When a body is found in the snow, at a racecourse and the attending policeman is attacked, all hands are on deck to find the murderer. The horses aren't the only ones facing hurdles - so are Ashley and her team as they race against the clock to find the murderer. This was a great procedural crime novel, full of suspense and accurate detail about life within the National Hunt racing community. This book is a must for anyone who has ever read and enjoyed a novel by DicK Frances. This is the first of Ross Greenwood's books I have read and I will certainly be racing to find more!

Book five in the Norfolk Murder Series, Death at the Fakenham Races sees DI Ashley Knight coming to terms with the underhand dealings that go along with the world of Horse racing as a brutal murder is committed at the Fakenham racecourse and a police officer is seriously injured not far from where the body was found.
As Ashley and the team try to work out why one of their own, Frank Levine, was hurt and why bookie Jonny Lowe was murdered the list of people who may have wanted to kill Lowe rises to many people in the local industry who know each other too well.
When Glen Gordon a well-respected Racehorse owner, the reasons why are still obscure, as it would seem everyone on the prime suspect list appears to be blameless.
As the tension mounts, the small pieces uncovered lead back into a very murky past as the dark side of the racing Industry is exposed as a ruthless industry where winning is all.
For anyone who has never entered the field of horse racing and betting the description of the industry, the love of owners for their horses and the depths people will go to in the pursuit of winning has been well captured.
As to the Police procedural aspect of the case, this is also has been well documented, but the immense amount of detail tends to slow down the pace of the overall story, that is unless you enjoy this level of methodical detail.
Death at the Fakenham Races is overall an entertaining read, especially for those who enjoy the racing circuit.

This is book five in the DI Ashley Knight investigation team series set in Norfolk, this book centres around a death that happens at the race course in Fakenham. Anyone like myself who lives in this part of Norfolk will instantly recognise different locations.
The officers are called to a disturbance at Fakenham race course on a cold wintry day with the snow laying deep on the ground, it's covering tracks instantly and when a body is discovered it sets off a murder enquiry and also at the same time one of their own officers is attacked at the race course. But gradually things just don't add up, is it something to do with the bookies or the horse trainers or someone else? Someone has certainly made a lot of money from that particular race, but who was it? You are left wondering who, and who they can trust, and why! Gradually more deaths are happening, why and who is doing the killing?

I personally have never been to a horse racing event or even understand how they work, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book. I enjoyed the interaction between the police officers and also the location of the race track at Fakenham and the local area. I have read and enjoyed other books by Ross Greenwood and this book is just as good as the others. A good police procedural and investigation storyline that certainly keeps you guessing. You are wondering how many people are going to be killed and how. Very good story.
A five-star read from me.

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I really enjoyed this easy read in the DI Ashley Knight series, although it can easily be read as a stand alone. I liked the Norfolk location and the well developed characterisation with a good cast of interesting characters. The plotting was different, set around the horse racing industry, and there is enough suspense to occupy the reader with the steady pacing. Another solid police procedural from the popular author, who never disappoints his readers. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

First novel I have read from this author and it didn’t disappoint. Enjoyable from the first to last page. Plenty of twists and turns to keep me enthralled. Well rounded characters and very well written. Look forward to his next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

The fifth book in the DI Ashley Knight/Norfolk Murders series and can easily be read as a standalone. It is early December and snow is falling on Fakenham Racecourse when bookie Jonny Lowe pulls up in the car park. He has an important meeting ahead of him, despite the weather. I don’t know much about horse racing and this book certainly improved my knowledge, in a good way.

Briefly, the police are called to the racecourse after a body is found in the snow, brutally murdered, and a police officer is attacked. DI Ashley Knight and her team are on the case and immediately find themselves embroiled in the sport of horse racing, training and particularly the betting, and bookie Jonny Lowe is missing. It is clear everyone questioned is lying about everything but Ashley and the team are paying particular attention on a previous race where the strong favourite didn’t finish the race.

When more gruesome murders occur the team know they are racing (excuse the pun!) against time to catch a very clever killer. As always this is very well written with a good plot although for me lacking a bit of oomph compared to previous books. That said it’s a very enjoyable read with a great twist towards the end and I love this team of detectives. Entertaining police procedural and looking forward to the next book.

I am a lifelong lover of all sports but admit to not being a massive fan of horse racing until a professional jockey moved in across the road from me recently and I take great interest in his races and results. A well researched book that was very difficult to put down and had me enthralled from start to finish. My only comment would be the naming of one of the central characters, Ronan Rafferty, which was the name of a leading golfer for many years as a golf fanatic that picture would not escape my mind. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Another great book in the Norfolk Murders series that I have been lucky enough to read on NetGalley. It’s a solid and well-plotted police procedural with an interesting cast of characters. Having previously read another book in the series, I enjoyed the development and interactions of the police team.
The plot centres around the world of horse racing with lots of well-researched details included. I love this attention to detail from the author. I also love the fact that I’m completely in the dark about who the murderer could be and what their motive is until right at the end! I feel I take the leap of faith to target the killer alongside the police! There’s plenty of action and a good few bodies to satisfy the readers. A four star read that I am happy to recommend. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series..

This book didn’t just hook me—it body-checked me onto the track and dared me to keep up.

DI Ashley Knight dives into the brutal world of horse racing, where egos are bloated, grudges run deep, and everyone’s hiding something. This isn’t the glossy, champagne version of racing—it’s messy, mean, and full of rot.

Ashley’s the grounded outsider in a world fueled by secrets and whispered threats. And the suspects? All shady. Some just wear it better.

Greenwood’s pacing is relentless, his characters bite, and the twists land like a gut punch. It’s gritty, clever, and straight-up addictive.

Final word? If you’re into high-stakes crime with bite, Death at Fakenham Races is your next fix.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.

#DeathAtFakenhamRaces #NetGalley

Part of a series featuring Detective Inspector Ashley Knight. A gritty thriller set mostly in he racing industry. Good characters and plenty of twists and turns.

DI Ashley Knight #5

A brutal attack at Fakenham Racecourse plunges Ashley Knight into the competitive world of horse racing, where fortunes are won and lost in the blink of an eye. As the investigation unfolds, a chilling discovery reveals a darker side to the glamorous sport. In these high-stake arenas, where winning is everything and everyone has something to hide, a few are willing to cross the ultimate line. Can Ashley, an outsider in a world of whispers and long-held grudges, unmask the murderer before they kill again?

When someone is found dead, and a police officer is attacked at Fakenham Racecourse, DI Ashley Knight was brought into the investigation, It seems that nobody is telling the truth. For anyone who doesn't know much about horse racing, this book is a good insight into it. The plot is complex in this well-written police procedural. The pace is fast and there were a few twists and clues along the way. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Published 5th June 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #RossGreenwood for my ARC of #DeathAtFakenhamRaces in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve loved this series from the start, and had high expectations for this fourth instalment and Death at Fakenham Races didn’t disappoint. While it works as a standalone, the full impact comes from reading the series in order.

Death at Fakenham Races is fast paced and full of twists that kept me guessing throughout, with Hector back on the team adding a familiar and welcome dynamic. DI Ashley Knight’s investigation dives deep into the competitive world of horse racing, which is well researched but occasionally a bit complicated.

Overall, a strong, engaging read with vivid characters and a gripping plot that fans of the series will appreciate.

A great story with a good twist. There was enough in this to not make it stand out obvious who they were hunting which is a pleasant surprise.

I'm a big fan of the DI Ashley Knight series of crime thrillers. Ashley is such a relatable figure. I've come to know and love her colleagues with all their quirks and bants. This time fast tracked Hector Fade is the butt of the jokes as he fights to restore his reputation.

I'd imagined the world of racing to be exclusive and closed-off, and this book confirms it while also overlaying some worrying practices of how races can be fixed, and jockeys convinced to do the wrong thing.

It's a fascinating introduction to the world of horse racing, particularly when it comes to all the betting terms. "Joint lollies and a rag" for example means two joint-favourites at around even money, and an outsider.

