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For All Your Endeavours: A cold case murder on atmospheric Dartmoor leaves DI Lancaster stumped in this thrilling crime debut
The moment Jimmy’s digger blade cut through the soft peat, he knew what he’d exposed.
It was flesh.
Human flesh.
On the remote moors of Dartmoor, the discovery of a sacrificial ‘bog-body’ is cause for great excitement amongst archaeologists.
But when it is discovered that the body is not the well-preserved remains of a long-dead ancestor, but rather that of a murder victim from a twenty-year-old cold case, DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Vidêt are immediately called in to investigate.
With connections apparent between the victim and the local landed gentry, the Stottard family, the two detectives visit the family’s homes in the South of France, Devon and London, each location unveiling new insights.
But with the victim’s family still waiting for answers, will their searching bring them any closer to understanding what really happened?
PRAISE FOR FOR ALL YOUR ENDEAVOURS
'I was hooked from the very beginning...An excellent read.' - Russell Wate, author of the DCI Alexander McFarlane crime series.
'Dark, intriguing and thoroughly engaging.' - Ronnie Brown, author of Restless Souls
It was flesh.
Human flesh.
On the remote moors of Dartmoor, the discovery of a sacrificial ‘bog-body’ is cause for great excitement amongst archaeologists.
But when it is discovered that the body is not the well-preserved remains of a long-dead ancestor, but rather that of a murder victim from a twenty-year-old cold case, DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Vidêt are immediately called in to investigate.
With connections apparent between the victim and the local landed gentry, the Stottard family, the two detectives visit the family’s homes in the South of France, Devon and London, each location unveiling new insights.
But with the victim’s family still waiting for answers, will their searching bring them any closer to understanding what really happened?
PRAISE FOR FOR ALL YOUR ENDEAVOURS
'I was hooked from the very beginning...An excellent read.' - Russell Wate, author of the DCI Alexander McFarlane crime series.
'Dark, intriguing and thoroughly engaging.' - Ronnie Brown, author of Restless Souls
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2024
3 people are currently reading
1623 people want to read
About the author
David Sharp
111 books15 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Others:
David Sharp: GR author, fiction, gay & lesbian, horror
David Sharp: history
David Sharp FRS: English physician and entomologist
David Sharp: audiobook narrator
David Sharp: outdoor activity, wrote The London Loop
Others:
David Sharp: GR author, fiction, gay & lesbian, horror
David Sharp: history
David Sharp FRS: English physician and entomologist
David Sharp: audiobook narrator
David Sharp: outdoor activity, wrote The London Loop
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 21, 2024
I really wanted to love this one and it did start off really strong but unfortunately for me after the first 25% ish of the book I found it really started to drag, there's just so much unnecessary information in this book that I found it a bit of a slog and by the time we finally got the end I found it all a bit anticlimactic. I did however think the writing was very good and I really liked the lead detective.
Thank you very much to the publisher and author for my copy.
Thank you very much to the publisher and author for my copy.
September 15, 2024
329 Pages
3 and 1 / 2 stars
Archeology, murder and smart detectives…What more could a girl want in a mystery novel?
Jimmy is clearing an area of the bogs with his digger for a conservation project. He comes upon a body. Soon, the area is deluged by a team of archeologists, complete with a professor to lead them. This will be the first bog body found in this area of Britain.
Sadly for the team, the body turns out to be much more recent than expected. It has only been in the bog for about twenty years. Enter the detectives, DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Videt.
The belt with which the male victim's hands were tied leads back to a bespoke tailor. The belt is traced to a member of high society. The detectives must tread carefully, even though the man is now deceased himself.
The trail to find out what happened to their now identified North African young man leads the detectives to France and other places around England.
Only a chance encounter solves this case in a surprising fashion.
This book is well written and plotted. It gets tedious in places. (Romances are not my thing.) I liked the characters, even the murderer.
I want to thank NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
3 and 1 / 2 stars
Archeology, murder and smart detectives…What more could a girl want in a mystery novel?
Jimmy is clearing an area of the bogs with his digger for a conservation project. He comes upon a body. Soon, the area is deluged by a team of archeologists, complete with a professor to lead them. This will be the first bog body found in this area of Britain.
Sadly for the team, the body turns out to be much more recent than expected. It has only been in the bog for about twenty years. Enter the detectives, DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Videt.
The belt with which the male victim's hands were tied leads back to a bespoke tailor. The belt is traced to a member of high society. The detectives must tread carefully, even though the man is now deceased himself.
The trail to find out what happened to their now identified North African young man leads the detectives to France and other places around England.
Only a chance encounter solves this case in a surprising fashion.
This book is well written and plotted. It gets tedious in places. (Romances are not my thing.) I liked the characters, even the murderer.
I want to thank NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
September 19, 2024
I really wanted to like this book! First, let me start with the positive feedback: I absolutely love the cover. It's really intriguing and sets the scene for an awesome mystery/thriller. It made me want to sit down and binge read it.
Now, for the things that didn't work for me:
1) There is an overwhelming amount of detail in this book. It seems like the author did a lot of research about the history of the area or has a personal connection. But at times, it felt like too much information, almost like a history lesson.
2) I prefer a level of intuitiveness in a book where I can infer what's happening based on the facts presented, and then towards the end, receive confirmation about my thoughts. In this book, everything felt too obvious. The facts were explained, summarized, rephrased, and confirmed repeatedly, which made it boring due to the redundancy.
3) The introduction of a love interest caught me off guard. It seemed unnecessary and didn't fit well with the story.
Now, for the things that didn't work for me:
1) There is an overwhelming amount of detail in this book. It seems like the author did a lot of research about the history of the area or has a personal connection. But at times, it felt like too much information, almost like a history lesson.
2) I prefer a level of intuitiveness in a book where I can infer what's happening based on the facts presented, and then towards the end, receive confirmation about my thoughts. In this book, everything felt too obvious. The facts were explained, summarized, rephrased, and confirmed repeatedly, which made it boring due to the redundancy.
3) The introduction of a love interest caught me off guard. It seemed unnecessary and didn't fit well with the story.
October 8, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
David Sharp’s “For All Your Endeavours” is a captivating blend of historical intrigue and modern-day detective work, set against the hauntingly beautiful yet treacherous landscape of Dartmoor. As a book reviewer who appreciates intricate plots and well-developed characters, I found this novel to be a compelling and immersive read.
The story begins when an archeologist's blade unearths what appears to be an ancient sacrificial ‘bog-body’ on the moors of Dartmoor. The excitement among archaeologists turns to shock when the body is revealed to be the remains of a murder victim from a twenty-year-old cold case.
DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Vidêt are a dynamic duo whose contrasting personalities and complementary skills drive the narrative forward. Sharp does an excellent job of fleshing out these characters, making their personal struggles and professional challenges feel authentic and relatable.
“For All Your Endeavours” explores themes of legacy, justice, and the passage of time. The novel’s pacing is expertly managed, with each chapter revealing new clues and raising the stakes. Sharp’s ability to weave historical elements with contemporary detective work adds a unique flavor to the story, making it stand out in the crime thriller genre.
This novel prompts readers to reflect on the ways in which the past influences the present. Sharp’s meticulous research and attention to detail lend authenticity to the narrative, making the twists and turns all the more impactful.
“For All Your Endeavours” is a masterfully crafted novel that will appeal to fans of both historical fiction and contemporary crime thrillers. David Sharp’s debut is a testament to his storytelling prowess, offering a rich, multi-layered narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
I highly recommend this book for its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and the intriguing interplay between past and present.
David Sharp’s “For All Your Endeavours” is a captivating blend of historical intrigue and modern-day detective work, set against the hauntingly beautiful yet treacherous landscape of Dartmoor. As a book reviewer who appreciates intricate plots and well-developed characters, I found this novel to be a compelling and immersive read.
The story begins when an archeologist's blade unearths what appears to be an ancient sacrificial ‘bog-body’ on the moors of Dartmoor. The excitement among archaeologists turns to shock when the body is revealed to be the remains of a murder victim from a twenty-year-old cold case.
DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Vidêt are a dynamic duo whose contrasting personalities and complementary skills drive the narrative forward. Sharp does an excellent job of fleshing out these characters, making their personal struggles and professional challenges feel authentic and relatable.
“For All Your Endeavours” explores themes of legacy, justice, and the passage of time. The novel’s pacing is expertly managed, with each chapter revealing new clues and raising the stakes. Sharp’s ability to weave historical elements with contemporary detective work adds a unique flavor to the story, making it stand out in the crime thriller genre.
This novel prompts readers to reflect on the ways in which the past influences the present. Sharp’s meticulous research and attention to detail lend authenticity to the narrative, making the twists and turns all the more impactful.
“For All Your Endeavours” is a masterfully crafted novel that will appeal to fans of both historical fiction and contemporary crime thrillers. David Sharp’s debut is a testament to his storytelling prowess, offering a rich, multi-layered narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
I highly recommend this book for its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and the intriguing interplay between past and present.
September 20, 2024
The book starts out in a wetlands conservation area where a drainage project has revealed a bog body. Excitement reigns as this is the first found in the area. The local corner, after being called to certify death, joins in the retrival and recommends his lab and morgue as being the closest space to examine the remains. That's fortunate as it turns out the body isn't 2000 years old, or even 2oo years old. It's 2o years old and now a case for the police. DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Videt are called in. Identification of the body proves tricky but they are able to identify the belt binding the victim's hands as coming from a bespoke tailor and made for a local magistrate's deceased husband. The detectives must tread lightly as to not offend her or their superiors. Admist this juggling act, the body is identified as a young North African who had been living and working in the south of France. To find out how he ended up dead in England and his connection to the magistrate's family a trip to France is required.
I enjoyed this book but did find it dragged a little in the middle. It was almost as if the author knew how he wanted to book to start and how to end but it faltered in between. This is the first in what I hope will be a series, and I find there's often excess information on the lead characters as the author is fleshing out their stories. I'll definitely read the next one as I liked both detectives and the author writes very well. 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the eARC of this book.
I enjoyed this book but did find it dragged a little in the middle. It was almost as if the author knew how he wanted to book to start and how to end but it faltered in between. This is the first in what I hope will be a series, and I find there's often excess information on the lead characters as the author is fleshing out their stories. I'll definitely read the next one as I liked both detectives and the author writes very well. 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the eARC of this book.
October 24, 2024
A bog is being cleared on a Devon farm when the excavator unearths a body. Although ancient “bog people” had never been discovered in the area before, historians and archaeologists from the local university are thrilled with the discovery. This will be a chance for study and bring publicity to those working with the project. The body is carefully removed from the ground and moved to a facility to be studied and autopsied to hopefully discover what caused the death. Soon the giddy excitement turns to dismay and disappointment when they discover the body hasn’t been in the ground for thousands of years but is in fact a fairly recent murder victim. Detective Inspector Lancaster and Detective Sergeant Vidêt are called in to investigate. The body is not in good shape after being submerged in the peaty water for twenty years, so the first problem is identifying the body. After this is done, the two police officers go to France to investigate how the young French Algerian man ended up buried in an English bog.
I enjoyed reading all of the steps that the police officers David and Marie took to unravel the case, as well as following their burgeoning relationship. There was quite a bit of backstory provided for both officers, taking the reader outside of the investigation. Quite a few red herrings and mysteries were followed before the satisfying conclusion.
I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.
I enjoyed reading all of the steps that the police officers David and Marie took to unravel the case, as well as following their burgeoning relationship. There was quite a bit of backstory provided for both officers, taking the reader outside of the investigation. Quite a few red herrings and mysteries were followed before the satisfying conclusion.
I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.
November 1, 2024
Firstly, thank you to @sharpy4558 and @cranthorpemillner for the chance to review this book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where to start??
I am really getting into crime fiction and thrillers so when I saw this book I thought perfect!!
I definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I would!!
This plot follows what they think is a “bog body” but in fact turns not be. So DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Videt are sent to the scene to investigate.
The plot got straight into the case which I love about books. I felt the pace was steady which allowed the story to flow. I will say I couldn’t put it down I really needed to know what had happened and how!!
I also, loved the twists in the book as I didn’t get any of them and was completely wrong about where the plot was going!
The Characters for me were easy to understand even with some of the French in the book. I think my favourite was David Lancaster himself. He was so determined to settle the case there was nothing he wouldn’t do.
My favourite line in the book was ‘go Ryanair and sit on the bloody wing if you can’ I just found the humour in it as a fellow traveler we know that Ryanair is a cheap airline.
Overall, a really great novel that left me satisfied as a reader and even taught me a thing or two about detectives lingo. Can’t wait to see your next detective novel goes !!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where to start??
I am really getting into crime fiction and thrillers so when I saw this book I thought perfect!!
I definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I would!!
This plot follows what they think is a “bog body” but in fact turns not be. So DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Videt are sent to the scene to investigate.
The plot got straight into the case which I love about books. I felt the pace was steady which allowed the story to flow. I will say I couldn’t put it down I really needed to know what had happened and how!!
I also, loved the twists in the book as I didn’t get any of them and was completely wrong about where the plot was going!
The Characters for me were easy to understand even with some of the French in the book. I think my favourite was David Lancaster himself. He was so determined to settle the case there was nothing he wouldn’t do.
My favourite line in the book was ‘go Ryanair and sit on the bloody wing if you can’ I just found the humour in it as a fellow traveler we know that Ryanair is a cheap airline.
Overall, a really great novel that left me satisfied as a reader and even taught me a thing or two about detectives lingo. Can’t wait to see your next detective novel goes !!
November 15, 2024
For all Your Endeavours is an intriguing murder mystery following DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Videt, on the case of a killer after the discovery of a body in the bogs of Dartmoor.
