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DCI Craig Gillard #9
The Body Beneath the Willows
It’s not only secrets that are buried by the water… A gripping crime thriller from bestseller master Nick LouthOn the tree-lined banks of Surrey’s River Wey, a decaying corpse is dug up by workmen in the middle of an Anglo-Saxon burial site. His modern dental fillings show that this is no Dark Age corpse...
DCI Craig Gillard is called in, but the body’s condition makes identification difficult. One man, however, seems to fit the Ozzy Blanchard, a contractor employed by the same water firm doing the digging who disappeared six months ago, his crashed company car found nearby.
But then an X-ray of the corpse throws the investigation into turmoil. A shard of metal lodged in his neck turns out to be part of an Anglo-Saxon dagger unknown to archaeologists. Who wielded this mystery weapon and why? Does the answer lie in a murderous feud between two local families?
The deeper Gillard digs, the more shocking truths he will uncover.
A totally original crime mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end, The Body Amongst the Willows is an absolute thrill-ride, perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, Ann Cleeves and Mark Billingham.
DCI Craig Gillard is called in, but the body’s condition makes identification difficult. One man, however, seems to fit the Ozzy Blanchard, a contractor employed by the same water firm doing the digging who disappeared six months ago, his crashed company car found nearby.
But then an X-ray of the corpse throws the investigation into turmoil. A shard of metal lodged in his neck turns out to be part of an Anglo-Saxon dagger unknown to archaeologists. Who wielded this mystery weapon and why? Does the answer lie in a murderous feud between two local families?
The deeper Gillard digs, the more shocking truths he will uncover.
A totally original crime mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end, The Body Amongst the Willows is an absolute thrill-ride, perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, Ann Cleeves and Mark Billingham.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2022
102 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Nick Louth
41 books290 followersNick Louth is a freelance journalist and author, based in Lincolnshire UK.
Before beginning writing fiction, he was a foreign correspondent for Reuters news agency, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times, MSN, and many financial magazines.
Before beginning writing fiction, he was a foreign correspondent for Reuters news agency, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times, MSN, and many financial magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 11, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
While this was far from my favourite book in the series it was a pleasingly convoluted mystery. The pace was a bit slower than usual but the complexity was very high.
At the small community of Rissingdon Common some works are being done along the river to mitigate the runoff of refuse and sewerage into the river during heavy rain. An excavator digs up a body. It is clear that the body, a male, is of modern origin although he could have been dead anywhere between 3 months and 5 years. At first police believe the victim to be Ozzy Blanchard, an employee of the water company, who disappeared 6 months ago. His vehicle was found upside down but empty in the river not far from the body recently discovered.
There is also some suspicion of fraud at the water management company, Aqua Western. There were a lot of threads being pulled but none of them lead anywhere significant. It became clear that the 3 Willow family women and the 3 Trickett family men were in it up to their eyeballs but proving anything was going to be a nightmare.
The the CFO of Aqua is kidnapped and suddenly the fraud case becomes more significant. It also becomes apparent that their original dead body was probably killed in Dove Cottage where the vicar now resides. A private detective is also involved but we don’t know who he is working for and the fraud squad has information that DCI Craig Gillard’s murder could well do with. Covid was also written into the story although it wasn’t a major character.
The book was not quite as messy as I have made it sound but there were probably more elements than usual for one of Nick Louth’s crime thrillers and the reader does need to pay attention. In the next book we can look forward to a new Detective Chief Superintendent, Stella Anderson, with whom Gillard had a fling when they were both trainees. That should be interesting! Many thanks to Netgalley and Canelo Crime for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
While this was far from my favourite book in the series it was a pleasingly convoluted mystery. The pace was a bit slower than usual but the complexity was very high.
At the small community of Rissingdon Common some works are being done along the river to mitigate the runoff of refuse and sewerage into the river during heavy rain. An excavator digs up a body. It is clear that the body, a male, is of modern origin although he could have been dead anywhere between 3 months and 5 years. At first police believe the victim to be Ozzy Blanchard, an employee of the water company, who disappeared 6 months ago. His vehicle was found upside down but empty in the river not far from the body recently discovered.
There is also some suspicion of fraud at the water management company, Aqua Western. There were a lot of threads being pulled but none of them lead anywhere significant. It became clear that the 3 Willow family women and the 3 Trickett family men were in it up to their eyeballs but proving anything was going to be a nightmare.
The the CFO of Aqua is kidnapped and suddenly the fraud case becomes more significant. It also becomes apparent that their original dead body was probably killed in Dove Cottage where the vicar now resides. A private detective is also involved but we don’t know who he is working for and the fraud squad has information that DCI Craig Gillard’s murder could well do with. Covid was also written into the story although it wasn’t a major character.
The book was not quite as messy as I have made it sound but there were probably more elements than usual for one of Nick Louth’s crime thrillers and the reader does need to pay attention. In the next book we can look forward to a new Detective Chief Superintendent, Stella Anderson, with whom Gillard had a fling when they were both trainees. That should be interesting! Many thanks to Netgalley and Canelo Crime for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
August 17, 2023
This one was a bit mweh. By now, after reading almost the entire series, I expected more, I think. The main issue here is a big fraud going on and although everything is explained neatly, it was just not as entertaining as some other stories.
It's good Nick Louth set this book in the middle of the Covid pandemic, to show that whatever happens, crime sadly never stops...
On to the next one!
It's good Nick Louth set this book in the middle of the Covid pandemic, to show that whatever happens, crime sadly never stops...
On to the next one!
February 1, 2022
The Body Beneath the Willows is a fun read. It is a story about murder, fraud, deceit, kidnapping, detective work and embezzlement. The main character is DCI Craig Gillard. The story has an interesting group of characters that add spice to the story. It starts out with Ozzie Blanchard coming home early to the surprise of his wife Angela. He starts packing his car with boxes and leaves. He is the new project manager at Aqua Water Company. When he gets to his girlfriend's house he finds that there is a trap and drives away being chased. He ends up in a crash. It is discovered that he is not in the car. Detective Gillard is called to the town of Rissington Common as a body has been discovered while construction is being down by the water. So much starts to happen that it would be unfair to the reader to tell all. It does come to an exciting conclusion, I really enjoyed this book and so will the readers.
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo Crime for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo Crime for this ARC.
January 5, 2022
The Body Beneath the Willows is the ninth book in the DCI Craig Gillard series set in Surrey, England.
I’ve read them all in order, but they do work fine as stand-alone mysteries. This one was not my favourite, lacking the suspense and ingenious twists of some of the earlier books, but it’s still a solid police procedural with a hero who continues to grow on me after a rocky start.
Gillard is called in when a badly decomposed body is dug up by waterworks contractors, and the evidence suggests it’s that of a manager working on the controversial project, who disappeared six month earlier after crashing his car. The team are short-staffed because of Covid, and a face from Gillard’s past adds a troubling dimension to the investigation. The mystery deepens when the cause of death is found to be a neck wound from an ancient dagger, drawing the interest of excitable archeologists. Local families seem reluctant to talk, others just want to complain about the water company’s mismanagement, and a suspicious character is spotted lurking at the scene. Can Craig solve the case before someone else gets killed?
This is my second read in a row to be set firmly in the middle of the pandemic, which makes a refreshing change, as many authors seem determined to keep their series in a Covid-free world that now verges on fantasy. While some will be bothered by mentions of mask-wearing, fist or elbow-bumping, and colleagues self-isolating, this is the reality we now live in, and I fully respect the decision to keep the series current, and have the team dealing with the same pressures that everyone now has to cope with. I also like the diverse range of murders that Gillard gets to investigate - this one had a fraud sub-plot that felt real even if it was perhaps less exciting than gangsters, spies & deranged psychopaths.
There are ongoing storylines from the previous books, like Craig’s malicious aunt Trish, and the relationships with his team, that add depth to the series but won’t confuse or spoil anyone new to the author. I loved that Craig acknowledges and regrets his past womanising and now shows nothing but respect for his female colleagues, even as an increasing number of them now outrank him. There were also positive developments in the relationship with his wife Sam, but that don’t get in the way of the plot. The reveal wasn’t any great surprise, but at least it all made sense and didn’t rely on gimmicks or improbable coincidence - it certainly doesn’t feel like the author has run out of ideas, as can happen with some established series, so I look forward to the next one. 3.5 rounded up for good writing and well-rounded characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC; I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Body Beneath the Willows is published on January 27th.
I’ve read them all in order, but they do work fine as stand-alone mysteries. This one was not my favourite, lacking the suspense and ingenious twists of some of the earlier books, but it’s still a solid police procedural with a hero who continues to grow on me after a rocky start.
Gillard is called in when a badly decomposed body is dug up by waterworks contractors, and the evidence suggests it’s that of a manager working on the controversial project, who disappeared six month earlier after crashing his car. The team are short-staffed because of Covid, and a face from Gillard’s past adds a troubling dimension to the investigation. The mystery deepens when the cause of death is found to be a neck wound from an ancient dagger, drawing the interest of excitable archeologists. Local families seem reluctant to talk, others just want to complain about the water company’s mismanagement, and a suspicious character is spotted lurking at the scene. Can Craig solve the case before someone else gets killed?
This is my second read in a row to be set firmly in the middle of the pandemic, which makes a refreshing change, as many authors seem determined to keep their series in a Covid-free world that now verges on fantasy. While some will be bothered by mentions of mask-wearing, fist or elbow-bumping, and colleagues self-isolating, this is the reality we now live in, and I fully respect the decision to keep the series current, and have the team dealing with the same pressures that everyone now has to cope with. I also like the diverse range of murders that Gillard gets to investigate - this one had a fraud sub-plot that felt real even if it was perhaps less exciting than gangsters, spies & deranged psychopaths.
There are ongoing storylines from the previous books, like Craig’s malicious aunt Trish, and the relationships with his team, that add depth to the series but won’t confuse or spoil anyone new to the author. I loved that Craig acknowledges and regrets his past womanising and now shows nothing but respect for his female colleagues, even as an increasing number of them now outrank him. There were also positive developments in the relationship with his wife Sam, but that don’t get in the way of the plot. The reveal wasn’t any great surprise, but at least it all made sense and didn’t rely on gimmicks or improbable coincidence - it certainly doesn’t feel like the author has run out of ideas, as can happen with some established series, so I look forward to the next one. 3.5 rounded up for good writing and well-rounded characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC; I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Body Beneath the Willows is published on January 27th.
December 21, 2021
This is the ninth book in the DCI Craig Gillard series by author Nick Louth.
A decaying corpse is dug up by workmen in the middle of an Anglo-Saxon burial site, but it is not the remains of any dark age body. The modern dental fillings point to a much more recent death. DCI Craig Gillard is investigating the case and given the state of the body it is not going to be easy. One possibility is that it is the remains of Ozzy Blanchard, a contractor employed by the same water firm doing the digging who disappeared six months ago, his crashed company car found nearby. When the corpse is x-rayed it is discovered that a shard of metal is lodged in his neck and is identified as an Anglo-Saxon dagger unknown to archaeologists. DCI Craig Gillard must identify both the corpse and the killer.
This was a good read but I didn’t feel it was as strong as previous books in the series. I enjoy the characters and the novels are well written so fully intend to continue to read the series.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
A decaying corpse is dug up by workmen in the middle of an Anglo-Saxon burial site, but it is not the remains of any dark age body. The modern dental fillings point to a much more recent death. DCI Craig Gillard is investigating the case and given the state of the body it is not going to be easy. One possibility is that it is the remains of Ozzy Blanchard, a contractor employed by the same water firm doing the digging who disappeared six months ago, his crashed company car found nearby. When the corpse is x-rayed it is discovered that a shard of metal is lodged in his neck and is identified as an Anglo-Saxon dagger unknown to archaeologists. DCI Craig Gillard must identify both the corpse and the killer.
This was a good read but I didn’t feel it was as strong as previous books in the series. I enjoy the characters and the novels are well written so fully intend to continue to read the series.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up!
I think I am hooked to this series now. I really enjoyed reading the story, but I had some questions about the plot that really just made it fall short of strong 4 stars!
I did guess who the mystery corpse was quite early on, so a little disappointed that the investigator didn't!
The unravelling fell a little short of nail-biting or suspenseful, it actually felt flat.
I think I am hooked to this series now. I really enjoyed reading the story, but I had some questions about the plot that really just made it fall short of strong 4 stars!
I did guess who the mystery corpse was quite early on, so a little disappointed that the investigator didn't!
The unravelling fell a little short of nail-biting or suspenseful, it actually felt flat.
October 10, 2023
A complex mystery that I had some trouble paying attention to in the beginning. Slower paced than usual.
December 17, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
I think the author has wrote a really good book here. The story started off really well with a great opening chapter that just made me want to carry on reading. There are quite a few characters here, most I liked or thought were ok, and a few I didn’t like at all. I loved all the separate story threads and really enjoyed following them with some keeping me guessing throughout the book. DCI Gillard investigates a murder, a missing man and a Company that is being looked closely at by the Fraud Office. How are these links connected? I thought this was a fast paced read told through mostly Gillard and his team’s perspectives which I liked, and which I felt added depth to the story. I loved the glimpses into Gillards home and personal life, I feel like I know him, his wife and work colleagues really well. The book raced to a thrilling conclusion with all loose ends tied up and I loved the ending. Looking forward to the next book.
I think the author has wrote a really good book here. The story started off really well with a great opening chapter that just made me want to carry on reading. There are quite a few characters here, most I liked or thought were ok, and a few I didn’t like at all. I loved all the separate story threads and really enjoyed following them with some keeping me guessing throughout the book. DCI Gillard investigates a murder, a missing man and a Company that is being looked closely at by the Fraud Office. How are these links connected? I thought this was a fast paced read told through mostly Gillard and his team’s perspectives which I liked, and which I felt added depth to the story. I loved the glimpses into Gillards home and personal life, I feel like I know him, his wife and work colleagues really well. The book raced to a thrilling conclusion with all loose ends tied up and I loved the ending. Looking forward to the next book.
March 10, 2022
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Canelo for approving me for an ARC of this book. I am a huge fan of the DCI Craig Gillard series and whilst this could be read as a standalone I do recommend reading the whole series because it is brilliant.
The story starts by throwing us straight into the action. Ozzy Blanchard returns from work acting very strange and before we know it he is involved in a high speed chase along a dual carriageway which ultimately ends in a crash.
