Set on the achingly beautiful Fells of North Yorkshire, this police procedural begins with the murder of a teenage boy. Inspector Leo Donovan and Detective Shan Young are pressured to solve this case quickly, as the victim was Asian-American and the local police have been accused of racism. However, it isn’t a simple case. The body was found on Patefield Grange where a country house offers a getaway with organized grouse shooting. Donovan and Young become involved with the estate hierarchy while they investigate. There are several suspects, more victims and Donovan and Young must fight for their lives before the complicated case is resolved. The detectives’ private lives are as complicated as this investigation. Leo is grieving a rift with his son who is serving a jail sentence for racist attacks. Leo gave the police evidence that led to his son’s conviction and cannot forgive himself. Shan’s recent miscarriage has driven a wedge between her and her partner and she can’t decide if she wants to reconcile.

Fire in the Fells is compulsively readable with characters you want to learn more about. This mystery/thriller is well plotted and the moody, evocative setting draws you in. Although this is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Cath Staincliffe for this ARC.

Fire on the Fells is the 2nd book featuring DI Leo Donovan and DC Shan Young. Against a background of the Yorkshire fells the body of a young man is found. The well written and well researched story moves at a good pace and keeps your attention with twists, turns and dangers aplenty. Loved that we learn more about the detectives personal life - even if some of it was a tad emotional. Thank you to the author, netgalley and publisher for an early e-read. Highly recommended and will look out for book 3.

First book I have read from this author.. It had plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. Great characters. Enjoyed the style of writing and the premise. All round great book. Look forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

Reads well as a stand alone book. A modern detective novel set in the north is always a positive for me. It also touches on many current issues affecting people in their private lives which seem realistic.
There are times when there are attempts to describe the countryside and scenery which (although well written) do not fit in to the story arc. The heroics towards the end of the story are too far-fetched to ring true. However the story moves on a pace and has a satisfactory ending

I have very mixed feelings after reading this book which features Detectives Donovan and Young, set in Yorkshire. It is book 2 in the series and I feel a bit let down by the characters. The plotting is ok but the steady pace left me feeling a bit with the focus on the personal lives of the detectives, rather than on the crimes. Murder, climate change and miscarriage featured in the plot but it was all a little bit predictable. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

My thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Fire On The Fells’ written by Cath Staincliffe in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

DI Leo Donovan and DC Shan Young are called to investigate when a body with shotgun wounds is found in a ditch on Syke Moss. Their first enquiries are with the wealthy well-heeled participants of the shoot at Patefield Grange who’ve been roaming the moors with their guns.

‘Fire On The Fells’ begins with the shooting of a young man, Tyler Prasad, who’s part of a peaceful ecological campaign alongside DI Leo Donovan’s wife Ange and is walking on the moors with his camera. I like the characters of Leo and his partner DC Shan Young who have a depth to their personalities especially regarding their private family matters that don’t relate to their jobs but gives a deeper understanding of them. The plot is intricately formulated and proceeds at a good pace until the life-threatening twist that’s had me well and truly glued to my Kindle. I’ve enjoyed reading this thriller and recommend it, especially to those who haven’t read the first book in the series who I’m sure won’t feel at a disadvantage for not having read it.

A very readable murder mystery - the lead detectives Leo and Shan are particularly well depicted and we see them struggling with their own personal demons as well as investigating the death of a young ecological activist. The story moves along quickly and retains the interest of the reader throughout. However it’s the setting that is central to this novel and the vivid descriptions of the Dales on fire provide a suitably compelling climax.

The title of this book caught my eye as I live close to the Pennine moors and sadly fires are already occurring. Although this is the second book following DI Leo Donovan and his partner DC Shan Young you can easily read as a stand alone story. Sufficient context is provided in the narrative so that you can pick up character backstory and also be able to see a progression.
Leo is the veteran officer who has had to deal with the impact of his sons conviction for hate crimes, Shan is of Chinese heritage and adopted and is struggling with her mental health and relationship with her partner after the recent miscarriage of their child.
This sets the emotional backdrop for their investigation of the suspicious death of young activist Tyler Prashad on the Yorkshire grouse moors. This leads the investigation to the participants and staff of a grouse shoot at luxury country house Patefield Grange. Tylers body was found on Patefield Granges land and as a shotgun had been used all signs point to the lodge.
The book sets a fast pace, is an enjoyable read and looks at aspects of rural life, with the impact (not judgemental) of hunting, rural pastimes, activism for preservation of the fells and the danger of fires on the fells, which I know is devastating from first hand experience. The crime is solved in a satisfactory manner and I will be looking out for future books to see how life develops for our two intrepid leads.
My thanks to the publisher Joffe and Netgalley for access to this ARC, all views are my own.

This story struck a powerful emotional chord—profound, heartfelt, and deeply affecting. It opens with the tragic death of a young boy, Tyler Prasad, a moment that casts a long shadow over the narrative and deeply impacts the entire community. Set once again against the hauntingly atmospheric backdrop of the Yorkshire Fells, the landscape feels both serene and unsettling. That tranquility, however, is disrupted by the presence of a local grouse shoot and the imposing country estate, Patefield Grange, which becomes central to the unfolding mystery.

It was compelling to see the return of Leo Donovan and Shan Young. Their evolving partnership continues to be a highlight of the series. This installment delves further into their personal lives, especially Shan’s, with a subplot involving her and her partner Erin that is handled with great care and emotional nuance.

The pacing remains steady throughout, though the investigation itself unfolds at a deliberate, thoughtful pace. Donovan and Shan face mounting pressure as they navigate obstacles and race against time to uncover the truth. The plot is layered with unexpected twists, keeping the reader constantly guessing. A harrowing event late in the story significantly raises the stakes, bringing a sense of urgency and real danger that had me turning pages late into the night.

Once again, the author delivers a masterfully constructed mystery, blending emotional depth with a gripping plot. The moody, rural setting enhances the story's tension, while the chemistry between the lead detectives brings warmth and complexity. I’m already looking forward to the next chapter in this excellent series.

The first book I have read by this author but definitely not the last.Set in North Yorkshire fells the author conveys the beauty and also the harshness of the landscape and sets the background for a very good and well plotted crime novel. Leo and Shan are a team of different but compatible detectives investigating the death of a young man who is active in an ecological group campaigning to save the fells. The action is mainly based around a grouse shooting estate and the methods they use are well described. Alongside the investigation there are the events affecting both detectives lives which add to the overall enjoyment of the book. This is the second in a new series and I have already purchased the first and look forward to reading both that and any future books in the series.

4* Tragic and sad, but Shan and Leo see that justice is done.

Book 2 in this series can be read as a standalone, but if you were as vested as I was in finding out what happens to Luke after his disgusting behaviour and radicalisation in book 1, you'll want to read both back to back. There's no gap between the tales and this one starts really, really satisfyingly, and sadly for Leo and Ange, realistically. Thankfully they're a strong, united couple, they're both spouses and parents (not one or the other), and they're grown adults who have each other's back, and it was good to see such a positive relationship.

Back to the main storyline- Tyler never should've been killed. He sounded like one of life's good guys, an achiever without the need for fanfare, a decent person - son and activist - with lots to offer. His death was tragic but Shan and Leo didn't stop, despite being at death's door at one point, until they got their man. The tale, once again, was part police procedural and part family relationships that were breaking down. Kind of believable in Leo's case, but kind of irritating in Shan's, as she could and should have pulled up her big girl panties and faced Erin.

I devoured this and ended up bummed that at the end, there'll be a wait for book 3. This author is now firmly on my autobuy list wgere this duo of detectives is concerned.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books, for my reading pleasure.

This is a police procedural with substance. In addition to a murder mystery, Cath Staincliffe explores a number of themes including political activism, racism, fell farming and more. The lead characters have back stories and I like their interactions. The plotting is taut and fast paced and the hell of fire raging wild is almost palpable. There’s a real feeling for Yorkshire and enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. Enjoyed this.

This is a great police procedural with a strong Yorkshire Dales setting (though the precise locations are fictional). Shan and Leo both have their own demons to deal with, making them rounded and realistic characters. I learned more about shooting parties and looking after the land, as well as the wildlife on the moors and dales. I loved this book and definitely recommend it. I’ll be looking out for more in this series.

My second book in this series and I am so glad that it is indeed about solving a puzzle who killed Tyler, but also about lots of things that probably every reader comes across in the news every single day and how the need for equality, diversity, diversifying ecosystems or the ridicule and discomfort of these themes give us a chance to rethink what is important in life.

The author skillfully involves a wide variety of topics. Into this fast moving story. You become completely engrossed in the search for the perpetrator in the murder of the young student Tyler.

Fire on the Fells is a haunting and beautifully atmospheric read that pulls you deep into the wild, rugged heart of the Lake District. Cath Stancliffe delivers a suspenseful tale full of hidden tensions and layered characters,

The story blends mystery and emotional drama perfectly, with a slow-burn intensity that builds toward a gripping and satisfying climax. The landscape is so vividly drawn it feels like a character in its own right—moody, unpredictable, and breathtaking.

My only reason for holding back a fifth star is that a couple of the subplots could have used a touch more depth, but overall, this is a beautifully written and absorbing read. If you love character-driven mysteries set against evocative backdrops, Fire on the Fells should definitely be on your 2025 TBR list.

The first book I've read by this author and I was very impressed. I loved the writing style and the pacing was great, lots of red herrings and dead ends in the investigation and intriguing links between characters. I also enjoyed following the lives of the investigators. It was great to have police officers who weren't alcoholics or dysfunctional, but they did have some moral dilemmas to deal with which brough more interest to the story. They were relatable humans and I'd read more of this series to find out how their lives pan out. the book is peppered with fantastic descriptions of both people and landscapes that really brought the story to life. A fabulously engrossing read and my favourite crime book for a very long time!

As we meet DI Leo Donovan and DC Shan Young, Leo’s son, Luke, has just been imprisoned for a racially motivated attack, whilst Shan, sadly, has recently suffered a miscarriage.

On the work front they have to deal with the tragic case of 18 year old Tyler Prasad. Tyler was about to start Uni- an environmental activist, he’d been found brutally murdered whilst photographing wildlife on the fells. The area where his body was found is part of one of the big estates who host shooting parties.

The pursuit of the killer brings danger to everyone involved, not least from the blisteringly high temperatures causing wildfires across the fells. This particular event is described in great detail and is simply terrifying.

Set in the Yorkshire dales, this is a terrific read. Leo and Shan make an great pair, and we slowly get to hear more about their personal struggles alongside their latest case. The storyline itself featured some really interesting characters, and together with many false leads and some unexpected twists, this reader was gripped right the way through. I Iook forward to hearing more of Leo and Shan in the future. I hadn’t read the first in the series but it wasn’t a problem.

I really enjoyed this book, very well written with lovely descriptions of the fells , I could almost have been there. I’d not read the previous book featuring Leo and Shan but that didn’t matter at all this works very well as a stand alone novel. Interesting storyline and great characters.

Murder mystery set among the moors .Part of a series with interesting characters and a good storyline.