The Body in the Mist

DCI Craig Gillard, Book 3

By: Nick Louth

Narrated by: Marston York

From master storyteller Nick Louth comes the third installment in the DCI Craig Gillard series. Perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Faith Martin.

A body is found on a quiet lane in Exmoor, victim of a hit and run.

He has no ID, no wallet, no phone, and - after being dragged along the road - no recognisable face.

Meanwhile, fresh from his last case, DCI Craig Gillard is unexpectedly called away to Devon on family business. Gillard is soon embroiled when the car in question is traced to his aunt.

As he delves deeper, a dark mystery reveals itself, haunted by family secrets, with repercussions Gillard could never have imagined. The past has never been deadlier.

©2019 Nick Louth (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"An unputdownable, heart-thudder of a read.” (Carol Wyer)

best one yet of the series

very entertaining with several plots going simultaneously. great performance by the performer/reader. my favorite so far in this series.

A major diversion from the first 2 in the series

I agree with many of the lower-star reviewers as I had similar reactions to this story, namely:
- Whatever happened to Gillard's amazing, gutsy wife? The minute they got married her brain seemed to turn to mush. I had expected (having read and loved the first two novels) that she would offer invaluable and insightful perspectives on his cases - albeit unofficially - rather than become a pitiful sidekick. That was an expectation dashed in this tale, which has more to do with family ties and dysfunctional Somerst relatives than an objective crime.
- The plot seemed rather far-fetched. The characterisation was wonderful but (and not wishing to spoil the story for those who haven't read it yet) there was a little too much serious wrongdoing in that family for it all to be believable.
- By starting the book with a different detective I was rather befuddled at first. Indeed, there is a huge amount of this story that doesn't directly involve Gillard at all. Yet he was the character I wanted to read more about -- just not his crazy family.
- Finally, I may have missed the "mist" (excuse the pun) but it seems to me that the title should have been: The Body in the Road.

I'm a huge fan of Nick Louth's smart, sharp writing - and Marston York's narration is superb. Aunt Trish was certainly beautifully drawn, and there were enough little clues along the way for me to guess how things would turn out (although I was way off when it came to the identification of the run-over body!), but like many other reviewers I do hope we see the back of her soon...I prefer DCI Craig Gillard when he's on a proper job, not dealing with crazy relatives like her.

Meh…

This is my 3rd book of this series, and I enjoyed the first too much more. I like the way Lauth weaves in a mystery within a mystery, but on this book the extra storyline felt forced. Also seemed that the last quarter of the book seemed padded as to lengthen the story.

Yawn

I really enjoyed the first books in the series but this one was ridiculous. my biggest issue is how Louth dumbed down Sam. In the others she was quick witted, clever, caught on right away, figured things out. Not here I don’t much about English court system but if this is an accurate telling then I am appalled, not that the US is any good. And Trish -really. Craig just can’t put his foot down. I have purchased the fourth book but if we have to deal trish and the dumbed down Sam I won’t finish it and get my money back.

Great story, narration!

Best of the three books in the series. Actually was pulling for one of the bad guys at the end. Interesting and definitely a literary get away!

Three books in and the series is..

Basically just a sanitized, network television version of the genre. Still compelling with likable and interesting characters, but all the violent imagery, details, and intensity has been left out. If DCI Jack Logan is Vinnie Jones. Then DCI Craig Gillard is David Beckham. One will appeal to the more “hardcore” fans while the other is the one your mum will enjoy. That said, this is an above average series (thus far) in the genre so that’s enough to keep moving on to the next book.

Too dark

I thought the audio was poor quality, muffled. I’ve listened to others by name author and performer so was surprised. The storyline, the family creepiness , especially Aunt Trish, was frustrating and the ending unsatisfying

The ending!

I enjoyed this book for the most part but was very disappointed with the end. I can only hope she is not in the following books.

Last one in the series for me - b/c of the aunt

I stayed with this one because I wanted the story to continue and then planned to go to the 4th one. But now that I know that the aunt is going to be in the next one, no way. And as some of the other reviewers indicated, Sam appears to be losing brain cells (not sure why the author is going that direction). Sad not to continue but as much as I like DCI Craig Gillard and some of the other characters, some characters are too irritating to put up with (extraneous family members, which is what this whole book included).

book 3

I'm hooked! such a good book, love the narration, and the easy they end, always leaves room for another story!