There’s a fine line between what constitutes an enjoyable cozy mystery for me and one that’s too cute or quaint. Luckily, Sarah Yarwood Lovett’s Nell Ward series fits the bill for me. There’s some violence, mostly fights, but nothing too upsetting.
In this, the fifth in the series, Nell and Rav are in Ireland for their friends’ upcoming wedding. While there, Nell tours a local historic bog. The very next day, a body is found in the bog. And not an ancient one Cashel Man. This one is more recent, and also happens to be someone known to the groom and his family.
There’s lots of family drama here. The story moves along at a brisk pace. Nell and Rav are more in the background here, as the story focuses on Conner, his family and the family of the deceased woman. There is a limited number of suspects, which gives it the feel of an old time closed room murder mystery.
Yarwood-Lovett does manage to sneak in lots of interesting facts about ecology, batch gin making, bog people and DNA. I love feeling I’m learning something along with an entertaining mystery.
I have read all the previous books, but I don't think it’s necessary. This could easily work as a stand-alone.
My thanks to netgalley and Embra Books for an advance copy of this booknetgalley56 s10 comments Maxine1,349 55

A Trace of Hares is the fifth novel in the Dr Nell Ward Mysteries by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. It started out slow for me since it is the first I’ve read but, once I got more acquainted with the characters, I was completely hooked. The story is set in Ireland where ecologist, Dr Nell Ward, was there to attend a friend’s wedding but, before the nuptials can take place, a body is discovered in a nearby bog. The victim was identified as a relative of several members of the wedding party. She had disappeared twenty years earlier along with her three-month-old daughter. The story is divided between the two mysteries, the cold case of the woman in the bog and what happened to the baby. most cozies, the story revolves around the families involved, their animosities and secrets. But what I found most compelling and kept me reading long into the night was the huge role real science and nature play throughout. This is one smart completely addicting tale with interesting characters and a fascinating setting, perfect for anyone who enjoys a bit of real science with their mysteries. This may have been my first outing with Dr Nell Ward but it will definitely not be my last.

Thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review25 s Christine1,528 32

The main character of this series is Dr. Nell Ward, an ecologist who has a knack for getting involved in solving crimes. This is book five and I've been following this series from the beginning, but it would work well as a standalone. In this book, she and her boyfriend and colleague Rav travel to Ireland for a wedding. Her former boyfriend DI James Clark is now dating Nell's spoiled cousin Shannon, and they are both attending the wedding as well. I've not felt the same about James ever since he got together with Shannon, but I'm happy to see that Shannon has toned down her worst behavior.

The pre-wedding festivities come to a halt when a body is discovered in a peat bog. Nell and Rav are a great team whether they're on an ecological project or an investigation. Both find themselves in dangerous situations and I'm glad to see them going strong without any interference from his family in this book. I the cold case aspect of the book, but too much time is spent on the Kennedy-Delaney family dramas and not enough on Nell and Rav. The science is what makes this series unique, but the details of the DNA testing went over my head and slowed the pace of the story. I was happy to see that Ecology/Biology does play an important part in helping to solve the case. I the way things wrap up even though not all the endings are happy, and I look forward to future books in the series.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Embla Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. 2 s Holden Wunders192 10

I seem to be on a slump here lately and it’s a bummer and unfortunately Trace of Hares didn’t break my streak but continued the slump.

As a continual thriller, mystery, crime reader, I tend to read this in between more lofty books. I want to read easily, lose myself in whatever ridiculousness is provided to me, and just flow through it. Unfortunately, all I got was a bogged plot with a slew of characters that all blended together. I swear a new character was introduced every single page.

These characters blended so much together and just felt copied and pasted that it was hard to invest, keep straight, and care.

I haven’t read any of this series before and from I can tell can easily be read as stand alones. I’m not sure if this affected my reading at all but surmise it didn’t. Maybe returning readers to the series are happier than I was here. 2 s Lata4,105 233

The lead-up to a wedding turns deadly after a young woman, long thought to have run away years earlier from her marriage, turns up dead. Her murder rips through two families, dredging up old animosities, jealousies, and secrets, and threatens the union between two people Nell Ward cares for.

Nell, Rav, James and Shannon travel to the town Conor Kennedy was born in for his and Sylvia’s pre-nuptial activities and wedding.

Conor’s youngest brother Sean and his fiancé Maeve have many relaxing and fun things to do for everyone, but the surprise inclusion to the party by Sean of the eldest brother, Brandon, puts a damper on everything. Brandon had been married to Siobhan, who he felt had been unfaithful to him before taking their baby girl and leaving him. All trace of both were lost, and the Kennedy brothers spent years blaming Brandon, while Siobhan’s younger sister Maeve was convinced Brandon had not just abused her, but also potentially killed her. Maeve’s fears are realized when Siobhan’s body is found, sans baby. This reignites Maeve's fury, as not only did the Garda dismiss her fears at Siobhan's disappearance, but now her sister is dead, and Brandon does nothing to dismiss everyone's suspicions that he was responsible, and, in fact, stokes angers and causes fights.

Nell, Rav feel they should leave, despite Nell being interested in solving the murder, and James is pulled in as a bit of a liaison between the affected families and the Garda, whom both sides accuse as never have taken their concerns about Siobhan’s disappearance seriously.

Of course Nell and Rav don’t leave, and Nell gets a chance to learn more about the botany of the area, and how this plays into Siobhan’s body’s preservation, and will even lend a vital clue to identifying the murderer. But before it does, there are numerous ugly things revealed about the relationships between brothers, and between the two families, even though there is one revelation that provides a bit of healing to both families midway through the mystery.

Little, seemingly inconsequential hints eventually point to the murderer, whose identity wasn’t super hard to figure out, but I really spending time with Nell and her sleuthing gang of Rav, James (he’s growing on me) and even Shannon too much to not read each instalment in this series eagerly.

Nell and Rav get into some seriously dangerous situations along the way (these two are such danger magnets!) but it was also heartening to see how well Rav’s physical and mental health have improved and the genuine progress he’s making towards regaining his strength and some of his mobility. I particularly d how mobile he was in his wheelchair, even around the Kennedy farm.

This was another engaging story full of big emotions, but also some silly puns and sweet moments between Nell and Rav. Can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Embla Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.2024-read arc auth-f ...more2 s Anne2,543 20

A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is a Dr Nell Ward mystery. Nell is a scientist. She is also the daughter of nobility and of a politician. Nell and her companion, Rav, who is still in a wheelchair following a car accident. That is not holding him back, though, and he is still working as hard as ever. They are joining other friends at the wedding between Conor, her mother’s bodyguard, and Silvia, a friend. Things deteriorating quickly as the four brother get together for the first time in years: Conor, Sean, Brandon, and Finn Kennedy. Sean plans to marry himself, in the new year. A woman called Maeve, who runs a distillery. She was also the sister to Brandon’s wife, who had been missing for twenty years. Things really go down hill when a group of construction workers are digging for new construction and uncover a body. It turns out to be Maeve’s sister, Siobhan. Things start happening faster. The guys all get in a fight at a bar. Aoife, a local student, present at the dig site, convinces Nell to run a DNA test. She is indeed the daughter to Siobhan who disappeared or died along with her mother. Then all that remains is to determine the father. Apparently it could be any of the four brother.

Nell is a botanist first and foremost, but a sleuth as well. She just can’t abide unanswered questions, no matter whom they involve. She is warm and confident and loves Rav, with or without legs that work. Sean ends up in the hospital having been poisoned by someone using rat poison. Nothing to identify the poisoner, despite the fact Nell had seen it all. The is a very active book, with things happening at every turn. These two families, Siobhan’s and the Kennedys, are all hurting. The parents are elderly and don’t need the grief. It’s a good mystery, with characters readers are familiar with, and an excellent plot, reaching twenty years into the past. Plenty of people think they know what is happening. Few do. Thanks Ms Yarwood-Lovett. I love the Nell Ward books.

I was invited to read A Trace of Hares by Embla Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #EmblaBooks #SarahYarwoodLovett #ATraceOf Hares1 Tracy Wood1,047 12

Weddings, their preparation, and the anticipation of joyous times ahead can be both stressful and rewarding. Dr Nell Ward and partner Rav are in Ireland for the marriage of two of their close friends as well as taking time to enjoy the stunning countryside and a conveniently timed local gin festival!

Things aren't as relaxed and convivial as they could be however, and long hidden tensions and disagreements are soon setting nerves jangling, making Nell very uneasy. When a body is discovered, Nell's ecological expertise is urgently called upon, but can she find the key pieces of information needed to prevent the wedding being cancelled and families and friendships irrevocably torn apart? It soon becomes clear that someone close at hand has no qualms about increasing the body count to ensure their freedom with no one safe from their murderous intent.

Wow, what a brilliant way to start February. The fifth title in Sarah Yarwood-Lovett's Dr Nell Ward Mystery Series is the very definition of thrilling page turner! I haven't yet read the first four books. However, I will be rectifying that oversight post haste! I loved the investigation, the ecological information, the humour, and the tension. In fact, it ticks all my boxes, except I didn't want to finish it! There are things that would have been clearer had I read the series in order, especially as there are no spoilers. It would be very easy to gush about this book; it really is that good! The sixth book is due out in early August.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Embla Books, but the opinions expressed are my own, I absolutely loved this but would recommend reading the books in order. Highly recommended.01-netgalley-20241 Sarah B194

It is so lovely to catch up with Nell and her friends in the fifth book by Sarah! I found the book to be fast paced, so descriptive and well written. I could imagine myself in Ireland. Nell and friends are in Ballygiorria, Ireland for several days to celebrate Conor and Sylvia's wedding. Nell goes to a nature reserve where she meets a grad student Aiofe. Aiofe finds a body in the peat. What is the identity of the body? Why is it there? What happened? Was it an accident or murder? Who is the culprit? For answers to these questions, you will need to read the book.1 Eden Briscoe53

Love this series. Light, fun, easy read.1 Avril Hemingway749 3

This is the 5th instalment of this series and this time it’s uncovering a 20 year old mystery. As usual it's full of interesting characters and the huge research and knowledge from the author is very evident again Although it did feel we got a little bogged down in the science in this book more than in the other's This story is less about Nell's personal life this time and as more about Conor and the mystery surrounding his sister in law and niece which was very interesting. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.1 Charlotte Pawson649 3

The tension, jealousy and power dynamics play a big part in this murder set in Ireland. When a body is found in a local bog Dr Nell Ward will use her expertise to provide the final proof when murder is uncovered. Families can be so complicated and there is plenty of twists and turns in this investigation.
Part of a good series well worth checking out the previous stories.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.1 Eva LeppardAuthor 10 books43

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having being fascinated with the idea of bog bodies for years, the inclusion of these as a theme was amazing. And (this is always the main thing I am mindful of when reading crime books) I didn't pick the murderer until near then end. Very enjoyable and would definitely recommend this book.1 Stephanie B. •literaryland_livin•132 17

ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.

Dr Nell Ward is attending the scenic wedding of two of her closest friends in the beautiful Irish hillside. As the days to the pending nuptials grow closer so to does tension among the families. When a body is suddenly found in the nearby bog the real drama begins. This picturesque wedding has now turned into a hunt to find a killer as Nell must use her skills to deduct who the culprit is before another victim is possibly claimed.

This is my first Sarah Yarwood-Lovett book and after completing this one I know it will not be my last! As this is the fifth book in a series I can say as I haven’t read the others I had no trouble at all picking up with these characters. You most definitely could treat it as a standalone rather than an installment in a larger series if you wish however, I now want to read all the previous ones as this book was just so fun to read . A Trace of Hares had a great setting, a suspenseful murder mystery, family dynamics/tension, and even some science. While reading it becomes apparent that the author has definitely done their research when it came to the setting of these peat bogs and the ancient traditions of sacrifices that surround them. The author also does a fantastic job of weaving in facts about DNA and ecology while still managing to give off cozy mystery vibes. Nell as an FMC was a great lead and I found her to be incredibly believable, knowledgeable, and passionate. The twists and turns that occur were attention grabbing and kept me guessing. Overall I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to following up with future installments in the series.

If you are a fan of whodunnit mysteries with some forensic and ecological science all while being in the cozy Irish countryside then you have to check out this book!

A Trace of Hares comes out March 27th, 2024.

Thank you again NetGalley and Embla Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.2 s Shelby Vcelka68 4

Maybe British authors should take a hiatus from writing novels set in Ireland until they learn how to write without incorporating stereotypes. We’ve got the Irish brothers set on the Irish sisters, an Irish character with cirrhosis of the liver, rampant alcoholism with angry characters, and domestic violence. Let’s not forget about the beauty with the black hair and green eyes and the emergence of a couple of nuns. The cherry on top for me was the fact that the characters of British nobility had an Irish stew and potatoes and said something to the effect of “of course you have to have potatoes in Ireland!” SIDE EYE. I don’t even want to get into the fact Conor ran off to join the “good guys” of the SAS and now works as security for a MOP.

The actual plot was bogged down by too many locations, too many characters, and too many murder attempts. 1 Kaitlin622 47

Don’t let the 3 stars fool you: it’s a “high three” rating. I just don’t have crazy emotions about this series (what usually pushes me to a 4 or 5 star rating) or the characters, although I am invested in Nell and Rav staying together (James can go, please and thank you). This cozy British murder mystery series does for ecology what the TV show “Bones” did for anthropology: elevates an area of study that doesn’t always get a lot of page/screen time and connects it in an interesting way to the crime solving genre. These books are pleasant reads and easily recommended to teens and grandmas a (no on-page sex and very little if any profanity). Dr. Nell Ward continues to entertain me and I’m looking forward to the next installment.

I received an ARC, stated my opinion. Available 3/27.arcs1 Cheryl170 9

In this novel, Dr. Nell Ward and her friends are in Ireland to attend the wedding of their friends Conor Kennedy and Sylvia Shawcross. Conor is Irish, and the wedding was moved to Ireland so his elderly parents could attend. It’s soon clear Conor’s family is troubled and has been for years. The tension revolves around a missing woman, Siobhan Delaney. She and her baby daughter went missing twenty years ago. When a body is found in a bog, Nell is caught up in another murder investigation—only this one is a cold case.

Characters
It was fun to see the return of characters from the earlier books. I will say the dysfunctional relationships in Conor’s family got a little tiresome. I was looking for a bit more backstory at times, especially when it came to the relationship between Conor and his parents. The backstory that was revealed came as a shock to his fiancé, Sylvia, (as well as all of their friends) and it puts their wedding and any future in question.
Some of the revelations of specific characters didn’t create the tension I expected, but revealing any more would lead to spoilers.

Mysteries
The primary mystery in A Trace of Hares is different than the earlier books. The location is in Ireland and the murder is a twenty-year old cold case. There is a lot of misdirection in the novel, but solving the murderer’s identity wasn’t difficult. As the novel unfolds, the bodies begin to pile up, and no one is sure if there’s one murderer on the loose or more than one.
I think some of the science was a bit of a stretch, and that pulled me out of the story a bit at times.

My Thoughts
This is the fifth book in this series. I’ve enjoyed reading this series, including this one. I don’t think it’s as tightly written as the first four books, but it was still a fun, quick read. 3.5/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Steph Warren1,477 29

I sped through this book in one go in just a few short hours, utterly immersed in both the peat-rich Irish setting and the exciting plot!

This is the fifth in the Dr Nell Ward series of mysteries and while I wholeheartedly advocate reading them all in order, to really understand the character relationships and histories, I will grudgingly admit that you can technically read this as a standalone story too (but why would you when they are such good stories?!)

I LOVE that Nell, Rav, James and Shannon have now formed a unique and highly-skilled unofficial murder investigation team and was intrigued that the main suspects in this case were four very different brothers, all with motives and opportunities, giving the reader chance to wonder which of their personalities could be a better fit for the crime. And I was totally fooled by some of the red herrings (although I spotted some clues) and was astounded by dramatic climax and reveal… I had suspected someone completely different!

There is less ecological fieldwork in this book, mainly due to the circumstances of Nell and Rav being at the location for a social occasion rather than for work, but the team do manage to slip in a fair bit of science and lab work to make up for it. And they do spot some hares…

…which indirectly leads them into yet another ‘hairy’ situation, proving that being in a wheelchair isn’t going to stop Rav from participating in just as much of the physical danger as ever. They really are a well-matched couple!

I am thoroughly invested in this series and the characters, and I have to, yet again, declare this book the best in the series… so far! (I am eagerly waiting for A Swarm of Butterflies to land on 26th August 2023 – you can pre-order it on Amazon right now!)

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres... Sian Morant187 12

I requested the ARC of A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yarwood Lovett in the hope that we would return to the form of the excellent first two books in the series. Sadly this was not to be.
The ecologist Nell Ward and her boyfriend Rav are in Ballygiorra, Ireland for a few days to help celebrate the wedding of their friends Conor and Sylva. While there Nell is excited to have a tour of a local nature reserve which contains a historic bog. There she meets overly intense graduate student Aiofe. The following day Aiofe discovers a body in the bog and it’s not an ancient one. This one belongs to the wife of Conor’s brother who disappeared almost 20 years earlier.
In this book in the series, I can forgive the fact that Nell manages to get more unable as the series progresses. I can forgive the fact that Nell and Rav’s relationship gets more unbelievable as the series progresses. I can forgive the fact that yet again a tissue-thin plot is masked by having too many characters initially then they are all whittled down in the last third of the story in order to reach a conclusion.
What I cannot forget in this story is the lazy stereotyping. A family of brothers in Ireland is at daggers drawn. Tick. All the Irish-born characters have Irish names. Tick. I mean, this is 2024, not 1824. The matriarch of the family is referred to as Mammie. Tick. One of the female characters has raven black hair and green eyes. Tick. Then out of nowhere, a nun pops up.
This series promised so much with the first two books but ultimately has fallen over big style, in my opinion.
My thanks to NetGalley, Embla Books, and Sarah Yarwoold Lovett for the ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.


5 s1 comment KM ScottAuthor 2 books2

Thank you to NetGalley and Embla books for this ARC. All my opinions are my own.

Having previous read all of SYL’s Dr Nell Ward series, I have to say, this one kept the pace, loveable characters and cosy vibes of all of its predecessors. This chapter in the series takes, ecologist, Nell off to Ireland for two close friends’ wedding and of course, Nell ends up embroiled in a murder case.

What I particularly d about this story in the series is, it found a way to vary the nature of the case (mind the pun) so that it isn’t a matter of Nell unexpectedly ending up involved in another active murder case. Instead, this is (sort of) a cold case. In turn, this makes the lihood of Nell’s involvement much higher and it shows a real depth in the level of ecological crime solving skills required of her.

Once again SYL brings us the loveable characters we know and adore and wraps them up in a (temporarily) cosy Irish blanket. She lovingly draws in side characters in this novel and gives them a turn in the spotlight, offering more insight not only into those characters, but the ones we already adore.

I would say that the big reveal of this one fell a little flat for me and felt a little predictable as the suspect list was narrowed down very early, however a second twist kept the tension high.

Overall, a really strong and engaging addition to an already wonderful series. Jane Sandell93

A few weeks before I was offered A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yardwood-Lovett as review copy, I had co-incidentally bought the previous four books in the series, having stumbled across them. So before I read this one, I read the first four one after the other. I enjoyed them all well enough to keep going through them, although Nell, the main character, an ecologist, drove me a bit mad at times. so many of her ilk (amateur detectives that is) she interfered in police cases - and didn't hesitate to endanger herself. The former irritation always makes me want the character to be charged with something and the latter makes me see the character as thoughtless and a bit stupid. However, Nell improves as the series goes on and in A Trace of Hares she's at her best.

The book is set in Ireland where Nell and her partner and some friends have gone for a wedding. Before they can celebrate, however, a long-buried body is found. It's the sister of another wedding guest - and after that the death toll merely increases. Nell becomes involved officially as an expert and another of her visiting friends, a DI, is also consulted. So for me, the set-up is believable. The characterisation has always been good and that continues here. The murderer was a little easy to spot but the plot was engaging enough that that didn't matter. Ink594 10

A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is a fantastic cozy mystery that has the perfect blend of drama, humour and atmosphere to make it unique in the contemporary cozy mystery genre.

Dr Nell Ward and her partner Lew travel to Ireland to attend a wedding of friends and as is very common at these events, stress and conflicts abound.

In the midst of all the drama, Dr Nell here's a blood curdling screaming, which she assumed was a fox killing a hare, and although disturbed by it, dismisses it out of hand. Until, a villager discovers a body, a woman, recently decesed in a peat bog. Not the best precursor to a wedding!

I am really beginning to enjoy this sub-genre as an alternative to my usual Cozy mysteries (Regency/Victorian/1900s) and I would encourage anyone who enjoys cozy's to check it out. This is my first book from Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and it was a great read.

This author has a fantastic flow, her storylines are strong and yet unpredictable and her research and descriptions are on point without using stereotypical descriptions of Ireland (the peat bogs and their history/ use are so very rarely mentioned in contemporary fiction)


Thank you to Netgalley, Embla Books and Sarah Yarwood-Lovett for this gripping ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own Holly Hurst288

Dr Nell Ward, our favorite ecologist, is in Ireland for the wedding of her friend Conor when a body is discovered in the nearby bog. The chemistry of the bogs preserves bodies for an extremely long time. Some bodies discovered there are over 2000 years old
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