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West Wales Murder Mysteries #7
A Body in the Forest
Detective Norman is out of retirement and back on the beat in a rainy Welsh seaside town. Llangwelli might be short on sunshine, but it’s certainly not short on murders . . . Norman may seem a bit old-fashioned, but he’s always willing to learn from his band of misfit recruits.
A body in the forest. An ancient pagan ritual. A baffling mystery.
On Halloween night, the body of a young woman is discovered buried in a shallow grave in the Dragon Forest, a popular local beauty spot. The only clue to her identity is the number 37 tattooed on the sole of her foot.
Detective Norman’s new boss, Acting Superintendent Evans, is convinced the murder is connected to a group of pagans who were performing a secret ritual in the forest that night.
Norman’s not so sure. The one thing he does know is that he’d make much faster progress without the insufferable Evans breathing down his neck.
Something is off about this case. Norman knows he’s missing something important — but he can’t seem to see the wood for the trees.
Then the discovery of a second body in the woods turns everything on its head.
A body in the forest. An ancient pagan ritual. A baffling mystery.
On Halloween night, the body of a young woman is discovered buried in a shallow grave in the Dragon Forest, a popular local beauty spot. The only clue to her identity is the number 37 tattooed on the sole of her foot.
Detective Norman’s new boss, Acting Superintendent Evans, is convinced the murder is connected to a group of pagans who were performing a secret ritual in the forest that night.
Norman’s not so sure. The one thing he does know is that he’d make much faster progress without the insufferable Evans breathing down his neck.
Something is off about this case. Norman knows he’s missing something important — but he can’t seem to see the wood for the trees.
Then the discovery of a second body in the woods turns everything on its head.
- GenresFictionMysteryProcedural
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2025
317 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
P.F. Ford
56 books241 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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January 17, 2026I simply could not continue reading this book.
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December 28, 2025
Crime fiction set in atmospheric West Wales. A body is found in the clearing of the woods with no ID and very little evidence to go on.
Detective Norman was a likeable, old school detective and I enjoyed his working relationships with his colleagues. Temporary new boss, Acting Superintendent Evans, was annoying and frustrating. He had the team chasing after red herrings and pursuing a local group of pagans even though there was no evidence.
When another body is found in the woods, the case changes completely. I was gripped and enjoyed watching the investigation play out. I enjoyed the relationships between the characters. This book is part of a series, I read it without reading others in the series but would happily read more.
Detective Norman was a likeable, old school detective and I enjoyed his working relationships with his colleagues. Temporary new boss, Acting Superintendent Evans, was annoying and frustrating. He had the team chasing after red herrings and pursuing a local group of pagans even though there was no evidence.
When another body is found in the woods, the case changes completely. I was gripped and enjoyed watching the investigation play out. I enjoyed the relationships between the characters. This book is part of a series, I read it without reading others in the series but would happily read more.
November 2, 2025
Here is my review for A Body In The Forest by P.F Ford
I totally enjoyed this intriguing crime mystery where a young female body is found buried in Dragon forest, in a shallow grave, on Halloween night. The strange thing is that she has the number 37 tattooed on the sole of her foot. She has no ID with her and no clothes, only the bedsheet she was wrapped in. Detective Sergeant Norman has been brought out of retirement to train the younger members of the team plus he and Sarah are not struck on Acting Superintendent Evans and his ways of working. They were secretly hoping Nathan would only be away for a month. The setting is Llangwelli, a rainy Welsh seaside town. This book drew me in right from the start and I was intrigued to know more about the body in the forest. Where did she come from? Who was she? It was a great storyline and I haven’t read this author or this series before so I decided to give it a go. I wasn’t disappointed. The story was extremely well written and well thought out. Paganism was an interesting thought, well researched and well written into the story. I didn’t like Acting Superintendent Evans who seemed like he had to make the team’s lives as miserable as possible and threaten Sarah but it backfired. I didn’t like his attitude towards the team or how he generally treated them. His manners for a manager were atrocious. I think the story was well plotted with lots of twists and turns, not much to go on and waiting on forensics for more information plus DNA. I liked how the story was planned and the team worked together to lead us to the end. This was book seven in the series but I found it quite easy to pick up and read it without reading the others although now I want to get into the rest and future ones.
Blurb :
Detective Norman is out of retirement and back on the beat in a rainy Welsh seaside town. Llangwelli might be short on sunshine, but it’s certainly not short on murders . . . Norman may seem a bit old-fashioned, but he’s always willing to learn from his band of misfit recruits.
A body in the forest. An ancient pagan ritual. A baffling mystery.
On Halloween night, the body of a young woman is discovered buried in a shallow grave in the Dragon Forest, a popular local beauty spot. The only clue to her identity is the number 37 tattooed on the sole of her foot.
Detective Norman’s new boss, Acting Superintendent Evans, is convinced the murder is connected to a group of pagans who were performing a secret ritual in the forest that night.
Norman’s not so sure. The one thing he does know is that he’d make much faster progress without the insufferable Evans breathing down his neck.
Something is off about this case. Norman knows he’s missing something important — but he can’t seem to see the wood for the trees.
Then the discovery of a second body in the woods turns everything on its head.
This absolutely gripping detective mystery full of twists and turns is perfect for fans of J.D. Kirk, Reginald Hill, Stuart Pawson, J. R. Ellis, Roger Silverwood, and Simon McCleave.
THE DETECTIVE
Meet DS Norman Norman. He’s so good they named him twice. He thought his policing days were over when he took early retirement. But then he gets called into Llangwelli Police Department to help train up the new recruits. Out on the west coast of Wales, the town is known as something of a dumping ground for screw-ups, but Norman believes no copper’s career is ever beyond salvaging, so he’s going to whip these youngsters into shape. Even if it kills him.
