A Body Out at Sea

West Wales Murder Mysteries #2

by P.F. Ford

Detective Norman is out of retirement and back solving murders.

On a freezing November morning a man jogs down to the shore at a small Welsh beach. He strips off all his clothes and strides out into the icy water.

No one knows who he is. But locals say only a fool — or someone with a death wish — would go into the sea at this time of year.

With no body, Detective Norman’s young team are baffled. Who was this man? And why would he go into the water that day?

Then builders in town make a gruesome discovery. A skull is found in a shallow grave.

Llangwelli Police now have two unsolved deaths on their hands. And things only get stranger when it seems the two are connected . . .

It’s going to take all Detective Norman’s experience to whip his band of misfits into shape to crack the case.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Fiction, Procedural, British Literature

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2020

About the author

Having spent most of his life trying to be what everyone else wanted him to be, P.F. (Peter) Ford was a late starter when it came to writing. He had tried writing a novel many years ago (before the advent of self-publishing), only to be turned down by every publisher he approached. It was very much a case of being told by those around him, ‘now you know you can’t write, so get back to work!’

Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.

Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.

He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.

Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!

Reviews

[Claude's Bookzone · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good follow up to book one. This one had me scratching my head wondering how everything was going to come together. I enjoyed this second outing with Detective Sergeant Norman Norman and Detective Inspector Sarah Southwell as they fight to get some respect and credibility in the face of harsh criticism from their peers in other precincts. I'm not sure if there will be any more in this series but I think I will part ways as I have a number of police procedural series on the go.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Body of Confusion" is the second book in
P.F. Ford's "The Rejoiner" Series.

It's a smart British police procedural that begins and ends with a "Wow!"

When constables and detectives are labeled "misfits" or "losers", they get reassigned and "rejoin" a station in northern Wales. (Think "Beverly Hills Cops" in Wales!)

When a female human skull is found by builders, this team of "rejoiners" investigates the link between this human skull and discarded clothing found on the beach from the missing body of a possible suicide victim.

Detective Sargeant Norman Norman is a "rejoiner" and he is one of my favorite fictional DSs.

The book's characterizations were strong and the dialogue was witty and fast-paced.

I listened to the audiobook and narrator Andy Cresswell did a superb job with the narration.

Although "A Body of Confusion" is the second book in this series, it could easily be a stand-alone read.

For a better and more in-depth understanding of the author's likable and endearing protagonists, I strongly recommend reading "A Body on the Beach"(The Rejoiner #1), prior to reading this title.

This is my second book by author P.F. Ford book it will not be the last.

Hopefully, this book will be the start of a long series. If so, I'm IN!

4.5 Stars

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by this author and I have liked both of them, as I have said in the past I normally do not like books wriitten by British writers they never click for me for some reason. I liked the flow to this book and not too many twist but the one was so in front of your face that it makes you go geeee I missed that one. I like all the main and secondary characters in both novels. I thought the ending was pretty good maybe a bit long but it was good. I thought the bad guys were pretty good. This book series for some reason reminds me of a Columbo tv mystery not so much the main charcter but the pace, tempo and reason why. I think the reason why, is the case the is not another mindless serial killer book-----it unravels at a good pace and has a good tempo to it. I am not sure it would be called a who done it but it is a good murder mystery and both books were very original Murders. This author had a very hard time getting publishe and attention but I am glad he stayed with it- I do say only a British writer could name the main character Norman Norman lol.I will read the next book in the series and I say go ahead and give it a big spin.

[Carolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Although this instalment is title A Body out at Sea the main plot actually revolves around a body found in the ground during building renovations in Llanwelli. A skeleton is uncovered by builders and the team is soon investigating the disappearance of a woman that occurred a decade ago in the area. A sub-plot revolves around a suspected suicide as a man is seen walking into the icy sea early one morning. The final plot twist is unexpected and we get to know the team better as they investigate the two cases. A solid second instalment in the series. The suicide actually forms a central part of the plot in the next book in the series which leaves me slightly baffled at the choice for this title.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

How to put this read into perspective - can I just say, when I flipped to THE END, I was more than a little taken aback? Yes, the "crime" was solved, and yes, most of the book's threads somehow managed to weave together in their own quirky way, but it was all so...peculiar. The relationships were odd. I'm still not entirely sure what exactly happened and how it all tied together so that in the end it made sense.


The writing itself was solid, meaning the sentences, the paragraphs, etc. But it felt like a jumble of ideas spilled onto the pages - some rambled on more than necessary, often repetitive scenes that underscored a point I got the first time it was pointed out, and if not then, possibly by the 3rd or 4th reiteration.


One of the characters who had quite a bit going on was dropped with some kind of excuse that made no sense at all. I mean, it's a book. You can't use something like 'his mom got sick so he left' and call it a day. The characters' stories were muddled, too. The names alone - are we using the first name? The last? Choose one or the other, please.


I'm not sure what happened here. It feels like the first book did well, and the author was nudged to rush through the second one. I just don't know. Are we expected to move on to the third book to get some answers and wind up some of the themes going on here? Again, I have no idea.


The book did manage to set a mood, though, and it painted the surroundings well. Am I tempted to dive into book number three? Well, life's short. There's a sea of fantastic series out there just waiting to be explored. The only thing this book really had going for it was solid writing, not solid storytelling. I think I'll give it a breather and decide later.

[Lavins · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

We have two mysteries: a man that walks into the sea which looks like a suicide and the a skull discovered on a construction site. Are they related or not?

This series continues to deliver! I loved the mystery, I loved the investigation, I continue to love the characters, how they develop, the friendship, the bond that is creating between them. And I loved the ending! It was a good one!

[Marshamariella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Book 3 mistakenly before Book 2 I did enjoy the plot and seeing how the team has started to work and gel together into a competent force to reckon with. While it’s reported a man walked into the sea his body was actually found in Book 3. While they were trying to figure out if it was a suicide and who it was, builders elsewhere dug up a Skelton that led us on a procedural journey of solving the case. A great read.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tangled web.

A man walks into the sea on a deserted beach, and as DI Southall and DS Norman begin their investigation, a body is found on a building site. Can these two events be connected?
I thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous murder mystery set on the West coast of Wales; it is well written with excellent characters, and I am happy to recommend it to lovers of this genre.

[H C · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked the first one better, but this one was still quite good! I wasn't sure how it would all tie together but sure as shit, it came together within the last 5 pages!

I am really beginning to like Detective Norman's sense of humour!

4.2 🌟

[Gail Radka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good second book building on the character’s from the first. The storyline kept me guessing unusual and plenty of twists good detective work. I will keep going with series

[Larry Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs a better crime

I read the previous book in the series before. This one has 2 main story lines, and the way it was written, I was sometimes forgetting what crime was being investigated. I found it a little dry, and yes, a body of confusion.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clothes left on sand with white towel. Went swimming/suicide? Grant Llewellyn; neighbor - Sheila Brown.
DI Sarah Southall,
PC Winter, Norman Norman, Superintendent Bain, Region/Chief Constable, DC Dylan Thomas, Catron Morgan;
Construction workers find a body when excavating for an addition for Green Finches.
Richard Armsworth, really Simon Markham, marrying Annabel's mom?
Annabel had a baby when she was 16. Gave up baby for adoption; Father? Simon Markham?
Muriel Armsworth had a second daughter, first one at age 15, Louise Matthews, put up for adoption.
Faye, new friend - reporter/local news magazine;
Lucinda Jackman is Annabel Gracey......Husband is Kevin Gracey
Aberdanber - where yacht was docked and Annabel lived.
Armsworth was the killer of Louise, also swindled money from Muriel.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun continuation of the series beginning with A Body on the Beach. In this case, one body is found, and another is missing, a suspected suicide. DI Sarah Southall teams with DS Norman Norman again as they try to identify a skeleton uncovered by builders, and determine who folded his clothes so neatly on the beach before walking into the frigid winter waters off the coast of Wales. Was it a suicide, or is someone trying to fake his own death? Is there a link between the skeleton and the swimmer? Is the neighbor next to the excavation site a reliable witness? As Southall puts trust in her team, will they live up to her expectations?

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new author and series for me. I listened to the first two as audio books and an added plus was the narrator who does a good job with the accents and Welsh pronunciation. I like the premise of a group of police “losers” in a small Welsh town, determined to prove themselves to their regional counterparts. Norman and Southhall make a good team. Having read the author’s bio, Norman seems to represent the author’s brand of optimism with his advice and understanding of human nature. Of the two, I liked this one better; stronger plot and fuller character development. Will definitely read the rest of the series.

[Kateryna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m completely hooked on these Welsh mysteries and this one is another brilliant gem from P.F. Ford! The story is gripping from the first page with one twist more surprising than the next. I couldn’t stop reading or thinking about it!
The author’s writing style is addictive smooth, clever and full of heart. Every piece of the plot fits together like a perfect puzzle. What I love most is how the characters are revealed slowly layer by layer.
And the way he romanticises Wales🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿… it’s pure magic. The landscapes, the atmosphere they breathe through the pages. I’ve never been but reading his books makes me want to pack a bag and disappear into the misty hills

[JPT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
Story: B, Narration: B+

I liked the setting and the characters but the mysteries were a little odd and unsatisfying. The one that opened the book wasn't conclusively solved and the other was more convoluted than it needed to be. Also odd is the fact that we never actually see the superintendent for the entire book. (He was largely missing in the first book, as well.)

I borrowed these first two books for free under the Audible Plus program and I don't think I'll continue with the series with the other books at full price. I'll reconsider if there's a sale, tho, since I'd like to follow up with the characters.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 because I enjoyed the case.... Where it bogged down was in the dialogue. I like dialogue and I like character development in my mystery series. And this book had a lot of dialogue, so I should have been thrilled. Unfortunately, it felt like a screenplay - or more likely a teleplay for a soap opera, since it was repetitive and a little stilted. Possibly my dissatisfaction was because the book I just read before this one was so much better.

Still, I like Norman so I just might read #3.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the West Wales Murder Mysteries was every bit as good as the first. The characters are interesting and very easy to get to know and it was good to catch up with them once more. The story itself was very complicated, with plenty of twists and turns that kept the reader guessing right until the very end. There is plenty of humour in these stories along with some very competent detective work and I think that DS Norman and the team are good to hang out with. I found myself totally immersed in this book and am looking forward to getting stuck into the next one.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What tangled webs

A man walks into the water, not to be seen again. A body turns up in a remodeling job. Related? You wouldn’t think so. Detectives in a small village try to identify both people and find a web of deceit that sends them on a merry chase.
I enjoy Ford’s books. The characters seem like real people. The plot follows a path toward solution. Best of all, he tosses his sense of humor into the mix. I look forward to another adventure to see where it leads.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIO. Lucked out and got the 2nd book in the series and felt like I was part of their team as they resolved two situations. The more that is revealed by the author on the back stories of each member, the more I feel they would be great friends to have in a difficult situation. The solved a disappearance/suicide and got to the bottom of a very old case purely by creative thinking as the team did 'what ifs'. Look forward to more enjoyable - non-stressful stories.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Rate Characters and Plot

This is a really refreshing series. I have enjoyed every novel by I've read from this author and Norman Norman has always been my favorite character in his stories. The language is clean, the characters like each other and there's plenty of humor. And all done without the gross profanity that several British thriller authors feel they need to interject.
Highly recommended.

[Elva Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Body Out At Sea (the West Wales Murder Mysteries Book2)

this book is even better than Book 1. Might be because I know the character’s a bit better and understand the comical moments better. The characters were much the same but more people involved with the Police over wrong doings. The team have got it together and are working well, deaths are many and very interwoven. Read this book and enjoy it as much as I did. I recommend this Murder Mystery Book2

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. While I really like DS Norman Norman, DI Southwell and their team, this one had a few too many twists and turns for my taste as well as a bit too much coincidence. Although the audio version I read had the later title, A Body Out at Sea, I'd say A Body of Confusion is a better one. It kind of made my head spin, but I'll round up for the relationships between the detectives.

[Mirrordance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se non fosse per il narratore questo secondo libro della serie potrebbe meritare 4 stelline. Comincia con il ritrovamento dei vestiti abbandonati di un nuotatore sulla spiaggia e poi vira sul ritrovamento di ossa durante i lavori si ampliamento di una villa. Comincia lentamente ma poi prende il ritmo e, sebbene non sia nulla di originale, riesce a procedere per gradi senza annoiare con i suoi colpi di scena non eccessivi e non molesti. Ho apprezzato l'equilibrio della narrazione ed alla fine è stato un ascolto piacevole.

[Mary E SMYTH · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rejoinder stories was a good move for PJ. Numero 2 had a good plotline although perhaps a weak finish. The characters are a likeable crew. No drinking, swearing for them. Good to see how they are all developing . I really have enjoyed all of PJ's writing, and this is a first for me, a Wesh series More power to your writing ran P.F.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I have read everything this author has written and so enjoy his work. Norman Norman is everyone’s favorite character who just makes you smile reading about him. Really enjoyed the storyline and characters in this 2nd Rejoiner book. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

[Bonnie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining puzzle

Once again, P.F. Ford has managed to surprise me. I thought I knew the answer for both mysteries, and boy, was I wrong. It was great learning more about DI Southall and seeing bits of the rest of the team in action. I can hardly wait for the next book in this series.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Another page-turning read"

Norman and Southall are fast becoming a formidable team. A complex plot involving mistaken identities and family secrets usually involves more analytical skills than fast-paced action, but the writing style prevents this from being anything other than a fascinating page-turning read. More of the same, please.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Storyteller

Another excellent book by Peter Ford. His portrayal of the Llangwelli detectives is so vivid and warm that you feel you want to be part of their close knit team. After reading one of these books, which can be read as stand alone novels, you come away as satisfied as after a good meal. I can't wait for the next one.