On Harrow Hill

On Harrow Hill is possibly the most captivating book yet in the Dave Burney series. A complex, scary, and compelling mystery about the murder of a wealthy and powerful man in a small very upscale community, rivals anything John Verden has written in this exceptional series. Thriller, murder mystery, and downright eerie, this is a winner!

Another in this series that has captured my interest and held it till the end. The plot is very good, with Great characters and a lot of suspense.. Throughout the series the author has made me feel that I really know and understand Dave Gurney. He has shown his persistence many times, and I like the way he never gives up. It would be a good read alone but I suggest that reading the series adds to the depth of the story.

It's hard to believe On Harrow Hill is already the 6th entry in the dazzling 'Dave Gurney' series by John Verdon. Thankfully, for readers, the author has been prolific in the decade since this character became a welcomed addition to the world of detective fiction. The cases Gurney handles have always been complex and none more so than depicted in this latest novel. The events which take place in Larchfield almost defy belief. Witches, Satanists. Zombie Hunters. An apocalyptic preacher. A murderer from beyond the grave. It's an explosive mix which threatens to consume Gurney. It's an enthralling read. It left me looking forward to the next Dave Gurney book. Thank you to Counterpoint Press and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. #OnHarrowHill #NetGalley

When an old colleague comes to him for help solving the mysterious death of his town's most prominent resident, retired NYPD detective Dave Gurney must use all of his analytical skills to hunt a murderer who just might be killing from beyond the grave.
I have been a huge fan of the Dave Gurney series and waited a long time for this. It was well worth the wait. He is such a complex and compelling character and the plotting in all the books is incredibly tight. Full of surprises and a bit of violence, this book twisted and turned all the way to the end. I really hope the next in this amazing series comes much sooner. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review

Dave Gurney, a modern day Sherlock, is back for his latest investigations from it’s a doozy.
Billy Tate, a bad seed with a worse reputation, is struck by lightning and thrown from the roof an upstate New York church. Pronounced dead on the scene, imagine everyone’s surprise when one Billy Tate is caught on camera rising from the dead at the village funeral home.
Rising from the dead isn’t Tate’s last trick as now he turns his efforts to murdering the town’s wealthiest citizen and leaving a trail of destruction in his path a mile wide.

Dave Gurney, John Verdon’s think-first, speak-last detective is called in to assist. And from there, we’re off to the races in a fun, thrilling, and complex mystery. Before things are said and done, you’ll have suspected every one in the town of some sort of shady business.

Verdon began the Gurney series with some really great mystery hooks with the focus being on the genius of the villains and the wits they matched with Gurney. However, the most recent novels have flexed a more real-world, politically bent muscle. The preceding book, White River Burning, race relations played an important thread throughout. This time he takes on class divides, religious zealotry, and angry mob justice.
The great thing about Verdon’s writing is that you can ignore those underlying themes and just enjoy the mystery as Gurney tracks down his perp or you can really sink your teeth into the messages being hinted. Either way is fine, but the heavier themes never big down the story or the action.
The police procedural game is in great hands with guys like Michael Connelly and John Verdon in mix. I rate this one a must-read for any mystery/thriller fan.

On Harrow Hill by John Verdon -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Counterpoint Press
ISBN: 9781640093102

In a small community in upper New York state, a problem resident is struck by lightning and pronounced dead. He appears to have reanimated, killed several people, and left satanic signs and messages painted in blood. The town sheriff, who has his own personal issues, calls on his former NYPD partner, Dave Gurney, for help.

The plot is complex. There are witches, zombie hunters, a zealot who preaches guns and religion, and some sociopathic rich people among the characters. Gurney puts together all the pieces and sorts through the tangled events to eventually uncover the truth just after you think he had about 15% before the ene.

On Harrow Hill is much more than an ordinary police procedural. The twisted intelligent plot and unique characters make it stand out from others in the mystery category. I look forward to reading more books in the Dave Gurney series.


