The Village Killer by Ross Greenwood is essentially a police procedural. Inspector Barton has been behind a desk for three years. While it has done wonders with his wife and children, he misses being in the thick of things. Now he is being offered a chance to return to the field. Before he answers he consults his wife and she, in her infinite wisdom, knows he’s missed the job and readily agrees. The kids are older now and she is more set. So, he happily returns and immediately sends one of his officers, the lead, actually, to take a week off. He and his partner have had twins and it is obvious he is exhausted. Funny things are happening. Are they related? A woman reports being nearly run down in front of her house, a missing fourteen-year-old girl, then an old man dies. All in the same rich neighborhood.

DCI John Barton is a smart man. He reads people well. He trusts his subordinates. He is a good boss. It is an interesting situation. The investigative chapters are interspersed with the musing of the killer. Makes it interesting, but gives no clues. It is a consuming mystery with wrong turns taken at every step. The things they discover are amazing. The friend of Henry, the older man killed, is beyond helpful. Is that a clue? Interesting read.

I was invited to read The Village Killer by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #RossGreenwood #TheVillageKiller

The Village Killer was an exciting and gripping thriller. I like how this book is part of a series but can definitely be read as standalone as well, there are references to previous books but that doesn’t take away from the story.

DI Barton has returned to the major crime unit after spending some time at his desk job. He is soon involved in a troubled case where a child has gone missing and a woman’s life is in danger. It is hard to see how these cases are connected but as the story unfolds, the links start appearing in a way which I could not guess.

As with all the books in the series, I thought it was written wonderfully. I was captivated from the start until the very end. The twists in the book made me think of so many potential outcomes but none were correct. I like how there is a focus on the personal lives of the police team because it allows the reader to see the character development. The short chapters made the book a quick read and some chapters ended on a cliffhanger which made me want to continue reading. These books keep getting better and I love the unique ideas the author has to create a thrilling story. I highly recommend this book and series! Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for sending me a copy of this book.

Oh how I missed DI Barton! I am glad we have got another chance to delve into case again with Barton and his team.

Barton’s desk job is coming to an end and with potential retirement looming he jumps at the chance to head up the Major Crimes team again – albeit it temporarily. The team morale is all over the place and a bit disjointed, soon he works the Barton magic and rallies the team to get to the bottom of a missing child and the connection between that case and a woman’s life who was almost run over!

Barton loved being back in the thick of it all, with some new and some very familiar old faces Greenwood has yet again rocked a sleepy little town with murder.

I enjoyed this case, there was a lot going on and lots of pieces to the puzzle but what I enjoyed the most was having Barton back — please can we have more?

Glad to see D I Barton back in major crimes after being desk bound for the last few years, I just love him l.

The plot was very good and I really enjoyed his detective skills in solving the case, keeping me guessing.

Great book by a great author xxx

Having spent three years at HQ’s Divisional Development Unit, DI John Barton is offered a year covering for his former boss DCI Sarah Cox back at his old team in Peterborough Major Crimes and relishes the chance to be on the front line once again. His close friend Shawn Zander is now the DI there and Maria Zelensky has been promoted to DS, while DS Kelly Strange is still off taking care of her and Zander’s two-year-old twin boys and DC Caroline Minton joins the team of DCs Leicester, Hoffman and Malik who are already struggling with the disappearance of fourteen-year-old Poppy Madden, thought to have been lured away by an older boyfriend. Then they are alerted to a case of attempted murder in the village of Castor, where a rich woman, Sandy Faversham, has reported a failed hit and run whilst out jogging. The detectives are surprised to find Sandy’s best friend who persuaded her to ring the police is Poppy’s mother Audrey, even though Sandy was not keen to get them involved. Is there something Sandy is hiding and why did the driver not kill her when they had the chance? Meanwhile the reader also gets to hear the thoughts of the Village Killer themselves, relating events from their past, their current actions and their plan as they watch Sandy, and gets a good idea who this is. Maybe. When Sandy’s neighbour is then found dead floating in his pool, and soon after there’s another murder, Barton must consider whether all these events are connected. And of course, whether anyone else will die before he catches the killer.
Amidst these baffling crimes, there are lots of secrets and nothing is as it seems in this complex and long-awaited addition to the excellent series. Once again, the tension and suspense are maintained as the story unfolds, told from both perspectives of killer and detective, and I was willing Barton on to make all the connections in a clever and very twisty plot. It’s great to see Barton back at what he does best with his close team, and Barton’s home life with Holly, his kids and dog is a pleasure to read about. I really am looking forward to the next story after the lovely ending.

Oh it's so good to have DI Barton back. I love this series. The plot keeps you guessing and the humour had me laughing out loud. I love Holly!!

A great series that I never hesitate to recommend.

A cracking read!

DI John Barton has been desk based for the last three years; when the chance comes up to return to Major Crimes he jumps at it. Almost immediately, he's thrown back into the long days with an attempted murder which appears to be linked to the case of a missing child. Then a man dies and it all intensifies. Barton suspects there's things going on behind the gates of the village mansions and the villagers are not sharing what they know; if they don't find it all out soon, there will be more bodies piling up ...

This is a book which immediately makes me want to go back and read the rest of the series! Great characters and a gripping story which kept me on the edge of my seat 'til the very end. Beautifully crafted, well written and most definitely recommended. 5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review..

The Village Killer by Ross Greenwood is the 7th book in the excellent DI Barton series. I have loved reading these books especially as they have been brilliantly written, it's full of twists and turns and have great characters. Detective Inspector John Barton is an excellent character. He has spent the last 3 years behind a desk, he wanted to see more of his family. He is reaching the Big 5 0, when an opportunity arises for him to become DCI for Major Crimes for a 1 year term. This is a great opportunity for him especially as this is a busy time for Major Crimes, a 14 year old girl is reported missing and a married woman appears to be the target of a failed hit and run attempt. Then, her neighbour was found floating in his pool.

Are these crimes related and how?

Now, will he take this new position? and what will his family say?

WoW..........This book was excellent and a great read.....Well all of this series has been a 5 star read and this one was no different. I loved it.

I highly recommend this series

Big thank you to NetGalley, Ross Greenwood, and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

The return of the DI Barton character finds him just as compelling as in his earlier investigations. He returns to major crimes and finds a missing persons case and an attempted murder to solve. The crimes are in a suburban neighbourhood, but he soon discovers the 'neat and tidy ' exterior hides a web of dark secrets. It is an engaging police procedural combined with psychological suspense. I like the relatable dynamic of the police team. The crimes are complex, which is unsurprising given the unlikeable characters and toxic relationships Barton and his team discover. I also enjoyed the mix of personal and professional lives that adds authenticity.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I haven't read anything by Ross Greenwood before but now, after reading this, I am kicking myself. Where have I been living over the years for this series to have passed me by?

I try not to pick up books mid-series but I did like the sound of this so thought I'd give it a go and I wasn't disappointed ... yes, I have missed out on loads of backstory and character development however, I don't think it affected my enjoyment of this book one little bit.

This is a really gripping story and I was hooked from the very first chapter. The characters are excellent and I warmed to DI Barton, and his wife, very quickly - I loved their banter ... it felt natural and not forced. The plot is intriguing, the story told from different points of view (although not confusingly so) and the pace is perfect.

Overall, a really, really, good police-procedural that I won't hesitate to recommend and many thanks must go to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent book.

Thank you to \Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It is another great book from Ross Greenwood. This is my second DCI Barton in the series. It didn't disappoint. Recommended

The story:
After 3 years behind a desk, Inspector John Barton is out of shape and bored. So when the chance to get back to Major Crimes comes up, he doesn’t need much persuading, even if it is only for a year. Back in Peterborough, there are old faces and new on the team – but with a missing girl and a killer stalking the nearby village of Castor, will Barton still have what it takes to crack the case?

My thoughts:
I’m delighted to be back reading about DI John Barton and his team in “The Village Killer”, by Ross Greenwood!

We last saw Barton in “The Santa Killer”, after which author Greenwood has focused on his equally enjoyable Norfolk Murders series, featuring DS Ashley Knight (see “Death on Cromer Beach”, etc.). However, Barton is a great character and it’s really enjoyable to be back with him again.

