A Plot to Kill cover art

A Plot to Kill

The notorious killing of Peter Farquhar, a story of deception and betrayal that shocked a quiet English town

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A Plot to Kill

By: David Wilson
Narrated by: David Wilson
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About this listen

 The true story behind hit BBC drama THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

'[A] real-life Midsomer Murder ... it's chilling, but [David Wilson's] explanation of how a psychopath thinks is masterly' The Times

The shocking story of the murder of Peter Farquhar and the churchwarden who groomed and betrayed him, from the UK's leading criminologist David Wilson

Two deaths.

Three doors apart.

An unsuspecting community about to realise there's a killer in their midst.

In October 2015, Peter Farquhar was found dead in his house in Maids Moreton, lying on the sofa next to a bottle of whisky. An inquest was made, and Peter's death was quickly ruled an accident.

But after the death of another elderly neighbour, the dreadful truth began to emerge: both victims had been groomed, seduced and mentally tortured by a young man, Benjamin Field, who had used his position of power in the community to target and exploit the elderly.

He almost got away with it.

Very little shocks criminologist David Wilson, but this extraordinary case in his sleepy hometown astounded him. Wilson felt duty-bound to follow its trail, discovering how his tightknit community failed to intervene, how a psychopath went undetected for years, and how Peter unwittingly supplied the blueprint for his own murder.

A Plot to Kill is a chilling, gripping account of a callous murder in the heart of middle England, a fight for justice, and a revealing insight into the mind of a killer.©2021 David Wilson (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK Murder True Crime Crime

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Critic reviews

"[A] real-life Midsomer Murder...it's chilling, but [David Wilson's] explanation of how a psychopath thinks is masterly." (The Times)
All stars
Most relevant
Lived up to all expectations. A clear analysis of a grim murder of a kindly, perhaps naive, man, looking at the motivations of the killer, but keeping the victim 'front and centre' throughout. Enjoyed the literary references and comparisons (won't spoil the book for others by naming them). I'd heard of the case previously, had seen a TV program about it some time ago and will follow up by looking at some of the resources David used in his research for the book. As always, a riveting listen and beautifully read by the author himself.

Clear analysis of a murder

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I like the authors work...but this became a long winded yawn.....not enough about the couples interaction....too much academic claptrap.....

Became a yawn

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Really ‘listenable’ writing, for a distinctly British audience (local town knowledge, politics, UK brand names, UK pandemic). DW has become a better, much more natural reader - injecting a bit more personality, while still authoritative.

I binged this in two days and it feels like a respectful tribute to the murder victim and a dutiful correction and fact-fixing job that corrects some of the narratives that were spun afterwards by other people and institutions. This is a thorough, thought-provoking, never boring, very British listen.

thought-provoking, very British listen.

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I have read many of David Wilson's books and always found them to be informative and most importantly of all not salacious in detail that sticking to the facts of any case that he is studying.

I watched the ITV documentary about this case and was very pleased when I heard that the author was writing a book about it, the author has intimate knowledge of the crime due to his association with living in the area, and also has access to the people involved and associates.

For me this book is one of the scariest bookseller read, this book talks about the gradual grooming of a older gentleman by younger man in full view of the village, for me this is the most frightening aspect of the book is nobody considered that there was anything untoward about the relationship between the older man and the younger trainee priest people often assume grooming is to do with children… Clearly this can also be a crime that adults are victim of too.

The narration is excellent and is read by the author which is always good. Your thousand and meticulous in his research and understanding of the motive of the crime, what is very interesting indeed is the authors damning of a religious institution that encourages suppression of sexuality, which I agree with the author had a significant part to play in this horrific crime.

If you get a chance watch the documentary on ITV you do not need to have seen the documentary to enjoy this book, this book may not be your run-of-the-mill murder mysteries but believe you me when you look at the intricate web of how this came to be and it sending it ends up being a very frightening read indeed.

Midsomer Murders this is not!!

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Brilliant book! After watching the channel 4 interpretation I thought it might spoil the book but it didn’t disappoint. Brilliant, detailed, investigation as always by Professor David Wilson. So much detail, I’ll have to listen to it again! Look forward to his next book!

Highly recommended

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