Reviewer: Nancy

I would like to thank NetGalley for my eARC for my honest review. The seventh Dave Gurney already, I miss the tension between Dave and his wife, for me it was an important part and was like a second story within each mystery. On Harrow Hill is yet another wonderful, well paced mystery, that continues to make this a series I will go back too. Like an old friend.

Dave Guerney is one of my favorite detectives. He is teaching at a local college when he gets a call from his old NYPD partner who is now a police chief on a small town. There has been a murder of the towns wealthy benefactor and he needs Dave’s’ help. Although he is reluctant to get involved, he is drawn in to repay a debt.
The main suspect is Billy Tate a local man who had been pronounced dead two days before the killing. However it seems as though he may not have been dead when a video shows him break out of his coffin and escape to commit more murders. As the media descends and stokes up sensational stories of zombies and devil worshippers, the town is on edge. This problem is fertile ground for a local religious fundamentalist group to stir up fears of end of days led by a motorcycle riding preacher named Gant and his crew.
As Guerney begins investigating he forgets the lessons that he teaches in his class of maintaining a skepticism of evidence presented without verification. And almost everyone in this small town has something to hide.
I have loved this series since the very first,while this can be read in its own, there are several references to the previous book “ White River Burning”. I also think to understand the relationship and uniqueness of Guerney’s wife Madeline you should read the other books. I find her a fascinating character and would love to read a book that explores her thoughts more. We should all have a friend like Hardwick as well and a book of his backstory would be a good addition as well.
While this was not my favorite of his series, it is still very enjoyable and fast paced.

On Harrow Hill – John Verdon

Dave Gurney, a highly decorated detective now retired from the NYPD, is has just finished giving a lecture to a bunch of cadets when he receives a phone call. An old partner, and one he owes a debt to, has just called, wanting to connect with him and discuss an unusual case. Somewhat reluctantly, Dave agrees to a quick meeting with Mike Morgan. When Mike arrives at Dave’s Walnut Creek home, he details some rather unusual events that have taken place in the town of Larchfield where he, much to Dave’s surprise, is their chief of police. The tale, tall at best, has culminated in the murder of a very wealthy individual, with the only prints left behind appearing to belong to the town bad boy, Billy Tate. The only problem - Billy is dead – due to a freak accident a day before the murder. Somewhat reluctantly, but a bit intrigued, Dave agrees to take a look….

Upon his arrival to Larchfield, Dave sees a picturesque town that is essentially owned and run by the wealthy patriarchs who reside there, one of whom, Angus Russell, is now deceased. The evidence clearly points to a young man, who died after being struck by lightning while defacing the towns church steeple. But when they attempt to verify the ID of the body in the coffin at the funeral home, they discover an empty box, with a lid that was broken out of……and video showing the apparent resurrection of the young man.

As Dave and the Larchfield Police search for an apparent ghost, more sightings of the formerly deceased Billy Tate are reported, along with his trademark orange Jeep, as he leaves a wake of victims in his path, along with an eerie calling card, painted in a victim’s blood that reads, ‘I am the dark angel who rose from the dead’. But what is Tate’s real objective? And how could he have possibly survived a lightning strike and a fall? Looking for more insight into the town and its people, Gurney calls upon a crusty but dependable old friend, Jack Hardwick.

As the investigation heats up, and a town is gripped in fear wondering who is next, Gurney quietly works in the background, asking questions, perusing crime scene video and amassing information as he slowly puts the pieces together that others don’t seem to see…until a quiet plan to draw out a murderer results in a showdown that even Gurney doesn’t see coming….

This is the seventh novel in the Dave Gurney series, and another stellar read! John Verdon reminds me a lot of Jeffrey Deaver with his character development, with the intricate storylines and intriguing personalities of his characters, along with the sheer brilliance of the unexpected as you race page by page to try to beat Dave to the finish line – but you won’t! He’ll outfox you every time!! A great series and a must read if you’d like a break from the predictable who-dun-it!!

