Our protagonist, Jude Grey, is a younger, childless widow who now runs her giant sheep farm with the assistance of Noah, her shepherd, and her loyal canine, Pip and Archie – with recollections of her late husband by no means removed from her thoughts. When she met her husband Adam, he launched her to his life-long buddies they usually accepted her into their heat fold. Now, it has been 5 years since Adam’s dying and she or he shares her house along with her half-sister Lucy, Lucy’s fiance Noah, and Lucy’s 5 yr outdated son, Sebbie.

Jude cares for tons of of sheep, her Bantam hens, her Indian Runner geese, her pet Valais Blacknose sheep, her pet lamb ‘Pancake’, and Gertie, a golden Cheviot goat.

Jude is a loyal, empathetic and caring protagonist, whose private motto is ‘be sort’. She has a robust work ethic and loves her farm, and the animals that inhabit it. She has a deep connection to the Malvern Hills space and walks the hills as a option to unwind and decompress.

Like most farms, Jude’s sheep farm is struggling financially. In a earlier guide she created a glamping website and is now  taking in paying friends. Additionally, she is attempting her hand at establishing a petting zoo to additional entice guests.

West Mercia policewoman Binita Khatri (Binnie), makes one other look on this, the fourth novel.  She has turn out to be a private buddy of Jude, and retains her apprised of the police investigations. She has not too long ago been promoted to Detective Inspector.

Within the newest instalment of this pleasant thriller collection, Jude Grey is participating within the native county livestock present. She is doing this for the primary time, and is barely nervous.

Including salt to the collective wounds of the farmers, one contestant this yr is Zander Pettiford. A rock musician/farmer/influencer. Upon listening to his description, I personally couldn’t assist however examine him to Jeremy Clarkson of .Clarkson’s Farm. fame.

As per standard, homicide follows Jude round like a pet. There’s a physique discovered on the present. The sufferer was one of many opponents. A person who was disliked by many, so there isn’t a scarcity of potential murderers.

As soon as once more, Jude’s good buddy policewoman Binita Khatri is the lead on the homicide investigation.

Since this was the fifth guide within the collection, I used to be delighted to satisfy up with Jude Grey and her household and buddies as soon as once more. They’re strongly outlined characters which might be each effectively drawn and memorable. Jude tends to latch on to waifs and strays, each animal and human.

I felt a little bit of frustration on the complete ‘will they’ or ‘gained’t they’ side of Jude’s relationship with Marco. I really feel both they need to get collectively, or that he must be out of the image. We all know she adored her husband, Adam, however she may be very younger and it’s time to transfer on.

With themes of the worth of contemporary farming, sustainable farming, duplicitous friendship, manipulative behaviors, and the re-wilding of agricultural lands, this instalment of the collection definitely gave pause for thought.

The ending emphasised the contentment of Jude’s life, so it appeared like a heat hug. I’m eagerly awaiting the subsequent guide on this participating, cozy thriller collection. After 5 books, this collection is quick turning into one in every of my favourites.

This evaluate was written voluntarily and my score was on no account influenced by the truth that I acquired a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Boldwood Books through Rachel’s Random Assets and NetGalley.

Publication date: Could 13, 2025

ISBN: 9781785134623 – ASIN:  B0DSCRJVLD – 327 pages

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Kate Wells/Kate Poels is the creator of a lot of well-reviewed books for youngsters, and is now writing a brand new cosy crime collection set within the Malvern hills, impressed by the farm the place she grew up. “Homicide on the Farm” is the primary guide in that collection, with “Stranger within the Village” being the second, and “A Physique By The Henhouse” being the third.

Kate started her grownup life coaching as a nurse earlier than re-training as a instructor. She has labored in a number of main colleges, each mainstream and particular wants, and continues to spend plenty of time in school rooms and college halls a method or one other. When she took a break to have her two daughters she started writing and hasn’t stopped!

Having frolicked dwelling and dealing on farms she developed a love of the agricultural life and sometimes dreamt of operating a sheep farm, particularly when she married the son of a farmer. It wasn’t to be although, so as a substitute, she lives her farming desires by researching and writing her books. As of late she will be able to usually be present in a area speaking to sheep, or out on the Malvern Hills strolling her border collie cross.

Join with Kate Wells through Twitter, Instagram, and/or through her web site.