Another decent instalment in this series with the return of several characters and a gruesome murder inquiry. I like the characterisation and just the right amount of humour

The trouble with bodies is that they turn up in the most strange places. A pond, not so strange. Chopped up down a badger sett, definitely.

DI Ford needs to find out if they're connected, whilst dealing with two families at opposite ends of the social spectrum - the landed gentry of Lord Baverstock, and the habitually criminal Bolters.

This promises to be a superb series, with realistic and likeable characters

Intriguing from the start with a plot that twists and turns and characters created with empathy and relatability.
If you enjoy a read where you slowly link up the pieces to find the solution.. this book provides.

The second in the series of "Henry"Ford , a detective investigating murders in Wiltshire. Ford is a widower with a teenage son and the side stories about their homelife are good, though slightly better in the first book . In this book, two seemingly unrelated murders take place. There is a lot of description of forensic investigation which is fascinating, but which may not be for the squeamish. The relationships between the members of the police team is not really explained in this episode which made me glad that I had read the first book too. I would have liked more evidence of them working as a team, it seemed a little disjointed and contrived in this book.
The crimes are interesting, well thought out and take some unexpected turns along the way . The middle part of the book is a little slow moving, but it becomes fast moving towards the end. All in all a good read
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review . I hope there will be more in this series

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley for a review. A solid police procedural from Andy Maslen good character's and plot a departure from his international thrillers but a good one. Read this you won't be disappointed.

Solid detective mystery with a cast of interesting characters. Complex plot with two murders and quite a variety of potential criminals - with a few interesting subplots between various characters. Everything flowed well and definitely keeps your attention. No spoilers here - if I say anymore I'll give something way - definitely recommended.

This is the second book with DI Ford and it was brilliant Had so many twists and turns and kept me hooked from the beginning,

This is the second book in the Detective Ford series by author Andy Maslen. I enjoyed the first book in the series ‘Shallow Ground’ which introduced me to both the author and the character ‘Ford’ and since then have been looking forward to reading the sequel. The character Ford is a single parent who suffers the guilt over his part in his wife’s tragic fatal accident. This is another good police procedural crime novel with really good characters and an engaging plot.

DI Ford is called on to investigate a murder investigation when a dog walker discovers human remains in a badger sett in the idyllic Salisbury countryside, Shortly after a second victim turns up in a nearby pond and Ford believes there must be a connection. The two victims met their fate near the Alverchalke Estate, ancestral home of a decorated war hero and his family. One was a dogged eco-activist and vocal critic of Lord Baverstock, the other was a petty criminal and poacher, youngest brother of a notorious local crime family. Ford and Dr Hannah Fellowes are on the hunt for the killer and the common link while privately fighting off an attempted blackmail.

This really is an hidden gem of a series, one I came across by chance but fully intend to follow into future books. Interesting characters and intriguing plots with a good helping of side issues.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Very well developed characters and an extremely engaging story. Well thought out and very suspenseful story line that keeps the reader guessing until the final twist! This is the book to read this year! Highly recommended!

DI Ford is tasked with soulving the murder of a person whose body was dismembered and disposed of in a badgers hole on a country estate. When a second body is found several miles away, Ford must figure out if they are connected; and if they are, how? While investigating, Ford finds information that there is a leak in his department. This leak is feeding information to the family of one of the victims, and this family is threatining Ford to find the guilty party, or Sam, Fords son, could pay the price. This family member also implies he knows information about Ford's past that he will use if necessary. Can Ford and his team overcome obstacles and mis-information and find the killer or killers?

A great follow up in the series to Shallow Ground. However, for the uninitiated this isn't a problem, as the book doesn't make too much reference to the previous story. The characters are reintroduced in a way that makes it easy to follow the story without needing all of the exposition some authors use.

The story starts off as a discovered body in a field, and then races away in the nice English setting towards the conclusion. I won't go into too much detail as all readers need to approach the book with a clear mind to appreciate all of the description provided.

As a standalone read, this is a good book to introduce yourself to, as a sequel it fleshes out characters who are likeable and sets up a possible future novel in the series.

If you like British crime writing, you don't need to look much further than this. Great read!

I was provided a free ARC copy from NetGalley in return for a honest review.

¨Land Rites¨ is an example of smart entertainment in book form. Mr Maslen knows his craft, the editorial expectations, and his readership. He delivers a good example of a successful product in its niche. It is a great quick read, particularly enjoyable for lovers of murder mysteries.