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an objective review. Do you love to read?? Visit netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!

The police procedural part was absolute genius!
This story A series of murders soon follows as Larchfield loses its collective mind. Gun sales explode. Conspiracy theories and religious fundamentalism spread. The once-peaceful town becomes a magnet for sensation seekers, self-proclaimed zombie hunters, TV producers eager for ratings, and apocalyptic preachers rallying the faithful for the end of days.
This will have you scanning the pages so quick your head will be spinning
This was a quick read
With a plot that is just amazing

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, John Vernon, and Counterpoint Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

The arrival of a new John Verdon thriller is sure to excite many who have loved past novels with Dave Gurney helping on yet another homicide investigation. Gurney, a former NYPD Homicide Detective with many years experience, has a way not only with coming to assist many of the rural New York communities, but also finds himself growing in unique ways. With this case, which has layers upon layers of oddity, Gurney agrees to head to the community of Larchfield, where his former partner is running the show. However, there is nothing routine or textbook about what he discovers, save the increasing number of bodies piling up. Verdon is at his best with On Harrow Hill, and this is one book sure to impress anyone who takes the time to read it.

Dave Gurney has been enjoying retired life, though he seems never to be able to get into the swing of things before he’s called upon to help with another homicide. When his former partner asks for a favour, Gurney cannot say no, remembering their time on the NYPD together and the night Gurney was almost killed. He agrees to come to Larchfield, a small community that has no experience with crime, let alone murder.

The town’s wealthiest man, Angus Russell, has been found murdered inside his mansion on Harrow Hill. During the preliminary investigation, forensics uncovered a print and some blood of the suspected killer, Billy Tate. This should make it a fairly simply open and shut case, save for the fact that Tate died in a freak accident the night before and is currently in a coffin, awaiting burial. Baffled by this, Gurney tries to deal with the widow, though she is anything but helpful, wanting to tie up all the loose ends so that she can return to the lifestyle to which she has become accustomed.

If that were not enough, there’s a disturbance at the morgue and the Tate coffin’s been opened. Analysis shows the baffling proof that it was destroyed from the inside out, which is substantiated by some surveillance video that show Billy Tate alive and well—at least as well as someone who was struck by lightning and fell from a church steeple can be—before he leaves the building.

Given barely enough time to wrap his head around that, Gurney and the local authorities discover that two more bodies have turned up, one likely murdered on the way to the Russell killing and one soon thereafter. Might Tate have been resurrected and begun an odd killing spree? The mysteries continue with a massive manhunt started.

As Tate’s involvement with a satanic movement comes to light, Gurney follows new leads to help put some order to the case. Fanning the flames is a religious movement committed to ‘saving the town’ from the zombie satanist, while a reality news website has made it their business to add as much glitz and spin to things as possible. Gurney must wrestle false leads away from these two sources, while also protecting himself, as his property is targeted at one point.

While Billy Tate remains on the lam, Gurney and the others will have it find a motive that explains it all, while also capturing the killer before more bodies turn up. From whispers about a sordid past through to opponents of Tate’s personal beliefs, there are no shortage of people offering themselves up as potential victims, though Dave Gurney does not seem dissuaded in the least to catch yet another sadistic killer!

John Verdon does a masterful job in yet another thriller in this series, pulling the reader into the middle of the case in the opening chapters. His attention to detail and wonderful subplot development makes this book one that the reader will want to devour as quickly as possible, as I did. Using a few tangential leads to keep things interesting, there is no lack of intensity as the narrative builds, right up to the final reveal that had me shaking my head.

Dave Gurney cannot catch the break that retirement was supposed to bring him. If it’s not being asked to help out yet again, he’s thrust into the middle of a new household project his wife has for him (this time an alpaca farm)! While personal growth and backstory may not be something to which he is subjected throughout, the reader can see how his methodical thinking helps to shape the pace of the story and solving the crime at hand. He is by no means indestructible, though he tries to take it all in and find the core issue, working it through to a reasonable conclusion. However, resurrection and satanic belief might be a little outside Gurney’s ability to comprehend, even with 25 years in NYPD Homicide.

Verdon develops a handful of key secondary characters in this piece, who are essential to the success of the novel. There is no shortage of personalities in this piece, all of whom work their own angles to enrich the plot and keep the reader wondering. While it is not a whodunit with a few potential killers the reader must suss out, there is much to be said about those who make up the foundation of a small community. Some complement Gurney and some prove to be essential roadblocks to solving the crime.

This was perhaps the best Verdon piece I have read, though I have loved them all a great deal. The flow of the story is perfect, revealing much as the narrative builds. Verdon has done well to develop this quirky, layered story that is not a simple A to Z crime thriller. Rather, the reader must wade through some distracting side stories (as Dave Gurney does too) to get to the heart of the matter. With a mix of chapter lengths, the reader gets hooked and then finds themselves sitting for long periods just to get a better understanding of what’s going on. While it is not your typical crime thriller, its uniqueness makes it one readers will want to explore and challenge themselves with throughout the journey.

Kudos, Mr. Verdon, for a book I could not stop reading. I hope others are ready for as wild a ride!

Another great read from John Verdon! I have read all of his previous books in the Dave Gurney series (the first, Think of a Number, is one of my all-time favorite reads), and this newest installment did not disappoint. This book, as all of the others in this series, is exceedingly well-crafted and well-plotted with a complex and intriguing storyline, well-developed characters, and plenty of nuances and twists.

In this novel, ex-NYPD detective Gurney once again uses his superior detective and analytical skills to wade through a myriad of misleading clues and unravel a series of murders that involve his former partner with the NYPD, several long-feuding families of an idealistic town in upstate New York, and an apparent zombie! If you like mysteries/thrillers whose storylines are intricate and thought-provoking and whose characters are definitely relatable, then you will enjoy this one — as well as all of the others in the series. My only quibble, and definitely a minor one, is that this was just a touch too long.

Although you can read this (and any of the others) as a standalone, I would suggest that you start with the first if for no other reason than to watch the development of Dave Gurney, both as a retired NYPD detective and in his relationship with his wife, Madeline.

I have just finished reading On Harrow Hill, by Author John Verdon.

This is the 7th book in the Dave Gurney Series.

Although this is a series, I do think this could be read as a stand-alone book.

I have read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed every one, however this was my favourite so far.

The writing style, storyline, dialogue, and characters are all done exceptionally well.

This particular story has an especially interesting development, with so many twists and turns, that it was impossible to determine how the outcome would turn out.

The main character Dave Gurney is a master detective, who is retired but has so much to still offer in solving a case. His attention to detail is masterful.

I would highly recommend this book and series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Author John Verdon, and Catapult, Counterpoint Press, and Soft Skull Press for my advanced copy to read and review.

#OnHarrowHill #NetGalley

I've read all of the Dave Gurney books, and they're a dependable and entertaining way to pass a few hours. On Harrow Hill sees Dave Gurney brought to a town that has been thoroughly controlled by the wealthiest man in the town, who is also our first victim. This small town is a wild ride, complete with zombies, witches, satanists, crazy preachers. I can usually anticipate what is coming next in stories, but this one was well outside of what I was anticipating - a refreshing change.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an arc for review.

Though this book is part of a series, it stands very well on its own. Those who enjoy mysteries and detective novels will definitely want to add On Harrow Hill to their TBR list.

People just won't let former Detective Dave Gurney enjoy his retirement with his wife Madeleine. He holds the record for the highest number of cleared homicide cases in the history of the NYPD, which makes him the man to call whenever someone needs help on a case. When his former partner, now chief of police in idyllic Larchfield, NY calls asking for his input, Gurney feels he can't say no. The man saved his life, and he owes him for that.

Angus Russell, Larchfield's most prominent citizen, has been murdered in his own home. Though he had plenty of enemies, the most likely suspect, and the one all the evidence points to, is Billy Taylor. Only one problem with that - Taylor died in a freak accident the night prior to Angus' death. More and more murders with the same MO occur, with all evidence, blood, DNA, tire tracks etc. continuing to point to Billy Taylor. When the team goes to the funeral home where Taylor lies sealed in a coffin awaiting burial, the team is shocked to find the coffin empty, opened from the inside. Is Taylor really alive after all?

The town is scared witless, the media is having a field day with the back-from-the-dead killer, and apocalyptic preachers declare Satan has returned. Can Gurney push aside all of these distractions and figure out what is going on before more people die?

This is quite a fast-paced, captivating read. As always, Verdon's characters are great, and his plot line is intricate and twisted. There are so many turn abouts, I daresay few readers will be able to figure this one out!

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Counterpoint Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this fine novel which is scheduled to be published on 3/16/21. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

There's not much better than a new Dave Gurney mystery! On Harrow Hill by John Verdon is the newest entry in this series. This time Gurney gets pulled again out of "retirement' into a murder mystery by his old NYPD partner, Mike Morgan. Morgan didn't have the best reputation in the NYPD. He was pushed into early retirement due to his womanizing and bad behavior. He somehow landed a cushy job as police chief in Larchfield, a picture perfect town in upstate New York. The town is owned by the wealthy Russell family and they have strict rules about how the town should look. Angus Russell, the owner of the town, is found murdered in his mansion on Harrow Hill. The fingerprints found at the scene are of a man who died the day before Angus was murdered. How can this be? Morgan begs Gurney to help him with this investigation because he is in over his head. Gurney feels obligated because of something in their past partnership at NYPD homicide.
If you've read Verdon's books you know what comes next. He is a master at taking a seemingly impossible mystery and having Gurney solve it through his special investigative means. I absolutely am thrilled to read Verdon's books. How he comes up with the intricacies of these puzzles and mysteries I don't know? Every book I've read in this series has blown me away with their intelligent plots and great characters. If you haven't read the others, please do so before reading this one. You won't regret it. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Talk about a set up! Dave Gurney agrees to look into the murder of Angus Russell in quiet Larchfield but what he finds when he gets going is more than he could have predicted. Billy Tate, the most likely suspect, died the day before the murder but .....his body is gone from his coffin, which was opened from the inside. Then there's another murder and the community is worried about zombies (too much tv people!). There's a satanic cult and a preacher who rants against it. All of this turns into hysteria which leads to a media circus and Gurney is hard pressed to sort things out. Although this is the latest in a series, it's perfectly enjoyable as a standalone (Verdon gives good backstory- just the right amount). No spoilers but know that not everything is what it seems. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An excellent read.

On Harrow Hill by John Verdon is a superb and engrossing read which will keep you reading until the end. Well worth the read!

When I read John Verdon’s first book Think of a Number , I remember thinking it one of the cleverest books I had ever read. Clever remains the first word that comes to mind for the rest of his books.
Extremely clever puzzle is what comes to mind for Verdon’s most recent On Harrow Hill
Verdon’s detective, Dave Gurney, retired from NYPD with an outstanding reputation for solving difficult homicides. He and his wife, Madeleine purchased a fifty acre farm in upstate NY. From the beginning of his retirement, police departments consulted Gurney when difficult cases occurred in their jurisdictions. Eventually he found himself teaching at the state police academy part time. Madeleine has been disturbed by Gurney's quasi-retirement, she had hoped for a true retirement for Gurney. Madeleine quite rightly felt it was her time in Gurney's life.
In On Harrow Hill , Gurney's old partner, Mike Morgan, has called on Gurney for help. Morgan was Gurney’s partner for only a year and Gurney would prefer to have nothing to do with Morgan, but on the other hand, Gurney owes Morgan a major solid.
Morgan is the police chief in the small town of Larchfield, about an hour away from Dave’s farm. Larchfield is a town of wealth, where a few people control every aspect to the town. The town’s hated leading citizen has been murdered, and the main suspect has been dead since before the murder.
The forces of hysteria take over the town with the charge lead by a gun-toting fundamentalist preacher. The preacher, media, zombie hunters, Satanists, town fathers, armed militia, all vie for villains of the day, no ties allowed. The one religious figure who might have countered these forces is the first victim’s sister and the town’s Episcopal priest. Priest or not, she sure ain’t no bundle of sweetness and light.
In fact, few of the characters are likeable; fun change for a book.
There is some true growth for Dave Gurney; he is better adjusting to being a husband in retirement. Madeleine is more accepting of Gurney’s semi-retirement, forging new experiences herself.
As usual, the plotting for a Verdon book is exquisite. On Harrow Hill is constructed as a puzzle, but with a few pieces missing; except the pieces aren’t missing. Just turn some of the pieces in a different direction and see them differently. They will fit, maybe just not the way you were expecting them to. This is what makes Verdon’s books so fresh and original.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for review purposes.


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for review purposes.

First off a BIG thank you to #netgalley, the publisher Counterpoint Press, and author @johnverdon.net for the opportunity to read an advance uncorrected proof prior to its publication, and in turn offer this unbiased and honest opinion.

As anticipated, John Verdon does not disappoint. I have read all his books since THINK OF A NUMBER and loved each one. His intelligent and complex composition of the Dave Gurney novels have kept me riveted-- "please don't bother me, I'm reading." As much as you know you have to stop to fix dinner or go for the mail, one resents the intrusion.

This installment reacquaints us with Dave, who is failing apparently at retiring from his career in law enforcement for the NYPD as a detective. When he's approached to consult on a particularly strange murder in a small low-crime town, he just can't resist getting involved in the puzzle. If anyone can unravel a seemingly unsolvable crime, you can count on Gurney to do it. BUT - when you think he has, you'll be wrong as there are a couple of twists you didn't see coming, making this a delicious and satisfying novel worth every one of its five stars.

Go into this blind if possible. I won't tell you anymore, just enjoy it as it takes you through a maze of possibilities and wonderful characters.

Dave Gurney feels indebted to his old NYPD partner, Mike Morgan for saving his life. Even though they were only partnered for 10 months, and Gurney would never refer to him as a friend he does not feel that he can ignore his request for help in solving a murder that has occurred in the precious town of Larchfield where Morgan is now chief of police. The case spirals into multiple murders, puzzling even Dave Gurney. This is a twisty procedural, sure to capture and puzzle even the most discerning of readers. Verdon has, once again, proven to be a master of the genre.

Retired NYPD Detective Dave Gurney is intrigued when asked by a friend to consult on a case in an upstate small town. One of the wealthiest and best-known residents has been found dead in his mansion.

Normally, Gurney might not be all that interested, but local police, when they investigated, found DNA pointing directly at the killer. Billy Tate is known to have detested the dead man, and ironically enough, he fell from a church roof and was pronounced dead the day before the murder.

Rushing to the cemetery, the coffin has been broken into ... from the inside ... and the body is gone.

Needless to say, the community is scared with talks of zombies, apocalyptic threats. Their small town soon expands with news reporters and doomsday predictors.

And then there are more bodies .....

The complex plot is artfully written with twists and turns that rival a roller coaster ride. The suspense is evident from the start and maintains a high level until the final, unexpected, conclusion. The characters are solidly written with varied suspects and small town citizens. Although 7th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone with few references to previous books. I do, however, recommend reading all as this is a terrific series.

Many thanks to the author / Counterpoint Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction / police procedural. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.