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Sage Westfield #2
A Shroud of Leaves
“Finely observed beautifully written” Daily Mail on The Secrets of Life and Death
Archaeologist Sage Westfield has her first forensics case: investigating the murder of a teenage girl. Hidden by holly leaves, the girl’s body has been discovered on the grounds of a stately home, where another teenage girl went missing twenty years ago - but her body was never found. With mysterious links between the two disappearances, the police suspect the reclusive owner, Alistair Chorleigh, who was questioned twenty years ago but never charged. But when Sage investigates a nearby burial mound - and uncovers rumours of an ancient curse - she discovers the story of Edwin Masters, his friend Peter Chorleigh, and an excavation over a hundred years ago, that also ended in a mysterious disappearance. Still recovering from the traumatic events of her recent past, Sage will need both her modern forensics skills and her historical archaeological knowledge to unearth the devastating truth.
Archaeologist Sage Westfield has her first forensics case: investigating the murder of a teenage girl. Hidden by holly leaves, the girl’s body has been discovered on the grounds of a stately home, where another teenage girl went missing twenty years ago - but her body was never found. With mysterious links between the two disappearances, the police suspect the reclusive owner, Alistair Chorleigh, who was questioned twenty years ago but never charged. But when Sage investigates a nearby burial mound - and uncovers rumours of an ancient curse - she discovers the story of Edwin Masters, his friend Peter Chorleigh, and an excavation over a hundred years ago, that also ended in a mysterious disappearance. Still recovering from the traumatic events of her recent past, Sage will need both her modern forensics skills and her historical archaeological knowledge to unearth the devastating truth.
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2019
53 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Alexander
40 books155 followersHaving had a career in psychology, Rebecca Alexander decided to take time out to raise and home educate six children - and home educate herself with an MA in Creative Writing. The Secrets of Life and Death (2013) was a runner up in the 2011 novel writing competition with Mslexia and an agent and book deal for three books ensued. The Secrets of Blood and Bone (2014) and The Secrets of Time and Fate (2016) were published by Del Rey UK. With a historical strand exploring 16th century sorcery and a contemporary story about revenants, the books enjoyed a fantasy readership.
Since then, A Baby's Bones will be published by Titan Books (May 1 2018) and is decidedly crime. A sequel comes out next April, and the books follow the work of an archaeologist trying to solve crimes in the past. And staying safe in the present, with the help of Felix Guichard from the Secrets series. Things are still going bump in the night.
Since then, A Baby's Bones will be published by Titan Books (May 1 2018) and is decidedly crime. A sequel comes out next April, and the books follow the work of an archaeologist trying to solve crimes in the past. And staying safe in the present, with the help of Felix Guichard from the Secrets series. Things are still going bump in the night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 26, 2021
Written in similar fashion to the Ruth Galloway series, Sage Westfield is a forensic pathologist/archeologist/criminal expert who is at a crossroads in her life as to exactly what she wants to do next with her life. She's currently working on a case involving a current murder but soon discovers very ancient bones as well as a cold case from only decades ago. They all tied together by a set of barrows on the property. Barrows are similar to ancient mounds used for burial, trash, defense, etc. What I adore about this particular series and, sadly, it appears there are only two books in the series, is that every few chapters the author goes back in time to the historical case through letters or a diary and we are able to piece together what actually happened at that time while Sage is piecing together what they *think* happened based on their finds. I haven't found another book quite like these and if you are reading this and you know of a similar series, please let me know. I love the historical references found here.
October 11, 2021
A follow up to the first Sage Westfield book and just as good as the first. I always enjoy the combination of crime and archaeology and this ticked the boxes. Looking forward to book three!
February 1, 2021
I liked this book even less than its predecessor, A Baby's Bones. The author's use of two different mystery stories separated by many years follows a popular technique in the writing a lot of mystery novels today, but somehow for me, it just doesnt work here. And for some reason, I am not fond of her protagonist, Sage Westfield. For one thing her first name is reminiscent of something out of a cheap romance novel and for another Sage's life is just too complicated and embedded in a melodramatic cliched set of circumstances: she is a single mother with PTSD, in love with a besotted vicar and the daughter of a lesbian fron Kazakhstan!! None of these dramatic tropes in themselves are bad but it makes the whole story mawkish and a tad unbelieveable. And the events are so grim that suspension of disbelief can't be had -they seem intrusive in such a flat character's life. It just didn't work for me. I could hardly wait for the book to end.
July 9, 2019
Published on 9th July by Titan Books, 'A Shroud Of Leaves' by Rebecca Alexander is the second in the Sage Westfield Series.
Sage is a forensic archaelogist who is on tenterhooks for her first proper case-that of a missing teenage girl,found dead and very carfeully covered in a specific type of leaf, in the grounds of Chorleigh House. The traumatised dog walker who literally fell across the body was alerted to it by her dog , so cleverly was she hidden.
River was a 15 year old girl and the sense of loss of life and respect for the dead is keenly felt by Sage and conveyed so well to the reader-from the details of setting the scene to the onlooking parents,alerted by local media tempered with the need to preserve the scene is very well rendered. The reader's first experience of Sage is as professional trying to balance her forensic needs, with that of the pathologist and police and to move quickly so that the body can be removed.
After becoming clear that this is a murder investigation,there are worrying flags about this being a repeat murder echoing one from two decades ago-the public and the police turn their attention immediately towards the previous suspect,islated stately home owner Alistair Chorleigh.
But if it was him, why was there such a long gap between the murders?
Where is the body of the previous girl?
When such effort was made to create a shroud over River's body,why was she left where dog walkers frequently go?
And what is the link with the nearby burial mounds that Sage is involved in excavating? At what point does science fact and superstition meet, and what truth are there in local rumours about the burial mound?
The novel alternates chapters between Sage, and early 20th century diary extracts/narratives from Edwin Masters who came to stay at Chorleigh House and who, it is hinted, is the missing architect/archaelogy student that the Chorleigh family hired to excavate the burrough. If so, does he hold the key to the mysteries of both then and now?
It mixes archaeological facts with forensics without leaving the reader behind(although I confess to having to re-read several parts to make sure that I understood them, in effect it felt like a reader's archaeological dig, hunting for clues!).
'A Shroud of Leaves' is a crime novel, mystery and a study of social class systems which shows that no matter how hard a person tries to erase what they have done, the evidence will always win out in the hunt for the truth.
Sage is an engaging and likeable character, she juggles her personal and professional lives with varying degrees of success throughout the novel; her lover and her child and her job do not always make easy bedfellows.
I loved the New Forest setting, it was so well rendered I felt I could smell the foliage and although I haven't read Book 1, I don't feel it was necessary to be able to follow Sage's storyline. However, I will absolutely be putting 'A Baby's Bones' on my tbr hitlist!
Sage is a forensic archaelogist who is on tenterhooks for her first proper case-that of a missing teenage girl,found dead and very carfeully covered in a specific type of leaf, in the grounds of Chorleigh House. The traumatised dog walker who literally fell across the body was alerted to it by her dog , so cleverly was she hidden.
River was a 15 year old girl and the sense of loss of life and respect for the dead is keenly felt by Sage and conveyed so well to the reader-from the details of setting the scene to the onlooking parents,alerted by local media tempered with the need to preserve the scene is very well rendered. The reader's first experience of Sage is as professional trying to balance her forensic needs, with that of the pathologist and police and to move quickly so that the body can be removed.
After becoming clear that this is a murder investigation,there are worrying flags about this being a repeat murder echoing one from two decades ago-the public and the police turn their attention immediately towards the previous suspect,islated stately home owner Alistair Chorleigh.
But if it was him, why was there such a long gap between the murders?
Where is the body of the previous girl?
When such effort was made to create a shroud over River's body,why was she left where dog walkers frequently go?
And what is the link with the nearby burial mounds that Sage is involved in excavating? At what point does science fact and superstition meet, and what truth are there in local rumours about the burial mound?
The novel alternates chapters between Sage, and early 20th century diary extracts/narratives from Edwin Masters who came to stay at Chorleigh House and who, it is hinted, is the missing architect/archaelogy student that the Chorleigh family hired to excavate the burrough. If so, does he hold the key to the mysteries of both then and now?
It mixes archaeological facts with forensics without leaving the reader behind(although I confess to having to re-read several parts to make sure that I understood them, in effect it felt like a reader's archaeological dig, hunting for clues!).
'A Shroud of Leaves' is a crime novel, mystery and a study of social class systems which shows that no matter how hard a person tries to erase what they have done, the evidence will always win out in the hunt for the truth.
Sage is an engaging and likeable character, she juggles her personal and professional lives with varying degrees of success throughout the novel; her lover and her child and her job do not always make easy bedfellows.
I loved the New Forest setting, it was so well rendered I felt I could smell the foliage and although I haven't read Book 1, I don't feel it was necessary to be able to follow Sage's storyline. However, I will absolutely be putting 'A Baby's Bones' on my tbr hitlist!
August 24, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher.
A SHROUD OF LEAVES by Rebecca Alexander is another exquisite tale of past and present colliding, where murder and betrayal are waiting to be sifted through by top archaeologist Sage Westfield who has her own complicated life to sift through too.
Struggling with what happened to her in the past, Sage takes on her first forensic archaeologist case when the body of a young girl is found unusually buried in the grounds of a stately home. As she tries to help uncover the truth of this case, Sage is drawn into two other missing person cases that occurred in the same place, one spanning over a hundred years ago. But as she begins to unpick what happened to Edwin Masters all those years ago, could it be linked to the modern cases? And as Sage stumbles across the truth, will the horror of the past end up killing her too?
While this is the second book in this series (review link for the first book here - www.booksofallkinds.weebly.com) it can easily be read as a standalone, although why have one great book when you can have two?
Sage is a wonderful character who is relatable and likeable as she tries to deal with everything that is happening. Determined to bull through her PTSD on her own, she is pushing those who love her away while she throws everything she has into her work but when danger comes knocking and the truth of the murdered girl becomes known, Sage begins to recognise that she needs help and I was willing her to find the peace and help that she needed. I loved the historical element of the tale told through Edwin's journal even though it broke my heart, and as before, Rebecca Alexander weaves the past and present together to make one seamless crime thriller that surely needs to be made into a tv drama series?! I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Twisted, engaging, and completely unputdownable, A SHROUD OF LEAVES by Rebecca Alexander is simply superb and I cannot wait for more from this fabulous author.
A SHROUD OF LEAVES by Rebecca Alexander is another exquisite tale of past and present colliding, where murder and betrayal are waiting to be sifted through by top archaeologist Sage Westfield who has her own complicated life to sift through too.
Struggling with what happened to her in the past, Sage takes on her first forensic archaeologist case when the body of a young girl is found unusually buried in the grounds of a stately home. As she tries to help uncover the truth of this case, Sage is drawn into two other missing person cases that occurred in the same place, one spanning over a hundred years ago. But as she begins to unpick what happened to Edwin Masters all those years ago, could it be linked to the modern cases? And as Sage stumbles across the truth, will the horror of the past end up killing her too?
While this is the second book in this series (review link for the first book here - www.booksofallkinds.weebly.com) it can easily be read as a standalone, although why have one great book when you can have two?
Sage is a wonderful character who is relatable and likeable as she tries to deal with everything that is happening. Determined to bull through her PTSD on her own, she is pushing those who love her away while she throws everything she has into her work but when danger comes knocking and the truth of the murdered girl becomes known, Sage begins to recognise that she needs help and I was willing her to find the peace and help that she needed. I loved the historical element of the tale told through Edwin's journal even though it broke my heart, and as before, Rebecca Alexander weaves the past and present together to make one seamless crime thriller that surely needs to be made into a tv drama series?! I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Twisted, engaging, and completely unputdownable, A SHROUD OF LEAVES by Rebecca Alexander is simply superb and I cannot wait for more from this fabulous author.
August 8, 2022
The reasons why people do what they do!
This book was hard to put down.
Books about forensic anthropologists are hard to come by and this is masterfully written and stays true to history.
Three deaths from different time periods, 1913 to current day, are woven together to give you a story that is sad but very plausable.
This book was hard to put down.
Books about forensic anthropologists are hard to come by and this is masterfully written and stays true to history.
Three deaths from different time periods, 1913 to current day, are woven together to give you a story that is sad but very plausable.
March 17, 2021
A Shroud of Leaves goes back and forth from 1913 to the present, centred on two barrows found on the Chorleigh property. Two women are dead in the present-day story, one man went missing in 1913. Is there a link? At first I found the switching between the two stories quite annoying, despite having read many books written this way recently, but as I came to know the characters I wanted to know what happened to them next. There is a lot happening in this book and although it is possible to guess the outcome quite early in the story it keeps you turning the pages.
November 11, 2020
Let’s start with “it’s ok”. There’s nothing wrong with this book at all. Reasonable plot, well written, yada yada. Perhaps its major fault is that it’s dull. I struggled throughout the book to work up any enthusiasm for it and failed miserably. It wasn’t helped by the twin storyline of a mystery in 1913, which quite frankly could have, and should have been excised from the book. It really didn’t add a great deal. I’m also still puzzled by a particular thing that happens which explains the story. Not into giving spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that.
The blurb says “fans of Elly Griffiths’ Dr Ruth Galloway series will definitely want to meet Sage”. Sage being the main character, an archaeologist. I can confidently say “no, really, we won’t”. There’s only room for one forensic archaeologist and that’s Ruth, end of.
If the book was half the size and kept the storyline in this century I’d have been more positive, but having tried two books in this series I’m giving up on both it and the author. If however you’re new to the world of forensic archaeology, you may enjoy it rather more than I did.
The blurb says “fans of Elly Griffiths’ Dr Ruth Galloway series will definitely want to meet Sage”. Sage being the main character, an archaeologist. I can confidently say “no, really, we won’t”. There’s only room for one forensic archaeologist and that’s Ruth, end of.
If the book was half the size and kept the storyline in this century I’d have been more positive, but having tried two books in this series I’m giving up on both it and the author. If however you’re new to the world of forensic archaeology, you may enjoy it rather more than I did.
August 15, 2019
I just couldn’t get into this at all. There was far too much detail about who does what in a police investigation and not enough plot or character development. I was misled by the blurb thinking it’s the start of a series but this is book two and I was irritated to all the references to the last story. Maybe this tinged my view but I didn’t find it an enjoyable read
June 3, 2021
A little slow,but still a decent story. I'd give it 3and 1/2stars.
October 5, 2019
There was a lot for me to get excited about with A Shroud of Leaves, I’ve been really enjoying thrillers of late and the fact that this linked in with both a historical element and a twin offence in the more recent past, really sold it for me. It was also great to discover that it’s setting was the New Forest which is an area close to me and one we visit often. That discovery made the story all the more vivid in my mind. It turns out that this in fact book 2 in the series and whilst the story line for this investigation is entirely standalone there is much about Sage’s personal life that relates, I would assume, back to book 1. It doesn’t detract from being able to understand and enjoy this story line at all, but I did feel that Sage’s mundane family life was an unnecessary addition but perhaps it brought closure to those who have read earlier books.
This story has very little preamble, we are at the discovery site straight away and I enjoyed that as this was Sage’s first foray into the forensic side of archaeology, as it meant I was learning alongside of her too. This was fascinating and really brought to life that actually, the job is far from the glamorous ones portrayed on TV, it’s meticulous, repetitive and bleak at times. The decision to have Sage discover this way meant that I never felt like I didn’t understand what was going on and it made her discoveries all the more exciting. I found it easy to identify with Sage as growing up I wanted to be an archaeologist and then ended up working in the criminal justice system. I found her struggles to balance being a mother with a long hours job heartbreaking, especially having to shut off from horrors of the day. The story neatly flipped between present day and Edwin’s Story on an alternate chapter basis and whilst I didn’t find Edwin’s story immediately captivating, when I discovered the date he disappeared, it brought a whole new dimension to his part as the dates from his journal wind down to that day, bringing a real sense of unease. The Journal aspect brought him to life in a very personal way and his final few entries really tugged at me.
I enjoyed that in fact Sage’s investigation incorporated a 3rd aspect with the disappearance 20 years ago, it brought additional depth and helped bring the two time periods together. In fact it more often felt like it was the investigation into Lara’s disappearance that was the main story and that River’s murder was just the catalyst for that. Whilst I was left a little disappointed that River’s murder was tied up neatly in just a couple of pages, the cast of characters involved in discovering what happened to Lara more than made up for it. A real small village feel, where everyone was up in everyone else’s business creating a world of curtain twitchers and over ambitious local journalists. This cold case investigation alongside was really well executed and probably my favourite part of the story. Whilst this isn’t an edge of your seat thriller it does do impending dread really well and the culmination is outstanding.
Whilst I wish I had realised that this was a second in the series, I did still really enjoy this book. I found it fascinating with a good steady pace and a masterful weaving of time periods, I just think Sages fears would have been more impactful if I understood more of what came before. Sadly it was her personal life that brought the story down, I really had no interest in her mothers relationships and her partners job opportunities, I just wanted to get back to the investigation and the author should have had faith that Sage was a strong enough character to not have to try and bolster her with these elements.
I would love to go back and read book 1 and I’m certainly going to keep an eye out for any future books in the series.
This story has very little preamble, we are at the discovery site straight away and I enjoyed that as this was Sage’s first foray into the forensic side of archaeology, as it meant I was learning alongside of her too. This was fascinating and really brought to life that actually, the job is far from the glamorous ones portrayed on TV, it’s meticulous, repetitive and bleak at times. The decision to have Sage discover this way meant that I never felt like I didn’t understand what was going on and it made her discoveries all the more exciting. I found it easy to identify with Sage as growing up I wanted to be an archaeologist and then ended up working in the criminal justice system. I found her struggles to balance being a mother with a long hours job heartbreaking, especially having to shut off from horrors of the day. The story neatly flipped between present day and Edwin’s Story on an alternate chapter basis and whilst I didn’t find Edwin’s story immediately captivating, when I discovered the date he disappeared, it brought a whole new dimension to his part as the dates from his journal wind down to that day, bringing a real sense of unease. The Journal aspect brought him to life in a very personal way and his final few entries really tugged at me.
I enjoyed that in fact Sage’s investigation incorporated a 3rd aspect with the disappearance 20 years ago, it brought additional depth and helped bring the two time periods together. In fact it more often felt like it was the investigation into Lara’s disappearance that was the main story and that River’s murder was just the catalyst for that. Whilst I was left a little disappointed that River’s murder was tied up neatly in just a couple of pages, the cast of characters involved in discovering what happened to Lara more than made up for it. A real small village feel, where everyone was up in everyone else’s business creating a world of curtain twitchers and over ambitious local journalists. This cold case investigation alongside was really well executed and probably my favourite part of the story. Whilst this isn’t an edge of your seat thriller it does do impending dread really well and the culmination is outstanding.
Whilst I wish I had realised that this was a second in the series, I did still really enjoy this book. I found it fascinating with a good steady pace and a masterful weaving of time periods, I just think Sages fears would have been more impactful if I understood more of what came before. Sadly it was her personal life that brought the story down, I really had no interest in her mothers relationships and her partners job opportunities, I just wanted to get back to the investigation and the author should have had faith that Sage was a strong enough character to not have to try and bolster her with these elements.
I would love to go back and read book 1 and I’m certainly going to keep an eye out for any future books in the series.
December 1, 2022
Picked up at the dollar store without realizing it was a sequel until a few pages in, but I was so immediately compelled by the case and setting that I didn't care. The manor home on the edge of New Forest, the forest itself, the historical barrows (a.k.a. "Hound Butt," which I am not immune to laughing at); all came alive. And of course, the case itself -- a young woman buried in a shallow grave below the title objects, possibly linked to another girl gone missing 30 years earlier -- was instantly intriguing and stayed that way to the final page.
And yet, the flashback chapters to 1913 were almost better than the present day! I loved seeing the estate, only just built in 1888, at the height of its original glory, as well as meeting the Chorleigh family (other than its unpleasant patriarch) and visiting history/archaeology student Edwin. Catch me immediately falling for the friendship between Peter & Edwin, too, and then not only picking up on but running with the first subtle clue that I could (and should) ship them. Which is rarely if ever my first instinct, especially when there is a pretty 17-year-old sister of the best friend a man could be making eyes at instead!, so kudos for being Just That Excellent. And, um, shipping goggles aside, I really was fascinated by their excavation of one of the mounds, eager to see what they might find.
Back to the personal side of the modern day -- I did not care about her mom at all, but I loved Sage's relationship with Nick and after about 27 references to him having been stabbed in the previous book, I am definitely going to have to go back and watch them fall in love. I wish they hadn't been separated for so much of this book by distance and Sage's incessant "sorry honey I can't even think about moving in together, too busy with constant work at all," because every time he would express frustration about how he just wants to get married and officially be Max's Dad, my insides would liquefy anew.
Bummed this appears to be a duology rather than series, but also kind of hopeful it means they'll settle down and have their happy ending offscreen, too (while simultaneously thinking: okay, but if you didn't have to delay their happy ending to pad out a series-length timeline then WHY WOULD YOU).
...thought I was done but wait, a few more thoughts. I didn't actually mind Sage being at work all the time, because the case was fascinating! I've never read a book that featured an archaeologist working with crime scene evidence, for one, and not since the CSI novels have I seen so much attention paid to the examination of evidence. But I like that there's still kind of a detective angle to it, between talking to the actual detectives and the way she starts going back to speak with Chorleigh, in a less formal capacity, to learn more about the history of the barrows and the rest of the property. I couldn't figure out if I trusted him or not, just like I couldn't figure out where basically any part of the case was going to go. I had a pretty good suspicion about who had killed River that turned out to be right, but the rest was all a beautiful surprise.
I'm honestly very close to 5 stars, except the plot includes some highly unpleasant animal abuse and also, I'm still annoyed at the main's character's dumbass trait of hooking up with/having a baby with a married man who already had a family, though fortunately they do not factor into this story at all.
And yet, the flashback chapters to 1913 were almost better than the present day! I loved seeing the estate, only just built in 1888, at the height of its original glory, as well as meeting the Chorleigh family (other than its unpleasant patriarch) and visiting history/archaeology student Edwin. Catch me immediately falling for the friendship between Peter & Edwin, too, and then not only picking up on but running with the first subtle clue that I could (and should) ship them. Which is rarely if ever my first instinct, especially when there is a pretty 17-year-old sister of the best friend a man could be making eyes at instead!, so kudos for being Just That Excellent. And, um, shipping goggles aside, I really was fascinated by their excavation of one of the mounds, eager to see what they might find.
Back to the personal side of the modern day -- I did not care about her mom at all, but I loved Sage's relationship with Nick and after about 27 references to him having been stabbed in the previous book, I am definitely going to have to go back and watch them fall in love. I wish they hadn't been separated for so much of this book by distance and Sage's incessant "sorry honey I can't even think about moving in together, too busy with constant work at all," because every time he would express frustration about how he just wants to get married and officially be Max's Dad, my insides would liquefy anew.
Bummed this appears to be a duology rather than series, but also kind of hopeful it means they'll settle down and have their happy ending offscreen, too (while simultaneously thinking: okay, but if you didn't have to delay their happy ending to pad out a series-length timeline then WHY WOULD YOU).
...thought I was done but wait, a few more thoughts. I didn't actually mind Sage being at work all the time, because the case was fascinating! I've never read a book that featured an archaeologist working with crime scene evidence, for one, and not since the CSI novels have I seen so much attention paid to the examination of evidence. But I like that there's still kind of a detective angle to it, between talking to the actual detectives and the way she starts going back to speak with Chorleigh, in a less formal capacity, to learn more about the history of the barrows and the rest of the property. I couldn't figure out if I trusted him or not, just like I couldn't figure out where basically any part of the case was going to go. I had a pretty good suspicion about who had killed River that turned out to be right, but the rest was all a beautiful surprise.
I'm honestly very close to 5 stars, except the plot includes some highly unpleasant animal abuse and also, I'm still annoyed at the main's character's dumbass trait of hooking up with/having a baby with a married man who already had a family, though fortunately they do not factor into this story at all.
January 25, 2022
Sage is a forensic archaeologist who is on tenterhooks for her first proper case-that of a missing teenage girl, found dead and very carfeully covered in a specific type of leaf, in the grounds of Chorleigh House. The traumatised dog walker who literally fell across the body was alerted to it by her dog , so cleverly was she hidden.
River was a 15 year old girl and the sense of loss of life and respect for the dead is keenly felt by Sage and conveyed so well to the reader-from the details of setting the scene to the onlooking parents, alerted by local media tempered with the need to preserve the scene is very well rendered. The reader's first experience of Sage is as professional trying to balance her forensic needs, with that of the pathologist and police and to move quickly so that the body can be removed.
After becoming clear that this is a murder investigation, there are worrying flags about this being a repeat murder echoing one from two decades ago-the public and the police turn their attention immediately towards the previous suspect, isolated stately home owner Alistair Chorleigh.
But if it was him, why was there such a long gap between the murders?
Where is the body of the previous girl?
When such effort was made to create a shroud over River's body,why was she left where dog walkers frequently go?
And what is the link with the nearby burial mounds that Sage is involved in excavating? At what point does science fact and superstition meet, and what truth are there in local rumours about the burial mound?
The novel alternates chapters between Sage, and early 20th century diary extracts/narratives from Edwin Masters who came to stay at Chorleigh House and who, it is hinted, is the missing architect/archaeology student that the Chorleigh family hired to excavate the burrough. If so, does he hold the key to the mysteries of both then and now?
It mixes archaeological facts with forensics without leaving the reader behind(although I confess to having to re-read several parts to make sure that I understood them, in effect it felt like a reader's archaeological dig, hunting for clues!).
'A Shroud of Leaves' is a crime novel, mystery and a study of social class systems which shows that no matter how hard a person tries to erase what they have done, the evidence will always win out in the hunt for the truth.
Sage is an engaging and likeable character, she juggles her personal and professional lives with varying degrees of success throughout the novel; her lover and her child and her job do not always make easy bedfellows.
I loved the New Forest setting, it was so well rendered I felt I could smell the foliage and although I haven't read Book 1, I don't feel it was necessary to be able to follow Sage's storyline. However, I will absolutely be putting 'A Baby's Bones' on my tbr hitlist!
River was a 15 year old girl and the sense of loss of life and respect for the dead is keenly felt by Sage and conveyed so well to the reader-from the details of setting the scene to the onlooking parents, alerted by local media tempered with the need to preserve the scene is very well rendered. The reader's first experience of Sage is as professional trying to balance her forensic needs, with that of the pathologist and police and to move quickly so that the body can be removed.
After becoming clear that this is a murder investigation, there are worrying flags about this being a repeat murder echoing one from two decades ago-the public and the police turn their attention immediately towards the previous suspect, isolated stately home owner Alistair Chorleigh.
But if it was him, why was there such a long gap between the murders?
Where is the body of the previous girl?
When such effort was made to create a shroud over River's body,why was she left where dog walkers frequently go?
And what is the link with the nearby burial mounds that Sage is involved in excavating? At what point does science fact and superstition meet, and what truth are there in local rumours about the burial mound?
The novel alternates chapters between Sage, and early 20th century diary extracts/narratives from Edwin Masters who came to stay at Chorleigh House and who, it is hinted, is the missing architect/archaeology student that the Chorleigh family hired to excavate the burrough. If so, does he hold the key to the mysteries of both then and now?
It mixes archaeological facts with forensics without leaving the reader behind(although I confess to having to re-read several parts to make sure that I understood them, in effect it felt like a reader's archaeological dig, hunting for clues!).
'A Shroud of Leaves' is a crime novel, mystery and a study of social class systems which shows that no matter how hard a person tries to erase what they have done, the evidence will always win out in the hunt for the truth.
Sage is an engaging and likeable character, she juggles her personal and professional lives with varying degrees of success throughout the novel; her lover and her child and her job do not always make easy bedfellows.
I loved the New Forest setting, it was so well rendered I felt I could smell the foliage and although I haven't read Book 1, I don't feel it was necessary to be able to follow Sage's storyline. However, I will absolutely be putting 'A Baby's Bones' on my tbr hitlist!
July 11, 2019
The role of a forensic archaeologist in solving crimes.
Dr Sage Westfield is attending her first case in her role as a forensic archaeologist. The body of River Sloane, fifteen-years-old is discovered by a dog walker buried on the grounds of Chorleigh House, in the New Forest. What complicates the case is that in 1992, another teenage girl had gone missing, and had never been found. The owner of the house, Alistair Chorleigh, had been suspected of killing the first teenager and now because River's body has been found in a grave, covered in leaves, he once again becomes the prime suspect. The team working on this recent murder are hoping that somehow, they will solve both crimes at the same time, their problem is why Chorleigh would bury a body that was going to be so easily uncovered on his property?
This was an especially interesting book for me as I’ve always had an interest in archaeology. I’d never realised before how significant a role a forensic archaeologist can play in solving a murder because they usually work with burial sites centuries old. Rebecca Alexander goes into great detail about the work that Sage Westfield and her fellow scientists play in helping the police solve the crime.
Alongside the present day murder, the reader gets a chance to read the journal of Edwin Masters, who had spent the summer of 1913 with his friend and fellow archaeology enthusiast Peter Chorleigh, as they uncover the secrets of the burial sites of the barrows on the property.
I can’t say I particularly liked any of the characters in the book, something that would generally make me lose interest very quickly. However, the detail of the investigation, the amount of work, mapping, new techniques and other information the author has included had me spellbound.
Imbali
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Dr Sage Westfield is attending her first case in her role as a forensic archaeologist. The body of River Sloane, fifteen-years-old is discovered by a dog walker buried on the grounds of Chorleigh House, in the New Forest. What complicates the case is that in 1992, another teenage girl had gone missing, and had never been found. The owner of the house, Alistair Chorleigh, had been suspected of killing the first teenager and now because River's body has been found in a grave, covered in leaves, he once again becomes the prime suspect. The team working on this recent murder are hoping that somehow, they will solve both crimes at the same time, their problem is why Chorleigh would bury a body that was going to be so easily uncovered on his property?
This was an especially interesting book for me as I’ve always had an interest in archaeology. I’d never realised before how significant a role a forensic archaeologist can play in solving a murder because they usually work with burial sites centuries old. Rebecca Alexander goes into great detail about the work that Sage Westfield and her fellow scientists play in helping the police solve the crime.
Alongside the present day murder, the reader gets a chance to read the journal of Edwin Masters, who had spent the summer of 1913 with his friend and fellow archaeology enthusiast Peter Chorleigh, as they uncover the secrets of the burial sites of the barrows on the property.
I can’t say I particularly liked any of the characters in the book, something that would generally make me lose interest very quickly. However, the detail of the investigation, the amount of work, mapping, new techniques and other information the author has included had me spellbound.
Imbali
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
October 14, 2019
Hello.
I hope you are having a great start of the week. Today is Monday and I have another review for you. But this time, the book is a little bit different. “Why different”?- you’ll ask. The main character is archaeologist, not a police officer. And she has a murder to solve.
Sage Westfield finally has her dream job. She has her first forensics case: investigating the murder of a teenage girl. The body has been found in a shroud of leaves. Sage is investigating the bones. Many years ago, another girl went missing and her body was never found. The circumstances suroounding the two cases are similar, and there might be a connection between them. The main suspect, now and then, is the owner of the land. But there is no proof. No witnesses, no evidence, nothing. Working on the investigation, Sage finds out about an old case of a missing person. Edwin Masters disappeared nearly one hundred years ago.
Can his disappearance be connected with the recent murder? Can it be connected to the disappearance of the girl twenty years ago?
A Shroud of Leaves is the second book in this series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first one, but that didn’t stop me from connecting with the characters and enjoying the plot.
I liked Sage as a character, she is a woman who tries to deal with everything that is happening at her job and at her home. Sage is suffering from PTSD and tries to deaI with it on her own. I have no idea what happened to her, haven’t read book number one, but I liked the way her vulnerability was presented. I like when the characters aren’t so perfect, but very down-to-earth and real.
I liked the plot and the writing style in the story. It is not fast-paced but slow and surrounded with mystery. Sometimes I need reads like that. Will be in the search for the next in the series!
I hope you are having a great start of the week. Today is Monday and I have another review for you. But this time, the book is a little bit different. “Why different”?- you’ll ask. The main character is archaeologist, not a police officer. And she has a murder to solve.
Sage Westfield finally has her dream job. She has her first forensics case: investigating the murder of a teenage girl. The body has been found in a shroud of leaves. Sage is investigating the bones. Many years ago, another girl went missing and her body was never found. The circumstances suroounding the two cases are similar, and there might be a connection between them. The main suspect, now and then, is the owner of the land. But there is no proof. No witnesses, no evidence, nothing. Working on the investigation, Sage finds out about an old case of a missing person. Edwin Masters disappeared nearly one hundred years ago.
Can his disappearance be connected with the recent murder? Can it be connected to the disappearance of the girl twenty years ago?
A Shroud of Leaves is the second book in this series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first one, but that didn’t stop me from connecting with the characters and enjoying the plot.
I liked Sage as a character, she is a woman who tries to deal with everything that is happening at her job and at her home. Sage is suffering from PTSD and tries to deaI with it on her own. I have no idea what happened to her, haven’t read book number one, but I liked the way her vulnerability was presented. I like when the characters aren’t so perfect, but very down-to-earth and real.
I liked the plot and the writing style in the story. It is not fast-paced but slow and surrounded with mystery. Sometimes I need reads like that. Will be in the search for the next in the series!
August 19, 2019
Having read Rebecca Alexander's first book, A Baby's Bones, last year (and loved it by the way!), I was so excited to pick this up. The best way I can describe this is a historic who done it with a bit of a mix of what I can only describe at the moment as almost supernatural.
This story is split between two time lines. In the first time line, you have Sage in the present day where she is brought in to investigate the murder of a teenage girl. But this murder is not your ordinary run of the mill murder. The body is hidden by holly and placed in a way that was almost caring. Not only that but twenty years previously another person had gone missing. Sage is assisting in the investigation of not only the current day murder but in the mystery of the missing person from years ago. In the second time line, you have Edwin Masters and his friend Peter Chorleigh who are excavating the same place where Sage is in the current day but only a hundred years earlier.
The two time lines are weaved together beautifully so that as you are reading Sage's part of the story then the story of Edwin and Peter pop up to explain a bit more of the story.
I could not put this down. Even though it was 400 pages long I read this in one day, over a very quiet Sunday!!
Also, even though this is book 2 in a series you do not have to read the first book to get what is happening in the second book but, certainly, reading the first book (A Baby's Bones) will give you more of an idea of the bigger picture with the main character, Sage.
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
This story is split between two time lines. In the first time line, you have Sage in the present day where she is brought in to investigate the murder of a teenage girl. But this murder is not your ordinary run of the mill murder. The body is hidden by holly and placed in a way that was almost caring. Not only that but twenty years previously another person had gone missing. Sage is assisting in the investigation of not only the current day murder but in the mystery of the missing person from years ago. In the second time line, you have Edwin Masters and his friend Peter Chorleigh who are excavating the same place where Sage is in the current day but only a hundred years earlier.
The two time lines are weaved together beautifully so that as you are reading Sage's part of the story then the story of Edwin and Peter pop up to explain a bit more of the story.
I could not put this down. Even though it was 400 pages long I read this in one day, over a very quiet Sunday!!
Also, even though this is book 2 in a series you do not have to read the first book to get what is happening in the second book but, certainly, reading the first book (A Baby's Bones) will give you more of an idea of the bigger picture with the main character, Sage.
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
June 24, 2019
Thank you to Titan Books for my copy of A Shroud of Leaves in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Sage Westfield is an archeologist interested in moving into the field of Forensic Archeology. Her first case overseen by her tutor, is that of a girl found in a shallow grave and buried beneath a pile of leaves in the grounds of a stately home. Twenty years earlier another young girl went missing in the same place and As Sage's investigation brings her to some ancient burial mounds in the land around the house, she discovers yet another disappearance over 100 years before. And the old disappearances become entangled with the new.
This is book 2 in the Sage Westfield series. I didn't realise this, however, it is ok to read as a stand-alone but there are elements of the story relating to Sage's personal life and a previous investigation that I got a bit lost on from not reading the previous book.
I did enjoy this book, I found the story very intriguing the threads of the different disappearances coming together and linking in, the historical elements were really interesting and I found it had a good exploration of the local area especially the new forest.
I didn't guess any of the twists or conclusions which is always a sign of a well written crime novel! I'm definitely going to have to check out book one now!
Synopsis: Sage Westfield is an archeologist interested in moving into the field of Forensic Archeology. Her first case overseen by her tutor, is that of a girl found in a shallow grave and buried beneath a pile of leaves in the grounds of a stately home. Twenty years earlier another young girl went missing in the same place and As Sage's investigation brings her to some ancient burial mounds in the land around the house, she discovers yet another disappearance over 100 years before. And the old disappearances become entangled with the new.
This is book 2 in the Sage Westfield series. I didn't realise this, however, it is ok to read as a stand-alone but there are elements of the story relating to Sage's personal life and a previous investigation that I got a bit lost on from not reading the previous book.
I did enjoy this book, I found the story very intriguing the threads of the different disappearances coming together and linking in, the historical elements were really interesting and I found it had a good exploration of the local area especially the new forest.
I didn't guess any of the twists or conclusions which is always a sign of a well written crime novel! I'm definitely going to have to check out book one now!
November 17, 2020
I picked up this novel because I really enjoyed the first book in the series, "A Baby's Bones", but I didn't enjoy this book as much. I found the pacing very slow and repetitious.
Like the first book, there is a dual timeline - the present and 1913. Sage Westfield is a forensic archaeologist who is investigating her first case, a missing teenage girl found buried in a shallow grave that is very carefully covered with leaves on the lawn of the Chorleigh estate. Working with the local police, she learns that about 20 years prior another local teenage girl went missing but no body was ever found. The case really affects Sage and she is determined to discover the murderer and also what happened to the other girl and if there's a connection between both cases.
While interviewing Alistair Chorleigh, the current owner of the estate, Sage learns that back in 1913 a friend of the family also went missing while investigating the Bronze Age barrows on the estate grounds. Again, she wonders if there's a connection with the present-day cases and so she starts investigating that case too.
There are mentions of events that happened in the first book of the series, but you don't need to read that one to read "A Shroud of Leaves". I would recommend you read "A Baby's Bones" because I felt it was the better book. I'll probably read the next book in the series if there is one.
Like the first book, there is a dual timeline - the present and 1913. Sage Westfield is a forensic archaeologist who is investigating her first case, a missing teenage girl found buried in a shallow grave that is very carefully covered with leaves on the lawn of the Chorleigh estate. Working with the local police, she learns that about 20 years prior another local teenage girl went missing but no body was ever found. The case really affects Sage and she is determined to discover the murderer and also what happened to the other girl and if there's a connection between both cases.
While interviewing Alistair Chorleigh, the current owner of the estate, Sage learns that back in 1913 a friend of the family also went missing while investigating the Bronze Age barrows on the estate grounds. Again, she wonders if there's a connection with the present-day cases and so she starts investigating that case too.
There are mentions of events that happened in the first book of the series, but you don't need to read that one to read "A Shroud of Leaves". I would recommend you read "A Baby's Bones" because I felt it was the better book. I'll probably read the next book in the series if there is one.
August 8, 2019
I LOVED THIS BOOK! If I'm really honest, it reminds me of the Bones TV series with Dr. Temperance Brennan, which was always one of my favourite shows. I remember binge watching that because I loved the characters and storyline SO much. This novel had everything from that TV series that I loved about it - banter, drama, thrills, and mystery. Plus, the personal character arc only adds to my interest!
Rebecca Alexander is a supremely talented writer. She has the ability to draw you into the story itself and hold you captive until its conclusion. A Shroud of Leaves is steeped in folk history, psychology, and scientific study. Sage and the rest of the cast are all highly individual and you can nearly feel their various motives, fears, and dreams. Their individual plots all interact so well to create this poignant story about finding the root of the crimes committed covered up by individual stories. I really couldn't put it down and highly recommend this to anyone who loves murder mysteries or crime thrillers!
Rebecca Alexander is a supremely talented writer. She has the ability to draw you into the story itself and hold you captive until its conclusion. A Shroud of Leaves is steeped in folk history, psychology, and scientific study. Sage and the rest of the cast are all highly individual and you can nearly feel their various motives, fears, and dreams. Their individual plots all interact so well to create this poignant story about finding the root of the crimes committed covered up by individual stories. I really couldn't put it down and highly recommend this to anyone who loves murder mysteries or crime thrillers!
April 30, 2022
A brand new author to me and one I picked up for International Women's day back along. I picked this book for the fact it mentions for fans of Elly Griffith's who I adore and love her books. This book is the second in the series and I found that some parts was a little confusing as it relates to things which I can only assume happened in the first book. But I found that I was able to still enjoy the book and the story line.
I liked the injection of the past in between the present in the way of journal entries. The way the author mixed the two together as well as the mixture of police practice and archaeology. It makes a promising story of history and the present together like other authors have done. I look forward to finding and buying the first book and any other books that the author brings out in the future.
I liked the injection of the past in between the present in the way of journal entries. The way the author mixed the two together as well as the mixture of police practice and archaeology. It makes a promising story of history and the present together like other authors have done. I look forward to finding and buying the first book and any other books that the author brings out in the future.
February 8, 2020
I thought it was a less than interesting story about an archeologist undecided throughout most of the book about transitioning into a criminal forensic career, and undecided about a romantic relationship. The protagonist, Sage, is caught up in a case of a murdered teen and another teen in an unsolved mystery of a long term disappearance. The two cases, connected by thousands of years in burial remains, coincide in suspicious circumstances involving the Chorleigh family, property owners of the excavated burial mounds.
The chapters alternate between archeological research done in the early twentieth century and now. The fate of man leading the earlier digs becomes curiously shared with the missing teen.
The chapters alternate between archeological research done in the early twentieth century and now. The fate of man leading the earlier digs becomes curiously shared with the missing teen.
Read
March 1, 2024Although I read most of this, it's easier to call it as DNF, telling me I don't want any more from this series. The dual timeline - a mystery from the past and one from the present day - is interesting enough, but my preferred author is Kate Ellis (Wesley Peterson series). If the author is not careful, it can easily become boring. The main issue I had is the protagonist, Sage Westfield. This character is annoying, with many personal problems. She's apparently unlucky, and if she's going to be targeted by the bad guys in every book and saved at the last minute for that thrilling finish, that lets me out. I like my heroines / heroes to be heroic at least most of the time.
As usual, no rating for a DNF.
As usual, no rating for a DNF.
July 18, 2019
This was just an average crime thriller for me.
I liked the forensic aspects of this book. I think the chapters set in the present day were quite interesting and engaging.
However, I was less interested in the chapters set in 1913. I found those chapters to be quite dull.
The writing style was pretty average and I didn't think the book was particularly pacey, it was quite a slow burn story.
It was also on the fairly long side and I think it could have been shorter.
I did like the rep for PTSD in this book and mentions of EMDR therapy. Something which I've never seen represented in a book before.
Overall, this wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
I liked the forensic aspects of this book. I think the chapters set in the present day were quite interesting and engaging.
However, I was less interested in the chapters set in 1913. I found those chapters to be quite dull.
The writing style was pretty average and I didn't think the book was particularly pacey, it was quite a slow burn story.
It was also on the fairly long side and I think it could have been shorter.
I did like the rep for PTSD in this book and mentions of EMDR therapy. Something which I've never seen represented in a book before.
Overall, this wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
September 10, 2019
I was very excited to read this after reading the first Sage Westfield book, A Baby's Bones. That was a great book and I couldn't wait for the second one. However, this one just didn't do the trick for me. It had too many details about archeology and the police investigation which just weighed the book down. Things moved too slowly until the last part of the book before things started to get really interesting. I do look forward to more Sage books. I just hope they are more like the first one and concentrate more on the characters and less on archeological and investigative details.
November 1, 2019
This is the 2nd book in the Sage Westfield series.
While I enjoyed it, it was not as good as the first book, IMO.
Once again, Sage is investigating a case that has ties to an older case/event. In this case, 2 prior cases.
There are times here where you want to grab Sage by her shoulders and shake her.
I do like the character, though she does frustrate me at times.
And I will read the next book in this series, when it comes out.
While I enjoyed it, it was not as good as the first book, IMO.
Once again, Sage is investigating a case that has ties to an older case/event. In this case, 2 prior cases.
There are times here where you want to grab Sage by her shoulders and shake her.
I do like the character, though she does frustrate me at times.
And I will read the next book in this series, when it comes out.
October 22, 2021
Fascinating story.
Excellent story telling. I love the way the past and present are intertwined. The characters are brilliantly portrayed and Rebecca paints their picture with her paintbrush of words. Although references are made to the first book 'A baby's bones' it does not detract from this book. I do recommend reading the first book, but, both are stand alone stories. To get to know Sage better, read book one. Number three please Reb?
Excellent story telling. I love the way the past and present are intertwined. The characters are brilliantly portrayed and Rebecca paints their picture with her paintbrush of words. Although references are made to the first book 'A baby's bones' it does not detract from this book. I do recommend reading the first book, but, both are stand alone stories. To get to know Sage better, read book one. Number three please Reb?
February 21, 2023
I think it was a decent story. But I feel it could have been 100-150 pages shorter because some of the "investigation" dragged for so long (and not in an interesting way) the ending as things started to tie together was fun though.
Also I didn't realize this was second book of the series until much later, I'm sure with the first book the flashbacks would have made a bit more sense but it was still readable as a standalone.
Also I didn't realize this was second book of the series until much later, I'm sure with the first book the flashbacks would have made a bit more sense but it was still readable as a standalone.
November 22, 2023
This is the second book in the series and Rebecca does not disappoint us. I like the way she uses one chapter to go back in time when the first murder occurred and then the current murder where Sage works the scene with other people. Sage is also going through some moments with Nick who is applying for a job elsewhere. This time the body has just been found with leaves on her near a home.
Once you pick up the book you do not want to put it down.
Once you pick up the book you do not want to put it down.
September 15, 2019
This was very slow reading for me....two time lines are not one of my favorite presentations of a story...although I like anthropology reads, this was a bit too detailed for me...I actually got tired of trying to follow things and came to the conclusion I didn’t really want to finish this, so I didn’t...
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