Greenwood plants numerous red herrings among the owners, jockeys and bookmakers. It's always very hard to identify the protagonist(s) in Greenwood's books, which makes them extra intriguing, but the loose ends are always neatly sewn up. And then we return to normal life in the police station and a happy occasion for the dedicated Ashley.

If you haven't discovered this home grown maestro of the crime thriller, you're in for a treat.

Another fantastic visit to Norfolk with the MIT team. I love the descriptions of the locations as you can picture yourself there. This is a good police procedural whodunnit with likeable recurring characters. There was a lot of information on horse racing and betting, which isn’t really something that I’m interested but the story kept me intrigued. It is part of series but you don’t have to have read the others to enjoy this book.

Murder at the race course! A nicely written, well paced crime. The characters are well drawn and there are enough twists to keep you guessing throughout the book.

Another well-written police procedural by Ross Greenwood! This one involves several murders in the horse racing community in Norfolk. I always enjoy this author's stories and the way he integrates the police officer characters and their personal lives as well as the mystery itself. However, this one is only 3 stars instead of my usual 4. I found this one got a bit bogged down in all the information about horse racing and betting, and then a gratuitous discussion at the end about animal cruelty and the ethics and environmental impact of raising animals for food and sport, so I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the others. (I personally am not a fan of the use of novels as a platform in this way. If I want to be educated on an issue, I will research it myself.) Definitely still a worthwhile read, though!

Death at Fakenham races is book 5 in the Ashley Knight series, but it can be easily read as a standalone.
DI Ashley Knight is called to Fakenham Racecourse when a Policeman has been brutally attacked a body is found nearby. When they investigate, they get immersed in the life of horseracing and betting and the corruption that lies between it. When more bodies turn up, they know they have a serial killer on their hands, but they don’t know what the motive is and why? What is the killer trying to prove?
This is another great read by the author Ross Greenwood. Interesting storyline and the same great characters and a complex plot. The only thing was a bit of a downside for me was the explanation of the betting system and the life behind it. I found it went on far too long and unnecessary. I found I wanted to skip some of it to get to the juicy parts of the story. 4 stars from me.

Death at Fakenham Races by Ross Greenwood is a highly recommended police procedural. Even though this is the fifth book in the DI Ashley Knight/Norfolk Murders series, it can be read and appreciated as a standalone novel too, especially if you enjoy horse racing.

During heavy snow fall the police are called out to investigate a loud argument at the Fakenham Racecourse. When the officers arrive and separate to investigate, one officer, Frank, is attacked and left unconscious and the snow covered car of bookmarker Jonny Lowe is in a parking lot. After a body is later found, also snow covered, DI Ashley Knight and team are called in to investigate. The body is identified as that of Glen Gordon, one of the local horse owners. There appears to be no apparent motive for the murder.

As the investigation continues Jonny Lowe is found murdered. Clearly the murders are somehow connected to the racetrack, but no motive seems readily apparent, but the list of suspects keeps growing. Someone must be hiding something that would tie it all together among the many people involved in horse racing at Fakenham.

The murder investigations were interesting, intricate, and clues are logically followed in the well-written police procedural. As the investigation unfolds becomes clear that there are many people and a lot of work going on behind the scenes. The answer may be more complicated than anyone thought and the stakes are higher than initially imagined. The plot moves at a quick pace and the suspense rises with each new interview and clue.

At the opening of the novel Greenwood thankfully has a cast of characters which will help refresh your memory of who's who, which I appreciated. Those who have read other novels in the series know these characters and their interaction with each other while solving cases. Personally, I think readers who are acquainted with and enjoy the world of horse racing would enjoy this a bit more than I did, however, Greenwood always writes a good mystery.

Death at Fakenham Races is a good selection for those who enjoy intricate procedurals and horse racing. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This is only the second book of this author's that I have read but I am totally hooked.
All the books are based in and around Norfolk which I know well and it is nice to read a story where you can picture the area easily.
I loved the way the mystery was based around the racecourse bringing in so many different characters and suspects. The story moved at a good pace, Really enjoyed it.