A Prayer Before Killing: A twisted and disturbing murder mystery

by C.C. Gilmartin

An exclusive Catholic boys’ school…the death of a young nun…a potential cover-up




When Colin Buxton arrives in Glasgow to care for his gravely ill mother, he’s drawn into a perplexing mystery: how a bangle that once belonged to a murdered nun has inexplicably appeared on the wrist of a statue of the Virgin Mary. With a priest having been convicted of the crime, could someone be trying to signal that justice wasn’t served?

As Colin delves deeper, he uncovers a group of teenage boys whose unsettling connection to the young nun raises troubling questions about the original investigation. And then there’s the school itself, whose dubious past may be concealing the truth. What secrets is the Catholic church hiding, and how far will they go to protect their own?

In A Prayer Before Killing, the third gripping novel in CC Gilmartin's Colin Buxton Series, dark truths emerge as Colin navigates a web of deception and betrayal, challenging everything he thought he knew about faith, loyalty, and justice.

Perfect for fans of JM Dalgliesh, LJ Ross, Simon McCleave and Rachel McLean

471 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2024

Reviews

[Roz Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Colin Buxton series although each book can be read as a standalone story.  The story follows ex police officer Colin Buxton who has been offered a job at a prestigious catholic school for boys. However, the real purpose of getting him there is so he can unravel the mystery of Sister Oran's death. A crime which was already solved... and some do not want the truth to be uncovered at any cost  


I really love Colin's character as he is so well rounded and realistic. This series is not your usual police procedural or cosy crime and I liked that Colin has found himself in a few tricky situations. This story has its dark and twisty moments that kept me guessing.


The book is set between two timelines which helps build up a picture of the characters and sets up the background to the story. We also get to see Colin struggle with his responsibilities at home caring for his mother which again adds more depth.  


The story is well written and not predictable. I loved the setting of a Catholic school and the many interesting characters we meet along the way, especially Caroline. 


I've loved each book in the series and I'm looking forward to seeing where Colin goes next!


With thanks to the authors and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review. This is my honest opinion.

[Nadine-Sue Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this and didn't want to put it down. It's book 3 although I've only read books 2 and now 3 in this series. It follows on from the last if you know the series. However, it holds it's own as a standalone story and you can follow it easily without knowing the backstory.

You can't help but feel for Colin as his family situation isn't an easy one and he's trying to deal with that aswell as the murder of a nun; which proves to be incredibly difficult. He's met with a number of obstacles and the reminder that he should be careful who he trusts.

There are misdirections in this to keep you on your toes and nothing is as it seems. I loved that your own views are challenged as well as it's so easy to make assumptions on what may or may not have happened only for everything to be different!!

There are a number of themes explored within this and it does give food for thought. I like how everything is dealt with openly and sensitively and without clichés. (Trying not to give anything away)

The switch between timelines is good in this as it helps set the scene between the accused and the investigation and helps keep momentum between the two. I think Colin is a great character and people seem at ease around him. His friendship with Caroline is so important for this story but I can also see it progress beyond that and am intrigued as to whether we'll see her pop up again in a future book in the series

[Christine Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Colin Buxton series. Wow, this book was a thrilling read. I couldn't put it down. Colin is invited to a Catholic Boys School to investigate the mysterious appearance of a bangle from a nun who has been murdered a few years previously. After the excesses of Berlin, this is more nuanced, and there are so many different threads running through the story that I was hooked from the very start. Even when the mystery has been wrapped up, there are other elements to be tied up. The story was very emotive as well as scary in places. The story is well written and sparks the imagination so much so that I could picture the events as they happened. I recommend this book to everyone who likes police procedural or investigative stories with private life thrown in. With thanks to C C Gilmartin for this ARC copy to review.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly wild ride of lies, betrayals, deception, and coverups. It was such a twisted path that lead to the truth right up to the very end. Colin was sent to unravel the death of sister Oran and he pretty much did one thread at a time. He also uncovered some truths about himself that left more questions for him. I was furious with Moira for only telling "part" of the secrets before she departed. I liked the authors' last line-
" nothing stays secret forever "! Great journey. Looking forward to more .

