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Campbell and Carter Mystery #7
Mord will keine Zeugen
Als der Obdachlose Miff Ferguson Zeuge eines Mordes wird, entbrennt zwischen ihm und dem Mörder ein gnadenloses Katz-und-Maus-Spiel. Schließlich sucht Miff Zuflucht bei seiner Tante in Weston St Ambrose. Doch als man eine zweite Leiche in einer Scheune entdeckt, wird klar: Miff schwebt nach wie vor in höchster Gefahr. Die Uhr tickt, und um den Fall zu lösen und zu verhindern, dass noch ein Mensch sein Leben verliert, müssen Inspector Jessica Campbell und Ian Carter sich erneut mit der Polizei in Bamford verbünden - und mit Mitchell und Markby ...
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 23, 2021
62 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Ann Granger
76 books301 followersAnn Granger attended the Northern Grammar School for Girls, and had thoughts about becoming a veterinarian, but discovered women were not accepted into vet schools because they were not believed to be strong enough. Instead she earned a Modern Languages degree at the University of London, where she first developed a desire to become a writer. worked in British embassies in various parts of the world. She met her husband, who was also working for the British Embassy, in Prague and together they received postings to places as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. They had two children.
Her first novels were historical romances published under the nom de plume Ann Hulme.
In 1991, Granger made the decision to switch to crime novels, saying, "Basically, there is only one plot in love stories: You can describe it in different ways, but you always come back to the subject of man and woman. Crime fiction opens up a world of possibilities for the writer. It lets you tackle deep and difficult issues." Her first crime novel, Say it with Poison, centred on the protagonists Meredith Mitchell, a consular clerk, and police officer Alan Markby. The book proved popular and Granger wrote 14 more Mitchell & Markby novels between 1991 and 2004.
Granger also wrote other crime novel series & in 2021, in recognition of thirty years of crime novels, Granger released a collection of eighteen short stories, Mystery in the Making.
On 24 September 2025, her publisher Headline announced that Granger had died at the age of 86
This autobiography was added to with information from Wikipedia & Encyclopedia.com.
Her first novels were historical romances published under the nom de plume Ann Hulme.
In 1991, Granger made the decision to switch to crime novels, saying, "Basically, there is only one plot in love stories: You can describe it in different ways, but you always come back to the subject of man and woman. Crime fiction opens up a world of possibilities for the writer. It lets you tackle deep and difficult issues." Her first crime novel, Say it with Poison, centred on the protagonists Meredith Mitchell, a consular clerk, and police officer Alan Markby. The book proved popular and Granger wrote 14 more Mitchell & Markby novels between 1991 and 2004.
Granger also wrote other crime novel series & in 2021, in recognition of thirty years of crime novels, Granger released a collection of eighteen short stories, Mystery in the Making.
On 24 September 2025, her publisher Headline announced that Granger had died at the age of 86
This autobiography was added to with information from Wikipedia & Encyclopedia.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 6, 2023
3.5*
A Matter of Murder is the first book I've read from Ann Granger's Cotswolds-set series featuring police officers D.I. Jess Campbell and Det. Super. Ian Carter. It's more a police procedural and certainly grittier than other prominent Cotswolds-set series, such as M. C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin Mysteries or Katie Gayle's more recent Julia Bird Mysteries, but also contains a great deal of character interest outside the police investigation.
Former merchant banker Matthew "Miff" Ferguson has been sleeping rough for a couple of years, having eschewed the trappings of the city for a simpler existence. He's scouting possible winter shelter options in the town of Bamford when he finds himself in a sticky situation - he stumbles upon the dumping of a body in a disused warehouse in the town's industrial district. Following a face-to-face confrontation, the killer pursues him through the streets before Miff finds shelter in a suburban back garden. Realising he's in danger, Miff immediately takes steps to alter his appearance and sets out for the village of Weston St. Ambrose, where his Uncle Henry and Auntie Prue live. Miff believes the kindly couple, with whom he stayed over several holidays as a youngster, will provide him with a safe haven, especially if he uses the cover story that he's in the process of writing a book about life on the streets.
Meanwhile, retired Bamford police Superintendent Alan Markby and his wife Meredith receive a visit from flamboyant local woman Harmony Button, a member of a notorious family of petty criminals. She's concerned that the dead woman found in an abandoned warehouse may be her estranged sister, Amber. Meredith Markby agrees to accompany Harmony to consult with the local constabulary investigating the murder, lead by DI Trevor Barker and DS Emma Johnson. Barker's team confirm Amber's identity and start sifting through her associates, including shrewd landlady Mrs. Myrtle Clack and fellow tenant, terrified Romanian national Eva Florescu. The unfortunate Amber's family, especially reformed criminal brothers Declan and Gary Button, are also hot on the trail of her killer.
While Miff Ferguson takes a job at the struggling Minglebury Garden Centre with the affable but rather disorganised Sam French, DS Jess Campbell attends the scene of a burnt out van nearby Weston St. Ambrose, after human remains are found in the rear of the vehicle.
As the two crimes become intertwined, officers move between the two police teams pursuing leads, and Miff realises that he's still in the crosshairs of the mysterious "BMW man" who he witnessed dumping Amber's body in Bamford. Events hurtle towards a dramatic confrontation, when the villain is finally unmasked.
While the central crime-mystery plot of A Matter of Murder is compelling, I found that there were just too many characters, all with their own private concerns and backstories, to keep track of effectively. Miff Ferguson was an engaging and relatable central character and his developing relationship with Garden Centre proprietor Sam a refreshing side plot. But I kept getting confused about which p0lice officers belonged to which investigation - perhaps this would be made easier had I read the preceding books in the series, which feature several of the same recurring characters. While the storylines around the Button and Garley/Fallon extended families, based in Bamford and Weston St. Ambrose respectively, provided some light relief, they also added a whole extra layer of supporting characters (and potential suspects) to the mix.
A Matter of Murder is a solid contemporary take on the traditional English countryside police procedural - mystery, drawing in some important issues such as homelessness and economic decline. I believe it would appeal to readers who prefer character-driven cosy-ish mysteries, as opposed to gritty thrillers.
A Matter of Murder is the first book I've read from Ann Granger's Cotswolds-set series featuring police officers D.I. Jess Campbell and Det. Super. Ian Carter. It's more a police procedural and certainly grittier than other prominent Cotswolds-set series, such as M. C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin Mysteries or Katie Gayle's more recent Julia Bird Mysteries, but also contains a great deal of character interest outside the police investigation.
Former merchant banker Matthew "Miff" Ferguson has been sleeping rough for a couple of years, having eschewed the trappings of the city for a simpler existence. He's scouting possible winter shelter options in the town of Bamford when he finds himself in a sticky situation - he stumbles upon the dumping of a body in a disused warehouse in the town's industrial district. Following a face-to-face confrontation, the killer pursues him through the streets before Miff finds shelter in a suburban back garden. Realising he's in danger, Miff immediately takes steps to alter his appearance and sets out for the village of Weston St. Ambrose, where his Uncle Henry and Auntie Prue live. Miff believes the kindly couple, with whom he stayed over several holidays as a youngster, will provide him with a safe haven, especially if he uses the cover story that he's in the process of writing a book about life on the streets.
Meanwhile, retired Bamford police Superintendent Alan Markby and his wife Meredith receive a visit from flamboyant local woman Harmony Button, a member of a notorious family of petty criminals. She's concerned that the dead woman found in an abandoned warehouse may be her estranged sister, Amber. Meredith Markby agrees to accompany Harmony to consult with the local constabulary investigating the murder, lead by DI Trevor Barker and DS Emma Johnson. Barker's team confirm Amber's identity and start sifting through her associates, including shrewd landlady Mrs. Myrtle Clack and fellow tenant, terrified Romanian national Eva Florescu. The unfortunate Amber's family, especially reformed criminal brothers Declan and Gary Button, are also hot on the trail of her killer.
While Miff Ferguson takes a job at the struggling Minglebury Garden Centre with the affable but rather disorganised Sam French, DS Jess Campbell attends the scene of a burnt out van nearby Weston St. Ambrose, after human remains are found in the rear of the vehicle.
As the two crimes become intertwined, officers move between the two police teams pursuing leads, and Miff realises that he's still in the crosshairs of the mysterious "BMW man" who he witnessed dumping Amber's body in Bamford. Events hurtle towards a dramatic confrontation, when the villain is finally unmasked.
While the central crime-mystery plot of A Matter of Murder is compelling, I found that there were just too many characters, all with their own private concerns and backstories, to keep track of effectively. Miff Ferguson was an engaging and relatable central character and his developing relationship with Garden Centre proprietor Sam a refreshing side plot. But I kept getting confused about which p0lice officers belonged to which investigation - perhaps this would be made easier had I read the preceding books in the series, which feature several of the same recurring characters. While the storylines around the Button and Garley/Fallon extended families, based in Bamford and Weston St. Ambrose respectively, provided some light relief, they also added a whole extra layer of supporting characters (and potential suspects) to the mix.
A Matter of Murder is a solid contemporary take on the traditional English countryside police procedural - mystery, drawing in some important issues such as homelessness and economic decline. I believe it would appeal to readers who prefer character-driven cosy-ish mysteries, as opposed to gritty thrillers.
August 18, 2021
Very disappointing. The first five books of this Campbell and Carter series were very enjoyable, however the 6th book was dominated by characters from a previous series. As such I was very much looking forward to a Campbell and Carter book which centred on… Campbell and Carter. It is subtitled ‘A Campbell and Carter Mystery’ after all, not ‘Markby and Mitchell; briefly featuring Campbell and Carter’. Instead I got the latter. Markby, Meredith (and Barker) once again take centre stage, with much of the narrative being taken up by them and Campbell and Carter reduced to extras, playing a small part in the unsatisfactory story which rushes to a conclusion, a farcical ending, complete with pantomime villain.
July 28, 2021
Finally got this finished- it was hard to stay interested.
May 26, 2021
Convoluted plot and too many unlikely coincidences. Also long drawn out danger scenes.
February 6, 2022
This is the first book I have read in the series, which probably didnt help but I had problems with all the characters. It also seemed to take ages to work out who the main characters were as those from the other series were prominent. Still was an okay read.
September 21, 2020
Love this series and this was no exception.
September 15, 2022
Langweilig, Schwach, überhaupt nicht spannend.
April 5, 2024
Like a BBC Mystery...on paper (or the ebook version of that!)
The Campbell and Carter mystery series is a clean, easy-to-read series, with interesting characters, enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and nicely tied up endings. There's even a hint of romance here and there, but nothing graphic or even insinuated, which is nice.
This particular entry into the series starts with Miff, a former businessman-turned-voluntarily-homeless, who literally stumbles upon a murderer as he's disposing of the body, and ends up running for his life. After changing his looks and his location, he thinks he's safe, only to be sniffed out by a determined madman. Two murders, two police forces, some red herrings along the way, I will say I figured out who the murderer was about halfway through the book, but it made it no less enjoyable to be right.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery to read on the dwindling cool days of spring or on the beach this summer, I would recommend this book (or any in the series).
The Campbell and Carter mystery series is a clean, easy-to-read series, with interesting characters, enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and nicely tied up endings. There's even a hint of romance here and there, but nothing graphic or even insinuated, which is nice.
This particular entry into the series starts with Miff, a former businessman-turned-voluntarily-homeless, who literally stumbles upon a murderer as he's disposing of the body, and ends up running for his life. After changing his looks and his location, he thinks he's safe, only to be sniffed out by a determined madman. Two murders, two police forces, some red herrings along the way, I will say I figured out who the murderer was about halfway through the book, but it made it no less enjoyable to be right.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery to read on the dwindling cool days of spring or on the beach this summer, I would recommend this book (or any in the series).
December 6, 2021
Enjoyable traditional mystery.
February 2, 2022
Miff Ferguson ist obdachlos und auf der Suche nach einem Plätzchen, wo er sich im Winter aufhalten kann. Dabei überrascht er eines Tages einen Mann, der eine Leiche ablegt. Er entkommt und kann sich zu Verwandten nach Weston St. Ambrose flüchten. Doch auch dort holt ihn das Geschehene wieder ein. Doch jetzt ist er nicht mehr auf sich allein gestellt.
Mord will keine Zeugen ist bereits der siebte Band der Reihe um Jessica Campbell. Wir treffen hier wieder auf die bekannten Ermittler wie Ian Carter und die Kollegen aus Bamford sind wieder mit involviert. Alan Markby und seine Frau Meredith haben auch wieder einen Auftritt, allerdings ermitteln sie dieses Mal nicht aktiv mit.
Ich mochte auch dieses Buch wieder sehr gerne. Die Ermittlungen laufen zögerlich los, nehmen dann aber ziemlich an Fahrt auf und am Ende gibt es ein furioses Finale. Auf den Täter bin ich tatsächlich bis zum Ende nicht gekommen. Das Privatleben von Jessica und Ian wird weitergeführt, daher ist es durchaus sinnvoll, diese Reihe in der richtigen Reihenfolge zu lesen. Das Auftreten der Markbys fand ich gut dosiert, das hat gut in die Geschichte gepasst.
Ich habe hier einen typisch englischen Krimi erwartet und genau das auch bekommen. Daher gibt es von mir auch für diesen Band der Reihe eine Leseempfehlung. Ich hoffe doch sehr, dass es noch weitere Bände geben wird.
Mord will keine Zeugen ist bereits der siebte Band der Reihe um Jessica Campbell. Wir treffen hier wieder auf die bekannten Ermittler wie Ian Carter und die Kollegen aus Bamford sind wieder mit involviert. Alan Markby und seine Frau Meredith haben auch wieder einen Auftritt, allerdings ermitteln sie dieses Mal nicht aktiv mit.
Ich mochte auch dieses Buch wieder sehr gerne. Die Ermittlungen laufen zögerlich los, nehmen dann aber ziemlich an Fahrt auf und am Ende gibt es ein furioses Finale. Auf den Täter bin ich tatsächlich bis zum Ende nicht gekommen. Das Privatleben von Jessica und Ian wird weitergeführt, daher ist es durchaus sinnvoll, diese Reihe in der richtigen Reihenfolge zu lesen. Das Auftreten der Markbys fand ich gut dosiert, das hat gut in die Geschichte gepasst.
Ich habe hier einen typisch englischen Krimi erwartet und genau das auch bekommen. Daher gibt es von mir auch für diesen Band der Reihe eine Leseempfehlung. Ich hoffe doch sehr, dass es noch weitere Bände geben wird.
August 22, 2021
I enjoy murder mysteries, but I did not enjoy this one. The gist of the story was promising, but its execution was plodding and ponderous. There was too much written about too little in the novel: a plethora of characters with unnecessary details, distracting micro-events throughout, and a excruciatingly slow pace. It looked like the story was about to pick up around page 70, but by page 100, I started skipping ahead to random pages to discover the resolution to the murder. I don't think I missed anything and I'm glad I didn't continue to slog through the book.
July 22, 2024
Ann Granger writes really good murder mysteries. I mean that's almost all I need to say, because she's so consistently good at what she's doing - which in this case is writing about murders in the Cotswolds. They're grittier than some of your oThis sees a man who has been living on the streets stumble across a dead body and then realise that he's been spotted at the scene by someone involved in the killing. This doesn't just have Campbell and Carter - it also has Granger's previous Cotswold duo Mitchel and Markby making an appearance. Easy reading in the best way possible.
October 24, 2021
This story didn’t grab me. Too many characters, even towards the end I had forgotten which character was which. A very long run up to the main event and then it was over in a couple of chapters. A disappointing read.
February 15, 2023
Found it very boring, long,drawn out. Didn’t bother finishing it sadly.
July 2, 2023
so boring
January 11, 2023
4.5/5. Another great addition to the Campbell and Carter Mysteries series! I love a good cozy mystery and this one has just the right amount of small town charm with a dollop of darkness, like all other books in the series.
The story starts off when a man stumbles across a dead body, and worse, the person who killed her. After narrowly escaping the crazed murderer in bone-chilling chase scene, he decides to hide out in another town which, of course, shortly ends up becoming yet another crime scene. With the 2 bodies, we see the return of Markby and new information and red herrings constantly throws your suspicion from one person to the next, but never the right one. The best part about Granger's writing, I find. The only drawback of this book was that the multiple plot lines and many characters sometimes made things hard to follow along but the book was still engaging.
The story starts off when a man stumbles across a dead body, and worse, the person who killed her. After narrowly escaping the crazed murderer in bone-chilling chase scene, he decides to hide out in another town which, of course, shortly ends up becoming yet another crime scene. With the 2 bodies, we see the return of Markby and new information and red herrings constantly throws your suspicion from one person to the next, but never the right one. The best part about Granger's writing, I find. The only drawback of this book was that the multiple plot lines and many characters sometimes made things hard to follow along but the book was still engaging.
September 15, 2022
I cranked through all seven of the books in this series, and now the sad reality that I have to wait months for the next one!
This book was not my favorite. I found Miff to be a whiner, which of course all the characters in this series seem to have their issues and to be rough around the edges, but Miff was extra man-childish. I wanted to scream, “Just say no!” Granger is excellent at creating the overlooked, but familiar personalities that we all know exist. In this book we have the whiney disenchanted man who runs from society, but must return to find safety. We have a tight-knit, but rough remote countryside family. And we have a spurned woman who’s trying to pick up the pieces of her life and business after her boyfriend left. It’s a silly troupe of crazy characters and Campbell and Carter are there to uncover the murderer before someone else becomes a victim!
This book was not my favorite. I found Miff to be a whiner, which of course all the characters in this series seem to have their issues and to be rough around the edges, but Miff was extra man-childish. I wanted to scream, “Just say no!” Granger is excellent at creating the overlooked, but familiar personalities that we all know exist. In this book we have the whiney disenchanted man who runs from society, but must return to find safety. We have a tight-knit, but rough remote countryside family. And we have a spurned woman who’s trying to pick up the pieces of her life and business after her boyfriend left. It’s a silly troupe of crazy characters and Campbell and Carter are there to uncover the murderer before someone else becomes a victim!
January 7, 2024
We found this book to be balanced with action, mystery, detective work, drama, suspense. We really liked the new characters in the book but as it was the last in the series, we would appreciated more callbacks to previous books and characters.
We would have given this 5 stars if there were more Campbell and Carter. This book felt like the last where Mitchell and Markby were the main characters. We felt Campbell and Carter had subplots that progressed outside of the pages and would have liked to read them.
Overall, this is a great series if you’re interested in getting into murder mysteries. It is an easy read that will keep you guessing. It is cosy so there is not too much grim and gore which definitely appealed to us.
We would have given this 5 stars if there were more Campbell and Carter. This book felt like the last where Mitchell and Markby were the main characters. We felt Campbell and Carter had subplots that progressed outside of the pages and would have liked to read them.
Overall, this is a great series if you’re interested in getting into murder mysteries. It is an easy read that will keep you guessing. It is cosy so there is not too much grim and gore which definitely appealed to us.
June 26, 2023
Miff (aka Matthew) Ferguson, a homeless (by choice) person, when searching for shelter, inadvertantly interrupts a man moving a body. Miff runs away from Bamford, & finds shelter with his aunt & uncle in their village. He also manages to land a job at Samantha's garden centre.
In Bamford, Inspector Barker & Sargeant Johnson are left with an unknown body. But another body turns up near the village - this time it's DSI Ian Carter & Inspector Jess Campbell who have to investigate.
Lots of hints to follow; co-operation between the two police forces; hints of inbred village people; shenanigans abound, & a well-solved mystery. Great fun.
In Bamford, Inspector Barker & Sargeant Johnson are left with an unknown body. But another body turns up near the village - this time it's DSI Ian Carter & Inspector Jess Campbell who have to investigate.
Lots of hints to follow; co-operation between the two police forces; hints of inbred village people; shenanigans abound, & a well-solved mystery. Great fun.
January 2, 2025
Book was interesting at times with cool plot points like Miff living rough - a perspective not often seen!
Plot was vaguely interesting but I got confused a lot about characters - but I realised near the final page it was one of a series so that may explain the lack of character context! The cover on my copy is very unclear about that, I thought it was a standalone when I bought it.
A lot of jumping around different perspectives that was hard to follow, once even switched between people within the same single scene - too confusing and immersion was ruined.
Overall not raving about it, but maybe I should go back to the start of the series to find out what I missed...
Plot was vaguely interesting but I got confused a lot about characters - but I realised near the final page it was one of a series so that may explain the lack of character context! The cover on my copy is very unclear about that, I thought it was a standalone when I bought it.
A lot of jumping around different perspectives that was hard to follow, once even switched between people within the same single scene - too confusing and immersion was ruined.
Overall not raving about it, but maybe I should go back to the start of the series to find out what I missed...
March 19, 2025
I’d forgotten that I’d read a Markby & Mitchell book ages ago so when Alan Markby, retired Superintendent of CID, gets lugged into a local murder, I thought, wait a minute, I remember this guy. Anyway, this isn’t a M&M story, it’s a Campbell & Carter mystery. I admit to being very confused about who was who in the two police jurisdictions trying to solve essentially the same murder. Miff Ferguson, who has eschewed the rat race for a life living rough, witnesses a murder and runs to where he hopes he’ll be safe from the killer. When another murder follows on, he realizes the killer knows where he is, and he starts to panic. Anyway, all very convoluted but fast-paced and well written.
September 19, 2021
Another fun outing and Markby and Barker are involved again. Barker is working on a murder case, Amber Button is the victim on his patch. Carter and Campbell have another victim in a burned-out van, her brother Gary, on their patch. The Button family go to see Markby to see if he can help find the murderer. Is another family member next in line?
July 1, 2023
I decided to try one of this series, although I hated one of hers that was from another series. This was a half-decent PP and I was engrossed without being turned off by anything too unpleasant, or too many unbelievable characters.
I will probably seek out some of the earlier ones in this series out of curiosity.
Rating 3.4.
I will probably seek out some of the earlier ones in this series out of curiosity.
Rating 3.4.
April 13, 2024
This is the best of the series so far. Most interesting central character (other than Campbell and Carter, who are neither one of them all that interesting.) I'd go 3.5 stars, but I've gone 3 stars on several which were 2.5, so I'll leave this to help balance out. I'll try another one, if I think of it after it's published!
June 22, 2025
This 7th book in the series proceeds with interesting and solid character development including a few wild or entertaining characters. Village life, news of any unusual thing travels quickly. It was funny in places and informative in others highlighting poverty, homelessness, and community and family connections.
February 7, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It was a pleasant diversion and I am glad I read it. It's the 7th in the series, I believe, and it has connections with an earlier series. I enjoy British police procedurals, and this was a delightful distraction.
June 25, 2021
A homeless man sees something suspicious and is seen by the perpetrator. So he decides to leave town to visit his aunt and uncle in Weston St Ambrose, claiming he want to write a book. Meanwhile a second murder takes place.
Not as good as some of the earlier books in the series.
Not as good as some of the earlier books in the series.
January 31, 2023
Miff gave up his job and has been living rough. Then he sees a murder and starts to run for his life. He goes to Gloucestershire to his aunt and uncle and starts a job. Can he escape the murderer?
Great police procedural.
Great police procedural.
March 20, 2023
This was the best mystery so far although Carter and Campbell played almost minor roles in this mystery and it was told from a "would-be" victim's point of view. It was really inventive and an interesting story with surprise ending.
November 19, 2024
Interesting style
Ann Granger's books are well-written and her characters are multi-faceted. This particular novel is about a financier who walks away from his life to live rough. In searching out a winter hideout he witnesses a murder. And a terrific story follows.
Ann Granger's books are well-written and her characters are multi-faceted. This particular novel is about a financier who walks away from his life to live rough. In searching out a winter hideout he witnesses a murder. And a terrific story follows.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews