Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Peter Knight’s Abbot’s Meadow is a riveting mystery that delves into the murky waters of local politics and hidden agendas. This novel is a compelling read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted plot with unexpected twists and a strong sense of place.

The story follows Dan Curran, a rookie journalist fresh out of university, who lands his first assignment at the Castlebridge Gazette. Tasked with investigating why the Castlebridge District Council abruptly reversed its decision to sell a piece of land known as Abbot’s Meadow, Dan initially believes it to be a mundane story. 

Knight excels in creating a cast of characters that are both relatable and complex. Dan Curran is a determined and inquisitive protagonist whose journey from naive newcomer to seasoned investigator is both engaging and believable. The supporting characters, from the enigmatic council members to the local builder whose plans are thwarted, add depth and intrigue to the narrative. 

Knight’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the essence of small-town life with its intricate social dynamics and hidden tensions. The prose is both accessible and sophisticated, making the novel a pleasure to read. 

Abbot’s Meadow explores themes of power, corruption, and the quest for truth. The novel delves into the impact of political decisions on individual lives and the lengths to which people will go to protect their interests. 

Abbot’s Meadow is a standout mystery that combines a gripping plot with well-drawn characters and a vividly realized setting. Peter Knight has crafted a novel that is both entertaining and insightful, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy a blend of suspense, intrigue, and social commentary.

On the whole I liked this book, though I do have some reservations about it. The plot is interesting and the premise of Dan, fresh from university and starting out as a reporter is good. Maybe he takes too much on, though the back up team of hefty builders and friendly police seem to be around when he needs them. There is a budding relationship which develops through the book. I cannot really put my finger on what did not feel right about the characters/ plot, maybe slightly too naive which gave an unrealistic feel? Some of the minor characters did not seem to be well developed, everyone was very helpful, except the baddies.... The plot was predictable in many waysnot that that is a problem either. I would definately like to read more about Dan to see how things develop with his career as an investigative reporter.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

An intriguing premise here, as we learn why Abbott’s Meadow is so important. This book is very well written and features a mystery which will keep reader’s engaged. I liked the main character’s back story and felt the journalistic approach really painted the scene well throughout.

Dan is a rookie reporter in a small town who stumbles in to a big story. There is plenty to keep you reading and trying to put the pieces together in this intriguing mystery.
A quick and easy read. 3.5 stars.

A really interesting concept and well paced plot!
This is a thought-provoking and engrossing read, perfect for those who enjoy mysteries with a twist and a strong sense of place. Knight’s evocative storytelling make this a memorable novel that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Small town reporter uncovers crimes in a rural town. Dan wants to prove his father wrong. He wants to show him he can be successful and do well in his first job. This was a well-crafted, page turner of a mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and struggled to put it down. The characters were well written and charming.

Dan Curran, a rookie journalist at the Castlebridge Gazette, is glad to have been assigned his first investigative piece on Castlebridge Council’s last-minute decision to back out of the sale of a council-owned piece of land known as Abbot’s Meadow to local land developer – a sale that would have been beneficial to the council and the community. As Dan tries to find out the reason behind the committee's decision to not go forward with the sale, he meets with some unexpected obstacles – reports on council meetings that should have been available to the public but access to which has been restricted, a local landscaping company whose interest in the land isn’t above suspicion and certain important people aren’t too happy that Dan is looking into the issue. Aiding Den is his boss, experienced journalist Jack Marston, who sees potential in Dan and Jenny Swan, an accountant who works for the Council and who shares Dan’s suspicions about the committee’s decision. Dan and Jennye find themselves embroiled in a complex web of lies, deceit, manipulation and murder but they will leave no stone unturned in their quest for the truth.
<b>Abbot's Meadow</b> by <b>Peter Knight</b> is a well-crafted mystery that kept me absorbed until the very end. This is a slow- burn but the plot is intriguing and the narrative flows well. Though several subplots( including a sweet romantic track)) and new characters are introduced into the story as the mystery unfolds, the narrative never gets too convoluted or difficult to follow. I liked how the author wove all the threads of the narrative together into a cohesive narrative without digressing or distracting from the primary plot. Dan is a very likable protagonist and I enjoyed getting to know him. The novel is well structured and I enjoyed following Dan’s meticulous investigation into the history of Abbot’s Meadow and the people involved in the aborted land development deal. Jenny is an endearing character and I admired her resolve and thought they made a great team. The gradual unraveling of the mystery was well executed and the finale had an element of surprise (always a good thing) that I did not see coming.
Overall, I thought this was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Many thanks to Troubador Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 28, 2024.

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Charming tale about a fledgling reporter who uncovers a string of crimes and misdemeanours in a rural town. Eager to do well in his first proper job, if only to prove his father wrong about his choice of career, Dan Curran gets his teeth into a local council land issue, aided and abetted by his boss and seasoned hack Jack Marston and Julie a lovely young accountant from the local council. The tale is well woven with thrills and intrigue along with a final twist that makes this a cracking read.

Dan Curran is a rookie journalist newly recruited from university to the Castlebridge Gazette, a struggling provincial newspaper owned by distinguished Fleet Street veteran, Jack Marston. Although sad to have moved away from home Dan relishes his newfound freedom, away from his father’s disapproval of his new career. This book was definitely worth reading! It had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, and a good who done it! The story was interesting! I would recommend reading this book as it was worth reading it’s just not one of my top favorites! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!