Murder Under the Sun

DI Hillary Greene #22

by Faith Martin

Former Detective Hillary Greene and her cold case team are sweltering in their stuffy basement office on the hottest day of the year when they are handed an impossible case.

Fifteen years ago, Imelda Phelps was battered to death in the hallway of her home. The brutal crime shocked the residents of the pretty market town of Chipping Norton. The killer was never caught.

The motive for the murder remains a mystery. Could the happily married mother-of-two’s stunning good looks have played a part in her death?

Everyone will have to take a hard look in the mirror — and not everyone will like what they see. If Hillary is to crack the case, she must keep an open mind. But one thing is this crime was personal. It’s up to Hillary and her team to work out which of Imelda’s family and friends is hiding a deadly secret.

A secret lover. A humiliated husband. A vengeful ex-business partner. A resentful daughter. The list of suspects grows . . .

Suddenly an unexpected lead throws the case wide open. And then a second body turns up.

This cold case is now red hot . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, British Literature, Contemporary, Procedural

230 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2025

About the author

Faith Martin is a pen name of English author Jacquie Walton, who is best known for her popular detective series, starring Detective Inspector Hillary Greene.

As Joyce Cato, she writes more classically-inspired 'cosy' murder mysteries, such as the Monica Noble mystery series.

As Maxine Barry, her latest romance novels are now available from Corazon Books.

As Jessie Daniels, her 'spooky' crime novel, The Lavender Lady Casefile came out in November 2017.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The summer in England was excessively hot, with the heatwave not letting up, and former Detective Hillary Greene and her two offsiders, Claire and Gareth, sweltered in their basement offices. The day they were handed another cold case to work was no different, but they wanted to find justice for Imelda Phelps after she'd died fifteen years ago, with no one being convicted of her murder. Their superintendent, Rollo Sale, instructed Hillary to do her best, come to him if she needed, and stick to her 9-5 hours (he knew her well!)

As the investigation deepened, with both Claire and Gareth alternating days of being on the road with Hillary, or researching the past, the weather continued to harass the Brits. Humidity, heat and the constant high temperatures drained everyone. But Hillary was determined. Would this be the first case she was unable to break? It was definitely heading that way...

Murder Under the Sun is the 22nd in the Hillary Greene series by Faith Martin and I loved it! I'm so glad the series has continued, even though Hillary is now a civilian consultant. Her methods haven't changed, just her status; her determination and grit continues. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Joffe Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an unbearably hot summer in Britain, and cold case detective Hillary Greene and her team are looking into the murder of a model. They try to interview the original detective, but she seems to have dementia, so they start looking at the victim's family and former business partner. Then when one of these individuals is murdered, Hillary is warned not to combine the current case with the cold case since a hotshot cop who is not a team player wants to handle it. This can be read as a standalone, but if you're read any of the previous books, you know Hillary chafes at this restriction. Recommended for fans of British police procedurals. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Hillary Greene, known for her impressive solve rate, is now retired and serving as a consultant for Thames Valley cold cases. She and her team are assigned an unsolved case involving an older would be model who was murdered fifteen years ago. There is no known motive. Could it have been a family member, disgruntled business partner, a secret lover, or something to do with her modeling career?

I really like Hillary Greene and especially her wry humor. She lives on a long boat and drives a car nicknamed “Puff the Tragic Dragon.” She is a strong, capable leader and it is a pleasure following her as she solves her cases. This is a solid police procedural that is an engrossing, entertaining read.

Faith Martin and her Hillary Greene series is another one of my automatic reads. This is the twenty second installment but it can be read as a standalone

Thanks to #NetGalley and @JoffreBooks for the DRC.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I ran out of reading material. So...I signed back up with Kindle Unlimited and decided to start at the end and work my way back up in the Hillary Greene series I used to enjoy regularly. It was fun to get back on board after a space of time, hear her complaints about her car, the boat she lives on and the weather. Now that I have read the most recent I might leap backward to where I had left off and find the few books in this series I had missed. This cold case was interesting and kept my interest. I won't spoil it for others!

Kindle Unlimited

[Rachael Dockery · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book about Detective Green. Not having read other books in the series did not impact my enjoyment.

I don’t read many police procedural type novels anymore but I did enjoy this story. The former detective investigates cold cases to see if they can find resolution. The process seemed realistic and was very interesting.

My only concern was that I did think some of the themes were repetitive. I understand it was hot but the constant reference to the temperature was tiresome and was not really relevant to the story in the long run. Also, the mentions of the other team members lives seemed like an after thought. I do think some time could be spent making them richer characters.

