The Dark Yorkshire Series: Books 1-3

The DI Caslin Box Set

By: J M Dalgliesh

Narrated by: Greg Patmore

Length: 28 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Dark Yorkshire Series - fast-paced crime fiction stories featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.

The first three full-length books in this best-selling series are brought together for the first time in this great value set. 

DIVIDED HOUSE

The public face. A private reality. Sometimes, the dead have a lot to hide....

DI Nathaniel Caslin’s life is a mess. He works the minimum, abuses substances to survive the day, and drinks his nights away. A once-promising career is in freefall. 

Investigating the death of an ex-serviceman in police custody reveals the disappearance of a young family. No one noticed. No one seems to care. In the grip of a bitter Yorkshire winter, a family home reluctantly offers up its grisly secrets. Out on the moors, a murder scene of horrific brutality demands Caslin's focused attention. In the search for answers, is anyone who they claim to be?

Haunted by the ghosts of the past, Caslin is pushed to his limits. Will this case break him or be his path to redemption? 

BLACKLIGHT

Two women are missing. One who has it all. The other has lost everything....

DI Nathaniel Caslin is in conflict with his inner demons. His career is resurgent, but the greater battle, that with his addiction, is still raging...and he is losing.

An abandoned car and a desperate call to the police lead Caslin into the heart of two families where secrets and lies are a way of life. What links the fate of an MP's granddaughter and that of a recovering drug addict working in the sex trade?

Past horrors and personal scandals tag with the present as the tension mounts. Trust in those closest to him is brought into question as Caslin pursues a deadly adversary. Lives hang in the balance and all the while, the clock is ticking....

THE DOGS IN THE STREET

A murdered family man. A young woman tortured and set on fire. A face from the past....

DI Nathaniel Caslin is stable for the first time in years. Now he can look to the future, or so he thought. Granting a small favour to a friend can often be anything but simple....

When the only link between two apparently random murders appears to be an aging Catholic priest, Caslin is thrust into a world of long-buried secrets. Drawing unwanted attention from the intelligence services, he must consider if the man he once trusted above all others is now playing by his own rules. With professional killers circling, Caslin must face uncomfortable truths about those seeking redemption. Sometimes, justice is best served from the wrong side of the law.

With the net tightening, the level of threat increases. Will Caslin, along with those closest to him, be the last victims of a forgotten conflict?

Grab the first three books in this number one international best-selling series by J M Dalgliesh.

Begin your journey into the dark heart of UK crime fiction now.

ALSO AVAILABLE WITHIN THE SERIES

BLOOD MONEY - Dark Yorkshire, Book 4

FEAR THE PAST - Dark Yorkshire, Book 5

THE SIXTH PRECEPT - Dark Yorkshire, Book 6

©2018, 2019 J M Dalgliesh (P)2019 J M Dalgliesh

Nothing spectacular. A good value with the first 3

I was concerned at the beginning that I wasn't going to finish this. I see there are raving reviews...but I wasn't bowled over with this series. The narrator has some sort of nasally/loud breath reading style that is distracting. Once I got into the storyline, it bothered less but continued to be noticeable. By the end of book 1 and starting with book 2 I had bought into the story and began to care about the characters and what would happen next. But there's something missing. I don't know what it is or I would further explain.
I have recently been on a big British police procedural kick. Cormoran Strike is where it began (if you haven't read that series - you should. SO GOOD!) and then on to DC Smith who I also can't get enough of. In between I tried some other ones and they were also "ok" but there's something that separates the great "I can't wait for the next one" from the "when this is over I am not listening to more, unless I run out of ideas." The Caslin series is part of the later. I don't think I will be sad when it ends, like I am with those books that rate higher for me. It's cool how the author develops Caslin as a "rough around the edges" kind of detective - but it doesn't work completely. At times he comes off as 1 dimensional or unbelievable because he's so high and mighty while doing drugs and getting wasted. The way he flashes his morals and values doesn't line up with the other things. We all know people that have these internal conflicts but his are just...not quite convincing I guess. It's not a bad buy for the set, especially for a long trip or something. But if you are looking for the next great police drama there are some better picks with more engaging narration.

Dark Thriller

This is a well-written, British police procedural thriller with dark elements. I found the storyline to be both entertaining and engaging with many twists and turns. The main character, DI Nate Caslin, is complex; he doesn't have a black and white perspective, often walks on the grey path, and not following the rules. He is frequently late to work, drinks hard, and brawls even harder; he is definitely an interesting man. As the series progresses, his character becomes more rounded, giving the opinion of depth and growth.

The series is quite fascinating, set in York and the surrounding North Yorkshire countryside. J M Dalgliesh's writing is clear and descriptive, giving you a vivid account of the scenes. The idea of the box-set is excellent, it allows you to listen to three books, House, Blacklight, and The Dogs in the Street, back to back.

Outstanding narration by Greg Patmore. He does a brilliant job with the characters' personalities and distinct tones, particularly Nate's. He brought the stories to life. This was an enjoyable listen, and I strongly recommend it.

Great listen!!

This was a memorable listen. So many books/audios are forgotten or left behind, but this author, in perfect harmony, keeps the story moving and holds your attention all the way through. “The Narrator” FABULOUS. I can’t wait for their next audio.

Excellence

Three of the best written mysterious crime books I’ve ever read. These books are well written, full of suspense, and the characters well played. The writer and the narrator both did an excellent job very real I couldn’t put the box down all three of them. I would recommend these books to my family all of whom are grown and would love them.

Fantastic story telling! Kept me on edge!

I’m used to mysteries being predictable but still enjoy them. Not so with these! (Wait- I mean, not predictable- very enjoyable.)

Each book is just as good as the last! The narrator nailed the accents and the author provided an amazing amount of detail! I’m bothering my husband to listen to this series!

incoherent plots and overwritten climax

Apparently many liked this series. I fid not. The protagonist who carries us through this three book narrative, presented in the third person, to me, is not particularly likeable - he is stubborn, impatient, rude, and charmless. He falls down a lot, crashes into people, looses his phone, and stamps his foot. But he is doggedly persistent and gets his man in the end.

And the endings! Over-the-top action that surpasses drama and moves into farce, and became to me, in each of the three titles, laugh out loud funny.

Finally, the plots of each book seem vague. For example, in the last book,, some malevolent entity - IRA? MI5? - seems to be behind all the mystery and strange coverups, but, in my reading this was never at the end revealed or explained . After sitting through the whole thing I was never clear what happened. Maybe it is just me, but I couldn't make sense of it.

Terrific

It was awesome loved the Inspector and his crew narration was clear and precise looking forward to listening to book 4

Exciting, suspenseful , great characters!

Listening in my car I’ve become so involved, I’ve missed my turn off, gone too fast, and forgotten to stop for gas! I want more of this series!

Not one of my favourites.

This was a hard listen for me. I found the rather breathy narrator difficult to get used to and although he never really grew on me, he did bother me less after a while. The chief protagonist was difficult to like and the supporting cast thinly characterised. The plots also seemed ridiculously drama filled for the location concerned (it’s York, not New York after all!) On the plus side the box set represents good value for money and, if you can suspend your disbelief, the books have plenty of intrigue and “edge of the seat” scenes by way of excitement.

Personally I won’t be following the adventures into books 4-6.

Great series

Excellent police procedurals with lots of action and intrigue. Each book is a unique standalone however it’s best to listen to in sequence because of the developing backstory. Great narration.

Wow what a bargain

I hadn't read anything by J M Dalgliesh before but decided to take a chance mainly because the books are set in my home county of Yorkshire.

The protagonist, DI Nate Caslin, is an alcoholic drug addict with marital problems and I didn't like him very much to begin with. But as I listened he did grow on me, and after 3 books he was like an old friend!

The books are all very different and I feel they got better as the series progressed. They are fast paced and the storylines are complex but I could still follow them. I enjoyed them so much that I've bought the next three in the series.

I also really liked the laid back narration by Greg Patmore, who brought the books to life.

This set is an absolute bargain. Three books for one credit (can you tell I'm from Yorkshire? 😅). What are you waiting for.... get them now!

Great storyline - struggled with the narration

Being from this very area, it drew me to listen. I managed to make it past my initial distaste of a put-on Yorkshire accent that made it sound as though the hero was permanently drunk and half asleep. I really enjoyed all three stories, but to listen to more...? Hmm. Definitely not sure.

☺

This is my first audio book by J M Dalgliest & Greg Patmore it's very good i give it 5 out of 5

Awful narration

I was unable to listen to these audio books due to the narrators performance. He displayed no understanding for the material he was reading instead having an annoying halting style with stress and accent totally misconstruing the meaning of the narrative.
It is a shame that an adequate author is let down in this way

Greg Patmore brings DCI Caslin to life

I was looking for a new author and came across this series and I have now completed all 6 - without stopping!

The story keep me interested and excited and I warmed to Caslin slowly at first and then it was all I could do to find our what happened to him next.

Greg Pattemores narration has brought Caslin to life in my mind and although I think these books would be great for adapting on TV I don't think anyone could play him as well as the character that has been created for me by Greg.

Please JM Dalgliesh write book 7

Good but not brilliant

I read all three books and, on the whole, enjoyed them. However, while the stories are good and varied, there is a lack of details or depth to characters. Even the main detective changed from the first book to the third without any real explanation. I didn’t get any impression of how they looked, or their particular characteristics. I know this doesn’t matter to many readers, but I felt the author missed making the series a ‘must read more’, such as in the Peter Grainger DC Smith series which makes you want to know what happens to the characters. This was missing. However, they are easy to read, the narrator was very good and he writes action well. So might carry on with the series.

Excellent

I read the listened to the first book and really enjoyed it so I bought all three and throughly enjoyed the nex two installments the narrator really gets in to all the nooks and crannies and bring out the story.

boring

Persevered with the First book did not enjoy it started on the second but it was very boring awful narration and gave up before I got half way as it was hard work listening no pleasure at all.

Decent thriller, value for money

Writing is a little old fashioned but enjoyable easy listening. A little predictable but would recommend for long car journeys or something you can enjoy whilst cooking, walking etc
I thought well narrated. Brilliant value for money

Good Stories, Brilliant Narration

What a bargain. Three books in one, all of which were really interesting stories. Great delight to me was the narration. Unlike some other listeners, I thought Greg Patmore's narration was sublime! . Beautifully nuanced, regional in accent and breathy in sound and his portrayal of other voices and accents for characters in the books - unsurpassed in my opinion. I would definitely listen to more books read my Mr Patmore.

As a Yorkshire woman, I also enjoyed listening to familiar places and it gave more solidity to the stories. The characterization is really good in this series, and I will definitely be moving onto the next three books in the series after this one.