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Kent Fisher gets more than he bargained for when Detective Inspector Ashley Goodman enlists his help with a ten year old murder. She’s on a mission and needs a big case to put her career back on track.

And they don’t come much bigger than Miles Birchill, Downland’s wealthiest and most divisive resident.

Not for the first time, Kent has doubts about the case, forcing him to make choices. But who do you trust when everyone has something to hide?

Caught in the middle, he has no alternative but to solve the murder, unaware that his every move is being watched.

The Kent Fisher novels offer a fresh and contemporary reworking of the classic whodunit and murder mysteries of authors like Agatha Christie.

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2019

11 people are currently reading
24 people want to read

About the author

Robert Crouch

14 books17 followers
What if the person who solves the murder isn't a detective but an ordinary man thrust into the role?

That's the idea behind Kent Fisher, the unconventional sleuth at the heart of my Downland Murder Mystery series. With a sharp eye for detail and a wry sense of humour, Kent is just the kind of character to keep you turning pages, whether you’re in the mood for a gripping mystery or a heart-warming twist.

With contemporary themes, quirky humour, and a dash of romance, the Downland Murder Mysteries offer a fresh, exciting twist on the classic whodunit.

Set in the picturesque South Downs, the Downland Murder Mysteries blend intricate plotting with vibrant character dynamics, offering more than just a typical whodunit. Expect thrilling twists, quirky suspects, and a touch of local flavour that brings the stories to life. The books explore contemporary issues with both humour and heart—making each mystery as entertaining as it is suspenseful.

If you love cosy crime novels with complex plots, relatable characters, and a dash of wit, the Downland Murder Mysteries are perfect for you. Every book is designed to keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly flipping pages until the very last twist. Whether you're a fan of Agatha Christie’s timeless mysteries or Richard Osman’s modern charm, you’ll feel right at home with Kent Fisher’s adventures.

With over two decades of experience as an environmental health officer, I draw on my deep understanding of human behaviour, motivations, and investigation to craft mysteries that feel both realistic and captivating. My background allows me to weave in complex details that make the crimes in the Downland Murder Mysteries not just engaging, but authentic.

Fans of classic whodunits, cosy mysteries, and modern crime thrillers will enjoy the Downland Murder Mystery series. Each book combines suspense, wit, and unforgettable characters in a series that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

For more updates, insider news, and exclusive giveaways, including a free short story, be sure to join my Readers Group. You'll find the details on my website at https://robertcrouch.co.uk.

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Susan Hampson.
1,521 reviews69 followers
May 12, 2019
Kent Fisher is a man that wears many hats. Firstly he is an Environmental Health Officer, which has already been the reason that he has turned super sleuth and solved a growing number of murders in the course of his investigations. Then there is the love of his life, his animal sanctuary, where he would happily spend every second of his time. He is also coming to terms with the discovery of who his biological father is, which is still hush, hush. It is not like he has to find time fillers in his busy life but things are about to get a little more complicated.
I loved this fourth book in the superb series as I felt that I was playing an upmarket edition of Cludeo! When Kent is approached by DI Ashley Goodman, a very ambitious lady, to help her dig into the past after a body has been discovered, it is to find out, Who had been murdered ten years ago? Who had committed the crime? And, Why had the body been buried on his father's land? Shh, still hush, hush!
This isn't just a cracking case to get stuck into, it is up close and personal as far as Kent's love life goes too as he gets torn into so many directions with more than one woman after a piece of him. I cringed and chuckled as this normally level headed logical man, who didn't know which direction was up!
Time completely ran away with me as I read this book as I was totally involved in solving this mystery, which came together perfectly. There are some real characters building in this series which I now care about, love it when a series affects me like that. Not that I would like to live there, there are rather a lot of dodgy people in this idyllic country scene, but with a handful fewer now Kent is doing his bit. The brilliant end, left my mouth open and needing book 5 like next week, please.
Profile Image for Colin Garrow.
Author 51 books143 followers
June 3, 2019
Environmental health officer Kent Fisher faces a double dilemma when Detective Inspector Ashley Goodman ropes him in to help with an unsolved murder. Discovering the DI has Kent’s own father in her sights as the killer, the amateur sleuth must work out who’s telling the truth. But with a possible new romance on the horizon, Kent must take a good look at himself too, and his own motivations for keeping secrets.

‘No More Lies’ is the fourth book in the Kent Fisher Mysteries series and like all the others, it’s a cracking good read. Though you might think the world of environmental health would be limited when it comes to dead bodies turning up, Robert Crouch never lets his imagination get out of hand, laying down clever clues to keep his readers guessing about the killer’s identity. Balancing a thirst for passion with a desire to learn the truth, the hero races to fit the pieces together before it all goes belly up at the final furlong. And in Kent Fisher’s case, the end could be very final indeed.

Another triumph for Robert Crouch in this canny and crafty murder mystery series.
Profile Image for Jacob Rundle.
Author 3 books165 followers
May 10, 2019
No More Lies is the fourth novel in the Kent Fisher Mysteries Series. I give this novel a strong 4/5 stars. The plot was well executed. I didn't find any plot holes, and I was entertained throughout most of the story. This isn't my usual genre, so the spots that required me to push through I won't hold against the writer.
The characters are well developed and realistic. I believe that many readers will find them relatable. Even the characters that I ended up hated...I hated because they were portrayed really well.
The best part was the ending (which I will NOT ruin for the readers...) It was well done.

I recommend this series if you like thriller/murder/mystery.
Profile Image for Karen Cole.
1,110 reviews166 followers
January 6, 2020
No More Lies is the fourth book in Robert Crouch's Kent Fisher series and although it's been quite a while since I read the previous title, No Remorse, I soon found myself drawn back into his world. Newcomers to the series shouldn't worry too much about not having read the previous books as there is enough back story included here to bring you up to speed. However, I would recommend reading the books in order if you do want to properly appreciate the development of the characters and their storylines.
As an environmental health officer and owner of an animal sanctuary, Kent Fisher already has his hands full and yet somehow keeps finding himself in the midst of murder cases. Although his investigations touch on some dark themes, these are books which will appeal to lovers of cosy crime mysteries; Robert Crouch has developed an engaging lead character in Kent and I always look forward to discovering the latest on his private life. The recurring cast of characters, storylines which involve Kent's personal as well as professional life, and Columbo, the scene-stealing West Highland White terrier mean this would make a terrific television series. This time around, a couple of new characters are introduced and both have significant roles to play. The book opens with the first of the pair, DI Ashley Goodman visiting Kent at his sanctuary to enlist his help with a cold case which may be linked to a recent fire in a cafe.
Five years ago a body was discovered on a building site and the police believe the victim was murdered ten years ago. Despite their best efforts, they still haven't managed to identify him but a recent fire in a cafe could be connected and Ash informs Kent that he is involved with both leads which have recently come to light. His day job may provide some vital information regarding former employees of the cafe in its various guises over the years but he also has a rather more personal connection to the site where the body was discovered.
Kent's investigation takes him to an industrial estate where he meets the second new character, dog groomer, Freya Layman. The chemistry between them is immediate and having never been that keen on his ex, Gemma I welcomed her introduction as a possible new love interest. However, sparks also fly between him and Ash on occasion so it's never clear cut as to whether he will be more successful in love than he has been up to now. Freya is easier to like, particularly in the moments where she is awkward and vulnerable. Ash is clearly ambitious and has a ruthless streak and so I feel most readers will warm more readily to Freya. That said, the course of true love never runs smooth and this adage is particularly true for Kent Fisher who clearly seems to have commitment issues. As the novel progresses, I really enjoyed the little elements of doubt which are introduced meaning both he and readers are never quite sure who he can truly trust.
The mystery itself is satisfyingly puzzling with plenty of twists and turns before Kent manages to figure out the truth. His complicated relationship with shady local businessman, Miles Burchill changes significantly over the course of the book which is the main reason why I would ideally recommend reading the previous novels first. Although it's entirely possible for new readers to understand how and why the changes take place, I do believe that I was more able to appreciate just how disconcerting Kent must have felt to find himself in the position he does here, it's certainly not something he ever could ever have envisaged considering at one point he welcomed the possible prospect of Burchill being dead.
The natural humour flows well throughout, reflecting the repartee which occurs in workplaces, and as I've come to expect from Robert Crouch's writing, his own experiences ensure an insightful and entirely believable look at the day to day politics of working for local councils. No More Lies is the best book in the series so far; the character development is really paying off now, I love the interplay between the returning cast and I've become invested in Kent's life, I want to know what choices he will make next - and the ending definitely suggests that he has more tricky decisions ahead...
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,769 reviews135 followers
May 13, 2019
It is so nice to be reunited with Kent Fisher, this is a character that I love to catch up with and see how he is getting on. He is an Environmental Health Officer, he runs an animal sanctuary and solves murders that he seems to find himself in the midst of. In No More Lies, he finds the crime comes to him rather than finding the crime. The deliverer of this crime comes in the form of DI Ashley Goodman…

I have a soft spot for Kent and when this new character arrives, well I had my reservations about this woman! As a character she is interesting and very career driven, she is also impetuous and impulsive as she tries to solve a cold case. She believes that Kent can help her in this and in doing so it will get her career back on track. Kent, you see, has certain connections that are useful.

This book has a different feel to it that the others in the series, it has the same basic elements and includes some well-loved characters such as Columbo, Niamh, Francie and his work colleagues. The emphasis is more on the cold case and Ashley’s investigations. There are running storylines that still continue, if you have not read them I don’t think they will squash any enjoyment of the reading, but as always it is better to read them all!

So, as I mentioned earlier, the main focus is with the cold case. I really liked this emphasis, but I also do like the other characters that are part of Kent’s life. They were still in the story but took more of a back seat this time.

The case being re-opened sets a chain of events off that could cause many problems for people. This, in turn, means that there is an air of mistrust to the story as characters are basically watching their own backs, the sense that people have things to hide is a definite with this story.

I am a big fan of this author and I love reading about Kent Fisher and, I have loved every book in the series. This has that classic ‘whodunnit’ feel but in a modern setting. Kent is the deducer, the sleuth, and the mystery solver. I really like that Kent is not a copper or detective, his EHO career adds just a something special to the reads and gives such a great twist to this murder mystery series.

No More Lies by Robert Crouch is a book that I would definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Lel Budge.
1,367 reviews30 followers
May 10, 2019
4 in the Kent Fisher series…

DI Ashley Goodman approached Kent at his animal sanctuary, wanting his help with a case. A body had been found, 5 years ago, but new leads that involves Kent….

She says, Miles Birchill is involved……Kent’s biological father with a bit of a dodgy past….

Ash Goodman had transferred to Brighton under a bit of a cloud and sees solving this crime as a way to resurrect her career…..but why is she so certain Miles is involved?

Kent is an Health and Safety Officer, not a Detective or police officer, but in his line of work he does have access to certain records, which help in his investigations. He is a kind soul, with a daft sense of humour and a love of animals. Such a great character, and Freya is a hoot with her ‘blunderbra’….!

A thoroughly entertaining, cosy-ish crime thriller by Robert Crouch, with some great one liners and a clever plot.

My thanks to Caroline Vincent at Bits About Books for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my free ebook which I received in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Kath Middleton.
Author 23 books158 followers
May 10, 2019
Another mystery for Environmental Health Officer Kent Fisher. When a body is found buried on his father’s land, Kent feels that someone is trying to fit his father up for murder – and he has plenty of enemies. This book is full of humour and features a female detective I wanted to slap, as well as a dog groomer I wanted to hug. I love a book that affects me so much that I really believe in the characters. As for Kent – I want to pull his socks up for him! This is a brilliant follow-up to the first three books in the series and I’m dying to see how Kent’s private life progresses now.
Profile Image for Haley The Caffeinated Reader.
863 reviews64 followers
January 27, 2020
https://thecaffeinatedreader.com/2019...

As you all know by now, I’m a sucker for mystery books! I was happy enough to grab up the opportunity to read this and be part of its blog tour. It’s a fun read, Robert Crouch likes to tease you with the mystery while also integrating Kent’s own whirlwind of a personal life. I hadn’t read the other books in this series and wasn’t really too thrown off by that fact so it can definitely be read as a standalone! I like that Kent Fisher isn’t a private eye but just a man who enjoys unravelling a mystery. Not to mention you have to find some humor in the situations he gets himself into. I would say it was definitely a quick read as well so it’s the perfect book to grab up and read in your spare time. This book is more about Kent himself than the actual mystery but everything does tie in and I like how Crouch wove that all together! [Also I think Ashley was terrifying lol]

Knowing how Crouch’s style is now, I will certainly pick up the others to read, I feel like I’m missing out now.

Not to mention…No spoilers but that ending was such a surprise! I loved it and it definitely hooked me into wanting to read the next book. So when does it come out?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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