Will the investigation uncover the killer? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So overall, I throughly enjoyed this read. It's fast paced, and certainly a page turner that'll have you staying up late long after you should have gone to sleep.
It's not full of action, but for this type of read, that's not a negative at all, rather a positive. This is more of a perfectly paced cozy-ish mystery, I'd say.
There's twists, there's turns, there's a great cast of believable, well developed characters all wrapped up in a compelling story.
I'm quite familiar with this area of Devon/ Cornwall from many holidays in that part if the country so I appreciated the references to the places mentioned. They brought back lots of nice holiday memories.
I hope to see more from the dynamic duo of Lancaster and Videt.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Will the investigation uncover the killer? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So overall, I throughly enjoyed this read. It's fast paced, and certainly a page turner that'll have you staying up late long after you should have gone to sleep.
It's not full of action, but for this type of read, that's not a negative at all, rather a positive. This is more of a perfectly paced cozy-ish mystery, I'd say.
There's twists, there's turns, there's a great cast of believable, well developed characters all wrapped up in a compelling story.
I'm quite familiar with this area of Devon/ Cornwall from many holidays in that part if the country so I appreciated the references to the places mentioned. They brought back lots of nice holiday memories.
I hope to see more from the dynamic duo of Lancaster and Videt.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
November 8, 2024
A body is found in the Dartmoor area, assumed to be ancient, archaeological and ancestral. But as DI David Lancaster and DS Marie Vidêt start to investigate this appears not to be the case. So who is the bog-body?
I loved this book and found it a compelling read. I am very familiar with the area around the Devon and Cornwall boarder, so I was able to appreciate the landmarks and references which I enjoyed immensely. That aside, the plot was believable, a good pace and it flowed well to its conclusion. It kept me guessing to the very end! This is an excellent debut novel by David Sharp and I will definitely look out for more of his books in the future based on reading this one, hopefully another case for the dynamic duo Lancaster and Vidêt.
I loved this book and found it a compelling read. I am very familiar with the area around the Devon and Cornwall boarder, so I was able to appreciate the landmarks and references which I enjoyed immensely. That aside, the plot was believable, a good pace and it flowed well to its conclusion. It kept me guessing to the very end! This is an excellent debut novel by David Sharp and I will definitely look out for more of his books in the future based on reading this one, hopefully another case for the dynamic duo Lancaster and Vidêt.
November 3, 2024
I enjoyed this story, it is a murder mystery that moves along nicely. It’s not an all action book, more of a cozy mystery that keeps you wanting more.
The moment that the body becomes unearthed I was intrigued, I like to try and work out who I think it is really quickly, and then halfway through, and on both occasions I was wrong. 😂 so this is a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
I enjoyed the dynamics between Detective David Lancaster and Detective Sergeant Maria Videt, and I loved that we went from Dartmoor to France within the investigation.
The moment that the body becomes unearthed I was intrigued, I like to try and work out who I think it is really quickly, and then halfway through, and on both occasions I was wrong. 😂 so this is a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
I enjoyed the dynamics between Detective David Lancaster and Detective Sergeant Maria Videt, and I loved that we went from Dartmoor to France within the investigation.
Read
December 11, 2024I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. I feel obligated to finish books I receive through GG; however, I just could not finish this one. There were many extensive descriptions and details that had nothing to do with the story and they made reading very slow. I was completely losing the thread of the plot as a result. I ended up DNFing at 22%. Maybe it gets better later, but I wasn’t willing to try more. As a result, I am not giving any stars.
June 8, 2025
The book is suspenseful and unputdownable. The pace was even. I liked the characters. When a body is found and it’s identified as of the victim of twenty years old case. The investigation happens and investigating team arrives. Anyway so when the truth comes out, it shocks everyone. Victim’s family was waiting for the closure. Expect twists, suspense, and unthinkable happenings. Investigation was so good.
November 2, 2024
This exceptionally well-crafted crime story showcased remarkable character development alongside a flawlessly executed plot. It felt like I was immersed in a multi-episode of my favorite crime-fighting show. I eagerly anticipate exploring the future of these intriguing characters.
December 6, 2024
A Great first novel
Believable characters. An engrossing storyline. Lots of twists and turns. With a surprise at the end. Recommended to all who like this genre.
Believable characters. An engrossing storyline. Lots of twists and turns. With a surprise at the end. Recommended to all who like this genre.
December 15, 2024
Fantastic debut novel
Really great read. More to it than your average detective novel. Looking forward to the further development of the interesting characters in book two
Really great read. More to it than your average detective novel. Looking forward to the further development of the interesting characters in book two
June 10, 2025
Amazing read. Kept in suspense throughout. Lots of twists and turns in the storyline with clever details. Could not put it down once I started. I cannot wait for more releases from this author.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews