A slow paced thriller set within the idyllic English countryside where Jake Jackson is enjoying immersing himself in nature and only slightly missing this old job in the police as a detective. Locally, a group of archaeologists are undertaking work on excavating an ancient site and a murder occurs onsite. Jake is dragged into the investigation and is led by a trail of mysterious threatening letters. The personal tribulations of Jake and his partner Livia dominate the book and I found this a bit laborious. A suspenseful, deliberately paced thriller.

Strong third instalment in this series, it’s a bit of a slow burn to begin with allowing Abell to focus on the character development before the murders get going. That’s absolutely not a criticism, the depth given to the relationships is part of the charm, and the new Scottish chief inspector fits in neatly. Once the mystery proper is established it’s rather gripping, and whilst I had a good sense of who the killer was I was pleasantly surprised along the way.
Rich in characterisation, I’m sorry that having read the first three books in quick succession I’ve now got quite a wait until a fourth.

A bit of a slow starter and took me some time to get into, it`s the third of the series and I wished I`d read the previous books to get to know the characters.
Set around a archaeological site with Jake who is a retired cop wanting the quite life starts to investigate threatening letters followed by a murder on the site.
I love his relationship with the local vet Livia it is very amusing.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

a gripping and atmospheric thriller that delves into the darker aspects of human nature. Abell’s writing is sharp, with an engaging narrative that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. The plot twists and intricate character development add layers of suspense, making it a compelling read. While the pacing can feel a bit uneven at times, the story’s eerie tone and suspenseful tension more than make up for it. Overall, it’s a strong debut for fans of psychological thrillers and crime fiction.

This is the third book in the Jake Jackson series and I loved it as much as the first two.

The story continues and yet each book has had a very different feel to it.

It’s incredibly well written and there’s a fullness to the story telling which totally immerses you in their world.

There are hints at the ending and whodunnit, but then you are redirected and so it keeps you guessing until the end.

I can’t say enough good stuff about how thoroughly enjoyable this series has been.

I’m getting withdrawal symptoms already and looking forward to another book coming out. Soon please!

Thank you for the opportunity to read these books. Netgalley is a great way to find new favourite authors.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins. I've not read a Stig Abell book before and although this is the third in the Jake Jackson series it didn't matter. I did think it started off slow but once it got going I did enjoy it..

This is the third Jake Jackson book, and I can only say that Abell is getting better and better at delivering a mysterious thriller that is both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

Jake is living a life that most can only dream of: owning acres of wonderful land, being loved by a beautiful vet and her daughter, and having some very good friends he knows he can risk his life on. One of those friends, Rose, has a younger sister who is working on an archaeological dig a few miles from Jake's house, and that dig site has been getting some threatening letters. They assumed it was just a local crank, to start with, but soon those threats became credible, and the worst happened. When bodies start showing up above ground, Jake is asked to help by the new police chief for the area, and we all know Jake can't resist a mystery.

One of the things I love about these books is how Abell describes the flora and fauna around Big Sky and the rural area. And we are in for a treat as this book is set in spring, coming into summer, and the descriptions blow my mind, and make me want to live off the grid in a small village somewhere. I also love the characters that Abell introduces us to, they are not perfect, far from it, and their intentions are not written on their sleeves. Once again, it is a brilliant book that any mystery fan will love.

The Burial place is book three in the Jake Jackson series by author Stig Abell. Ex-DI Jake is now living in the idyll setting of Little Sky in Scotland. He has been living of grid for a while and is now in a relationship with local vet Livia, who has a daughter called Diana.
When anonymous letters have been sent to a local archaeological dig site by some one long dead called Wolfnoth, threatening to murder them if they continue desecrating the ground. The Police are brought in. True to their word one of them at the site turns up dead. The Police are called in and as word has got around about Jake being ex-Met Police is asked to help with the investigation.
This is yet again another beautifully written episode in the series. The writer is a great storyteller. Although it is quite a slow burn of the story it is a riveting read. and it does speed up towards the end to a surprising conclusion. 4 stars from me.

Jake is trying to live a quiet life: he has no internet connection, no mobile phone, no car but lives in a well equipped house in the middle of nowhere with plenty of land and a lake. He has a cellar full of fine wine, a vast record collection and enough mystery/thriller books to last a lifetime - all left to him my his uncle, allowing him to retire early from the police force. He runs each morning around his land and swims in the lake. He has a relationship with Livia in the local village.
There’s an archeological dig happening locally, following the find of a horde of treasure - a tv crew is around to film. Then the first body turns up, the new detective calls on Jake to help out ‘unofficially’.
I find the writing so engaging, I’m drawn into the story and feel it happening around me. It’s evocative and involving.
I love Stig’s writing.

I absolutely love the Jake Jackson series based in a totally remote area of rural England. The wonderful descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of ‘Little Sky’ bring a glorious image to the mind and transports the reader to a most idyllic place. Until someone is murdered of course. An archeological dig is taking place nearby and Jake shows an interest, not least because a horde of treasure was previously discovered there. A TV company are filming the site as it has great historical significance. The people on the dig are a mixture of people, some students, some more worldly wise and some local. All interesting characters and seem to work well together until one of their number is murdered. Jake immediately takes an interest and after meeting with the new local Chief Inspector he takes it upon himself to delve deeper and potentially putting himself into danger. His life with Livia and her daughter Diana features strongly as does his friendships with the previously encountered Rose, Lily, Aletheia and Martha. An excellent story that mixes greed, racism and murder with heartwarming moments of a love of nature and peace, and the joy of friendship and love. This book works perfectly well as a stand alone book but I thoroughly recommend reading the first two to get the full picture.

This is the third book featuring Jake Jackson and I think Stig has done remarkably well to conjure up another murder mystery linked to the unusual setting and characters that he chose for this series.
A good read and could stand up on its own even if the reader is not familiar with the characters.

Ex-cop Jake Jackson lives a pretty much idyllic life off grid at his inherited home, Little Sky. His relationship with vet Livia is pretty perfect too but Jake just can’t resist getting involved with investigating murders when they happen in his neighbourhood. This book, the third in a series has Jake becoming involved in an archaeological dig where treasure has been found and murder has followed. Sting Abel’s books all have well drawn, believable characters, a very fine sense of place and a plot that will keep the reader engaged until the final word. If a little of the action stretches credulity it can be forgiven in this very readable and engrossing book.

Having enjoyed the first two books in this series I was delighted to find a new story featuring Jake Jackson. I was not disappointed, as the relationship between Jake and Livia flourishes and the delights of Little Sky and its glorious location continue, and of course a murder mystery centred around an archaeologic dig has to be resolved.
The writing is atmospheric and the action slow burning and character lead. And indeed the weather could be a character in its own right as it leads so much of the action and storyline.
The Burial Place can be read as a standalone story, but why deny yourself the pleasure of getting to know Jake’s and Livia’s back story in books 1 and 2, before settling down with this most enjoyable gem.

I’ve been a big fan of this series ever since I heard the author talk about the first book a couple of years ago.
Jake is a retired police investigator, living a fairly off grid lifestyle in a small English village.
Since book 1 he has managed to develop a love interest with the local vet, Livia and helps her with her young daughter, Diana.
When letters start to arrive from someone called Wolfnoth, a long dead figure, addressed to those working at an archaeological dig, threatening murder if they continue with the excavation , Jake is called in to help the local police.
It soon becomes apparent that the culprit is not frightened of carrying out their wishes and it becomes a race against time to find out who it is amongst the many archaeologists taking part in the dig.
I found this instalment of the series much more slow moving than the previous two books as the author gradually built up the atmosphere and gave the reader clues. However it still held my interest as the novel progressed.
I liked the developing relationship between Jake and Livia and the extra background information about Jake’s first wife who appears in the novel.
This definitely could be read as a stand alone book but it would be much more meaningful to have read the first two in the series as they introduce most of the people featured in this one.
I liked Jake’s character, his fears for Livia and their future relationship as they try for a child is very touching.
His attempts to live off grid are obviously a bit half hearted now as he spends a lot of time at Livia’s home where there is internet and phone access as well as the availability of a car!
I definitely recommend “The Burial Place “ to all you mystery readers out there and any crime fans will love the references to golden age authors in Jake’s own reading and the naming of the landscape features around him- Agatha Wood being an example.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

This is the third book in the series of Jake Jackson and each one seems to be getting more intriguing. It can be read as a stand alone book but to understand Jake and some of the other characters it is beneficial to start at the first one in the series. It is a great mystery story that involves really descriptive and unusual characters as well as bringing in history in the format of the archeological dig that is at the base of the story. Litlle Sky is well described and it gave a warm feeling to the story as I knew that Jake would go swimming and walking to stay fit, shower outside and live as close as he can to nature. I now wonder what will happen when Livia eventually has the planned baby and how both their lives will change.
I loved this story and look forward to what I suspect will be another book in this series.

This is the third Jake Jackson outing, and I’m in a quandary.
The book is well plotted, has a great cast of recurring characters, and the story moves along at a great pace, with plenty of twists.
BUT
I can’t stand Jake Jackson.
He’s one of those annoying people who make a virtue of living off-grid, in a rural idyll, doesn’t have a phone or internet. Walks everywhere, or uses a bus (rural bus services, anyone). Has a magic house that gives him constant hot water for his (of course) outdoor shower, a fire that heats his substantial library as soon as it is lit. Out of season veg in his (heated?, how?) green house. A freezer powered by what??
And when he needs modern technology, has friends who are more than willing to allow him to use their phones, internet, car, etc.
He could a least get a bike, then he wouldn’t spend so much time walking!
So, great story, pity about the lead character.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to read this book.

If you love mystery, history and archaeology then you'll love this book. It is part of a series but I hadn't read any of the proper books before I started this one and had no trouble picking up the characters.

Jake is a retired police officer who has moved to Big Sky to enjoy the peace and quiet of solitude and enjoy the natural surroundings. He is ecstatically happy with his partner Livia and he young daughter from a previous relationship and they have a close circle of friends.

Jake's investigative skills are called upon when a series of mysterious letters start circulating about a local archaeological dig on the site of Roman remains. The letters are allegedly from Wolfnoth an historical figure from the area and they become increasingly threatening in tone, culminating in an attack on one of the dog team and the death of another.

Who is the perpetrator of the letters and what are they hoping to gain from disrupting the dig!

An ex Met police officer now living in a rural idyll in Little Sky still feels the lure of policing, and handily gets drawn in to assist the new local police inspector Mcallister when the team working on an archaeological dig are targeted by a threatening letter writer.

An interesting read, with a slightly different slant set as it is mainly at the dig. There’s a nice assortment of characters, I particularly liked Martha, who has excellent contacts in all sorts of interesting places, and also the taciturn Rose, a man of few words but strong loyalties. I did find Jake’s running and swimming habit a bit repetitive at times, but that’s just a minor criticism. On the whole, a good storyline, a limited amount of suspects as it mainly relates to the members of the dig, and a satisfyingly unexpected solution. I’ll definitely look out for the next in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Jake Jackson returns in book 3 of this amiable and immersive series, and although it could be read as a standalone I feel it would work better for readers who know the characters coming in. Retired DI Jackson lives an ostensibly simple life in a rural part of England, with no phone or wi-fi, no car, and showering outside his old house on a big plot of land willed to him by an eccentric but much loved uncle. He has put down roots, made local connections as well as kept his old contacts.
The sister of one of his new friends is working on a nearby archaeological dig where there has been some difficulty - anonymous letters and strange goings on. Jackson is asked to look into it informally, and soon things escalate from minor to major at an alarming rate. Jackson ropes in old contacts with access to tools he doesn't possess, in order to trace a missing woman, land deeds and a motive for the whole mess, and danger to him and his loved ones ensues.
It's a beautiful mix of amateur sleuthing, with homage to many of the Golden Age novelists, and nature writing, which will be too meandering for some tastes, but I love the digressions into the rhythms of the countryside. As in all these novels, Jackson is only able to live the simple life because all those around him facilitate it (lending him cars or giving him lifts, doing research in databases so he doesn't have to) and it's all suspiciously well financed, but it's an engaging world and I look forward to Abell's next novel - seems clear he's not done with Jake and his friends and colleagues.

This was another great read in the Jake Jackson series. I love the setting of these murder mysteries and enjoy revisiting the characters each time I read a new instalment. I’m looking forward to the next instalment to see what happens next!