Martha Ockley

Dear Readers,

A Saintly Killing by Martha Ockley is book number 3 in the Faith Morgan series.  I admit I skipped book 2, not because I didn’t enjoy the first one, The Reluctant Detective, but because I wanted to know if you could read one without the other.  I recommend reading them in order as you can follow the storyline easy enough, but you feel like you have missed some of the personal story that goes along with Faith and her journey.

St. James is preparing to celebrate its 900^th anniversary.  (Ok we in the colonies get excited about something that reaches 50 years!)  Faith is busy getting everything ready, including the commissioned painting that will go on the back of the pamphlet they are using to share some of the important moments in the church’s history.  On the day the painting makes it to the printers, the artist ends up dead with no clues as to who the murderer could be.  It could possibly be anyone, as Sal was not the warmest person. Almost everyone who met her had some reason or another to dislike her, including Faith. 

Who in Little Worthy is capable of murder?  Surely not one of Faith’s parishioners, but as she finds herself once again involved with solving the crime it starts to look like it.  Will Faith figure it out before her ex-partner and beau Ben upsets everyone in town?

Once again Martha writes a delightful, cozy mystery.  One that just weaves through the fabric of the story of the town instead of being the only thing the book is about.  You once again visit with Faith and her sister as they work through the issue of their mother and her descent farther into Dementia.  And what about Ben, at times he seems interested, but then again…  *Sigh* what’s a girl to do?  That is what can make a book fun to read, getting to know the characters.  Of course having it set in England always makes it a bit better also. 

So a lovely little series that is worth reading.  Put the kettle on for a pot of tea and enjoy.

I received this book for free from Kregel for my honest review.

Happy Reading,  

Martha Ockley

Dear Readers,

There are times when I am handed a book by a company and asked to read it, I am just sure that I won't like it.  The Reluctant Detective by Martha Ockley was one of those that I was sure I wasn't going to like.  Well thankfully I was wrong.  I enjoyed it completely.

The book itself is not only set in England, the author lives there and I am sure that was part of the appeal for me.  The culture comes through strongly which does make for a lovely read.

Faith has followed her faith and became a priest in the Church of England.  She was a policewoman before that and when a case lands almost literally in her lap, she is forced to confront the ghost of her past.  Her former partner and boyfriend is the detective that is in charge of the case.  Which makes Faith question whether or not she made the right choice.

Faith is going to check out a parish whose priest is thinking of retiring.  While she is there the priest is murderd by poison right in front of everyone while preparing the Lord's Supper.  When rumors start to fly as to who it could be and who was last seen where, Faith knows she is going to be more involved with the parish than she planned on. 

The mystery itself is interesting enough that it kept me guessing and then second guessing the choice I made for the guilty party.  I was right in the end, but it took me a bit to get there.  (In my defense Martha doesn't release all the clues right away.)

The book itself sets up for a series very well.  I don't know if it is going to be or not, but it seems to be headed that way.  I really started to enjoy the fun and quirky town people, and even Faith became someone I was beginning to enjoy getting to know.  I will be interested to see if there will be a book #2.

Happy Reading