The Forgotten Corpse

by Chris Hills Farrow

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2026

Reviews

[David Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent mystery, and I was particularly thrilled, as I know the area of southern Spain where the book is set so well. Retiree David Darnell watches the swimming pool of his Costa Blanca villa slide down the hillside during a rainstorm. The shocks for David are only just beginning when he discovers human remains in the disturbed earth under his pool foundations. The local police's lack of interest, an investigative podcaster, wonderful characters, and possible Russian links make this a great mystery thriller. Chris Hills Farrow writes in a compelling manner as expat David Darnell uses his engineering background and tenacity to help uncover the truth of who the mystery corpse is and why they are there.
A blood-and-sun-soaked holiday read!

[Yusuf Bhatti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this on a whim because I liked the cover and honestly didnt expect much but I was pleasantly surprised. The story starts with this guy David whose pool collapses during a storm and he finds bones underneath. Simple enough right? But then the police show up and try to brush it off as civil war remains and he knows something is off.

The writing is pretty good. Kept me turning pages even though it starts a bit slow. I liked that the main character isnt some young tough guy or ex cop, he's just a retired engineer who gets in over his head. Felt more real that way. The Spanish setting comes through nice, you can tell the author knows the area.

Some parts drag a little, especially in the middle when hes just driving around talking to people. And I figured out one of the twists before the end but not all of them. The ending was satisfying though.

The blogger woman Lucía is a great character. Tough but not perfect. The bad guys are properly unlikeable which is what you want.

Would have given 5 stars but there was a few spots where I got confused about who was who. Might just be me not paying attention though.

Overall worth the read if you like mysteries with some political corruption mixed in.

[Mary Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first I’ve heard of this author and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this mystery. Farrow puts together a well-crafted story that kept me interested to the last page.

David Darnell is a retired engineer, a British ex-pat hoping to permanently retire on the coast of Spain with his wife, Susan. When he arrives to his villa he finds that a recent storm has resulted in major damage to his pool and shockingly, exposes the skeletal remains of someone apparently buried in the structural concrete in an attempt to hide the body. What follows is an engaging, mystery that ticks all the boxes of interesting characters, subterfuge, and plot turns. Farrow writes with sardonic humor and perception, capturing the quirks of a retirement community and Spanish locals. An excellent read.

[Hulls Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts as a rainstorm quickly turns into something far more unsettling when retiree David Darnell watches the swimming pool at his Costa Blanca villa collapse down the hillside. The real mystery begins after human remains are uncovered beneath the pool's foundation. With the local police showing little interest, David relies on his engineering expertise to investigate, joined by an investigative podcaster and a memorable cast of characters. The possible Russian connections add another layer of intrigue, making the story even more gripping. Chris Hills Farrow delivers a well-paced, compelling mystery thriller that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

[Jacie Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A storm finishes off David Darnell’s already‑cracking pool and exposes buried remains. Although the local authorities claim the bones date back to the Civil War, David doesn’t buy it. He begins investigating with the help of a journalist, and together they uncover far more than they expected.

I loved the vivid descriptions of the Spanish coastal town, the twisting mystery surrounding the corpse, and the supporting characters who either help or try to hinder David’s search for the truth. All of these elements come together to create a slow-moving but enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good crime mystery.

[K. Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written mystery. As crime thrillers go, it ticks all the boxes. It twists turns and keeps you guessing. The author creates an atmosphere that keeps you interested. It is a slow burn but there is enough detail to keep the reader engaged. Some of the characters deserve a little more depth but all in all I would certainly recommend this book to fans of slow burn crime thrillers.

[Abduttayyeb Alotewala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping crime thriller that pulls you in from the very first page and refuses to let go. The atmosphere is dark, tense, and filled with unsettling twists that keep you guessing. Chris Hills Farrow crafts a story that balances suspense with intrigue beautifully. A must-read for fans of intense, edge-of-your-seat mysteries.