J M Dalgliesh Bio

Born on the south coast of England, Jason Dalgliesh, or J M Dalgliesh, grew up in Hampshire, UK. He has had several interesting jobs before turning his hand to writing full time as a self-published author. Prior to writing, he worked in the power transmission industry, the retail sector, call centres and as a night-owl in a bakery. In addition he has a degree in history.

He has lived and worked in various parts of England and Scotland, gaining familiarity with rural England and the Scottish Highlands. Dalgliesh currently resides in Norfolk with his wife and two young children.

Recently signing a deal with Penguin, Dalgliesh spent several years as a self-published author when he realised that getting a deal with a publisher would be difficult due to the large number of authors sending in their manuscripts each month. Dalgliesh demonstrated the viability of self-publishing before securing deals with major publishers like Penguin and Hachette.

Writing since he was a teenager, Dalgliesh only turned to full time writing in 2017, as he didn’t see a future in it earlier. However the ability to self publish books online made it an easier profession to break into, be successful and make a living from.

J M Dalgliesh’s crime novel A Long Time Dead, hit the coveted #1 spot on the Kindle Store with follow up The Dead Man of Storr, also placing high in the Top 10 on its release. His book, Hear No Evil, was shortlisted for the prestigious Kindle Storyteller Award in 2020 on Amazon.

In addition, Dalgliesh was announced in the Top 10 most-read authors of the last decade on Amazon UK – this is despite only publishing books for six of the last ten years.

Cementing his place as one of the most popular British authors producing UK based regional crime in recent years. His work is in development with television producer Clear Pictures Entertainment, with plots taking in some of the most rugged and beautiful landscapes in the UK, including various parts of Yorkshire, the North Sea coastline, the North York Moors, and Scotland.

Books in order

J M Dalgliesh has published three series with a fourth on the way in 2027. In addition there are two standalone novels. His series are set in various atmospheric locations, such as Yorkshire and Norfolk, known for their rugged landscapes and coastal scenery.

Dark Yorkshire Crime Thrillers

The Dark Yorkshire series by J.M. Dalgliesh features Detective Investigator Nathaniel Caslin, a flawed yet brilliant detective pitted against his own demons and addiction as he searches for the truth behind dark crimes. Caslin’s battles with addiction and personal demons add depth to his character, making him a compelling figure in the gritty, atmospheric crime Noir genre. Set in various parts of Yorkshire, England -including the rugged North York Moors and the dramatic North Sea coastline—the series uses these landscapes to heighten the tension and mood. The stories explore secrets, both public and private, as Caslin is often forced to find hidden truths and uncover what others try to conceal, especially when mysterious deaths and unresolved mysteries from the past come to light.

• Divided House (2018)

• Blacklight (2018)

• The Dogs in the Street (2018)

• Blood Money (2018)

• Fear the Past (2019)

• The Sixth Precept (2019)

Hidden Norfolk Murder Mystery

The Hidden Norfolk series is set in Norfolk, bringing the same dark crime energy as Dark Yorkshire but with a quieter landscape. The crimes within this series feel close to real life, and readers will get a constant sense that something isn’t quite right. During his stay in the area, Detective Inspector Ton Janssen leads readers through this series and will see the continuous growth of his character while dealing with slowly unravelling crimes.

• Life & Death (2019)

• One Lost Soul (2019)

• Bury Your Past (2019)

• Kill Our Sins (2020)

• Tell No Tales (2020)

• Hear No Evil (2020)

• The Dead Call (2020)

• Kill Them Cold (2021)

• A Dark Sin (2021)

• To Die For (2021)

• Fool Me Twice (2022)

• The Raven Song (2022)

• Angel of Death (2022)

• Dead to Me (2023)

• Blood Runs Cold (2023)

• Watch and Prey (2024)

• When Death Calls (2025)

D.I. Duncan McAdam Mystery/Misty Isle series

In the Misty Isle series, inspired by the landscapes and culture of Scotland, readers will see the setting taking centre stage—remote island, harsh weather and tight-knit communities. With Detective Inspector Duncan McAdam as the main character, readers get a protagonist local to the island and connected to the community which offers an interesting dynamic. With each case rooted into the island’s community, the insider perspective of Di McAdam makes cases feel that bit more personal.

• A Long Time Dead (2023)

• The Dead Man of Storr (2023)

• The Talisker Dead (2024)

• The Cuillin Dead (2024)

• A Dead Man on Staffin Beach (2025)

• Death at Neist Point (2025)

• The Missing Dead (2026)

Orkney

• Murder in the Cathedral (2027)

Standalone Novels

• Homewrecker (2024)

• Family Doctor (2024)