Murder in the New Forest - Carol Cole

The first gripping standalone title in a brand new detective series

A woman's body lies in the heather, her neck broken. Her horse watches nervously from a few paces away.

Despite looking like an accident, it doesn't take long for DI Callum MacLean, newly arrived in Hampshire from Glasgow, to establish she was murdered.

Nor does it take DS Daisy Donaldson, appearing soon after on horseback, long to identify the victim.

Mary-Ellen Mitchell was a well-known and seemingly well-liked businesswoman, married to a respected local artist, and part of the close-knit community.

The Scottish detective must adapt quickly to his new team, his past experience of policing a tough city jarring with the pace of Fordingbridge and their peculiar ways.

But having hoped for respite in the south, and although made welcome by Daisy, Callum soon feels like he's being used as a pawn in someone else's game.

However, if Callum can evade the pitfalls and marshal his team, they may well catch the wily killer hiding in the shadows of the woods.

MURDER IN THE NEW FOREST is the first novel in a series of mysteries by Carol Cole who, with beautiful prose, deftly transports the reader into the rich tapestry of the southern landscape.

This skilfully crafted story will keep you guessing until the end. The second book in the series, provisionally titled STRAW IN THE WIND, will be available soon.