DI Ashley Knight #5

A brutal attack at Fakenham Racecourse plunges Ashley Knight into the competitive world of horse racing, where fortunes are won and lost in the blink of an eye. As the investigation unfolds, a chilling discovery reveals a darker side to the glamorous sport. In these high-stake arenas, where winning is everything and everyone has something to hide, a few are willing to cross the ultimate line. Can Ashley, an outsider in a world of whispers and long-held grudges, unmask the murderer before they kill again?

When someone is found dead, and a police officer is attacked at Fakenham Racecourse, DI Ashley Knight was brought into the investigation, It seems that nobody is telling the truth. For anyone who doesn't know much about horse racing, this book is a good insight into it. The plot is complex in this well-written police procedural. The pace is fast and there were a few twists and clues along the way. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Published 5th June 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #RossGreenwood for my ARC of #DeathAtFakenhamRaces in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve loved this series from the start, and had high expectations for this fourth instalment and Death at Fakenham Races didn’t disappoint. While it works as a standalone, the full impact comes from reading the series in order.

Death at Fakenham Races is fast paced and full of twists that kept me guessing throughout, with Hector back on the team adding a familiar and welcome dynamic. DI Ashley Knight’s investigation dives deep into the competitive world of horse racing, which is well researched but occasionally a bit complicated.

Overall, a strong, engaging read with vivid characters and a gripping plot that fans of the series will appreciate.

A great story with a good twist. There was enough in this to not make it stand out obvious who they were hunting which is a pleasant surprise.

I'm a big fan of the DI Ashley Knight series of crime thrillers. Ashley is such a relatable figure. I've come to know and love her colleagues with all their quirks and bants. This time fast tracked Hector Fade is the butt of the jokes as he fights to restore his reputation.

I'd imagined the world of racing to be exclusive and closed-off, and this book confirms it while also overlaying some worrying practices of how races can be fixed, and jockeys convinced to do the wrong thing.

It's a fascinating introduction to the world of horse racing, particularly when it comes to all the betting terms. "Joint lollies and a rag" for example means two joint-favourites at around even money, and an outsider.

Greenwood plants numerous red herrings among the owners, jockeys and bookmakers. It's always very hard to identify the protagonist(s) in Greenwood's books, which makes them extra intriguing, but the loose ends are always neatly sewn up. And then we return to normal life in the police station and a happy occasion for the dedicated Ashley.

If you haven't discovered this home grown maestro of the crime thriller, you're in for a treat.

Another fantastic visit to Norfolk with the MIT team. I love the descriptions of the locations as you can picture yourself there. This is a good police procedural whodunnit with likeable recurring characters. There was a lot of information on horse racing and betting, which isn’t really something that I’m interested but the story kept me intrigued. It is part of series but you don’t have to have read the others to enjoy this book.

Murder at the race course! A nicely written, well paced crime. The characters are well drawn and there are enough twists to keep you guessing throughout the book.

Another well-written police procedural by Ross Greenwood! This one involves several murders in the horse racing community in Norfolk. I always enjoy this author's stories and the way he integrates the police officer characters and their personal lives as well as the mystery itself. However, this one is only 3 stars instead of my usual 4. I found this one got a bit bogged down in all the information about horse racing and betting, and then a gratuitous discussion at the end about animal cruelty and the ethics and environmental impact of raising animals for food and sport, so I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the others. (I personally am not a fan of the use of novels as a platform in this way. If I want to be educated on an issue, I will research it myself.) Definitely still a worthwhile read, though!

Death at Fakenham races is book 5 in the Ashley Knight series, but it can be easily read as a standalone.
DI Ashley Knight is called to Fakenham Racecourse when a Policeman has been brutally attacked a body is found nearby. When they investigate, they get immersed in the life of horseracing and betting and the corruption that lies between it. When more bodies turn up, they know they have a serial killer on their hands, but they don’t know what the motive is and why? What is the killer trying to prove?
This is another great read by the author Ross Greenwood. Interesting storyline and the same great characters and a complex plot. The only thing was a bit of a downside for me was the explanation of the betting system and the life behind it. I found it went on far too long and unnecessary. I found I wanted to skip some of it to get to the juicy parts of the story. 4 stars from me.

Death at Fakenham Races by Ross Greenwood is a highly recommended police procedural. Even though this is the fifth book in the DI Ashley Knight/Norfolk Murders series, it can be read and appreciated as a standalone novel too, especially if you enjoy horse racing.

During heavy snow fall the police are called out to investigate a loud argument at the Fakenham Racecourse. When the officers arrive and separate to investigate, one officer, Frank, is attacked and left unconscious and the snow covered car of bookmarker Jonny Lowe is in a parking lot. After a body is later found, also snow covered, DI Ashley Knight and team are called in to investigate. The body is identified as that of Glen Gordon, one of the local horse owners. There appears to be no apparent motive for the murder.

As the investigation continues Jonny Lowe is found murdered. Clearly the murders are somehow connected to the racetrack, but no motive seems readily apparent, but the list of suspects keeps growing. Someone must be hiding something that would tie it all together among the many people involved in horse racing at Fakenham.

The murder investigations were interesting, intricate, and clues are logically followed in the well-written police procedural. As the investigation unfolds becomes clear that there are many people and a lot of work going on behind the scenes. The answer may be more complicated than anyone thought and the stakes are higher than initially imagined. The plot moves at a quick pace and the suspense rises with each new interview and clue.

At the opening of the novel Greenwood thankfully has a cast of characters which will help refresh your memory of who's who, which I appreciated. Those who have read other novels in the series know these characters and their interaction with each other while solving cases. Personally, I think readers who are acquainted with and enjoy the world of horse racing would enjoy this a bit more than I did, however, Greenwood always writes a good mystery.

Death at Fakenham Races is a good selection for those who enjoy intricate procedurals and horse racing. Thanks to Boldwood Books 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 Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This is only the second book of this author's that I have read but I am totally hooked.
All the books are based in and around Norfolk which I know well and it is nice to read a story where you can picture the area easily.
I loved the way the mystery was based around the racecourse bringing in so many different characters and suspects. The story moved at a good pace, Really enjoyed it.

DI Ashley Knight investigates a series of murders set around Fakenham Racecourse and those involved in racing, raising horses and betting on the horses. There is so much information for DI Knight to process and investigate that suspects and red herrings abound. Hector Fade is back and he’s a great addition to the team. I loved reading about the horses but all the ins and outs of betting were skimmed over by me. Even with the plethora of suspects and interested parties, Greenwood was able to keep them all distinct.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this DRC.
#DeathatFakenhamRaces #NetGalley

Ross Greenwood's "Death at Fakenham Races" is a thrilling addition to The Norfolk Series, featuring DS Ashley Knight. Despite being the second book in the series, it feels like a stand-alone novel, allowing readers to dive right into the heart of the mystery without feeling lost or disconnected. I had not read the first book.

The characters are well-crafted, each one feels real and relatable. Greenwood has a knack for creating personas who resonate with readers, making their struggles and triumphs all the more impactful. DS Ashley Knight is a compelling protagonist, and her journey through the twists and turns of the plot kept me turning the page.

The plot itself is constructed, with numerous twists and turns that keep the suspense high. Intrigue and tension is woven throughout the narrative, ensuring that readers are constantly guessing and re-evaluating their assumptions about the unfolding mystery.

One of the standout features of this book is its setting. The Norfolk countryside, with its unique charm and nuances, adds a rich layer of atmosphere to the story. The competitive world of horse racing is depicted with authenticity and depth, making the backdrop as engaging as the plot itself.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

DI Ashley Knight and her team are called to a murder at a nearby horse racing track. The victim was well-liked and it seemed that no one would have any reason to want him dead. When a second body, and then a third are found, DI Knight is racing to discover a motive linking the three before the killer can flee or strike again.

Though the plot of this book is good, there were a lot of technical details related to placing bets and determining odds that I never did fully grasp and that weren't essential to understanding the crimes or the motives. This slowed the book down a lot, and it was already barely moving. I've enjoyed other books by this author, and I would have enjoyed this one a lot more had it been about 30% shorter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is #5 in the DI Ashley Knight series but can be read as a standalone.

A call comes in to report arguing voices at Fakenham Racecourse, so two PCs go out to investigate. They can’t find anything except a parked vehicle, so they split up to cover the last sections. One of the PCs, Frank, is seriously assaulted and hospitalised and, later, the body of a trainer is found nearby.

Ashley and her team are thrown into the complex, and sometimes mysterious, world of horse racing and are faced with a lot of lies and misinformation. Then, a second body is found; Johnny, who was a bookmaker at the course. The race is on (no pun intended!) to pin down the killer before they strike again.

A brilliant police procedural that kept me gripped to the very last page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ross Greenwood, and Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always excited to get my hands on the work of Ross Greenwood, I grabbed for this ARC, the latest in the DI Ashley Knight series. Full of action and strong police work, Greenwood takes readers on another homicide investigation in Norwich, where DI Knight must work to discover who murdered a man at a horse racing facility. While there are many layers to the story, Greenwood never lets his great characters stand in the shadows, as the series is progressing nicely. Another winner from one of the great British police procedural authors I have read.

