The Streets of ... Bradford with Liz Mistry's DI Gus McGuire

Lis Mistry's Amazon page

One of the amazing things about living in such a diverse city as Bradford is that it enriches my writing. I didn't have to think twice about setting my exising series of DI Gus McGuire books in the city and when the inspiration for my new series with DS Nikki Parekh struck, I was thrilled to be able to explore other aspects of the city. My motto for Bradford, which is often seen as the Northern underdog is that it is Warm and Rich and Fearless.

So, let's take a wee stroll through the streets of Bradford with Gus McGuire.

Image drawn by Nilesh Mistry

Map of the city indicating areas Gus has visited in my books

The Fort and Lister Mills apartments

1. The Fort (actually Lilycroft police station) is in reality an admin only building. I've taken a bit of creative licence and used as Gus' place of work. It is situated in the heart of Manningham in Bradford's inner city, opposite the wonderfully charismatic Lister's Mill apartment complex and is a stone's throw away from Lister park and Mo's famous SaMOsa cafe. I often wonder if anyone will ever create a cafe with that name on Oak Lane. The Fort has been: 1.A haven for the homeless during The Beast from the East in Unspoken Truths, 

Lister Park 

2. Compo's (Gus's computer nerd) home from home throughout the series and 3.The one place that keeps Gus sane from Unquiet Souls (when he's recovering from killing his best friend)  to Uncoiled Lies where he is at loggerheads with a senior colleague, to Untainted Blood where he finds sanctuary during a bleak time in the city's history, to Uncommon Cruelty where he discovers corruption, to Unspoken Truths where he mourns the loss of a valued

Lister Park

colleague. 
It is a stone's throw from the beautiful Lister Park which houses a boating lake, the fabulous Art Gallery Cartwright hall, beutiful Mogul Gardens, Botanic gardens and a wealth of recreational activities for all ages. Right in the middle of the inner city, it is a beacon for people from throughout the

Lister Park Mogul Gardens

district. Gus jogs from his home in Marriners Drive through the park and up Oak Lane to his work. He loves the tranquility of the park and Lister Park features in all of the Gus books in one way or another. My newest Gus book Ungraven Image due out later this year, perhaps features this park more than any of the others.


2. Heaton Woods is an oasis of greenery in the heart of Bradford. It is where Gus walks his dog Bingo, it's been the site of a murder, it's a shortcut between Gus' home and his parent's home up towards Cottingley. In the summer it is filled with families and throughout the year it is a conduit between Heaton Village and Shipley and Frizinghall. In Bradford you are never very far from a green space and Gus takes full advantage of this. Heaton Woods links with Northpark woods again a well used park featuring many summer activities, fabulous walks and a miniature railway.

3. Bradford city centre is richly diverse. The addition of City park which attracts families and has transfromed the city centre into a bustling, well used family area. Dominated by City hall and looked down on by Bradford cathedral it is steeped in a combination of history, tradition and a celebration of the the city. With the recently refurbished Sunbridge Wells providing a myriad of  eateries and pubs and quaint shops which links up to the top end of the city where Bradford Bid is creating an exciting addition to the city centre.


4. Wyke is a village towards Rastrick where, community is very important. Wyke features as the home for one of the officers in Untainted Blood. It has beutiful views, if you know where to look for them.

Thornton Viaduct

5. Thornton, a village  on the outskirts of Bradford features in Unquiet Souls. It's huge mill, unfortunately now destroyed by fire, it's bustling arts space in South Square, it's steep meandering roads up to the moors and the awesome viaduct, make Thornton a joy to visit. It's also got a significant link to the Bronte's

Shipley Glen

6. Shipley and Baildon moors are, again, not ten minutes away from the inner city. In Untainted Blood this visceral, yet beautiful ladscape becomes a significnt scene. The massive boulders, the wind, the drama ... all of this created an atmosphere I just had to include in my writing. Bradford is a city of contrasts and I like to capture that in my books.

Haworth moors

8. Haworth moors ... well, you can't live in Bradford and not visit Haworth ... and the moors are truly stupendous. Again, not far from the city itself, Haworth itself is quant with cobbled streets, lovely cafes and pubs. It had a fabulous park too. For me ... and for Gus, the rawness, the uncompromising determination of the moors draws us. I think, for Gus, the moors mirror his soul. The darkness that resides there, the visceral realness of it, it's unrelenting perseverance ... all of those things, I think sum gus up. he is as much part of Bradford as Bradford is of him. He is a symbol of the riches Bradford has to offer and the struggle the city has to get there.

Doe Park Reservoir

7. Denholme is a lovely little Yorkshire village which hosts the Doe Park reservior, where water sports of all descriptions can be enjoyed.  The meandering road down to the reservoir is beutiful and within seconds you are transported away from the main road and into the 
countryside with only horses and sheep for company. If you catch it just right, the glint of the sun on the water is mesmerising. A truly relaxing place. Of course, you'll have to read Untainted Blood to discover how it features.

Keighley town centre

9. Keighley is one of the most beautiful villages in Bradford. It is pure yorkshire mills and grit. The town centre is olde worlde and I love it. Like the rest of Bradford it is a town of contrasts both culturally and environmentally.

Worth Valley railway

With green space and Victorian buildings juxtaposed newer 70's builds. It  is hime to the Worth Valley steam railway (which features in Unspoken Truths) and the eerily beautiful Dalton Mills.

10. Ilkley, with the Cow and Calf rocks en route to this village,

Ilkley Moor

is the posher end of Bradford ... but yes, it is still in Bradford district. It features in Unquiet Souls and in Uncommon Cruelty. Ilkley Moor, like all the moors surrounding Bradford, is beutifully rich with bracken and foliage. The town itself hosts, not only Betty's, but the world renowned Ilkley Literature Festival. How great is it that Bradford hosts two of the most amazing literature festival: Ilkley literature Festival and Bradford Literature Festival.