Dive into the shadowy snickleways of Eborby, where Detective Inspector Joe Plantagenet unravels chilling mysteries that blend gritty crime with whispers of the supernatural. Kate Ellis’s Joe Plantagenet series, set in a fictional North Yorkshire city inspired by haunted York, offers crime fiction fans a thrilling ride through historic streets and eerie cases. With its unique mix of police procedural and ghostly intrigue, this series hooks readers from the first page.
Joe, a former theology student with a tragic past, brings a soulful depth to his detective work, making him a standout in the genre. Whether you’re a fan of atmospheric settings or twisty plots, this series delivers a fresh take on crime fiction that’s hard to put down.
How Joe Plantagenet Began
Kate Ellis, a Liverpool-born author with a flair for weaving history and mystery, crafted the Joe Plantagenet series after a ghost walk in York sparked her imagination. Visiting her son, an archaeology student at York University, Ellis was captivated by the city’s medieval charm and ghostly lore. This inspired Eborby, a fictional city brimming with ancient secrets. Launched in 2008 with Seeking the Dead, the series reflects Ellis’s love for blending crime with supernatural elements, drawing on her passion for Golden Age mysteries and York’s haunted reputation.
The Heart of Joe Plantagenet
The series spans five novels, each plunging Joe into cases that intertwine Eborby’s past with present-day crimes. In Seeking the Dead (2008), Joe hunts the Resurrection Man, a serial killer leaving victims in churchyards, with occult clues pointing to a sinister pub. Playing with Bones (2009) revisits a haunted site where a Doll Strangler once struck, as Joe tackles copycat murders. Kissing the Demons (2011) explores a cursed house tied to macabre events, while Walking by Night (2015) investigates a missing woman and a eerie nun-like figure linked to a violent play.
Themes of loss, history, and the supernatural define the series. Joe’s background as an ex-priest adds a spiritual lens to his investigations, while Eborby’s medieval snickleways and ghostly aura act as a vivid backdrop. Ellis’s brisk plotting and sympathetic characters, like Joe and his colleague Carmel Hennessy, keep the stories engaging, with the occult enhancing rather than overshadowing the sleuthing. Fans of atmospheric crime novels will love the balance of eerie vibes and grounded detective work.
Why Joe Plantagenet Resonates
Though less known than Ellis’s Wesley Peterson series, Joe Plantagenet has carved a niche among crime fiction readers for its unique blend of supernatural suspense and historical depth. Fans in North Yorkshire particularly embrace Eborby’s vivid depiction, with local bookshops reporting strong interest. The series’ ability to evoke York’s haunted charm while delivering tight mysteries has earned praise from outlets like The Times, which called Ellis a “beguiling author.” With a sixth book planned, Joe’s legacy continues to grow, captivating those who crave crime with a ghostly twist.
- Publication Years: 2008–2015
- Number of Books: 5
- Setting: Eborby, a fictional North Yorkshire city
- Awards: Kate Ellis won the 2019 CWA Dagger in the Library
Ready to explore Eborby’s haunted streets? Grab Seeking the Dead and join Joe Plantagenet in a world where history and mystery collide!