THE SETTING
Llangwelli (pronounced Hlangwelly) is a seaside harbour town in West Wales that sits on the edge of a wide, shallow river estuary. Thanks to West Wales’s rainy climate, verdant green hills dotted with cows and sheep make for idyllic surroundings. But that doesn’t mean it’s free from crime — as Norman is about to find out.
I totally enjoyed this intriguing crime mystery where a young female body is found buried in Dragon forest, in a shallow grave, on Halloween night. The strange thing is that she has the number 37 tattooed on the sole of her foot. She has no ID with her and no clothes, only the bedsheet she was wrapped in. Detective Sergeant Norman has been brought out of retirement to train the younger members of the team plus he and Sarah are not struck on Acting Superintendent Evans and his ways of working. They were secretly hoping Nathan would only be away for a month. The setting is Llangwelli, a rainy Welsh seaside town. This book drew me in right from the start and I was intrigued to know more about the body in the forest. Where did she come from? Who was she? It was a great storyline and I haven’t read this author or this series before so I decided to give it a go. I wasn’t disappointed. The story was extremely well written and well thought out. Paganism was an interesting thought, well researched and well written into the story. I didn’t like Acting Superintendent Evans who seemed like he had to make the team’s lives as miserable as possible and threaten Sarah but it backfired. I didn’t like his attitude towards the team or how he generally treated them. His manners for a manager were atrocious. I think the story was well plotted with lots of twists and turns, not much to go on and waiting on forensics for more information plus DNA. I liked how the story was planned and the team worked together to lead us to the end. This was book seven in the series but I found it quite easy to pick up and read it without reading the others although now I want to get into the rest and future ones.
Blurb :
Detective Norman is out of retirement and back on the beat in a rainy Welsh seaside town. Llangwelli might be short on sunshine, but it’s certainly not short on murders . . . Norman may seem a bit old-fashioned, but he’s always willing to learn from his band of misfit recruits.
A body in the forest. An ancient pagan ritual. A baffling mystery.
On Halloween night, the body of a young woman is discovered buried in a shallow grave in the Dragon Forest, a popular local beauty spot. The only clue to her identity is the number 37 tattooed on the sole of her foot.
Detective Norman’s new boss, Acting Superintendent Evans, is convinced the murder is connected to a group of pagans who were performing a secret ritual in the forest that night.
Norman’s not so sure. The one thing he does know is that he’d make much faster progress without the insufferable Evans breathing down his neck.
Something is off about this case. Norman knows he’s missing something important — but he can’t seem to see the wood for the trees.
Then the discovery of a second body in the woods turns everything on its head.
This absolutely gripping detective mystery full of twists and turns is perfect for fans of J.D. Kirk, Reginald Hill, Stuart Pawson, J. R. Ellis, Roger Silverwood, and Simon McCleave.
THE DETECTIVE
Meet DS Norman Norman. He’s so good they named him twice. He thought his policing days were over when he took early retirement. But then he gets called into Llangwelli Police Department to help train up the new recruits. Out on the west coast of Wales, the town is known as something of a dumping ground for screw-ups, but Norman believes no copper’s career is ever beyond salvaging, so he’s going to whip these youngsters into shape. Even if it kills him.
THE SETTING
Llangwelli (pronounced Hlangwelly) is a seaside harbour town in West Wales that sits on the edge of a wide, shallow river estuary. Thanks to West Wales’s rainy climate, verdant green hills dotted with cows and sheep make for idyllic surroundings. But that doesn’t mean it’s free from crime — as Norman is about to find out.
October 21, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
🌲 P.F. Ford’s seventh installment in the West Wales Murder Mysteries series plunges readers into the misty, rain-soaked town of Llangwelli, where the discovery of a young woman’s body in Dragon Forest on Halloween night sets off a chilling investigation. The forest is haunted by whispers of ancient pagan rituals and secrets buried beneath its mossy floor. Ford’s depiction of rural Wales is immersive and tactile, evoking beauty yet menace.
Detective Norman, coaxed out of retirement, is a compelling lead—gruff, methodical, and quietly intuitive. His dynamic with Acting Superintendent Evans adds tension and humor, especially as Evans pushes a ritualistic theory that Norman finds dubious. Norman’s team of misfit recruits, each with quirks and hidden depths, injects warmth and unpredictability into the procedural rhythm. Sarah, in particular, stands out as a sharp, empathetic foil to Norman’s old-school instincts.
🔍 The mystery hinges on a single eerie clue: the number 37 tattooed on a victim’s foot. Ford masterfully layers red herrings, local legends, and psychological nuance, keeping readers guessing. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, and the second body’s discovery midway through the novel flips the narrative on its head, deepening the stakes and emotional resonance. Ford’s strength lies in his ability to balance suspense with character development, ensuring that the twists feel earned rather than gimmicky.
A Body in the Forest explores themes of community mistrust, generational divides, and the tension between folklore and modern policing. The novel subtly critiques institutional rigidity while celebrating the value of intuition and lived experience. It’s a story about seeing beyond the obvious—about the danger of assumptions and the power of quiet persistence.
Ford delivers a gripping, emotionally intelligent mystery that honors its setting and characters. Whether you're a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer drawn to atmospheric crime fiction, A Body in the Forest offers a satisfying blend of eerie ambiance, procedural depth, and human complexity - a meditation on what we choose to believe, and what we’re willing to see.
🌲 P.F. Ford’s seventh installment in the West Wales Murder Mysteries series plunges readers into the misty, rain-soaked town of Llangwelli, where the discovery of a young woman’s body in Dragon Forest on Halloween night sets off a chilling investigation. The forest is haunted by whispers of ancient pagan rituals and secrets buried beneath its mossy floor. Ford’s depiction of rural Wales is immersive and tactile, evoking beauty yet menace.
Detective Norman, coaxed out of retirement, is a compelling lead—gruff, methodical, and quietly intuitive. His dynamic with Acting Superintendent Evans adds tension and humor, especially as Evans pushes a ritualistic theory that Norman finds dubious. Norman’s team of misfit recruits, each with quirks and hidden depths, injects warmth and unpredictability into the procedural rhythm. Sarah, in particular, stands out as a sharp, empathetic foil to Norman’s old-school instincts.
🔍 The mystery hinges on a single eerie clue: the number 37 tattooed on a victim’s foot. Ford masterfully layers red herrings, local legends, and psychological nuance, keeping readers guessing. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, and the second body’s discovery midway through the novel flips the narrative on its head, deepening the stakes and emotional resonance. Ford’s strength lies in his ability to balance suspense with character development, ensuring that the twists feel earned rather than gimmicky.
A Body in the Forest explores themes of community mistrust, generational divides, and the tension between folklore and modern policing. The novel subtly critiques institutional rigidity while celebrating the value of intuition and lived experience. It’s a story about seeing beyond the obvious—about the danger of assumptions and the power of quiet persistence.
Ford delivers a gripping, emotionally intelligent mystery that honors its setting and characters. Whether you're a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer drawn to atmospheric crime fiction, A Body in the Forest offers a satisfying blend of eerie ambiance, procedural depth, and human complexity - a meditation on what we choose to believe, and what we’re willing to see.
October 29, 2025
Supt Bains is having a hip replacement and Llangwelli station is landed with the most unwelcome temporary appearance of the rather obnoxious Acting Supt Evans, who wastes no time in stamping his authority on the small CID team of DI Sarah Southall, DS Norman Norman (so good they named him twice) and DCs Catren Morgan, Judy Lane and “Frosty” Winter. The body of a teenage girl, possibly of Middle Eastern origin, is discovered in Dragon Forest, a place steeped in legend, by a dogwalker, buried in just a sheet in a shallow grave. The reader already knows how she got there. It seems she was suffocated, causing her heart to fail and bizarrely she has the number 37 tattooed on the sole of her foot. While Evans is determined to hunt down a seemingly peaceful group of local Pagans who use the woods for their ceremonies, Norman is not convinced, so as the acting Supt stumbles about on the wrong path, looking for evidence of human sacrificial rituals, the rest of the team set about solving the murder in their usual very effective way. With little hard evidence and some rather poor suspects however, they start to wonder if they will ever identify their victim and catch her killer. And that’s before another grave is discovered!
These detectives really do make a superb team, nothing like the band of misfits they were reputed to be when they first came together! With DI Southall keeping them all on track, Norman is like a father figure to Judy, Catren and Frosty, and it’s obvious how much they all look up to him and his wealth of experience. There’s warmth and humour in their interactions which makes reading this twisty and thoroughly engrossing story with plenty of red herrings an absolute pleasure. It’s one of my favourite series and I do hope there will be more Norman stories to come!
These detectives really do make a superb team, nothing like the band of misfits they were reputed to be when they first came together! With DI Southall keeping them all on track, Norman is like a father figure to Judy, Catren and Frosty, and it’s obvious how much they all look up to him and his wealth of experience. There’s warmth and humour in their interactions which makes reading this twisty and thoroughly engrossing story with plenty of red herrings an absolute pleasure. It’s one of my favourite series and I do hope there will be more Norman stories to come!
October 13, 2025
On Halloween night, the body of a young woman is found in a shallow grave in the Dragon Forest near Llangwelli, Wales. The only clue to her identity is a number tattooed on the bottom of her foot. Detective Sargeant Norman Norman’s temporary new boss is sure the death is tied to a group of pagans who celebrate holidays in the forest (he got where he is not by good police work, but by toadying), but Norman is keeping an open mind. The discovery of additional bodies in the forest turn everything on its head. Can Norman keep his job and solve the crime, or give in to that almost overwhelming urge to coldcock his acting DCI and get himself made redundant?
I accidentally picked up this book 7 because the plot intrigued me, not knowing it wasn’t the start of the series. The author did an excellent job of filling in the backstories without overwhelming the current one, so I didn’t feel lost or left out. There were plenty of suspects and red herrings. The story moved along quickly with snappy dialogue and great scene setting. I really like Norman Norman (“so good they named him twice”) and the rest of the team. I was secretly rooting for him to lay the acting DCI out, but he managed to keep a cool head and ultimately solve the case.
While this turned out to be a fine place to start the series, I’m happy I can go back to the beginning and see Norman’s genesis. If you like authors like Rachel McLean, J.D. Kirk or Simon McCleave, you’ll probably enjoy the works of P.F. Ford. I know I do.
I accidentally picked up this book 7 because the plot intrigued me, not knowing it wasn’t the start of the series. The author did an excellent job of filling in the backstories without overwhelming the current one, so I didn’t feel lost or left out. There were plenty of suspects and red herrings. The story moved along quickly with snappy dialogue and great scene setting. I really like Norman Norman (“so good they named him twice”) and the rest of the team. I was secretly rooting for him to lay the acting DCI out, but he managed to keep a cool head and ultimately solve the case.
While this turned out to be a fine place to start the series, I’m happy I can go back to the beginning and see Norman’s genesis. If you like authors like Rachel McLean, J.D. Kirk or Simon McCleave, you’ll probably enjoy the works of P.F. Ford. I know I do.
November 1, 2025
3* I normally really enjoy these simple rules but this needs a good edit - a DCI/acting one like Evans? Really, in 2025 UK? And, sadly, there's a lot of not-believable dialogue.
Ugh, this one's a bit annoying and not the author's best. That was apparent from the start with the awkward, stilted dialogue and the can't-suspend-disbelief-enough git that was Evans. I mean, who shows that level of disrespect to subordinates and at the same time, demands respect from them? And his prejudices, his jumping to conclusions, his utter lack of wanting detective work done when he deemed a certain demographic 'must have done it' - which happened twice, actually, with 2 demographics, and his attempt to bully Norm and Southall into agreeing with his plan? Not credible in these days of inclusion and respect, and mobile phones and cctv. IRL, he'd have been suspended for not only his behaviour but for trying to fake details in a case. Still, he's that bad that I need to read the next in the series to find out what happens to him.
The storyline was not bad when it was just Majhul, as the Jane Doe had been called, that was the victim. When the others were discovered, the sleuthing wasn't too bad, but being asked to believe that a - not the - killer's killer just sashayed off into the BWW, not a single hit on the cctv that surrounds everything and everyone? And then when killer #1 confesses, killer #2 remains in the wind, Norman's having a bad day and Southall may be abandoning ship? Not satisfying, and actually, rather poor and lazy, from author and publisher.
Ugh, this one's a bit annoying and not the author's best. That was apparent from the start with the awkward, stilted dialogue and the can't-suspend-disbelief-enough git that was Evans. I mean, who shows that level of disrespect to subordinates and at the same time, demands respect from them? And his prejudices, his jumping to conclusions, his utter lack of wanting detective work done when he deemed a certain demographic 'must have done it' - which happened twice, actually, with 2 demographics, and his attempt to bully Norm and Southall into agreeing with his plan? Not credible in these days of inclusion and respect, and mobile phones and cctv. IRL, he'd have been suspended for not only his behaviour but for trying to fake details in a case. Still, he's that bad that I need to read the next in the series to find out what happens to him.
The storyline was not bad when it was just Majhul, as the Jane Doe had been called, that was the victim. When the others were discovered, the sleuthing wasn't too bad, but being asked to believe that a - not the - killer's killer just sashayed off into the BWW, not a single hit on the cctv that surrounds everything and everyone? And then when killer #1 confesses, killer #2 remains in the wind, Norman's having a bad day and Southall may be abandoning ship? Not satisfying, and actually, rather poor and lazy, from author and publisher.
October 26, 2025
Having already been introduced to the down-to-earth DS Norman Norman in the previous instalment, The Body Under the Bridge, I was delighted to read this sequel.
With Samhain (night of 31 October-November 1) nearing (which isn't really celebrated here by the way– despite the Dutch being a blend of Germanic and Celtic clans, Celtic traditions such as Samhain have regrettably not been passed down). During my studies, I dabbled a bit in Wicca and paganism, and I loved seeing it featured in this story.
A young Syrian woman's body is unearthed in a shallow grave by a pupil who was with a group of classmates in Dragon Forest during Samhain.
He falls into the shallow grave and loses his torch during his terrifying journey. More bodies turn up, but when a photo of the victim is posted on Whatsapp the game is up.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and found the clashes between the down-to-earth Norman Norman and his new boss Evens rather amusing. Evens behaves like a bull in a china shop; he dislikes Norman and even accuses him of insubordination.
I loved seeing Norman Norman again, - even if it seems to be for a short time - perhaps he can still change his mind, even though for now it looks like he has made up his mind.
Along with Mike Nash from the Bill Kitson series, one of my favourite detectives in the Joffe Books books series.
**** 4 stars, thank you Joffe Books for the review copy. 🌷
With Samhain (night of 31 October-November 1) nearing (which isn't really celebrated here by the way– despite the Dutch being a blend of Germanic and Celtic clans, Celtic traditions such as Samhain have regrettably not been passed down). During my studies, I dabbled a bit in Wicca and paganism, and I loved seeing it featured in this story.
A young Syrian woman's body is unearthed in a shallow grave by a pupil who was with a group of classmates in Dragon Forest during Samhain.
He falls into the shallow grave and loses his torch during his terrifying journey. More bodies turn up, but when a photo of the victim is posted on Whatsapp the game is up.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and found the clashes between the down-to-earth Norman Norman and his new boss Evens rather amusing. Evens behaves like a bull in a china shop; he dislikes Norman and even accuses him of insubordination.
I loved seeing Norman Norman again, - even if it seems to be for a short time - perhaps he can still change his mind, even though for now it looks like he has made up his mind.
Along with Mike Nash from the Bill Kitson series, one of my favourite detectives in the Joffe Books books series.
**** 4 stars, thank you Joffe Books for the review copy. 🌷
October 22, 2025
P F Ford has written an engaging and enjoyable British police procedural, set in beautiful Wales. We open to a mysterious person burying a body in a clearing, who is disturbed during this grisly process.
Meanwhile, when Detective Norman Norman arrives at work, he meets the thoroughly unpleasant Acting Superintendent Evans, whose very presence only seems to make things worse.
The body in the forest is soon discovered by the ubiquitous walker with dog and the police swing into action. Pagan worshippers, who met in the forest on Halloween just before the body was discovered are the first bunch of likely suspects. But the victim appears to be an unusual one for such a group.
Local teenagers soon appear on the radar, along with people smugglers, and more - and then more bodies are discovered.
Norman and the rest of the team are committed to solving the murders of the young victims, whilst avoiding the complete unhelpfulness of Evans.
A captivating mystery, with an interesting conclusion. Evans was the only disappointment - he seemed quite a one-dimensional character and unnecessarily unhelpful. Still, I would definitely read another one - or more - of the books in the series due to the excellent writing and fascinating mystery.
Meanwhile, when Detective Norman Norman arrives at work, he meets the thoroughly unpleasant Acting Superintendent Evans, whose very presence only seems to make things worse.
The body in the forest is soon discovered by the ubiquitous walker with dog and the police swing into action. Pagan worshippers, who met in the forest on Halloween just before the body was discovered are the first bunch of likely suspects. But the victim appears to be an unusual one for such a group.
Local teenagers soon appear on the radar, along with people smugglers, and more - and then more bodies are discovered.
Norman and the rest of the team are committed to solving the murders of the young victims, whilst avoiding the complete unhelpfulness of Evans.
A captivating mystery, with an interesting conclusion. Evans was the only disappointment - he seemed quite a one-dimensional character and unnecessarily unhelpful. Still, I would definitely read another one - or more - of the books in the series due to the excellent writing and fascinating mystery.
September 5, 2025
A Body in the Forest opens with a quiet chill, the kind that rustles through leaves and lingers in the air long after the final page. P.F. Ford delivers a mystery that’s both grounded and unsettling, set in a landscape where secrets seem to grow wild beneath the trees.
The story unfolds with a steady rhythm—never rushed, never showy. Instead, it leans into the quiet tension of small-town dynamics and the slow unraveling of truth. The characters feel lived-in, their flaws and loyalties etched into every interaction. There’s a subtle melancholy here, a sense that grief and suspicion walk hand in hand.
Ford’s prose is clean and unpretentious, with just enough emotional texture to make the forest setting feel like a character in its own right—watchful, silent, and full of shadows. It’s the kind of mystery that doesn’t rely on shock value, but rather on the slow burn of revelation and the quiet ache of consequences.
Perfect for readers who appreciate understated suspense and atmospheric storytelling. It’s not just about solving a crime—it’s about what the crime reveals, and what it leaves behind.
With thanks to P F Ford, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
The story unfolds with a steady rhythm—never rushed, never showy. Instead, it leans into the quiet tension of small-town dynamics and the slow unraveling of truth. The characters feel lived-in, their flaws and loyalties etched into every interaction. There’s a subtle melancholy here, a sense that grief and suspicion walk hand in hand.
Ford’s prose is clean and unpretentious, with just enough emotional texture to make the forest setting feel like a character in its own right—watchful, silent, and full of shadows. It’s the kind of mystery that doesn’t rely on shock value, but rather on the slow burn of revelation and the quiet ache of consequences.
Perfect for readers who appreciate understated suspense and atmospheric storytelling. It’s not just about solving a crime—it’s about what the crime reveals, and what it leaves behind.
With thanks to P F Ford, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 30, 2025
If I said this was great fun and an entertaining read, that would probably sound inappropriate for a book that involves murder, people trafficking and pagan worship. But what makes it so entertaining is the banter between DS Norman Norman, his boss DI Sarah Southall and the other members of the team, plus their total dismay at the attitude of Acting Superintendent DCI Evans who is the temporary stand-in for DCI Bain, who is recovering from an operation. It seems like Evans wants to get rid of both Bain and Norman in case they affect his ambitions.
A Body In The Forest is the seventh book in the West Wales Murder Mysteries series and the first one for me, though it can be read as a standalone. I was attracted to the book because of the number 37 tattooed on the first victim’s ankle. I like anything that may involve witchcraft, symbols and strange carvings (often into the body itself) but this turned out to be something quite different. Evans, however, is convinced that it’s connected to the pagan rituals carried out a few times a year, especially because of the location of the body – Dragon Forest is a place of myth and mystery – and the fact that it’s Halloween. Evidence be damned!
DNA shows that the victim was probably from the Middle East, which makes identifying her almost impossible if she was here illegally. However, when a second body is discovered, that proves to be easier, but the MO is totally different, so are they even connected? Norman and his band of merry men (and women) have their own ideas, which don’t sit well with Evans.
At the time of the first murder, six teenage friends were celebrating Halloween, but there was also a seventh, who could be key to the whole mystery. It’s all very complicated or so it seems.
It’s a great read and the characters of Norman and Southall are as endearing as Evans isn’t. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
A Body In The Forest is the seventh book in the West Wales Murder Mysteries series and the first one for me, though it can be read as a standalone. I was attracted to the book because of the number 37 tattooed on the first victim’s ankle. I like anything that may involve witchcraft, symbols and strange carvings (often into the body itself) but this turned out to be something quite different. Evans, however, is convinced that it’s connected to the pagan rituals carried out a few times a year, especially because of the location of the body – Dragon Forest is a place of myth and mystery – and the fact that it’s Halloween. Evidence be damned!
DNA shows that the victim was probably from the Middle East, which makes identifying her almost impossible if she was here illegally. However, when a second body is discovered, that proves to be easier, but the MO is totally different, so are they even connected? Norman and his band of merry men (and women) have their own ideas, which don’t sit well with Evans.
At the time of the first murder, six teenage friends were celebrating Halloween, but there was also a seventh, who could be key to the whole mystery. It’s all very complicated or so it seems.
It’s a great read and the characters of Norman and Southall are as endearing as Evans isn’t. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
November 3, 2025
A Body In The Forest is a crime mystery book set in Wales. I love a Welsh setting as that’s where I grew up (in West Wales too!) It is book 7 in the West Wales Murder Mysteries series.
I read this book as a standalone but I do think I may have enjoyed it more if I’d read the previous books as I’m assuming there would have been more backstory of the main characters etc.
It was a good read, I just wish the chapters were a bit a shorter. I’m not a fan of long chapters but that’s just me, others will absolutely love that about it. I don’t think it takes away from the story which in itself is quite gripping! I wanted more from the ending but maybe the next book will give us more!
There was an insufferable character introduced - Acting Superintendent Evans. My goodness he wound me up no end 😂
Overall, this was a good read packed with mystery and has you questioning everyone.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a crime mystery book with longer chapters.
Thank you @zooloosbooktours and P. F. Ford for letting me be a part of this tour!
I give this 3 stars!
I read this book as a standalone but I do think I may have enjoyed it more if I’d read the previous books as I’m assuming there would have been more backstory of the main characters etc.
It was a good read, I just wish the chapters were a bit a shorter. I’m not a fan of long chapters but that’s just me, others will absolutely love that about it. I don’t think it takes away from the story which in itself is quite gripping! I wanted more from the ending but maybe the next book will give us more!
There was an insufferable character introduced - Acting Superintendent Evans. My goodness he wound me up no end 😂
Overall, this was a good read packed with mystery and has you questioning everyone.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a crime mystery book with longer chapters.
Thank you @zooloosbooktours and P. F. Ford for letting me be a part of this tour!
I give this 3 stars!
October 19, 2025
Another cracker in the Wales Murder Mysteries series.
This is number seven in the series and is easily read as a standalone. A strong back story and loveable characters are woven together to make this a great series.
The scene is set in a remote forest clearing at haloween. A gang of teenagers are out to scare themselves by visiting the spooky Dragon Forest at near midnight when they disturb a person trying to bury a body. Their noisy presence disturbs the illicit undertaker, and he flees, leaving the body only partially concealed. The body is discovered the next day by a dog walker, and DS Norman Norman and his boss, DI Sarah Southall, are called to investigate. Their job is made near impossible by an Acting Supperintendant who is more concerned with his own career than solving crimes and sparks fly. DS Evans wants all the glory but makes it clear that if they fail, then the dirt will fall on them and their team. A tense and surprising story evolves worthy of a binge read.
This is number seven in the series and is easily read as a standalone. A strong back story and loveable characters are woven together to make this a great series.
The scene is set in a remote forest clearing at haloween. A gang of teenagers are out to scare themselves by visiting the spooky Dragon Forest at near midnight when they disturb a person trying to bury a body. Their noisy presence disturbs the illicit undertaker, and he flees, leaving the body only partially concealed. The body is discovered the next day by a dog walker, and DS Norman Norman and his boss, DI Sarah Southall, are called to investigate. Their job is made near impossible by an Acting Supperintendant who is more concerned with his own career than solving crimes and sparks fly. DS Evans wants all the glory but makes it clear that if they fail, then the dirt will fall on them and their team. A tense and surprising story evolves worthy of a binge read.
October 21, 2025
This was a very good and riveting story of the team of police investigating how and why a body buried in the Forest came to be there, and who she was and how she died.
The light hearted part was the characters who made up the police team, with DS Norman Norman and DI Sarah Southall the leaders who were suddenly lumbered with a new boss Acting Superintendent Evans, on what they very much hoped to be a temporary basis.
Anyone who has ever been in a similar situation, when a bullying seagull micro manager is flown in and makes it impossible to do your job properly, will empathise with the team as they struggle to solve the case despite Evans, who is not only all these things but also tries to gain credit when the team have success despite rather than because of his input…..
There are numerous plot twists and it is overall a sad tale of the victim and the crimes.
Whilst number 7 in the West Wales murder series, it stands well on its own.
The light hearted part was the characters who made up the police team, with DS Norman Norman and DI Sarah Southall the leaders who were suddenly lumbered with a new boss Acting Superintendent Evans, on what they very much hoped to be a temporary basis.
Anyone who has ever been in a similar situation, when a bullying seagull micro manager is flown in and makes it impossible to do your job properly, will empathise with the team as they struggle to solve the case despite Evans, who is not only all these things but also tries to gain credit when the team have success despite rather than because of his input…..
There are numerous plot twists and it is overall a sad tale of the victim and the crimes.
Whilst number 7 in the West Wales murder series, it stands well on its own.
November 2, 2025
It's midnight, it's hallowe'en and some youngsters are messing about in Dragon Wood and so are some pagans but they're not messing about. One of the youngsters stumbles across a body in the forest, almost covered but not quite. The police arrive and the rest is history. They start an investigation and finally come up the name of the victim and then a police dog is brought in to see if there are any other dead bodies in Dragon Wood. And there are, also young girls, naked, and a long way from home.
This is an interesting book, about pornography, trafficked young girls a long way from home and an over-bearing insufferable inept acting superintendent who's covering for the proper one, Bains, and some extremely hardworking police officers bearing the brunt of the lack of skill from their acting boss. There are a lot of red herrings but it does have a good ending, I'm glad the acting super went!
This is an interesting book, about pornography, trafficked young girls a long way from home and an over-bearing insufferable inept acting superintendent who's covering for the proper one, Bains, and some extremely hardworking police officers bearing the brunt of the lack of skill from their acting boss. There are a lot of red herrings but it does have a good ending, I'm glad the acting super went!
October 11, 2025
DS Norman Norman and his beloved team are back with yet another gripping case.
This time they are investigating murder of a young Syrian girl found in a shallow grave.
The familiar, comforting team dynamic and forged bonds are at the heart of this book, shining brightly even as they are tested by belligerent temporary Acting Superintendent Evans who seems determined to thwart their every move.
With the determination we've come to know and love, the loyal team wades through dead ends galore, tackling fraying tempers and tested loyalties to leave no lead uninvestigated.
Their sheer refusal to give up makes for a fantastic read, and the ending will leave you desperately hoping the old team are back for another instalment soon. I for one can't wait!
This time they are investigating murder of a young Syrian girl found in a shallow grave.
The familiar, comforting team dynamic and forged bonds are at the heart of this book, shining brightly even as they are tested by belligerent temporary Acting Superintendent Evans who seems determined to thwart their every move.
With the determination we've come to know and love, the loyal team wades through dead ends galore, tackling fraying tempers and tested loyalties to leave no lead uninvestigated.
Their sheer refusal to give up makes for a fantastic read, and the ending will leave you desperately hoping the old team are back for another instalment soon. I for one can't wait!
October 23, 2025
Ive read the entire series , this is no 7 but can be read as a standalone.
The characters are well developed and the plot has so many twists in it you can't see the wood for the trees.
A body is found in a shallow grave and the team are taxed with finding the killer.
Their job is made even more difficult by their new temp boss hinders them at every turn, hes no idea what he's doing all he sees is a promotion if the case is solved.
When another 3 bodies are found in the same area their previous theories are thrown into disarray.
Never say never to this team out to prove to themselves and the Super that they have the experience and tools to resolve this case.
Another winner for P F Ford and thanks Joffe Books for the Arc copy.
The characters are well developed and the plot has so many twists in it you can't see the wood for the trees.
A body is found in a shallow grave and the team are taxed with finding the killer.
Their job is made even more difficult by their new temp boss hinders them at every turn, hes no idea what he's doing all he sees is a promotion if the case is solved.
When another 3 bodies are found in the same area their previous theories are thrown into disarray.
Never say never to this team out to prove to themselves and the Super that they have the experience and tools to resolve this case.
Another winner for P F Ford and thanks Joffe Books for the Arc copy.
November 6, 2025
This is book 7 of the series and it is setting up the series for some possible changes to come. First they crew has a new acting superintendent, who is only after one thing- going up the ladder and taking all the credit. He's clueless on actual policework, totally opposite of their normal boss, and wants Norman out of the force. But Norman has taught his team well, and as they search everywhere possible for clues to their victim's identity, it's Norman's instinct that takes them back to the scene of the body discovery to hunt for what they missed. And that body soon leads them into a cross country hunt for their murderer. With a solid twist at the end, this is a page turner for those who love the series, and those new to it!
November 7, 2025
I always seem to read a book that is different than most other readers. Those, and there are many, get to read an advance copy and then write a precise about as half as long as the book.
Does anyone read them? If so why?
DS Norman books are OK. An easy read as is this one. 2 negatives. The book finishes without a full resolution of the crimes. You have been warned. You will have to read #8 to find out what happens to 2 of the 5 murders. Secondly, it's a thing with UK crime writers, they have to have the most obnoxious and dumb senior police officers possible. Why do we have them? Actg Super Evans is introduced in this book. I can second guess what happens to him in #8. West Wales is a beautiful part of the UK. It's location should have been used to better effect.
Does anyone read them? If so why?
DS Norman books are OK. An easy read as is this one. 2 negatives. The book finishes without a full resolution of the crimes. You have been warned. You will have to read #8 to find out what happens to 2 of the 5 murders. Secondly, it's a thing with UK crime writers, they have to have the most obnoxious and dumb senior police officers possible. Why do we have them? Actg Super Evans is introduced in this book. I can second guess what happens to him in #8. West Wales is a beautiful part of the UK. It's location should have been used to better effect.
October 27, 2025
DS Norman Norman is back and this time he has a temporary boss with his own ideas as to how the investigation should be run. Who left the body in the clearing? We have lots of suspects but is it any of them or someone else. It is up to Norman and the gang to find out. An enjoyable book which falls into the cosy mystery genre. Although it's about death it is kind of comforting to read, due to the fact the characters are like a family. Highly recommended to submerse yourself into to escape for a few.hours.
With thanks to the author, Joffe Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
With thanks to the author, Joffe Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
October 27, 2025
It's Halloween and detective Norman is out of retirement and the weather is dismal but that doesn't stop the murders!
On Halloween night a body of a young girl is discovered in the Dragon forest buried in a shallow grave.
She has a tattoo of the number 37 on her foot and suspicion immediately falls on local pagans who perform rituals in the forest.
But Norman is not convinced.
With Superintendent Evans breathing down his neck he is trying to work fast but is stumped until the body counts starts to rise when another is discovered in the woods...
An exciting and quite spooky Halloween murder mystery.
Great read and have bought the others in the series and recommended them to my niece too.
On Halloween night a body of a young girl is discovered in the Dragon forest buried in a shallow grave.
She has a tattoo of the number 37 on her foot and suspicion immediately falls on local pagans who perform rituals in the forest.
But Norman is not convinced.
With Superintendent Evans breathing down his neck he is trying to work fast but is stumped until the body counts starts to rise when another is discovered in the woods...
An exciting and quite spooky Halloween murder mystery.
Great read and have bought the others in the series and recommended them to my niece too.
October 28, 2025
The mystery here is very well-developed, with intriguing characters, history, and atmosphere. I enjoy books set in countries I have never visited, and I always appreciate a skilled writer who can make me feel like I’m there. Wales is such a beautiful country! Ford excels as creating atmosphere and conveying the horror of murder without the gore, although this is not what I would call a “cozy.” It’s a solid police procedural. The only thing that disrupted my enjoyment of the story was the insufferable Evans, a character that (along with the boring office politics he drove) I found completely unnecessary.
October 28, 2025
I enjoyed this mystery and could not have predicted the end at all, there were many twists and turns (as well as a whole new mystery add on more than midway through the book, but I won't say more because of spoilers!). There is a new character that adds some tension/possibility for change and he is a generally unpleasant and incompetent character (that's not really a spoiler as it's obvious from the moment he is introduced). Overall, a solid police procedural set in Wales as is consistent with the rest of the series!
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2025
This is book 7 in the West Wales Murder Mysteries, although I haven’t read the others that didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this book.
Norman Norman (great name) and his team investigate when a body in the woods is found, what follows is an excellent plot full of twists plus a new boss who you just want to dislike.
Really well written and done so in a way that kept me gripped from start to finish, the group of pagans were an interesting inclusion I enjoyed learning about their rituals.
The investigation held some realism too as the forensics weren’t instantly available.
A great read and I’ve got the first 3 books on my kindle ready to start from the beginning.
Norman Norman (great name) and his team investigate when a body in the woods is found, what follows is an excellent plot full of twists plus a new boss who you just want to dislike.
Really well written and done so in a way that kept me gripped from start to finish, the group of pagans were an interesting inclusion I enjoyed learning about their rituals.
The investigation held some realism too as the forensics weren’t instantly available.
A great read and I’ve got the first 3 books on my kindle ready to start from the beginning.
October 19, 2025
A body found in the clearing in Dragon Forest, a place regularly visited by pagans and also visited by a group of college students on the night in question. DI Solihull and DS Norman have their work cut out to cut through the lies and misdirection to try and find out who the body is and who the killer is. They are hampered by their new temporary DCI, Evans doesn’t seem to listen and wants someone, anyone arrested.
Although this is one in a series it reads well as a stand alone, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
Although this is one in a series it reads well as a stand alone, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
October 21, 2025
4.5 Stars from Me
DS Norman and DI Southall have a new temporary boss who wants results, and fast, so when the body of a young woman is found half buried in the Dragon Forest, with no identification, he expects a quick resolution, but of course it is not that simple. Before long, other bodies are found buried nearby but will the team be able to solve the crimes and was one person involved or are they looking for multiple murderers? The book kept me guessing but it has lost half a star for the abrupt ending. It is still a good read though.
DS Norman and DI Southall have a new temporary boss who wants results, and fast, so when the body of a young woman is found half buried in the Dragon Forest, with no identification, he expects a quick resolution, but of course it is not that simple. Before long, other bodies are found buried nearby but will the team be able to solve the crimes and was one person involved or are they looking for multiple murderers? The book kept me guessing but it has lost half a star for the abrupt ending. It is still a good read though.
November 2, 2025
P. F. Ford's novel "A Body in the Forest" ends in a cliffhanger. Sgt. Norman is tired. I was exhausted.
The book dragged on and on and on. Yes, it has twists and turns. Yes the main characters are well drawn and complex. Yes, the dialogue is very good. But the plot was gory and not fully resolved.
The evil was palpable. Probably that makes for a good read for some, but not for me. The earlier books in the series had a certain charm, a lightness of touch and humour which this volume does not possess. The theme was very dark and there was no redemption. We need redemption in 2025.
The book dragged on and on and on. Yes, it has twists and turns. Yes the main characters are well drawn and complex. Yes, the dialogue is very good. But the plot was gory and not fully resolved.
The evil was palpable. Probably that makes for a good read for some, but not for me. The earlier books in the series had a certain charm, a lightness of touch and humour which this volume does not possess. The theme was very dark and there was no redemption. We need redemption in 2025.
September 8, 2025
From one of the best contemporary British police procedural series, A Body in the Forest is a thrilling and satisfying crime novel set in Wales that has more twists and turns than a country road. The writing flows easily and the plot is steady. The suspense escalates continuously while the murder mystery is investigated by a crack team (minus the temporary supervisor). I have thoroughly enjoyed this series all along, but if I had to pick a favorite, this book is it.
Joffe Books Review Copy
Joffe Books Review Copy
September 13, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of A Body in the Forest by P.F. Ford. I’ve not read everything in the West Wales series before but as I love travelling to Wales I couldn’t resist trying this series. The discovery of a body in the woods in small town Wales turns into a twisting mystery full of unexpected twists.
Norman and Sarah are well developed characters. detail is realistic, and the tension builds nicely. Overall an enjoyable police procedural that kept me turning pages.
Norman and Sarah are well developed characters. detail is realistic, and the tension builds nicely. Overall an enjoyable police procedural that kept me turning pages.
October 14, 2025
The discovery of the body of a young woman in the Dragon Forest, has Southall and Norman scratching their heads as clues to her identity are non existent. The arrival of a new superintendent causes sparks to fly amongst the team.
I really enjoyed this. There's plenty going on, lots of possible red herrings, twists galore and I loved the whole antagonistic vibe with the new super. I would have given it five stars but I felt the ending was too abrupt. Still overall, it's a cracking read.
I really enjoyed this. There's plenty going on, lots of possible red herrings, twists galore and I loved the whole antagonistic vibe with the new super. I would have given it five stars but I felt the ending was too abrupt. Still overall, it's a cracking read.
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