What do you think?
Rate this book
The Burnham Files #2
Another Victim
Four months ago, Detective Sergeant Nolan Cormac closed the file on Dave Burnham, the murderous landlord of The White Horse pub. Now, as renovations begin under a new owner, a sledgehammer breaks through a cellar wall and uncovers a secret hidden for several years.
Cormac is called back to the scene of his last triumph only to discover it was the prelude to a far greater horror. This isn't a new victim, but an old one, but she was killed with the same chillingly precise method Burnham had used. As Cormac's team digs deeper, they uncover a pattern of missing women, all vulnerable, and all apparently forgotten. It soon becomes clear that when they caught Burnham, they stumbled upon the tip of an iceberg without realising it.
The only man with answers is Burnham himself, now incarcerated and eager to play games. But as Burnham's confessions bring more dark secrets to light, Cormac fears that understanding this killer might mean becoming contaminated by him.
Cormac is called back to the scene of his last triumph only to discover it was the prelude to a far greater horror. This isn't a new victim, but an old one, but she was killed with the same chillingly precise method Burnham had used. As Cormac's team digs deeper, they uncover a pattern of missing women, all vulnerable, and all apparently forgotten. It soon becomes clear that when they caught Burnham, they stumbled upon the tip of an iceberg without realising it.
The only man with answers is Burnham himself, now incarcerated and eager to play games. But as Burnham's confessions bring more dark secrets to light, Cormac fears that understanding this killer might mean becoming contaminated by him.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2025
57 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
P.F. Ford
56 books244 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!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 23, 2026
3* A better, bit more believable book than the 1st, but goodness, these cops need a course on forensics and not ASS-U-ME'ing.
This book takes place 6 months after the end of book 1 and it's clear that Cormac and Burnham have unfinished business together. This one talks far less about things technical, keeping the book more in line with what 2005 policing would've had in terms of resources.
It's satisfying but also not, as the killer wants fame and confesses all too easily once the first found victim comes to light. It feels a little too glib, too short and sweet, if you'll pardon the pun, and the policing is a little suspect - they find decomposed bodies with ID and without DNA testing, and the next thing, they're on their way go inform next of kin. They know a serial killer has been at work, and there's potentially 6 kills but 5 bodies, making the need for DNA testing all the more, but nope, not one cop objects. Could've been a 4* tale had it not been a little slapdash. Sigh.
This book takes place 6 months after the end of book 1 and it's clear that Cormac and Burnham have unfinished business together. This one talks far less about things technical, keeping the book more in line with what 2005 policing would've had in terms of resources.
It's satisfying but also not, as the killer wants fame and confesses all too easily once the first found victim comes to light. It feels a little too glib, too short and sweet, if you'll pardon the pun, and the policing is a little suspect - they find decomposed bodies with ID and without DNA testing, and the next thing, they're on their way go inform next of kin. They know a serial killer has been at work, and there's potentially 6 kills but 5 bodies, making the need for DNA testing all the more, but nope, not one cop objects. Could've been a 4* tale had it not been a little slapdash. Sigh.
December 15, 2025
Another good story from Peter Ford.
This is Peter Ford's second novella featuring his new character Detective Sergeant Nolan Cormac. It follows on from the excellent "In The Beginning" in which he solved a case that resulted in the arrest pub landlord Dave Burnham. When body is found during the demolition of a cellar wall at the White Horse pub four months later the investigation leads to Cormac having to interview Burnham at the prison where he is on remand awaiting trial. There follows a psychological battle between the two with Cormac and his superiors fearing that he will be affected by Burnhams revelations.
The author packs a lot into this novella in his usual well written style. This is an enjoyable fools on book.
This is Peter Ford's second novella featuring his new character Detective Sergeant Nolan Cormac. It follows on from the excellent "In The Beginning" in which he solved a case that resulted in the arrest pub landlord Dave Burnham. When body is found during the demolition of a cellar wall at the White Horse pub four months later the investigation leads to Cormac having to interview Burnham at the prison where he is on remand awaiting trial. There follows a psychological battle between the two with Cormac and his superiors fearing that he will be affected by Burnhams revelations.
The author packs a lot into this novella in his usual well written style. This is an enjoyable fools on book.
February 4, 2026
A Very Different Kind of Mystery
This novella recounts how Comac identifies a serial ki!!er and the successfully sees him prosecuted. ,it's a follow to the previous novella and makes the murders clear in terms of who and why. It's quite interesting and enjoyable. It's the third Comac mystery I've read and all are quite enjoyable to read.
This novella recounts how Comac identifies a serial ki!!er and the successfully sees him prosecuted. ,it's a follow to the previous novella and makes the murders clear in terms of who and why. It's quite interesting and enjoyable. It's the third Comac mystery I've read and all are quite enjoyable to read.
December 16, 2025
Raw police work
A novella but, in my opinion, one of Pete Ford’s best works. It read on a somewhat higher level and had a colder feel, raw, compared to others of his works that had more humour and humanity that would have been out of place here.
A novella but, in my opinion, one of Pete Ford’s best works. It read on a somewhat higher level and had a colder feel, raw, compared to others of his works that had more humour and humanity that would have been out of place here.
February 3, 2026
great mystery
A page turner that kept you wondering if they can come up with the evidence to convict. I found it interesting and a good easy read
A page turner that kept you wondering if they can come up with the evidence to convict. I found it interesting and a good easy read
February 9, 2026
good twisty police procedural
Like the lead detective Cormac. Human but determined to find out what and how the
Murders happened. Looking forward to more in the series.
Like the lead detective Cormac. Human but determined to find out what and how the
Murders happened. Looking forward to more in the series.
February 17, 2026
a truly well written book
Well researched and easy to follow story. The procedure and personal thoughts of the detectives were true to life. A good read.
Well researched and easy to follow story. The procedure and personal thoughts of the detectives were true to life. A good read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews