Marshal of Snowdonia

Marshal of Snowdonia #1

by Simon McCleave

Living in Snowdonia was always retired detective Frank Marshal’s dream. Until a call for help turned it into his worst nightmare.

Retired detective Frank Marshal lives in a remote part of Snowdonia with his wife Rachel who is suffering from dementia. Working as a park ranger, Frank gets a phone call from close friend Annie, a retired judge. Her sister Meg has gone missing from a local caravan park and she needs his help to find her.

As Frank and Annie start to unravel the dark secrets of Meg’s life, it seems at first that her disappearance might be linked to her nephew and a drug deal gone wrong. In a shocking twist, their investigation leads them to a series of murders in North Wales from the 1990s and a possible miscarriage of justice.

Can Frank and Annie uncover the sinister truth so they find her sister in time to save her? Or will a brutal serial killer add Meg to his list of victims?

Marshal of Snowdonia is the first book in the Frank Marshal Crime Thriller series from multi-million bestselling author Simon McCleave. If you like dark thrillers, psychologically complex characters and shocking twists, then you’ll love Simon McCleave’s pulse-pounding new novel. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, JM Dalgleish, Rachel McLean and JD Kirk.



“A great read.” BISHOP’S STORTFORD INDEPENDENT

“…a superbly rich and imaginatively plotted novel full of layers which are slowly revealed, a read crafted in a way that makes for storytelling of the highest quality” – AMW Book Reviews

“This was a really great read. Not only do we have a new hero, but he’s an ex-cop, older and a park ranger … Highly recommended.” - Book n Banter

“Marshal of Snowdonia is an addictive and thrilling read and I look forward to the next book in the series.” - Book Literati

“Simon McCleave has created such a wonderfully authentic personality that I was more than happy to spend time in his company… A proper pulse pumping, dark and twisty thriller, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.” Jen Med’s Book Reviews

“I loved this book… If this is the first in a series, then sign me up because I read this book over two days. I really couldn’t put it down. It has a great plot and a lovely cast of characters.” – Jude Fire

“A solid police procedural with a great sense of locale and the everyday life of the rural community. This may well be an opener for another successful series” CRIME TIME FM

“Wow! Love this. Frank is already like an old friend… A brilliant, highly entertaining read I more than loved and very much look forward to more in the series. A big 5*” - Nicki’s Book Blog

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Amazon, Thriller, Ebooks

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2025

Reviews

[Brian Deegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book by Simon McCleave's I have finished but the first in this series .. Really enjoyed it and Simon is still climbing up my favorite author list.. I have already bought book 2 in this series and will be reading it soon to see where this goes next.

[Vegannic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't not enjoy this book, I didn't enjoy the writing style. I found it basic and I just couldn't get my head into the fact that he was narrating and not her. I found it often hard to follow who was talking as he was the main narrative but then it would switch to her. Also too much plotsplaining especially when the killer was confronted and he reeled off his history without being asked twice. It felt like the end of the book was rushed. Would probably make a better TV series than a book.
I read this book as part of our bookclub book for Welsh author month. Technically he isn't a Welsh author but he does live in Wales and the book was based in Wales. Also he wrote Lechyd da, when it is for those that don't speak Welsh, Iechyd da.
Overall a decent story just didn't thrill me enough to give it 4*

[Juliet Bookliterati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year I read Simon McCleave’s Last Night at Villa Lucia, which I highly recommend, so I was excited to be asked to be part of the blog tour for his new book Marshal of Snowdonia. The eponymous Marshal is Frank Marshal an ex CID Detective and a Park Ranger in the Snowdonia National Park. When he gets a call from ex Judge, and friend Anne saying that her sister has gone missing they join forces to find out what has happened. Set against the beauty of Snowdonia this is a fast paced thriller.

The book is narrated in the first person by Frank Marshal and in the third person by Anne, whose sister is missing. Both have had long careers in the justice system, Frank as a Detective and Anne as a judge, but they also have a long friendship, and it is this that I loved most about them. Frank is an empathetic character, at home his wife has dementia, his daughter has left a violent relationship and he is grieving for his son who committed suicude. Anne is in a loveless marriage, but is very close to her sister Meg and is obviously shocked after her body is found. The domestic element of their lives adds a more personable feel to the story. Having lost his son Frank is able to understand how Anne feels, he doesn’t offer the uneasy platitudes that others make, he is just there for her.

Simon McCleave obviously has a love affair with the Snowdonia National Park as this is not the first series he has set there, and this shines through in his writing. I loved the scene setting, the mountains with snow on the peaks, the heather on the moorland and the vast expanse of the park, a place of beauty tainted by violence. The plot was well developed, moving from missing person to murder with a couple of suspects that kept me guessing. I found the tension between Frank and the current DCI intriguing, Frank still respected even after retiring, unlike DCI Dewi Humphries who finds him annoying, especially when Frank and Anne progress faster in the investigation. Simon McCleave obviously knows his way around police preocedure keeping a feeling of reality to the story, and I was fascinated how we came from the incident at the start, to the scandelous conclusion.

I will admit that I enjoyed this book a lot more than thought I would. What really made thid book special for me were the characters of Frank and Anne and in particular their relationship, how at ease they are with each other, the trust they have and the support they give. As expected with a thriller there were several twists, turns and red herrings along the way with a couple of heart in the mouth moments. Marshal of Snowdonia is an addictive and thrilling read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to what I feel will be a great series. The only moan I have is maybe putting which characters pov the chapter is so the reader doesn't have to work it out

[Tim Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good read.

Overall, I enjoyed this first book in the series. The story holds together well, and the characters are believable, though I did have a couple of doubts. I found it hard to believe Annie to be a retired High Court Judge as her character just seemed to be wrong for that. And I couldn't accept that one moment she was moaning on a table and the next using a knife. But, apart from those aspects, it was a good story.

[Jack Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the protagonist and the writing. But the ending terrible. The author forgot to say what happened to the dog, Jack, who was trying to save his master. He also forgot to say how Annie was able to kill her husband when she had been rendered unconscious with chloroform just minutes before.

[suzanne Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected better from this author. The murderer is introduced very late in the book. This felt like a book that had to be written to fulfill a contract. I hope the next in the series is more of Simon McCleave's excellence.

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The complexity of life as a retired detective, but still protector of both family and community, weighs heavy on the shoulders of Frank Marshal-he has a daughter living too far away , with his only grandchild, in a dubious relationship. His son has died in tragic circumstances, and he daily watches his wife succumb to the inisidious grip of dementia.

His days as a ranger in Snowdonia, bringing down poachers and keeping an eye on county lines drug runners maximise his detective skills whilst allowing him the freedom to wander amongst the rugged landscape of a country he is proud to call home, Yr Wyddfa, which takes on a significant role as both setting for this gripping tale as well as reason for him to keep going.

Marshal is the one Annie turns to , her past history as a judge bringing them into contact during his long career, her sister wouldn't just go missing without telling her where she was going.

There is no reason for her, and nephew Callum, to just empty their static caravan, take the deposit back and disappear-but as 2 adults, the police, led by a detective Marshal considers sloppy at best, arrogant and unprofessional at worst, do not take this seriously, feeling they have left under their own steam.

As events from past and present conspire to intersect, what looks like a casual disappearance has much deeper implications not only for the people involved in the case, but convictions secured way back in the 1990's.

What is worse then having 2 family members missing?

When one of them turns up with memory loss about just what has happened to them both...

A small community where everyone knows each other, for many generations past, is probably the best and worst place to hide a dark, deadly secret-pull one brick and the whole wall falls down.

With so much invested in seeing Megan stay missing, how far will Marshal's reach as an ex-detective go towards solving this case?

