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Harriet Martens #1-7
The Complete DCI Harriet Martens Mysteries Books 1–7
In this 7-book box set:
BOOK 1: THE HARD DETECTIVE
DCI Martens' successful yet unyielding ‘Stop the Rot’ campaign has provoked local criminals. Now two of her officers have been murdered within hours of each other — the circumstances echoing the Book of Exodus, “a life for a life, an eye for an eye...”.
BOOK 2: A DETECTIVE IN LOVE
Britain’s number one tennis star has been murdered in the grounds of her luxurious home. And Harriet is now in charge of a case that will have the world’s media out in force. But it’s not the investigation that’s about to turn her world upside down.
BOOK 3: A DETECTIVE UNDER FIRE
DCI Martens has been secretly summoned to London, to investigate corruption in the country’s most prestigious crime-fighting the Maximum Crimes Squad. While facing opposition from the squad’s head, she also becomes embroiled in the sinister plots of its current target.
BOOK 4: THE DREAMING DETECTIVE
DCI Martens is making use of the latest DNA techniques to investigate a cold case. Known as the Boy Preacher, the victim was strangled in the ballroom of the city’s Imperial Hotel. But forensics fail her, and Harriet must rely on her own skills to ferret out the motives of her seven suspects – both dead and alive.
BOOK 5: A DETECTIVE AT DEATH’S DOOR
Harriet Martens finds herself in grave danger from a deft and cunning poisoner. When she wakes up in hospital, she tries to come to terms with the fact that someone wants her dead. But before she can draw up a list of suspects, the poisoner strikes again.
BOOK 6: ONE MAN AND HIS BOMB
Harriet takes great pride in her sons, who have followed in her footsteps by joining London’s police force. When she learns that one of them has died, her world falls apart. But the authorities are on full anti-terror alert and Harriet is leading a crucial investigation. She has no choice but to focus on her work, all the while fending off grief and her unceasing fear for her surviving son.
BOOK 7: RULES, REGS AND ROTTEN EGGS
On the verge of resignation, Detective Martens takes charge of a case that she views as an attempted assassination. But as she works to uncover the truth behind the attack on a local politician, Martens is consistently denied access and finds that no matter what she does, she’s always one step behind.
BOOK 1: THE HARD DETECTIVE
DCI Martens' successful yet unyielding ‘Stop the Rot’ campaign has provoked local criminals. Now two of her officers have been murdered within hours of each other — the circumstances echoing the Book of Exodus, “a life for a life, an eye for an eye...”.
BOOK 2: A DETECTIVE IN LOVE
Britain’s number one tennis star has been murdered in the grounds of her luxurious home. And Harriet is now in charge of a case that will have the world’s media out in force. But it’s not the investigation that’s about to turn her world upside down.
BOOK 3: A DETECTIVE UNDER FIRE
DCI Martens has been secretly summoned to London, to investigate corruption in the country’s most prestigious crime-fighting the Maximum Crimes Squad. While facing opposition from the squad’s head, she also becomes embroiled in the sinister plots of its current target.
BOOK 4: THE DREAMING DETECTIVE
DCI Martens is making use of the latest DNA techniques to investigate a cold case. Known as the Boy Preacher, the victim was strangled in the ballroom of the city’s Imperial Hotel. But forensics fail her, and Harriet must rely on her own skills to ferret out the motives of her seven suspects – both dead and alive.
BOOK 5: A DETECTIVE AT DEATH’S DOOR
Harriet Martens finds herself in grave danger from a deft and cunning poisoner. When she wakes up in hospital, she tries to come to terms with the fact that someone wants her dead. But before she can draw up a list of suspects, the poisoner strikes again.
BOOK 6: ONE MAN AND HIS BOMB
Harriet takes great pride in her sons, who have followed in her footsteps by joining London’s police force. When she learns that one of them has died, her world falls apart. But the authorities are on full anti-terror alert and Harriet is leading a crucial investigation. She has no choice but to focus on her work, all the while fending off grief and her unceasing fear for her surviving son.
BOOK 7: RULES, REGS AND ROTTEN EGGS
On the verge of resignation, Detective Martens takes charge of a case that she views as an attempted assassination. But as she works to uncover the truth behind the attack on a local politician, Martens is consistently denied access and finds that no matter what she does, she’s always one step behind.
1625 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2023
1278 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
H.R.F. Keating
157 books54 followersHenry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating was an English writer of crime fiction most notable for his series of novels featuring Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID.
H. R. F. KEATING was well versed in the worlds of crime, fiction and nonfiction. He was the crime books reviewer for The Times for fifteen years, as well as serving as the chairman of the Crime Writers Association and the Society of Authors. He won the CWA Gold Dagger Award twice, and in 1996 was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction.
Series:
. Inspector Ghote
. Harriet Martens
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Perfectly Criminal
H. R. F. KEATING was well versed in the worlds of crime, fiction and nonfiction. He was the crime books reviewer for The Times for fifteen years, as well as serving as the chairman of the Crime Writers Association and the Society of Authors. He won the CWA Gold Dagger Award twice, and in 1996 was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction.
Series:
. Inspector Ghote
. Harriet Martens
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Perfectly Criminal
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 31, 2023
Don't bother.
Written as if by a child. Or possibly an AI. Absolute drivel, gave up on it before I got to the end of chapter 1. The main character is absolutely horrible, not someone you'd ever want to meet for real. I wish I'd not bought this.
Written as if by a child. Or possibly an AI. Absolute drivel, gave up on it before I got to the end of chapter 1. The main character is absolutely horrible, not someone you'd ever want to meet for real. I wish I'd not bought this.
September 17, 2023
Did not enjoy
August 21, 2024
I have no idea why I read all the books after book one. It was a laborious process. The writing to me was very basic, the characters rather awful and the storylines not good at all. Too much character descriptive made me want to move forward to the actual story again. The storylines are all very different. All the stories left the reader up in the air when the word "end" arrived. A bit like some TV serials. Book 2 was totally taken up by the main character's love life. I presumed that books 3-7 would keep up the trend but they didn't! Clearly her urges, which were strong, were all fulfilled in Book 2. There was lots of unnecessary narrative with the character's husband John.
Book 6 will rock your socks in a negative way! No more said. My thoughts at the end of each book was tell prospective readers do not read!!
DCI Martens becomes a Superintendent early into Book 1 and she stays at that rank!
The writer died in 2011 at the age of 84. He enjoyed a long and well respected career as an author and won awards. These books were not a notable part of his writings and I regret the negative review but it is how I read the books. The DCI Martens' books were written between 2000/2007.
Book 6 will rock your socks in a negative way! No more said. My thoughts at the end of each book was tell prospective readers do not read!!
DCI Martens becomes a Superintendent early into Book 1 and she stays at that rank!
The writer died in 2011 at the age of 84. He enjoyed a long and well respected career as an author and won awards. These books were not a notable part of his writings and I regret the negative review but it is how I read the books. The DCI Martens' books were written between 2000/2007.
October 8, 2024
At first, I didn't like these stories but as I continued, they improved. I think it was mostly the writing style and Harriet's odd character. However, once used to that, I enjoyed the series.
Each were a mix of third and first-person narrative, as Harriet fought to keep her place in a male orientated world...especially the British police force.
Her investigative skills were great and I enjoyed following the trails to the villains.
Overall, these were engaging stories and worth reading.
Each were a mix of third and first-person narrative, as Harriet fought to keep her place in a male orientated world...especially the British police force.
Her investigative skills were great and I enjoyed following the trails to the villains.
Overall, these were engaging stories and worth reading.
January 28, 2025
Of the seven books in this box set, I enjoyed the first, third and fifth better than the others. Harriet is a little too flawed for my taste, but maybe I just wanted her to be better than she is. I hope the world isn't as dark as these novels portrayed. My little corner of the earth is much nicer than Harriet's world.
October 6, 2023
quite good
I was a bit bored at the beginning of this series but it got better as I read more. The long discussions between Harriet and her husband John were a. It drawn out but I enjoyed them in the end.
I was a bit bored at the beginning of this series but it got better as I read more. The long discussions between Harriet and her husband John were a. It drawn out but I enjoyed them in the end.
April 9, 2024
Not worth the effort. The storylines are OK but the style of writing is quite repetetive and boring. It's all about what's going through the DCI's mind rather than actions. I did plough through all 7 books but wish I hadn't bothered!
June 11, 2025
Didn't like book 1 and 2 at all. In book 1 the main character was very arrogant and unlikable. Book 2 was simply stupid. In the next few books the character became a bit more likable and I started to enjoy her cleverness. Book 6 is sad.
August 24, 2023
Number 7-How can this be th end?!
Loved six out of seven of this series. This was one I loved. Her gut along with her intelligence are wonderful and enjoying.
Loved six out of seven of this series. This was one I loved. Her gut along with her intelligence are wonderful and enjoying.
September 20, 2023
A good selection of stories
Well worth the read each story has the same theme but had a different a story that made it enjoyable to read.
Well worth the read each story has the same theme but had a different a story that made it enjoyable to read.
December 9, 2023
Good stories but much of the written words often repeated which only dragged the read on longer than ideal.
December 18, 2023
I wasn't sure about these books at first but as I went through them they got much better and I enjoyed them.I would have liked to give them a rating of 3 and a half
April 16, 2024
Unbelievable characters and storyline
The most untrue to life police procedural I've ever read or listened to. Won't bother with the rest. Only redeeming factor is it's short.
The most untrue to life police procedural I've ever read or listened to. Won't bother with the rest. Only redeeming factor is it's short.
June 19, 2024
One out of seven books dropped my rating
There was one book that dealt with the main character's love life than the mystery. Otherwise enjoyed all six of the other books.
There was one book that dealt with the main character's love life than the mystery. Otherwise enjoyed all six of the other books.
September 13, 2024
English procedural mysteries with heart
I like the use of the well read husband as foil, giving twists and other complexions on the main characters thoughts
I like the use of the well read husband as foil, giving twists and other complexions on the main characters thoughts
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews