The Village Killer by Ross Greenwood is the 7th book in the excellent DI Barton series. I have loved reading these books especially as they have been brilliantly written, it's full of twists and turns and have great characters. Detective Inspector John Barton is an excellent character. He has spent the last 3 years behind a desk, he wanted to see more of his family. He is reaching the Big 5 0, when an opportunity arises for him to become DCI for Major Crimes for a 1 year term. This is a great opportunity for him especially as this is a busy time for Major Crimes, a 14 year old girl is reported missing and a married woman appears to be the target of a failed hit and run attempt. Then, her neighbour was found floating in his pool.

Are these crimes related and how?

Now, will he take this new position? and what will his family say?

WoW..........This book was excellent and a great read.....Well all of this series has been a 5 star read and this one was no different. I loved it.

I highly recommend this series

Big thank you to NetGalley, Ross Greenwood, and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

The return of the DI Barton character finds him just as compelling as in his earlier investigations. He returns to major crimes and finds a missing persons case and an attempted murder to solve. The crimes are in a suburban neighbourhood, but he soon discovers the 'neat and tidy ' exterior hides a web of dark secrets. It is an engaging police procedural combined with psychological suspense. I like the relatable dynamic of the police team. The crimes are complex, which is unsurprising given the unlikeable characters and toxic relationships Barton and his team discover. I also enjoyed the mix of personal and professional lives that adds authenticity.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I haven't read anything by Ross Greenwood before but now, after reading this, I am kicking myself. Where have I been living over the years for this series to have passed me by?

I try not to pick up books mid-series but I did like the sound of this so thought I'd give it a go and I wasn't disappointed ... yes, I have missed out on loads of backstory and character development however, I don't think it affected my enjoyment of this book one little bit.

This is a really gripping story and I was hooked from the very first chapter. The characters are excellent and I warmed to DI Barton, and his wife, very quickly - I loved their banter ... it felt natural and not forced. The plot is intriguing, the story told from different points of view (although not confusingly so) and the pace is perfect.

Overall, a really, really, good police-procedural that I won't hesitate to recommend and many thanks must go to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent book.

Thank you to \Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It is another great book from Ross Greenwood. This is my second DCI Barton in the series. It didn't disappoint. Recommended

The story:
After 3 years behind a desk, Inspector John Barton is out of shape and bored. So when the chance to get back to Major Crimes comes up, he doesn’t need much persuading, even if it is only for a year. Back in Peterborough, there are old faces and new on the team – but with a missing girl and a killer stalking the nearby village of Castor, will Barton still have what it takes to crack the case?

My thoughts:
I’m delighted to be back reading about DI John Barton and his team in “The Village Killer”, by Ross Greenwood!

We last saw Barton in “The Santa Killer”, after which author Greenwood has focused on his equally enjoyable Norfolk Murders series, featuring DS Ashley Knight (see “Death on Cromer Beach”, etc.). However, Barton is a great character and it’s really enjoyable to be back with him again.

We join him 3 years after the events of “The Santa Killer”, since when he has been working a desk job at Huntington HQ. While he has enjoyed the reliable hours and the chance to be closer to his family, his kids are now almost grown up, and office work, as his wife Holly points out, is “gradually diminishing” him.

So Barton finds himself unable to turn down an offer from the Chief Superintendent to get back to Major Crimes, heading up the team for a year while his former DCI Sarah Cox is working down in London (with rising star Hector Fade, of Norfolk Murders fame!).

Barton hits the ground running with a missing 14-year-old and an attempted murder in the village of Castor. What follows is the complex and interesting plot I’ve come to expect from Greenwood, with his trademark switching between the point of view of Barton, and the killer themselves, which gives a unique insight into the crimes as they are committed.

Fans of Barton will be delighted he’s back, and if you’re new to the series I would definitely recommend it! These are not cosy crimes, but detailed and interesting investigations that focus on the characters’ lives. Greenwood is planning both another DS Knight and DCI Barton book, and I look forward to seeing where both stories go next!

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

I have read another book by this author previously, but it was part of a different series. This book features DCI Barton as the detective.

Before I started reading, I wondered whether to expect a cosy mystery, as I associate a village setting with that type of story. On first impressions, it was darker and more suspenseful than I expected.

The author wrote in a way that made DCI Barton appeal to me, and I found him likeable. I enjoyed getting to know him as a person, rather than just as a detective, and I appreciated some of the other characters too. The story flowed easily, and once I became invested, I found this a page turner.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

This is the 7th book in the series and was just as fantastic as the others. John Barton is one of my favourite detective series and I was so happy to see his return. There are a great bunch of characters and it is lovely to get glimpses of their personal lives. I loved every page and have my fingers crossed there will be another book in this brilliant series

Barton is on the trail. Girls go missing then a neighbour is found dead. But is it accident or murder.
For Barton coming out of one job to return to his old job it’s a challenge but he’s good at what he does.
I enjoy this series a lot.
It’s got undertones of creepy and good storylines and characters.

A great addition to the DI Barton series but can be read as a standalone. An original plot, well-written with a good cast of characters. Enough twists and turns to keep the pace lively. DI Barton is a great creation in crime fiction and I look forward to reading other titles in the series.

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

4.5 Stars rounded up

Release Date: 1st November 2024

I did it again! Picked up a book that was well into a series.
I guessed a chapter or two in this was the case due to some references being made, but I didn't feel like I was lacking, there was enough information and focus on the current investigations that I was able to enjoy the book as it was, having said that I would like to go back and read the rest of the series now, as I loved the characters.

This is a gripping crime mystery / thriller, with multiple points of view and multiple crimes being committed, the mixture of the layering of the chapters (different POV) and the crimes weave complex and interesting cases, really delving into the minds of those with obsessions, and what it can drive you to do.

I don't want to get into the plot too much, as I don't want to spoil anything, but about the book, I was hooked from the first chapter. The writing style and the complexities of the characters really drew me in, with intrigue and I enjoyed getting to know the investigating teams and that contrast of healthy, respectful relationships verses that of those being investigated.

I will definitely be reading more from this author

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This story has it all - a missing teenager, a possible attempted murder, murder, and numerous sketchy characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and took my time to savor every moment.

The dialogue was superb, and the relationships between characters were well crafted. Although this was my first DI Barton novel, I may consider reading others in the series.

I have a soft spot for thrillers in picturesque villages, so this one did not disappoint. The multiple points of view, including the killer's, added an extra layer of mystery to the story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the ARC.

I've read a few of Ross Greenwood's books, and enjoyed them all.
John Barton has spent the last three years behind a desk but when an opportunity comes up for him to be DCI for Major Crimes, he takes it.
Barton and the team soon have their hands full when a 14 year old girl is reported missing and there is also an attempted murder to investigate.
There's a few other threads to this story and they are cleverly pulled together at the end.
The humour in this book was great and it was good to get to know all the characters.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Great story with some brilliant twists and turns keeping you on tenterhooks. You think you know what is going on but are you right?

Worth every moment!

The long awaited book 7 in the brilliant DI Barton series and I am so glad he has done his time behind a desk!

Barton is back in Major Crimes and doesn't hang about getting his teeth straight into a case where a young girl has disappeared and then a women connected to the case has a car driven at her. The case escalates from there and Barton has to dig straight into his experience to work out what has happened before everything completely unravels.

It's been a while, but this is still one of my favourite police series with one of my favourite cast of characters. I maintain that this is one of the most realistic feeling police procedural series (to a point obviously) but having such a down to earth, normal lead and supporting characters is so refreshing and it makes it a pleasure to read. I really hope we can get at least a few more from Barton before he finally hangs up his truncheon!

The Village Killer (DI Barton, #7) by Ross Greenwood Enjoyed another crime filled mystery featuring DI Barton, family and team. The interactions and conversations between the characters is filled with humor. A solid police procedural with an unexpected ending. Hopefully DI Barton will not be retiring in the near future.

Thank you to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Inspector Barton, who has recently joined major crimes, becomes involved in a case where a woman is almost killed and a girl disappears. As new information comes to light, will he and his team work out what has happened?

This is my first book in this series so I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. What I ended up getting was a solid police procedural that had plenty of suspense, as well a twists and turns. I liked that there were also sprinkles of humour in the story.

The characters were interesting and the overall story is well written. This was certainly an entertaining read and although this is easily read as a standalone, I would have enjoyed reading the others previously to get more back story and feel better connected. I will be looking back at the previous books in this series so I can catch up. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

While I have not read all of the books in this series, picking up another DI Barton thriller has been great. The Village Killer is an intense crime thriller that sees Barton and his team chasing and trying to put together a myriad of clues, hints, rumours and secrets.

Barton has been at a desk and is given the opportunity to return to Major Crimes, he has a chance to get back together with some of his old team and meet some newcomers to the team. It is with his wife's approval that he returns, over the years he has missed spending time with his family, but now they are growing up his wife gives him the push he needs to return. Wanting to solve another case, he is looking back at what he has achieved and wants more to look back on.

With a missing teen and a threat against a woman, he is soon back in the thick of things. There is a problem though, nothing adds up, nothing makes sense and he is wondering what is going on. Things take a turn for the worse when a body is discovered soon to be followed by another.

This is a tense and quite dramatic thriller, I really liked the way the author brought the team together and the way the case is worked, giving those new to the team a chance to prove their worth and supporting those who have had a change in family circumstances.

The case sees Barton and the team back and forth to the village of Castor. Wealth is in evidence in the area with large houses, pools and cars, but beneath the facade, all is not as it seems. Trying to work out who is telling the truth and not bending it or out and out lying is a task and a half. It certainly had me scratching my head. The author does a great job of skewing the readers' opinions and perspectives as the case unfolds. Keeping an open mind and being open to suggestions encourages the team to think outside the box but also work together to a conclusion.

This is another fabulous thriller in the series and does read well as a stand-alone, it is obviously better to read in the order of the series as you do get to understand the pasts and experiences of the team, although references are made to previous events.

If you are a fan of tense police procedural crime thrillers then this is one to have on your list. I would definitely recommend it.

Barton Is Back..
Barton is back in this, the seventh outing in the series, as he makes a return to major crimes and immediately finds himself thrust into a perplexing case. What exactly is going on behind the grand facades of the mansions in the village of Castor, a seemingly idyllic place to live. Secrets are being kept - but by whom and what are they? - the Village Killer appears to have the answers. Another compelling and compulsive addition to this series, well plotted, laced with a dry humour and populated with a credible and nicely crafted cast of characters with a solid mystery at its heart.

Several years back I read some of the DS Knight series, haven’t read any in this series before. I was glad to read this author again and find a series I wasn’t aware of. This was one of the best procedurals I’ve ever read. DI Barton is a well trained manager, knowledgeable and thoughtful. His command of the team was what I’d hope for in real life. Politics and budget constraints didn’t get in the way of conducting investigations. DI Barton is what I would categorize as midlife, married to a feisty lady, two kids. There’s a good mix of characters on the team. There’s an attempted murder, a missing teen, a library lurker, then questionable deaths. All of this happening in a wealthy area abutting a wooded area. Barton must navigate the change from desk work to field work and keep his family life calm. The suspect list for some of the crimes includes a diminished capacity individual, estate gardener and handyman, friends and spouses. Throw in a shady internet site and the complicated events take sharp turns and wicked twists. I was impressed with the originality of the plot and wish I’d read the previous books. The attention to detail and depth of the characters was spot on. If you already know DI Barton you will love this one. If you haven’t read the author before, you should start now.
Thanks so much to Boldwood Books (via NetGalley) for providing an Advance Reader Copy of “The Village Killer” (DI Barton #7) by Ross Greenwood, publication expected 11/01/2024. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without expectation of compensation.

DCI Barton is offered the chance to cover for his boss for a year.. He is thrown into the investigation of a missing girl, a possible paedophile and an attempted murder. The investigations lead to some eye opening revelations. Barton and his team have to dig deeper and deeper to get to the bottom of each of the investigations. In his personal life, he is trying to lose some weight after a diagnosis from his doctor, coping with a teenage daughter and playing tennis again.
A page turner