Overall though the story is engaging and moves along at a pace that kept me reading. I definitely plan to read other books in this series.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hillary Greene and her cold case team are sweltering in their stuffy basement office on the hottest day of the year when they are handed an impossible case. Fifteen years ago, Imelda Phelps was battered to death in the hallway of her home. The brutal crime shocked the residents of the pretty market town of Chipping Norton. The killer was never caught. If Hillary is to crack the case, she must keep an open mind. But one thing is this crime was personal. It’s up to Hillary and her team to work out which of Imelda’s family and friends is hiding a deadly secret.
The twenty second outing for Hillary & I’m still loving the series. It could be read on it’s own. A well written entertaining & intriguing book. The pace is good, the characters well portrayed & I was left guessing. I’ve grown to love Hillary with all her quirks but she’s a great role model to younger members of her team. Roll on book twenty three
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It was a great story and doesn't love a cold case being looked into. Real or fictional, justice must prevail!

I liked the cover. All I think about now is Oxford when I see it. Which is nice. The design is lovely and eye catching.

The book is very well written and I think flows nicely. The descriptions are gorgeous. I think of all these little villages and Hamlets in the Oxfordshire/Cotswolds when I read it. Wonderful job.

The setting!!! It's lush. It brings my Ofordshire roots out! Gran came from one of these little Ofordshire villages, Drayton St. Leondard. These wee villages sound so quaint and so beautiful.

I loved the characters. They were all excellent. Hilary was a good lady and very good in her role on the unit. I liked Claire, she's definitely after my heart what with being glued to a battery powered fan in the heat! Gareth was great and very savvy.

I really recommend this book to you all! Can't wait to read more of Hilary's series.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great addition to this fantastic series. It also works well as a standalone. Hillary and the team are assigned a new cold case involving the death of a woman a couple of decades earlier. It soon becomes clear that they are not being told the whole truth when they start interviewing members of her family. Things take a turn when a person linked to the case is murdered in a similar fashion.

This was a riveting read. I love the series and I am enjoying seeing Hillary working with her new team. The sense of frustration with the linked new case and the old case is palpable as is the sweltering heatwave! The ending felt quite realistic. I found this really hard to put down and read it in a day. I look forward to seeing what lies in store next for Hillary and the team.

[P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was sorry to just give 3 stars as usually all 5 stars but was really disappointed in ending and seemed too abrupt to me.

[Gerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic entry in the Hillary Greene series! Murder Under the Sun is the perfect title, as it takes place during a heat wave in England. Faith Martin does such a great job with the description, that you can practically feel the sizzle. The hot summer adds to the feeling of foreboding throughout the book.

Here we find Hillary back on familiar ground in her new role as a special consultant solving cold cases. This one involves the murder of a beautiful woman, Imelda Phelps, who was bludgeoned in her home fifteen years before. It was an especially shocking case at the time because it took place during the day in the village of Chipping Norton. Imelda was a wife and mother and working her way up as a model. Hillary and her crew, leave no stone unturned in their search for the killer. Everyone from strangers to family members to former business associates are suspects. And everything isn’t smooth going at the precinct either. Great mystery and well drawn characters. Love her team! Claire who’s in her mid-fifties and Gavin a young former soldier, add to the story. This is my third book in the series, and I have now sought out the rest of the series to read. Faith Martin did an excellent job writing an entertaining and well thought out mystery.



#MurderUndertheSun #NetGalley

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for Murder Under The Sun by Faith Martin

I found this fifteen year old murder that was never solved to be such an intriguing read that I got hooked from the start of the book. I was drawn into the twists and turns that ex detective Hillary Greene and her cold case team were throwing up from their new investigation into the old case. They were re-interviewing any available witnesses and their suspicions were growing on possible suspects. I thought this was a terrific read and really enjoyed it. I have always enjoyed cold cases for some reason. The story was superbly written and extremely well plotted. I really liked the characters of the cold case team and thought they worked well together as a team. The other characters were well detailed and very interesting, they knew how to keep secrets! The synopsis was really intriguing and I certainly wasn’t disappointed with the story, I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. I liked the author’s writing style and found it easy to read. This is book twenty-two in the series but it can be as a standalone. I found it easy to follow the characters as enough details were in the book to help with the backstory where required. I would like to read more of this series in the future.

Blurb :

Former Detective Hillary Greene and her cold case team are sweltering in their stuffy basement office on the hottest day of the year when they are handed an impossible case.

