"A family wedding. An unsolved murder. Til death us do part?

Dr. Nell Ward is in the lush, emerald-green hills of Ireland to attend the wedding of two dear friends at a picture-perfect farmhouse.

But family tensions are running high in the days before the happy couple tie the knot. And when Nell hears a fox kill a hare in the early morning, the bad omen sends shivers down her spine. Almost like it is a sign of something to come...

Then one of the locals makes a gruesome discovery in a nearby peat bog. The habitats are famous for the ancient bodies they can preserve for thousands of years. This woman, however, died much more recently and was clearly a victim of foul play.

Nell and her friends are suddenly in the middle of another murder case. Can they trace the truth to unmask a long-hidden killer and save the wedding, before it's too late?

An absolutely gripping and page-turning cozy mystery to curl up with. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood and Janice Hallett."

I mean, bodies in peat bogs is a thing with me. A thing I love.

Good Irish atmosphere and excellent writing highlight this mystery. Unfortunately I found the characters unlikeable for the most part (not always a downside, but here tough to enjoy) and the solution rather perfunctory. Also I fould a 20 page or so detailed description of how to conduct a DNA test skipable. Others may find it fascinating

It is so lovely to catch up with Nell and her friends in the fifth book by Sarah! I found the book to be fast paced, so descriptive and well written. I could imagine myself in Ireland. Nell and friends are in Ballygiorria, Ireland for several days to celebrate Conor and Sylvia's wedding. Nell goes to a nature reserve where she meets a grad student Aiofe. Aiofe finds a body in the peat. What is the identity of the body? Why is it there? What happened? Was it an accident or murder? Who is the culprit? For answers to these questions, you will need to read the book.

Another good story in the Dr Nell Ward series. A very good cozy crime book with interesting characters and a good plot. Enjoyed it being set in Ireland and plenty of twists and turns.

Twenty years ago a mother and her very young daughter went missing. Since then, her family (mainly her sister Maeve) and that of her husband, Brendan, have been at odds, tragedy, blame, revenge all to the fore. Move to present-day and Brendan's brother Conor is getting married. Big family reunion (and subsequent fights) with Dr Nell and Rav (lead characters) in the thick of it - guests of the groom. A body is then found in a nearby bog and Nell is in there like a shot - ecologist, forensic interests and so on - determined to identify the body and also determined to find out what happened to the missing mother, Siobhain. There are only 12 or so main characters so easy to follow. There are, as usual, two almost plots - the murder and missing woman and then details of Nell's scientific background - how you take samples for DNA analysis, what processes you go through, various ecological discussions. Can't comment upon the former, not my field, but I am an ecologist/palaeoecologist and do have some issues although 'artistic' licence has to be allowed. It does grate however, especially as other reviewers feel this is a really valuable part of the story. Pollen identification does not typically use photos from an electron microscope but takes hours, sitting at a standard compound microscope, scanning across a slide (which has already taken hours to concentrate up the pollen from the sediment being studies). Pipewort grows in bog pools/shallow lakes and confined to the west of Ireland but it's pollen has only ever been recorded in eastern Canada. Cloudberry is found in one site in Tyrone and hardly ever flowers in the UK or Ireland, pollen has been found in one site in Eire, south of Dublin (Neotoma database). It is not necessarily a plant of high altitudes, rather high latitudes - northern Scandinavia, Whilst the author has clearly done a lot of research she has, rather, stretched her knowledge I feel. It also imbalances the story - very detailed scientific aspects versus an awful lot of personal inter relationships. The second plot is mostly about the generally angry/bitter relationships between family members although we do eventually find out what happened to Siobhain and the baby (that was pretty obvious to me from the beginning but I'm not going to spoil that for others). I read the author's "A mischief of rats" last year and found that better -"it is really good to see some accurate science." It was less dense, slightly more generic, science which sat alongside the murder and I reckon that she's just gone over the top a bit this time. It's not a smooth read. 3.5* not quite round uppable. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Dr Nell Ward, our favorite ecologist, is in Ireland for the wedding of her friend Conor when a body is discovered in the nearby bog. The chemistry of the bogs preserves bodies for an extremely long time. Some bodies discovered there are over 2000 years old 😱, and have been sort of mummified by the process.

The body in this story belongs to the wife of Conor’s brother, who disappeared along with her 3 month old daughter about 20 years ago. So of course Nell and Rav (and cousin Shannon and her detective boyfriend James) help figure out who did it and why, and are put in grave danger more than once along the way.

I’m so invested in these characters that I’m literally prepared to beg the author to let Rav have a happy safe time for the next book. 😬

Special thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for an advance copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Publication date March 27, 2024

A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is a fantastic cozy mystery that has the perfect blend of drama, humour and atmosphere to make it unique in the contemporary cozy mystery genre.

Dr Nell Ward and her partner Lew travel to Ireland to attend a wedding of friends and as is very common at these events, stress and conflicts abound.

In the midst of all the drama, Dr Nell here's a blood curdling screaming, which she assumed was a fox killing a hare, and although disturbed by it, dismisses it out of hand. Until, a villager discovers a body, a woman, recently decesed in a peat bog. Not the best precursor to a wedding!

I am really beginning to enjoy this sub-genre as an alternative to my usual Cozy mysteries (Regency/Victorian/1900s) and I would encourage anyone who enjoys cozy's to check it out. This is my first book from Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and it was a great read.

This author has a fantastic flow, her storylines are strong and yet unpredictable and her research and descriptions are on point without using stereotypical descriptions of Ireland (the peat bogs and their history/ use are so very rarely mentioned in contemporary fiction)


Thank you to Netgalley, Embla Books and Sarah Yarwood-Lovett for this gripping ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.

Dr Nell Ward is attending the scenic wedding of two of her closest friends in the beautiful Irish hillside. As the days to the pending nuptials grow closer so to does tension among the families. When a body is suddenly found in the nearby bog the real drama begins. This picturesque wedding has now turned into a hunt to find a killer as Nell must use her skills to deduct who the culprit is before another victim is possibly claimed.

This is my first Sarah Yarwood-Lovett book and after completing this one I know it will not be my last! As this is the fifth book in a series I can say as I haven’t read the others I had no trouble at all picking up with these characters. You most definitely could treat it as a standalone rather than an installment in a larger series if you wish however, I now want to read all the previous ones as this book was just so fun to read . A Trace of Hares had a great setting, a suspenseful murder mystery, family dynamics/tension, and even some science. While reading it becomes apparent that the author has definitely done their research when it came to the setting of these peat bogs and the ancient traditions of sacrifices that surround them. The author also does a fantastic job of weaving in facts about DNA and ecology while still managing to give off cozy mystery vibes. Nell as an FMC was a great lead and I found her to be incredibly believable, knowledgeable, and passionate. The twists and turns that occur were attention grabbing and kept me guessing. Overall I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to following up with future installments in the series.

If you are a fan of whodunnit mysteries with some forensic and ecological science all while being in the cozy Irish countryside then you have to check out this book!
A Trace of Hares comes out March 27th, 2024.

Thank you again NetGalley and Embla Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I've read all of the Nell Ward books, but found that this latest was a bit of a slog. It just seemed that there was too much going on and I found the multiple threads distracting. And, as a scientist, I thought that while the description of gel electrophoresis was correct, it oversimplified the DNA analysis part. I'm not ready to give up on Nell yet, but this wasn't my favorite book of the series.

suspense, twisty, cozy-mystery, ecologist, eco-awareness, ecology, friends, friendship, families, bog-bodies, cold-case, relationships, relatives, made-me-smarter, family-drama, Ireland, amateur-sleuth, local-law-enforcement****

Dr Nell Ward is off to Ireland to attend the wedding of friends but winds up finding a fairly recent body in one of the bogs. Intriguing characters and a riveting plot make this one every bit a excellent as the previous books in series.
I requested and received a temporary EARC from Embla Books via NetGalley Thank you!
eBook is not TTS enabled.
Expected publication March 27, 2024

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having being fascinated with the idea of bog bodies for years, the inclusion of these as a theme was amazing. And (this is always the main thing I am mindful of when reading crime books) I didn't pick the murderer until near then end. Very enjoyable and would definitely recommend this book.

I enjoy learning about something I’m not too familiar with, in this case ecology. In this story the author has connected it in an interesting way to the mystery. It’s an easy read, I look forward to the next in the series.

Another excellent book by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett featuring Dr Nell Ward. This time the book is set in Ireland and the descriptions of the country side are delightful and the storyline and characters are most intriguing and entertaining. I highly recommend this book.

There’s a fine line between what constitutes an enjoyable cozy mystery for me and one that’s too cute or quaint. Luckily, Sarah Yarwood Lovett’s Nell Ward series fits the bill for me. There’s some violence, mostly fights, but nothing too upsetting.
In this, the fifth in the series, Nell and Rav are in Ireland for their friends’ upcoming wedding. While there, Nell tours a local historic bog. The very next day, a body is found in the bog. And not an ancient one like Cashel Man. This one is more recent, and also happens to be someone known to the groom and his family.
There’s lots of family drama here. The story moves along at a brisk pace. Nell and Rav are more in the background here, as the story focuses on Conner, his family and the family of the deceased woman. There is a limited number of suspects, which gives it the feel of an old time closed room murder mystery.
Yarwood-Lovett does manage to sneak in lots of interesting facts about ecology, batch gin making, bog people and DNA. I love feeling like I’m learning something along with an entertaining mystery.
I have read all the previous books, but I don't think it’s necessary. This could easily work as a stand-alone.
My thanks to netgalley and Embra Books for an advance copy of this book

A change of scenery for Nell and the team. They're in Ireland for Sylvia and Conor's wedding! All of the usual characters are staying with Conor's family when, of course, a body is found. Naturally, Nell's expertise as a scientist is used throughout -there would be too many spoilers if I revealed how.

I thorouighly this series. There's a sense of escapism and comfort that many people can find when reading a cosy mystery but I always learn something too. I know absolutely nothing about botany, bats or other niche ecological areas but I very much enjoy feeling Sarah Yarwood-Lovett knows a great deal. She certainly seems to be enthusiastic when sharing her knowledge in a manner lay people can comprehend.

If this is your first in the series, I recommend starting at the very beginning as the characters develop so much across the books.

I've been enjoying the Dr. Nell Ward series, and I was delighted to get the opportunity to read the latest installment. The books keep getting better and better, and this one is my favorite, so far. Although the book could be read as a stand-alone, I think readers would appreciate the characters and their interpersonal relationships much more if they read the books in order. I enjoyed having this story take place in a new locale, and there were lots of suspects when a body is discovered. The story was very suspenseful, and there were lots of twist and turns and subplots. I highly recommend this book and the series, and I look forward to the next.

Don’t let the 3 stars fool you: it’s a “high three” rating. I just don’t have crazy emotions about this series (what usually pushes me to a 4 or 5 star rating) or the characters, although I am invested in Nell and Rav staying together (James can go, please and thank you). This cozy British murder mystery series does for ecology what the TV show “Bones” did for anthropology: elevates an area of study that doesn’t always get a lot of page/screen time and connects it in an interesting way to the crime solving genre. These books are pleasant reads and easily recommended to teens and grandmas alike (no on-page sex and very little if any profanity). Dr. Nell Ward continues to entertain me and I’m looking forward to the next installment.

Weddings, their preparation, and the anticipation of joyous times ahead, can be both stressful and rewarding. Dr Nell Ward and partner Rav, are in Ireland for the marriage of two of their close friends as well as taking time to enjoy the stunning countryside and a conveniently timed local gin festival!

Things aren't as relaxed and convivial as they could be however, and long hidden tensions and disagreements are soon setting nerves jangling, making Nell very uneasy. When a body is discovered Nell's ecological expertise is urgently called upon but can she find the key pieces of information needed to prevent the wedding being cancelled and families and friendships irrevocably torn apart. It soon becomes clear that someone close at hand has no qualms about increasing the body count to ensure their freedom with no one safe from their murderous intent.

Wow, what a brilliant way to start February. The fifth title in Sarah Yarwood-Lovett's Dr Nell Ward Mystery Series is the very definition of thrilling page turner! I haven't yet read the first four books however I will be rectifying that oversight post haste! I loved the investigation, the ecological information, the humour, and the tension, in fact it ticks all my boxes except I didn't want to finish it! There are things which would have been clearer had I read the series in order especially as there are no spoilers. It would be very easy to gush about this book; it really is that good! The sixth book is due out in early August.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Embla Books, but the opinions expressed are my own,  I absolutely loved this but would recommend reading the books in order. Highly recommended.

I love Nell Ward. She's not a shrinking violet nor is she a ditz. She's a strong, intelligent scientist with a good head on her shoulders and I couldn't be happier to have gotten an ARC of a Trace of Hares. Set this time in Ireland and relying heavily on the ancient tradition of sacrificing humans to the gods via peat bogs, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett really did her research and kept this authenticate yet cozy. Do yourself a favor and read the first four books as they really do help build up to this masterpiece.

I really enjoyed catching up with Nell’s adventures again. Lots of great characters (although I could have done with a list of who’s who at the beginning as I got a little lost with the characters, who was related to who, and who was in a relationship with each other!) . Well written and informative at the same time. A great story with lots of twists and turns that left me guessing right to the end! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️