The Forest

Atticus Priest #6

by Mark Dawson

Fourteen years ago, a series of gruesome murders terrified the nation.

The victims were young men, abducted and then released in the New Forest. They were hunted down and left in ritualistic poses—antlers on their heads and chalk symbols near their bodies. The press called their killer the Horned Man.

Ezra Ashcroft was caught and convicted. The killings stopped.

But now, another body has been found in the woods. And the scene is disturbingly familiar.

DCI Mackenzie Jones is brought in to lead the investigation, but the first breakthrough comes from an unexpected source. Ashcroft has asked to speak. But not to her… he wants Atticus Priest, the brilliant, abrasive former detective who has become notorious after a series of spectacular successes.

As Atticus returns to the shadows of the past, he begins to suspect the truth was buried deeper than anyone realised.

Some myths don’t die.

They wait.

The Horned Man will be released in Spring 2026.

Genres: Mystery

568 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Lorri Hume]

The Forest

I love the Atticus series of books. This one is particularly good. Lots of twists and turns. I had to keep reading until I finished it. (You may lose some sleep)

[Michael Rocharde]

Unputdownable

All of Mark Dawson’s books are excellent with a diverse and intriguing set of characters but Atticus Priest is one of my favourites and this one is sensational.

[Betsy]

Atticus Priest is a most unusual detective. Fired by the police force, he now works as a PI, occasionally assisting the local police when there is an especially difficult murder or set of murders difficult to solve since their connections generally make no sense. Atticus has the ability to look at a set of unconnected clues and put them together differently than most people. This gives him a unique perspective allowing him to solve many seemingly unsolvable cases. The major problem is Mackenzie’s DCS does not trust him and never wants him around. A murderer, Ezra Crowley, was caught and imprisoned 20 years before for three murders. Impossibly, murders with the same MO have started again, and the imprisoned Crowley wants to speak with Atticus only because he says he knows who the murderer is and wants to make a trade. This is a very unique mystery with three stories going at once. Cold cases are mixed with current cases and mixed with a third with the local crime syndicate boss and his son. I find these mysteries really exciting, filled with endless twists and turns, and really look forward to the next.

[Jeff Benham]

Lots of high power action in this one and it looks like Atticus might have met his match. A couple of recent murders have the same MO as crime from 20 years ago. The Detective Chief Inspector doesn't want Atticus anywhere near it and it looks like his own father was involved with the investigation and conviction of Ezra Crowley. Since he couldn't have done the most recent murders, they need his help to find the ones that did. Crowley is a master manipulator and has had 20 years to firm up his plan. He will only talk to Atticus. The sharing of wits is almost too much for Atticus. Almost. Followers of the Atticus Priest series are going to really enjoy this one.

[Kenneth Bailey]

Best Atticus Priest novel so far!!

I found this novel totally inspiring Mark Dawson has really pulled the stops out in this. Book. The way he describes the settings and the characters leaves nothing to the imagination. There are so many so called detective authors out there who turn out the same old well worn
phrases that it makes the books so predictable, but not with Mark Dawson. His writing skills are far superior to many others that I've read.. well done, can't wait for the next novel to drop into my inbox.

[Libby]

Intriguing Atticus Priest, with murders from the past and present. It turns out that they all have one thing in common—-punishing men.

Just for fun, I decided to count how many of this author’s books I have read so far. Ready for the total? 52! I read a lot and he writes a lot. They are very readable and he seems to have an unlimited supply of ideas. I might not remember a lot about the plots after I have finished, but I remember the main characters and have a feel for the places too. His main characters are trying to do good in a terrible world. I need to read about heroes.

[Gail]

Has Atticus Priest met his match?

This book is captivating right from the beginning and keeps your attention throughout the book. Two murders take place exactly like two murders from twenty years ago. The man found guilty of those murders and another murder says that he can help solve these murders. This prisoner is in a mental prison, and he is very smart and manipulative. Atticus Priest is brought in to speak with him. Be prepared for surprises, twists, and secrets revealed. Happy reading! 😀

[M J]

The book description of The Forest is incorrect in some details. I suspect the writer rewrote parts of it after early drafts were sent out.
Anyway murders have started again after 20 years although the convicted murderer is still in Broadmoor. He contacts the police and insists Atticus gets involved….

[carl clause]

CC1

This was perhaps the best Atticus Priest book yet. The whole story start to finish was great . How Ezra nearly out witted Atticus. To his constant persistence to pursue Lynas and locate him. Even though Becton took the credit without Atticus and Mack's persistence they would not find Lynas . Outstanding read !!!! 10 stars plus !!!!! Thanks Carl Clause

[Kenny Oak]

Was really impressed with this one - very well thought through with some great twists and turns. Couldn’t honestly put it down. Felt fully immersed in it.

Atticus and Mack are a great pairing and it really keeps the plot going.

Well done Mark - look forward to the next adventure.

BTW Still waiting to discover who is Atticus secret chess partner though ! 🤔

[Amanda Mc]

Do not think you are going to sleep before you have finished this book. Atticus Priest is a very clever man but sometimes too clever for his own good. Brilliant storyline, some new psycho characters and a story with enough twists and turns to make you dizzy.

[Leanne Kendall]

Good Atticus story but was left waiting for the promised TWIST in the storyline - guessed who killer was way too early but don't like not finishing a book unless really bad. Will keep reading MD and Atticus

[Sarah]

A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.

The sixth in the series with Atticus Priest, the private investigator who works with the police on particularly tricky cases.

I've really enjoyed these books. Well-written with strong characters.

[David Fern]

INTENSE!!!

Best Atticus Priest yet.
Did Ezra Crowley really commit those murders twenty years ago? Is there a copycat killer on the loose?
Atticus' estranged Father is brought in and that does not sit well for him.

Non stop action with twists and turns you don't see coming.

[Neil Moulding]

Avoiding spoilers but two naive looking plot actions grated with me, one by an individual, one collective- created to make things hang together, but I just couldn't buy in to the believability of those aspects, and that undermined the whole

[Neil Clarke]

awesome

I really enjoyed reading this novel. The twists and turns kept the pages turning, sometimes long into the night. A great read.

[Maggie]

Good read

[william shields]

Great read. Great author.

[Ninon]

Definitely one of the best in this series! Two seemingly unrelated stories very cleverly come together with such tension that I stayed up reading way too late!

[Mr David Bevan]

Brilliant, best Atticus yet. He nearly met his match. Must read next one.

[Tracy W. Reed]

Story close to today’s world

The story has a lot of twists and turns and hits very close to today’s world. Question is that good or bad? We will see!

[Ann Keeran]

The Forest is one more outstanding novel in the repertoire of Mark Dawson. Thrills, mystery and lots of teeth-grinding suspense fill the pages.

[Holly Burke]

I do love this series, but I think this one could have been edited down to make it move quicker. The first half felt basic, like a crime story you have heard before. There is a good story in here, but it took a while to uncover it. I liked the inclusion of the "manosphere" - it felt very relevant to today.