As a series opener, I think this book really does well introducing the main cast of characters and creating the sense of wildness and also, paradoxically, the closeness of a Welsh community, The vernacular is well conveyed, I could hear the dialogue so clearly (South Waleian here!)

There was a certain amount of repetition of phrases and words, often within the same paragraph which had me tracing my steps thinking I had read the sane sentence twice, which was distracting. Tension was created and built convincingly between the main characters, particularly Annie and Marshal, and there were enough hints dropped about past actions that I think will snare readers into wanting to read future entries in the Marshal seris.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many options

This is the first book in this series. I don't know where Simon McCleave is heading with it but he has provided such a rich array of characters that I can barely wait to find out.
Marshall is seventy years old and ex police living with his family, horse and dog in a beautiful part of Wales. He is an all round good guy but isn't averse to a wee bit of b&e if it is absolutely necessary.

In this book he is called on by a good friend to help find her missing sister. There being no suspicious circumstances to make the local police get involved.

Then Simon lets loose and we get kidnap, murder, drugs, shotguns, knives etc.

All the excitement we have come to expect from this author along with Welsh place names I occasionally try to work out.

Fantastic!

[Judy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Marshal of Snowdonia is a fantastic start to a new series featuring Frank Marshal a retired detective.

Frank is eager to help his good friend Annie who says her sister is misising and her instinct says something is terrribly wrong.

Together they investigate and there is no sign of her sister but there is sign of foul play.

The book is written with two POV that of Annie and Frank , the setting is perfection and the suspects are adding up in numbers.

Twists and turns will keep you guessing as the bodies pile up.

I love the characters Frank and Annie and cant wait to see what adventure they get up to next.

You cant go wrong with a Simon McCleave book they are realistic and a great read. Marshal of Snowdonia is no exception.

[Kim Grattage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just started, into page 23 now and it is getting very exciting. Frank puts me in mind of Sheriff Longmire in the tv drama series when he got on his horse to catch poachers in the Snowdonia National Park, N Wales, carrying his shotgun and his trusty German Shepherd at his side. Frank is a retired DCI and now 70 years old, but in his head he still thinks as a 37 year old, he lives on what was once a farm but had been renovated by the previous owners. His wife Rachel is suffering from dementia. Frank's daughter and grandson have come home permanently after she was a victim of domestic violence from her partner, a man that Frank wants dead and buried if he had his way, but stops at that thought knowing he would never survive jail at 70 and what about Rachel, what would happen to her? Frank is contacted by old friend Annie, a Judge at the courts, her sister Megan has gone missing in mysterious circumstances. Her caravan has been emptied of all her possessions and it appears her son Callum has pocketed the deposit, as a drug taker they are concerned he is behind her disappearance and are in hot pursuit when the motor scooter he is on crashes and he lands over the bridge into the water. When Frank rescues him and gets the paramedics to take over, he and Annie head for the hospital to question him about his mother's whereabouts, He claims he has no idea who they are, but I think he does and does'nt want to reveal what has happened too her. Going back to the caravan that has two weeks left before the letting agent returns it back to the owner to sell, Frank and Annie go back to search some more and find hidden behind some panelling a mysterious holdall, what could it hold, will the contents shed any light on where his mother is? They do find something under the decking that elevates what the police believe is a simple disappearance when they come back into a potential murder enquiry, what was under the decking and how will it help them find Megan? Simon McCleave has a wonderful way with his stories, he captures your imagination so much you feel that you are part of the action. It's up to you to decide who you feel you are regarding the characters, Frank or Annie, I, myself have plumped for Frank as he is the most prominent in this story and is introduced from the very beginning before Annie makes an appearance. Grab your copy off Amazon, either ebook or hardback and enjoy the ride, I know Simon's work very well and know how he likes to throw in plenty of surprises and red herrings before finishing on a cliffhanger that keeps you waiting for the next in the series to find out what happens next. If you have read the DI Ruth Hunter series you will know what I mean?

[Elva Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshal of Snowdonia: A Frank Marshall Crime Thriller Simon McCleave

I have read every book of Simon McCleave’s this new series bodes well, I think I have read this new first book in the new series in less than 24 hours. I did go to sleep eventually in the night and woke with my iPad still on my chest!! Good job I am a Widow now and just have to annoy my little dog who sleeps on my bed. I am now going to start on the second book. I loved the character’s in the book, Frank having a family and his love for his Wife make the story so much more compelling and interesting. I recommend anyone who has read a murder mystery before to read anything Simon McCleave has written you will never sleep properly until you finish the series.

[J Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't mess with oldies!
I normally read Simon McCleave's books as soon as they are published, but this one,the first of a new series, got pushed down my reading list.
It has two compelling main characters. Frank, the Marshal of the title, a retired 6 police officer who is now seventy, and Annie,a sixty years old ex judge. Annie's sister has disappeared, and the police are reluctant to search for her, so she enlists the help of Frank.
The book contains all the things that I've come to expect from this author, beautifully described scenes, sharp dialogue, a clever plot, some twists and turns and a light dusting of Welsh words and culture. He has created two addictive lead characters in Frank and Annie, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We arrived in Barmouth, a seaside town that lay on the estuary of Afon Mawddach and Cardigan Bay. Technically it was just outside Snowdonia National Park, although Cadair Idris, standing nearly 3000ft, loomed over the town.” BARMOUTH MENTIONED 🚨🚨🚨 -58

“Lechyd da” ??? I know the author isn’t Welsh but a lil research PLEASE -236

“Despite my uncertainly…” needs a new editor fr -250

“When I was twelve, I broke the neck of our family cat because she scratched me. My parents and my sister were devastated, whereas I felt nothing. In fact, I enjoyed it'. Silence.” -291

“His name is Lleuad, which is Welsh for moon.
'In Wales, we think that a white horse is a good omen,' I told him. 'The Welsh goddess Rhiannon rode on one. They symbolise the hope of new beginnings” -313

[Mr Edward Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant!

It was a breath of fresh air for me! A hero (Frank Marshall) who was 70 and whose bones creaked when he stood up and who couldn’t cope with the bruises and fights that he got into and with a colleague (Annie Taylor) who was born in the same month and year (April 1950) as me!! But they still got the job done!! It was absolutely brilliant to read it and I look forward to reading more Frank Marshall stories (at the same gentle but realistic pace as me)! Well done Simon - you’re definitely on to a winner!

[Lesa Beach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retired Frank Marshall has been summoned by his friend, retired judge Annie, to help find her missing sister.
I mostly enjoyed the story, but Annie's character was not believable. I can't imagine a judge hanging onto an unfulfilling relationship for decades, and other events unfolding in reference to her husband at the end. She reads as a much younger woman than the story implies with a lack of maturity and wisdom. Also, given her close relationship with her sister, the ending doesn't fit.
I like the other series, but think I'll stop here with Frank.

[Theresa Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazungc

Buckle up, bookworms! I've just devoured my inaugural Frank Marshall masterpiece, and let me tell you, these characters are more addictive than a midnight Netflix binge. Plot twists? More like plot tornados spinning through the pages, leaving me gleefully dizzy and craving more. This book is so gripping, I'm already plotting my literary marathon through the entire series - move over, reading slump! Seriously, grab this book faster than you'd snatch the last slice of pizza, because missing out would be a crime against good storytelling.

[Nuala Raftery · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read with a new twist to the amateur detective genre

This book is a refreshing change from the police procedurals that I usually read and love. Here we have an “amateur” detective, a former police detective, who is now in a position to solve crimes using his experience without the constraints of police and legal processes. The characters are interesting and well developed. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Michael Bellamy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fast moving murder story then you will enjoy this book. I did but somehow I found it not believable. Simon obviously love North Wales and Snowdonia in particular. Most of his books are based there. Frank Marshall is a retired detective who now rides a horse and carries a rifle around the Snowdonia National Park and all this in the 2020's !!His best friend is a retired Judge whose sister is kidnapped and then murdered. Frank and Anna join together it solve the murders.

[Susan K. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thriller that takes place in Wales featuring Frank Marshall as a retired investigator and he has just spoken with his good friend, Annie, that tells him her sister is missing. They notify the police but the police think that she has just left town for some time away. Then tragedy strikes and a lot of lives are changed. This author has several series out and they are all great. This is the first book in a new series. Marshal of Snowdonia by Simon McCleave. 4 stars

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Welsh mystery for an older generation.

I enjoyed reading this book and was totally stumped at who the killer was.
It's completely new to me reading about an older generation, but actually quite refreshing.
I'm looking up the meaning and pronunciation of the Welsh words as I go, imagining my ancestors speaking in the native tongue.
I look forward to reading this series! 🙏🏼

[Keith Southgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great new series of books discovered

After reading all of Simon's Ruth Hunter books the Frank Marshall series looks as if it is going to be just as good.
Following Frank Marshall into his retirement the old adage that coppers never fade away is very evident here.
Helping out an old family friend to understand her sister's murder uncovers some uncomfortable truths but there are many twists and turns before this eventually gets solved.
On to book two right now.

[Kelly Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was suspenseful and moved at a fast pace. Not fast enough to disguise the continuity problems. For example: Frank uses a crow bar to break into a locked shed. Then when he needs to pry up some deck boards he goes to the shed, unlocks it, and gets a shovel to use. Very basic errors like that cheapen the story. Also, why was a dead badger wrapped in a blanket and covered in a tarp? That red herring needs an explanation.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great star to a new series

A great introduction to Frank Marshal. He's a bit of a friendly sleuth now he is in retirement. A cosy mystery murder but it's all personal to Frank. The story introduces his family and friends and his way of life, it sets the foundation for a good series. Likable characters and an intriguing storyline. Although a conclusive ending the story leaves a thread for the beginning of a new story. I'm looking forward to it.

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

How refreshing: the main protagonists are a retired detective who, now in his 70s, complains of the usual things that us crinklies have to contend with: creaky knees, aching joints, and a slowing of reactions; he also cares for his wife who has dementia. And then there is his old buddy the retired judge, who has her own demons of age - and more - to deal with.
I'm really enjoying the chemistry between these two; oh, and there's a cracking murder to solve, too!

[Mrs Anita Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retired DCI Frank Marshal, part time Welsh Park Ranger very different to previous Simon McCleave series.
Called on to help old friend retired Crown Court Judge Annie whose sister is missing. After misdirection and twists and turns some which prove dangerous the ending was a total surprise. Look forward to seeing how the series develops.

[roy douglas lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

robuster

Nice easy read . A straight forward murder mystery . The protagonists both male and female are elderly , have retired from their career in law enforcement. Ann ( the female protagonist ) has a younger sister that is murdered , then her sister sons is murdered .
It’s up to Ann and her friend to find the real killer.

[Marilyn Barclay Jennings]

Delightful!

This is the first book I've read located in Wales, and I LOVED it. Great mystery. Great twists and turns. The characters are easy to identify with. It's especially great for those of us of a certain generation. I highly recommend it, and am moving forward to the next book in the series.

[Karen Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

a new character worth following

This new character lives up to everything I have come to expect from Simon. Well rounded, realistic without the haunted demeanour many cops / ex- cops have.

The story was totally believable and well researched with a great twist at the end.

I just found out number 2 is available so I will be starting that very soon.

[Robert Bock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery! Simon McCleave does it again

A riveting story. I could not put it down. I didn't solve the case until it was revealed.

Great for those of us who like a complex mystery to solve.