A Body in the Forest by P. F. Ford
A half-naked body with a mysterious tattoo found in a forest on Halloween sets the hook for this latest mystery in The West Wales Murder Mysteries. The Dragon Forest, named after rumored ancient pagan rituals conducted there, is home to visitors, hikers, dog-walkers, and present-day pagans who still observe rituals in the forest. Detective Norman of the Llangwelli police is called in to investigate and senses something off about the crime. When Acting Superintendent Evans learns that pagans had held a gathering there on Halloween, he concludes that they are responsible and directs Norman to question and arrest them. The discovery of a second body sends the investigation in new and unexpected directions. Evans is the kind of cop that Norman can't stand. He's a climber, an inexperienced investigator, and focused on closing cases quickly rather than well. Norman is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, having already retired once. He was coaxed out of...
