This is a new author starting a new series featuring a CSI called Ally Dymond.
This really picked my interest as Tina Orr Munro used to work in the SOCO (Scenes Of Crime Officers) team herself. Therefore the story adds much credibility in my mind.
This is the second book of the series depicting a crime taking place at Slaughterhouse Farm. Although on a compassionate leave (events took place on her first book Breakneck Point which I will also read)., Ally's professional opinion is requested by new DI Harriet Moore.
I really enjoyed this mystery as once again, the author has much first hand experience of that environment. The setting of North Devon is beautifully done and once again reflects personal experiences from the author herself.
A new author well worth following. I look forward to reading more from her.

Having devoured and loved Breakneck Point I couldn't wait to read the 2nd book in the CSI Ally Dymond series. It's absolutely fantastic and I loved it. Roll on book 3!

Ally is on compassionate leave after the events in Breakneck Point and not really knowing what her future holds when the new DI Harriet Moore approaches her for her take on a new case.

A holidaying family had discovered Miriam Narracott wandering on Exmoor holding a bloody knife and seemingly in a catatonic state. When the police arrive at Slaughterhouse Farm they discover the body of her eldest son Gabe who has been viciously attacked.

Ally finds herself drawn into the case and does a little detective work of her own. Meanwhile her daughter Megan is wanting her life back and is annoyed at her mother's softly softly approach. She's happy when Ally lets her friend stay in the cabin with her.

As the team investigate it seems that they will have to delve into MIriam's past and that of the family. Gabe's brother whom Ally has a connection with has a cast iron alibi for that night. As they delve deeper they find that their lives are interwoven with secrets.

There's also another story running alongside featuring characters from the previous book. I did feel sad at what happened to Megan's friend. We also learn about Miriam's earlier life which definitely adds to the story.

Fast paced and incredibly twisty. The storylines and characters are fantastic. I'm a huge Ally fan and I can't wait for the next one (and maybe a little true romance for Ally!). Five stars here!

The second novel in the CSI Ally Dymond series sees the protagonist helping investigate the murder of a farmer whilst dealing with her own domestic issues. A sad backstory to one of the characters and a second storyline connected to the first, made this a satisfying read. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I loved Breakneck Point, and I loved this more. Ally’s character is more rounded as are all of those around her, the plot more complex and and there were twists and turns I just didn’t see coming. I think this is a great series already with so much scope for the future. Look forward to the next one!

The first in the series, Breakneck Point, felt very depressing with the CSI Ally against the world. This one is somewhat better in that at least the new detective on the block is supportive - probably mainly because she's a complete 'townie' and not happy in a very rural situation, but she has wellies even if they are pink. The gory murder involves Ally in some detailed and twisted family history because the son is dead and the mother apparently the murderer but she's catatonic so not able to be questioned. Ally continues her personal angst following the last series, her teenage daughter is chafing at the over-protectiveness of her mother, wanting to know about her long divorced father and his "beautiful" family while Ally wants to protect her against life, given the last book. There are rather a lot of cross hairs to line up too - does Ally want to go back to work after being on long-term compassionate leave, or leave being a CSI to become what? A full-time mother? Bit late given daughter is late-teens. She remains a rather annoying CSI as she always knows best and unwilling to be a real team player although that's not surprising given history. It is better to read No 1 first but then the reader might be put off sufficiently to leave this one. It is an improvement but Ally needs work. 3.5 rounded up to 4* Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Decades ago, one starlight night, Miriam receives an unwelcome marriage proposal which she accepts at her father’s insistence. Many years later an old woman is discovered on an Exmoor road wielding a kitchen knife and wearing only a nightdress. CSI Ally Dymond is still on compassionate leave months after her daughter is brutally attacked. However, DI Harriet Moore asks for her help with the case of the ‘lady in the nightdress’ and the murder of a young man at Narracott Farm aka Slaughterhouse Farm.

Oh boy, is the start of this one ever hard to get into as it’s almost like a muddled explosion with references to the last book intertwined with the plot of this one which therefore struggles to get into second gear. It’s hard work! Thankfully it does improve but it’s never especially fast paced being more of a dander around Bidecombe in Devon where Ally lives. In fact, Ally takes us into its pubs, it’s shops and even the kebab shop and yes, it does become relevant providing links in the plot chain. It does ultimately connect well, there are some good surprises, partly because Ally doesn’t work them out (!) and the ending is a quality one. I like the chapters from Miriam’s point of view as there is some real heartbreak there.

One of my biggest problems is the character of Ally. She is far too much of a smarty pants almost solving crimes by her clever self. Er, that’s what detectives do Ally. Stick to the crime scenes.

Overall, the confusing start does eventually produce a good storyline but with a central protagonist I find hard to connect to.

With thanks to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I had a hard time getting into Slaughterhouse Farm by T. Orr Munro. It had a fairly good mystery, but I didn't connect with any characters. I also didn't really care how the book would end.

Overall, the author's writing style was okay and there were some good twists to the storyline, but I just didn't find myself getting too invested in the characters.

#SlaughterhouseFarm #NetGalley @HQStories

I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of Slaughterhouse Farm, the second novel to feature CSI Ally Dymond, set in North Devon.

72 year old Miriam Narracott is found wandering on a dark road with a knife in her hand and blood soaking her clothes. At her farmhouse her son Gabe is found stabbed to death. Ally is on compassionate leave after the events of the previous novel, Breakneck Point, but DI Harriet Moore, recently transferred from the Met, wants her local knowledge and keen forensic eye. With Miriam catatonic they have to dig in to the family history.

I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about Breakneck Point, but not one to judge a series by one book, I thought that I would try again. Slaughterhouse Farm is for me a much better read as it maintains more mystery, like no early revelations of who did what. I find a read more immersive if there is a need to know element to keep me turning the pages. Now, all the author has to do is improve the personality of Ally Dymond. I don’t like her and find her first person narrative grating. She’s controlling and thinks that she can do better than a roomful of seasoned detectives, when she can make some enormous blunders.

The plotting in the novel is good. There is the initial murder and all sorts of seemingly unrelated incidents that come together in a final big twist. I was surprised by the identity of the perpetrators (more than one crime), but disappointed that the perspicacious Ms Dymond didn’t clock on sooner, although that would have spoiled the outcome. Throughout the novel there are flashbacks to Miriam’s younger self. These are heartbreaking and, to be honest, the star of the show. I particularly liked the final twist in this story and mourned the waste of a life spent believing lies.

Slaughterhouse Farm is a well written thriller.

A woman is found on the moors clutching a knife and covered in blood - blood which belongs to her son. When CSI Ally Dymond is asked to assist the investigation, despite being on compassionate leave, it opens up in an incredibly unexpected way.

Having read Breakneck Point, I was eagerly awaiting a sequel so imagine my delight when I saw Slaughterhouse Farm! What I will say is that the book feels like it has one or two plot threads too many to me - the final part of the book has a lot of revelations, but I wasn't *entirely* sure it was going to resolve everything until the very last chapter. 4* for me.

I raced through this book by T. Orr Munro, thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the arc.

A fast paced story after a mother is found on the moor clutching a knife covered in blood all fingers are pointing at her killing her son. Miriam cannot speak and say what happened so will the truth ever come out?

There is more to the story than that though and finally after many twists and turns we find out what actually happened when CSI Ally cannot help but get involved.

I enjoyed this story and found it easy to get into and follow. 4.5 stars

Rounding up to 4 stars


Well that was a wild ride.
So much happened, so many twists. Some cracking cliff hangers.
It doesn't matter I'd not read the previous book (I'm assuming there was at least one) this fills you in on all you need to know.
I do like a flawed central character with issues and a good back story.
Fat paced, cracking tension and an all round good read with a few surprises.
I raced through it.

I DNF'd this book fairly early on in my reading. I honestly could not follow the formatting of this book or what was really going on at all. I know it was early, but it was just all over the place.