The body in the woods by Matthew Costelli and Neill Richards.
The Cherringham Novels Book 2.
It's Carnival week in Cherringham, but while most of the locals are looking forward to the regatta, the parade and the fireworks, Jack and Sarah are more interested in the mysterious body that's been uncovered at the archaeological dig just outside the village ...
A brilliant read. Couldn't put it down. Certainly had me guessing. 5*.

Carnival week has arrived in Cherringham but the discovery of a body at a nearby archaeological dig has Jack and Sarah scrabbling to try to uncover the victim's identity as well as determine if the .missing carnival committee member is connected. Uncovering the motive for the old murder could lead not just to the murderer but result in another murder as well.

In this second installment there is more character growth as well as connection between the characters. I liked it

Jack and Sarah have solved crimes before in this sleepy backwater and are once again drawn into a mystery when a body is unearthed in the woods. Fast paced with good characters although I found it amusing that the perpetrators gave in so easily! I would like to read more by this author.

DNF-ed at 41%.

The writing style was not of my taste, I found it too dry and there seems to be a romance between the main characters which didn't convince me much. At around 40% I stopped being curious about the murder, so stopped reading altogether. This does not mean it's a bad book at all, just not my style.

I do appreciate very much the opportunity to read The Body in the Woods and thank the published and the author for trusting me with an eARC! I will not be publishing a review on my blog because I don't believe it would be for the benefit of the blog or the book.

This book is so intriguing! I must admit I was very skeptical at first. But the story had me and it was fun, fast and enjoyable read. An Ex NYPD office Jack has come to investigate a murder. The plots and twists were so fascinating and the ending I did not see coming. I have found a new writer I will now follow and am going to be buying the rest of the books in this series.

Thank you as always Netgalley for helping me fulfill my need to always be reading!

The second book in a series (I haven't read the first) picked the characters up easily.

This is very similiar to Agatha Raisin without the humour. Not my usual type of read but a good break away from the deep psychological thrillers.

Very easy reading, village murder, likeable characters and entertaining.

When a body is uncovered that has been buried for 20 years, Sarah an amatuer sleuth and Jack an ex-police officer from American, decide to investigate. First they have to find out who the victim is and how he got there.
Set in a small English village the book describes the everyday goings on with a bit of humor. It's more of a cozy read than an actual murder mystery.

This is a well written and well developed cozy mystery. The pace is steady which gives the reader a chance to really get to know the characters and understand their motivations. As always, Jack and Sarah are in great form and make a great team. I love this series and look forward to the next book.

I received this book for free in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

4 stars

In the Cotswold village of Cheringham it’s carnival time. Just outside of town, a body has been located in an archeological dig. But it’s not an old body, it is a relatively recent one; from about two decades earlier. He has no identification. No one pays it much attention until a local man named Tim Simpson goes missing.

Ex-NYPD detective Jack Brennan and amateur sleuth Sarah Edwards take on the case but no one’s talking. They wonder if the two cases are connected and why no one is talking. What’s going on here? As they follow the scant clues they have, the suspense mounts.

The murderer turned out to be a surprise to me, but upon reflection it made sense.

This is a well written and plotted cozy little mystery. I’ve read Matthew Costello and Neil Richards before and I believe this is better than the last novel of theirs I read. There are sufficient twists in the story to hold the reader’s interest and to sustain the suspense in the story. I enjoyed this book very much and will continue to read this duo’s books.

I want to thank Netgalley and Bastei Entertainment for forwarding to me a copy of this nice little book to read.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bastei Entertainment for an advance copy of The Body in the Woods, the second novel in the Cherringham mystery series.

It's carnival time in the Cotswold village of Cherringham but as the committee finalises it plans a body is discovered at a nearby archaeological dig. Forensic examination suggests that the body, that of a young man, has been in the ground for no more than 20 years but this doesn't help identify him. Jack Brennan, ex NYPD cop and his amateur sleuthing partner, Sarah Edwards are mildly interested but soon get sidetracked by the disappearance of insurance agent and carnival committee member Tim Simpson.

The Body in the Woods is a straightforward cosy mystery involving a couple of amateur sleuths who regularly beat the police to a solution. Is it likely? No. Is it entertaining? Yes. It has a linear plotline which is very easy to follow and enough twists to hold the attention. I can't really say it is my kind of reading as I prefer something a bit more gritty and challenging and I'm not used to amateur sleuths asking questions and getting honest answers but I can understand the attraction of a well executed, undemanding read.