This is a well-built tale, smart enough that it does not need to hide clues in order to create a small twist to the solution. In fact, a discerning reader will be able to be a few pages ahead of the detectives’ revelations – thus feeling empowered in their deductive abilities. Moreover, it keeps quite a clean narrative despite the subject-matter and a few of the more gruesome scenes.

On the other hand, his insistence on Ford’s personal issues regarding his wife’s death, even starting the thread of the specialist’s involvement, all of which he leaves unsolved, lacks finesse. It is very jarring, as opposed to the rest of the work. Therefore, this is not a successful choice for those interested in single volumes, rather than series with intertwining plots.

A great read! I have not read the previous book in this series, but this does not detract from this story. There is enough back story to enable you to fully enjoy this novel.

A dog Walker finds a severed hand and that’s where DI Ford’s investigation begins. The story has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The writing flows easily , and leads you to read the next chapter and the next.

The core characters are a nice mix , and are relatable and I like how they gel together it brings an authentic thread to the book.
A great police procedural and I look forward to the next in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this arc copy.

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC
I did enjoy it although I do feel he needs to get over his wife's death. Unless he is going to be arrested for it. Having a member of his team working for the criminals is an interesting twist. An enjoyable read, looking forward to seeing how this develops

Land Rites, the superb second DI Ford police procedural, is a twisted tale of conflicts. Criminals confront the police, titled aristocrats deal with minor crimes and environmentalists fight development. DI Ford fights against time before his own deeply hidden secrets are revealed.

The dismembered body of Tommy Bolter is found in a badger den. Tommy is the brother of JJ and Ryan, leaders of organized crime in the area. Of course, the brothers want his murder solved and give Ford just days to find the killer. Their threats to Ford and his son are chilling real. He and Dr. Hannah Fellowes, deputy head of forensics, have only begun their work when a second body is found. Ford is convinced that the cases are related but the only thing the victims have in common is that they were murdered on the vast estate of Lord Baverstock and his family and have tattoos. Can DI Ford solve this puzzle? What does JJ Bolter have planned? And how does he know so much about the investigation?

Andy Maslen has once again delivered a strong, character driven thriller. Ford, still grieving over his role in his wife’s tragic, accidental death, and Hannah Fellowes, an incredibly intelligent scientist with Asperger’s, are an unlikely pair. They complement each other and their developing partnership is a major part of the story. Descriptions of the Baverstock family, the Lord and Lady and their children, Loopy and Stodgy, are perfect. This series is only getting better! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Andy Maslen for this ARC.

When a dismembered hand is found by a local dog walker, Detective Ford is called on to try to discover the murderer. The stakes are high as the hand elongs to the youngest member of a local criminal family, who threaten his son if he doesn't get results, and fast.

The book is a steady police procedural, and the quiet courage of the police is shown clearly throughout.

Recommended for anyone enjoying police dramas, procedurals or those liking a mystery. Fans of Jeffrey Deaver will also enjoy this one.

3.5 stars

When dismembered human remains are discovered by a dog walker in a badger sett in Salisbury countryside, DI Ford is called to investigate. He would be working alongside Dr. Hannah Fellowes, the Deputy Chief forensics officer, and his team: DC Julie Harper, DC Olly, and DS Mick.

Thanks to a tattoo on the victim’s right arm, DI Ford can identify the body of the victim as that of a young man named Tommy Bolter, the youngest of three brothers believed to be members of an organized crime group.

Then a second body turns up in a drainage pond on a farmer's land. Besides having a tattoo, the victims have nothing in common. It’s up to DI Ford and his team to find a connection between the victims and the killer’s motive and bring the killer to justice.

Meanwhile one of his team is selling information to the brother of the first victim. DI Ford suspects DC Mick who’s going through a divorce; he’d probably need money for his lawyer etc.

DI Ford’s sixteen-year-old son, Sam is considering following in his father’s footsteps so Ford lets him in on a case he’s working on now and then. Ever since losing his wife Lou six years ago, he’s been growing increasingly concerned about his son’s safety and has an irrational fear of losing him too, much to Sam’s annoyance. Overall a good detective story.

Thank you to Andy Maslen, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
This second DI Ford book was a disappointment. I found it a bit boring; too slow and I still didn't connect with DI Ford. Hannah is a much more likeable and interesting character. The guilt DI Ford feels about his wife's death is getting boring ... move on already! The mystery itself is ok, but all in all it dragged on too much for me. Sorry!