"Corpse Road" by David Gatward

DCI Harry Grimm thought it would only be a short “loaned assignment” to the police force in Yorkshire. His life and career were in Bristol. But it’s looking increasingly like a longer “loan” is what’s happening. And more disturbing is that he’s finding himself increasingly liking the place and the new assignment. Even with that nasty boss, who’s resented him from the get-go. 

A new case comes along, and it’s a strange one. A woman in her mid-30s had gone camping on what the locals call Corpse Road, a popular camping area. It earned its name from a long-ago practice of the dead being transferred for burial. She’s been murdered, with the name “Stacy” carved into her forehead. And there’s not a speck of evidence anywhere to be found as to who the murderer might be.

 

David Gatward

It might be the husband; the couple were in the process of divorce. And the husband is borderline obnoxious and very easy to dislike. But then he disappears.

 

Corpse Road is the third of the DCI Harry Grimm series by British author David Gatward. And it’s an unusual crime story in that the reader knows more of what’s happening than the police investigation team – but not the identity of the killer. It’s a tricky thing to pull off, but Gatward does, and he does it well.

 

In addition to the DCI Harry Grimm series, Gatward has published children’s and teen fiction, taught creative writing sessions, worked as an editor, started a small publishing firm, and returned to writing when the COVID pandemic arrived. He grew up in the Cotswolds and Yorkshire in England (including the town for the setting of Grimm Up North), and he’s also lived in Lincolnshire and the Lake District.

 

Related:

 

Grimm Up North by David Gatward.

 

Best Served Cold by David Gatward. 

 

Some Thursday Readings

 

Murders for March – Jeremy Black at The Critic Magazine.

 

Edgar Allen Poe’s Bid to Become a Real-Life Crime Solver – Alex Hortis at CrimeReads.

 

Most countries have made little to no progress in returning Nazi-looted art, study finds – Carlie Porterfield at The Art Newspaper.

 

Poet Laura: Tea Journey – Michelle Rinaldi Ortega at Tweetspeak Poetry.

 

Porch Sittin’ – Brian Miller at A South Roane Agrarian.