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Daniel Owen Welsh Mysteries #5
An Allotment of Time
(Alternate cover edition of ASIN B09TPYKLMH.)
Murder? Suicide? Accident? Or all three?
Daniel Owen is coming to terms with not being a cop. He’s happy to find a bunch of likeminded people at the town allotments — until one of them is brutally murdered.
Mal Kent is settling into his new job as the man-in-charge of Melin Tywyll CID. The fly in the ointment is bigoted, lazy DI Carey, Daniel’s replacement.
Carey wants to blame Daniel’s new friends for the murder, and with Daniel as their only alibi, accusations fly.
Daniel and Mal have to solve the case while Carey uses his friends in high places to undermine them at every turn. Carey knows too much, but is he a murderer?
Murder? Suicide? Accident? Or all three?
Daniel Owen is coming to terms with not being a cop. He’s happy to find a bunch of likeminded people at the town allotments — until one of them is brutally murdered.
Mal Kent is settling into his new job as the man-in-charge of Melin Tywyll CID. The fly in the ointment is bigoted, lazy DI Carey, Daniel’s replacement.
Carey wants to blame Daniel’s new friends for the murder, and with Daniel as their only alibi, accusations fly.
Daniel and Mal have to solve the case while Carey uses his friends in high places to undermine them at every turn. Carey knows too much, but is he a murderer?
252 pages, ebook
Published March 31, 2022
40 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 2, 2022
I accidentally started reading Book 7 of the series and thought What the ????? at where MC Daniel was found working. Having now backtracked to Book 6 ... the ending of this book does clearly outline how Dan's career segue happened. I am totally relieved the plot drama is not on Mal and Dan's relationship ... enough of the roller-coaster rides already! The procedural elements and shady shenanigans within the policing ranks proved quite engaging. 3.5 stars.
August 27, 2022
Trouble always seems to find Daniel. AND for such a small town there sure a lot of people who get murdered. It’s all very “Murder She Wrote”.
Daniel who is no longer a policeman still gets sucked into the case. The person that took his place in the police gorse is a very vile man. He definitely does NOT get what he deserves, sadly. It ticks you off in the end tbh.
Mal resists bringing Daniel into the loop of the mystery but he almost has to at a certain point. Things get solved and Daniel finds a new purpose. The end is hopeful and you get a preview of where the next book will take you. Off to read book 7…
Daniel who is no longer a policeman still gets sucked into the case. The person that took his place in the police gorse is a very vile man. He definitely does NOT get what he deserves, sadly. It ticks you off in the end tbh.
Mal resists bringing Daniel into the loop of the mystery but he almost has to at a certain point. Things get solved and Daniel finds a new purpose. The end is hopeful and you get a preview of where the next book will take you. Off to read book 7…
September 17, 2024
This is still a good story just not quite as good as the others.
I thought Daniels retirement came super abrupt and for me the dynamic and how those two worked together was one of my highlights in all the other books 😥
I love how Daniel had a big role in solving the mystery without being a policeman anymore.
Loveable side characters and a solid murder mystery made the whole book totally enjoyable but not my favorite. Off to the next!
I thought Daniels retirement came super abrupt and for me the dynamic and how those two worked together was one of my highlights in all the other books 😥
I love how Daniel had a big role in solving the mystery without being a policeman anymore.
Loveable side characters and a solid murder mystery made the whole book totally enjoyable but not my favorite. Off to the next!
April 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this series, set in small town Wales where everybody seems to now everybody else.
Daniel is now out of the police, although trouble seems to follow him around and ends up with a new job I didnt think he woud even imagine.
Daniel is now out of the police, although trouble seems to follow him around and ends up with a new job I didnt think he woud even imagine.
August 23, 2022
4,5 stars
June 29, 2023
Solid, very enjoyable 3++ stars.
At this point in the series, I want to bring something up. I have been reading some fantastic authors in the same genre over the past few years, only with hetero couples (if there are couples at all) – there are LGBTQA++ characters, but they aren’t the main characters. These would be the Irene Kelly series (Jan Burke (Author)); the Hugo Marston series (author Mark Pryor); and now I’m starting on the Armand Gamache books by Louise Penny. These books are up there on the favorites list for many folks (you have to fight to get a Louise Penny book at a library sale – seriously) and I’m realizing that this series, the Daniel Owen series, pretty much ranks right up there alongside these other (at least in my opinion). In particular, the Daniel Owen books share so much with the Marston/Gamache books – a non-U.S. POV and location, twisty, intricate plots, and lots of mental turmoil on the part of the MC’s as to whether they belong in their profession and how they sometimes have a hard time processing what they are seeing and experiencing in working a case. The main difference between these other characters/books and the Daniel Owens series is, of course, that the MC’s in the Owens series are both LGBTQA++, are a couple, and are highly active sexually with some scenes going into explicit details. (Quite honestly, I cannot for the life of me envision Armand Gamache having sex of any kind, but that’s a bit off topic.) I think I could fully recommend the D. Owen series to readers who enjoy any of these other books with the caveat that there are explicit sex scenes. In fact, I think I’d still really enjoy this series even without the explicit sex - not that I’m saying the author should cut back on the explicit sex, mind you, I would NEVER actually advocate for that to happen. 😁 As Daniel says in this book, gay men really do have a lot of sex. It comes with the territory. And I happen to really, really like that territory (and yes, if there is a heaven then I AM going to Hell – willingly.)
Anyway, I first wanted to complement the author on the quality and tone of the overall series, it really is top-notch and more people should be aware of/reading these books.
The only 'negatives' for this particular book are the typo/grammar/punctuation issues – not as many as before, but still enough to be mildly annoying. Some examples:
listening as the man sounded off abut police officers
Typo, “abut” should be “about”
if (a character I am not naming specifically so as to avoid a spoiler) was involved—somehow— n killing (another character placeholder),
I’m pretty sure “– n” killing should be “in killing”
He decided and see what Hector had found.
Should be “He decided to see what Hector . . . “
And so on and so forth. Whoever is editing these books, please take more care, they deserve to be free of these kinds of things so the flow isn’t broken for readers.
OK, on to all of the good stuff, and there’s a lot of it.
Mal and Daniel are finally together – as in truly together. Not sorta together, not together-but-wondering-if-it’s-a-mistake, not together but someone is miserable at the compromises they’ve made – no, this is “honey, do you want me to get some milk while I’m at the market?” kind of together. So allow me to just absolutely squeeee with joy. AT LAST!!
I learned new words. Seriously, the jargon is not all recognizable as a U.S. educated reader, so I went out and looked stuff up, like “spiv coat” (snicker), “clart”, “blagged”, and “tamping” and my favorite, “builder’s tea” – which I am assuming is much like what we call “pink tea” over here – I make mine with orange pekoe (when I can find it), lots of sweetener, and I make sure I add a little actual tea to my milk. (Reason # 1,001 that I love Mal.)
DI Carey made my flesh creep (welcome to small towns and their small minds) – as did Kelley (sp?). I loathed Carey throughout, but there’s one load of garbage that he spews towards the end of the book where he employs the c word, which along with the n word and the f *g word, is among my all-time, gut reaction, want to vomit, hated word. I’m really, really sorry he didn’t These two characters actually pinged a lot of my fears about small towns, where I have had to deal with some really nasty people with similar ‘opinions’ (including *cough* the local police *cough*)
The plot was twisty and tricky, as per usual, with all kinds of deep emotional and psychological connotations – and I love how it tied in so many people in Daniel and Mal’s orbit, and how the result of the investigations was a very grey resolution where you know some people are not getting what they deserve. I love that kind of realistic viewpoint – “justice” as described in the law isn’t always enough.
Supporting cast continues to be fleshed out and they are a wild batch of folks who bring a lot of flavor to the stories.
Sex . . . there is lots of sex, but only some written out explicitly. Author had nice balance of not too little, not too much. Even when there is an explicit sex scene, it’s coherent and reasonable (versus the many books where the sex goes on . . . and on . . . and on . . . until your eyes glaze over.) I love, love, love that Daniel and Mal can’t keep their hands or mouths or even some other body parts off of each other, it actually really brings out the closeness and sweetness of their connection now that they’ve gotten past all the dramatic hoo-hah of the past. *hugs them both*
I was hoping, hoping, hoping that Daniel could be a consultant, like in the TV series Monk. So he could still work with Mal on cases (and not have to be all clandestine about it), but not have to be exposed to all the gruesome bits. Daniel’s empathy feels very realistic – I myself can’t even look at roadkill. Which also brings up my love for Daniel’s obsession with nature and growing things – that is such a cool trait for his character (and actually gave me incentive to really get into my yard work this summer.)
I noticed that Charlie got quite a bit of time on the page in this book, which is perhaps in preparation for his own series. If so, clever, that! I will be reading those books as well, and I do hope the plots maintain the high standards set by this series. Although . . . because Charlie is portrayed as such a slob, I’m not sure I will be able to connect with this character as intensely as I do with Daniel and Mal. Who knows, maybe he cleans up well?🫧🧼
Lastly, Mal is still my hero. He is such a wonderful rich, complex, grounded character. Some of my favorite glimpses of Mal from this book:
Mal was no stranger to being disliked by his fellow officers. He was ambitious and a perfectionist, and no one loves a perfectionist as a boss. He’d been grudgingly accepted when he’d moved to Melin Tywyll because of Daniel. Daniel, who knew everyone and everything in Melin Tywyll. Daniel, who could talk to anyone, and would make friends on the moon. Daniel, who Mal loved to distraction.
The other one is my partner, Maldwyn Kent. He’s in charge. He came because I wanted to make sure you got home, and Mal would make sure no one stopped you.”
Pandy gave the merest hint of a smile, as she began to relax. “He’s very good looking.”
“And a very good detective.”
Pandy smiled, properly this time. “Which did you choose him for, looks or brains?”
He had come to prefer light and colour after spending time with Daniel. Though they would prise the keys to his glossy black car from his cold, dead hands.
Daniel watched as Mal got his phone out of an impossibly tight jeans pocket.
Mal is SUCH a peacock in full display, and gosh, I love it. No wonder Daniel can’t resist *grin*
"Daniel, you know I’ll agree to anything you ask."
And you know he actually MEANS it. Lord God, this man is a keeper!
Final conclusion: HIGHLY recommend this entire series, especially later books. If a reader likes the Burke, Pryor, and/or Penny series, then they should check this series out. I know book 8 is in the works, I really hope the series continues beyond that – you know, maybe another 20 books or so?
At this point in the series, I want to bring something up. I have been reading some fantastic authors in the same genre over the past few years, only with hetero couples (if there are couples at all) – there are LGBTQA++ characters, but they aren’t the main characters. These would be the Irene Kelly series (Jan Burke (Author)); the Hugo Marston series (author Mark Pryor); and now I’m starting on the Armand Gamache books by Louise Penny. These books are up there on the favorites list for many folks (you have to fight to get a Louise Penny book at a library sale – seriously) and I’m realizing that this series, the Daniel Owen series, pretty much ranks right up there alongside these other (at least in my opinion). In particular, the Daniel Owen books share so much with the Marston/Gamache books – a non-U.S. POV and location, twisty, intricate plots, and lots of mental turmoil on the part of the MC’s as to whether they belong in their profession and how they sometimes have a hard time processing what they are seeing and experiencing in working a case. The main difference between these other characters/books and the Daniel Owens series is, of course, that the MC’s in the Owens series are both LGBTQA++, are a couple, and are highly active sexually with some scenes going into explicit details. (Quite honestly, I cannot for the life of me envision Armand Gamache having sex of any kind, but that’s a bit off topic.) I think I could fully recommend the D. Owen series to readers who enjoy any of these other books with the caveat that there are explicit sex scenes. In fact, I think I’d still really enjoy this series even without the explicit sex - not that I’m saying the author should cut back on the explicit sex, mind you, I would NEVER actually advocate for that to happen. 😁 As Daniel says in this book, gay men really do have a lot of sex. It comes with the territory. And I happen to really, really like that territory (and yes, if there is a heaven then I AM going to Hell – willingly.)
Anyway, I first wanted to complement the author on the quality and tone of the overall series, it really is top-notch and more people should be aware of/reading these books.
The only 'negatives' for this particular book are the typo/grammar/punctuation issues – not as many as before, but still enough to be mildly annoying. Some examples:
listening as the man sounded off abut police officers
Typo, “abut” should be “about”
if (a character I am not naming specifically so as to avoid a spoiler) was involved—somehow— n killing (another character placeholder),
I’m pretty sure “– n” killing should be “in killing”
He decided and see what Hector had found.
Should be “He decided to see what Hector . . . “
And so on and so forth. Whoever is editing these books, please take more care, they deserve to be free of these kinds of things so the flow isn’t broken for readers.
OK, on to all of the good stuff, and there’s a lot of it.
Mal and Daniel are finally together – as in truly together. Not sorta together, not together-but-wondering-if-it’s-a-mistake, not together but someone is miserable at the compromises they’ve made – no, this is “honey, do you want me to get some milk while I’m at the market?” kind of together. So allow me to just absolutely squeeee with joy. AT LAST!!
I learned new words. Seriously, the jargon is not all recognizable as a U.S. educated reader, so I went out and looked stuff up, like “spiv coat” (snicker), “clart”, “blagged”, and “tamping” and my favorite, “builder’s tea” – which I am assuming is much like what we call “pink tea” over here – I make mine with orange pekoe (when I can find it), lots of sweetener, and I make sure I add a little actual tea to my milk. (Reason # 1,001 that I love Mal.)
DI Carey made my flesh creep (welcome to small towns and their small minds) – as did Kelley (sp?). I loathed Carey throughout, but there’s one load of garbage that he spews towards the end of the book where he employs the c word, which along with the n word and the f *g word, is among my all-time, gut reaction, want to vomit, hated word. I’m really, really sorry he didn’t These two characters actually pinged a lot of my fears about small towns, where I have had to deal with some really nasty people with similar ‘opinions’ (including *cough* the local police *cough*)
The plot was twisty and tricky, as per usual, with all kinds of deep emotional and psychological connotations – and I love how it tied in so many people in Daniel and Mal’s orbit, and how the result of the investigations was a very grey resolution where you know some people are not getting what they deserve. I love that kind of realistic viewpoint – “justice” as described in the law isn’t always enough.
Supporting cast continues to be fleshed out and they are a wild batch of folks who bring a lot of flavor to the stories.
Sex . . . there is lots of sex, but only some written out explicitly. Author had nice balance of not too little, not too much. Even when there is an explicit sex scene, it’s coherent and reasonable (versus the many books where the sex goes on . . . and on . . . and on . . . until your eyes glaze over.) I love, love, love that Daniel and Mal can’t keep their hands or mouths or even some other body parts off of each other, it actually really brings out the closeness and sweetness of their connection now that they’ve gotten past all the dramatic hoo-hah of the past. *hugs them both*
I was hoping, hoping, hoping that Daniel could be a consultant, like in the TV series Monk. So he could still work with Mal on cases (and not have to be all clandestine about it), but not have to be exposed to all the gruesome bits. Daniel’s empathy feels very realistic – I myself can’t even look at roadkill. Which also brings up my love for Daniel’s obsession with nature and growing things – that is such a cool trait for his character (and actually gave me incentive to really get into my yard work this summer.)
I noticed that Charlie got quite a bit of time on the page in this book, which is perhaps in preparation for his own series. If so, clever, that! I will be reading those books as well, and I do hope the plots maintain the high standards set by this series. Although . . . because Charlie is portrayed as such a slob, I’m not sure I will be able to connect with this character as intensely as I do with Daniel and Mal. Who knows, maybe he cleans up well?🫧🧼
Lastly, Mal is still my hero. He is such a wonderful rich, complex, grounded character. Some of my favorite glimpses of Mal from this book:
Mal was no stranger to being disliked by his fellow officers. He was ambitious and a perfectionist, and no one loves a perfectionist as a boss. He’d been grudgingly accepted when he’d moved to Melin Tywyll because of Daniel. Daniel, who knew everyone and everything in Melin Tywyll. Daniel, who could talk to anyone, and would make friends on the moon. Daniel, who Mal loved to distraction.
The other one is my partner, Maldwyn Kent. He’s in charge. He came because I wanted to make sure you got home, and Mal would make sure no one stopped you.”
Pandy gave the merest hint of a smile, as she began to relax. “He’s very good looking.”
“And a very good detective.”
Pandy smiled, properly this time. “Which did you choose him for, looks or brains?”
He had come to prefer light and colour after spending time with Daniel. Though they would prise the keys to his glossy black car from his cold, dead hands.
Daniel watched as Mal got his phone out of an impossibly tight jeans pocket.
Mal is SUCH a peacock in full display, and gosh, I love it. No wonder Daniel can’t resist *grin*
"Daniel, you know I’ll agree to anything you ask."
And you know he actually MEANS it. Lord God, this man is a keeper!
Final conclusion: HIGHLY recommend this entire series, especially later books. If a reader likes the Burke, Pryor, and/or Penny series, then they should check this series out. I know book 8 is in the works, I really hope the series continues beyond that – you know, maybe another 20 books or so?
October 3, 2024
Another glorious bloom in a well cultivated allotment of books
One of the benefits of reading a series once most of the books have been published is that you can jump straight into the next book and forget about the previous book, particularly if you didn’t enjoy it as much. And that’s what I have done here. After having read quite a dark, messy book about Daniel’s fall into depression, it was so refreshing to move on to this next chapter in Daniel and Mal's life, with a decent mystery that resets this series back to its usual high standard.
If the previous book was all about Daniel making the decision to leave the police, this one of all about him trying to decide what to do next. We get some incisive internal angst from an incredibly perceptive author who knows her characters better than they know themselves. We get a mystery that is terribly sad and, although it is unsatisfying in its conclusion, a revealing insight in the grey area of policing and police work. Corrupt policing is brought straight to Mal’s doorstep as Ripley Hayes adds another layer of complexity to the mystery that surrounds book 6.
In each book (save the last) the author introduces us to new characters with genuinely authentic voices. I love the way she writes children, plucking at your heartstrings one minute, then throwing them into harms way in the next. There is another wonderfully written “action scene” where Daniel and Sasha go in hot pursuit of the bad guys that is made all the more dramatic by the inclusion of children.
But what really stood out for me in this book was the writing of Mal and Daniel’s relationship. The banter. The tenderness. The unspoken knowing establish by an author who has nurtured their relationship over the past 5 books. This series is in good hands with Ripley Hayes, as she moves the series and her writing forwards, never treading water or resting on her laurels.
One of the benefits of reading a series once most of the books have been published is that you can jump straight into the next book and forget about the previous book, particularly if you didn’t enjoy it as much. And that’s what I have done here. After having read quite a dark, messy book about Daniel’s fall into depression, it was so refreshing to move on to this next chapter in Daniel and Mal's life, with a decent mystery that resets this series back to its usual high standard.
If the previous book was all about Daniel making the decision to leave the police, this one of all about him trying to decide what to do next. We get some incisive internal angst from an incredibly perceptive author who knows her characters better than they know themselves. We get a mystery that is terribly sad and, although it is unsatisfying in its conclusion, a revealing insight in the grey area of policing and police work. Corrupt policing is brought straight to Mal’s doorstep as Ripley Hayes adds another layer of complexity to the mystery that surrounds book 6.
In each book (save the last) the author introduces us to new characters with genuinely authentic voices. I love the way she writes children, plucking at your heartstrings one minute, then throwing them into harms way in the next. There is another wonderfully written “action scene” where Daniel and Sasha go in hot pursuit of the bad guys that is made all the more dramatic by the inclusion of children.
But what really stood out for me in this book was the writing of Mal and Daniel’s relationship. The banter. The tenderness. The unspoken knowing establish by an author who has nurtured their relationship over the past 5 books. This series is in good hands with Ripley Hayes, as she moves the series and her writing forwards, never treading water or resting on her laurels.
October 18, 2025
I have recently returned to reading these books and this is the third on the trot. I enjoyed this one very much as it felt much more like Daniel and Mal were helping on the side, rather than being targeted and in danger all the time. The community of characters that has been slowly developing and expanding over time has now come to the fore and they feature much more in the goings on of the story, with some having their own POV chapter bits.
The main plot of this one was bigotry and male toxicity, and it was very well handled. It was nice (if a bunch of dead bodies can be called nice) to not have homophobia as the only focus of bigotry. Scared women, and even more scared children were presented as being the ones harmed by male toxicity. An unpleasant and unfortunate truth. A great series that spans a wide range of subjects through the eyes of our two MCs.
The main plot of this one was bigotry and male toxicity, and it was very well handled. It was nice (if a bunch of dead bodies can be called nice) to not have homophobia as the only focus of bigotry. Scared women, and even more scared children were presented as being the ones harmed by male toxicity. An unpleasant and unfortunate truth. A great series that spans a wide range of subjects through the eyes of our two MCs.
November 16, 2023
Always a detective
Daniel should have stayed with the department. Mal needs him cause he really isn't good at detection. Daniel works in each bit of evidence whether it fits or not. He follows in gifts as well as fact and he is absolutely always right. Mal only thinks by the book he dismisses anything that isn't the easiest conclusion. Now how Carey ever got Daniel's job is beyond me. Why wouldn't they promote from within? Its never suicide when you show blunt force trauma to the back of the head! That's murder in any book and definitely dose not need second opinion. I wish everyone would learn that Hector is always right on identifying the facts and Daniel's gut instincts are always right as well. It was a really good read as I like how Daniel puts the clues together.
Daniel should have stayed with the department. Mal needs him cause he really isn't good at detection. Daniel works in each bit of evidence whether it fits or not. He follows in gifts as well as fact and he is absolutely always right. Mal only thinks by the book he dismisses anything that isn't the easiest conclusion. Now how Carey ever got Daniel's job is beyond me. Why wouldn't they promote from within? Its never suicide when you show blunt force trauma to the back of the head! That's murder in any book and definitely dose not need second opinion. I wish everyone would learn that Hector is always right on identifying the facts and Daniel's gut instincts are always right as well. It was a really good read as I like how Daniel puts the clues together.
April 10, 2024
Mal is back with Daniel and settling into life in small-town Wales. Their relationship is on an even keel for once, helped by Daniel's medical retirement from the force while he potters around his small holding and the local allotment. But professionally, life is not so smooth for Mal, as Daniel's work replacement is an incompetent mean-minded bigot, far too well-connected to the upper reaches of the force.
When Daniel discovers a body at the local allotment and his friend is under suspicion for murder, things get nasty, personal and deliberately targeted.
The mystery was excellent and pleasingly complex, involving the terrific supporting cast that has developed throughout the series. Another terrific romantic suspense story in this absorbing series.
April 1, 2022
Daniel Owen #6
Ripley Hayes has rocked out another Daniel Owen book, and, even if you haven’t read the first 5 books, you will love reading this one. Even though there are characters familiar from the first books, this one reads as a stand-alone. Then you will want to go back and read the others. Trust me, you will.
Daniel Owen, now retired from the police force, and Maldwyn Kent, now superintendent, are beyond happily living on a smallholding in Wales. As one might expect a nasty case swirls up and around them and their friends. That’s why they call them mystery stories.
Well written, beautifully plotted, and riveting. Thank you, Ripley Hayes.
Ripley Hayes has rocked out another Daniel Owen book, and, even if you haven’t read the first 5 books, you will love reading this one. Even though there are characters familiar from the first books, this one reads as a stand-alone. Then you will want to go back and read the others. Trust me, you will.
Daniel Owen, now retired from the police force, and Maldwyn Kent, now superintendent, are beyond happily living on a smallholding in Wales. As one might expect a nasty case swirls up and around them and their friends. That’s why they call them mystery stories.
Well written, beautifully plotted, and riveting. Thank you, Ripley Hayes.
April 30, 2022
This is a great conclusion to the series (though I'd love to see more of Daniel and Mal -- hint, hint).
I thought that perhaps without the relationship tension, the books would be as strong, but this definitely was. :) The mystery was intriguing, Mal's struggles with DI Carey were tense, and Daniel still played a very vital role. Plus, their solid relationship was a nice balm to everything else.
Just a note: I believe these are self-published, and if you look too closely at the SPAG, you can tell. There are a number of issues scattered throughout, but most of them are so minor that I honestly didn't mind. :)
I thought that perhaps without the relationship tension, the books would be as strong, but this definitely was. :) The mystery was intriguing, Mal's struggles with DI Carey were tense, and Daniel still played a very vital role. Plus, their solid relationship was a nice balm to everything else.
Just a note: I believe these are self-published, and if you look too closely at the SPAG, you can tell. There are a number of issues scattered throughout, but most of them are so minor that I honestly didn't mind. :)
February 18, 2024
I took a break between 5 and 6, and I want to say that part of the reason was that I noticed that my copper Daniel was not enjoying himself as much. There is a big part in 6 that I am not going to mention, but it really bothered me, and then Daniel stops being the very being that I was reading the books for. Also, I hated the loss of one character who I felt deserved so much better. I am having a hard time with them both being so unhappy and becoming it seems ineffectual. The baddies are winning and I don't like it. I love these two, though, so I will keep on reading. I gave it four stars in spite of all the typos and my disappointment because I still care about what happens.
April 7, 2024
Daniel is searching for his future and on a walk one day he comes across a warm and lovely woman running her plot in a community garden allotment. Coming back to fix a shed, Daniel enjoys her company and the work with soil and growing things. Until the inevitable happens and a body turns up. Daniels replacement - Carey - is an odious human being who casts a dark and nasty shadow over everyone and everything. He runs the investigation with his own agenda and very little to back it up. With 'friends' in high places, his is seemingly untouchable. More bodies keep piling up with a possible link to a past loss. Mal is tearing his hair out and trying to stay one step ahead of Carey who has his sights set on Daniel. Another great read with lots of angst
April 27, 2024
In the meantime I've devoured the whole series. And I love it. I wish there were more books. The author creates interesting, complex crimes, well interwoven in the whole setting. In addition the MCs go through several personal developments, each on their own and as a couple. The writing is excellent, the atmosphere is spot on, the people are all real individual characters, each side character well fleshed out. Even the fact that sometimes not all crimes get punished as you wish as a reader fits perfectly in the whole setting.
Very satisfying read, love the romance as well as the crime plots. Higly recommended series.
Very satisfying read, love the romance as well as the crime plots. Higly recommended series.
July 25, 2022
I can’t decide
I mean, the writings good but what’s the point if he doesn’t want to be a detective anymore? He’s still a detective, he just has to hide it and he doesn’t get paid. It’s kinda dumb.
I have real issues with the consistent errors. At least they’re consistent I guess. The whole series is filled with spelling errors, left out words or extra words and it gets annoying.
The writing is still good but after the last book I am not as interested in reading these anymore. It’s not the same as the first four, and I don’t mean that in a good way.
I mean, the writings good but what’s the point if he doesn’t want to be a detective anymore? He’s still a detective, he just has to hide it and he doesn’t get paid. It’s kinda dumb.
I have real issues with the consistent errors. At least they’re consistent I guess. The whole series is filled with spelling errors, left out words or extra words and it gets annoying.
The writing is still good but after the last book I am not as interested in reading these anymore. It’s not the same as the first four, and I don’t mean that in a good way.
July 29, 2023
I like Daniel and Mal together now. Daniel is my favorite but I like Mal’s personality more. I like how meticulous he is with his clothes and neatness around the house and with his car. Lol
I read the Charlie Rees books before this series. And really only read these books to get some background on Charlie. He’s so different in this series.
I’m just not interested in Hector and Sasha together.
Well Daniel’s new career was a surprise.
Oh no, the character I like the least is featured in the next book. Actually Sasha and Bethan are in constant battle for that position.
I read the Charlie Rees books before this series. And really only read these books to get some background on Charlie. He’s so different in this series.
I’m just not interested in Hector and Sasha together.
Well Daniel’s new career was a surprise.
Oh no, the character I like the least is featured in the next book. Actually Sasha and Bethan are in constant battle for that position.
February 2, 2024
Ripley Hayes is getting better and better at crafting a good story, raising suspense and ripping my heart out all at the same time. The build in tension was well done and had me glued to the book. The characters are well drawn, painfully realistic and touching in their relationships with one another.
My only critiques are: Hayes NEEDS a good proofreader, there were so many typos and missing words in this. And the ending was probably more realistic than not in it's lack of tying things up into a neat bow, but was ultimately unsatisfactory to me.
My only critiques are: Hayes NEEDS a good proofreader, there were so many typos and missing words in this. And the ending was probably more realistic than not in it's lack of tying things up into a neat bow, but was ultimately unsatisfactory to me.
November 26, 2022
Daniel and Mal continue to get in the thick of things, even now Daniel is no longer in the police - he does seem to be finding more hippy roots!
The murders look current but have a long reach back and ultimately we get resolution.
The main dynamics are with Mal and the police force - rooting out the rotten apples.
Daniel is floundering a bit, what does he do now and through an allotment and school, looks like he has found some purpose
The murders look current but have a long reach back and ultimately we get resolution.
The main dynamics are with Mal and the police force - rooting out the rotten apples.
Daniel is floundering a bit, what does he do now and through an allotment and school, looks like he has found some purpose
September 14, 2022
Good continuance
This was a good plot, and a good chapter in their lives. I liked the development in the characters and that they had less drama in their lives and were able to concentrate on the case. I wasn’t as bothered that this case wasn’t solved, because it was solved enough and explained well. Looking forward to the next book.
This was a good plot, and a good chapter in their lives. I liked the development in the characters and that they had less drama in their lives and were able to concentrate on the case. I wasn’t as bothered that this case wasn’t solved, because it was solved enough and explained well. Looking forward to the next book.
March 31, 2022
Another fine mystery
I love following Daniel and Mal as they live their lives in Wales. They have a case to solve that has links to long past deaths and to old friends. I can't wait for the next book.
I love following Daniel and Mal as they live their lives in Wales. They have a case to solve that has links to long past deaths and to old friends. I can't wait for the next book.
April 3, 2022
excellent read
Daniel and Mal are back and there’s no angst between them this time which is good. All the favourites are there too like Hector and Sasha , and Mal’s work colleagues, Flora the dog. Great plot and a good read , fingers crossed for book 7
Daniel and Mal are back and there’s no angst between them this time which is good. All the favourites are there too like Hector and Sasha , and Mal’s work colleagues, Flora the dog. Great plot and a good read , fingers crossed for book 7
April 3, 2022
so good
I really have been loving everything about this series. The mysteries are really interesting and suitably complex, the love story between Mal and Daniel is pretty grounded and amazing, and the Welsh setting makes it extra intriguing. Keep them coming.
I really have been loving everything about this series. The mysteries are really interesting and suitably complex, the love story between Mal and Daniel is pretty grounded and amazing, and the Welsh setting makes it extra intriguing. Keep them coming.
April 12, 2022
Not as interesting as a couple of other books in the series. Only reason I read it was because of Kindle Unlimited.
May 17, 2022
I really was surprised when I found that the author wrote another installment in this series and I really enjoyed it. Hopefully there will be another one.
August 26, 2022
I really love this series; interesting mysteries, believable character development and writing which carries you along in a rush. Great.
February 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. This series is one of my favourites.
September 8, 2024
UGH, I still dislike Mal intensely, Dan comes and goes for me. If he was on his own and listened to himself instead of letting others dictate his actions so much I would love him. As it is i want to both protect him from himself and others and at the same time yell at him to stand up for himself and stop being a push over.
September 1, 2025
Yet another great book in a great series by a great author. No notes.
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