Who Am I to Judge?

Martha and Marya #1

by Emily Hanlon

When a priest confesses to the murder of a parishioner, everyone in the wealthy waterfront town of Pequot Bays is convinced of his guilt—everyone, that is, except Marya Cook, a Bible-quoting, lavender-clad octogenarian known to locals as the Purple Pest.

Unable to prove his innocence on her own, she draws in Martha Collins, a much younger, efficient, ever-busy church lady, to assist in her investigations. Although Martha is unwilling to associate herself with the odd old woman as she accuses wealthy and influential suspects of murder, Marya's peculiar logic persuades her that this ditzy old woman may not be so ditzy after all.

A victim with plenty of enemies, a corrupt ambitious cop, a conflicting confession by a fellow priest, and the death of a prime suspect make the path to truth a crooked one. The rich and powerful suspects scoff at poor, dithering Marya. Can she, in the end, unveil their many secrets and prove there is more to a person than meets the eye?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2023

About the author

Emily Hanlon was raised in Texas, educated in Boston, and now lives in New York. She worked as a personal injury attorney for many years, then an arbitrator, and is now blissfully retired. She converted to Catholicism in 2000, and began writing Catholic infused murder mysteries about 12 years ago. A life of listening to witnesses and sifting through facts has prepared her well for creating the complex entanglements of murder mysteries. She, like her sleuths, is active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a eucharistic minister, and is a proud, card carrying Church Lady.

Reviews

[Susan Furlong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it after reading a much darker crime thriller, and it was just the break I needed. The first chapter pulled me in and I found myself taking breaks through the day just to read a little more of the story. The characters and the close knit community reminded me of Jan Karon's Mitford series, and the mystery kept me guessing. I'm looking forward to the next in this series.

[Ned Hanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't pretend to be biased here... the author is my Mom! But that just makes me all the more happy and proud to say that this is a wonderful, sweet and fun mystery! Are we dealing with Catholic Miss Marple?... lay Father Brown in purple?... Brother Cadfael without an ongoing civil war in England?... I don't know, but I love it!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Am I to Judge? by Emily Hanlon was such a delightful surprise, a cozy mystery wrapped in wit, warmth, and just the right amount of small-town scandal. From the very first chapter, I was completely charmed by Marya Cook, the so-called Purple Pest, whose lavender wardrobe and Bible quotes hide a razor-sharp mind and an unshakable sense of justice.

When a local priest confesses to murder, everyone else in the posh seaside town of Pequot Bays is ready to close the case. Everyone except Marya. Her determination to prove his innocence and her complete disregard for what anyone thinks of her made her impossible not to root for. I loved how she ropes the more proper, no-nonsense Martha Collins into her investigation of two women at opposite ends of life and temperament, thrown together by curiosity and a shared sense of right and wrong. Their unlikely partnership becomes the beating heart of the story.

Hanlon balances humor and heart beautifully. The mystery itself is full of twists, shady parishioners, corrupt cops, secret affairs and every time I thought I had it figured out, Marya’s peculiar logic proved me wrong. But what really makes this book shine is its message: that wisdom, courage, and compassion can come from the most unexpected places.

By the end, I wasn’t just smiling I was cheering for Marya, lavender dress and all!

⚡️Thank you Author Marketing Experts and Emily Hanlon for sharing this book with me!

[Karina Fabian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun buddy mystery

I had the honor of helping Emily pitch this book to Chrism. It was so funny in summary, and even better in its full form. I devoured it in a day. In addition to the great characters, the mystery is well crafted. Highly recommend.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun to read! The characters are delicious with details. Marya goes from irritating to your best friend. Martha, with her lab Quincy, make a perfect team with Marya. The story is unique and has a surprising solution to the mystery. All the detail about the saints and biblical quotations are an education unto themselves. The descriptions of locations, together with the characters, are rich with colorful details - makes you feel like you’re there and know these people. So enjoyable that I will read again!
The author has given me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHO AM I TO JUDGE? By Emily Hanlon
The First Martha and Marya Mystery

Martha Collins is very precise. Some might call her persnickety. Things must be done a certain way. Her way being the only correct way. A stalwart worker at St. John of the Cross she's beside herself when she has to deal with Maya Cook, nicknamed the Purple Pest. The old lady is rarely on time, dresses ridiculously, and talks in circles. Martha is eager to take a break with her dog Quincy, but when she finds things out of place at the home she rents out in Cooperstown and then finds the body of a cruel parishioner buried in her yard she immediately decides she knows who killed the horrible woman. Returning to Pequot Bays she learns that Father Jim has confessed to the murder. But she's stunned when Father Seamus tells her she needs to take the Purple Pest on a vacation to Cooperstown. Marya believes that Fr. Jim is innocent and surprisingly Martha begins to believe her. Now this mismatched pair will work together to find out what really happened to Enid.

WHO AM I TO JUDGE? is the perfect title for the first Martha and Marya Mystery as well as Fr. Seamus' homily at Enid's funeral mass. It was interesting how the various parishioners found different meanings. Not only were most of the characters judgemental I found myself being judgemental as well, not warming up to Martha and criticizing her judgemental attitude! Despite Martha repeatedly saying it didn't matter what people thought of her, it did, why else would she deny friendship with Marya even more times than Peter denied Jesus!

I admit it took me a while to get into the story as most of the characters were pretty horrible. Between Cyndi calling everyone "hun", she and her husband treating maids like garbage, the obvious cuckolding of same husband, and everyone looking down on Marya, I was unenthused. But once the worst character was killed, things started to get interesting! I loved Marya's unique investigative style and how Martha slowly began to appreciate and work with her.

One of my favorite bits is the way Martha utilizes the manner of death of certain martyrs instead of cursing and counting the number of popes who had been martyred to calm herself when getting frustrated. I also appreciated the various quotes throughout the book and conversations, generally humorous, about their attributions.

With dry wit and unforgettable characters WHO AM I TO JUDGE? is a compelling mystery with a moral.

[Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to participate in a Spotlight for the Martha and Marya Series by Emily Hanlon. I was so intrigued by what I read of this series and the fact that I was raised as a Catholic, I wanted to read at least the first book entitled Who Am I To Judge? I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but it turned into a great experience.

Who Am I To Judge has so many great characters. It is literally full of them. I did have fun reading the book and trying to figure out what was going on and who did what. It is a rather unique plot. We have all heard a lot of news about the Catholic church over the years and you will not be surprised by what is going on in this book. Then a murder or two is committed along the way and it made me wonder if it all was going to come to a good conclusion.

There are two more books in the series that I have not read as of yet. I think I would like to fit them into my schedule. Martha and Marya are two women who form an unlikely relationship. They have a unique ability to solve crimes and see them in a different light than everyone else. Especially the police. In this book, it seems like the police were looking for the easy way out.

Don’t hold me to this, but I think Martha is in her late forties and drives uber to make enough money to survive. Marya is retirement age and has some mobility issues and Martha picks her up and takes her to church and some other places. Like I said, they are unlikely friends and business associates. I am pretty sure you will enjoy spending time with Martha and Marya. 

I wound up really liking this book. There were times I had a bit of a time keeping up with the characters, but that could be my Marya like brain. This is a Christian based story and that just adds to the fun. If you like mysteries and quirky characters, I urge you to take a look at these books. Oh! They would be a great addition to your nightstand reading selections. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Even a few words help.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Amanda Lauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I seldom read contemporary cozy mysteries, but this was written by a fellow member of CWG, so I got a copy from the author. Who am I to Judge? is well written and truly an engaging story. There's a murder at the parish and multiple people are confessing. An avid church volunteer gets roped into doing a side investigation with The Purple Pest, an elderly woman who is basically invisible to the rest of the church and society, but is much more in tune with the people around her than she lets on. I enjoyed how the characters were developed, and no one, no matter how much they volunteer or donate to the church, is perfect. They all have their foibles. Lots of twists and turns in the plot that keep you guessing. The only issue I had with the story is that Martha is portrayed as a 41-year-old woman, but from her mannerisms and speech (including the humorous expressions she has about countless martyred saints) she comes off as someone maybe 20 years older. It would've been nice to see her depicted as a Baby Boomer, someone a person my age can really relate to.

[P Sperl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Emily Hanlon’s debut, "Who Am I To Judge" is a delightful visit to the charming town of Pequot Bays where we meet an assortment of characters (“the wealthy and those who served them”) who live on all sides of town and have varied upbringings and lifestyles. When a murder in their parish community sets an investigation in motion, unexpected friendships and bonds are formed as the mystery is unraveled.
This was a fun read filled with quirky, mostly lovable characters; a good mystery; a faithful lab and a nice touch of Saints & Psalms. If you have ever served on a church committee or any community group, you will enjoy the interactions of this cast of characters!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining and captivating.
Emily Hanlon's debut mystery novel brings to life the intriguing and at times funny character of Marya, the peculiar old lady that investigates the shocking murder in a small town parish.
The leading character, Marta, brings together all the other players while developing an improbable tight relation and friendship with Marya, "the Purple Pest".
The great details, colors, and the quotations from the Bible and the likes of Shakespeare keep you intrigued, while the twists and turns keep you guessing till the very end.
A great read !

I have received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Vernon J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book enormously. I started reading two books for pleasure at the same time, one fiction, one non-fiction. I quickly put the non-fiction book back on the shelf so I could devote all my reading time to "Who Am I to Judge?" I am a fallen-away Catholic. The setting of this book -- a world I have been away from for many years -- was a pleasant reminder of the past. But it was the story that engaged me so much. Having finished "Who," I will now turn to the non-fiction book, but I don't think it will be as much fun. Wait, what am I saying? I'll read the second Martha and Marya novel instead!

[Clara Tessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading Emily Hanlon's "Who Am I to Judge". It is a fresh take on the murder mystery genre, with an unusual setting and richly drawn characters that drive the plot forward. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Martha and Marya, and look forward to seeing how that evolves in future books. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a fun read that keeps you on your toes until the very end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Alice Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ms.Hanlon’s first book in her mystery series of
M/M’s escapades in “Who Am I to Judge”. I enjoyed her style of humor describing the main characters’ hilarious; her compassion toward relevant issues, along with an intriguing plot a great read. I would recommend this enjoyable mystery, and I’m looking forward to reading future adventures.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book by Emily Hanlon, “Who Am I to Judge”, is a wonderful introduction to Martha and Marya. This was a fun read with unexpected twists. I loved the interaction between M&M and could relate to much of the thoughts, quick back-and-forths and circumstances. Ms. Hanlon's sense of humor was clearly seen through the characters. I look forward to the next adventures!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Keiko Shinki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Who Am I to Judge. The book was very entertaining with lots of humor, and the unique plot kept me wondering until the very end. Each character played spectacularly in their role. I especially loved seeing the development of Martha’s character through her unexpected relationship with Marya over the course of the novel. I cannot wait to read the next installment in the series!

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I enjoyed it very much. The ending is suspenseful and not one of those, I knew it all the time . The characters were very well developed. I loved learning and growing with them. Marya’s character was good in her steadfast belief in other people. Emily Hanlon has taught us all a good lesson in judging others.
This is a must read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good cozy

I was pleasantly surprised at how well this story was written for a first book. The characters are well fleshed out and it was a fun read.

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Who Am I to Judge?, the first in the new Martha and Marya mystery series. Anyone like me who looks forward to a good cozy mystery with a small town's worth of characters with unexpected entanglements and possible motives for murder and plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the end will want to read Who Am I to Judge? Although this book is centered around the activities, staff and members of a fictional local church, readers who have been volunteers with school or community groups will recognize many of the characters as types they know and love or try to avoid at all costs.
Fans of Midsomer Murders (BBC-PBS), Father Brown Mysteries (BBC-PBS) and Agatha Christie's Miss Marple will be happy to meet Martha and Marya and join in their adventures as they unravel this murder mystery in Pequot Bays.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.