A Knot of Sparrows by Cheryl Rees-Price

3^rd August 2023.

In the latest intriguing story in the series, DI Winter Meadows investigates the death of a promiscuous young woman, who had antagonised plenty of people in the village. A strange word or code was left on the body to add to the mystery.

As the investigation progresses, more murders follow, all linked by the codes left on the bodies or nearby. It appears someone in the area is on a mission. But it’s not clear what. Most of the suspects have alibis, especially when Winters himself is attacked. He believes it’s a warning rather than a death threat and steps up the inquiry until he finally gets to the heart of the puzzle to solve the murders.

Like the previous books in the series, Winters and the relationships in his team dominate the stories, bringing a camaraderie and determination that sees them battle on, even when they’re struggling to get a line on what’s happening. There’s friendship, humour, respect and some intimate revelations that reveal an unexpected side to one of the characters.

The story is well written, the characters believable and engaging, and the mystery reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel. It makes for a twisting and exciting story that’s about much more than a murder investigation, delivering on all levels, to make it one of my favourite crime series.

While it works as a standalone, you’ll enjoy it much more if you go back to the first book in the series and follow the characters, getting to know them  in more depth.

Description

There were a lot of things you could call Stacey Evans. And many of them would be true. And unprintable. But did she deserve to be murdered?

DI Winter Meadows has no doubt of the answer when he takes on the case. The crime was violent. The victim helpless. But the motives are many, and the only clue is a strange word left on Stacey’s body.

DI Meadows struggles to pierce the secrecy surrounding the teenager’s busy love life. Was the killer one of her pursuers acting out of jealousy? Maybe someone’s wife seeking revenge?

But as each suspect is excluded from the enquiry, and other markings turn up, Meadows is convinced that something more sinister is afoot.

When another body is found, a veil of silence descends like a fog upon Gaer Fawr. What more will it take for the village to give up its secrets?