Murder At Matterdale
(2026)(The second book in the Detective Simon Wayland Mysteries series)
A novel by David M Thorpe
THE SECOND BOOK IN THE GRIPPING BRITISH DETECTIVE SERIES SET IN THE ATMOSPHERIC LAKE DISTRICT.
Detective Simon Wayland is out training his Mountain Rescue dog on the fells when he stumbles across two bodies. Both are covered with horrific stab wounds.
More chillingly, each body has a coloured coat toggle shoved in its mouth.
Working with his new boss, the dynamic DCI Collette Matthews, Wayland faces a puzzling investigation that offers no clear leads.
Then two more victims are found. Each with different coloured toggles in their mouths.
Wayland is convinced a cold-blooded serial killer is playing a ruthless game. And there are no clear rules. Wayland and Matthews must crack the case before more bodies start to pile up.
Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Peter Robinson, and LJ Ross.
MEET DETECTIVE SIMON WAYLAND
A seasoned detective with decades of experience, Detective Inspector Simon Wayland has traded the chaos of city policing for the quieter rhythms of the Lake District. Thoughtful, observant and quietly stubborn, Wayland prefers patience and instinct to flashy police work. He enjoys the simple pleasures of life among the fells — long drives in his beloved vintage MG, a good pint in a village pub and the steady partnership of a small but loyal team. But even in the calmest corners of Cumbria, trouble has a habit of finding him.
THE SETTING
The Lake District is a land of sweeping mountains, quiet villages and deep, shadowed waters. Tourists come for the beauty, but those who live here know the fells can hide more than breathtaking views. In these close-knit communities, where history runs deep and memories are long, old secrets have a way of rising to the surface.
READERS LOVE DAVID M. THORPE:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Mr Thorpe, you have me hooked. A superbly researched, enthralling crime story.’ Julian F.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliant story.’ Amazon Customer
⭐⭐⭐⭐�� ‘When’s book 2?’ A. McGuire
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent. Action-packed with twists and turns along the way.’ Kindle Customer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A very good read which I highly recommend to lovers of crime thrillers.’ MarthaB.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent, well plotted and good police procedural. Very gripping.’ Colin H.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent writing, plenty of twists and turns and a great surprise ending.’ lelly
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A moody cover for a dark mystery. The writing is excellent, the plot is action-packed with twists and turns.’ coco
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gripping debut novel. I can’t wait for more.’ Phil
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Great story.’ Moonraker
⭐⭐⭐''⭐ ‘Excellent. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.’ Fairy F.
Genre: Mystery
Detective Simon Wayland is out training his Mountain Rescue dog on the fells when he stumbles across two bodies. Both are covered with horrific stab wounds.
More chillingly, each body has a coloured coat toggle shoved in its mouth.
Working with his new boss, the dynamic DCI Collette Matthews, Wayland faces a puzzling investigation that offers no clear leads.
Then two more victims are found. Each with different coloured toggles in their mouths.
Wayland is convinced a cold-blooded serial killer is playing a ruthless game. And there are no clear rules. Wayland and Matthews must crack the case before more bodies start to pile up.
Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Peter Robinson, and LJ Ross.
MEET DETECTIVE SIMON WAYLAND
A seasoned detective with decades of experience, Detective Inspector Simon Wayland has traded the chaos of city policing for the quieter rhythms of the Lake District. Thoughtful, observant and quietly stubborn, Wayland prefers patience and instinct to flashy police work. He enjoys the simple pleasures of life among the fells — long drives in his beloved vintage MG, a good pint in a village pub and the steady partnership of a small but loyal team. But even in the calmest corners of Cumbria, trouble has a habit of finding him.
THE SETTING
The Lake District is a land of sweeping mountains, quiet villages and deep, shadowed waters. Tourists come for the beauty, but those who live here know the fells can hide more than breathtaking views. In these close-knit communities, where history runs deep and memories are long, old secrets have a way of rising to the surface.
READERS LOVE DAVID M. THORPE:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Mr Thorpe, you have me hooked. A superbly researched, enthralling crime story.’ Julian F.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliant story.’ Amazon Customer
⭐⭐⭐⭐�� ‘When’s book 2?’ A. McGuire
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent. Action-packed with twists and turns along the way.’ Kindle Customer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A very good read which I highly recommend to lovers of crime thrillers.’ MarthaB.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent, well plotted and good police procedural. Very gripping.’ Colin H.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent writing, plenty of twists and turns and a great surprise ending.’ lelly
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A moody cover for a dark mystery. The writing is excellent, the plot is action-packed with twists and turns.’ coco
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gripping debut novel. I can’t wait for more.’ Phil
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Great story.’ Moonraker
⭐⭐⭐''⭐ ‘Excellent. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.’ Fairy F.
Genre: Mystery