Fifteen years ago, Imelda Phelps was battered to death in the hallway of her home. The brutal crime shocked the residents of the pretty market town of Chipping Norton. The killer was never caught.

The motive for the murder remains a mystery. Could the happily married mother-of-two’s stunning good looks have played a part in her death?

Everyone will have to take a hard look in the mirror — and not everyone will like what they see. If Hillary is to crack the case, she must keep an open mind. But one thing is crystal-clear: this crime was personal. It’s up to Hillary and her team to work out which of Imelda’s family and friends is hiding a deadly secret.

A secret lover. A humiliated husband. A vengeful ex-business partner. A resentful daughter. The list of suspects grows . . .

Suddenly an unexpected lead throws the case wide open. And then a second body turns up.

This cold case is now red hot . . .

[Gillian Cawte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tantalizing Plot; Enjoyable Read.
I love Faith Martin’s books, particularly her Hillary Greene series, and this latest one does not disappoint. In the initial chapters of Murder Under The Sun there is enough back-story of the series to place the reader firmly in context for this most recent story, but not too much historical detail to detract from this fresh and exciting plot. Hillary Green, retired DCI, and her team are dedicated to solving cold cases, especially particularly nasty ones, using fresh eyes and brains and taking advantage of the more advanced forensic techniques available today. This time the case they are revisiting suddenly becomes red hot when a related murder takes place.
The original victim was Imelda Phelps, aged 41 in June 2010 when she was murdered cruelly by several strokes of a poker to the back of her head in her own kitchen. Imelda was a very beautiful woman, a model still at the top if her profession. DI Diane Clovis who originally investigated the case had done a thorough job which unfortunately did not yield any result, she is unhappily suffering from dementia now and cannot give any help to Hillary’s team. This team comprises Claire Wolley, retired from the domestic violence unit, and Gareth Proctor at 34 years old and 6’1” tall a handicapped army veteran left with limited movement after being wounded in active service. These two disparate but enthusiastic helpers establish a critical fact that had not previously been discovered – Imelda had recently done a new and exciting photo shoot for an important advertising campaign “Face of Experience” which included a nude session. Could they have finally discovered a motive?
Faith Martin does an excellent job of describing her characters so the reader is puzzled into thinking “Well, they do not seem like they did it, but they could have” about every relative and suspect until the reader reaches the improbable but definitely logical conclusion - which we wait until the very end to find out. This book is well written, full of suspense, with a fresh plot and a surprise ending. I thoroughly recommend reading it.

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a book that takes place in my area. I decided to read Murder Under The Sun because the murder takes place in Chipping Norton, where my niece lives. But most of it is around other parts of Oxfordshire like Kidlington, and Gloucestershire where I live. When Hillary visits Cheltenham, I tried to recognise Imelda’s mum’s road. It’s described as very posh. I wasn’t too sure though I had a couple of guesses. And I’m not sure Cheltenham is quite as genteel as the author makes out! It was once reputed in the mid-nineties that the derogatory term ‘chav’ stood for ‘Cheltenham Average’.

This is book 22 in the Hillary Greene series (I usually avoid jumping into a series part way through, but I made an exception due to the locations). Hillary was a high ranking police officer for many years, with an exemplary record and a high solve rate. She is now in civvies as a consultant. She lives on a houseboat and drives an old Volkswagen Golf she nicknames Puff the Tragic Wagon.

When her boss Superintendent Rollo Sale asks her to reopen a cold case – the murder of stunning mother-of-two Imelda Phelps, who was battered to death 15 years ago – her killer never caught – she is ready for the challenge. I loved her colleagues Claire and ex-soldier Gareth, together they are a brilliant team.

Little did they know what a can of worms they were opening. A cuckolded husband, a not-so-secret lover, an ex-business partner with a grudge and an eccentric daughter who found the body. Throw into the mix a snooty mother and a son who was away at university at the time of the murder, and you have an entertaining read with a cast of memorable characters.

And there is the heatwave. It’s sweltering and there seems to be no let up. Everyone is fed up with it, and feeling uncomfortable.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t read any of the other books in the series. I found it easy to get into without knowing the background. It’s hinted at, but not essential.

Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hillary's Back!!!

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed every book in the DI Hillary Greene series. I was eagerly awaiting book 22, and it did not disappoint! Hillary and her team are presented with another cold case, the murder of a wealthy socialite and model that took place 15 years earlier. A very daunting case as are all cold cases, but this one especially so. Tracking down new leads and interviewing anyone with knowledge of something that took place so long ago is truly daunting. But although now a civilian consultant, Hillary hasn't lost a step or her years of DI skills and intuition. Add in a miserable heat wave that is trying everyone's patience and adding to frazzled nerves and it is a very hard go.

Extremely well written as are all the books by this very talented author, with enough twists and turns to make you dizzy. And I must note that Puff the Tragic Wagon is still fighting the good fight, although Hillary feels he's on his last legs. But a savvy mechanic gets him rolling again. Its these little comic and personal touches that make the story come alive and add realism to the story.

Following up on the tiniest clue and using her well honed skills and power of deduction, the case slowly starts to unfold. Add in another related murder and an arrogant DI warning Hillary to back off and you have a very entertaining and enjoyable read. Highly recommend. You won't be disappointed! 🎉🎉👏👏🌟🌟📚💞

[Alis Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Under The Sun by Faith Martin is a captivating mystery thriller and the 22nd instalment in the DI Hillary Greene series. Right from the start, I found myself drawn to the main protagonist, Hillary Greene. Warm, enigmatic, and incredibly thorough, she comes across as not just a skilled detective but a genuinely decent person. For those familiar with the series, Hillary is already a well-loved character, but even newcomers will find it easy to connect with her, thanks to Martin's brilliant knack for writing characters that feel like old friends.
Despite being deep into the series, this book stands firmly on its own. Martin's storytelling is immersive—I was nearly halfway through before I even considered putting it down. The pacing is steady, almost therapeutic, yet utterly gripping. The way the case unfolds, explored with meticulous detail and sharp investigative work, makes this novel a page-turner—not in a frantic way, but with the satisfaction of piecing together a perfectly laid-out puzzle.
Martin has undoubtedly hooked me, and I’m already off to buy books 1 through 21. If Murder Under The Sun is any indication of the quality of the series, I’m in for a real treat. Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering DI Hillary Greene for the first time, this book is well worth the read.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

After solving a crime on a Welsh steam train without her usual team of Claire Woolley, an ex-DS with many years’ experience in rape and domestic violence cases and Gareth Proctor, a former soldier invalided out of the army, in the CRT (Crime Review Team) based in Kidlington, under Supt Roland (Rollo) Sale, it’s back to a more normal cold case for ex DI Hillary Greene this time as she is handed the unsolved murder of Imelda Phelps in Chipping Norton fifteen years ago. The victim was a stunning forty one year old model, but it soon appears she may not have had an equally beautiful personality to match and there are plenty of good suspects to re-investigate, including her ex-business partner, left without an income when Imelda dumped her, a daughter actually described by her own grandmother as one of life’s misfits, a cuckolded husband or maybe it was the new lover she had taken up with? As the temperatures soar and with Hilary on the trail, will the killer get hot enough under the collar to strike again?
This is a great cosy murder mystery story with some nice humour and I, for one, am happy to see this very enjoyable series being extended. The small and very likeable team work well together as they sift through the lies in this twisty and thoroughly engrossing investigation to reach the shocking truth. A great addition to a series that never fails to please.

[Lorraine Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy a good cold case mystery with a smart, seasoned detective at the helm, Murder under the Sun is a solid pick. Faith Martin brings back her ever-capable DI Hillary Greene, who’s now working with the cold case team and proving that time doesn’t erase the truth — it just buries it deeper.

This installment sees Hillary digging into a long-forgotten case that was never quite solved, and as always, she brings her signature mix of intuition, experience, and quiet determination. Martin’s writing is smooth and unpretentious, making this a really enjoyable, easy read. It’s less about high-octane thrills and more about solid detective work, character insight, and piecing together a puzzle that’s been gathering dust for years.

What I love about Hillary is that she’s not flashy — she’s thoughtful, methodical, and doesn’t let anything slide. She also brings a sense of calm to the chaos, and it’s nice to follow a detective who’s confident without being arrogant. The supporting characters add to the charm, and the cold case unit dynamic gives the book a unique angle compared to your usual police procedural.

While the mystery isn’t full of jaw-dropping twists, it’s cleverly constructed and satisfying to unravel. Perfect for fans of traditional British crime fiction, especially if you like your murder mysteries with a bit of warmth and a lot of heart.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time meeting DI Hillary Greene, and though I haven’t read the series before, I felt right at home thanks to the smooth writing and clear setup. I’ve previously read Murder by Candlelight by the same author, so I already knew Faith Martin had a great way of mixing suspense with strong storytelling—and she did not disappoint here either.

This book follows Hillary, now retired but still solving cold cases with her sharp mind and experienced instincts. I liked how grounded and real she felt—smart, no-nonsense, and focused, yet not perfect. She makes mistakes, questions her decisions, and that just made her all the more relatable to me. Her small team was well balanced, each bringing their own strengths to the case.

The pacing is steady and thoughtful. The case itself was fascinating—an old, unsolved murder slowly being untangled with patience and modern tools. The deeper the investigation went, the more tangled things became, and I loved how everyone felt like a suspect at some point.

Even though this is book 22 in the series, I never felt lost or confused. If anything, it’s made me curious to go back and read more about Hillary’s earlier days. I’m already looking forward to seeing what case Hillary tackles next.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one in a series but happily stands alone (book #22 in the Hillary Greene series)
Hillary works with a cold case unit. She is a retired DI but couldn't stay away and her clean up score was second to none so going back over old cases and finding new leads is natural to her. Fifteen years ago a woman, a former model, was found dead at her home by her daughter, then aged seventeen. It transpired she was having an affair but despite several leads at the time, the police couldn't pin the crime on anyone. Hilary's team is now tasked with solving the case.

I adore this series. There’s always a stunning plot and the odd light-hearted moment. Puff the tragic wagon makes a few appearances which I smile at every time. Hillary is a very likeable, determined character who has the knack of seeing things in people others can’t. It's clever , twisty, intriguing and a wonderful ending. A brilliant read I more than thoroughly enjoyed.

For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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[Helen Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Detective Hillary Greene series. Hillary is such a great character, an intelligent woman of a certain age who behaves with integrity and has a sense of humour. Murder Under The Sun sees Hillary return to her day job at the Crime Review Team after her ‘murderous’ holiday in Wales. It’s summer. Britain is in the grip of a heatwave. You can feel the oppressive heat rising up out of the book’s pages.

Hillary and her team are reviewing a cold case, a beautiful woman murdered in her own home. We are taken to different parts of Oxfordshire, Cheltenham and London as Hillary investigates. There’s more to the case than a straightforward murder and Faith Martin carries us through the novel revealing each new development in a considered manner.

I was caught out by the final reveal.

We then leave Hillary enjoying the rain as she returns to her canal boat home, The Mollern.

If you enjoy a well-crafted plot with a strong female lead character and a dash of humour along with a sense of place, then this book is for you!

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired detective Hillary Greene is now a civilian consultant reviewing cold cases. The latest file on her desk is the unsolved murder of a model. And things are hotting up!
Murder Under The Sun is the 22nd book in the Hillary Greene series of crime novels.
The temperature is unbearable and the cold case team are feeling the heat! Imelda Phelps, a model and mother of 2, was killed in her home one afternoon and the trail to catch her killer was unsuccessful. Hillary and her team go back to basics interviewing the key witnesses and family members to look for new leads.
Hillary is a great lead character, very human and authentic. As we endure a heatwave in the UK, it felt very realistic to see the characters sweltering!
There are plenty of suspects and motives for Hillary to investigate as Imelda certainly made enemies. I was kept guessing until the end and enjoyed how Hillary unravelled the mystery and exposed the killer.
Murder Under The Sun is a very enjoyable crime novel with a brilliant lead character.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and 1 / 2 stars

I love Faith Martin’s Hillary Greene series. I was very excited to see her latest in the series available.

Hillary, like all of the UK, is suffering from a sweltering period of hot weather when she drives the occasionally cranky “Puff” to the station. She is settled comfortably into her closet-size office when she gets a new cold case to work. Gathering her faithful team of two they set about to find a fifteen-year old murder.

I have been a fan of Hillary’s since she came onto the scene. Her humor and compassion are very appealing. Ms. Martin has created a wonderful and appealing character. Her descriptions of the team’s dedication and teamwork are engaging and realistic. Ms. Martin tells a story quite well and I am forever grateful for her talent.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read and enjoy. The opinions cited in this review are solely my own.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former DI Hillary Greene is now a civilian consultant to the department and works with a small team (based in the basement of the station house) and together they work to bring cold cases (murder) to justice. Investigating a fifteen-year-old murder has a lot of challenges and it's only made worse by the endless unrelenting heat and humidity, not to mention the flaws in the original investigation. To top it all off, someone who was a person of interest then has been murdered now and the DI in charge is convinced that he is always right in everything. Excellent story!
As usual, the story does stand-alone quite nicely.
Not an unbiased review as I really enjoy the Hillary Greene series! Pub Date Jun 12, 2025
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected proof copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley.
#MurderUndertheSun by #FaithMartin #DIHillaryGreeneBk22 @joffebooks #NetGalley
#crimethriller #suspense #coldcase #familydrama #murder #relationships #twisty

[Carole Gourlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely delighted first of all to see that Faith had written another Hilary Green book in the series and that Joffe offered it to me as an ARC. I absolutely adore this series, and now that Hilary is in charge of “cold cases” they are still wonderful to read albeit she doesn’t have the same powers as the police any more.

This cold case is from fifteen years ago, and a beautiful young model was murdered but the case ran a ground as no one was ever found for her murder. Then another murder takes place and slowly but surely Hilary and her small team managed to piece it all together and find their killer.

I have to say I was surprised at who it was, I think I must be slipping. However, Hilary continues to astound her work mates and bosses as she’s always proved right.

What a joy to read, I finished it in a day.

My thanks to Faith and Joffe Books for the ARC. Keep up the good work Faith, Hilary has a lot more cases to solve!!

[Sally Winsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired Detective Inspector Hillary Greene is now working as a consultant for the Thames Valley Police, looking into cold cases. Her most recent case is the fifteen year old murder of Imelda Phelps. The ex model was savagely bashed to death in the entry hall of her Chipping Norton home, where her body was found by her then 17 year old daughter. Despite a thorough investigation no perpetrator was found, and now it is up to Hillary to try and remedy this. Her investigation is thrown into turmoil when one of the persons of interest in the original case is murdered, making Hillary’s cold case very hot indeed. As a civilian consultant Hillary has no jurisdiction to investigate a current case, and the SIO on the case doesn’t see the connection with the old case and doesn’t want her help. Will she be able to achieve a successful conclusion?
This 22nd instalment of the Hillary Greene series is a great continuation of the detective’s story, and also works well as a standalone.

[Tabby Shiflett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Under the Sun was the first DI Hilary Greene and first novel by this author that I've read and I'll definitely come back for more. I enjoyed that this series (at least in this stage in the series with book #22) focuses on cold cases by civilians (although most were previously police) and the writing is so descriptive, the reader can literally feel the heat and humidity from the pages. I liked not only the MC but her entire team and supervisor as well. The characters complement each other very well. I was hoping for more landscape and regional culture in regards to the setting (Oxfordshire), but it's possible that was done in the earlier novels. A gripping police-ish procedural that was a quick and easy read, but with substance to draw back readers for the next installment.

Publisher Review Copy

[Joan Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former Detective Hillary Greene is now a civilian employee assigned to cold cases. Her small team of three occupies cramped basement quarters where they try to turn up new leads on old cases. When they start asking questions about a 15-year old murder, trouble ensues, including another murder. The heat is up, both on those closest to the crimes, and literally, with an unrelenting heat wave in the UK.

Though this series has twenty previous titles, this book stands alone. I've read others and they are all enjoyable. Any number of people could be the perpetrator, but the police need a confession as there is so little physical evidence, especially after the passage of time. Hillary's quick thinking ensures that justice will be served.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Connie drew on her cigarette with gusto...blew the resulting stream of smoke upwards...made Hillary think this woman was used to smoking this way. Perhaps she had a partner who didn't appreciate a face-full of smoke?"

Faith Martin's Hillary Greene never disappoints and #murderunderthesun is no exception. I love that Hillary is now solving cold cases, which adds a level of complexity to each. In #22, Hillary is tasked with solving the murder of a beautiful woman, whose life is seemingly quite perfect (of course, we know it wasn't!). Martin does a terrific job of letting an unprecedented heat wave permeate the story. You might even sweat yourself.

Terrific procedural, highly recommend!

P.S. Thanks to #joffebooks for the ARC.

[Phil Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hillary Greene is a retired former detective inspector. She has come out of retirement and is working as a civilian for the Thames Valley Police cold case team. Hillary and her team are assigned to a fifteen year old unsolved murder and it will take the joint wits of her team if they are to crack the old case.
Fifteen years ago, a fashion model was found dead in her luxury home by her teenage daughter. she had been cruelly bludgeoned to death. The initial investigation failed to find the murder weapon or the motive or the culprit, and the case went cold. As the new investigation progresses, another body is found, and the heat increases to match the sweltering English heatwave.
A very intriguing murder mystery full of twists and turns and a touch of British humour and irony