Llangwelli. DI Sarah Southall and DS Norman are called out to a crime scene. That of a possible suicide by farm owner Tilly Rotherby, found on the day of her wedding. But it soon becomes apparent that it is now a murder inquiry. The team investigate but the motive is elusive and the case becomes more complicated.
A well-written and entertaining modern mystery, with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

A good story, well told. There’s a nice mixture of young and old police officers, all of whom behave as real people to one another and the public. A few red herrings in the mix too.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn’t work it out for myself either.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

A Body at the Farmhouse by P.F. Ford is a compelling and intricately plotted crime novel that will satisfy fans of the genre. From the very first page, the author sets a gripping tone, drawing readers into a world filled with mystery, secrets, and shocking revelations.

The story revolves around the murder of Tilly Rotherby, a young woman found dead on her wedding day in the farmhouse barn. Detective Constable Morgan and Detective Sergeant Norman are assigned to the case, and their investigation takes them deep into the complex dynamics of the Rotherby family. With a carefully crafted backstory involving inheritance, property disputes, and a horse racing stable, the author establishes a rich tapestry of motives and potential suspects.

The pacing of the novel is skillfully executed, with each chapter revealing new clues and developments that keep readers engrossed and eager to uncover the truth. P.F. Ford’s writing style is concise and engaging, allowing the story to flow smoothly and maintaining a sense of tension throughout. The characters in A Body at the Farmhouse are well-developed and multi-dimensional. From the enigmatic Tilly Rotherby to her older brother Giles, and the mysterious groom David Griffiths, each character brings their own complexity to the narrative. As the detectives delve deeper into the lives of the suspects, layers of deceit and hidden agendas are peeled back, adding depth and intrigue to the overall story.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its atmospheric setting. The old country estate, with its farmhouses and cottages, provides a haunting backdrop for the unfolding investigation. As readers are taken inside the farmhouse, the interior is described as immaculate and expensive. Then there is the vivid description of the rural landscape, which immerses readers in the surroundings and creates a sense of isolation and claustrophobia that heightens the suspense.

Throughout the novel, P.F. Ford expertly plants twists and turns, ensuring that readers are kept guessing until the final pages. The resolution of the mystery is satisfying, tying up loose ends and delivering a surprising revelation that will leave readers both satisfied and craving more.
Overall, A Body at the Farmhouse is a superbly crafted novel that delivers a captivating and immersive reading experience. With its well-developed characters, intricate plot, and atmospheric setting. P.F. Ford has created a standout addition to the genre. Fans of suspenseful mysteries will find themselves thoroughly engrossed in this compelling tale of murder and deception.

I really enjoyed this book! I think it is a great continuation of the series. It has a good mystery. I would reccomend this book. 10/10
Special "Thank you" to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing to read a copy prior to the release date.

I received a free copy of, A Body at the Farmhouse, by P.F. Ford, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book four of the The west Wales Murder series. David Griffiths thought he would marry his beautiful fiance Tilly, until she is found hanged on her wedding day, everyone thinks its suicide. could it be? Detective Norman is out of retirement to solve this case, where everybody has a secret. A well written book, I really enjoyed it.

Synopsis: This is book four of the West Wales Murder Mysteries. In this outing, a woman’s body is found hanging in the horse stables and while it appears to be a suicide, Detective Norman questions why she would do this on the morning of her wedding day and so the mystery begins.

My thoughts:

When I requested this book from Netgalley, I did not realize that this was the fourth book in the series and while I enjoyed reading it and I recommend it if you like entertaining murder mysteries, I think I would have benefited and gotten more out of it if I had read the previous books in the series. I felt like I missed a lot of character and relationship development and I recommend reading the first three before tackling this one, however, that was my fault and certainly recommend this series.

This book will be published on July 5, 2023 and I thank Netgalley and Joffe Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A clever mystery set in Wales. This is the fourth in the series, but works very well as a standalone. Having not read the first three, I did not feel at a disadvantage. The story follows a closely knit group of police officers who have been assigned to a case involving a young woman found hanging in a barn. Once the pathologist determines it is murder, not suicide, the group work seamlessly together to fit the pieces of this crime. Many suspects abound as it is determined that the victim was not a nice person. Adding to the confusion, the day of the murder was to be the victim’s wedding day. It seems the groom probably did the crime, but whoa, he gets killed as well. Intricately plotted I was totally surprised by the ending, not at all what I suspected.
No language, sex, or violence, safe to recommend to all ages. Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe books for this advance copy. I do recommend, it is a good read.

A solid police procedural set in a small village in Wales, this book is part of a series, but it's the first novel I read by the author. The book can be read as a stand-alone but I enjoyed it so much, I plan to go back and read the previous ones in the series. I love the Welsh countryside as a setting and the murder mystery is fast-paced, keeps the reader guessing, but I was especially fond of the wide range of well-designed characters that make up the police team. These characters made all the difference between just another cozy mystery series and one that truly stands out as your next favorite. For readers who prefer clean reads or just not in the mood for more at the time, I don't recall any language and there were no steamy romantic scenes here, just a good old police procedural.

Net Galley Feedback

Suicide Or Murder…?
The fourth entry in the West Wales Murder Mystery series finds the team with an apparent suicide on their hands and a case that becomes ever more complex and confounding. As suspicions grow, it soon becomes clear that they are dealing with a murder case and it’s not too long before bodies begin to pile. Another compelling entry with a pacy plotline populated with a credible and engaging cast of characters, a solid backdrop and a swift and sparky narrative.

I am familiar with the author's books and I am enjoying this Welsh series.
It has a nice flow with opening to know the characters. A wedding to find they were married two weeks before. A suicide that did't feel like one. Her bedroom had locked closets with different size men's clothing in it.
There are secrets in this story and readers will enjoy finding out why this young woman life was taken. Given arc by Net Galley and Joffe for my voluntary review

I had to go back and read the other 3 so I had an easier time reading this one! I really enjoyed it and learning about the area they are in. I had no idea how the book would end until it did….which I loved!

In a shocking turn of events, Matilda (aka Tilly) Rotherby is found hanging in the stables of her home - on the day of her planned wedding - by none other than the man who was to have been her husband, David Griffiths.

Detective Sergeant Norman - who has come out of retirement and is working in a rainy Welsh village - is called to the scene, along with his colleague.

Since Tilly appears to have been widely liked, and few brides tend to commit suicide on the eve of their wedding reception, Norman is inclined to think that there is more to the story.

As his investigation progresses, inconsistencies begin to appear in the various narratives of those interviewed and Norman's suspicions deepen.

This is a good solid mystery and great fun too. There are red herrings aplenty, and the police team members are well-drawn, have good chemistry and are very relatable. Enjoy!

First I've read in the series (this is book 4), but overall not too lost. Just took a bit to get to know the characters. I did like this one, as it reminds me of the British mystery series (this is set in Wales), and the clues build as the police try to figure out who the killer is and why. Highly recommend. Good story.

Another excellent read from this author. Makes me feel like I'm in Wales even though I am not
Didn't come close to working out how this book would end

Book Title: A Body at the Farmhouse
Series: West Wales Murder Mystery #4
Author: P.F. (Pete) Ford
Publisher: Joffe Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: July 5, 2023
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages 304

Although this is story number four in this series. Reviews mention it can read as a stand-alone.

Story starts when Detective Sergeant Norman and Detective Constable Catren Morgan are called in to investigate a hanging at Matilda “Tilly” Rotherby’s estate. It appears Tilly hung herself the night before her wedding reception in the barn in an apparent suicide. She was discovered in the early morning by David Griffiths the groom.

However committing suicide the night before her wedding causes our investigators to suspect it wasn’t suicide.
They interview Mr. Griffiths as well as sixteen year old Carys Howells who lives with her mother in a nearby cottage looks after the horses on weekends. As Carys was getting ready to feed the horses she entered the barn and found Tilly. She dropped what she was doing and ran home and her mother who called the first responders.

After interviewing Mr. Griffiths as well as Carys the investigators find what they saw was a bit different. Someone is lying – is it the groom?

Now things get far more involved
This story was great. I read a lot of thrillers and love to try to solve whodunit ~ I wasn’t anywhere close.
I certainly am looking forward to the ‘West Wales Mysteries #5!!

BTW: I also enjoyed the ~ “Glossary of English Usage for U.S. Readers.”
I often look up words that I am not positive of the meaning. In this case the word was ’Portakabin”. The Dictionary changed it to ~portage~ the carrying of a boat with cargo between two navigable waters. Example: The return journey was made much simpler by portage”.
I, of course laughed as I was closer with my thinking.

Want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 5, 2023.

crime-thriller, law-enforcement, suspense, working-partners, procedural, Wales, banter, teamwork, grifter, extortion, unputdownable, murder, murder-investigation, due-diligence, out-of-retirement, secrets, lies, rural*****

This author is new to me but I truly enjoyed this procedural, and it's being number four in series really didn't matter at all. A good solid procedural with believable characters with all their foibles, an interesting part of the Great Britain, interesting red herrings, and fantastic plot twists! Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of A Body at the Farmhouse, the fourth novel in West Wales Murder Mysteries series featuring DS Norman Norman.

Tilly Rotherby is found hanging in a barn on her property on her wedding day. There is something about the scene that isn’t quite right for suicide so the team open a murder investigation and soon have a list of potential suspects, because Tilly’s life wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Body at the Farmhouse, which is a fun read with a good mystery attached. I have not read this series before, but am acquainted with Norman from the author’s other series so I wasn’t walking in to the read blind, even if it is a long time since I read a few of them.

The plot held my attention as the team investigated the various suspects, uncovering all sorts of nefarious secrets and some hidden family dynamics. It’s interesting, but not particularly deep or complex, not that it has to be as it’s entertaining and has enough going on to keep the reader occupied. There are aspects that I would have liked more of an explanation for, but that’s a niggle rather than a criticism and is more than made up for in the unexpected solution, which is clever and a bit sad.

The main attraction in the novel for me is the characters in the team. They are a small close knit team with a great dynamic and some fun, realistic banter. They feel like real people in the workplace with some windups and a bit of cheek. It helps that the novel is told from their point of view, disposing the reader to like and root for them.

A Body at the Farmhouse is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

"Or maybe there's something else we don't know about yet," said Southall. "Whatever, he's definitely in the frame."

#ABodyattheFarmhouse by P. F. Ford is an excellent police procedural. I had a little trouble keeping everyone straight the first few chapters, but once we settled in, it was quite the ride. Well written, with good characters and truly chilling murderer. Highly recommend.

P.S. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
This was my first book in the Detective Norman series and I was pleasantly surprised. Normally I'm not a big fan of police procedurals as I like a lot of background of the characters' private lives, but this one gave a lot of clues as to the police teams' and the others' personalities.
The mystery is pretty good and I would never have guessed the ending. Detective Norman is a very likeable man and I had a lot of empathy for him vis-a-vis his anxieties, been there!
Definitely recommended.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, a great who done it, that I did figure out early on, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!