We join him 3 years after the events of “The Santa Killer”, since when he has been working a desk job at Huntington HQ. While he has enjoyed the reliable hours and the chance to be closer to his family, his kids are now almost grown up, and office work, as his wife Holly points out, is “gradually diminishing” him.

So Barton finds himself unable to turn down an offer from the Chief Superintendent to get back to Major Crimes, heading up the team for a year while his former DCI Sarah Cox is working down in London (with rising star Hector Fade, of Norfolk Murders fame!).

Barton hits the ground running with a missing 14-year-old and an attempted murder in the village of Castor. What follows is the complex and interesting plot I’ve come to expect from Greenwood, with his trademark switching between the point of view of Barton, and the killer themselves, which gives a unique insight into the crimes as they are committed.

Fans of Barton will be delighted he’s back, and if you’re new to the series I would definitely recommend it! These are not cosy crimes, but detailed and interesting investigations that focus on the characters’ lives. Greenwood is planning both another DS Knight and DCI Barton book, and I look forward to seeing where both stories go next!

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

I have read another book by this author previously, but it was part of a different series. This book features DCI Barton as the detective.

Before I started reading, I wondered whether to expect a cosy mystery, as I associate a village setting with that type of story. On first impressions, it was darker and more suspenseful than I expected.

The author wrote in a way that made DCI Barton appeal to me, and I found him likeable. I enjoyed getting to know him as a person, rather than just as a detective, and I appreciated some of the other characters too. The story flowed easily, and once I became invested, I found this a page turner.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

This is the 7th book in the series and was just as fantastic as the others. John Barton is one of my favourite detective series and I was so happy to see his return. There are a great bunch of characters and it is lovely to get glimpses of their personal lives. I loved every page and have my fingers crossed there will be another book in this brilliant series

Barton is on the trail. Girls go missing then a neighbour is found dead. But is it accident or murder.
For Barton coming out of one job to return to his old job it’s a challenge but he’s good at what he does.
I enjoy this series a lot.
It’s got undertones of creepy and good storylines and characters.

A great addition to the DI Barton series but can be read as a standalone. An original plot, well-written with a good cast of characters. Enough twists and turns to keep the pace lively. DI Barton is a great creation in crime fiction and I look forward to reading other titles in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars rounded up

Release Date: 1st November 2024

I did it again! Picked up a book that was well into a series.
I guessed a chapter or two in this was the case due to some references being made, but I didn't feel like I was lacking, there was enough information and focus on the current investigations that I was able to enjoy the book as it was, having said that I would like to go back and read the rest of the series now, as I loved the characters.

This is a gripping crime mystery / thriller, with multiple points of view and multiple crimes being committed, the mixture of the layering of the chapters (different POV) and the crimes weave complex and interesting cases, really delving into the minds of those with obsessions, and what it can drive you to do.

I don't want to get into the plot too much, as I don't want to spoil anything, but about the book, I was hooked from the first chapter. The writing style and the complexities of the characters really drew me in, with intrigue and I enjoyed getting to know the investigating teams and that contrast of healthy, respectful relationships verses that of those being investigated.

I will definitely be reading more from this author

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This story has it all - a missing teenager, a possible attempted murder, murder, and numerous sketchy characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and took my time to savor every moment.

The dialogue was superb, and the relationships between characters were well crafted. Although this was my first DI Barton novel, I may consider reading others in the series.

I have a soft spot for thrillers in picturesque villages, so this one did not disappoint. The multiple points of view, including the killer's, added an extra layer of mystery to the story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the ARC.

I've read a few of Ross Greenwood's books, and enjoyed them all.
John Barton has spent the last three years behind a desk but when an opportunity comes up for him to be DCI for Major Crimes, he takes it.
Barton and the team soon have their hands full when a 14 year old girl is reported missing and there is also an attempted murder to investigate.
There's a few other threads to this story and they are cleverly pulled together at the end.
The humour in this book was great and it was good to get to know all the characters.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Great story with some brilliant twists and turns keeping you on tenterhooks. You think you know what is going on but are you right?

Worth every moment!