A Matter of Murder — Ann Granger

Campbell and Carter are back in their toughest case yet in the seventh Cotswold village crime novel following An Unfinished Murder.
 
Two years ago, Miff Ferguson chose to opt out of the rat race. Since then he's been living rough and happily so. Until now. For as the first signs of winter approach, everything in his life is uprooted.
 
While looking for shelter, Miff stumbles across the corpse of a young woman in a dilapidated warehouse. Quickly realizing he is not alone, and has been spotted, Miff becomes embroiled in a game of cat-and-mouse with a killer that forces him to abandon his life and take refuge with his aunt and uncle in the village of Weston St Ambrose.
 
But despite his best efforts to lie low, trouble seems to follow him everywhere, and when another dead body is discovered at a local farm, it's clear Miff is not free from danger.
 
With the clock ticking, Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter must join forces with the team of police at Bamford to piece together the puzzle before another innocent life is lost . . .
 
Praise for the writing of Ann Granger
 
“A well-written, well-crafted traditional British mystery by a writer with an assured grasp of her technique.” -- reviewingtheevidence.com
 
“Characterization, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent.” -- The Times
 
“The story just gets more complex, mysterious and chilling.” -- Good Book Guide
 
“For once a murder novel which displays a gentle touch and a dash of wit.” -- The Northern Echo
 
“A clever and lively book.” -- Margaret York