The North East of DCI Ryan

Submitted: 8th July 2026

The North East of DCI Ryan

Want a guide to the North East? With maps? With book maps? Well…..

L J Ross is THE guide to the North East with her DCI Ryan series. Just look at the first three books for example…..

Welcome to the world of LJ Ross

So, the first three books….ready?

Holy Island, L J Ross

Holy Island

The first in the series and set at one of the most stunning places in the North East. Holy Island is a tidal island which is stunning but it catches a lot of people out when trying to cross – the tide comes in, you get stuck!

The causeway:

DCI Ryan has worse things to consider as in this book, a young woman is found dead amongst the ancient ruins of the nearby Priory…

Sycamore Gap

Now book two has taken on a criminal aspect of its own since the iconic tree was chopped down by two criminals in September 2023. The site is now a memorial to the tree that stood there for over 100 years.

But still very much a reason to visit as the landscape around the tree is stunning – this is wild Northumberland and some of the most beautiful scenery you have ever seen.

Heavenfield

A very iconic part of the North East – St Oswald’s church – Heavenfield is on the site of what is believed to be the location where King Oswald raised a large wooden cross and called his troops to pray before the battle of Heavenfield (AD 633) .

Heavenfield is significant as it lies in the re-establishment of Celtic Christianity which led to the Golden Age of the Kingdom of Northumbria. The place of battle is now a tranquil hilltop church, and a place of pilgrimage for centuries.

So does this taster make you want to visit the Literary Locations of L J Ross?