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The Burnham Files #4
The Conspiracy
Some secrets refuse to stay buried. Some debts demand a price beyond measure.
When a decomposed body is discovered at Foxley Ridge it first appears DS Cormac and DI Chalmers have a historical murder on their hands. But things immediately take a darker turn when a second body is discovered close by, murdered in the same fashion.
Karen Doyle and Alan Pritchard were both reported missing over a year ago, lived miles away from each other, and at first seem to have no obvious connection, until it comes to light that they both worked in finance.
What follows is far more than a case of double murder, leading to the unravelling of a vast criminal network. Run by a man of immense wealth and power, he silences “problems” by employing a brutal enforcer for whom murder is just a service provided for cash.
As Cormac navigates this labyrinth of corruption, he is forced to accept a deal with the devil, compromising his integrity for the sake of getting a conviction.
And still, in the background, imprisoned serial killer David Burnham is spreading his sick philosophy. Cormac discovers a chilling mentorship is taking place between Burnham and nineteen-years-old prodigy Simon Garrett, slowly shaping Simon’s world view. Simon's quiet observation that “the most dangerous person is the one nobody recognises as a threat until it's too late to matter" hints at a future far more dangerous than anyone could imagine.
The Conspiracy explores the cost of compromise, the corrupting nature of power, witnesses the emergence of a patient new antagonist, and tells the story of how the seeds of future conflict were sown, setting Cormac on an irreversible path to a climax that wouldn’t happen until many years later.
When a decomposed body is discovered at Foxley Ridge it first appears DS Cormac and DI Chalmers have a historical murder on their hands. But things immediately take a darker turn when a second body is discovered close by, murdered in the same fashion.
Karen Doyle and Alan Pritchard were both reported missing over a year ago, lived miles away from each other, and at first seem to have no obvious connection, until it comes to light that they both worked in finance.
What follows is far more than a case of double murder, leading to the unravelling of a vast criminal network. Run by a man of immense wealth and power, he silences “problems” by employing a brutal enforcer for whom murder is just a service provided for cash.
As Cormac navigates this labyrinth of corruption, he is forced to accept a deal with the devil, compromising his integrity for the sake of getting a conviction.
And still, in the background, imprisoned serial killer David Burnham is spreading his sick philosophy. Cormac discovers a chilling mentorship is taking place between Burnham and nineteen-years-old prodigy Simon Garrett, slowly shaping Simon’s world view. Simon's quiet observation that “the most dangerous person is the one nobody recognises as a threat until it's too late to matter" hints at a future far more dangerous than anyone could imagine.
The Conspiracy explores the cost of compromise, the corrupting nature of power, witnesses the emergence of a patient new antagonist, and tells the story of how the seeds of future conflict were sown, setting Cormac on an irreversible path to a climax that wouldn’t happen until many years later.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2026
72 people are currently reading
3 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!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 27, 2026
Incredibly sad!
These books make you feel sad for the main character. But, at the same time incredibly scared for him too! Can’t wait for the next and last in this series.
These books make you feel sad for the main character. But, at the same time incredibly scared for him too! Can’t wait for the next and last in this series.
January 27, 2026
Good reaf
Good book as always keep you wanting more and waiting for next instalment .or new.people to turn up or old friend s to read about
Good book as always keep you wanting more and waiting for next instalment .or new.people to turn up or old friend s to read about
February 12, 2026
Another good read from Peter Ford.
This is apparently the last of the Detective Sergeant Nolan Cormac novellas. It doesn't really close the door on the series though, as there are hints in the description that a compromise that is made here will come back to haunt Cormac in the future.
I've thoroughly enjoyed this series and have great exp3ctations for the further books withthischatacter.
Readers should by warned that some murders are described in graphic detail.
This is apparently the last of the Detective Sergeant Nolan Cormac novellas. It doesn't really close the door on the series though, as there are hints in the description that a compromise that is made here will come back to haunt Cormac in the future.
I've thoroughly enjoyed this series and have great exp3ctations for the further books withthischatacter.
Readers should by warned that some murders are described in graphic detail.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews