This is the 11^th book in the Morton Farrier, forensic genealogist series. Once again, I have thoroughly enjoyed the book and can’t wait for number twelve to come out.

I knew nothing about hop picking or that Londoners went down to pick the hops in the days before mechanisation. Or how they lived onsite in poor accommodation and how they usually had little money or food until after they got paid. It was a wonderful insight into how our poorer ancestors on the land probably lived.

Morton’s investigations into the murders were also fascinating trying to make sense of an original diary and finding evidence to support various clues and possibilities using libraries, archives and personal interviews.

To complicate his life, Morton seems to have made an enemy for himself, and this overlaid his research investigation. This was not resolved and is the potential hook for the next chapter in Morton’s adventures I suspect.

Morton must have the most complicated family history ever as so far, we have found out that he was adopted, then he found his father, and that his aunt was really his biological mother, and then he married Juliette and had two children of his own. It is hard to write reviews without revealing story lines, but we are now introduced to some of Morton’s history before he met Juliette his wife.

If you are new to Nathan Dylan Goodwin’s books, then I strongly recommend you start with the first book to understand all the family members and businesspeople in Morton’s circle. Although the books do stand alone as a good read.

Some day I hope to meet Nathan again in person. Bring on the next book soon, Nathan. Well done.