Thank you Penguin Group Viking Penguin and Netgalley for this ARC! When a peculiar murder scene of a local is found in the middle of the night so starts the investigation. Set in a small village in England there were colorful characters in this book but none of the main characters were very likeable. The last quarter of the book was the same story retold by two points of view with basically not much difference that sounded repetitive falling pretty flat in the end.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A gruesome murder of a pub owner and a whole town full of suspects. Great who dun it.

Thriller lovers, watch out for your next great read. Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall was a great read.

When I was offered an early read of this title, I was beyond excited. I had already known about Death at the White Hart and knew that I would want to read it (as would anybody who saw Broadchurch). So, did it live up to my expectations? Definitely, yes.

This book has a somewhat cinematic feel to it which makes sense given the author. I could very much picture it as a TV series with the multiple settings, many characters, and some strong visuals (antlers attached to a dead man, anyone?)

The story is well told but, initially, asks that the reader pay attention as the characters are introduced. Their interrelationships are very much a part of the plot. There are pub keepers, police officers, many people in the community, relatives and acquaintances, as well as at least one more organized crime figure type.

The detective has her reasons for having come back to the community where she grew up. Still, Nicola had expected a somewhat better station. How will she and her team fare? Will her marriage make it?

All in all, this was a most enjoyable read. It is easy to suggest that mystery/thriller readers pick this one up. Kirkus Reviews states "Hopefully, this is the start of a beautiful series." I most definitely agree.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group- Viking Penguin for this time. All opinions are my own.

The best detective novel I've read in a long time. I immediately fell into the story and it kept my interest the whole time.

suspenseful and intense murder filled with dramatic plotlines and personae. 5 stars. tysm for the arc, would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin for reaching out to me with an ARC of Death at the White Hart in exchange for my honest review. I hadn't heard of this one before receiving that email and I'm so glad I didn't miss out!

Death at the White Hart tells the story of a gruesome murder of a small, coastal English town's publican. Jim Tiernan may have been the easy going, carefree landlord of the White Hart, but he also was the keeper of many village secrets and grudges. When he's found dead tied to a chair in the middle of the road (with deer antlers glued to his head I might add) those secrets and grudges starting coming into the light. And not everyone is too happy about it.

This novel comes from the man who created the immensely popular show Broadchurch. Now, I have a confession to make: I have not yet watched Broadchurch. (For shame, I know! I'm just not a big TV gal.) But I've heard from many "reliable" sources (my cousins) that it's fantastic so I knew this novel would more than likely be well written and entertaining. And it definitely was!

This was a great thriller featuring a variety of interesting characters, atmospheric coastal setting, and well written storyline. I enjoyed this one very much and found myself having trouble putting it down. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a thriller or just a good old fashion who-done-it.

An easy 4⭐️. I'll definitely keep an eye out for any future novels (and get around to watching Broadchurch, too 🤪).

Publishing: June 10th, 2025

Chris Chibnall’s debut novel Death at the White Hart is a brooding, atmospheric mystery set in a tightly-wound Dorset village. When a pub landlord is found murdered in a ritualistic pose, DS Nicola Bridge is pulled into a case that stirs up long-buried secrets.

Bridge is a strong lead—flawed, thoughtful, and grounded in reality. Chibnall captures the claustrophobia of village life well, creating a moody backdrop that keeps the tension simmering. While some side characters lack depth, the central mystery holds attention, even if the ending overexplains itself a little too much.

Fans of slow-burn, character-driven crime fiction—especially those who liked Broadchurch—will find plenty to enjoy here.

Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall is a highly recommended procedural set in the English village of Fleetcombe. This is the debut novel of the creator of TV's Broadchurch series.

A man is found dead in the middle of the road tied to a chair with a stag’s antlers attached to his head. The victim is well known and immediately identified at the scene as Jim Tiernan, who ran the White Hart pub. Called to the scene is Detective Nicola Bridge, 38, who has recently come to Fleetcombe, a small West Dorset village, from Liverpool. She thought a slower pace would be good for her marriage. Also called is rookie DC Harry Ward. He is ten years younger and a newcomer too. Nicola has years of experience and Harry is eager to assist and learn.

The department has no real experience with a crime of this sort so all of Nicola's experience is desperately needed, as well as her observation skills. Harry is surprising with how much he steps up to assist. As with any small town, there are plenty of secrets and history between everyone. Not all those questioned are forthcoming or open with the information they know

This well written, intelligent procedural features a complex investigation, an even pace, and fully realized characters. All the clues are logically followed and as a pub owner, the list of local people who need to be questioned, and re-questioned, includes people who knew Jim or had interactions with him the night of the crime. The characters all feel like unique, real people which makes it very easy to follow the investigation and piece together clues along the way. These characters deserves a sequel.

Death at the White Hart is a prefect choice for anyone who enjoys British police procedurals. Thanks to the Penguin Group for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I like police procedurals, and this one was good. The pacing was a bit slow, but the story was interesting.

In a small town in Devon, the man who ran the White Hart pub is murdered, and his body is graphically displayed in the middle of a road. Detective Sargent Nicola Bridge, recently returned to the area, and Detective Constable Harry Ward are assigned to the case. They discover that similar murders occurred many years ago, and wonder if there is a link. As they investigate, they begin uncovering secrets that many wish to stay hidden. What was once an idyllic village is now a place where neighbors point the finger at neighbors, and speculation runs rampant.

The beginning grabbed my attention with the description of the victim, but the pace slowed, and I skimmed over the character's navel-gazing. I didn't find Nicola engaging, and often felt sorry for the way she treated Harry. The writing is good, but I figured out who the murderer was well before the reveal. 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 10, 2025.

I LOVED Broadchurch so was excited to try this. The omniscient POV and multiple narrators were not my choice for a procedural (even though I think PD James does this and who am I to tell her she's doing it wrong!) I just prefer to follow the methodical cat and mouse game between the investigator and the culprit.

I did love the small town vibe of this, but I also found the ending needed too much explaining. For me.
I think that this has been optioned and it's entirely possible it will be fantastic on screen. For me.

Blog review will be live on June 9

The move had been a last-ditch effort at preserving her marriage. Her devotion to her job led to her husband’s infidelity and emotional distance from their son. Their relocation from Liverpool to the village of Fleetcombe was supposed to free Detective Sergeant Nicola Bridges from the troublesome investigations. This proves to be wishful thinking when Bridges receives the call about the dead body found on a nearby motorway. The initial investigation proves frustrating to Bridges as homicides are rare in Fleetcombe, her resources are slim, and her Detective Constable subordinate is inexperienced. The list of suspects is open for speculation as witnesses prevaricate and a motive seems elusive. However, Bridges and her new partner are persistent in investigating this case, no matter where it leads.

Author Chris Chibnall excelled at crafting a masterful whodunit with the series Broadchurch and brilliantly continues in that vein with his inaugural novel. Death at the White Hart brings both intriguing elements of suspense and drama featuring an outstanding cast of characters and a mystery that keeps the reader riveted until the fulfilling climax. The Fans of Knives Out and Murder on the Orient Express will thoroughly enjoy this effort.

This was such a good story! I love police procedurals centered in a small English village, and this one definitely delivered on its promise! Murder, village secrets, and lots of suspects! I had it figured out pretty early, but not the why because wow, that was a weird murder! (And I do love weird!) It was a lot of fun watching how this played out. The author gave us just enough to make me question all of the suspects, even though I was pretty sure I knew who did it. For me, that’s a win for the author. I really enjoyed see the relationship between Nicola and Harry grow. I also liked the background the author gave Nicola. Talk about a great foundation for a sudden move and a whole lot of baggage. Just my kind of story. I can see this being a series very easily. I’m actually surprised it wasn’t billed as one. If it were, I would definitely read the next one!

Huge thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

While the story was good, I found the writing style not really my style. Death at the White Heart was a quick read that kept you guessing until the end.

When I saw that Death at the White Hart was from the creator of Broadchurch, I couldn’t request it fast enough. This fact alone promised quality suspense and well written story as this and more were delivered in Broadchurch. That being said, this novel was a little bit difficult for me to get into at first. Perhaps my expectations were set too high. I did enjoy the twists and turns as the story unfolded and I was satisfied with the end. Overall, it was a job well done once it four going. It will also translate into a phenomenal TV show as I heard it had been optioned for a TV series.

The “Broadchurch” connection is appropriately brought up in the marketing of “Death at the White Hart” — a little seaside English village hiding secrets that brings the local (newly returned from hectic Liverpool) Detective Sergeant and a newcomer Detective Constable, also from Liverpool, together. Hey, it works! This is Chris Chibnall’s debut novel after being an acclaimed television screenwriter, and his thriller does read like a good streaming series.

DS Nicola Bridge and DC Harry Ward have an unusual case in the normally picturesque town of Fleetcombe: Pub landlord Jim Tiernan is found tied, nearly naked, to a chair in the middle of the highway with stag antlers on his head — possibly a reference to his pub, White Hart. Their investigation is a logical one, encompassing a group of locals that they interview: Jim’s older sister Patricia; Irina, Jim’s Ukrainian girlfriend; pub regular and delivery driver Eddie; another pub visitor barber/hairdresser Frankie; Ayesha, landlady of the rival Fleetcombe pub, The Fox; and Deakins, a strange farmer who annoys the customers with his uninvited banjo playing. Plus, there’s an almost invisible nine year old witness.

This is still a clever police procedural with facts that slowly accumulate and layers of secrecy being revealed. In the end, it’s the teamwork between Nicola and Harry that finally uncover the murderer. And, their return for a future case would be welcome. Well-written and paced, with wonderful main characters. 4 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Mick has blazing green eyes and Shannon has fierce green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO We do get a sense of the Dorset area as the action moves between various towns.

Thank you to Penguin/Viking, Pamela Dorman Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Title: Death at the White Hart
Author: Chris Chibnall
Publisher: Penguin Group Viking Penguin/Pamela Dorman Books
Genre: Crime Thriller
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
My Rating: 3.6 Stars!
Pages: 352

The villagers of Bradcombe like to think of it as one of the most picturesque spots on England’s seaside.

However, when Jim Tiernan, of the White Hart pub, was found dead the small village is shocked by the
gruesome crime.
Story starts with the crime and it definitely got my attention.
~ A dead body is found in the middle of the road, strapped to a chair with antlers glued to his head. The police identify the body straight away but have no idea why someone in the close knit rural community would want to murder this man who is known to all of them.
Nicola Bridge is a CID detective from Liverpool but grew up in Bradcombe and now has returned to her hometown. She and her inexperienced partner, DC Harry Ward are both eager to solve this case.

This was highly recommended. I read a lot of thriller s- this did not have the twists, turns and big reveals so it didn’t have the – I didn’t see that coming’! However, it was still interesting!

Want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking Publishing/Pamela Dorman Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 10, 2025.

If you don’t recognize Chris Chibnall’s name as a mystery writer, you still might know his writing; he wrote the TV series Broadchurch, Torchwood, and the Jodie Whittaker era of Doctor Who. I decided to give his first mystery book a try based largely on how much I liked Broadchurch.

Nicola Bridge has returned to her native Devon from Liverpool, where she’d been a successful police detective for years. The move is fresh start for her, her teenage son Ethan, and her husband Mark, who endangered the marriage in Liverpool and is now willing to do whatever Nicola wants to repair the damage. Nicola knew Devon would be much less active than Liverpool, but she was promised a decent-sized staff and a brand-new police station. But when a murdered man is discovered in bizarre circumstances, no help is available outside a very young, over-eager DC, Harry Ward, their research specialist, Mel, and the able and friendly SOCO, Reeta Patel. Their “temporary” HQ is an empty building next to the old police station.

The murder victim, Jim Tiernan, is the host of one of two rival local pubs, and there are so many potential suspects it keeps Nicola and her team working overtime. There is Jim’s live-in girlfriend, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship; there is the rival pub owner; there are people Jim may have defrauded, including one particularly dodgy character; there is Jim’s hair stylist, who seems to be hiding something; there is a cantankerous farmer with a longstanding grudge against just about everyone and a century-old family history of murder disturbingly similar to that visited on Jim.

This is a well-executed police procedural, not a fair-play mystery. The reader may well guess the perpetrator, but it won’t be based on clues carefully sprinkled throughout the book. Instead, the reader finds out along with Nicola, as she gathers clues, but also analyzes motives she intuits as she gets to know the villagers better.

This feels like the beginning of a series, and I hope to see more of Nicola and her team. (Less so her husband and son, but it’s my personal taste not to be much interested in the home lives of detectives in police procedurals.)

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

3.5 stars rounded down
I liked the very beginning but when it became so slow that I started skimming, I thought I might give up. I'm glad I didn't, but the pace didn't pick up until about 40%. I didn't like the FMC Nicola. I thought she was particularly harsh, for no reason, with Harry - a character I loved - and I'm glad their relationship grew to show more mutual respect. I hated that she believed gossip and jumped to that conclusion about Harry early on, without getting the facts, but kudos to her for apologizing. That happened fairly early on and left a bad taste with me for the rest of the book. I also didn't like that 2 characters were named Mike and Mick - I kept getting them confused. I did like the second half quite a bit and it was a satisfying ending, especially learning what happened to Shannon. If this is the start of a new series, I would probably read another.

Death at the White Hart sounded really promising and exciting. The story is from the creator of Broadchurch, which I loved. However, I had a difficult time getting invested in the characters and the story. There were times when the story was slow, and there were many characters to keep track of. I wasn’t too sure about Nicola at first; she came across as very hard on her partner, Harry.

I kind of had the culprit figured out, but the ending was a bit mediocre. This was just an okay read for me. I’m not sure I would read any more in this series.

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