Faith Martin Books In Order

Publication Order of DI Hillary Greene Books

Publication Order of Jenny Starling Books

Publication Order of Monica Noble Books

Publication Order of Ryder & Loveday Mystery Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

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.

22 Responses to “Faith Martin”

1. Joan: 6 months ago

   Love this series and the character of Hillary Greene. I have been reading a lot of mystery series and many with women DIs. For me, Hillary tops them all. She is compassionate, intelligent, intuitive, attractive, has a sense of humour, and she lives on a small boat! I so enjoy the descriptions of the local flora and fauna as well. You even had me looking up William The Conqueror while reading Murder in the Meadow! Thank you Faith Martin for following your heart and becoming a writer

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2. Rita Bullen: 2 years ago

   I came across Faith Martin books at my local library and have been hooked ever since. They are so well done that everyone is a believable character and I just couldn’t put the book down.

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3. susan: 2 years ago

   I came across Faith Martin books after I had read all of J.rR. Ellis books and loved his stories. I enjoy a goo mystery where I have to figure out who done it by putting all the clues together. So far, I have not gotten one right . However, her writing is not fluffy and pretentious with a lot of unnecessary detail that has nothing to do with the story. I also enjoy it alot because of no foul language. A lot of Authors do it for effect and it has nothing to do with the story line therefore ruins the story .I can’t wait next book. I highly recommend her books. They can take you out of yourself and you relax and just enjoy.

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4. Mocki: 5 years ago

   Book 15 ( narrow tregectory) of the hillary green e books ? Is it available on kindle yet ? Please

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5. Margaret Nimmo: 6 years ago

   Hi There everyone. After breaking both wrists before xmas, I’ve been doing a lot of reading using my kindle. I came across The Hillary Green Series and I’m hooked!! Unfortunately in a very short time I will be needing book 9, Across the Narrow Blue Line but doesn’t seem to be available on Amazon! Has this been published with another title? Starting to get desperate!!

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   • Graeme: 6 years ago

     It also had the alternate title Murder in the Garden

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     • Margaret Nimmo: 6 years ago

       Thank you so much for this information. Greatly appreciated.

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     • Margaret Nimmo: 6 years ago

       Hi again Graeme, can I trouble you further and ask if you have alternate names for the Hillary Greene series number 10 – 17 or where I can find them. I’ve been googling for an hour without any joy. Any help would be appreciated.

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       • Graeme: 6 years ago

         First a quick note that I’m going to update the list today or tomorrow to reflect all alternate titles 🙂

         However #10-#17 there are no alternate titles. Just did the research and they all are the same as the list above. 1-9 have alternate titles but thats it.

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   • Pat Mack: 6 years ago

     I read the 1st eight books on kindle, then borrowed 3 from the local library. Then I’ve got the rest on Kindle. It then makes a complete story.

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     • Margaret Nimmo: 6 years ago

       Thank you for that. Think I’ll have to do that too once my wrists are strong enough!! I’ve become thoroughly hooked on Hillary Greene’s exploits!!

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       • Pat Mack: 6 years ago

         Hi there, I’ve just come back from Amazon and found ‘Murder in the Garden’ there on Kindle. So it is only ‘A Narrow Point of View’ and ‘A Narrow Exit’ that you need to borrow. The books are not heavy, even in large print. Enjoy, get better soon.

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         • Margaret Nimmo: 6 years ago

           Thank you so much for this. I’m hoping there will be more Hillary books by the time I catch up!! Great reads. Mgtx

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           • Pat Mack: 5 years ago

             Hi there Margaret, ‘Murder by Fire’ has just been published and is available on kindle. It is also known as ‘A Narrow Point of View’ Hope you’re getting better.
             Pat

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             • Margaret Nimmo: 5 years ago

               Hi Pat. Thank you for this. I was just about ready for it. I doing well thank you. Small steps!!
               Mgtx

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               • Pat Mack: 5 years ago

                 Hi there, just found ‘Murder at Work’ is an alternative title to ‘A Narrow Exit’. Now All her books are on kindle! ‘A Fatal Obsession’ is brand new and not published yet. Happy reading

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                 • Margaret Nimmo: 5 years ago

                   Hi there. Thank you so much for this. These will certainly keep me out of trouble!! Do you know of any other series of a similar nature you would recommend?

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                   • Pat Mack: 5 years ago

                     Hi there ‘Crime on the Fens’ is the 1st of a series by Joy Ellis. ‘The Cleansing’ by Bill Rogers is another, and ‘Holy Island’ by L J Ross is the last. They are all ‘cop’ books, I have read them all.
                     They will keep you busy

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                   • Margaret Nimmo: 5 years ago

                     Hi Pat. Great minds….I’ve read all the LJRoss books and lots of Joy Ellis!! I will definitely try some Bill Rogers. Thanks for this. Mgtx

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6. Jean Gell: 6 years ago

   This is what i need to know also Christina. Making way through and enjoying each book. Worried i will miss one out on the list so to have it clarified would be great

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7. Christina Schmidt Brown Moore: 6 years ago

   I have read several of the Hillary Greene books and enjoyed them very much. However, I see that many of them were written with “Narrow” in the titles and the later ones aren’t. Are the later ones reissues with new names? I want to make sure I don’t buy the same book twice with just the names being different. Please help!

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   • Karen G Brown: 6 years ago

     Very confusing. Yes they are duplicates. The newer ones all have MURDER in the titles and they correspond to the NARROW ones. I am trying to match the NARROW and the MURDER ones…

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