It is so nice to find a crime novel that sparkles with good storytelling and originality. This is my introduction to Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and I will certainly be reading more books by her.
I rarely enjoy new cozy crime novels but this one has a bit of grit to it and plenty of believable characters. The west coast of Ireland has long been a popular haunt for novelists and is a perfect backdrop for this story.
There's rivalry and jealousy between the four brothers at the centre of the plot which provides plenty of tension as suspicion points backwards and forwards between them all.
The forensic detail adds a whole extra layer of clues and suspense and was totally fascinating.
An absolute joy to read.

Trace of Hares is the fifth book in this addictive, cosy mystery series with its roots in ecology. Nell, Rav, James, and Shannon are guests at Connor and Sylvia's wedding in Ireland. On the first evening, family tensions emerge, and a devastating discovery is in the peat bog, embroiling Nell in another murder investigation. I like the character dynamics between Nell and her friends. The botanical and ecological details add authenticity to the story and give it a unique edge—the story is twisty, and there is plenty of family drama. The author evokes the location and the family relationships, bringing both to vibrant life. I like the characters, mystery and uniqueness of this cosy mystery.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is a Dr Nell Ward mystery. Nell is a scientist. She is also the daughter of nobility and of a politician. Nell and her companion, Rav, who is still in a wheelchair following a car accident. That is not holding him back, though, and he is still working as hard as ever. They are joining other friends at the wedding between Conor, her mother’s bodyguard, and Silvia, a friend. Things deteriorating quickly as the four brother get together for the first time in years: Conor, Sean, Brandon, and Finn Kennedy. Sean plans to marry himself, in the new year. A woman called Maeve, who runs a distillery. She was also the sister to Brandon’s wife, who had been missing for twenty years. Things really go down hill when a group of construction workers are digging for new construction and uncover a body. It turns out to be Maeve’s sister, Siobhan. Things start happening faster. The guys all get in a fight at a bar. Aoife, a local student, present at the dig site, convinces Nell to run a DNA test. She is indeed the daughter to Siobhan who disappeared or died along with her mother. Then all that remains is to determine the father. Apparently it could be any of the four brother.

Nell is a botanist first and foremost, but a sleuth as well. She just can’t abide unanswered questions, no matter whom they involve. She is warm and confident and loves Rav, with or without legs that work. Sean ends up in the hospital having been poisoned by someone using rat poison. Nothing to identify the poisoner, despite the fact Nell had seen it all. The is a very active book, with things happening at every turn. These two families, Siobhan’s and the Kennedys, are all hurting. The parents are elderly and don’t need the grief. It’s a good mystery, with characters readers are familiar with, and an excellent plot, reaching twenty years into the past. Plenty of people think they know what is happening. Few do. Thanks Ms Yarwood-Lovett. I love the Nell Ward books.

I was invited to read A Trace of Hares by Embla Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #EmblaBooks #SarahYarwoodLovett #ATraceOf Hares

I enjoyed revisiting this mystery series. I had read book one in the series and had no problem following the story in book 5. It was a good mystery and I also enjoyed revisiting the characters and learning more about ecology.

I love this series and enjoyed this novel even if it's not my favourite as I found the mystery a bit too slow at the beginning.
It's always a pleasure to catch up with Nell and her friends. The Irish setting was well described and the naturalistic details were well researched and interesting as usual.
It's a cold case and there's plenty of twists that kept me turning pages.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

I recently discovered this series, and was excited to read the latest book. Nell and Rav are in Ireland for Conor and Sylvia's wedding, and things get complicated when a body turns up that ends up being Conor's brother's long lost wife. There are several more twists and turns, and a lot of family feuding (Conor has two other brothers and none of them seem to get along). I found the ending quite abrupt and rather odd.

As always, I loved the details about botany. There was some neat DNA labwork and some very important flowers.

Not the strongest book in the series, I don't think, but I'm not a fan of interpersonal melodrama, so I'll look forward to the next book.

Would recommend this series to cozy mystery fans who like a bit of romance and science on the side.

The fifth book in the Nell Ward series is out and it is my favourite so far! Despite being part of a series, these can easily be picked up as standalone reads. Set in Ireland in a fictional town o the West Coast, the scenery described with the rugged mountains and the crashing waves of the Wild Atlantic Way is stunning. Nell and Rav are invited to a wedding, but this one comes with lots of family drama. We have warring brothers, an estranged wife missing for decades, who turns up in a bog. A murder case unfolds and then there is the issue of her missing baby. This is an action filled cosy mystery. #atraceofhares #Sarah Yarwood-Lovett #netgalley #emblabooks #nellwardseries

Loved this book. Hadn’t realised it was part of a series but it was so well written and flowed to beautifully. Characters were interesting and I read it deep into the night which is always a good sign!

The lead-up to a wedding turns deadly after a young woman, long thought to have run away years earlier from her marriage, turns up dead. Her murder rips through two families, dredging up old animosities, jealousies, and secrets, and threatens the union between two people Nell Ward cares for.

Nell, Rav, James and Shannon travel to the town Conor Kennedy was born in for his and Sylvia’s pre-nuptial activities and wedding.

Conor’s youngest brother Sean and his fiancé Maeve have many relaxing and fun things to do for everyone, but the surprise inclusion to the party by Sean of the eldest brother, Brandon, puts a damper on everything. Brandon had been married to Siobhan, who he felt had been unfaithful to him before taking their baby girl and leaving him. All trace of both were lost, and the Kennedy brothers spent years blaming Brandon, while Siobhan’s younger sister Maeve was convinced Brandon had not just abused her, but also potentially killed her. Maeve’s fears are realized when Siobhan’s body is found, sans baby. This reignites Maeve's fury, as not only did the Garda dismiss her fears at Siobhan's disappearance, but now her sister is dead, and Brandon does nothing to dismiss everyone's suspicions that he was responsible, and, in fact, stokes angers and causes fights.

Nell, Rav feel they should leave, despite Nell being interested in solving the murder, and James is pulled in as a bit of a liaison between the affected families and the Garda, whom both sides accuse as never have taken their concerns about Siobhan’s disappearance seriously.

Of course Nell and Rav don’t leave, and Nell gets a chance to learn more about the botany of the area, and how this plays into Siobhan’s body’s preservation, and will even lend a vital clue to identifying the murderer. But before it does, there are numerous ugly things revealed about the relationships between brothers, and between the two families, even though there is one revelation that provides a bit of healing to both families midway through the mystery.

Little, seemingly inconsequential hints eventually point to the murderer, whose identity wasn’t super hard to figure out, but I really like spending time with Nell and her sleuthing gang of Rav, James (he’s growing on me) and even Shannon too much to not read each instalment in this series eagerly.

Nell and Rav get into some seriously dangerous situations along the way (these two are such danger magnets!) but it was also heartening to see how well Rav’s physical and mental health have improved and the genuine progress he’s making towards regaining his strength and some of his mobility. I particularly liked how mobile he was in his wheelchair, even around the Kennedy farm.

This was another engaging story full of big emotions, but also some silly puns and sweet moments between Nell and Rav. Can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Embla Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

A Trace of Hares is the next in the Dr Nell Ward series, but this time the story is very close to home. Nell and Rav are in Ireland to attend the wedding of close friends Connor and Sylvia. But tensions soon mount when Connor reunites with his family, especially estranged brother Brandon. Added into the mix is the sister of Brandon's long lost wife, who is now partners with another of the brothers!

Whilst there are a lot of characters in the book, it is easy to follow the narrative without getting lost! What I really enjoyed about A Trace of Hares was the deviation away from the standard crime investigation. Because there is so much emotion tied up in the various family relationships, it is almost stifling at times to get to the truth.

This has been my favourite book in the series, not least for the development of Nell and Rav's stories. I can't wait to read the next installment!

Nell, Rav, Jame and Shannon are on Irelands west coast for the wedding of Connor and Sylvia in his family's village. The youngest brother, Sean, is the family peacemaker and has got the other brothers to attend. Brandon, the eldest, who lives locally, but is a dark brooding character and Finn, who flew in from the US.
When a body is discovered in the peat bogs, Nell is asked by a student she had met at the visitor centre to come and have a look as it isn't deep enough to be ancient. It is also wearing modern jewellery. She is quickly identified by her sister as Brandon's wife, Sioban, who had disappeared over 20 years before. The family are devastated and with other revelations, they are left reeling. When it turns out to be murder, the big question is what happened to her baby?
Will Nell, Rav and James be able to piece the pieces together to find out what happened?
This story drew me in from the beginning and held my attention right to the end. Very enjoyable.

This is the 5th instalment of this series and this time it’s uncovering a 20 year old mystery. As usual it's full of interesting characters and the huge research and knowledge from the author is very evident again Although it did feel we got a little bogged down in the science in this book more than in the other's This story is less about Nell's personal life this time and as more about Conor and the mystery surrounding his sister in law and niece which was very interesting. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is 5th in the Dr. Nell Ward series and a nice continuation of her story but could also read as a stand-alone. This was a well written cozy mystery with some interesting twists and a satisfying ending. This is a great series with an unusual main character and always great locations. This one involves a body found in a peat bog during a family wedding in Ireland. But while most bodies found in peat bogs are ancient, this one was brand new. Can Nell save the day and the wedding? Read it and find out.

Dr Nell Ward is back and this time it’s uncovering a 20year old mystery with her old friend Conor and his family. It’s hard to believe this is the 5th instalment in Nell’s story and it’s another good one - full of interesting characters and Nell’s interest in all things botanical and ecological.
This story is less about Nell and Rav this time, as we concentrate on Conor and the mystery surrounding his sister in law and niece. It was interesting seeing Nell and Rav on the sidelines for a change- seeing how they could watch as observers rather than being front of stage.
I always enjoy seeing Nell and Rav use their skills in solving mysteries - and the huge research and knowledge from the author is so evident again in this one.

Published on the 27 th March 2024 , this is the 5th in the series featuring Dr Nell Ward. I haven’t read the previous ones in the series but it didn’t stop me enjoying this crime mystery novel. Nell and her friends have been invited to a wedding in Ireland and as expected a body is found. What follows is a whodunnit, there are lots of suspects and lots of clues along the way. What I think I have missed is the build up to Nell and Rav’s relationship, Rav is in a wheelchair because of an accident and their relationship has obviously blossomed during the series. There are a few coincidences that occur but that didn’t spoil the enjoyment of the story. I learned quite a bit about ecology and DNA sampling. I will read more of this series because I loved the characters.

A delightful whodunit by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett! I enjoyed following Nell and crew along the twists and turns of family drama that involved the discovery of a long-missing sister and wife. Now to finally get to the bottom of a cold case that wasn't taken seriously 20 years ago. Now that everyone is together again for a wedding, emotions are high and longstanding grudges don't disappear overnight. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

My only negative critique is that it was extremely difficult to keep up with who's who and how they are related or know one another. By the end of the book, I knew the brothers and sisters and their parents, but I still am a bit hazy on how Nell and Rav know Conor, as well as a few other relationships. However, I didn't realize this is the 5th in a series, so that makes it a bit more understandable.

I have read all of this series and generally enjoy them very much, but I was slow to get into this one. Maybe it’s because they aren’t on home turf or maybe it’s that too many characters were introduced at once. There is also not enough of Nell in this book and too much of Conor’s unloveable family, except weirdly the parents who would give some depth to the relationship between the brothers. I enjoyed the DNA testing, but I can imagine some readers finding this tedious. Definitely the weak link in this otherwise engaging series.

The main character of this series is Dr. Nell Ward, an ecologist who has a knack for getting involved in solving crimes. This is book five and I've been following this series from the beginning, but it would work well as a standalone. In this book, she and her boyfriend and colleague Rav travel to Ireland for a wedding. Her former boyfriend DI James Clark is now dating Nell's spoiled cousin Shannon, and they are both attending the wedding as well. I've not felt the same about James ever since he got together with Shannon, but I'm happy to see that Shannon has toned down her worst behavior.

The pre-wedding festivities come to a halt when a body is discovered in a peat bog. Nell and Rav are a great team whether they're on an ecological project or an investigation. Both find themselves in dangerous situations and I'm glad to see them going strong without any interference from his family in this book. I like the cold case aspect of the book, but too much time is spent on the Kennedy-Delaney family dramas and not enough on Nell and Rav. The science is what makes this series unique, but the details of the DNA testing went over my head and slowed the pace of the story. I was happy to see that Ecology/Biology does play an important part in helping to solve the case. I like the way things wrap up even though not all the endings are happy, and I look forward to future books in the series.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Embla Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

A few weeks before I was offered A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yardwood-Lovett as review copy, I had co-incidentally bought the previous four books in the series, having stumbled across them. So before I read this one, I read the first four one after the other. I enjoyed them all well enough to keep going through them, although Nell, the main character, an ecologist, drove me a bit mad at times. Like so many of her ilk (amateur detectives that is) she interfered in police cases - and didn't hesitate to endanger herself. The former irritation always makes me want the character to be charged with something and the latter makes me see the character as thoughtless and a bit stupid. However, Nell improves as the series goes on and in A Trace of Hares she's at her best.

The book is set in Ireland where Nell and her partner and some friends have gone for a wedding. Before they can celebrate, however, a long-buried body is found. It's the sister of another wedding guest - and after that the death toll merely increases. Nell becomes involved officially as an expert and another of her visiting friends, a DI, is also consulted. So for me, the set-up is believable. The characterisation has always been good and that continues here. The murderer was a little easy to spot but the plot was engaging enough that that didn't matter.

I seem to be on a slump here lately and it’s a bummer and unfortunately Trace of Hares didn’t break my streak but continued the slump.

As a continual thriller, mystery, crime reader, I tend to read this in between more lofty books. I want to read easily, lose myself in whatever ridiculousness is provided to me, and just flow through it. Unfortunately, all I got was a bogged plot with a slew of characters that all blended together. I swear a new character was introduced every single page.

These characters blended so much together and just felt copied and pasted that it was hard to invest, keep straight, and care.

I haven’t read any of this series before and from I can tell can easily be read as stand alones. I’m not sure if this affected my reading at all but surmise it didn’t. Maybe returning readers to the series are happier than I was here