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Hills & Barbrook #2
The Lost Shrine
Clare Hills, archaeologist and sometime sleuth, is struggling to finance her recently established university research institute along with her long-time friend, Dr David Barbrook. When Professor Margaret Bockford finds the Hart Unit commercial work with a housing developer on a site in the Cotswolds, the pair are hardly in a position to refuse. There is just one slight the previous site director, Beth Kinsella, was found hanged in a copse on-site, surrounded by mutilated wildlife.
Despite initial misgivings, Clare leads a team to continue work on the dig, but with rumours about Beth’s mental state and her claims that the site was historically significant refusing to be laid to rest, and lingering disquiet between local residents and the developers, progress is impeded at every turn. When one of the workers finds something unsettling, Clare suspects there may be more to Beth’s claims than first thought. But can she uncover the truth before it is hidden for ever?
Despite initial misgivings, Clare leads a team to continue work on the dig, but with rumours about Beth’s mental state and her claims that the site was historically significant refusing to be laid to rest, and lingering disquiet between local residents and the developers, progress is impeded at every turn. When one of the workers finds something unsettling, Clare suspects there may be more to Beth’s claims than first thought. But can she uncover the truth before it is hidden for ever?
320 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2020
7 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Ford
6 books29 followersNicola Ford is the alter ego of Dr Nick Snashall, archaeologist for the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. Through her day-job and now her writing, she's spent more time than most people thinking about the dead.
Nicola's writing brings together the worlds of archaeology and crime, unravelling the tangled threads left behind by murder to reveal the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.
The Hidden Bones is her debut novel.
Nicola's writing brings together the worlds of archaeology and crime, unravelling the tangled threads left behind by murder to reveal the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.
The Hidden Bones is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 29, 2019
I really enjoyed The Hidden Bones, the first book in the series featuring archaeologists Clare Hills and David Barbrook. Although The Lost Shrine can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone, it does contain references to events in the earlier book so, ideally, I would recommend reading the series from the beginning.
I enjoyed being reunited with some of Clare’s team from the previous book, such as Margaret and Jo, and, of course, her friend and colleague, David. They share her passion for archaeology or, as it’s described at one point, the process of ‘bringing the obscure, the overlooked, the people who lived in the cracks into the light’.
As I noted in my review of The Hidden Bones, archaeology has much in common with the investigation of a crime. They both involve gathering and piecing together evidence, investigating available source information, testing assumptions and coming to conclusions. And a crime scene must be preserved in the same way as an archaeological excavation site.
Having taken over the excavation, Clare finds herself getting contradictory messages about the person Beth really was – dedicated archaeologist or obsessive, troubled soul? ‘It seemed as if everyone had known a different Beth Kinsella’. Clare sets out to find out more using the approach of an archaeologist, visiting a former site Beth had excavated. ‘She wanted to get a sense of her from the places that had shaped her.’
The mystery of Beth’s death is not the only thing competing for Clare’s attention. As well as the administrative responsibilities of being site director and the financial worries about the future of the research institute, there’s the unwelcome activity of so-called ‘nighthawks’ (illegal metal detectorists), opposition from local residents to the housing development and pressure from the developer, Paul Marshall, to get the job finished quickly. Oh, and Clare’s still dealing with the emotional and financial consequences of her husband’s death, not to mention its circumstances.
The murder of a young man initially seems unconnected but perhaps like Clare’s boss, David, you don’t believe in coincidences. Soon the bodies are piling up and they’re definitely not all Iron Age. As with The Hidden Bones, the author kept me guessing as to who the culprit was right up to the book’s dramatic climax. Eventually the perpetrator and their motive is revealed but not before Clare has been reminded how dangerous asking questions can be.
As you might expect from an author who is also a National Trust archaeologist, the book is full of realistic detail about archaeological procedures. Also, the modern day reality of being a professional archaeologist, whether that’s the need to secure research funding when working in an academic environment or, when working on commercial excavations as in The Lost Shrine, the conflict that can arise between maintaining archaeological integrity and pressure from developers to work quickly and at minimum cost.
There are a few secondary plot lines left unresolved at the end of the book which some may regard as loose ends. I prefer to think of them as finds waiting to be discovered on future digs as I, for one, very much hope there will be more books in the series.
Like its predecessor, The Lost Shrine is an engrossing murder mystery. With apologies to those not familiar with UK TV series, think of it perhaps as the intriguing love child of Midsomer Murders and Time Team. I believe The Lost Shrine will appeal equally to fans of crime fiction and those with an interest in history or archaeology.
I enjoyed being reunited with some of Clare’s team from the previous book, such as Margaret and Jo, and, of course, her friend and colleague, David. They share her passion for archaeology or, as it’s described at one point, the process of ‘bringing the obscure, the overlooked, the people who lived in the cracks into the light’.
As I noted in my review of The Hidden Bones, archaeology has much in common with the investigation of a crime. They both involve gathering and piecing together evidence, investigating available source information, testing assumptions and coming to conclusions. And a crime scene must be preserved in the same way as an archaeological excavation site.
Having taken over the excavation, Clare finds herself getting contradictory messages about the person Beth really was – dedicated archaeologist or obsessive, troubled soul? ‘It seemed as if everyone had known a different Beth Kinsella’. Clare sets out to find out more using the approach of an archaeologist, visiting a former site Beth had excavated. ‘She wanted to get a sense of her from the places that had shaped her.’
The mystery of Beth’s death is not the only thing competing for Clare’s attention. As well as the administrative responsibilities of being site director and the financial worries about the future of the research institute, there’s the unwelcome activity of so-called ‘nighthawks’ (illegal metal detectorists), opposition from local residents to the housing development and pressure from the developer, Paul Marshall, to get the job finished quickly. Oh, and Clare’s still dealing with the emotional and financial consequences of her husband’s death, not to mention its circumstances.
The murder of a young man initially seems unconnected but perhaps like Clare’s boss, David, you don’t believe in coincidences. Soon the bodies are piling up and they’re definitely not all Iron Age. As with The Hidden Bones, the author kept me guessing as to who the culprit was right up to the book’s dramatic climax. Eventually the perpetrator and their motive is revealed but not before Clare has been reminded how dangerous asking questions can be.
As you might expect from an author who is also a National Trust archaeologist, the book is full of realistic detail about archaeological procedures. Also, the modern day reality of being a professional archaeologist, whether that’s the need to secure research funding when working in an academic environment or, when working on commercial excavations as in The Lost Shrine, the conflict that can arise between maintaining archaeological integrity and pressure from developers to work quickly and at minimum cost.
There are a few secondary plot lines left unresolved at the end of the book which some may regard as loose ends. I prefer to think of them as finds waiting to be discovered on future digs as I, for one, very much hope there will be more books in the series.
Like its predecessor, The Lost Shrine is an engrossing murder mystery. With apologies to those not familiar with UK TV series, think of it perhaps as the intriguing love child of Midsomer Murders and Time Team. I believe The Lost Shrine will appeal equally to fans of crime fiction and those with an interest in history or archaeology.
February 1, 2022
This book certainly started off with a bang, a sort of druid is leading a group of people up a hill into a wood when they find, well an horrific site with animals killed and tied up with orange baler twine, and the leader of an archaeological excavation is found hanging from a tree, apparently from suicide. Really? You have to read the horrible description and wonder if anyone actually looked into this.
The book is fast paced and in order to gain funds for the archaeological dept Clare steps in to carry on leading the dig with the original diggers. There follows a lot of trouble. You need to read this thoroughly as the clues are there but buried a little, bit like the babies' bones which are unearthed. More bodies follow, and these are people connected to the dig.
It seems mad to say that I really liked this book! Although I didn't really feel connected to Clare the main character she was a bit wishy washy but the rest of the characters were interesting. I will look for other books written by Nicola Ford, she is obviously an archaeologist and I like archaeological thrillers!
The book is fast paced and in order to gain funds for the archaeological dept Clare steps in to carry on leading the dig with the original diggers. There follows a lot of trouble. You need to read this thoroughly as the clues are there but buried a little, bit like the babies' bones which are unearthed. More bodies follow, and these are people connected to the dig.
It seems mad to say that I really liked this book! Although I didn't really feel connected to Clare the main character she was a bit wishy washy but the rest of the characters were interesting. I will look for other books written by Nicola Ford, she is obviously an archaeologist and I like archaeological thrillers!
July 15, 2020
As a fan of Elly Griffiths' series of archaeological murder mysteries, I was naturally thrilled to discover Nicola Ford. "The Lost Shrine" was a novel I picked up out of curiosity at my local library, and on finishing it, became hungry for more of Claire Hills' adventures - digging and sleuthing, while navigating her way between the need to fulfil her contract with an impatient developer, and her desire to discover just what her predecessor had found at Bailsgrove to convince her it was the location of an ancient shrine. The developer just wants the job done and the digging crew gone, but the project is seriously hampered by murder.
Mark this book down as one to read on a rainy day when you're in a hurry to go nowhere, and have the time to indulge in it from beginning to end with few interuptions. Meantime, I've ordered the title that preceded this one (The Hidden Bones) in which Ford first introduces Claire Hills and Co. I hope there will be many subsequent titles to follow in this addictive series.
Mark this book down as one to read on a rainy day when you're in a hurry to go nowhere, and have the time to indulge in it from beginning to end with few interuptions. Meantime, I've ordered the title that preceded this one (The Hidden Bones) in which Ford first introduces Claire Hills and Co. I hope there will be many subsequent titles to follow in this addictive series.
February 20, 2020
Enjoyable second novel in the Hills and Barbrook series, I once again liked the archaeological references but found the story a bit predictable. Easy to work out the bad guy fairly early on.
April 4, 2022
2.75* rounded up to 3*
October 25, 2025
You can tell the author is a professional archaeologist with the details she puts intp the book but this means at times it felt I was reading a text book.
The plot is a bit thin and that doesn't really get going until towards the end and to make up a decent word count becomes repetitive.
You can't help comparing the book to the Ruth Galloway series but unlike Elly Griffiths, Nicola Ford makes her characters dull, giving them nothing outside their professional lives.
Not a series to continue with for me.
The plot is a bit thin and that doesn't really get going until towards the end and to make up a decent word count becomes repetitive.
You can't help comparing the book to the Ruth Galloway series but unlike Elly Griffiths, Nicola Ford makes her characters dull, giving them nothing outside their professional lives.
Not a series to continue with for me.
May 30, 2019
4.5 stars
I reviewed the first book by Nicola - The Hidden Bones - last year and now the series has its own name. “Hills and Barbrook” after the two main archeology characters.
The Lost Shrine can be read as a stand alone although there are mentions to some of the events in book one, and an unfinished thread to move us forward. Clare, David and Jo, and others are back and already they feel familiar. There’s also some new characters including a local druid who makes things - interesting.
Clare is let loose leading her own dig in the Cotswolds, one their unit needs the money from to stay afloat. They’ve been hired by a commercial property developer to disprove the theory of the previous site lead. At least that’s what he’s hoping. The ethics of such a job is explored really well, especially when the neighbourhood is against the development too.
The police are back too. Sally, David’s other half is back in Salisbury heading up a murder investigation, the ladies in this series definitely have their work cut out for them. And is Mark Stone in the Cotswolds a help, a hindrance, or something more? Was the previous site lead’s death really a macabre suicide?
As with the previous book the tension grows throughout from a Time Team style dig (loved the drone operator’s nickname) to English country crime thriller. Hills and Barbrook have settled in with book two and I’m with them for the journey.
I was gifted a copy by the publisher for the purposes of this honest review.
I reviewed the first book by Nicola - The Hidden Bones - last year and now the series has its own name. “Hills and Barbrook” after the two main archeology characters.
The Lost Shrine can be read as a stand alone although there are mentions to some of the events in book one, and an unfinished thread to move us forward. Clare, David and Jo, and others are back and already they feel familiar. There’s also some new characters including a local druid who makes things - interesting.
Clare is let loose leading her own dig in the Cotswolds, one their unit needs the money from to stay afloat. They’ve been hired by a commercial property developer to disprove the theory of the previous site lead. At least that’s what he’s hoping. The ethics of such a job is explored really well, especially when the neighbourhood is against the development too.
The police are back too. Sally, David’s other half is back in Salisbury heading up a murder investigation, the ladies in this series definitely have their work cut out for them. And is Mark Stone in the Cotswolds a help, a hindrance, or something more? Was the previous site lead’s death really a macabre suicide?
As with the previous book the tension grows throughout from a Time Team style dig (loved the drone operator’s nickname) to English country crime thriller. Hills and Barbrook have settled in with book two and I’m with them for the journey.
I was gifted a copy by the publisher for the purposes of this honest review.
April 29, 2019
The Mixture of murder mystery with archeology makes The Lost Shrine a thrilling read.
The Lost Shrine is like a murder mystery happening in the middle of Time Team. (Time team is a TV that followed archeology digs in the UK hosted by Tony Robinson. It was great you should google it) I am a history geek, so I loved reading about the dig, the items found even the paperwork need to remove certain items.
Nicola writing style is detailed, easy to read and engaging. Never was I left wondering about any technical or archeology term, as it’s alway explained. She has also created an interesting bunch of character, the type of characters that if you invited to a dinner party they would have plenty of interesting stories to tell.
My rating for 4 out of 5
Thank you to Allison and Busby for sending me a copy of The Lost Shrine for a fair and honest review.
August 25, 2025
This is quite a well plotted and paced mystery, better I think than the first book, 'The Hidden Bones'. Certainly the dialogue seems more assured on the whole, though there are still one or two stilted exchanges; Clare Hills seems un-naturally ignorant when she asks questions to which someone in her position should know the answers - I realise this is a narrative device to get information to the reader but it still jars. As with the first book I think that in the right hands this would make an excellent TV drama.
We will have to wait for the next book (or the one after) to find out what smarmy James is up to.
We will have to wait for the next book (or the one after) to find out what smarmy James is up to.
December 9, 2022
I’m actually giving this second instalment 3.5 stars.
To begin with, I liked the archeological side of things but the suspense wasn’t much there but it was nonetheless a good read.
Somehow, it was nice to get the characters interacting again but Sally, David’s girlfriend seemed like a right bitch and we didn’t get the answer to what happened with the despicable Marshall chap nor about the weird theft at Clare’s place. Does that mean we’ll get another instalment that will wrap some loose ends up?
To begin with, I liked the archeological side of things but the suspense wasn’t much there but it was nonetheless a good read.
Somehow, it was nice to get the characters interacting again but Sally, David’s girlfriend seemed like a right bitch and we didn’t get the answer to what happened with the despicable Marshall chap nor about the weird theft at Clare’s place. Does that mean we’ll get another instalment that will wrap some loose ends up?
September 13, 2024
Enjoyed reading this book, written by an old neighbour. The story centres around Clare Hills, an archaeologist and Dr. David Barbrook. The Hart Unit that they run is struggling financially and is offered commercial work with a housing developer in the cotswolds. However, the previous site director, Beth Kinsella, was found hanging in strange circumstances. Findings at the dig suggest that Beth was murdered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2024
Cozy mystery along the same lines as the ruth galloway series. This was the first book by this author that I had read and I thoroughly enjoyed it as not as dark and foreboding as some of the other stories I had read lately, it is not an edge of your seat thriller but a quietly building story and the clues are all there to be found. I will be on the lookout for more from this author and would recommend to anyone who likes the Cotswold murders , Midsomer Murders or the Ruth Galloway books.
December 6, 2023
Imagine a Lara Croft novel but without the adventure, suspense and action and instead of Lara Croft you get the quiet girl in the back row who was jolly nice in a twee sort of way and awfully practical and sensible and a bit sad because her husband died in a car accident: that's this book. I'm not saying it's bad by any means..... It's just sort of dull.
December 30, 2023
Probably at a disadvantage as I had not read the first book in the series, but this was pretty decent. There are a number of loose ends that I would have liked tied up but I guess that will be saved for a future book. The author clearly knows her archaeology and that was interesting to learn more about. Possibly a bit too murderous at times but that’s the genre I guess. Not bad.
August 15, 2019
The second book was as good as the first. I was gripped from page 1 and am eagerly awaiting book 3. I am really enjoying the locations which are local to me and the characters are becoming old friends. Thank you Nicola.
March 3, 2021
A great second novel
The author's knowledge once again helps weave a story centred round a site excavation which has murder and mystery at its heart. A rattling good read which I heartily recommend.
The author's knowledge once again helps weave a story centred round a site excavation which has murder and mystery at its heart. A rattling good read which I heartily recommend.
April 15, 2022
Probably 3.5 as I did enjoy it. The archaeological background felt very authentic and the mystery was good though easily guessable. I felt it sagged a bit in the middle and there were some loose ends left which were obviously part of an ungoing storyline. An enjoyable read.
May 28, 2023
Lile others I would give this 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed it because of the archaeological mystery and setting, as well as the host of interesting characters (would love to know more about David). But I agree that it is not as intense or historically interesting as the opening promises.
September 12, 2019
Another great book. A real page Turner where the twists just keep you reading looking forward to reading more by Nicola Ford
March 16, 2021
Thrilling
June 26, 2021
Great story
May 18, 2022
More please
December 14, 2022
2nd book in this series and I loved it just as much as the first one.
February 12, 2023
Loved this, wish there were more in this series.
August 27, 2023
Slow storyline, but unexpected murderer.
October 29, 2024
Yes, towards the end I was spell bound but the journey was some what unreal 😳. Questions still to be answered?
August 5, 2019
I was attracted to this book because the author is an archaeologist and I've been reading a lot of non-fiction on the subject of late. I usually enjoy fiction about it too, but there's not so much of it about, so I was pleased to find a new author to follow.
My rating would really be 3.5 stars - I swithered between 3 and 4, partly because it seemed just a tiny bit derivative, with its hippy/druid character who visits the site, and its female academic who is up against the male establishment. Nevertheless, it's a good read, and enough to tempt me back to read the first in the series (better to read them the right way round, by the way, as book 2 has spoilers for book 1). I think the characters will probably "bed in" as the series progresses - my sense is that the author is still finding her way a bit - and I look forward to more.
My rating would really be 3.5 stars - I swithered between 3 and 4, partly because it seemed just a tiny bit derivative, with its hippy/druid character who visits the site, and its female academic who is up against the male establishment. Nevertheless, it's a good read, and enough to tempt me back to read the first in the series (better to read them the right way round, by the way, as book 2 has spoilers for book 1). I think the characters will probably "bed in" as the series progresses - my sense is that the author is still finding her way a bit - and I look forward to more.
May 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to number 3.
September 10, 2024
Tempted to give it a 1. Book is ok but it's more of a murder investigation rather than about the shrine itself. Was expecting more history/discoveries etc.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews