'Intelligent, mysterious and utterly compelling – Sarah Ward has crafted a darkly satisfying start to what promises to be an addictive series' OR 'Fresh and original, Death Rites wound its way round my psyche like the tendrils of a deadly plant. Utterly fascinating' OR 'Smart, scary and full of intrigue, Death Rites is enthralling from start to finish' Marion Todd (sent to AP by SH 15/07/24)'Death Rites is a gripping, atmospheric page-turner of a novel. It's a brilliant start to what promises to be another excellent series from super-talented Sarah Ward. I absolutely loved everything about this book, including its brilliant protagonist Carla James. If you like Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway series, you'll love this!' Sheila Bugler (sent to AP by SH 15/07/24)'Death Rites is a compulsive page-turner of a thriller, rich in the atmosphere and folk mythology of New England…I hope there’ll be many more of these to follow' Philip Gwynne Jones (sent to AP via Sarah 30/07/24)'The dead tell the best stories. If the police can't find a pattern in a series of macabre deaths, perhaps an archaeologist can' Jason Monaghan (sent to AP via Sarah 14/08/24)'Different, eerie and completely engrossing. LOVED it.' Kate Griffin (sent to AP via Sarah 14/08/24)'I absolutely loved it. It ticked every box for me and I thought it was superb. I really could not put it down! Sarah captured the claustrophobia of a small town perfectly and the characterisation was outstanding, it was a real page turner for me' Rachel Lynch (sent to AP 14/08/24)'A clever and compelling crime thriller' Woman's Weekly (20/09/24)'Sarah Ward flits effortlessly between genres and series and although I am a greater fan of her gothic vein, this opening gambit in a new series has much to wet the appetite for more. Professor Carla James, whom I suspect we will see more of in future books, is a British academic still affected by the death of her husband three years earlier who decides to take up a position at Jericho College in New England in the USA. Carla is an archaeologist with a knack for seeing through stones and relics to the emotional truth of past history and when a harmless, retired old teacher is found murdered in her own home, leaving the police baffled as to a motive, and Carla finds curious papers and anomalies in the office drawers left full by her academic predecessor who committed suicide, she is intrigued and unsettled, prompting a private investigation with the assistance of local pathologist Erin with whom she strikes up a friendship when they are confronted with a gruesome murder and a burned body. Are the two deaths linked? Strongly atmospheric, with the character’s archaeological background prompting instances of folklore, witchcraft and a ‘Wicker Man’ mood, this is a fast and moody read with a determined heroine and an evocative setting.' Crime Time (posted 23/10/24)