Nell and Rav’s Youtube channel, Following Finchmere which examines ecology and rewilding, has gained a huge following but it is Rav who has become a star. So much so, he now has a stalker. At first it is anonymous letters declaring their love for him and telling Nell she’s not good enough for him and should leave him alone. But as Finchmere plans for a summer fete, the letters to Nell become more threatening and it becomes clear that, whoever the stalker is, they are close to them and, clearly, they are escalating. First, Nell’s house burns down and she just barely escapes. Then she is attacked and, again, just barely escapes. Rav wants to cancel the fete but Nell refuses to be intimidated. And then someone close to them is murdered.

A Swarm of Butterflies is the sixth book in A Dr Nell Ward Mystery Book cozy mystery series by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and it is one heck of a page turner. The characters are well-drawn and there’s plenty of suspense, suspects, and red herrings to keep the reader engaged. As in her other books, Yardwood-Lovett provides interesting references to ecology as well as, in this case, technology. A very interesting murder that kept my attention throughout.

Thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

I cant get enough of this series of books. There is so much going on and you get sent off in so many directions. **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

This is the sixth book in the Dr. Nell Ward series and I always enjoy the ecology theme (and learn some obscure nature facts) while reading. I do think you should read the series in order as you would miss a lot of the back story and general character development if you read this book as a stand alone.

The mystery in this book revolves around a stalker which is a different set up than previous books (and most mysteries) so that was something new and helped create a new format where there might be crimes to solve, but the central question was around the stalker's identity. It was a little like a locked room format with limited suspects who were all close to the main characters/integral to the plot which was a fascinating set up.

There is also a background story of YouTube fame which made things interesting as well. The way technology was used to investigate, but also used by the perpetrator to mask their identity and confuse alibis and issues was also something new and different as usually investigative technology is on the side of the investigators and unless widely unrealistic, the same tools you hear about in most mysteries or at least police procedurals.

Overall, a very satisfying read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in return for an impartial review. This is the sixth novel in the Nell Ward series of books which are loosely pitched in the cosy mystery genre, although some aspects of them are a bit too gory for that really! Fans of the series will not be disappointed as this delivers up more of the same.

I have to admit to being fully invested in the lives of Nell, Rav and others so I wouldn’t read this anyway, but I don’t think it’s as good as some of others. The story gets overly convoluted as it goes on, so much that we have to have a wrap up session where Nell, Rav and James discuss what happened just so we’re all clear. Also given the events of the book, it ends just a little too happily for my liking, I can’t help thinking if I’d been in that situation I wouldn’t recover so fast.

There are also some inaccuracies around procedure for death certification, which happens to be something I know a bit about, so that grates - don’t include details of procedures unless you know them inside out! A lot of authors do this for the processes around life events and it’s annoying when you know they’ve inaccurate, particularly when the author goes to great lengths to ensure the things they do know about are accurate.

Overall, one for fans only, and if you’ve not read any of the series, do start at the beginning!

"When Finchmere's first summer fete turns fatal, Nell has more than just a killer to net...

Since their YouTube channel, Following Finchmere, has taken flight, showcasing Dr Nell Ward's sustainability transformation at her family's Finchmere estate, it's her partner and colleague, Rav, who's become the star.

Amongst Rav's fan mail and gifts, Nell makes the chilling discovery that one person's obsession with him has metamorphosed into a deadly threat.

Just as Finchmere flings open its gates to welcome swarms of visitors to their idyllic summer fete - celebrating rewilding, artisan produce and local crafts - Nell realises the disguised peril has already wormed its way into the heart of Finchmere itself, and the path of destruction soon leads to murder.

DI James Clark's and Nell's powers of observation are put to the test to detect the camouflaged predator. With everyone as a suspect, who can Nell really trust when those she loves are in danger?

A Swarm of Butterflies is the sixth book in the Dr Nell Ward series. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood and Janice Hallett!"

I mean, of course the murder is already in the offing!

It is like meeting up with friends for a natter when reading this series. Dr Nell Ward, Dr Rav Kashnap, DI James Clark and Sylvia Shawcross are once again caught up in the middle of a crime adventure. Finchmere Estate are planning their first Finchmere Fete following their successful YouTube programme, Following Finchmere and their latest project focusing on rewilding the estate and opening artisans' businesses. We learn that Rav has a number one fan but no one knows who that is until the big reveal at the end of the book. It is a well written mystery and it's taught me a bit about ecology and very descriptive about the locations based on the estate. All the sub plots come together with a dramatic ending and the big reveal of the fan came as a total surprise to me.

I always enjoy these books, as much for all the nitty-gritty information about an ecologist’s’ work as for the cozy mystery. I enjoyed that the characters were rewilding Finchmere and the descriptions of the different aspects of the project. The mystery didn’t work as well this time though. I guessed the stalker’s identity in the first chapter unfortunately because of the ecology theme. Also, I didn’t buy that Rav—whose toxic jealousy in the first few books and bitterness in the last were quite off-putting—would suddenly be able to become this universally loved hero. It’s still a fun, easy read with engaging characters, and I will be reading the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for letting me read an ARC of this book.

I absolutely love this series and was delighted to find the characters back at Finchmere. I enjoy all the ecological information as much as the whodunnit aspect. The characters are so beautifully written, although I did want to kick Rav rather hard a couple of times. I did guess who the stalker was, but that in no way impeded my enjoyment of the book; rather I was delighted to find I was right and for the character to get their comeuppance. A total delight.

I always look forward to a new book in this series, and this one didn’t disappoint. The author found a great way to keep the story fresh, it’s centered on familiar ground, Nell’s family estate of Finchmere, has many of she and Rav’s friends we’ve come to know, while at the same time bringing in a whole cast of new characters who are new tenants of the estate, providing local shops and produce, along with the reverend of their chapel. A fete to celebrate those rewilding of local landscape and to encourage more to learn about it, as well as a chance to celebrate local endeavors ends up being the backdrop for murder. Nell is already facing the loss of her home, and nearly her life, to a fire, now they need to determine if that is related to a stalker and the deaths. With a large cast of suspects and ample motives, this kept me guessing. The motives and emotions attributed to the characters are very realistic, nothing is too far fetched, except I do hope Nell and Rav have finally learned their lessons about going to chase after clues on their own!
I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys not too cozy mysteries with an intelligent cast and an interest in eco friendly practices. Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley for an advance copy.

not-TTS-enabled, suspense, cozy-mystery, twisty, eco-awareness, ecologist, ecology, friends, friendship, families, relationships, relatives, amateur-sleuth, local-law-enforcement, rewilding, country-estate, influencer, made-me-smarter, murders, investigations, fete, fundraiser****

I would have been able to really enjoy this book had it been TTS enabled. I did think that this one was more dependent on earlier books in the series, but the learning opportunities were just as good. The murder plot was solid and moved smoothly through the twists, extra bodies, and red herrings. The characters are well drawn and believable.
I requested and received a temporary EARC from Embla Books via NetGalley Thank you!
eBook is not TTS enabled.
#DrNellWardmysteriesBk6

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Super glad this story is back at Finchmere. I read this in one day because the flow of the book was just easy to gobble up. Lots of fun ecology factoids thrown in too!

Overall a good edition for the 6th book of the series.

Having loved A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, I was excited to receive an arc of her next book. A Swarm of Butterflies didn’t let me down. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set at Finchmere estate, where a fete was organised over 3 days to promote the rewinding project of Nell and Rav, it was being videoed to show on their You Tube channel. Unfortunately over the period they encounter murders, threats fire and stealing, to name but a few problems. James the Detective tries to solve the murders, but he doesn’t quite solve them before Nell and Rav do. So many people had the motive to commit murder, but it took me until almost the end of the story to guess the murderer. I love the way Sarah uses the title of the book several times through the story. I also learnt details about the blue butterfly, of which I knew nothing. My thanks go to NetGalley and Embla books for an arc of this book. I would highly recommend it.

Although this instalment of Dr Nell Ward's adventures had a bit of a slow start, once the story got going, it was fast-paced and exciting.

A whole cast of shady characters as suspects and lots of fun ecology facts along the way, which I think is one of my favourite things about this series!

I have enjoyed the books in this series. This one took me a little longer to get into, I think this is partly due to the number of characters readers are introduced to and partly due to a very busy time at work.
After that initial delay the story moved with pace - as did my reading. The main characters' development over the time span of the novels is clear to see and it's good to read characters who are familiar but keep evolving. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett's knowledge of ecology adds a unique take to the cosy mystery genre and I always leave her books having learnt something as well as having enjoyed the text.

Another very enjoyable mystery.

The Finchmere estate, ecologist Dr Nell Ward's family home, is holding its first summer fete over a very busy three days. Delighted with their successful sustainability and rewilding projects and amazed to be trending on YouTube with Following Finchmere, she and partner Rav are hoping to encourage others to take a leaf out of their book and become more environmentally friendly in their own lives.

Things aren't quite as wonderful just beneath the surface as they appear online however, and when fire rips through a property close to Nell's heart and Rav receives some worrying correspondence they turn to their friend DI James Clark for help and advice. When a body is discovered with links to the estate and some of those working there the stakes are raised even higher, but with hundreds of visitors attending the fete how can they find a killer hiding in plain sight before they kill again?

Book five in this series, A Trace of Hares, is one of my favourite reads of 2024 so this had a tough act to follow. Did it succeed? Almost! There were a few jarring and rushed moments towards the end but until about 90% read, I was a page turning dervish! It then stuttered for me and I was a little disappointed. Once again the wildlife information was fascinating, indicating a great deal of knowledge and research while the characterisation was brilliant with all the new faces fitting right in with the main, much loved, protagonists, and I will absolutely be hoping for a seventh outing.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Embla Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. With no spoilers this is a series which does needs to be read in order and I definitely recommend book six to all who love this great series.

Another winner by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. This series just keeps getting better with each book. Wonderful characters and a nerve wracking storyline it keeps you guessing right to the end. I can’t wait till the next book.

A Swarm of Butterflies is the 6th in the Dr. Nell Ward series. I can’t say that this one worked as well for me as the others.
Nell and Rav are preparing for a Rewilding Fete at Finchmere. Rav’s YouTube channel has been finding more and more fans, one of whom has become obsessed and sees Nell as an impediment.
Yarwood -Lovell provides plenty of red herrings, almost too many. Rav must be truly hot, with the number of women supposedly swooning over him. And there were so many disagreements between the individuals involved with the Fete, it didn’t sound like a pleasant place to be. Of course, by the end of the story, there were going to be a lot fewer folks left to work at Finchmere. was beginning to think of Christie’s And Then There Were None. The final resolution felt forced as there is an attempt to come up with an explanation about why certain people were killed. In fact, it’s never good when the author needs to take pages explaining everything.
One of the main things I like about this series is the healthy doses of nature included. I always feel like I learn something. And this time, there are also a few fun ideas. I love the idea of a Rosemary limoncello. Now, that’s something I’d love to try!
This should not be read as a stand-alone. There’s a lot of backstory in the prior 5 books which doesn't get rehashed here.
My thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for an advance copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Embla books for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy this series, and look forward to a new release each and every time and this one didn’t disappoint. I loved that it was back at Finchmere - the last book was great but this felt great to be back on normal terrain and with multiple murders. There were so many new characters - although they still stayed on the periphery. Overall, it was great to see the plot develop and the various threads interlink until finally they duo solved the case. Poor James - one day he might solve it himself and not be told the answer by Nell and Rav. These two much be the unluckiest individuals too - they’ve seen more than enough murders for any lifetime.

I enjoy the Dr. Nell Ward series, the series just gets better. The story was very suspenseful with lots of twist and turns. I highly recommend this book and the series, and I look forward to the next.

I've been enjoying the Dr. Nell Ward series, and I was delighted to get the opportunity to read the latest installment thanks to the publisher and Netgalley.. The books keep getting better and better. I don't think this particular book would work well as a stand-alone; I think readers would appreciate the characters and their interpersonal relationships much more if they read the books in order. The story was very suspenseful with threats on Nell's and others' lives, and there were lots of twist and turns and suspicious characters. I highly recommend this book and the series, and I look forward to the next.