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The Hop-Picker Murders
When Molly Moon discovers her aunt’s discarded 1920 journal, hidden in the attic of her Kent cottage, she uncovers a chilling claim among its cryptic entries: that four missing hop-pickers, including her own uncle, were murdered. Desperate to learn the truth, Molly turns to forensic genealogist Morton Farrier for help. What begins as a challenging case soon becomes far more complex as Morton delves into a murky world of disappearance, deception, and murder—while battling an unknown menace bent on destroying his career.
This is the eleventh novel in the Morton Farrier genealogical crime mystery series, though it can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.
This is the eleventh novel in the Morton Farrier genealogical crime mystery series, though it can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.
410 pages, Hardcover
Published November 19, 2025
10 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Dylan Goodwin
36 books631 followersAuthor of the acclaimed genre-bestselling Forensic Genealogist series, featuring Morton Farrier.
Born in the famed battle town of Hastings, England, Nathan Dylan Goodwin has always had a passion for writing in one form or another. Having gained a degree in Radio, Film and Television Studies, Nathan went on to gain a Masters degree in Creative Writing, from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Nathan started his writing career with non-fiction, his first book 'Hastings at War' being published in May 2005. This was followed by three further local history books pertaining to the area around his home town of Hastings.
His first forays into fiction writing culminated in the publication in 2013 of 'Hiding the Past' - a genealogical crime mystery novel. This was followed in 2014 by book two in the series - 'The Lost Ancestor'. Also released in 2014 was the the third, a Morton Farrier novella - 'The Orange Lilies'. The fourth book in the series, 'The America Ground' was published in September 2015, followed in September 2016 by 'The Spyglass File'. The sixth in the series, 'The Missing Man' was another Morton Farrier novella and was followed by 'The Suffragette's Secret', a short-story. 'The Wicked Trade' was the ninth instalment of the series and is a full-length novel, as is the 2020 follow-on, 'The Sterling Affair.' 'The Foundlings' followed on and 2023 saw Nathan's return to Morton's world once more in 'The Deserter's Tale'. 2025 was the chosen moment for the long-awaited 'The Hop-Picker Murders'.
The 11th November 2018 saw Nathan release the first of a second series, called Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star - Mrs McDougall Investigates Book 1. This features a distant relative of Nathan's in the starring role and is set in the aftermath of the First World War.
In December 2018, Nathan created a prequel to the whole Forensic Genealogist series, in the form of a short story, The Asylum, which is available for FREE via his official website.
Nathan designed a special online choose-your-own-story for Morton Farrier fans and wrote about the protagonist's activities during the English 2020 Coronavirus lockdown. The story is currently free and is hosted on the author's website.
January 2021 saw Nathan launch a third series, Venator Cold Case Series book 1 - 'The Chester Creek Murders.' This series is a US-based spin-off from his UK-based stories and features Madison Scott-Barnhart as the lead character. October 2022 brought us the next installment of the series, 'The Sawtooth Slayer.'
In his forties, Nathan enjoys running, skiing, reading, genealogy, writing and time with his husband, son, dog and chickens.
That about sums it up!
Born in the famed battle town of Hastings, England, Nathan Dylan Goodwin has always had a passion for writing in one form or another. Having gained a degree in Radio, Film and Television Studies, Nathan went on to gain a Masters degree in Creative Writing, from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Nathan started his writing career with non-fiction, his first book 'Hastings at War' being published in May 2005. This was followed by three further local history books pertaining to the area around his home town of Hastings.
His first forays into fiction writing culminated in the publication in 2013 of 'Hiding the Past' - a genealogical crime mystery novel. This was followed in 2014 by book two in the series - 'The Lost Ancestor'. Also released in 2014 was the the third, a Morton Farrier novella - 'The Orange Lilies'. The fourth book in the series, 'The America Ground' was published in September 2015, followed in September 2016 by 'The Spyglass File'. The sixth in the series, 'The Missing Man' was another Morton Farrier novella and was followed by 'The Suffragette's Secret', a short-story. 'The Wicked Trade' was the ninth instalment of the series and is a full-length novel, as is the 2020 follow-on, 'The Sterling Affair.' 'The Foundlings' followed on and 2023 saw Nathan's return to Morton's world once more in 'The Deserter's Tale'. 2025 was the chosen moment for the long-awaited 'The Hop-Picker Murders'.
The 11th November 2018 saw Nathan release the first of a second series, called Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star - Mrs McDougall Investigates Book 1. This features a distant relative of Nathan's in the starring role and is set in the aftermath of the First World War.
In December 2018, Nathan created a prequel to the whole Forensic Genealogist series, in the form of a short story, The Asylum, which is available for FREE via his official website.
Nathan designed a special online choose-your-own-story for Morton Farrier fans and wrote about the protagonist's activities during the English 2020 Coronavirus lockdown. The story is currently free and is hosted on the author's website.
January 2021 saw Nathan launch a third series, Venator Cold Case Series book 1 - 'The Chester Creek Murders.' This series is a US-based spin-off from his UK-based stories and features Madison Scott-Barnhart as the lead character. October 2022 brought us the next installment of the series, 'The Sawtooth Slayer.'
In his forties, Nathan enjoys running, skiing, reading, genealogy, writing and time with his husband, son, dog and chickens.
That about sums it up!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 29, 2025
Another excellent book by Nathan. Set in Kent in 1923,
with Nellie Partridge as the main character, and with her mother, brother and aunt adding to the story. Nellie is trying to find out what happened to her older brother, the previous year.
The present day narrative has some interesting twists and a good twist at the end. You will have to read it to find out more.
with Nellie Partridge as the main character, and with her mother, brother and aunt adding to the story. Nellie is trying to find out what happened to her older brother, the previous year.
The present day narrative has some interesting twists and a good twist at the end. You will have to read it to find out more.
December 7, 2025
Nathan Dylan Goodwin sets a high standard for genealogical crime fiction, with an emotional story filled with twists and turns right to the end.
Morton Farrier’s latest investigation, The Hop-Picker Murders, opens with a bang, as forensic genealogist Morton is hit with both a shock and a new case to solve.
Molly Moon is keen to know what happened to her uncle, Ernest Partridge, who was blamed for a serious theft coinciding with when he disappeared in 1919. Molly’s father Alfie was a young boy then, one of a family of East Enders who went ‘down hopping’ each summer. His sister Nellie didn’t believe Ernest was responsible for the theft, and was sure something happened to him.
The mystery is mostly set in Kent, at one of the hop farms at Boughton-under-Blean and its surrounds, and the story is packed with details of the hop-picking life. I learned a lot about the historical hop industry, which has long since changed from manual to mechanical labour, and why Londoners looked forward to the opportunities summer hopping offered.
Alternating between time periods, following both Morton’s research and the events at the time of the mystery in question conveys clues to the reader, and neatly builds tension.
In 1920, Nellie sets out to uncover what happened the night Ernest disappeared, recording each piece of information in her journal, along with several of her poems whose cryptic nature could be hiding information, too. This hop-picking season isn’t as easy as the previous one, due to lingering sentiment about Ernest’s apparent deeds, but Nellie is determined.
In 2023, Morton is handed Nellie’s journal. More than 100 years after it was written, it’s now worn and faded, with some pages illegible. Can he piece together the clues and trace Ernest?
As any good genealogist should, Morton Farrier demonstrates good genealogical research practice, visiting the hop farm and local towns, and using a broad range of historical records. From birth and death registrations, the census and newspapers, to early car registrations and licenses, and Habitual Criminal and Police Gazettes.
Morton is also facing both personal and professional crises. The mystery reaches a climax just as Morton’s personal situation does, leaving him at a bit of a crossroads. Meanwhile other circumstances are threatening his reputation.
Be prepared as the past and present become intertwined, and personal and professional collide. Morton might solve the mystery of The Hop-Picker Murders, but the story ends on rather a cliffhanger.
The Hop-Picker Murders is book 11 in the Morton Farrier Forensic Genealogist series. Visit Nathan Dylan Goodwin‘s website for background research used in the story, including real people who inspired some of the characters.
Morton Farrier’s latest investigation, The Hop-Picker Murders, opens with a bang, as forensic genealogist Morton is hit with both a shock and a new case to solve.
Molly Moon is keen to know what happened to her uncle, Ernest Partridge, who was blamed for a serious theft coinciding with when he disappeared in 1919. Molly’s father Alfie was a young boy then, one of a family of East Enders who went ‘down hopping’ each summer. His sister Nellie didn’t believe Ernest was responsible for the theft, and was sure something happened to him.
The mystery is mostly set in Kent, at one of the hop farms at Boughton-under-Blean and its surrounds, and the story is packed with details of the hop-picking life. I learned a lot about the historical hop industry, which has long since changed from manual to mechanical labour, and why Londoners looked forward to the opportunities summer hopping offered.
Alternating between time periods, following both Morton’s research and the events at the time of the mystery in question conveys clues to the reader, and neatly builds tension.
In 1920, Nellie sets out to uncover what happened the night Ernest disappeared, recording each piece of information in her journal, along with several of her poems whose cryptic nature could be hiding information, too. This hop-picking season isn’t as easy as the previous one, due to lingering sentiment about Ernest’s apparent deeds, but Nellie is determined.
In 2023, Morton is handed Nellie’s journal. More than 100 years after it was written, it’s now worn and faded, with some pages illegible. Can he piece together the clues and trace Ernest?
As any good genealogist should, Morton Farrier demonstrates good genealogical research practice, visiting the hop farm and local towns, and using a broad range of historical records. From birth and death registrations, the census and newspapers, to early car registrations and licenses, and Habitual Criminal and Police Gazettes.
Morton is also facing both personal and professional crises. The mystery reaches a climax just as Morton’s personal situation does, leaving him at a bit of a crossroads. Meanwhile other circumstances are threatening his reputation.
Be prepared as the past and present become intertwined, and personal and professional collide. Morton might solve the mystery of The Hop-Picker Murders, but the story ends on rather a cliffhanger.
The Hop-Picker Murders is book 11 in the Morton Farrier Forensic Genealogist series. Visit Nathan Dylan Goodwin‘s website for background research used in the story, including real people who inspired some of the characters.
November 27, 2025
I think it might be my favourite in the series so far and felt really connected to Nellie and her desire to discover the truth. The shift between the present day and 1920 pulled me in.
I also get the feeling a couple of new storyline’s are beginning to form in the background, and that just makes me eager for next instalments.
I also get the feeling a couple of new storyline’s are beginning to form in the background, and that just makes me eager for next instalments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2026
I would actually give this book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because of the incredible amount of research that went into the book. Plus there is the fact that many of seemingly unbelievable characters/events were based upon actual unbelievable real characters and events. The only negative was what I felt was over-development of the characters and too many details that tended to drag in places.
Morton Farrier, a forensic genealogist, in this episode is hired to find out what happened to the clients ancestor who was believed to have stolen money and absconded. The story was discovered by the client when she found a journal of another ancestor who attempted to prove the ancestor's innocence and figure out what really happened.
Morton Farrier, a forensic genealogist, in this episode is hired to find out what happened to the clients ancestor who was believed to have stolen money and absconded. The story was discovered by the client when she found a journal of another ancestor who attempted to prove the ancestor's innocence and figure out what really happened.
January 25, 2026
An excellent well-researched mystery told over two timelines more than a century apart
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews