) but this provided more of a sense of urgency for the team than the cold case alone would have done. I would definitely look out for other books in the same series having read this one.

Loved the fast action and the unfolding of the story. Mix that with a pretty accurate tour around the stomping grounds of my youth, for me, the best read of the year so far.

Death on Dartmoor is an excellent British police procedural.  DI Hellier and his team are three dimensional, the differences in their personalities, talents and approaches making for a realistic investigation.  They have lives beyond their jobs. The cases they are faced with are daunting. In the one, they have a pair of teens, one dead, one severely injured from the use of badly made “legal” highs.  Finding the seller and the maker of the drugs before someone else is killed is a necessity. They are also tasked with finding the identities of two headless, handless corpses as well as their killer - a case made all the more difficult by the state of decay.  


Death on Dartmoor is appealing because it combines a complex plot with a very human set of investigators and supporting characters.  It makes for a solid addition to the genre.


4 / 5


I received a copy of Death on Dartmoor from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

Death on Dartmoor is the second book in the DI Dan Hellier series and I'm glad yo say that it is an improvement on the first book in the series.

This time two old headless bodies are found on Dartmoor whilst a teenager dies after taking drugs. So two separate investigations that surely have no link?

The story moves on at a pace whilst developing the main characters who all seem to get a lot of air time which is a good thing.

The storyline and writing are better this time around and I am glad that I continued to read this series

Reading Death on Dartmoor AFTER the first book is a good idea. As after reading it, I then understood some of the comments and attitudes in this second book better. While some things are alluded to, they aren't explained enough to explain the current reactions in book 2. Some of the same characters from the first investigation, come back in book 2, which leads to a more realistic small town feel for the story. Dan's team has now settled in with him, and his 'modern' ways (mind maps instead of traditional columns on their white boards), and have a grudging respect for him, due to his heroics in the first book. In this book what appears to be a very cold case suddenly turns into a case of 6 degrees of separation, and how well do we really know our associates. It's another page turner, that will have you wondering who really knew what, and when, and then wondering how you missed the clues! I read this one in 2 sittings, only because I had to, otherwise I would have devoured it in one sitting too!

A nice well written crime, 2 seemingly unrelated cases to be solved, and, as you would expect, there are coincidences and links that bring the whole thing together. Well worth checking out this and the rest of the series.

Death on Dartmoor is the second in the West Country crime series that once again sees DI Dan Hillier and his team try to solve not one but two cases.
The team are slowly getting over the recent events that occurred during the investigations into the murder of Carly Braithwaite when they are called to the moors after two headless bodies are discovered by an amateur archaeologist. When it is found that the hands are also missing, Dan just knows that this is going to be anything but easy and straightforward. Without any means to identify the bodies he enlists the help of Dr Neil Pargeter and his team of archaeologists from the local university to use various scientific methods to narrow down the search area and dates of missing persons.
If that investigation isn’t enough they soon find themselves being tasked with investigation the death and near death of two students from drug overdoses. Dan has come across the two boys before when they had discovered the boy of their classmate in the woods. This investigation is tricky as Dan is determined not to make any mistakes this time and he also has to deal with the families who are hell bent on finding out who supplied the drugs and pass out their own form of justice. You can feel the frustration as they think they are getting nowhere fast and running out of time. Things get a little more complicated when it looks like the family of an old school friend of Dan’s girlfriend may be caught up in it all in some way.
As the two investigations progress you get to learn a little more about Dan and his team and the fact that they have now seem to have found a rhythm to their work and banter. This is only hampered by the fact that after the previous case they are still without a DCI and all investigations are being overseen by the Chief Superintendent.
What I liked most about this book is that although there still seems to be a lot going on with the two cases, it is not as chaotic and full on as the first in the series. The author seems to have taken more time to flesh out the characters in the team and you get to see them interacting a bit more outside the “office” and learn a little of some of the personal lives. Whilst some may think this is not exactly necessary for the story, for me, making them a little more human helps me connect with them and care about the outcome of the investigations.
Death on Dartmoor although part of a series, can be read quite easily as a stand-alone and is another great book by Bernie Steadman. I am looking forward to the next in the series to see what Dan and the team are faced with.

This is the second in the D I Hellier series. This time he has got two cases. Two bodies are found buried on the moors, they have had their heads and hands removed and two teenage boys are in hospital after taking illegal and very dangerous highs at a party. D I Hellier is still trying to prove himself. Once again I enjoyed this book and it was on par with the first in the series.
I would like to thank the author Bernie Steadman, Bloodhound books and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

Loved this second book in the series. Great characters ( love the flowerpot men) and teriffic plot, I couldn't ask for more - except another book soon please! This series and Bernie Steadman are becoming favourites with me very quickly.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of Death on Dartmoor which I highly recommend.

This is a truly good police procedural. It is astonishing, scary, more from my imagination, which is due to good writing. I appreciate Netgalley allowing me to read these new Authors, and their incredible books. I liked the characters, the depth of each character. This would make a fabulous Series on the BBC! The only thing I disagree with is, if no one bought drugs, then there would be no drug dealers! You can say all teens do it, however, that is not true! I find in every Western Civilization we are giving in to the liberals and allowing drugs, this is an insane policy! Look at Great Britain, look at Sweden, look at Chicago, and San Francisco! Drugs destroy lives. It is a great read, and yes I am in love with Dan!
I highly recommend! Thank you Netgalley! Enjoy!
http://carolintallahassee.WordPress.com

Death on Dartmoor by Bernie Steadman
A West Country Crime Mystery #2

Detective Inspector Dan Hellier is settling into life in Exeter after once being in the big city. He is making friends, has a love interest met in book one, is working well leading his team and is getting along with his superior. When a body is found in a bog the first question is whether or not it landed there long ago or more recently. With the assistance of a forensic archaeologist and pathologist determining the bodies not historically significant the hunt is on for the murderers. The team has few leads but perseveres only to have to set aside one case for another when drugs kill a youth in the community. With two cases now on his plate Dan is feeling a wee bit stretched as he and his team work hard following the letter of the law to uncover two mysteries.

This was an absorbing story that kept me interested not only in the cases but also engaged with the characters. I wanted to find out more about Dan and his girlfriend Claire, wondered if any of the others on the team might find romance, enjoyed observing Dan’s friendship begin with Neil (the archaeologist), wanted to find out who killed the bodies in the bog and wondered if the drug dealer/maker would be found and put out of business. The way all the pieces were gradually fitted into the overall puzzle was seamless and intriguing and also provided a surprise or two. I enjoyed seeing people I could relate to and might wish to have as friends learn and grow personally and professionally. And, I want to read more about them in the future.

Now, being from the USA originally and not all that conversant with the geography of England I decided to take a look at where Exeter (where Dan is stationed), Dartmoor (where the bodies are found) and Devon (the county Exeter is in) are located in relationship to London. Educational in more ways than one because I can now visualize where Ian and his team work and also might one day wish to go see some of the locations mentioned. Two other items I found of interest, as a non-Brit, were the rankings of police and the Flowerpot Men. Both were looked up and I now know that “The Flowerpot Men” was a television show on TV with…animated “men” made of flower pots. Since Bill and Ben are the names of the men on the team and also the names of the animated characters I now understand the reference. As for the police rankings…as I find myself reading more mysteries set in England I may write them down to refer to later ;)

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Will I read more books by this author? Definitely
Should you read book one first? Not necessarily but it would give background and a bit of context to Dan and his team.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Happy Publication Day! This is book number two in the west country crime mystery series. Better read in order like all series’s but does read okay as a standalone with a few references to the previous book.

This series is just getting better and better. I loved this one more than the first. Good to be back with the team and familiar characters. I was hooked from the start until the end. A real page turner that I lost myself in.

Brilliantly written and fast paced! I cannot wait for book three already… Highly recommend this series so far! One to keep your eye on. A well deserved four stars from me.

This is the second book in the West Country Crime Mystery series and is every bit as good as the first. The existing team led by DI Dan Hellier are back and need no introductions although there are a few new additions to get to know along the way and we get a little more insight into their personal lives. This time they are tackling two seemingly unrelated and complicated major crimes. The plots are clever and complex, keeping the pages turning at a pace to reach the gripping conclusion. This is already becoming a favourite series for me and one which I can definitely recommend.

After the excitement and chaos of the first case, Dan Hellier and his team may be forgiven for thinking that they could take things a little easier. When bones are discovered in a bog on Dartmoor, it seems as though this one could be handed straight to the cold case team. But confirmation that it's a recent skeleton, together with a teenage drug death from previously legal highs, sees the team' s resources stretched very thinly.

For only the second in the series, the characters are well-developed without becoming stereotypes. There is no side-tracking from the pace of the action into inter-personal relationships - everything remains relevant to the story.

This series is realistic without becoming sensationalist and gratuitously graphic.

I kept turning the pages, and can't wait to see what Dan and the team get up to next.

The bodies in the bog... 4 stars

DI Dan Hellier thought life in Devon would be quieter than his old job in the Met, but suddenly he finds he’s running two major cases simultaneously. First, enthusiastic amateur archaeologist Elspeth Price fulfils her lifetime ambition by discovering a body in one of Dartmoor’s bogs. But when the forensic expert checks it out, it turns out it’s two bodies and they’re fairly recent. And the fact that they have no heads or hands makes the deaths look a little suspicious! At the same time, some young lads buy some drugs to take at a party. The effect of the drugs is not what it should be though, and instead of getting high, the boys become seriously ill, and one dies. It’s up to Dan and his team to find who’s making and distributing the drugs before some other young person suffers the same fate...

This is a straight police procedural with an authentic feel to it. Dan is the main character but we get to know all of his team through the course of the book, including his superior officer. To my joy, they are likeable, professional and understand the need for teamwork – not a maverick to be seen! We get to know about Dan’s personal life and newish relationship with Claire, whom, as far as I gathered, he met during his last case; and we also get occasional glimpses into the lives of some of the other team members. But the vast majority of the book concentrates on the investigations and I can’t tell you how refreshing I find that after so many books where the crime comes a poor second to the traumas, addictions and abuses of the unrealistic detectives.

The bodies in the bog storyline provides the central mystery. Before they can start working on whodunit, first the team have to find out who the victims were. Steadman shows the painstaking process of checking old missing person reports, using forensic clues, and sifting through the many tips received from the public. The reader is given a clue early on about a connection the police don’t make till much later, which I found a little odd – it rather took away some of the surprise element at the end. However, on thinking back afterwards, I felt that again it made the thing feel more authentic – a sudden twist out of nowhere at the end can often leave me feeling that everything is just a little too convenient.

The second storyline, about the drugs, is less of a mystery. We know pretty quickly the main thrust of who’s running the operation, as do the police, so this part concentrates on how they go about getting the evidence to make charges. Occasionally I felt we got a little too much detail here – again authentic, but it perhaps slows the story down too much. However, there’s still a lot of interest in it, as Steadman shows how vulnerable people can be sucked into criminality against their will and then be unable to find a way out.

The story centres around an animal rescue centre where some of the major characters work, so just a quick reassurance to my fellow squeamish people – no animals are harmed in the making of this book. They’re not even put in peril, so I had no problems with reading about this aspect at all. In fact, there are a couple of fun scenes regarding one of the cats which brought a smile to my feline-loving heart.

The book is told in the third person, past tense, has, if I recall correctly, no swearing whatsoever, and although there is some fairly strong violence, it’s not gruesomely graphic and fits with the story. All of which proves, if proof were needed, that it’s perfectly possible to tell a gritty story without disgusting or offending your audience, or normalising language that would make a docker blush.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it would have undoubtedly got the full five stars from me had the pace not got bogged down from time to time by including a little too much detail on procedures. It’s somewhat gentler in style than much of contemporary crime, but far too gritty and realistic in plotting to fall into cosy territory, all of which works well for me. Dan is an excellent lead character, his team are likeable and well enough drawn to develop their own individuality, and there’s a good deal of gentle humour in their interactions which helps to lift the tone and keep the book entertaining. I shall certainly be looking forward to seeing how this series progresses.

NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Bloodhound Books.

Unidentified bodies, drug dealers, dead kids – just modern life at its finest in Exeter. And it’s up to the detective team of DCI Dan Hellier to ferret out the truth.

The plotting is intricate and thought-provoking. Of course, the cases all become connected. Well-intentioned hotheads, relatives of the drug-overdosed kids, do their best to get in the way, but Hellier and his team soon fix that. The book is an exemplary example of dogged police work and the research that goes into finding enough evidence to convict. No car chases, although weapons become involved – that’s also modern Britain these days.

Hellier has his own problems when it comes to drugs. His sister is in prison for addiction and dealing. Very few people know this; he hopes to keep it hidden. Good luck with that, Dan.

There is nothing earth-shattering or especially new in Steadman’s book (second in the series); it is, however, a fine example of a contemporary police procedural, one that readers should find hard to put down.

One final thought – “Thunderbirds are go!” Fans of old-fashioned Brit SciFi TV should love that that was thrown in as dialog.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

The second in this series and DI Dan Hellier has is still recovering physically and mentally from his previous case. He comes across as a thoroughly likeable person who is concerned about the welfare of the people he works with and is committed to his job. This time he has to run a missing persons case alongside with a drugs case. The threads that hold both together make for a satisfying read and while you might see it coming there is still a nice twist at the end.

A brilliant read. Bernie Steadman never fails to deliver. Highly recommend it. Thanks a million Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book.

I really enjoyed this book, the characters are great and after reading the 1st book in the series were quite familiar.
The storyline was believable and entertaining. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.