Faith Martin Books In Order

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Publication Order of Ryder & Loveday Mystery Books

Faith Martin is an English Author best known for her series of Hillary Greene Detective novels.

+Biography

Faith Martin isn’t the sort of person you might have expected to get into writing, at least not writing fiction. Martin was born in Oxford and nothing about her life suggested that she would pursue writing.

Her life in the employment arena began when she took a secretarial post at Somerville College. Martin has always had a free spirit, unique to her, even if others do not always see it.

She harbored a love for writing, but it quickly got buried under the strain and requirements of her academic life. And it isn’t like Faith Martin was miserable or anything.

Rather she loved college life and Oxford academe. That much was never in doubt. However, her desire to strike out as a successful author finally won out over her love for college life.

So she took a chance; she left her formal employment behind and began working at writing as an actual career. No one is going to call Faith Martin’s work a runaway success. She hasn’t exactly hit the stratosphere when it comes to writing, and one wonders whether she has ever cared to reach those heights.

Those who have spoken to Faith Martin know one thing and one thing only; Faith has always wanted to be an author, and she pretty much achieved that objective. She might not be breaking any records but Faith Martin is doing well enough for people to recognize her name in literary circles, especially people with a particular interest in her genre of books.

Martin writes primarily within the mystery genre, though some people do not always think that her books work as mysteries. Martin is primarily known for her work on a popular detective series.

The series follows DI Hillary Greene, the protagonist of Faith Martin’s series and through whom Faith has achieved her dream to work as an author. Faith’s work, her stories and the books she has produced manifest from her experiences in England, the things she has seen or heard and the places with which she is familiar.

It is hardly a surprise that Martin’s series of books are set around Oxfordshire CID. It is because of the time spent in Bicester that Faith has such knowledge and understanding of the nearby thriving canal-boat community.

Her time in the surrounding areas of Oxfordshire countryside manifests clearly in her work, Martin standing apart as an author because of the rich knowledge she brings to her stories, bringing to life all the unique facets of the countryside and its collection of interesting individuals.

There is no more stark sign that Faith Martin’s stories are inspired in some way by her own life than the fact that Hillary Greene, the protagonist of her detective novels, lives on a narrow boat.

That little fact is important because of the time spent by Faith herself living on a narrow boat. If you have ever wondered why so many of Faith Martin’s titles have the word ‘Narrow’ in them, now you know.

Faith uses the narrow boat that Hillary Greene lives on as a tool to give her books a common thread, tenuously connecting them all.

Faith Martin isn’t likely to stand out from her colleagues and peers because she isn’t the first person to write about law enforcement officers working in the countryside to solve intriguing crimes.

That being said, anyone who loves those sorts of stories, especially the quaint atmosphere they create, will find Faith Martin’s work appealing.

+Besides a Narrow Stream

Summer is in full swing and the meadow is looking as beautiful as ever when Wayne Sutton’s body is found. Not only was he murdered but it was done rather gruesomely. This head was bashed in.

Additionally, a red paper heart was left on his body, possibly a clue of some sort as to the purpose behind his death and the identity of his killer. All eyes turn to DI Hillary Greene who must solve the case tightly and neatly.

The first thing Hillary learns is the fact that there were more than enough people with good reasons to want Sutton death. The handsome young artist was a heartless Casanova with a reputation that only got dirtier the harder Hillary looked.

Hillary quickly finds a pattern in Sutton’s philandering ways. Many of his victims were middle-aged married women with a lot of money. And with all the money they threw at Sutton to buy his canvases, they all have a good reason to want him dead.

Yet, as she digs even deeper, Hillary quickly learns that things are not so simple. There is so much more to the cold-blooded murder than meets the eye, and Hillary must overcome her personal conflicts in order to bring the murderer to justice.

Hillary Greene is the main reason to read this book. She is a curious protagonist. Her love life is a mess but it must take a backseat to a gruesome murder with interesting implications.

Hillary’s life unfolds in what might be called an interesting police procedural. As far as cozy crimes go, do not expect that many surprises. Faith Martin isn’t looking to shock or jar with this book.

The plot isn’t overly gritty and the revelations are nothing that will stop your heart. Faith Martin simply endeavors to create interesting plots and an exciting cast of supporting characters.

If you love procedurals and cozy mysteries, this book is right up your alley.

+With a Narrow Blade

Detective Inspector Hillary Greene is confounded by a mystery. An old woman was found stabbed in her own home, yet there are no signs that anything was stolen. Even more disturbing is the fact that everyone in the neighborhood seems to have liked the victim, Flo Jenkins.

Additionally, everyone knew that Flo was struggling with cancer, and the post mortem shows as much. With only weeks left to live, Hillary cannot understand why anyone would want to kill Flo.

Unraveling the truth behind Flo’s death proves to be quite a difficult task for Hillary, especially when her team is so distracted by personal matters.

If you have never heard of Faith Martin before, this is the perfect book to start reading. It is straightforward yet complex, featuring numerous side plots and characters that will keep you glued to the page for lengthy periods of time.

And Hillary continues to shine as a protagonist, Faith Martin perfectly blending her professional and personal lives.

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