Even though I haven’t read the earlier books in the series, ‘The Burial Place’ stands alone. The gentle, almost genteel, pace and beautiful descriptions of the settings add a different dimension to classical crime writing. The characters – both main and supporting – lend credence and depth to the story, although I am bemused by how many such stories nowadays have a sleuth who is not actually in the police resolve the crimes. The dialogue is really good – I ‘heard’ their voices and enjoyed the humour threaded throughout. Also enjoyed picking up the clues – and identifying the killer.

I read the first book in the series and, to be honest did not get on very well with it. That was the author's debut novel and his writing style has really improved and become embedded now. I found that the description of the locations was very good and informative, however I felt that there were too many characters in the book at the start and I kept getting mixed up with who is who. Maybe that was because the reader did not really get to know the main characters. The story was well planned and it did make you think about what was going on and trying to solve the mystery. I look forward to more books from this author.

I have read and enjoyed all three books in the Jake Jackson series and this one was read quickly in two sittings in one day. Not the first book I have read around an archaeological dig recently but for me a well written book that held my attention. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

A group of archaeologists uncovering the remnants of a Roman settlement on a hill in peaceful English countryside is shaken by the murder of the local vicar helping with the works. It turns out the archaeologists have been receiving deadly threats in letters from someone calling themselves Wulfnoth – and these letters, full of cryptic Bible quotes, are still coming after the vicar’s death. A retired policeman living locally is drawn into the investigation.

This book is for a very specific audience, an audience that deeply revel in ambience. Whilst the mystery is very intriguing, there is a lot of descriptions – mostly of the landscape and weather, which I thoroughly enjoyed, as well as the main character’s physical sensations. The language used is very beautiful and lets you leisurely immerse yourself in the book’s world.

The thing I didn’t necessarily like were the descriptions of pretty much every character’s clothes – I did not see it as needed and it would annoy me every time I came across it. I also seem to be cursed with the descriptions of post-coital hip angles of women trying to conceive – this is a second book in a row that had one .

Despite these minor flaws, this novel was exactly what I wanted for my holiday. I can totally recommend this as a great vacation read if you are a fan of literary descriptions of the moody English weather and picturesque landscape as a side to your murder mystery.

A good addition to the Jake Jackson series set as in the previous tales in his isolated cottage and its close environs. The mystery of threatening letters around an archeological dig suddenly become real with the horrific death of a local priest at the dig. More attacks soon follow and Jake is drawn into the investigation by a new senior policeman replacing the dodgy one from the previous yarn. All the main characters from the previous episodes reappear and all contribute to this intriguing story. More to come I fancy!

Another cracking Jake Jackson book. An an ex-detective trying to live a simpler life, yet getting dragged into murder, I always feel the tension between these two worlds which is a real credit to the writing. Jake’s home and the surrounding area seem very familiar to me now and I’m really enjoying how more characters are coming into the stories, each adding good value to the plot. Very enjoyable book and can’t wait for the next one.

Unusual “cosy” in its way and a good twist at the end. Set on an archeological site this tale brings a homely warmth to a deadly situation. Lots of family life and analysis of the characters. Jake himself is someone to warm to.

Well worth the read

This is the second Jake book I have read. Apart from the characters, who are so real you think you actually know them, one of the brilliant things about the book is the author's use of the English language. I read the book on my trusty Kindle which has the wonderful benefit of a dictionary at a touch - and I touched it quite a bit. Had I been reading a paper book, I would have had to lug around a dictionary at all times. Great story, great characters. Waxes a bit lyrical at times and I could have enjoyed less sex between Jake and Livia but I guess it demonstrates their deep relationship. I will go in search of the book that I appear to have missed, as there are three and I have read just two.

Not having read the first books in this series I was not familiar with the characters and their relationships- I felt some sections dragged out and hard to get into the story.
Set in archaeological site some members of the community feel the site should not be disturbed- threatening letters start appearing and eventually murder is on the cards.

The Burial Place by Stig Abell

The third in a series , could be read as a standalone but So much better when you have read the other two. Why waste brilliance !
Ex detective Jake is part of investigation of poison pen letters and murders .

Jake & Livia are still together and we meet Martha, Alethia, and local likewise Rose .
Great plot and characters , a few twists to keep you guessing until the,end.
Very good.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Killer Crime Club, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Hemlock Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A group of archaologists are on a dig of a lifetime. Soon they find the remains of a Roman settlement n the English countryside. They start to receive threatening letters as the former local detective s called into investigate. There s a killer on the loose as the former detective must find him before he strikes again. What secrets lie n this burial grave? An engulfing read.

The Burial Place by Stig Abell is book three in the series but could easily be read as a standalone and is a cross between time team & midsomer murders, with ex detective Jake being part of investigation of poison pen letters and murders, in fact the police are barely involved, which considering the body count is strange.
Although I’ve read all three novels I’m still undecided on whether I like the series, parts of it are great but I find the writing can sometimes drag, seriously how many times do I have to read about Jake & Livia ripping each others clothes off, I get it they love each other but please it gets tedious, in fact I like the other characters better, the mysterious Martha, quiet Alethia and local rascal Rose bring much more to the stories.
I also like the list of music that Jake listens to added at the end of the book.

This series so far reminds me a bit like Midsomer Murders - just how many people can be killed off in a small English hamlet ?!?!? That being said, this one features an archaeological dig nearby who keep receiving threatening letters from someone trying to stop the excavations. Jake is once more pulled in to solve that mystery and then someone is murdered. Plenty of suspects along with adding to hie "team" to help them. This series just gets better and better.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

I really appreciated Stig Abell's descriptive style in the plot location. He manage to evoke many clear pictures of the culture and ambience that embodies the picturesque English countryside. A writing skill to be admired.

The plot was very much in the vein of Agatha Christie. I did manage to have an inkling of "whodunnit" from early on but there were several layers that made the plot most entertaining as it smoothly evolved.

I liked all of the characters and marvelled at the well-formed ego of the local plod. He was especially willing to seek help from outside and was very receptive to that assistance.

I might add that this is book 3 of a series but I can definitely say it is a stand-alone winner. You have no need to have read any earlier books. I really appreciated that.

In conclusion, I will certainly look to read more books by this author.

Third instalment in the Jake Jackson series. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC of the book.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱
- Another great addition to the Jake Jackson series! Entertaining and mysterious
- The investigative combo of Jake, Al, and Martha is one of my favourites. They all complement eachother so well, and bring a lot of different skills to the table. They are also quite fun and I love the banter between them
- The setting of these books is just amazing, and described so vividly it feels very real. I wish I could live in a place like that
- The mystery itself is full of tension and twists, and made me power through the pages

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱
- This may be a controversial opinion, but as much as I love the investigative trio together, I actually can't stand Jake as a character 😂 It feels like, from his privileged place where he can afford to live as a hermit, with no job, no car, no internet, no phone, growing his own food, eggs, and so on, he is quietly judging everyone else who needs to lead a normal life with jobs and people around, where they may not be able to run miles every morning and swim naked in a private lake afterwards
- Too much talk of lean bodies and long tanned, muscles legs. We get it everyone is super fit and healthy. There was also a bit of a disparaging comment on the only chubby character that I really didn't like

Despite my last two points, I really love the series and I recommend all books in it! They are great mysteries with a great cast of characters.

Another great read from Stig Abell about a archaeological dig a few miles from Ex-DI Jake who is now living in the idyll setting of Little Sky in Scotland and in a relationship with a local vet who has a daughter called Diana. When the team start to get threatening letters by someone calling themselves Wolfnoth and then people start to be killed Jake is asked to investigate.
Loved the story and the details and it was very engaging and draws you in.
Would highly recommend if you like a mystery murder.

This was another engaging read in this series. This is the third book and it feels like catching up with old friends, seeing how they have progressed with their lives. There is, of course, the murder mystery to solve and I had completely the wrong character in mind as the culprit. It kept me guessing until the end. What I particularly liked was the descriptions of the countryside, the calm and peacefulness and the variety of wildlife. I also enjoy the domestic side of Jake and Livia’s life together. I’m really looking forward to the next in the series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.