A panicked call comes in to emergency services, citing an argument at the Fakenham Racecourse. When officers arrive to check it out, one is attacked and left unconscious. DI Ashley Knight and the Norwich MIT are sent to follow-up, hoping to get to the bottom of things. A body is found on the grounds, but the recent snow has covered up any clues that could help.

As DI Knight and her team begin their investigation, they discover that there is more to Fakenham than horses travelling from one side of the course to the other. Large sums of money exchanging hands, where fortunes are won and lost proves to be the perfect motive to kill someone. The more they explore, additional layers of trouble emerge to stymie MIT and the course of the investigation.

While trying to find a killer, new and troubling truths come to light, though a handful of suspects also appear worthy of additional exploration. DI Knight plays her cards carefully, in hopes of luring the reader out of the shadows. It will take time and dedication to discover the killer and their motive, which proves harder than it appears. Ross Greenwood delivers a strong addition to the series that never wanes in its presentation.

I have always been eager to see what Ross Greenwood had to say when he pens a new novel. The narrative is well-developed and keeps the reader on edge until all is revealed for the reader to enjoy. The momentum helps push things along and keeps the reader guessing. Characters prove great in their delivery and prove able to flavour the larger piece to add depth to the story. The plot moves along and keeps the reader without a clear understanding of what the end result might be, keeping a needed suspense to leave the reader eager to solve the case for themself.

Kudos, Mr. Greenwood, for another great police procedural.

Death at Fakenham Races Ross Greenwood

5 stars

The intrigues of the horse-racing world!

I have read a lot of this author's books and always enjoy them. I was unaware that this was the second in the DI Ashley Knight series but it is easy to read as a stand alone.

I am not a great fan of horse racing but have been to a few courses and always enjoyed the atmosphere and the thrill of having a winning horse. However I was unaware of how the whole racing world fitted together and just how much goes on behind the scenes just to get a race put on.

DI Ashley Knight is called to Fakenham Racecourse when a body is discovered. It is Glen Gordon one of the local horse owners. There appears to be no apparent motive for his murder but when shortly afterwards another body is found of one of the local bookmakers, Jonny Lowe , Ashley and her colleagues begin an investigation that slowly encompasses everyone working or connected with the racecourse. It becomes apparent that this crime is connected to a race that had happened many years before and nearly everyone involved in the day to day running of Fakenham could be a suspect.

DI Knight has to involve all the members of her talented team to work out what the motive is of the murderer or murderers. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to work out for myself what had happened and as in all the best thrillers I was wrong.

I also really enjoyed learning more about how a racecourse such as Fakenham puts on its meetings and how many people and tasks are involved . This was a very good story involving very interesting characters and written in an easy to read style. I will be looking out for any more books in this series.


Karen Deborah
Netgalley

Oh, I loved it!! Not only because of the intricate and complex plot, but also because it was hugely interesting! I knew next to nothing about horseracers and the world they navigate in. Even though I am not a fan of horseracing, I delved into this world with wide eyes. I loved the love and relationships shown to the elegant animals that horses are. I might not agree with this kind of harsh training, but it felt very impressive.
The plot remains suspenseful up to the end. The numerous suspects (keeping adding on !) heat up the tension....
As always I enjoyed the investigating team , particularly the warm relationship which bond them. I loved their intern little jokes and always wait to meet them again on a perilous journey against evil people! A brilliant police investigation!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

This is my first DI Knight story and what an introduction. We follow the MIT as they investigate the death of a trainer at the racecourse. Plenty of information about the horseracing scene which makes a good background to the murder and subsequent investigation. It really makes me want to go to the races to soak up all the atmosphere described in the book. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more of these stories. With thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley.

What can i say another great book by Ross Greenwood.
This book is set around Fakenham race course where a body is found and a police office is also attacked.
It was great reading about Ashley Barry and Hector again.
A well-written mystery.
This is the 5th in the Norfolk Murders series and I enjoyed every one of them.
Recommended.

When a body is found at the racecourse, DI Ashley knight knows it likely to be something to do with that world. The majority of murders are carried out by someone the victim knows, the motive usually being love, money or hate/revenge. The racing world is careful these days of insider dealing/betting but in a world where fortunes are won and lost in a heartbeat, there will always be the dark side. Can Ashley and her team find the killer before more damage is done?

Ross as ever has done his research well (unless of course he is a secret jockey or owner!) and this shines through in this intriguing plot. The racing/horse world can be complex to an outsider but anyone who knows these magnificent, beautiful creatures will appreciate the words of the ex jockey which touched me. It’s clever and captivating, just how I like a crime book. No way could I guess the perpetrator even well into the book. The descriptions put the reader in the heart of things and the characters are likeable and there’s a little humour to ease things along. A wonderful, highly entertaining read I thoroughly enjoyed

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