Deadly Little Secret

Wild Fens #16

by Jack Cartwright

Coming August 2025...

Genres: Crime

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2025

Reviews

[Tim Rideout · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complex and satisfying mystery, as emotionally engaging as it is compelling.

[Mrs Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

once again Jack Cartwright has made me laugh and cry all through this book, the team have two murders both completely different, but linked by a small 'homemade' tattoo on their necks, and the area where they are found.
Freya, Ben and the team have to work their magic to solve the killings in the few days before their wedding.
what are the links? apart from the tattoos, is it something from the men's past 🤔 the derelict house with the tree growing through the middle, the terrible tragedy of the family who perished in the fire there? or is it connected to the reclusive farmer whose land is alongside where the bodies were found?
we're led through the investigation piece by piece, with what appears to be dead ends at every turn until..... it finally falls into place at the last minute with a shocking and surprising twist.
In the last few pages, we are in attendance at the wedding of Ben and Freya, can anything else go wrong after all this time???
another fantastic 5⭐️read from Jack Cartwright 👏

[J Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What next?

I read voraciously and have read the first16 books in this series in under 6 weeks, after hundreds of books from different authors I can pick up on the little nuances that are important but Deadly Little Secret has excelled. I gave a recent review only 3 stars because Freya and Ben's role hadn't changed despite promotion but I stuck it out and I'm pleased that I did. Without giving the game away, I'm not sure how the series can continue and I have to take my dog out (yes, I'm a dog walker) on a cold, wet morning before I can return to curl up with a cup of coffee and book 17!

[Lisa Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best 🤗

‘The Wild Fens’ series is engrossing and entertaining - definitely one not to be missed if you love well written police procedural novels with brilliantly crafted stories. I’ve been invested in the lives of the team members throughout the series so far, all of whom have great potential to be explored and develop further as the series continues. Start reading at the beginning of the series for the best experience.
Thank you Jack - please keep going! Love your other series too ✨

[Karen Oakley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kept me up until 2am this morning as I had to finish it!. Another clever, intricate plot with Freya and Ben at the helm as they and the team hunt the killer. They are called out firstly over a 999 call but there is no body, just blood. Then a second call out, this time there is a body not far from the first site that is horrifically burnt. With lots of twists and turns and endless red herrings it certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Episode in the Wild Fens saga. Full of twists and red herrings and the ending surprised me from both the investigation and the characters point of view, but I should have expected the latter.
definately worth found a half stars. in the last couple of books the Anna Nillson character seems to have been sidelined since her partner returned to the Met, she is an interesting character and well worth expanding.

[Lora King · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back on track with this book....Gillespie will step up and Freya will be working on theory as very few facts to pull from. Also the wedding is looming. A man is hung by a noose and set on fire, another man killed and buried and determining who is at fault will test Freya and Ben. Loved the ending....I'm all caught up with my summer binge of this series. Dec 25 until book 17 comes out....write quicker please 😂

[Janice Staines · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many lies, so many cover-ups, so many betrayals…

All to hide the secrets and evil doings of one man… any he very nearly got away with it! Even Freya and Ben thought they had got it wrong… Could anyone really be that evil?
And can the ‘happily ever after’ that Ben and Freya wanted so badly really be about to be torn away from them? Can fate really be so cruel?
You’ll just have to read the book to find out!

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read this year and, believe me, I read a lot of books. Gillespie had the best witty and downright laughable lines. But we also see a deeply painful side of this dear man. All the characters are captivating and this novel would make a great movie. Are you listening investors? I am so hooked. Highly Recommended.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another excellent British crime thriller where Freya, Ben and team investigate puzzling deaths.

I enjoyed the dynamics and relationships between the team and the villains are portrayed well...are they the villains?

There was plenty of action, tension and suspense in this well-written story.

Highly recommended.

[Linda hazel Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed this series up until now, but found this one a step too far in a lot of ways…the narrative seemed over-padded and over-complicated.

My main issue, however, is what an un-likeable character Freya has become. She had some redeeming features previously, now she has none….other than being able to solve crimes.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Quite a complicated story about how happenings in the past have their influence in the present.
I loved it although I do have reservations about Freya Bloom's behaviour. Her partner Ben describes her as almost narcissistic, and I have my doubts about the almost. But it makes a lively story to say the least.

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story involving Freya and Ben. Some of the action towards the end might trouble the IOPC these days but otherwise some very deep and vile actions are unearthed (literally) by the diligent work of the whole team. Looking forward to no. 17.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk

[Frances Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

Interesting and rounded complicated personalities combine to make a deep and interesting book. More than just a whodunnit. Love the whole series but this one is a great book. Thank you

[j r meikle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ridiculous ending

My review of the previous book was mysteriously unaccepted by whoever reviews these. I am bitterly disappointed with that as I put a lot of thought into it. So my review of this book is that the ending is absolutely ridiculous. That's it.

[Ann Spencer]

Another great read

what a rollercoaster of emotions! I was laughing out loud one minute then close to tears. Love these books. The whole team have well rounded characters and think this would make a great tv series.

[Mrs E A Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Surprise

A very good read as always, I could not have worked out who murdered who, gripping until the end. Not a surprise it wasn’t a legal marriage , they work well together.

[M A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lost the plot

Love the team but this was too much about the obsessive, manipulative, controlling Freya. She verges on abusive control in attitude.

[john tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous, as ever.

The worst part of this book was that it has to end. I have loved every one of this series and can't wait for the next.

[margaret biggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another brilliant book in this series the whole team are like a family . I never saw the ending coming but loved it.Roll on to next book

[Mr David Bevan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this, plenty of twists and turns and personal stories as well.
Nice twist at the end :-)

[lisa unwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Another fantastic book by Jack cartwright. He had me on the edge of seat reading this book. A real page turner

[iris short · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending

I have to admit I got lost with this one. It twisted and turned so much I couldn’t keep up. It’s a great series though and you get to know the team.

[Marktroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEADLY LITTLE SECRET

So got to wait till November for the next one really enjoyed the wild fens Freya bloom series will definitely read the next one in November

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness I did not see that coming ! Excellent read !

[Susan Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gets better and better, can’t wait for the next book to come out!

[Paul Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I've now read all of the wild fans murder mystery books and I couldn't out then down just found out there's one more and bought it

[Linda Kendell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very long winded and Freya doesn’t get any better. She’s rude and self centred. Not an endearing character.

[beverley hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

deadly little secret

Action packed, it’s got everything. Intrigue, suspense, great plot, romance just great. And the best bit, a happy ending , fab.