Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

Book 4 already in this series and I am so happy I discovered this author.

Is this a cozy mystery book? Yes and no. Yes, because the main character Sukey is not a detective which means she is an amateur sleuth. On the other hand though she is a SOCO and part of a police team so some people would say she is not an amateur. Anyway, whatever the genre is, the books are great and that is the most important thing. 😊

This time Sukey is determined to find out what is going on behind the walls of Burwell Farm. It’s no longer a working farm, but it serves as a retreat now. A peaceful environment with lush gardens to destress. That like a dream come true. There are some therapies too and they really seem to help. This is wonderful, right? People feel like reborn after a few sessions of what some people would call a load of mumbo jumbo. But mumbo jumbo or not, if it helps, that’s what counts. Until it does not anymore…

Sukey has a plan, but not everybody agrees it’s a good one. Sukey is an independent young woman and nobody will decide for her. If it’s in her head, she goes for it. Sometimes though she acts before she thinks which brings her in a not so comfortable and even dangerous situation. Thank God for the cavalry. 😊

Another very entertaining story. Sometimes there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. 5 stars

Thank you

Yet another great addition to the series. This book can be read as a stand-alone but in order to fully understand the characters you should read the series from the start.

Sukey continues to grow as a character, and again finds herself in the thick of things. Bring on the next one.

First, I must confess that I enjoy the Sukey Reynolds mystery series by Betty Rowlands. Each book is a well-plotted mystery, a tight police procedural, and the characters are vivid, varied, and always interesting. The books are easy to read and are always a fine choice for a long afternoon.

Death at Burwell Farm is no exception. In the fourth book in this series, Sukey, who is a Scene of the Crime Officer in the Cotswolds, is involved in yet another investigation. This time it involves a string of burglaries. When her suspicions are dismissed by the police officers she works with, Sukey decides to do a little investigating of her own.

There is so much to like about this series. Sukey is a single parent who is smart and likeable. Her relationship with her teenage son, Fergus, is refreshing and always an added bonus to any Sukey Reynolds book. The mystery itself is well-written and it moves along at a nice pace, with many descriptions of the Cotswolds and the characters that occupy Sukey’s life.

Once again, thank you Ms Rowlands for giving me such reading pleasure.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Yeah, we meet Sukey again at the site of another questionable crime. Before she can complete her documentation of one crime, she's called to another that she suspects is tied to the first one. As always, Betty Rowland has taken her cast of characters and given them a mystery that will take them into places most of us would rather not go. The characters and their back story add so much substance to these stories. Add this one to your TBR pile.

Sukey investigates a theft at a local farm, where some people have started a mysterious business. The deaths of two people are linked to this business, but no one can figure out how. One of the deaths is the aunt of Sukey's son's girlfriend, Anita. So, Sukey goes undercover to see what she can learn. This mystery is a page-turner!

I’m sure many will like this book, but I just couldn’t finish the entirety of it. I skipped around and tried to read back though some places, so I do know that the plot is well written and well thought out, but I feel like these are turning into a bit of formulaic episodes for me. I like episodic as well as progression, but I feel like 4 books in, she could have grown a bit more or taken something more interesting on- she’s an ‘amateur’ sleuth but before having her now teenage son, she was an officer. So, she’s already been what she’s now an amateur at? Why not jump back into it? At this point I feel like she’s still at the same job only so the part about ‘amateur’ can be said.

Great British Police Cozy Mystery
I love this series! In this, the 4th episode of the series, Sukey investigates a religious cult. There are many twists and turns in this exciting British police mystery. The case has no clear motives, no clear bad guys and is all brought together for a very satisfying conclusion. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I adored the story line and loved the main characters. I read this book in one sitting and would highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was our fourth visit with Sukey Reynolds, Fergus, DI Jim Castle and the others at the Gloucester Constabulary. Once again Sukey finds herself in the middle of an intriguing mystery. As a SOCO (Scene of Crime Officer) Sukey has been called to Burwell Farm to take photos of a burglary scene. At her next assigned location she finds another burglary and a link to Burwell Farm. As a couple of deaths have links to Burwell Farm, Sukey at the request of a young widow and the father of Fergus' girlfriend Anita - who lost his Aunt Vera, Sukey decides to investigate the RYCE (Release Your Cosmic Energy) Foundation. Of course, DI Castle is no happy about his girlfriend putting herself in danger once again but Sukey follows her instincts and while putting herself in the path of very serious harm, once again triumphs. Perhaps she should return to the force as a police officer instead of just a SOCO......

Miss Rowlands has written an engaging and very hard to put down book that had me reading very late into the night. Another book that is very deserving more than the allotted 5 stars!!

A rambling old house, surrounded by a gorgeous rose garden with an elegant fountain, looks too perfect to be true. But could this beautiful place be the link between a string of peculiar deaths?

Sukey Reynolds is photographing the scene of a burglary at Burwell Farm for the police, when she finds herself drawn to the crumbling building and peaceful surroundings. Burwell Farm doesn’t grow crops or raise animals, but as a retreat, the owners do make some extraordinary claims about healing the soul…

But before Sukey can get too intrigued, she’s called to another break-in at the house of a young widow, whose husband spent a great deal of time at… Burwell Farm. Sukey starts to wonder if there is something more sinister going on behind the perfectly manicured lawns…

After her police colleagues refuse to take her suspicions seriously, Sukey decides the time has come to do some sleuthing on her own. But who is the thorn in the rose garden? Is it the beautiful receptionist, the gardener with a secret to hide, or perhaps the leader who inspires such devotion?

Then someone is murdered in the garden of Burwell Farm while she is there and Sukey realizes she has landed herself in deep water. Can Sukey solve the mystery that has blighted this stunning house? And can she catch the killer before they turn on her?

A completely addictive murder mystery for fans of P.D. James, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis that will have you hooked from the first page!

This book was previously published as Touch Me Not.

I wasn't super thrilled by this book. The characters fell flat, the mystery wasn't really there for me, and there were also a bunch of grammatical and spelling errors that kept me from getting hooked.

Two people die. Their only connection is a lovely spiritual spa. Is it a con? Did it have something to do with their deaths? Of course Sukey can't help but look into the situation after being begged by the widow of one victim and the uncle of another, who also happens to be Gus' girlfriend's father. Follow that? This was a great way to get the two families to interact, especially since Ms. Rowlands likes to include Sukey's son in her conversations about the crimes she isn't supposed to be looking in to. But once again Sukey gets herself in trouble and someone else has to rescue her. I keep my fingers crossed that she can save herself some day. Until then, she shouldn't have eyes on becoming a detective and should remain a SOCO.

This is a very good series. I like the characters and enjoy their adventures. This installment leads Sukey to do some sleuthing at Burrell Farm which is a new age retreat. Of course there is a murder which must be solved. This was an interesting, fast paced read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Death At Burwell Farm

Sukey Reynolds #4

Betty Rowlands

Cozy mystery

A rambling old house, surrounded by a gorgeous rose garden with an elegant fountain, looks too perfect to be true. But could this beautiful place be the link between a string of peculiar deaths?


Sukey Reynolds is photographing the scene of a burglary at Burwell Farm for the police, when she finds herself drawn to the crumbling building and peaceful surroundings. Burwell Farm doesn’t grow crops or raise animals, but as a retreat, the owners do make some extraordinary claims about healing the soul…


But before Sukey can get too intrigued, she’s called to another break-in at the house of a young widow, whose husband spent a great deal of time at… Burwell Farm. Sukey starts to wonder if there is something more sinister going on behind the perfectly manicured lawns…


After her police colleagues refuse to take her suspicions seriously, Sukey decides the time has come to do some sleuthing on her own. But who is the thorn in the rose garden? Is it the beautiful receptionist, the gardener with a secret to hide, or perhaps the leader who inspires such devotion?


Then someone is murdered in the garden of Burwell Farm while she is there and Sukey realises she has landed herself in deep water. Can Sukey solve the mystery that has blighted this stunning house? And can she catch the killer before they turn on her?


My thoughts

Rating: 4.5

Would I recommend it? yes

Would I read the rest of the series? yes in fact I've all ready read books 1-6 thanks to Netgalley

Would I read anything else by this author? maybe

Note: book was previously published as Touch Me Not

Wow this one offers up the question was it apparent suicide, a suspicious death and or murder.And its up to Sukey to find out which one it was or if it was all 3, and just like the others I could't put it down , so set back and watch as the story comes to life and enjoy the show , as of to date I've already ready books 1-6 ,and I can't wait to read more of this series and see what happens . With that said I want to say thank.you.to Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion

This one moved slowly and wasn’t very exciting. I’m hoping the next in the series is more interesting
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

This is book #4 in the Sukey Reynolds Mystery Series. I have read the entire series and am a fan of the author's writing. This was a outstanding mystery and one of my favorite of the series.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for your generosity.. My review is my own opinion.

In this next in series Sukey is called out to go undercover at a mysterious old retreat center called Burwell Farm. She finds it charming and loves the beautiful grounds. She is soon to find out behind the charm it hides secrets and is operating like as a cult. The center has had mysterious deaths that she is hoping to find the truth behind how they occurred and possible suspects.

The characters are likable and I enjoyed the description of the setting of the retreat center. The sleuth is well crafted to a pleasing conclusion. I look forward to the next in series.

I think that I may have mentioned on one of the previous Sukey Reynolds books, that they are a little different from Betty Rowlands' other series. Unlike her other female lead, Mel Craig, Sukey doesn't really set out to investigate the mysteries that she finds herself in the middle of. Unlike Mel, Sukey actually has a reason to get close to crimes, in her role of SOCO, which is possibly why the approach is slightly different here. Either way, it doesn't really matter as the story itself is very enjoyable.
Having said all of that, this time, Sukey is asked by more than one person to look into a potentially dodgy alternative therapy, meditation retreat type place. Although she does set out to find out what is going on there, once the murder takes place, events unfold around her, rather than her actively trying to get to the bottom of them.
This really is a very enjoyable series. There is the chance to try and work out who-done-it, but just reading the story is entertaining in itself. This is only book number four in the series and I'm looking forward to reading more about Sukey, her son Gus and boyfriend Jim Castle.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Death at Burwell Farm by Betty Rowlands it's the forth book in the Sukey Reynolds series and it can be read as a stand alone book as well. Sukey Reynolds is a Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) she sees things others miss within the Police force. There's a few surprising twists within this book.

These books are a cosy quick read for a rainy day or a read for your holidays.

Highly recommend these books.

Big Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Another good entry in the Sukey Reynolds series, and this time the family of Fergus' girlfriend are featured as a beloved aunt dies in odd circumstances. I enjoy the continued relationships of the main characters, blending everyday life with police work.

Sukey Reynolds is a SOCO for Goucester City Police. She has a teenaged son, Fergus, and a hot boyfriend, DI Jim Castle. They often butt heads with her being so intent on getting involved in cases beyond the remit of her job. But hey, she only gave up working for the police when she got pregnant.

In this 4th outing, Sukey goes undercover at the RYCE (Release Your Cosmic Energy) Foundation after a couple of deaths seem to have ties to the place. Located at Burwell Farm, Sukey is trying to find out if a suicide and a heart attack death were in any way connected to the new age center. Although she finds the course somewhat calming, there's a murder that disrupts the course and her equilibrium. NO SPOILERS.

I enjoy this cozy mystery series and have read them all in order to date. The characters are nice people without all the pent up angst and psych damage that tend to be a staple in this genre. The stories are fast reads and provide a pleasant entertainment. I'm becoming quite attached to Sukey, her son, and DI Jim. Looking forward to the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.