The Hop-Pickers Murders

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Ron Strutt: Hops Garden Syndale Farm, Kent UK

 

Some things I have never thought to ponder:


Hops by Pixnio

Hops

Hops plant growth

Harvesting hops

Post World War I economy

Low income Londoners




These are all things I learned about in The Hop-Pickers Murders, the latest crime mystery featuring forensic genealogist, Morton Farrier.  





Author Nathan Dylan Goodwin once again displays his genius by immersing his readers in a distinctive time and place.  This 11th novel in the Morton Farrier series introduces us to the unique time and place of hop-pickers in Kent, England after WWI before mechanization became the method for mass production.  Morton solves a mystery of theft, disappearance and murder for a client who discovered her aunt's journal.

We catch up with Morton's personal life as well; he struggles to concentrate despite his 3-year-old's drum kit "practice" and the unknown menace bent on destroying his career.  Morton always gives a lesson in genealogical research techniques, too.

I always enjoy Goodwin's novels and look forward to what comes next.  I hope that this inspires others to include Morton Farrier in their reading. 

See more about the author and his books on his website. 

 

MaryLynn Strickland

 

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Send your stories to m.strickland@skcgs.org


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  1. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2026 at 10:28 AM

    I read this book as well and as the mother of a hop grower and brewer I was fascinated by the way it was done at the turn of the century. What a difference. I am a huge fan of Goodwin and so far have read all his books, learning the English research system along the way.

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