Good day, dear readers! I am sharing a new to me author, and her new book. Murder in the New Forest by Carol Cole is now available. She is bringing a new series to life, and relocating a detective, who is just hoping for some less serious crimes.
Check out the book below, and give it a read.
Rating: 3/5
Available: Kindle, Paperback
Goodreads Blurb:
A woman’s body lies in the heather, her neck broken. Her horse watches nervously from a few paces away. Despite looking like an accident, it doesn’t take long for DI Callum MacLean, newly arrived in Hampshire from Glasgow, to establish she was murdered. Nor does it take DS Daisy Donaldson, appearing soon after on horseback, long to identify the victim. Mary-Ellen Mitchell was a well-known and seemingly well-liked businesswoman, married to a respected local artist, and part of the close-knit community.
The Scottish detective must adapt quickly to his new team, his past experience of policing a tough city jarring with the pace of Fordingbridge and their peculiar ways. But having hoped for respite in the south, and although made welcome by Daisy, Callum soon feels like he’s being used as a pawn in someone else’s game. However, if Callum can evade the pitfalls and marshal his team, they may well catch the wily killer hiding in the shadows of the woods.
MURDER IN THE NEW FOREST is the first novel in a series of mysteries by Carol Cole who, with beautiful prose, deftly transports the reader into the rich tapestry of the southern landscape. This skilfully crafted story will keep you guessing until the end. The second book in the series, titled STRAW IN THE WIND, is also available from Amazon. Both are FREE with Kindle Unlimited and available in paperback and hardback.
My Review:
First, I enjoyed the mystery that was presented within this book. The details kept me interested, and wanting to learn more about what was going on. DI Callum MacLean seems like a good detective, and I am interested in reading the next book. There is also a motley crew of characters that are going to be working with our Scottish detective, and each are introduced in this book as well. When starting the first book in a series, it can be a toss up as to how the book is going to flow.
As I said, I did enjoy the book. However, I had a very hard time getting into it. It was not until I hit about 60% that I was fully hooked, as more of the mystery had been revealed by then. I wanted to know it all. As the book begins, there is an awkwardness to it, one that makes the writing feel stilted in a lot of ways. When the relationships are introduced, they are doubly awkward as well, and I wasn’t truly sure I was going to like most of them. While there are a few that you know are going to be trouble throughout, by the end, there was more meat and relatability to the characters.
I have a mixed feeling on this book, but I have high hopes for the author in the second.
Happy reading!
