Blood Sport: A Yorkshire Murder Mystery (DCI Harry Grimm Crime Thrillers Book 7)

Really enjoyed the character development in this book , and learning more about our main man, Harry's gentle side. Shocks, twists, a complete page turner, finishing up with an ending that leaves you wanting to know more.

I love a Harry Grimm novel and had read all the previous ones. I usually leave a couple of months between each one so always need a quick catch up and the author usually obliges.This story has all the regular elements of a Harry Grimm story with the added element of animal cruelty - a subject that is guaranteed to raise emotions.A lot is given away in the blurb on the back which is slightly disappointing - it should be an introduction rather than a plot spoiler.I'm always interested to see how an author starts a novel and David Gatward seems to follow a regular plan - he introduces the reader to the focus of the new investigation than goes to the recurring characters to show how they all are. In this novel we go to the office first thing in the morning as the members of the team are arriving - this gives a good opportunity to introduce them individually as they arrive.I like that the police in these novels have other business to attend to, rather than just the main case. although am always amazed by how much responsibility is given to even the PCSOs.There are a couple of spelling/grammar mistakes that I spotted which is not surprising based on the frequency with which these books are published - should be picked up in the editing though.Many previous cases are brought into this story with references to people or locations involved. This is a very natural way to behave and acknowledges a team working together (whilst also reminding readers about previous books).Procedurally the book is all over the place. At one point Harry visits a crime scene and move about it freely before scene of crime officers arrive - this would not happen but I understand DG is doing this for dramatic effect - they also so very little IT work. The author seems to have made a conscious decision to put aside the dull parts of police procedure and focus on the more exciting things - this reduces the credibility but makes for a fun novel to read.As usual, the landscape and weather are both used to great effect to create brooding atmospheres everywhere we go.The plot ticks along nicely with only a small nod to the inevitable cliché of personal danger towards to end. The last few chapters are rushed so I had to read them a couple of times to get all the connections. enjoyed the conclusion but wished it had been more drawn out. Of course, this is easy crime fiction to read so I immediately forgot the ending but will eagerly pick up the next one on a couple of months.

I've read all of the Grimm series in sequence and I was hooked on this series from book 1The characters have all developed along the way along with their individual personalities. Grimm's own demons from a previous career gradually fade into the recesses of his mind as he adjusts over a period of time not only to living and working in the Dales but gradually coming to respect and care deeply for the members of his team.Through each successive novel it becomes obvious that Grimm cannot now imagine moving away from the Dales. Harry's personal life is now also beginning to move forward from the lonely soul he once was.The whole series flows, so too the dialect, easy reading, storyline twists & turns and thrilling finishes as all the threads of information finally come together.The Dales locations and descriptions are particularly enjoyable to me personally as I have in recent years also explored and become very familiar with the descriptions of all the villages, hamlets, market towns and roads encountered during Harry's investigations.This series of books would make an excellent TV series.I hope there will be more Harry Grimm exploits to come. I can't get enough of them.Excellent. Thrilling.Thank you David.

Once again David has written another great installment. This time through the ending is the best news! Love is in the air! I love the setting, the team and particulary the dogs! I of course highly recommend this series! Start at the beginning though. May not be needed but it'll make a lot of sense!

This Grimm story follows on from the earlier ones and it’s great to get to know the characters more. An interesting plot keeps you guessing to the end and woven with the developing characters lives makes for another great read.

As an animal lover especially dogs found this book hard to read but still thoroughly enjoyed it will be reading the new john Carson book next as I’ve read all the harry McNeil series just got a break then will get book 8 in the dci harry Grimm series straight after

Really enjoying this series of books. The characters are interesting, plots are just right to sustain interest and intrigue. I love the Yorkshire Dales. The locations are brilliant as I am familiar with the villages, roads, landmarks and people.

I don’t know where David J. Gatward gets his inspiration from! I have so enjoyed reading these books, I do hope not many of these types of people live around the countryside I live in. I am keeping an extra eye on my dog from now on, although we are joined by the hip. I can thoroughly recommend all his books in this series.

These are great characters, mysteries, and stories. I have read one after another and enjoyed every one. I do a lot of reading and these are on my favorite list.

I like the character mix and the story line is believable. I’m enjoying reading about this part of England and how people talk and act. The distances and scenery which seem to amaze the characters make me laugh as I’m from Canada.

These books and series is just getting better and better ! Love the characters, the humour and Grimm himself.Brilliant.

Another brilliant book in the Harry Grimm series. Could not put it down.

If the author would stop spending PAGE UPON PAGE going on in descriptive verse, maybe the crimes would be solved quicker.This book ties up the 3 book story arc of Neil Hogg’s murder. Please suspend your disbelief as Jim powers on Neils’s hidden phone 6 MONTHS after Neil hid it away.However all that aside, this book was the best so far as Harry becomes more human and likable.