*Sarah Yarwood-Lovett's* *A Swarm of Butterflies* is a captivating and charming installment in the Dr. Nell Ward Mystery series, blending elements of cozy mystery with an engaging naturalist theme. The novel follows Dr. Nell Ward, an ecologist, as she finds herself entangled in a murder mystery that disrupts the tranquility of her latest environmental survey. With Yarwood-Lovett's keen eye for detail and love for the natural world, this book delivers an enjoyable mix of suspense, science, and a touch of romance.

Set against the backdrop of the English countryside, *A Swarm of Butterflies* draws readers into the intricate world of ecology, where even the smallest details can have significant implications—not just for the environment but also for the investigation at hand. When a body is discovered near a butterfly conservation site, Nell's expertise in wildlife becomes an unexpected asset in the investigation, offering a unique twist on the traditional amateur sleuth narrative.

Yarwood-Lovett's writing is vivid and immersive, bringing both the natural setting and the characters to life. Her protagonist, Dr. Nell Ward, is a relatable and likable character, whose intelligence and curiosity drive the story forward. The supporting cast, including law enforcement officers and other locals, are well-developed, adding depth to the narrative and providing various red herrings that keep the reader guessing.

The plot of *A Swarm of Butterflies* is well-paced, with a good balance of tension and lighter moments. Yarwood-Lovett skillfully weaves environmental themes into the mystery, making the story not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, particularly for readers interested in conservation and ecology. The integration of scientific knowledge into the plot is done seamlessly, never feeling forced or overly technical.

Overall, *A Swarm of Butterflies* is a delightful read that combines a well-crafted mystery with a deep appreciation for the natural world. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett has created a series that is both engaging and educational, making it a standout in the cozy mystery genre. Fans of nature-themed mysteries or those looking for a smart and enjoyable read will find much to appreciate in this book.

A Swarm of Butterflies by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is another in the ongoing story of Dr Nell Ward and her beau, Rav (Dr Aravindan Kakshyap) and their ongoing efforts to recreate Nell’s estate of Finchmere into an ecologically friendly place for native species; rewilding. To that end there is to be a fete held on the grounds this weekend. The current problem is that Rav is visiting his parents and the cat has woken Nell to let her know their barn/house is on fire. They both got out OK, but as the next few days unraveled it became apparent that Rave had a stalker and the stalker intended to remove Nell. He had become something of a star as the narrator on their YouTube series and so the suspect pool was much wider. They looked around but could not identify a suspect. Then, the most likely suspect was killed. Should they cancel the fete? Could Nell keep a low profile? What was going to happen next? More deaths?

This is a good series. Nell is a member of the aristocracy, but still a working scientist who lives with her partner, Rav, who has just gotten out of a wheelchair and onto crutches due to a car wreck which had happened on the racetrack as Rave was driving one of her father’s cars. They are both excellent and sympathetic characters and if one were to ask how exciting a mystery featuring ecologists could be, the answer lies within. This is another of the intriguing and varied books in this series featuring a variety of colorful characters as well as bats and rats and such. The mysteries are well-plotted and worth the read. The are both compelling and warm. Thanks Yarwood-Lovett for this wonderful cozy mystery series.

I was invited to read A Swarm of Butterflies by Embla Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #EmblaBooks #SarahYarwoodLovett #ASwarmOf Butterflies

Dr Nell Ward is back with another mystery to solve, but this time she is the (intended) victim. Nell's partner Rav has found fame as an ecological content creator but has also gained himself a stalker along the way. After a failed attempt to kill Nell in a house fire, the stalker turns their attention to other targets. No-one seems to be safe in the tight knit Finchmere artisan community.

I've found myself really warming to Nell as the main character, and this was amplified in A Swarm of Butterflies. She's constantly chasing her tail to keep herself and others out of harm's way, and there's not always a happy ending. Plus the small list of supporting characters adds a real air of claustrophobia to the story.

A great installment in the series!

A Swarm of Butterflies is the sixth book in the Dr. Nell Ward mystery series. This unique series features Nell, who is an ecologist, as the main character. In this book, she and her boyfriend, Dr. Rav Kashyap, are hosting a popular channel on social media and it looks like one of their fans is willing to go too far to get closer to Rav and get Nell out of the picture. There are a lot of shady people in this book, so there is no shortage of suspects. I love Nell and Rav, but sometimes they are just too nice! They are taken advantage of and put themselves in danger because they just can't say no!

There are highs (great scenes with Rav and Nell) and lows (over-complicated plot) in this suspenseful book. However, what I love about this series is nature and ecology isn't just a backdrop - science plays a large role in solving the case. Although some things got confusing as the story progressed, it's still an interesting mystery and there are a couple things that occur that fans of the series won't want to miss.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Embla Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

This may be my favourite of the series. I love a country fair and this reminded me of home! I did manage to guess the villain but the plot is written with such depth and drama that I was wholly invested from beginning to end. I am also, of course, extremely invested in the lives of these characters- previous books I felt featured more on the lives of characters than on the mystery plot, but this struck a great balance and both were well integrated and more subtle compared to the early Nell Ward novels - the author has really grown in their craft. I suppose the intertwining of murder plot character plot could make it difficult to follow in parts, but I read this in only a few sittings - maybe if I’d read this with longer breaks it would have been harder to keep track.

I will say that this would be much harder to follow if you were coming to this without having read the others- this novel lacked the context that previous books would always outline in the early chapters (I read the first three out of order and had no problems). One other thing that felt odd was that given that it felt that so much effort was put into shoehorning James into the last book, why was Shannon missing from this one?

All in all, a quick and enjoyable read for those who like a scientific but not overly gruesome mystery set in the English countryside. 3.5*

At the heart of the picturesque Finchmere estate, Dr. Nell Ward’s family home becomes the focus during its first summer fete. Nell and her partner, Rav, are riding high on the success of their sustainability and rewilding efforts, which have even turned into a YouTube sensation with "Following Finchmere." Hoping to inspire others to embrace eco-friendly living.

Unfortunately, behind the scenes is not as perfect as everything seems.

A huge fire destroys a beautiful property, that Nell cherish’s and Rav begins receiving unsettling messages.
Unable to understand why this has happened, they seek help from their friend, DI James Clark.

When a body is discovered after the fire, and identified to be in relation to the estate. The situation becomes more terrifying. With hundreds of visitors attending Nell & Rav’s fete, a killer will be hiding in plain sight…. Leaving everyone in a precarious situation.

This story effortlessly combines the quality of a cozy mystery with the of suspense of a thriller…. Dr. Nell Ward, a smart and resourceful conservation ecologist, somehow always ends up right in the middle of trouble—usually stumbling upon unexpected deaths and crimes. While the story keeps that warm, cozy vibe, it also delves into some very serious moments, making it stand out.
The plot is packed with twists that keep you on your toes.

As a newcomer to the Nell Ward Mystery series, this did take me a moment to get familiar with the characters, but the story quickly drew me in. Although maybe starting from the beginning of the series might give you a more in-depth background, this book is stands perfectly well as a satisfying stand alone, giving you, the reader, quick escape.

And the setting, I found it to be simply enchanting! I want you to Imagine a lush landscape teeming with bees and butterflies, which adds a magical touch to the story. Whether you're enjoying the book in your garden or curled up inside, this book is sure to suck you in. 📚🌸🦋

Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
I have read the other books in this series, and with some reservations, mostly enjoyed them. This one however didn’t really hit the spot for me. The main characters who are ecologists do what they do, and become embroiled in a tangled web of plot lines. It’s difficult to keep up with who is doing what to whom and where. Far too many things going on and too many characters.

Another book in the Dr. Nell Ward series. While I find her work fascinating and love the intrigue of a good mystery, this book just felt like it had too much going on. Too many suspects, too many people with questionable pasts (and presents), too many rabbit trails, it was all too busy and too much and very difficult to keep up with. I had to read to the end to see what in the world was going to happen, but I wish it had been a little less chaotic.

Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

I've been enjoying this series of books as I like the 'hook' - that the main characters are ecologists, and some kind of forensic ecology always plays into the plot and solving the mystery.

Nell and Rav are back at Finchmere, and the action takes place over the weekend of a big event to celebrate and display the results of the rewilding project there. To add to the stress, Nell's house burns downs - is it arson or carelessness?

There's also a lot of conflict among the artisans and staff at the fete, and this really adds to the pressure our main characters are facing. A series of increasingly violent murders of people closely connected to Nell and Rav increases the tension and confusion (although I don't really understand how the fete doesn't get cancelled by the police).

Oddly, the main characters are more likable (they're working together better) and the twisty plot carries on to a rather tidy end. If you like your cosy mysteries a bit sciency and a bit bloody, you'll probably enjoy this series.

I'd still rate it light reading, 3.5 out of 5

On the eve of the first Finchmere Fete, Dr. Nell Ward discovers she has a stalker focused on murder.

Her long-term boyfriend Rav, Dr. Aravindan Kashyap, and Nell started the “Following Finchmere” YouTube channel to showcase their sustainable efforts at Nell’s family estate. The channel is a hit, and Rav is a superstar. But with his popularity comes danger. As the Fete is set to begin, with thousands expected to attend the three-day event, a murderer is somewhere in the crowd, focused on eliminating Nell. The stalker’s identity eludes the police, and the body count begins to grow. The stalker is cunning and always one step ahead of the authorities. Will they stop the stalker before they stop Nell?
Overall, I don’t think this book is as well-written as the previous ones. The writing seems rushed and there are too many sub-plots. But, give it a go if you’ve read the previous ones. If you haven’t read the previous ones, read those first to understand what’s going on with the characters. There’s a lot of backstory that isn’t addressed in this book.
3/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Embla books for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

A Swarm of Butterflies is the sixth book to feature ecology conservationist Dr. Nell Ward, by Dr. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. Due out 26th Aug 2024 from Bonnier on their Embla Books imprint, it's 300 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU to borrow.

This is a diverting series featuring an intelligent female ecologist who finds herself in a dangerous and difficult situations and seems to have a habit of tripping over (and then solving) unexpected deaths and crimes. Although it has the bones of a cozy mystery, there are elements of procedural and some slightly more graphic violence and descriptions than are usually present in cozies.

The main protagonist is a conservation ecologist and it's a profession which she shares with the author. It's an oft-said proverb that authors should write what they know, and Dr. Yarwood-Lovett has done just that; describing the realities of crawling through muck to collect water samples and collecting and analyzing species data and changes in environment and habitats.

The book is full of science tidbits and trivia which for science interested readers will be a bonus. Without being pedantic or lecturing, the author pulls back the curtain on tantalizing bits of nature most never see. There are technical terms bandied about, and there are some places which require a little more attention on the part of the reader - but they're relatively few and far between and I think most readers will have no problem understanding the jargon from context.

Four stars. The pacing is deliberate in places, but it doesn't drag, and it's not unwieldy or ponderous. This book has a self contained mystery arc, and so it works well enough as a standalone. With six books extant currently in the ongoing series, it's be a good choice for a long binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A solid mystery, with unexpected twists and turns. This was my first foray into Dr. Nell Ward's world, where in this book, she receives disturbing letters from what appears to be an obsessive fan. It did take me a bit to figure out the "Who's Who" and it probably works better if you read the series from the beginning. Regardless, I thought the mystery grabs you and this book reads quickly (which is sometimes a treat for the brain). I enjoyed the story's location and the wildlife theme (beekeeping and butterflies). It is a recommended read, particularly if you happen to be sitting in your garden surrounded by flowers, butterflies and bees.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in return for an impartial review.

Nell and Rav's rewilding project at Finchmere is a brilliant success and has led to them charting it's progress through their live channel. Unfortunately this has led to the realisation that Rav has a stalker and they are scary.
To add to the stress, the Finchmere Fete, celebrating the success of the place is imminent and they can't afford to run away and hide.
When someone murders the local vicar, they aren't sure if it's connected with other things, but as they bodies mount, people's secrets start coming out and there are so many suspects it's difficult to chose who may be the murderer or stalker.
Very readable, a delight to read.

this was my first introduction to this series and I really enjoyed it. I usually prefer more of a cozy mystery but I do love a good murder mystery, especially with butterflies involved. Nell is a very interesting character and I enjoy that science is intertwined with the mystery.

Dr Nell Ward is back and this is a mystery that kept me gripped. The twists kept coming as we were sent this way and then that by Sarah Yarwood Lovett in this new adventure for Nell and Rav. This time it felt much more personal as both of them were centre stage and I kept changing my mind as to who the culprit was to the very end.
I love the style of this series. A clever mystery to solve with the ecology and nature details woven into the story. The descriptions of the estate and in particular the thyme fields sounded idyllic. Rav and Nell are great together and the whole team at Finchmere work so well in providing that backdrop to the story.

Nell and Rav’s Youtube channel, Following Finchmere which examines ecology and rewilding, has gained a huge following but it is Rav who has become a star. So much so, he now has a stalker. At first it is anonymous letters declaring their love for him and telling Nell she’s not good enough for him and should leave him alone. But as Finchmere plans for a summer fete, the letters to Nell become more threatening and it becomes clear that, whoever the stalker is, they are close to them and, clearly, they are escalating. First, Nell’s house burns down and she just barely escapes. Then she is attacked and, again, just barely escapes. Rav wants to cancel the fete but Nell refuses to be intimidated. And then someone close to them is murdered.

A Swarm of Butterflies is the sixth book in A Dr Nell Ward Mystery Book cozy mystery series by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and it is one heck of a page turner. The characters are well-drawn and there’s plenty of suspense, suspects, and red herrings to keep the reader engaged. As in her other books, Yardwood-Lovett provides interesting references to ecology as well as, in this case, technology. A very interesting murder that kept my attention throughout.

Thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

I cant get enough of this series of books. There is so much going on and you get sent off in so many directions. **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

This is the sixth book in the Dr. Nell Ward series and I always enjoy the ecology theme (and learn some obscure nature facts) while reading. I do think you should read the series in order as you would miss a lot of the back story and general character development if you read this book as a stand alone.

The mystery in this book revolves around a stalker which is a different set up than previous books (and most mysteries) so that was something new and helped create a new format where there might be crimes to solve, but the central question was around the stalker's identity. It was a little like a locked room format with limited suspects who were all close to the main characters/integral to the plot which was a fascinating set up.

There is also a background story of YouTube fame which made things interesting as well. The way technology was used to investigate, but also used by the perpetrator to mask their identity and confuse alibis and issues was also something new and different as usually investigative technology is on the side of the investigators and unless widely unrealistic, the same tools you hear about in most mysteries or at least police procedurals.

Overall, a very satisfying read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in return for an impartial review. This is the sixth novel in the Nell Ward series of books which are loosely pitched in the cosy mystery genre, although some aspects of them are a bit too gory for that really! Fans of the series will not be disappointed as this delivers up more of the same.

I have to admit to being fully invested in the lives of Nell, Rav and others so I wouldn’t read this anyway, but I don’t think it’s as good as some of others. The story gets overly convoluted as it goes on, so much that we have to have a wrap up session where Nell, Rav and James discuss what happened just so we’re all clear. Also given the events of the book, it ends just a little too happily for my liking, I can’t help thinking if I’d been in that situation I wouldn’t recover so fast.

There are also some inaccuracies around procedure for death certification, which happens to be something I know a bit about, so that grates - don’t include details of procedures unless you know them inside out! A lot of authors do this for the processes around life events and it’s annoying when you know they’ve inaccurate, particularly when the author goes to great lengths to ensure the things they do know about are accurate.

Overall, one for fans only, and if you’ve not read any of the series, do start at the beginning!

"When Finchmere's first summer fete turns fatal, Nell has more than just a killer to net...

Since their YouTube channel, Following Finchmere, has taken flight, showcasing Dr Nell Ward's sustainability transformation at her family's Finchmere estate, it's her partner and colleague, Rav, who's become the star.

Amongst Rav's fan mail and gifts, Nell makes the chilling discovery that one person's obsession with him has metamorphosed into a deadly threat.

Just as Finchmere flings open its gates to welcome swarms of visitors to their idyllic summer fete - celebrating rewilding, artisan produce and local crafts - Nell realises the disguised peril has already wormed its way into the heart of Finchmere itself, and the path of destruction soon leads to murder.

DI James Clark's and Nell's powers of observation are put to the test to detect the camouflaged predator. With everyone as a suspect, who can Nell really trust when those she loves are in danger?

A Swarm of Butterflies is the sixth book in the Dr Nell Ward series. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood and Janice Hallett!"

I mean, of course the murder is already in the offing!