The start of a new series: introducing Dr. Nell Ward, an ecologist turned detective in this debut book and start of a new cozy crime series.

The cover of the book and the description drew me in. The play of words in the title is pretty clever and I’m curious to see more bird or animal related titles in the future.

This book really bounces around for points of view, but still manages to make it engaging and descriptive. I had to pay attention while changing perspectives and when characters were introduced.

I was easily able to picture where people were and what people were wearing or eating. I really appreciated the detail the author had in relation to Nell’s profession, being that she is an ecologist by trade. I wanted to know more about the bats/animals and surveys because it read in a fascinating and not textbook way.

Overall, this was a classic sort of whodunnit.

Thank you to the author, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Embla Books and NetGalley for the arc ebook.

I so wanted to love this but there were a few components that sadly didnt work for me. Firstly, Nell didnt quite work as a detective for me and the day job got far too heavily in the way with far too much detail.
It took me a while to get into it too.
Some good characters, but all felt a bit too complex for a cosy.

Rating: 2.0/5

This is very obviously being aimed at, what could possibly be described as, "The Richard Osman Market". Even the cover (which I think works well) is stylistically reminiscent of those used on The Thursday Murder Club series. Will "A Murder of Crows" also emulate the success of Mr Osman's books? Well, I suspect not - although it is intelligently written and generally avoids the excessive cheesiness of many cosy mysteries.

Debut author, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, has drawn on her personal background and created a central character who is an ecologist. It is often said that you should "write what you know". That is all well and good, but you also need to take your audience with you and if the depth of knowledge and expertise is too niche, then you run the risk of non-devotees switching off - and I think Sarah Yarwood-Lovett was guilty of that on a number of occasions.

I also often found myself questioning whether the author was clear in her own mind about what type of book she wanted this to be. For the most part it has a cosy mystery feel to it - though there are elements that you wouldn't expect to find in a cosy. Plus, it also felt too long and too much like hard work, which a successful cosy cannot afford to be. There were also significant portions that seemed far more like a mainstream police procedural - but with plot developments that would never pass muster in a true example of that genre and that you could only get away with in a cosy mystery. On top of that, there were also regular diversions into Mills & Boon territory and, rather than adding an extra dimension to the story, I found them to be annoying and unhelpful distractions.

Successful book series of any genre tend to rely heavily on having engaging central characters - and that is perhaps even more the case with murder mysteries and particularly those of the cosy variety - but I don't think the characters contained within the pages of this book are appealing enough. I know that this is planned to be the first in a series of books featuring Dr Nell Ward, with the next one, "A Cast of Falcons" being due out at the end of 2022, but I am not convinced that the protagonists or the format are strong enough to draw me back.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Thanks to Sarah and NetGalley for allowing me to read A Murder of Crows before the publication date.

This is a delightfully ott tale of deception, murder and fraud with a glimmer of romance thrown in for good measure.

Dr Nell Ward is performing eco surveys to be included in the planning application for an estate to be turned into an equestrian centre. Her research found an old map which detailed a long forgotten tunnel. Due to meet the client at 6pm, Nell started the survey in the tunnel, photographing each step as she went. Her colleague, Dr Adam Kashyap was to join her when he finished another survey, but called to say that his car tires were flat. When the client did not arrive at the agreed time, Nell continued the external surveys.

An investigation is started when Sophie Crows is found dead in the tunnel. Nell helpfully shares the details of her visit to the property with the police, only to realise that her photographic evidence is seen by the police to arrest her.
With a Chief Constable demanding a quick resolution and DCI Val Johnson with her eyes set on a promotion, there is little incentive for the police to look beyond Nell.

Nell and Adam decide to use their experience as ecologists to investigate Sophie’s murder and there are lots of secrets to be revealed.

Sarah has set this book in an idyllic town with a Georgian high street. The relationship between Nell and Adam is friendly with lots of corny jokes and laughs along the way.

Dr. Nell, is the main character who helps solve the mystery. The book has secrets, tunnels, bats and of course a murder. What's not to like? The debut novel in a new series, and is a good start. Would recommend.

I do love a good murder mystery!
This is perfect for Agatha raisin and midsommer murder fans.
A small village and a murder solve but when you are the main suspect you want to clear your name.
Starting your own investigation is not as easy as you think but it sure is exciting!!

I loved this debut novel featuring a scientist as the main character. Dr. Nell Ward, an ecologist, has just unearthed a hidden tunnel on the estate that she's surveying when she gets the willies and quickly backs out into the daylight. After a full day's work of cataloging plants and habitats--and rescuing an orphaned baby bat--she heads home, only to soon discover that she's a person of interest in a murder. As a private person, unused to trusting others, she soon finds that her reticence is seen with suspicion by the local constabulary. Great fun to read, and I can't wait to see the further adventures of Nell.

