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West Wales Murder Mysteries #0.5
A Date with Death
The gripping prequel to the bestselling West Wales Murder Mysteries.
Please note this book was previously published as I Hope You're Happy Now.
Detective Sarah Southall is back at work after six months’ maternity leave — and is immediately plunged into a gruelling murder case.
A young woman is found strangled to death in her flat. The only clue is a bunch of wilting flowers and a card bearing the words, Just for you. The victim is quickly identified as Miriam Daniels, who’d only recently moved in.
At the same time, this small Hampshire town is plagued by a spate of burglaries. The victims are all single women in their thirties. Could Miriam’s murder be a robbery gone wrong? And where has her mysterious new boyfriend disappeared to?
As Sarah struggles to balance the complexities of a baffling murder investigation with the demands of a new baby and a less-than-supportive husband, she wonders if coming back to work was a mistake.
What Sarah cannot know is that the killer may be closer to home than she imagined — and her bold but risky plan to catch him red-handed will have terrifying consequences . . .
Please note this book was previously published as I Hope You're Happy Now.
Detective Sarah Southall is back at work after six months’ maternity leave — and is immediately plunged into a gruelling murder case.
A young woman is found strangled to death in her flat. The only clue is a bunch of wilting flowers and a card bearing the words, Just for you. The victim is quickly identified as Miriam Daniels, who’d only recently moved in.
At the same time, this small Hampshire town is plagued by a spate of burglaries. The victims are all single women in their thirties. Could Miriam’s murder be a robbery gone wrong? And where has her mysterious new boyfriend disappeared to?
As Sarah struggles to balance the complexities of a baffling murder investigation with the demands of a new baby and a less-than-supportive husband, she wonders if coming back to work was a mistake.
What Sarah cannot know is that the killer may be closer to home than she imagined — and her bold but risky plan to catch him red-handed will have terrifying consequences . . .
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2017
489 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
P.F. Ford
55 books240 followersHaving spent most of his life trying to be what everyone else wanted him to be, P.F. (Peter) Ford was a late starter when it came to writing. He had tried writing a novel many years ago (before the advent of self-publishing), only to be turned down by every publisher he approached. It was very much a case of being told by those around him, ‘now you know you can’t write, so get back to work!’
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 22, 2022
This was one of the first books I ever read. I read it on a train from university back to home.
The book was predictable and kind silly. How does her work partner commits a series of murders just so that she can solve a good murder mystery. All because he’s secretly in love with her??? Please tell me how that makes any sense at all. Like how does a policeman/ detective wake up and just think to do that. Clearly he had issues. Like I know of toxic love but this was next level
The book was predictable and kind silly. How does her work partner commits a series of murders just so that she can solve a good murder mystery. All because he’s secretly in love with her??? Please tell me how that makes any sense at all. Like how does a policeman/ detective wake up and just think to do that. Clearly he had issues. Like I know of toxic love but this was next level
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2021
The body of Miriam Daniels has been discovered in her flat. Is she a victim of burglary that has gone wrong or..
D.I. Don Henderson and his team investigate which includes D.S. Sarah Southall, newly back from maternity leave.
I admit I really didn't care much for the character of Southall, but still an enjoyable crime story even if I did work out the identity of the murderer.
D.I. Don Henderson and his team investigate which includes D.S. Sarah Southall, newly back from maternity leave.
I admit I really didn't care much for the character of Southall, but still an enjoyable crime story even if I did work out the identity of the murderer.
February 19, 2024
This is billed as a Joe Turner mystery, one of a series. But Joe Turner plays only a minor role in this novel. The main character is Joe's friend, Owen Prescott, a successful author.
A university professor that Owen had taken classes from accused Joe of covering up that he, the professor, was a co-author of Owen's prize-winning novel. He intends to sue Owen.
The professor is found dead in his apartment, apparently murdered, with handwritten pages of the novel scattered around. Owen's father's lawyers discover that the prosecution has discovered Owen's DNA at the crime scene. In light of this they pressure Owen to flee the US before he is charged. He finally settles in a Welsh village under a pseudonym and continues to write novels under his new name.
Meanwhile a new young intelligence agent develops new facial recognition software which can scan tons of worldwide videos from surveillance cameras. She locates shots of what appear to be Owen in the Netherlands and a couple of other locations in Europe near the North Sea and then begins to speculate that he might be in England.
Back in Wales some other interesting characters turn up in the Welsh town where Owen lives. One, a reporter named Margo, has figured out Owen's alias and tracked him there. They become involved. But she is hiding a major secret.
Various forces converge to indicate that Owen is innocent of the crime he was accused of. But only after we have been taken down various paths strewn with red herrings.
An excellent novel. Read via Kindle Unlimited.
A university professor that Owen had taken classes from accused Joe of covering up that he, the professor, was a co-author of Owen's prize-winning novel. He intends to sue Owen.
The professor is found dead in his apartment, apparently murdered, with handwritten pages of the novel scattered around. Owen's father's lawyers discover that the prosecution has discovered Owen's DNA at the crime scene. In light of this they pressure Owen to flee the US before he is charged. He finally settles in a Welsh village under a pseudonym and continues to write novels under his new name.
Meanwhile a new young intelligence agent develops new facial recognition software which can scan tons of worldwide videos from surveillance cameras. She locates shots of what appear to be Owen in the Netherlands and a couple of other locations in Europe near the North Sea and then begins to speculate that he might be in England.
Back in Wales some other interesting characters turn up in the Welsh town where Owen lives. One, a reporter named Margo, has figured out Owen's alias and tracked him there. They become involved. But she is hiding a major secret.
Various forces converge to indicate that Owen is innocent of the crime he was accused of. But only after we have been taken down various paths strewn with red herrings.
An excellent novel. Read via Kindle Unlimited.
June 26, 2024
Sarah back from 6 months maternity leave. Her dad is helping out as her husband Kenny, isn't.
Women killed - a pair of underwear taken from the scene.
Found out he used a warrant card to gain access.
Jollyon Blackwell became Gillian Bowden, Blackwell would find targets by signing up for online dating. At the second date he would "borrow" keys and copy them and while he was on the next date, they would be robbed by Gillian.
Grinder hung himself, an officer who lost it when his wife died and fixated on Sarah.
He was the KILLER.
Women killed - a pair of underwear taken from the scene.
Found out he used a warrant card to gain access.
Jollyon Blackwell became Gillian Bowden, Blackwell would find targets by signing up for online dating. At the second date he would "borrow" keys and copy them and while he was on the next date, they would be robbed by Gillian.
Grinder hung himself, an officer who lost it when his wife died and fixated on Sarah.
He was the KILLER.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
I enjoyed this prequel more than his Slater and Norman series - though that started off better than it ended. The characters were good, but some things were a little predictable. Plus we had the same issue as in the other series where occasionally a character will say something or act slightly out of character for the sake of continuing a plot line. It happened more often in the previous series. I don’t yet see how this is a prequel to the West Wales series which Norman is supposed to be in, I guess I’l have to read them to find out…
November 22, 2024
Fascinating Story
In this mystery, DI XX returns to work after finishing maternity leave and is confronted almost immediately with a murder of a single woman living alone. That's on top of a string of burglaries of single women living alone. She and her boss starts to investigate to see if the murder is related to the burglaries. It's a fascinating read and very hard to put down.
In this mystery, DI XX returns to work after finishing maternity leave and is confronted almost immediately with a murder of a single woman living alone. That's on top of a string of burglaries of single women living alone. She and her boss starts to investigate to see if the murder is related to the burglaries. It's a fascinating read and very hard to put down.
November 9, 2017
Great book.
I love your books and hope you keep writing more .. especially about Slater....I would love to know what happened to Jenny and more about Norm and Slaters experiences in his new job. ...and also Watson!! And now along comes Detective Sarah. Hope to hear more about her. 📝📝 keep writing
I love your books and hope you keep writing more .. especially about Slater....I would love to know what happened to Jenny and more about Norm and Slaters experiences in his new job. ...and also Watson!! And now along comes Detective Sarah. Hope to hear more about her. 📝📝 keep writing
September 17, 2017
New Characters from P F Ford
With so few characters in this book it was pretty easy to discover the murderer early on, which is unusual for PF Ford books. I have read all of the authors published works and quite a fan but these characters need more work.
With so few characters in this book it was pretty easy to discover the murderer early on, which is unusual for PF Ford books. I have read all of the authors published works and quite a fan but these characters need more work.
April 5, 2019
Are You Happy Now?
I have read and enjoyed all the Dave Slater novels so I was looking forward to this book. It definitely met my expectations. I loved meeting a new detective. The plot was terrific and the mystery kept me guessing. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
I have read and enjoyed all the Dave Slater novels so I was looking forward to this book. It definitely met my expectations. I loved meeting a new detective. The plot was terrific and the mystery kept me guessing. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
May 13, 2019
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a well written and well thought out mystery. Although I miss reading the Slater and Norman series, I do hope that there will be many books in this new series.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a well written and well thought out mystery. Although I miss reading the Slater and Norman series, I do hope that there will be many books in this new series.
December 2, 2021
Complete reversal
Other three Rejoiner books were great but this one not so much. The plot is very good but the main female character is selfish, self centered and completely unlikable.
