One song for the dying... sung by the dead...
When the body of a young woman is discovered at the home she shared with her disabled daughter, DI Tom Janssen and his team must investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
The woman was a single mother, well regarded and popular among the group she frequented, but she had a chequered past... a life she kept secret from those around her... a life that may, ultimately, have led to her death. Friends, past lovers, and confidants offer conflicting descriptions of the deceased... did anyone know her at all?
The team realise the daughter is missing and, away from her medication, the little girl's life hangs in the balance. Unless the team can solve a seemingly calculated murder, an innocent life will be lost...
Set within the mysterious beauty of coastal Norfolk, this fast-paced British detective novel is a dark murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end when the final shocking twist is revealed.
By the time you reach Book 11 of any crime series, you expect the author to know exactly what they’re doing—and The Raven Song is proof that J. M. Dalgliesh absolutely does. This installment feels confident, atmospheric, and tightly crafted, like a writer fully in stride with his characters and the brooding landscape they inhabit.
One of the first things you notice is how seamlessly you slip back into Tom Janssen’s world. He’s one of those detectives who grows on you because he’s competent without being flashy, thoughtful without being moody, and human without being weighed down by endless clichés. In this book, that quiet steadiness is front and center again. You get the sense that he’s someone who genuinely wants answers—not for praise or spectacle, but because he needs to understand what went wrong and why.
Book Review
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Dalgliesh has a gift for atmosphere, and The Raven Song is no exception. Norfolk once again plays a starring role, giving the story this haunting, windswept backdrop that fits the mood perfectly. The rural isolation, the coastal edges, the small communities where everyone carries a piece of the story—it all creates the kind of tension that creeps up on you rather than jumping out with flashing lights. It’s a thriller, yes, but it’s a quiet one—the kind where the dread builds in the silence between conversations.
The mystery itself is layered in the best way. It’s not a case that relies on gimmicks or a massive twist; instead, it unfolds smartly, with small clues, subtle reveals, and moments that make you stop and think, “Ah, okay, that’s interesting.” Dalgliesh trusts his readers to follow the breadcrumbs without over-explaining things, which makes the investigation feel more rewarding.
What really keeps the story grounded is the emotional undercurrent. The characters involved aren’t just puzzle pieces—they feel shaped by their histories, traumas, choices, and the weight of the secrets they carry. That makes the unraveling of the case feel personal rather than procedural. Dalgliesh is especially good at showing how crimes don’t just affect victims or suspects but echo through families and communities.
As always with this series, the pacing is smooth and steady. There’s an ease to Dalgliesh’s writing that lets you fall into the story without effort, and before you know it, you’re several chapters in, chasing the resolution right alongside Tom. It’s the kind of book you don’t have to “work” to read—you’re simply absorbed.
If there’s anything to keep in mind, it’s that this is not a breakneck, high-octane thriller. It’s more about atmosphere, character, and that deliberate unraveling of truth. If you love crime fiction that leans into realism and emotional nuance rather than explosions and chase scenes, this will be right up your alley.
Overall, The Raven Song is another strong entry in the Hidden Norfolk series—tense, thoughtful, beautifully atmospheric, and anchored by a detective who feels refreshingly authentic. It’s the kind of book that makes you appreciate the slow-burn art of crime writing, and it leaves you eager to see where Tom Janssen’s journey goes next.
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