Thanks to Embla Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm not familiar with the author and began the book with an open mind. It is clear that Sarah Yarwood-Lovett has researched her characters' profession well. The details of different breeds of bat and their importance within the environment was threaded through the story well. The murder mystery and thriller parts of the novel were clearly plotted with lots of intrigue to keep the reader turning the next page. The underlying potential romances set up a story arc for future books. I enjoyed the background of the protangonist and how keen she was to prove herself as a serious professional based on her own merit. I read this book within 24 hours and would highly recommend it. I will definitely look out for the next in the series.

eco-awareness, small-town, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, ecologist, mystery, thriller, cosy-mystery, England, rural****

I agree with DS James Clark (no matter what DCI Val Johnson said), that was more than I think I wanted to know about bats! The characters are interesting and engaging, the mystery and resolution are pretty well done. There was some awkwardness characteristic of first in series, but unlike on-screen, books always keep getting better with each new one!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Embla Books via NetGalley Thank you!

This is a really good whodunnit story, very well written with just enough information to keep you guessing. I really enjoyed it and will be looking for more from this author..

Sarah Yarwood-Lovett's ecological background really contributes to the authenticity of the plot of this crime novel. Her protagonist, Dr. Nell Ward is employed to do a bat survey accompanied by her colleague and would-be lover, Adam from whom she is hiding information about her background. But when Adam is unable to join her after his tyres are slashed, Nell finds herself one end of a tunnel whilst a murder is being committed at the other end. Nell inevitably becomes a suspect in the subsequent police investigation, bring her in contact with a second love interest, a policeman. A number of other suspects emerge to keep us guessing as Nell sets about clearing her name by carrying out her own investigation. However, this is where the plot sometimes becomes implausible. Nevertheless the story kept me unsure of the murderer's identity until close to the conclusion.

This is cozy mystery epitomised. It’s the story about Nell, an ecologist who ends up caught up in a murder investigation. Generally the plot and romantic subplot are fun and very midsomer murders but I felt a bit spoilt by getting a little convoluted towards the end. Simpler would have been better tbh. I enjoyed the story though! An easy cozy read that won’t change your world but is a good bit of entertainment.
Read through netgalley for an honest review

Secret tunnels .... check
Possible revenge plot .... check
Bats .... check
Secrets .... check
A Murder of Crows has all of the elements for an excellent murder mystery and the author does deliver an exciting, pacey novel. The characters were intriguing, in particularly Nell, who is one of the more unique protagonists that I have come across in some time and the plot kept you guessing
I particularly enjoyed learning about the ecology and bat aspects of the story and commend the author for her depth of research, while still managing to keep the topic exciting.
I'm eagerly waiting the next book in the series.

In the sleepy village of Cookingdean, Dr Nell Ward is busy working in the grounds of a local manor house. Whilst inspecting an old tunnel, the last thing she expects to overhear is a murder. As the only person with any clues as to what happened, Nell soon finds herself in the middle of the investigation. Addicted to this book… As soon as I started to read, I just knew that I wouldn’t be able to put the book down… One hell of a rollercoaster ride.

Bats, an old English manor home with a hidden tunnel, a murder, secrets, and some potential for romance….how could I not love this book. I enjoyed how the main character, ecologist and bat specialist Dr. Nell Ward, was written as an intelligent woman who loves her work, the details of it were really interesting. When Nell becomes the prime suspect in a murder she’s not about to sit still and be framed, instead she relies on her career skills to uncover clues. . Different chapters are written from the point of view of a police detective, which gives us a look at their processes and reasoning, which added to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy. Thank you also to Embla Books, I’m looking forward the next in this series, and to see what else you publish.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. I wasn't sure what to expect when the book opened with a murder, however once it got going, I was drawn in to the mystery. I thought I'd cracked the identity of the murderer early on, but unlike TV crime dramas, I was wrong! I like Nell as the main character and learnt a lot along the way about ecology and the secret life of bats. Well written with warm, likeable (mostly!) characters and lots of police procedure to satisfy those tv crime drama fans amongst us...... A promising start to a new series of books. I look forward to reading the next instalment.

I enjoyed reading this book. It has a great combination of suspense and romance. The characters were interesting and the plot kept you guessing. I thought the perspective of the main character, an ecologist was pretty unique. I hope there will be more in this series, Ilook forward to them.

The first is a new series or mystery novels. This had a promising synopsis so I was drawn in. The book itself was not as easy to get into. I was unclear as to why there were multiple love interests. I was also slightly confused at times due to the transition of povs between our MC Nell and law enforcement.

As far as the overall story, it was a classic case of whodunit! With Nell being in the wrong place at the right time to be framed for the murder. But did she do it?!? Check out this book to find out :)

I look forward to the story progressing and the characters growth in the upcoming books.

I throughly enjoyed this book and read it at record time with lots of tea. The characters were interesting and the plot kept you guessing.All the information about bats and wildlife was interesting.I certainly hope there will be a second book as I think this would make a great series.

Dr Nell Ward is an ecologist. You didn’t know you would become so interested in the lives of bats. This was to lead Nell to become number one suspect in a local murder. Nell will have plentiful choices to make both in love and trying to clear her name.
The first in a new series keeps you interested throughout and would well be worth a second look in future.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.