My first introduction in the serial killer genre was a short story in one of my mother's French women's magazines. The killer was active during full moon nights and he was following a strict geographical pattern in the streets of Paris. It wasn't that difficult for the handsome policeman to snare a trap knowing exactly where and when the perpetrator would strike again. And while my 14 year old self might have been in awe at the ingenuity of the police and the strangeness of the killer, 40 years later I would expect more from a detective story but I feel that Death Rites is still in in that rather predictable lane.

The (many!) characters are all flawed and unlikable, but especially Carla - our heroin. She is like that new colleague who knows it all because everything at the previous job was so much better. She has just arrived in the charming town of Jericho and as an archaeologist she manages to step on everyone's toes without ever taking a shovel in her hands.

At the end of the day, this book just wasn't what I had expected.

Thank you NetGalley, Canelo Crime and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and will read the rest of the series. You feel part of the book and you feel part of the investigation, but still you can feel with Carla and Erin's frustrations with trying to catch the killer. . Recommended for anyone who likes a thriller that keeps you glued until the end.
TB

“Death Rites” by Sarah Ward is a dark, atmospheric mystery that focuses on both crime and folklore to create a tense and twisty story, which felt very original and unique. The book follows Professor Carla James, an archaeologist who moves to the elite Jericho College in New England to start a new life after the death of her husband. Almost immediately, she is drawn into a series of unsolved murders, each more puzzling than the last, with connections to witch bottles, hexafoils, and other witchy elements.

The premise is compelling, with strong female characters driving the story forward. Carla James is a fascinating protagonist, and her involvement in the crime investigation, despite being an archaeologist, adds a unique twist to the usual detective story. Her perspective on the mysterious objects found at the crime scenes sets her apart and adds a layer of intrigue to the investigation.

The book’s strengths lie in its exploration of folklore and superstition, which lend a haunting and mysterious atmosphere to the story. The witchy elements, such as witch bottles and hexafoils, are intriguing and add depth to the storyline. I actually wanted more development of these elements as they were what set this book apart, and I found them incredibly intriguing. I wanted to know more about them. The pacing is another weak point with the story moving at a glacial speed that may test your patience. If you’re looking for a faster, more gripping mystery, then you may not like this one. The slow build-up, however, does help set the mood and develop the setting.

The character dynamics are also a mixed bag. Sometimes, the characters, particularly the female characters, were unlikable or even toxic, which made it difficult for me to connect with them and to enjoy the story. The interactions between the characters, especially the local police, can come across as frustratingly unprofessional, with the authorities seeming oddly indifferent to the murders happening in their small community. While this definitely tracks for a mystery book where usually the police aren’t able to help as much as they should, it was still a little odd how little they cared about the murders, especially in such a small community.

Despite these issues, the mystery at the heart of Death Rites is well-crafted, with plenty of twists and red herrings to keep you guessing. Even if the killer's identity might seem obvious, the underlying motivations and the connections between the murders are more complex, leading to a satisfying conclusion that ties the threads together.

Overall, “Death Rites” is a book with great potential as a slow-burning mystery. While it may not resonate with everyone, fans of atmospheric mysteries with a supernatural twist will find much to enjoy. Sarah Ward’s unique take on crime and folklore is definitely worth exploring.

Death Rites by Sarah Ward is the story of a calculated killer.A town under threat and an unfinished pattern. Professor Carla James is an archaeologist with an interest in more than just bones and stones. She has moved to Jericho, to take a job at an elite college following the death of her husband in England.
She wanted a change and on her first working day she is invited to a murder scene to see whether she can pick up any patterns of behaviour. Carla is convinced that there is a pattern to a series of murders in the area but the police won’t believe her.
Then on Halloween night everything comes to a head and the killer makes his last move.
Recommended

Carla James leaves Oxford after the death of her husband to take a job at Jericho College in New England. On her first day she’s asked by the local police to look for symbolism at a murder site. Carla eventually suspects the woman’s death is tied a series of murders that remain unsolved.

Death Rites begins with a murder and that’s just a starting point for the web of mysteries it weaves. The plot is excellent and the use of symbolism is intriguing. The novel excels because of its two strong female protagonists. Carla’s desire for a fresh start along with her tenacious curiosity keeps the reader’s attention. Her actions push the story forward in a way that makes the book difficult to put down. Medical examiner Erin Collins is a part time professor at Jericho and is assigned to be Carla’s mentor. Erin plays a lesser role than Carla but is no less likeable.

The glimpses into the killer are a compelling aside. Those chapters give clues, but there is no shortage of suspects here. I’m not embarrassed to say my guess at who was behind the murders was wrong; I always find that a bonus and a compliment to the author.

Some English phrases and terms was a out place given the American setting, but didn’t take away from an awesome story.

@sarahwardcrime is one of the authors on my must-read list and I loved her newest novel, Death Rites.

This crime thriller is book 1 in a new series featuring archaeology professor, Carla James. She has just moved to the northeast United States from the United Kingdom. On her first day at the new job, she is asked to consult on a death investigation. This leads to her noticing a pattern. The question becomes is this pattern all in her head or is there a serial killer in the small college town?!

I really enjoyed this book, especially because the main female characters are all strong, independent, and smart. I highly recommend if you enjoy crime novels with strong female characters and fast paced plots.

Thank you Canelo for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Carla, a professor in archaeology has just started work at a new university in Jericho. Still trying to come to term with her husbands suicide, she is sensitive to nuances around her and feels that there is some kind of atmosphere around the faculty.

A murder happens and she is asked for her opinion on random objects found around the victim. Her assessment eventually leads to her pursuance of several other murders of many women, all cold cases except one where a suspect confessed. She feels her views are not welcomed by both her faculty fellows and the powers that be in the police department and she is warned to stop all investigation and not talk about her discoveries. Feeling that she is against a very twisted and clever killer who is killing according to a specific design and one which has bypassed the police who are looking for traditional clues. In this story hints of ancient beliefs, protection against evil spirits, elements of witchcraft are all brought into play adding a diversity to murder investigations.

Interesting twist to the story, I didn’t figure out who the probable murderer was at all.

Can’t wait to check out more of Sarah’s wards work
This was good I really liked Carla
This was a good mystery thriller which I actually learnt a few things from with the archaeological
A fab read super enjoyable

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.
I found this to be a decent read with an interesting storyline. I liked the main character and found the story to be well written. I did feel the pace was a little slow and I didn't get drawn into the story.

I couldn't get on with this book thanks for the opportunity to review but it was a dnf for me. No reflection on the author.

I’m a big fan of Ward. I was eager to open another thriller by her.
Death Rites Sarah Ward did not let me down!
This book was gripping and hard to put down.
There are some good twists in the story and it kept me engaged, wanting to know what would happen next.

Thank You NetGalley and Canelo for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Although this book was enjoyable I did struggle a bit with an Archaeologist with no experience in this field working with the police on an active case. Once I got past that as I said it was good and I enjoyed the overall storyline. Will be interested to see where this character goes next.

A calculated killer. A town under threat. An unfinished pattern...

Archaeology professor Carla James is reeling following the death of her husband. Desperate for a change of scene, she takes a job at an elite New England college. On her first day, Carla is asked to represent the department at a murder site. She initially believes there is nothing notable about the scattered debris that surrounds the body, but there is more to the case than meets the eye.

This victim is just the latest in a series of unsolved deaths. Nothing obvious links them but Carla is convinced – there is a methodical killer operating in the shadows.

Can she uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim?

An interesting new strand from the excellent Sarah Ward. The principal character is Carla James, a professor of archaeology who, following her bereavement, starts a new job in New England. She becomes involved with the local police and tries to explain strange clues, despite the opposition of local cops. A clever and well-written novel which hopefully will become an enthralling series.

A good start to a new series which I look forward to seeing develop
Carla, an archaeologist, following the death of her husband, moves from the UK to Jericho to take up a post at Jericho University. You just know things won't go smoothly when she's given her deceased predecessor’s uncleared office!
An unusual take on a murder mystery, with strong female characters, grumpy male detective, hidden secrets and one determined English professor. A witchy vibe with symbols and historical artefacts, (every day really is a school day, who knew about witch bottles? Not me!) gives a spooky feel and autumnal Jericho is the perfect backdrop for it.
An enjoyable original read with characters I'm looking forward to catching up with again.

Archeology professor Carla James takes up a job in a New England college. She is looking forward to a fresh start after the death of her husband. She is asked to assist in a murder case and finds a link to other unsolved deaths. I liked the setting of the novel and the tensions in an academic environment. Carla is an outsider and unsure who to trust. I found the pace quite slow at times. An interesting read but not as gripping as I had expected. This is the first book of a new series so it will be interesting to see how the story develops.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A slightly different take on the serial killer in a small town, this novel features a headstrong archaeologist dealing with past trauma, a forensic pathologist that can't connect the clues without her, and a police department that don't want to listen. The crimes were interesting, and the clues almost there, while the setting was really vibrant and characters complex. I enjoyed this read and will certainly recommend it!

Still grieving the death of her husband, archeologist Carla James has accepted a position at a private college in New England. Her first day is full of surprises. She’s given the office of a recently deceased colleague with all her papers and research still in place. Then, after she meets her mentor, medical examiner and professor Erin Collins, she asked to come to the scene of a gruesome murder. As an archaeologist, Carla may see patterns in the ritualistic placement of items around the body. She does and we are off on the wild ride that is Death Rites, a compulsively readable mystery/thriller.

Death Rites has it all. Strong female characters, especially Carla, Erin and Viv, an interesting university location, archaeological information about “death rites” and a complex, fascinating plot. This is the first in a new series. I can’t wait for what comes next! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and Sarah Ward for this ARC.

A solid start to a new series. I liked the protagonist, Carla, and enjoyed the ritual aspects of the mystery - witch bottles and daisy wheels. My only slight criticism is that it felt a little longwinded but I'd seek out the next in the the series.

3.5* rounded up

Death Rites is the opening to a new crime thriller series based around Archaeology professor Carla James and overall it was a highly enjoyable and easy to read crime thriller.

When newcome to town, Carla, is brought in to bring some potential insight into items found around a victim's body she becomes drawn into the case and becomes quickly convinced that a serial killer is hunting in their town.

The story is strong and intriguing and I really liked the addition of the allusions to witchcraft and old folk superstitions. I did knock it down a little because some of Carla's decisions aren't smart and read to me as aimed at padding the story a bit and the reasoning for Carla being brought in and involved is very thin. I did like the supporting cast of characters, especially Erin and Perez.

It took a little time for the pace to pick up but when it did and the story started to unfold with connections becoming clear and secrets being revealed, I was all in and really enjoyed the ride. Definitely enjoyed it enough to read the next in the series and I think fans of Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs will enjoy many elements of the story and characters.

Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for providing an eArc of "Death Rites" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Death Rites is a mystery whose protagonist is an archaeologist teaching at a New England school after leaving Oxford and the tragic death of her husband. The seemingly perfect New England town with an elite college has a side they don’t want seen though, unsolved murders and other deaths that are labeled suicide. With a number of possible suspects I was kept guessing, the historical aspects that could reveal the killer were known to a number of them (and were interesting to read about as well). The characters were well written, the tension between Carla and the police in particular as she’s first asked to offer her perspective on a murder case, then told to step away from looking at it and others. Her emotional ties to the cases unfold as we learn more of her background, and the murderers thoughts are shared as well. It made for an interesting, engaging read. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the chance to offer my opinion on an advance copy.