Six months later a body is discovered beneath the willows and it is from here that the investigation starts. It was great to have DCI Craig Gillard front and centre on this one. In some of the previous stories we’ve had more of other characters POV and I missed having our leading man front and centre. From the start the detective had a clear idea of who he thought the body belonged to and set about trying to discover what happened to the victim.
As the investigation continues we have our traditional red herrings and revelations along the way. As I’ve come to expect with Nick Louth’s stories, nothing is quite what it seems and this book certainly kept me on my toes as I tried to figure out what was going on.
Another great addition to the series and I can’t wait to read more!
The story starts by throwing us straight into the action. Ozzy Blanchard returns from work acting very strange and before we know it he is involved in a high speed chase along a dual carriageway which ultimately ends in a crash.
Six months later a body is discovered beneath the willows and it is from here that the investigation starts. It was great to have DCI Craig Gillard front and centre on this one. In some of the previous stories we’ve had more of other characters POV and I missed having our leading man front and centre. From the start the detective had a clear idea of who he thought the body belonged to and set about trying to discover what happened to the victim.
As the investigation continues we have our traditional red herrings and revelations along the way. As I’ve come to expect with Nick Louth’s stories, nothing is quite what it seems and this book certainly kept me on my toes as I tried to figure out what was going on.
Another great addition to the series and I can’t wait to read more!
December 20, 2021
306 pages
3 and 1 / 2 stars
Covid is rampant in England and the public is in lockdown. The team of police officers are greatly reduced due to the number working from home and those who are sick.
DCI Craig Gillard is down to three officers to aid him in his latest investigation. A body has been found in a newly dug ditch at a site intended to aid the water and sewage problems in a local village. The work is being done by a company called Aqua Western.
At the same time, Ozzy Blanchard hurriedly packs and leaves home, leaving his wife speechless. His car is later found wrecked, but Ozzy is missing.
Gillard and his team wonder if the body in the ditch is Ozzy. Ozzy worked for the company that is supposed to be installing the corrections on the sewage project. Something is not right. Why did Ozzy take off? Where is he? Is he the dead man?
Gillard is run ragged interviewing people and the team is not making much progress. A DCS from the adjoining precinct is being obstructive. There seems to be an investigation into Aqua Western’s business practices, but Gillard cannot get ahold of any information. Add to the mix a private eye. Who is his client?
Things come to a head when another Aqua Western employee goes missing. This time, it is Ozzy’s boss.
Gillard and his team uncover a conspiracy to defraud the sewer project. Who all is involved?
This is a widespread conspiracy in which no one seems capable of telling the truth. Gillard and his team have leads going every which way. Will they ever solve this case? What about the man they found in the ditch? Who is he?
This book is well written as are all of Nick Louth’s novels. However, it seems to wander a little more than usual. I usually don’t read books about fraud as I find the details too dry and more than a little boring. I like Gillard and his team, they work well together. I like that we get little glimpses of their personal lives. It adds color to the book.
I want to thank NetGalley and Canelo Crime for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
3 and 1 / 2 stars
Covid is rampant in England and the public is in lockdown. The team of police officers are greatly reduced due to the number working from home and those who are sick.
DCI Craig Gillard is down to three officers to aid him in his latest investigation. A body has been found in a newly dug ditch at a site intended to aid the water and sewage problems in a local village. The work is being done by a company called Aqua Western.
At the same time, Ozzy Blanchard hurriedly packs and leaves home, leaving his wife speechless. His car is later found wrecked, but Ozzy is missing.
Gillard and his team wonder if the body in the ditch is Ozzy. Ozzy worked for the company that is supposed to be installing the corrections on the sewage project. Something is not right. Why did Ozzy take off? Where is he? Is he the dead man?
Gillard is run ragged interviewing people and the team is not making much progress. A DCS from the adjoining precinct is being obstructive. There seems to be an investigation into Aqua Western’s business practices, but Gillard cannot get ahold of any information. Add to the mix a private eye. Who is his client?
Things come to a head when another Aqua Western employee goes missing. This time, it is Ozzy’s boss.
Gillard and his team uncover a conspiracy to defraud the sewer project. Who all is involved?
This is a widespread conspiracy in which no one seems capable of telling the truth. Gillard and his team have leads going every which way. Will they ever solve this case? What about the man they found in the ditch? Who is he?
This book is well written as are all of Nick Louth’s novels. However, it seems to wander a little more than usual. I usually don’t read books about fraud as I find the details too dry and more than a little boring. I like Gillard and his team, they work well together. I like that we get little glimpses of their personal lives. It adds color to the book.
I want to thank NetGalley and Canelo Crime for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
September 1, 2022
This novel is set during the COVID pandemic, which adds an interesting relevance to the story. It’s a crime thriller set on the tree-lined banks of Surrey’s River Wey, after a decaying corpse is dug up by workmen in the middle of an Anglo-Saxon burial site. Modern dental fillings show that this is not a death from the Dark Ages but something very current.
DCI Craig Gillard is called in, but the body’s condition makes identification difficult. One man, however, seems to fit the bill: Ozzy Blanchard was a contractor employed by the water firm doing a bad job with the county's need for storm water remediation. That was a good direction to take as it's quite topical and we know that many homes around the world are experiencing flooding and worse. Ozzie disappeared six months ago, his crashed company car having been found nearby. However, an X-ray of the corpse throws the investigation into turmoil because a shard of metal lodged in his neck turns out to be part of an Anglo-Saxon dagger.
Gillard has an idea of who he thought the body belonged to and set about trying to discover what happened to the victim. This isn’t really a spoiler because it’s revealed early -- but It’s not Ozzie. Corporate and political corruption deserve more exploration than the narrative gives but many misleading red herrings and revelations crop up along the way, as is expected. Nothing is quite what it seems but it seems to take unusually long to make the sequence of essential event to be made clear.
This is the ninth book in the series and it’s good but I failed to feel as engaged as I was in earlier books. The sub-plots involving characters met along the way felt a bit flimsy and seemed to be present just to fill out the narrative without necessarily adding to it. It may be a bit harsh to call it ‘padding’ but I can’t think of a better word at this time. It is an entertaining read but not Louth’s best.
DCI Craig Gillard is called in, but the body’s condition makes identification difficult. One man, however, seems to fit the bill: Ozzy Blanchard was a contractor employed by the water firm doing a bad job with the county's need for storm water remediation. That was a good direction to take as it's quite topical and we know that many homes around the world are experiencing flooding and worse. Ozzie disappeared six months ago, his crashed company car having been found nearby. However, an X-ray of the corpse throws the investigation into turmoil because a shard of metal lodged in his neck turns out to be part of an Anglo-Saxon dagger.
Gillard has an idea of who he thought the body belonged to and set about trying to discover what happened to the victim. This isn’t really a spoiler because it’s revealed early -- but It’s not Ozzie. Corporate and political corruption deserve more exploration than the narrative gives but many misleading red herrings and revelations crop up along the way, as is expected. Nothing is quite what it seems but it seems to take unusually long to make the sequence of essential event to be made clear.
This is the ninth book in the series and it’s good but I failed to feel as engaged as I was in earlier books. The sub-plots involving characters met along the way felt a bit flimsy and seemed to be present just to fill out the narrative without necessarily adding to it. It may be a bit harsh to call it ‘padding’ but I can’t think of a better word at this time. It is an entertaining read but not Louth’s best.
January 15, 2022
When it’s your first week using the digger at a local water company building site unearthing a dead body isn't something you are planning to add to your work experiences! Called in to investigate DCI Craig Gillard views the condition of the remains, and knows nothing connected to this case is going to be easy even though he thinks he knows the identity of the corpse.
With the unexpected appearance of two people from Craig's past he knows he will be watching his back the entire time as the case gets more complicated by the day. His team work tirelessly as they hunt for missing people, and deal with small village secrets alongside the restrictions of everyday life.
This is a very enjoyable book with the author providing an investigation which is gradually teased out as the familiar protagonists sift through a variety of clues and juggle their private lives alongside in an engaging and flowing manner. There are a few complicated issues which introduced a new character with an interesting background who, I have a feeling, will reappear in a future storyline. My only disappointment was that Book 9 didn't follow straight on from the cliffhanger in the previous installment but hopefully that will be addressed very soon!
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent addition to one of my favourite series which I really enjoyed.
With the unexpected appearance of two people from Craig's past he knows he will be watching his back the entire time as the case gets more complicated by the day. His team work tirelessly as they hunt for missing people, and deal with small village secrets alongside the restrictions of everyday life.
This is a very enjoyable book with the author providing an investigation which is gradually teased out as the familiar protagonists sift through a variety of clues and juggle their private lives alongside in an engaging and flowing manner. There are a few complicated issues which introduced a new character with an interesting background who, I have a feeling, will reappear in a future storyline. My only disappointment was that Book 9 didn't follow straight on from the cliffhanger in the previous installment but hopefully that will be addressed very soon!
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent addition to one of my favourite series which I really enjoyed.
March 29, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Spoilers ahead.
Ozzy Blanchard (a water works engineer) receives an urgent phone call at home. He gets into his car, leaves his wife and drives into the night. He drives recklessly, speeds and ends up going into oncoming traffic, crashes and disappears.
Next we see a different POV. A water works company is digging on the banks of a river and digs up a dead body which has been there for some time. Close examination by the ME reveals that he was killed with an old Anglo-Saxon dagger, one which has never been found before.
As Gillard starts investigating the case, he finds that the water works company is the same one which Ozzy works at. So is the dead body Ozzy? The police interviews everyone at the nearby hamlet and Ozzy's company.
As the case proceeds, he finds that the there is fraud going on at the water works company and a local digging company has a sordid past. So could they be connected and Ozzy killed because of it?
The book is quite well plotted out and has some interesting twists and turns, however the big turn off for me is that it's slow and lacks intensity. It's missing oomph and a focal point. I think Gillard should have been the single POV and we should have watched the whole mystery unfold behind him. Instead, the plot kind of wanders around a bit.
Ozzy Blanchard (a water works engineer) receives an urgent phone call at home. He gets into his car, leaves his wife and drives into the night. He drives recklessly, speeds and ends up going into oncoming traffic, crashes and disappears.
Next we see a different POV. A water works company is digging on the banks of a river and digs up a dead body which has been there for some time. Close examination by the ME reveals that he was killed with an old Anglo-Saxon dagger, one which has never been found before.
As Gillard starts investigating the case, he finds that the water works company is the same one which Ozzy works at. So is the dead body Ozzy? The police interviews everyone at the nearby hamlet and Ozzy's company.
As the case proceeds, he finds that the there is fraud going on at the water works company and a local digging company has a sordid past. So could they be connected and Ozzy killed because of it?
The book is quite well plotted out and has some interesting twists and turns, however the big turn off for me is that it's slow and lacks intensity. It's missing oomph and a focal point. I think Gillard should have been the single POV and we should have watched the whole mystery unfold behind him. Instead, the plot kind of wanders around a bit.
February 9, 2022
Well, I'm going to go against the flow here. I did not like this book. It was tedious, repetitive and lacked the character and plot development in the first 8 books in this series. There were dead people, kidnapped people and thieves and murderers. The explanation of how the first dead person was killed was, at best, a serious stretch of the imagination. The other murder made very little sense - and the kidnapping wasn't much better thought out than the rest of the plot. There were far too many suspects with a lot of pulling people in for questioning with no results. The other part of the story - an investigation into financial fraud was worse. First it wasn't really handled by the main character or anyone in his group and second, it was poorly developed as a criminal activity - it was boring. I made it through the book, but only because I could flip through the pages without reading everything on a page.
The second disappointing thing about this story was the lack of character building. The good guys were names, and not much more. I like to know the people I'm reading about. In this book what character development there was was that the good guys were sort of good, well, some of them - and the bad guys were bad. Disappointing story.
The second disappointing thing about this story was the lack of character building. The good guys were names, and not much more. I like to know the people I'm reading about. In this book what character development there was was that the good guys were sort of good, well, some of them - and the bad guys were bad. Disappointing story.
April 26, 2024
The Body Beneath the Willows is the 9th in the Craig Gillard series. Thanks to Audible taking it off their free program come May, I’m reading this out of order.
A body is dug up where a water company is digging a ditch, adjacent to an Anglo-Saxon burial site. But it’s a modern corpse, not ancient. Initially, it’s assumed the body is that of an engineer who had been working the site but who disappeared six months earlier. As Craig investigates, questions of fraud arise. There are multiple suspects, especially the family that runs the construction company.
This one wasn’t as engaging as others. At times it dragged. Because of the complexity of the fraud investigation, it might have been better to read than listen to. I did feel Louth did a good job placing the story within Covid restrictions and working in how that impacted the investigation.
There is the personal story line with his aunt continuing to cause trouble. Luckily, this was a very minor part of the story.
I listened to this and was less than enthralled by Marston York. The lack of any space between changes in scenes left me confused more than once. Also, several of his male voices sounded too alike.
A body is dug up where a water company is digging a ditch, adjacent to an Anglo-Saxon burial site. But it’s a modern corpse, not ancient. Initially, it’s assumed the body is that of an engineer who had been working the site but who disappeared six months earlier. As Craig investigates, questions of fraud arise. There are multiple suspects, especially the family that runs the construction company.
This one wasn’t as engaging as others. At times it dragged. Because of the complexity of the fraud investigation, it might have been better to read than listen to. I did feel Louth did a good job placing the story within Covid restrictions and working in how that impacted the investigation.
There is the personal story line with his aunt continuing to cause trouble. Luckily, this was a very minor part of the story.
I listened to this and was less than enthralled by Marston York. The lack of any space between changes in scenes left me confused more than once. Also, several of his male voices sounded too alike.
January 15, 2022
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review an advanced copy of this book.
When digging for new water/sewer lines near an old Anglo-Saxon burial site, a body is found, badly damaged by the digger. At first the police think it is possibly the body of a missing man whose car had crashed in mysterious circumstances. When a piece of metal is found in the man’s neck, it turns out to be part of an ancient dagger, and the evidence shows it is not the person that they first thought. DCI Craig Gillard must solve several mysteries, as the investigation seems to link a local crime family to corporate fraud, the missing person, and even the mysterious, unknown dead man.
This was an interesting mystery with plenty of intrigue, along with the usual trying to get the truth out of all the suspects and surrounding cast of characters. As usual, the facts are gathered and the case is resolved.
When digging for new water/sewer lines near an old Anglo-Saxon burial site, a body is found, badly damaged by the digger. At first the police think it is possibly the body of a missing man whose car had crashed in mysterious circumstances. When a piece of metal is found in the man’s neck, it turns out to be part of an ancient dagger, and the evidence shows it is not the person that they first thought. DCI Craig Gillard must solve several mysteries, as the investigation seems to link a local crime family to corporate fraud, the missing person, and even the mysterious, unknown dead man.
This was an interesting mystery with plenty of intrigue, along with the usual trying to get the truth out of all the suspects and surrounding cast of characters. As usual, the facts are gathered and the case is resolved.
January 20, 2022
Once again, I was thrilled to be offered this book as an ARC by the publishers, having read all the others, but felt it didn’t seem to flow very well, and in parts was a tad boring, as there was very little “live” action to get my teeth into. Maybe it’s just me, but the other eight books prior were brilliant.
It seemed that this book was all about Gillard, and his poor wife didn’t feature much, except she was feeling better after her traumatic events of the previous year. The old witch of an aunt is back, and why he puts up with her shenanigans is beyond me. I’d have refused to have anything to do with her, family or not!
Basically, it’s a book about fraud, and sheer greed from corporations and contractors. I was a bit muddled, but it did come clear in the end!
My thanks to Nick, the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.
It seemed that this book was all about Gillard, and his poor wife didn’t feature much, except she was feeling better after her traumatic events of the previous year. The old witch of an aunt is back, and why he puts up with her shenanigans is beyond me. I’d have refused to have anything to do with her, family or not!
Basically, it’s a book about fraud, and sheer greed from corporations and contractors. I was a bit muddled, but it did come clear in the end!
My thanks to Nick, the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.
June 6, 2022
A grizzly tale!
I gather that this is the ninth in the popular crime thriller series featuring DCI Craig Gillard.
It drew me in from the beginning because the action started straight away! An extremely decayed corpse was discovered of a man who was buried in an Anglo-Saxon burial site. The dental records of the corpse revealed that this was a modern crime, not ancient history!
At this stage, DCI Craig Gillard was called in to investigate. The forensic department discovered that the body belonged to Ozzy Blanchard, who had been missing for quite some time.
Many twists and turns throughout the investigation kept me focused and thoroughly enjoying the rollercoaster ride!
I shall certainly look out for others in the DCI Craig Gillard series.
Galadriel.
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.
I gather that this is the ninth in the popular crime thriller series featuring DCI Craig Gillard.
It drew me in from the beginning because the action started straight away! An extremely decayed corpse was discovered of a man who was buried in an Anglo-Saxon burial site. The dental records of the corpse revealed that this was a modern crime, not ancient history!
At this stage, DCI Craig Gillard was called in to investigate. The forensic department discovered that the body belonged to Ozzy Blanchard, who had been missing for quite some time.
Many twists and turns throughout the investigation kept me focused and thoroughly enjoying the rollercoaster ride!
I shall certainly look out for others in the DCI Craig Gillard series.
Galadriel.
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.
March 16, 2023
This was a rather good crime thriller, which whetted my appetite to read more in this series.
I appreciated the down to earth, real life way the characters were drawn in particular the lead character and the police. This added authenticity and believability to the story, which made you want to read on and unravel the mystery.
The plot at times I felt was too obviously written out, so you could guess what was going to happen. You don't want a mystery to be overly complicated, but you don't want to be spoon-fed either. At times the balance was not quite right.
At times the language was a bit basic, meaning the use of the English language was not put front and centre.
All that said there were enough twists in the story particularly towards the end to attract the reader to the story and this ensured it was an enjoyable read and enough excitement in it to make it a page turner.
I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more in this series.
I appreciated the down to earth, real life way the characters were drawn in particular the lead character and the police. This added authenticity and believability to the story, which made you want to read on and unravel the mystery.
The plot at times I felt was too obviously written out, so you could guess what was going to happen. You don't want a mystery to be overly complicated, but you don't want to be spoon-fed either. At times the balance was not quite right.
At times the language was a bit basic, meaning the use of the English language was not put front and centre.
All that said there were enough twists in the story particularly towards the end to attract the reader to the story and this ensured it was an enjoyable read and enough excitement in it to make it a page turner.
I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more in this series.
February 1, 2022
As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot...
This is the 9th book in the DCI Craig Gillard series, but don't worry if you haven't read the previous books - there is sufficient background information about the characters from previous novels for this to work fine as a standalone.
The book starts with the dramatic disappearance of a water company employee, and continues with the discovery of a body - coincidentally (?) in an area linked to the same company. Is this the missing man, or someone else? Well you'll have to read it to find out...
A decent police procedural - looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
This is the 9th book in the DCI Craig Gillard series, but don't worry if you haven't read the previous books - there is sufficient background information about the characters from previous novels for this to work fine as a standalone.
The book starts with the dramatic disappearance of a water company employee, and continues with the discovery of a body - coincidentally (?) in an area linked to the same company. Is this the missing man, or someone else? Well you'll have to read it to find out...
A decent police procedural - looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
December 31, 2021
Devious!
Fast paced with definitive characters and an interesting mix of antagonists to the law enforcement teams. Excellent police work in a really tough time (all the rules of Covid) in a difficult place (mire) with some VERY uncooperative suspects.
I have to confess that I needed a bit of pseudo reality regarding C-19. It was getting too weird with other people's storylines acting like it never existed or caused massive problems to law enforcement.
This was a great story and it kept me up much too late reading it!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Canelo via NetGalley. Thank you!
Fast paced with definitive characters and an interesting mix of antagonists to the law enforcement teams. Excellent police work in a really tough time (all the rules of Covid) in a difficult place (mire) with some VERY uncooperative suspects.
I have to confess that I needed a bit of pseudo reality regarding C-19. It was getting too weird with other people's storylines acting like it never existed or caused massive problems to law enforcement.
This was a great story and it kept me up much too late reading it!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Canelo via NetGalley. Thank you!
January 23, 2022
DCI Gillard and crew have two mysteries to solve. One is a water employee who crashed his car and then promptly disappeared. And a body with no identity tied to the same water company. Rounding out the confusion is a fraud investigation against the water company, but with investigators who are unwilling to share information. And did I mention that the unknown body was apparently dispatched by a rare Anglo Saxon dagger? Despite it sounding OTT, it wasn't. In fact, I was very pleased that this entry in the series harkened back to the earlier books, which in my opinion were much better than the most recent ones. I will definitely be back the next book in this series.
March 21, 2022
I enjoyed this book. There were a lot of characters and a number of different storylines in this book, but it was well-written, easy to follow, and engaging. I was very interested in finding out the identity of the body beneath the willows, and enjoyed being led to the conclusion.
I had no idea that this book was part of a series when I requested an advance copy, and though it may have been nice to know some of the past history of DCI Gillard, it really didn't matter. I plan to go back and read the earlier installments of this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance copy of this book.
I had no idea that this book was part of a series when I requested an advance copy, and though it may have been nice to know some of the past history of DCI Gillard, it really didn't matter. I plan to go back and read the earlier installments of this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance copy of this book.
April 24, 2024
This was a really interesting read and I finished it really quickly because I was so intrigued by the case in the story. I especially enjoyed all the various police/detective work that went on to solve the case. It was set during the pandemic and so it was good to see a portrayal of the police during the pandemic times and how they had to adjust to it. The only thing with this book is that I felt at times I was struggling to keep up with various plots and at times the story was a bit drawn out. Overall though a really good police/detective/crime read with a really interesting case and will definitely read another book in this series.
July 16, 2025
This author is very different and shows you a side of Britain not often seen in literature. I like things that are different and although this is a harsher reality than I usually read I have enjoyed these, just because they are so different from most other authors. The mystery is interesting and for once the focus is not on the detectives personal lives. When a body is found it is assumed to be a missing man,but forensics show this is not the case so n there are a few mysteries. where is the missing man and why did he disappear and just who is the corpse and why does he have a piece of an ancient weapon in his neck?
December 20, 2021
Nick Louth has done it again, another superb thriller. This is the ninth DI Craig Gillard book and just as well written as the previous eight. This story involves murder, fraud and abduction. The plot is fast-paced and complex with full of twists and surprises. There are a host of suspects and everything is pulled together well by the end of the book. A very entertaining and exciting read.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
February 4, 2022
I've some books in this series, but this one is readable as a standalone with sufficient backstory on the main characters. DCI Gillard is a believable protagonist and a dedicated detective. His latest investigation appears straightforward but has hidden complexities. I like the characters in the investigation team and the attention to detail in the investigation process. The pacing increases the tension and maintains reader engagement,
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
November 5, 2024
DCI Craig Gillard #9. I read the e-book on Libby. I was completely hooked on the story, which also contains elements of financial crime and fraud, which I particularly like. It's a complex story and it will be difficult for readers to determine the culprit early on. The police carry out their investigations and gradually start to reveal the motive for the original crime. There's a bit of personal life of Craig and his wife, for me it's meh. I'll be trying to find others in this series.
Rating 4.1.
Rating 4.1.
February 8, 2022
The Body Beneath the Willows by Nick Louth
The Body Beneath The Willows by Nick Louth is Book 9 in the DCI Craig Gillard thriller series. This is an interesting and fascinating storyline with two separate deaths being investigated and fraud also being investigated by another police officer known to Gillard in his early days as a police officer.
Highly recommended
The Body Beneath The Willows by Nick Louth is Book 9 in the DCI Craig Gillard thriller series. This is an interesting and fascinating storyline with two separate deaths being investigated and fraud also being investigated by another police officer known to Gillard in his early days as a police officer.
Highly recommended
June 17, 2022
Received this as an ARC from Canelo, wow loved this book, nice guess work up to the end on who did what when and why, who new a village could be so interesting 😆
Fantastic characters as always and the attention really bringing D&I to the front of book without pushing down your throat.
Compelling read bring on the next one.
Fantastic characters as always and the attention really bringing D&I to the front of book without pushing down your throat.
Compelling read bring on the next one.
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