The Wherryman

British Detective Tanner Murder Mystery Series, Book 6

By: David Blake

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

The debut crime thriller series of the year!

Four missing children, three murdered men and the helm of a boat with a blood-red sail, hiding a secret only he can tell.

Returning to the Broads after nearly two years at sea, John Tanner moors up next to a boat to find the body of a man whose five-year-old daughter is nowhere to be seen. As a torrent of unwanted memories begins flooding through his mind, an attractive Broads Ranger arrives at the scene with a disturbing tale; one of children being taken by a ghostly figure, standing at the helm of an old wooden boat.

Set within the mysterious beauty of the Norfolk Broads, this fast-paced British detective series is a dark cozy murder mystery with a slice of humour and a touch of romance which will have you guessing until the very end, when the last shocking twist is finally revealed.

The Wherryman is a totally addictive gripping crime thriller, the sixth in a chilling series of serial killer books, ones which will rapidly convert followers of L J Ross, Faith Martin, Joy Ellis, Damien Boyd and J M Dalgliesh into David Blake devotees.

©2021 David Blake (P)2021 W F Howes

Must Read!!

Great book..Love the series and the narrator is Wonderful!
Looking forward to reading the next book.

One to remember..

The whole series was very gripping &most enjoyable . Will look for more by David B!and !

Great book and wonderful narration..

I really enjoyed this book, even though I've read so many books since then that I had to go back and read the other review to try to remember what happened. AND then I remembered Jenny and how ticked off I was at this author for that!

Anyway, lots of killings and stolen children that Tanner had to solve.

No sex and the F-bomb was used 16 times.

As for the narration: Jonathan Keeble is one of the very BEST English narrators.

Love David Blake series

Witty, Crime Drama, always a fast paced twist at the end! Love the UK accent!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Dark, Gripping, and Atmospheric Thriller – David Blake at His Best!

The Wherryman by David Blake is a masterful addition to the DI Tanner crime series, and in my opinion, one of the strongest entries yet. Set against the haunting backdrop of the Norfolk Broads, Blake once again proves his talent for blending a richly atmospheric setting with an intricately woven plot that keeps you hooked from the very first page.

The story opens with a chilling murder and quickly escalates into a complex investigation that DI Tanner and his team must unravel. What sets this novel apart is the way Blake captures the Broads themselves – not just as scenery, but almost as a living, breathing character. The waterways, marshes, and shadowy wherries add layers of tension and unease, providing the perfect stage for murder, secrets, and betrayal.

DI Tanner is at his most compelling here. He’s a gritty, determined detective whose flaws make him all the more human. His relationship with Evans continues to deepen, and their chemistry adds a refreshing warmth to an otherwise dark narrative. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, each with their own motivations and complications, ensuring no character feels one-dimensional.

The plot itself is brilliantly paced – Blake doesn’t waste a single chapter. Twists and red herrings are cleverly planted, leading the reader down dark alleys before pulling the rug out from under them. By the time the truth is revealed, it’s both shocking and satisfying, the hallmark of a well-constructed crime mystery.

What I particularly loved about The Wherryman is how it balances traditional detective work with raw emotion. Tanner isn’t just solving crimes; he’s grappling with his own demons, navigating trust, loyalty, and the weight of his past. This gives the book real depth beyond just the mechanics of a murder mystery.

David Blake has written a series that not only entertains but also lingers in your mind long after you’ve closed the book. The Wherryman is a superb, atmospheric thriller filled with suspense, richly developed characters, and a setting so vivid you can almost feel the mist rising off the water.

If you’re a fan of British crime fiction, especially gritty detective stories in unique settings, this is an absolute must-read. Blake continues to raise the bar for the genre, and I cannot recommend The Wherryman highly enough.