Other three Rejoiner books were great but this one not so much. The plot is very good but the main female character is selfish, self centered and completely unlikable.
August 21, 2023
First time for a while I have read a book in one session. P.F. Ford books are pretty readable. I'm not mad about the DS Southall character. If she cannot deal with her husband properly how can she be an effective policewoman? I also thought the villain(s) were fairly easy to identify well before the end of the book. Having said that it was a good read.
August 22, 2023
Interesting
I liked to learn about a younger DI Southhall. But at the same time it left me with doubts. What happened to her baby, I don’t remember being mentioned in the Wales series. Is it mentioned in any other book? The rest was great as always.
I liked to learn about a younger DI Southhall. But at the same time it left me with doubts. What happened to her baby, I don’t remember being mentioned in the Wales series. Is it mentioned in any other book? The rest was great as always.
August 23, 2023
Very good read!
Was a little slow for me in the beginning but within a couple of chapters I couldn’t put it down and read it straight through. Very good story. Recommend. I like the entire series.
Was a little slow for me in the beginning but within a couple of chapters I couldn’t put it down and read it straight through. Very good story. Recommend. I like the entire series.
July 30, 2024
More please!
Could read P F Ford continously. All his books/series are a good balance of great characters and story lines, without the need for the grittier content of bad language and gratuitous violence that a lot of authors feel is necessary.
Could read P F Ford continously. All his books/series are a good balance of great characters and story lines, without the need for the grittier content of bad language and gratuitous violence that a lot of authors feel is necessary.
August 13, 2024
Although I enjoyed this book, I found it very easy to figure out who the murderer was. It seemed unbelievable that such experienced detectives failed to see it and those 2 things mean a lower rating from me
October 8, 2017
Great!
Wow! Really enjoyed this one, well written and with a few twists and turns made it an enjoyable read and great add to the series. Can't wait for the next one, please!
Wow! Really enjoyed this one, well written and with a few twists and turns made it an enjoyable read and great add to the series. Can't wait for the next one, please!
October 19, 2017
Good book
I really like P. D. Ford's books and this one was no exception. Keep 'm coming, Mr. Ford. I really enjoy the books and look forward to the next one.
I really like P. D. Ford's books and this one was no exception. Keep 'm coming, Mr. Ford. I really enjoy the books and look forward to the next one.
December 27, 2017
Hopefully a start of a new series
A very easy read. I was unable to put this down as with many of P F Ford's novels. Looking forward to the next in the series.
A very easy read. I was unable to put this down as with many of P F Ford's novels. Looking forward to the next in the series.
January 27, 2018
Riveting
The story kept me interested from beginning to end. It was a constant page turn. I will highly recommend this book
The story kept me interested from beginning to end. It was a constant page turn. I will highly recommend this book
April 5, 2019
3.5 stars. I fairly good start on what I presume is a new series. The author leaves and unanswered question at the end.
February 6, 2022
Another great read
This is another good read. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing, right up to the final word.
This is another good read. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing, right up to the final word.
May 7, 2022
Really enjoyable
I like this new character a lot. This story had a good plot with quite a few twists. Really good.
I like this new character a lot. This story had a good plot with quite a few twists. Really good.
July 21, 2022
Where’s Norman?
Just Sarah this, in a nicely drawn set of plot lines. And, of course, the requisite twist or two. Fun.
Just Sarah this, in a nicely drawn set of plot lines. And, of course, the requisite twist or two. Fun.
September 11, 2023
2.5 🥲
would’ve been a 3 star if it wasn’t so obvious who the killer was and these experienced, fully trained police officers didn’t take until chapter 29 to figure it out.
would’ve been a 3 star if it wasn’t so obvious who the killer was and these experienced, fully trained police officers didn’t take until chapter 29 to figure it out.
October 20, 2023
A good story and good characters, but it wasn't hard to figure out who the murderer was early in the book.
October 22, 2023
A foregone conclusion!
I enjoyed reading the book but the result of one of the situations was evident. This did not detract from the conclusion of the other.
I enjoyed reading the book but the result of one of the situations was evident. This did not detract from the conclusion of the other.
March 10, 2024
Great series
Really good series of books. Enjoy all the characters. Good plot lines and twists. Look forward to more in the series.
Really good series of books. Enjoy all the characters. Good plot lines and twists. Look forward to more in the series.
May 14, 2024
boring storty line
Victim /criminals obvious from early stage of book
. No proper conclusions or story end on multiple facets
Victim /criminals obvious from early stage of book
. No proper conclusions or story end on multiple facets
November 9, 2020
Another winner
Great characters and good plot. Please let us hear more about this delightful crew. Well done again to you Peter.
Great characters and good plot. Please let us hear more about this delightful crew. Well done again to you Peter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews