This was such an enjoyable book to read. The characters come to life from the very first page, and the settings and situations are so well described that it felt like I was there among them.

It's a mystery story revolving around the discovery of some bones in a cottage garden. But as for so many books that I enjoy, the back stories of the main characters and their developing relationships were what really kept me reading.

Anna is a young woman who has taken a job looking after the gardens of a cottage that's tied to Fallow Hall - a once grand place that Lord Blackwaite is now trying to maintain. In her new role, Anna has transformed the gardens, growing all kinds of produce that she sells at market. The descriptions of what this job entails, and the physical hardship involved, are very engaging.

Anna is fascinating as a character from the start, because I wondered why someone so young would want to embrace such a lonely, physically stressful and impoverished life. Over the course of the book we get to know more about her. Having grown up as a ballerina before an injury forced her to quit, Anna is well used to hardship and pain. She's also reached a stage where she no longer wants to 'perform' for others. There are lots of well observed references to the expectations of how women should behave and the consequences when they breach the boundaries of those expectations.

Anna develops an affection for local police officer Hitesh. He's someone who also has stresses from his past that are encroaching on his present. He's grieving the loss of his mother, a genuinely affectionate person who clearly loved him and wanted the best for him. As part of this he has to navigate a new relationship with his father, who is clearly someone he's never found it easy to get along with.

The descriptions of Hitesh's interactions with his dad are so acutely observed and I felt they really got across the frustrations that can mark parent-child relationships. The parts where his father tries to explain his behaviour, which has been interpreted as a lack of love by Hitesh but perhaps wasn't so straightforward, are very well-written and moving.

Back to the plot! In the course of digging over a bed, Anna comes across bones that appear to be human, leading to an investigation into who the victim was and how she died. This dredges up a whole hidden history from Lord Blackwaite's past.

The plot is good and genuinely interesting but as I said, I enjoyed reading about the plots in the characters' personal lives more. The author got across really well how it feels to be an 'outsider' in a small village, which is something both Anna and Hitesh experienced.

It's a great book to lose yourself in and I look forward to the author writing many more novels in the future. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance read.

Sorry, quite mediocre, nothing gripped me and I gave up a short way in. I cannot say much more as I didn't read enough for any constructive criticism.

It did take me a little time to get properly into it but when I did I loved it and enjoyed the twists and turns.

I Died at Fallow Hall by Bonnie Burke-Patel is a gripping mystery novel that combines suspense with intricate character development. The story revolves around a compelling murder mystery set in a hauntingly atmospheric location. Burke-Patel's writing weaves together tension and intrigue, making it a captivating read for fans of the genre.

Looking for a complete change in lifestyle for very personal reasons, Anna Deerin downsizes her life to accommodate her plans for an off the grid existence. Unfortunately, those plans go completely off the rails when she discovers human remains whilst gardening.

After Inspector Hitesh Mistry, seeking a quieter life for his own reasons, is brought in to deal with the case, the two swiftly discover that the past has a way of lingering on and reappearing in the present.

The book deals with some interesting issues, including attitudes towards race and culture. Anna is a relatable character and Hitesh also has his plus points, especially for readers with ties to his place of origin. The pacing was a little uneven but overall, this was an enjoyable read.

I enjoyed the storyline and i did not expect the outcome. I thought the middle was slow paced but not off putting. I loved the love story and i loved the history that we learn about Fallow Hall throughout the book. Wonderfully written.

I died at Fallow Hall by Bonnie Burke-Patel.
This was a bit of a slow start but once I got into it I did start to enjoy it. This is a new author for me. I did like Anna straight away. That did surprise me. This was a twisty and surprising read. It wasn't what I thought had happened. I did like the ending. 4*.