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Colin Buxton series was quite a slow burner for me. I haven't read the first two, but found that this book works perfectly as a standalone too. I'm not a religious person, so I struggled to initially get in to the story of priests and saints, however, the more I read the more I wanted to read!
Full of twists and misdirection, CC Gilmartin keeps you guessing every step of the way until you really find out what happened to Sister Oran.
The switching between narratives is very easy to follow and I love the different perspectives of the incident itself and the investigation years later.
Overall, an enjoyable read. Starting slowly, but then allowing you glimpses of little discoveries, eventually building up to the great reveal at the end. I would be excited to read the next book in series

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something very Lord Of The Flies (one of the boys is actually reading it at one point) meets If about A Prayer Before Killing. Set in the 1990s in a private, Roman Catholic school, most of the teachers are priests, and the boys aspire to join the priesthood. A group of four teenage boys Matthew, Garr, Luc and Jonny, who call themselves the ‘Apostles’, are the main focus of ex-police officer Colin Buxton’s investigation into the murder of Sister Oran, in the third in the series.

We jump back and forth from 1995 to two years earlier, when Sister Oran’s body was found in the tunnels under the school, having lain dead for at least three weeks. Father Simon Young was convicted of her murder, but a number of people believe he is innocent. Colin is asked to take a ‘teaching’ job at the exclusive Holy Trinity College, but it’s really a cover so he can investigate the murder.

In a separate story, Colin’s mother is dying and he is staying with her to help neighbour Jeannie look after her. That’s what brought him back to Glasgow.

I can’t pretend that the story isn’t quite long, complicated and involved, and there are a lot of characters all of whom matter. My favourite is Caroline, with her home counties, cut glass accent, and her red Audi Quattro. She reminds me a bit of my art teacher, who drove an Austin Healey 3000. I should really dislike her, but she brings some light relief when it’s needed.

I probably have the advantage as a reader of having been to a Catholic Convent school in the late sixties, so there are some things I may understand better than many. The blind faith in miracles, the immaculate conception, the resurrection, transubstantiation etc can seem very odd to other religions, or especially to atheists. And if you believe some of the seemingly naive devotion to be far-fetched, trust me, it isn’t.

Maybe because of my background, I love a religious slant to a crime novel, probably because you can never quite leave your experiences totally behind.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of the #APrayerBeforeKilling blog tour.

[Amorina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a book is really good when you get to the end and there is a previewfor the next one and you'rejust crushed at now far away it is! I don't want time to fly by, but gah 2026! I need the next Colin Buxton book !

I'm pretty much always here for a mystery steeped deep in the church or a cult. If you can somehow combine the two? Even better! The three Colin Buxton books offer three very different reading experiences, and I love it so much! I think this one is by far my favorite, and it will be hard to top it for me because of the subject matter. But I still look forward to seeing the authors' attempt!

Colin is such a great head detective. He's not your typical noir hero. Without giving any spoilers, we learn a lot more backstory in this book that helps grow his character even more. This seems pretty typical of book 3 in a series and I'm so excited to see it. Being a young, gayex-cop is far from the Only thing that makes our lead detective so unique.

I also really enjoyed the "apostles" and Caroline, who all brought so much joy and entertainment to the school setting. seeing Colin's relationship with his Mom was enlightening as well.

I'm always a huge fan of a good series, and this one has been building quite well. I really can't wait to see where the characters go and now the revelations in this book feed into the larger story.

[Cathy Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the Colin Buxton series and at the end of book 2 Colin left Berlin to travel a little further afield. Book 3 finds Colin back in Glasgow after travelling to India and had pallned to go to the foothills of the Himalayas, but a telegram from his sister put paid to that with the news that his mother was seriously ill and he was needed back home. And that's where we pick up the next stage of Colin's story.
He has been hired by an exclusive private Catholic school under the pretence of being the new sports coach, but is really there to investigate the strange appearance of a dead nun's bangle on a statue of the Virgin Mary.
I am very pleased to say that book 3 does not disappoint. This is a great story and I absolutely loved it. This series just keeps getting better and better. I really love Colin and we meet some more great characters, and the storyline was really interesting.
It had some good twists and turns and it was another 4 star read for me. I can't wait for book 4, this is fast becoming one of my favourite crime series, keep them coming!!

[Sharon Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of A Prayer Before Killing in return for an honest review.
This book surprised me on many fronts. At the start we know that a nun has been murdered and that a priest has been found guilty of the crime. He is serving time but did he do it? Colin has been hired to investigate the miracle which has occurred at the boys' school and, at the same time, he investigates the nun's murder.
Returning to Glasgow has the added advantage of Colin being able to spend time with his dying mother and there is a mystery to be solved there too.
There is so much happening in A Prayer Before Killing but it is easy to follow. The story takes place within a couple of timelines so please pay attention to the dates given.
The book is really well written and I honestly did not know who the murderer was until the very end.
There is no on page violence or sex in this book: it is just a really good murder mystery.
I will be continuing with this series.
Highly recommended.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colin Buxton is an ex-police officer who has been travelling in India. He has returned home to Scotland to care for his terminally ill mother. He is offered a job as a sports coach at a private Catholic boys school. The job is a cover while Colin investigates the murder of a nun. A previous teacher is in prison for it, but Colin is investigating if he really is guilty. There are strange goings-on at the school involving a group of four boys, could they be connected to the crime?

This is the third book of a series, but the first one I have read, it can be read without reading the others first.

I loved this book! I was kept guessing all the way through about the case. I also loved the personal aspect of Colin's life too. I want to read more of this series because I really enjoyed his character.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in CC Gilmartin's Colin Buxton Series, but you don't need to have read the earlier ones to enjoy it.

This book is an exciting read with great characters and a compelling plot.

The story kicks off with Colin arriving in Glasgow to take care of his sick mother. He gets tangled in a chilling mystery. With a priest already convicted of the crime, it makes you wonder if justice was really served.

The author masterfully weaves a tale full of suspense, making you question everything you think you know.

What I loved about this book is how it keeps you guessing with its misdirections. Nothing is as it seems.

The switching between timelines is well-executed. Colin is a great character, juggling his complicated family life with the murder investigation.

An engrossing tale, must-read for fans of mystery and suspense.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is the third book in the Colin Buxton series, it’s the first oneI’ve read. I loved it! It’s packed full of deception, lies and coverups. Colin has returned from his world travels to care for his ill mother and finds himself accepting a job as a sports teacher at a posh Catholicboys school. However, the school has ulterior motives for hiring him. They want him to use his police background to look into the death of a young nun a few years prior. Colin expertly unravels the mystery to get to the real truth in a story that is well written and jumps off the page. Fully emotive and dark at times, I thoroughly enjoyed finding out how the story played out. I’m definitely going to read the previous two books in this series. I highly recommend it.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this new and exciting series - The Colin Buxton Series - and you will have spotted my reviews of books 1 & 2 - All Mine Enemies and The Look Of Death - during the end of last year. 

I'm so pleased that I actually had the first 3 books to get through and pretty much read these back to back.

This meant that by this third book, I was completely hooked and loving the character development over the series.

 

Buxton is back in Scotland to care for his sick mother and has taken a case closer to home.

An intriguing mystery of a bangle which is found on a statue which links to a solved case from years ago.

Even though the suspect was caught and imprisoned, this find has Buxton questioning the original case, the suspect and the school where the murder took place.

 

Once again, the setting creates the perfect backdrop for such a case and had me on edge throughout.

I always find these huge, old schools to be really creepy and the writing did a great job of transporting us there with Buxton as he explored the vast grounds, cold rooms and secret tunnels.

Having characters with long standing posts at the school...and all the rumours over the years - it was hard to really get to the bottom of what had been going on.

 

The case was complex and kept us guessing throughout.

But we also saw some more of Buxton's personal life revealed here too.

It was great to get that insight which was perfectly timed as we form a closer connection with him and his emotional story.

 

These books would work as standalone reads, with cases that conclude nicely - but I definitely always like to read series from the start so that this connection with our main character can build over time as we see their different methods and hear more of their personal lives.

 

Another great read and now I'm feeling a bit bereft! When will book 4 be ready please? .....

 

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this third instalment in the series, Colin has returned to Glasgow to look after his mum and has a job at an exclusive Catholic school, as a cover for investigating a supposedly solved crime.

There is a real sense of isolation in this book - the school’s location, the wintery weather, the fact the boys have all been sent away to school by their families, and the fact that Colin doesn't know who to trust.

Lots of secrets and lies at work and at home for Colin to uncover - another triumph for CC Gilmartin!

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Prayer Before Killing by CC Gilmartin.
The Colin Buxton series; Book 3.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I am enjoying this series. I got into this book straight away. I do like Colin. I did feel for him at times. I did like the story. It was scary in some place. I loved the description of the place. I could see it in my mind. I love it when a book does this. I do recommend this series.

[Linzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, I honestly couldn't put it down! 🙌🏻 with it being book 3 in the series I was a bit worried I might be a little behind and lost with the characters, but I never once felt like that, you can definitely read this on it's own. I really liked the setting of this story: a large, old school with secret passages. I also really liked all the characters, there's such a good mix. Throughout the story you get different POVs and different timelines, which I always enjoy, but there's quite a few twists and lies along the way which made it hard to guess who it was, which I'm happy to say I guessed wrong many times 😅 and to round it off I thought it had a good ending too! I really hope there's another one in this series because I'm 100% reading it 🙌🏻 I've also downloaded the first two on my kindle to catch up with what I've missed.

[kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it was well written with a compelling and eerie story line that drew me in right from the very start and well developed characters all that were very layered and had so much going on for our protagonist Colin to try and unpick and uncover to truly discover what had gone on.

The pacing was perfect and there was so much tension, suspense and atmosphere in the book. In fact the atmosphere was one of the things I loved most about the book as it worked perfectly with the setting which was creepy and full of secrets and lies.

I can't wait to read more in the series

[Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and moody, this third book in the Colin Buxton series features Colin’s examination of the murder of a nun and the Priest convicted. But did he do it? The mix of the detective work and Colin’s home life with his mother and sister was well executed and made for rich world building. Perfect for fans of ‘Vera’ or ‘Shetland’.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Colin Buxton series, and I feel I have come to know and love Colin. As well as enjoying the murder cases, I am also so invested in his personal life. The first book of the series was a relatively light murder mystery. Book two took a darker turn, and that theme continues with A Prayer Before Killing. Colin has returned home to care for his mother and taken a job at a Catholic boys’ school where he’s been tasked with investigating the inexplicable appearance of a bangle belonging to a nun who was murdered. It seems that the original investigation could have been wrong, and the wrong man is locked away.

The setting was incredibly eerie - an all boys school that has large grounds and secret tunnels, and there were a lot of characters with a lot of history for Colin to uncover. There was so much going on with this story with a lot of lies and cover ups, which made it hard to unravel. It was very cleverly written, I was not able to work out who the murderer really was. The whole story was thrilling. Alongside the investigation, Colin’s personal story was emotional. He has a complex relationship with her and his siblings.

This has become one of my favourite series. I highly recommend you read it from the start, and hopefully, there will be more mysteries for Colin soon.