Book Review: Murder on the Farm by Kate Wells

I’m happy to be welcoming Kate Wells to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her novel, Murder on the Farm.

Lambing season always brings the unexpected… But no one expected murder

Jude Gray never thought she’d find herself widowed and running a working farm full-time, but here she is, living in the small Malvern village her husband Adam spent most of his life in.

After a particularly gruelling lambing season, she is looking forward to some time off, but there’s no rest for the wicked, especially when she finds the body of one of Adam’s oldest friends on her farm.

Jude refuses to believe the official line, that Sarah’s death was a suicide, and starts an investigation of her own. But as the body count rises, danger creeps ever closer to Malvern Farm.

A killer is on the prowl. And all that stands in their way is one woman – and her dog.

*****

After the death of her husband, Jude finds herself running a farm in Malvern. As a gruelling lambing season is about to end, Jude finds herself facing another challenge – solving the mysterious death of her friend. The trouble is, how do you solve a death that everyone else thinks is suicide?

Murder on the Farm is the first book in the Malvern Mysteries book series and I’m already a fan.

The plot moved along well. Clues and revelations are given to the reader at a good and steady pace and just when I thought I’d figured it out, something else would happen to send the story in a completely different direction. In the end, I suspected the majority of the characters and I didn’t see the end coming. I also liked the puzzle element. I would totally play that game. I preferred the story when the focus was on the murder investigation rather than the farming activities. However, the latter did help set the overall scene.

Jude is stronger than she thinks. She is not afraid to do what is needed to keep her farm going, After the death of her friend, she refuses to believe that suicide is the reason. She is definitely someone you’d want in your corner for sure.

Noah is mysterious and I couldn’t make my mind up about him. I also wasn’t sure how Lucy’s presence would affect the story but I liked how she was threaded into the narrative. I was intrigued to know what was happening from Binnie’s point of view and hope to get to know more about her side of things.

This book is compelling and it didn’t take me long to get immersed in the story. The overall theme focuses on how easy it is to get into bad situations and how trusting your family and friends is important.

If you’re a fan of cozy crime, puzzles or a thrilling story, this series is perfect. I certainly enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to seeing where the series goes.

About Kate Wells –

Kate Wells is the author of a number of well-reviewed books for children, and is now writing a new cosy crime series set in the Malvern hills, inspired by the farm where she grew up.

Say hello to Kate via Twitter and Instagram. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

Murder on the Farm is the first book in the Malvern Mysteries series and was released by Boldwood Books on 4th September 2023. Click to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.