What do you think?
Rate this book
The New Forest Murders: A page-turning wartime murder mystery, from the co-writer of the hit TV series Bookish
Spring 1945. The war is over, but the wounds are still fresh, and for the picturesque village of Larkwhistle in the New Forest, it’s a time of great change and great sorrow.
Jill Metcalfe receives the news of her brother Henry’s death from his friend, US Army Officer, Jack.
Henry had been on a mission in France and had discovered some vital information, but it was information he was unable to give to Jack before he was killed at the rendezvous point.
Jack has come to the village in the hopes that Henry’s cryptic last words will lead to a clue as to who killed him. With Jill at his side, they begin to investigate.
But someone doesn’t want them looking into what happened to Henry. And when a body is discovered, it seems like there might be more to this little village – and its inhabitants – than first meets the eye.
Because the war might be over, but the killing hasn’t stopped.
Jill Metcalfe receives the news of her brother Henry’s death from his friend, US Army Officer, Jack.
Henry had been on a mission in France and had discovered some vital information, but it was information he was unable to give to Jack before he was killed at the rendezvous point.
Jack has come to the village in the hopes that Henry’s cryptic last words will lead to a clue as to who killed him. With Jill at his side, they begin to investigate.
But someone doesn’t want them looking into what happened to Henry. And when a body is discovered, it seems like there might be more to this little village – and its inhabitants – than first meets the eye.
Because the war might be over, but the killing hasn’t stopped.
- GenresMysteryWorld War II
416 pages, Hardcover
Published June 5, 2025
15 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Sweet
48 books26 followersMatthew Sweet is an English journalist, broadcaster, author, and cultural historian. A graduate of the University of Oxford, where he earned a doctorate on Wilkie Collins, he has contributed to The Oxford Companion to English Literature and served as a film and television critic for The Independent on Sunday.
Sweet has written extensively on British cinema, most notably in Shepperton Babylon: The Lost Worlds of British Cinema (2005), a history of Shepperton Studios and the early British film industry, which was later adapted into a television documentary. His other books include Inventing the Victorians (2001), which challenges common misconceptions about the Victorian era, and The West End Front (2011), a history of London’s grand hotels during World War II. He has also explored Cold War intrigue in Operation Chaos (2018).
A prominent broadcaster, Sweet has presented numerous BBC television and radio programmes, including Silent Britain, Checking into History, and British Film Forever. He is the host of BBC Radio 3’s Sound of Cinema, which examines film scores and composers, and has been a regular presenter on Free Thinking (formerly Night Waves). His BBC Radio 4 series The Philosopher's Arms explores philosophical themes before a live audience.
A lifelong Doctor Who fan, Sweet has written several audio dramas and short stories set in the Doctor Who universe and has presented numerous documentaries on the series, including Me, You and Doctor Who for the 50th anniversary. He has also conducted in-depth interviews with key figures from the show for its DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Sweet has written extensively on British cinema, most notably in Shepperton Babylon: The Lost Worlds of British Cinema (2005), a history of Shepperton Studios and the early British film industry, which was later adapted into a television documentary. His other books include Inventing the Victorians (2001), which challenges common misconceptions about the Victorian era, and The West End Front (2011), a history of London’s grand hotels during World War II. He has also explored Cold War intrigue in Operation Chaos (2018).
A prominent broadcaster, Sweet has presented numerous BBC television and radio programmes, including Silent Britain, Checking into History, and British Film Forever. He is the host of BBC Radio 3’s Sound of Cinema, which examines film scores and composers, and has been a regular presenter on Free Thinking (formerly Night Waves). His BBC Radio 4 series The Philosopher's Arms explores philosophical themes before a live audience.
A lifelong Doctor Who fan, Sweet has written several audio dramas and short stories set in the Doctor Who universe and has presented numerous documentaries on the series, including Me, You and Doctor Who for the 50th anniversary. He has also conducted in-depth interviews with key figures from the show for its DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
dnf
June 21, 2025Who on earth is out here battling to read this novel? I've picked up the book from the library just to find out that, apparently, it has a quick turn-in timeline, because there are so many people queuing to borrow it.
And you ask, well, you picked it up - how come?
Two reasons:
1. I generally love to pick up any fiction book that mentions the place I live
2. Murder mystery
And while I was craving something historical and I was somewhat intrigued by the plot, me and this author's writing style are just not vibing. I might have gotten over that, but the dialogue is subpar. Not a single character speaks coherently - just snippets of their thoughts and mostly randomness, where I just sat second-guessing if I no longer understand English?
But I truly tapped out as soon as we got to a heavy scene.
Jack, the (of course) handsome American captain, came to tell Jill and her father that her brother had been killed. And Jill is asking about his life back in the US and if he has a swimming pool. A moment so shattering, and we get zero grief, and it seems to have no gravitas. I'm sorry, but at this point I'm done. I got nothing to cling to, and in the best of cases, this will be max a 3-star, so why am I wasting my life here on these pages?
Oh and - the main two characters are called Jack and Jill...
Your honour, I rest my case.
And you ask, well, you picked it up - how come?
Two reasons:
1. I generally love to pick up any fiction book that mentions the place I live
2. Murder mystery
And while I was craving something historical and I was somewhat intrigued by the plot, me and this author's writing style are just not vibing. I might have gotten over that, but the dialogue is subpar. Not a single character speaks coherently - just snippets of their thoughts and mostly randomness, where I just sat second-guessing if I no longer understand English?
But I truly tapped out as soon as we got to a heavy scene.
Jack, the (of course) handsome American captain, came to tell Jill and her father that her brother had been killed. And Jill is asking about his life back in the US and if he has a swimming pool. A moment so shattering, and we get zero grief, and it seems to have no gravitas. I'm sorry, but at this point I'm done. I got nothing to cling to, and in the best of cases, this will be max a 3-star, so why am I wasting my life here on these pages?
Oh and - the main two characters are called Jack and Jill...
Your honour, I rest my case.
October 30, 2025
The book set in a fictional new forest village during World War Two. It incorporates murder and espionage, with a trans Atlantic romance to cover all its bases. The writing has a feeling of days gone by although the book is modern and the author young. I enjoyed the social references, for example, the radio shows at the time and the bands. I think the author works hard to create this ambiance sometimes falling into pastiche which half way through I felt got a bit laboured. The characters are all fully formed and their day to day lives during war time are described with care and attention to detail. One or two proof reading errors in the text, which once you see you can’t unsee, move on. Generally a good read with pace but ultimately no real surprises.
November 29, 2025
A wonderful book which is right at the top of my favourite books this year, alongside Small Bomb at Dimperley by Lissa Evans. I do hope Matthew Sweet writes more about Larkwhistle and its inhabitants.
May 5, 2025
"Summer 1944.
The tide of war is turning. The Allies are at the gates of Paris. But the Nazis have one last chance of victory – and its success depends on a traitor in the quiet English village of Larkwhistle in the New Forest.
When Jill Metcalfe receives the news of her brother Henry’s death from his friend, US Air Force officer Jack Strafford, she learns of more than just his loss – she is recruited to continue his mission."
Within the first chapter of this book I was hooked.
Somehow that author made me feel that I knew what the community was like the politics of village life and the impact of the pressures of 5 years of war.
I was completely immersed in finding out who the traitor Commoner was and I was in that village trying to help.
Highly recommend
The tide of war is turning. The Allies are at the gates of Paris. But the Nazis have one last chance of victory – and its success depends on a traitor in the quiet English village of Larkwhistle in the New Forest.
When Jill Metcalfe receives the news of her brother Henry’s death from his friend, US Air Force officer Jack Strafford, she learns of more than just his loss – she is recruited to continue his mission."
Within the first chapter of this book I was hooked.
Somehow that author made me feel that I knew what the community was like the politics of village life and the impact of the pressures of 5 years of war.
I was completely immersed in finding out who the traitor Commoner was and I was in that village trying to help.
Highly recommend
July 22, 2025
Such an enjoyable read! The characters and setting felt really authentic. I could believe this was written at the end of WWII. Matthew Sweet must have done extensive research. The plot was full of action, emotion and mysterious codes. The title did give away the fact that there would be another murder - so there was more guessing as to who the victim would be. Were the murders carried out by the same person? Were they connected to the enemy spy? Who was "Commoner"? It kept me guessing right to the end. I probably suspected most of the villagers at one point or another. The romance was also well written, with Jill carrying uncertainty about Jack's true feelings and what the future would hold. After enjoying this book so much, I hope that Matthew Sweet writes more mystery novels.
July 26, 2025
Honestly, one of the best mysteries I’ve read! Also a great presentation of a locale and historical period I’ve long loved. I’ll be watching and hoping for more from this author. Soon, please!!
August 24, 2025
A Libby audio find and my first war time read. Enjoyable & good. My favourite part was a dog named Whimsy and noting locations I know
October 16, 2025
A story of murder, spies, and scandal in a quiet English village at the end of WWII. A bit of a sleepy start, but had me absolutely hooked by the end. For fans of Agatha Christie.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews