A Fatal Affair

Ryder & Loveday Mystery #6

by Faith Martin

She was dressed in a long white gown, embroidered with tiny flowers. Her body was wrapped in colourful ribbons that floated in the breeze. But underneath the swathe of golden hair, a string of darkly smudged bruises ringed her neck.

As May Day dawns in the peaceful village of Middle Fenton, a young woman’s body is found brutally strangled, her body tied up with ribbons in the middle of the green. A week later, her boyfriend is found hanged in a local barn, and the police assume guilt over murdering his beloved has driven him to suicide – but not everyone is convinced.

WPC Trudy Loveday and coroner Clement Ryder are sent to investigate, and quickly realise that there’s a double murderer on the loose.

But the killer has already shown willingness to remove anyone who threatens to discover their identity… As Trudy and Clement circle in on the culprit, can they crack the case before they too come to a nasty end?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, British Literature, Crime, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2021

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

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for an advanced copy for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own

This is the sixth in the series, set in the 1960’s, with WPC Trudy Loveday and the coroner Clement Ryder. Another good simple, mystery, that will keep you guessing until the very end. Setting the series in the 1960’s, is interesting as there are no cell phones, tracking systems, databases, social media etc. Good old fashioned pure and simple detective work. I thoroughly enjoy this series, as they beautifully capture the 60s attitudes and morals. The young WPC and the coroner have a really relatable relationship that never feels forced. If I had a criticism it would be nice if some parts of the main characters were able to progress, although I appreciate the author is constrained by historical accuracy in telling Trudy's story. The story moves quickly with a perfecting ending to hopefully lead to her next mystery story by this duo.

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stars. The author has stretched the murderer's revelation too much, with many dialogues and explanations. And there were still too many statements, dialogues and sexist excerpts about the murdered girl.

SYNOPSIS: "As May Day dawns in the peaceful village of Middle Fenton, a young woman is found brutally strangled, her body tied up with ribbons in the middle of the green. A week later, her boyfriend is found hanged in a local barn, and the police assume guilt over murdering his beloved has driven him to suicide – but not everyone is convinced.

WPC Trudy Loveday and coroner Clement Ryder are sent to investigate, and quickly realise that there’s a double murderer on the loose.

But the killer has already shown willingness to remove anyone who threatens to discover their identity… As Trudy and Clement circle in on the culprit, can they crack the case before they too come to a nasty end?"

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....

May 1st, 1962. The village of Middle Fenton is getting ready to celebrate May Day when the body of its May Queen, Iris Carmody, is found strangled and tied to the village's maypole. A week later his boyfriend dies in an apparent suicide but the boy's father is not convinced, so Dr. Ryder and WPC Loveday are brought into the investigation to discover the truth behind both deaths.

This is the 6th installment in the Ryder and Loveday series, and that's clear when you look at the dynamics between the characters. It's always a pleasure to be reacquainted with these two. Their initial mentoring relationship has evolved into a friendship and, imo, it's one of the successes of the series. Unlike all the other men around her, Dr. Ryder has always respected Trudy and treated her like an equal. It's the 60s and all the other men in her life can't see beyond her gender when in truth they are quite the cowards and feel threatened by her and her capabilities. Show 'em, Trudy!

This time there was not much insight into their private lives and, after six books, I would like to see some progress in that department. Dr. Ryder's illness plotline needs some development soon or it's gonna be pointless even to mention it.

I love how there's no technology around so they have to rely on good old fashioned detective work, interrogating suspects and putting their deductive skills to work to try and catch the villain.

I listened to the audiobook version and Stephanie Racine did such an amazing work (once again) with these beloved characters. Now I cannot imagine them with a different voice. Well done!

Quick and cozy mystery that makes another great addition to the series.

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a terrific book by Faith Martin!

A young woman is found brutally strangled and left in a heinous and mocking way in the center of the village and a week later her devoted boyfriend is found hanging in a neighbor's barn. Young constable Trudy Lovejoy and Coroner Clement Ryder are assigned to secretly look into the death of the young man whose father is an appointed high official and doesn't believe his son took his own life even though the audio results stated suicide. The duo encounter many twists and obstacles along the way and realize the case is not as simple as they initially surmised and will discover that many more lives might be in danger.

I really enjoyed this wonderful detective mystery. I wouldn't call the story a cozy mystery but it is neither a hard-core dramatic mystery. Plenty of crime and many delightful light moments. The book takes place in the early 1960's so there is sexual discrimination in the police force and all men based jobs during that era. There are many possible suspects of the woman's murder and some really interesting, devious characters. The writing was too notch with a unexpected surprise ending. I am looking forward to reading more Faith Martin books in the future.

I want to thank the publisher "HQ" HQ Digital and Netgalley for providing the opportunity to read this terrific mystery and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a delightful mystery with some violence and have given a rating of 4 Captivating🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fatal Affair is the sixth instalment in the WPC Trudy Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder series, set in the rural village of Middle Fenton, Oxford. It's Tuesday 1st May, 1962 and the village is getting ready to celebrate May Day. Margaret Bellham, a member of the May Day Committee for the past twenty years, is bustling her way towards the village green. It is her job to oversee the May Day Procession and organise those who would be preparing the food for the traditional picnic around the village duck pond. She also has the responsibility to ensure that the village maypole, a permanent structure erected in pride of place on the village green nearly two centuries ago, is ready for the maypole dancing by all the village maidens under the age of eighteen, which would start promptly at noon. As she stepped towards the stone maypole. Unsure of what her eyes were seeing she sank to her knees on the grass. In front of her was the May Queen the villagers had voted for — seventeen-year-old Iris Carmody. The vividly coloured ribbons that hung from the crown of the maypole were wrapped tightly around her body and a ring of dark smudged bruises were visible around her neck. A week and four days after finding Iris' body, DI Harry Jennings isn't making much headway. He's in his office mulling the case over when Superintendent Keith Finch visits him about the death of his son, David. Many believe that David committed suicide because of his girlfriend, Iris', murder.

His father admits that his son was head over heels for her and her brutal killing hit him hard. David's mother, Betty, had been worried sick about him even before the girl's death as she had heard that Iris was being unfaithful and was just that type of girl. Found three days earlier hanging in a barn belonging to a close friend of the Finch family, there had been rumours that university student David had been the one to strangle his girlfriend before taking his own life a short time later due to the guilt. Speculation was rife but Keith doesn't believe that his son would have killed himself. Can Lovejoy and Ryder get to the bottom of what happened to both David and Iris and set the record straight? This is a riveting and thoroughly compulsive procedural and it's always a pleasure and never a chore to be reacquainted with both Lovejoy and Ryder. Set in the '60s, I loved the fact that the police had a lot more legwork and traditional policing and evidence gathering to do as obviously there were no mobile phones, internet, DNA tests, forensics and suchlike, and it makes for a very different and unique read mainly using deductive skill and interviews. It is an enthralling mystery with a large suspect pool and twist after exciting twist. Martin has plotted it to perfection as I couldn't work out the murderer's identity until it was revealed at the end. Told primarily from Ryder & Lovejoy's perspectives there are many disturbing and unsettling secrets just waiting to be uncovered in this tight-knit community. Highly recommended.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, HQ Digital for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review A Fatal Affair. All opinions are my own.

May Day, 1962 dawns and in a village near Oxford a young woman is found murdered. Lots of speculation, for the girl was definitely no better than she should be. There are no obvious suspects, however. Quite soon a local police superintendent’s son is also dead – seems like a suicide. He was the girl’s supposed boyfriend. Looks like everything is done and dusted, the case closed. But the superintendent wants Coroner Ryder to look into it further, and WPC Trudy Loveday as assistant won’t be far behind. Faith Martin has much for us to ponder in A Fatal Affair, the latest in the Ryder and Loveday series.

The father doesn’t think the boy killed himself – not in his nature. We’re left to wonder, too, as Ryder and Loveday start to delve into the circumstances of what the boy was doing. It seems the boy was doing his own investigation – was he killed for it?

Ms. Martin gives us plenty of suspects, and their thoughts and reasons and worries about what Ryder and Loveday are going to find out. Because they will, of course.

Characters are always the center of attention in a Ryder and Loveday book – with Oxford itself not too far behind. Trudy is once again trying to prove that females belong in the police force, always hoping that a case will come along that will prove her worth. And then there’s Ryder’s illness to contend with. Our author keeps us on our toes in both cases. It helps to have read earlier books to know the details of these situations – and did I mention that “that” reporter is back? I’d like to see the back of him, but it was not to be, alas. Although he definitely has a part to play in A Fatal Affair, I’ll give him that.

A beautiful girl’s ugly nature is truly revealed, with all the terrible damage it causes, in a powerful final scene. Ryder and Loveday as usual make a great team, and I look forward to their continuing partnership.

[Gail C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth of the series, and they keep getting better and better. This time out Trudy and Dr. Ryder are given the task of trying to determine if a young man's death is due to suicide or murder. The request comes from the Chief Superintendent, so Trudy's boss, DI Jennings can't block it, even though he still thinks Trudy should be limited to filing and fetching coffee.
In this mystery, the young man's death is the second one of the book, the first being the soon to be crowned May Queen who was "stepping out" with the young man. Trudy and Ryder must find out if he killed himself or was murdered and why.
As they get further into the investigation, the two cases begin to mingle, and it's impossible to keep them completely separate. The final 20% of the book really ramps up the tension to a "don't want to put it down" pace. Overall, the book is well written with excellent plotting and good pace. One caution, if you haven't read the others in the series, you may want to do that first. There is much to Trudy and Ryder's relationship that is established in earlier books as well as information on how Trudy functions in the world of the 1970's with it's limited attitudes toward women in the workplace. My thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for an advanced copy for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 1962 in a sleepy English village when the lovely Iris Carmody, Queen of the May, is discovered murdered and tied to the very maypole that is part of the annual festivities for May Day. A few days later, her boyfriend, the son of police Superintendent Keith Finch is found hanging in a barn, ostensibly a suicide. Finch asks Clement Ryder and Trudy Loveday to investigate his son’s death after the final inquest verdict.

Ryder is the aging local coroner, while Loveday is a young constable trying to be accepted as a serious police officer. They have teamed up very successfully before in solving crimes.

This is the sixth in the Ryder/Loveday series, the second I have read although it works well as a standalone. I like the books that have been published under the author’s pen name, Faith Martin. They have solid stories; more substantial than “cosy” mysteries yet still enjoyable, engrossing reads.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

WPC Trudy Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder are back in this sixth instalment of the series by Faith Martin. In A Fatal Affair, May Day is upon the village of Middle Fenton, a quiet and peaceful village in England. The birds are singing and there is a crowd gathering around Magdalen Tower waiting for the celebrations to start. The choristers are ready on top of the college building and the Morris Dancers are waiting nearby for the dancing to begin. Margaret Bellham, a May Day Committee member is headed for the village green. She is responsible for overseeing the May Day Procession including organising those preparing the food for the picnic and ensuring that the village maypole is ready for the maypole dancing by all the village maidens. As she steps towards the stone maypole she sees the May Queen the villagers voted for, seventeen-year-old Iris Carmody with the coloured ribbons that hung from the crown of the maypole wrapped tightly around her body, her neck a mass of dark bruises. A week later, David Finch is found hanging in a barn and many believe that David committed suicide because of the murder of his girlfriend, Iris...

A Fatal Affair kept me on my toes throughout as I devoured each chapter. I adored being in the company of Trudy Loveday again who I find to be enthusiastic, feisty, considerate and, at times stubborn. Ryder is a man who has experienced his fair share of life - someone of a certain age who has lived a little.

Set in the 1960s, Faith Martin's writing is so good and her style is a great fit for me, helping to tempt me into the story. There was plenty going on which kept my attention throughout and I never once felt bored. With a handy supply of colourful supporting characters, the mystery itself was sound and there was always something going on to keep my attention focused. The clues, twists and red herrings were cleverly placed and with nothing as it seemed and secrets aplenty, the story was super exciting. This has left me wanting to read the first two books of the series, as well as eagerly anticipating the next instalment.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ Digital via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Clare Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Trudy Loveday and Clement Ryder. The book’s pacing is perfect, the story constantly absorbing thanks to the range of well-drawn characters, webs of intrigue and to the charm of the two investigators, Loveday and Ryder. I love the interest provided by their contrasting ages and life experiences, giving them different outlooks but a high degree of respect for one another. As ever, the 1960s setting, focused on Oxford and the surrounding area, was very enjoyable.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of A Fatal Affair, the sixth novel to feature PC Trudy Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder, set in Oxford, 1961.

When the May Queen of Middle Fenton, Iris Carmody, is found dead, wrapped around the maypole by its ribbons the village is in shock. When her boyfriend, David Finch, is found a few days later hanging in a barn, the villagers are quick to draw conclusions. His father, Superintendent Finch isn’t and asks Ryder and Loveday to take a closer look.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Fatal Affair, which is an engrossing mystery with plenty of suspects and a captivating protagonist in Trudy Loveday. I found the plot absorbing as it contains little to no forensics and consists mainly of human interactions and deductions. Yes, these characters are mostly stereotypes, like Iris the loose moraled, money grubbing gold digger or the smart but naive David Finch, but it hardly matters as they fit the narrative nicely and the reader “knows” them, or their type. The plot itself is clever as I had no idea of the killer’s identity until the denouement, although the motive was slightly clearer, tied as it is to Iris’s personality.

The novel is told from various points of view, mostly Ryder and Loveday, giving the reader a wider perspective and more characters to suspect, as many of them, outside the investigators, have secrets and dark thoughts that raise alarm bells with the reader. Fortunately there are no musings from the unnamed killer, a current trend that I loathe.

I love the relationship between the crusty, sophisticated Ryder and the young, naïve Trudy. He looks on her as a daughter and she, in turn respects and learns from him. They are a formidable team and improving with every outing.

A Fatal Affair is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Renske · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I'm still absolutely loving this series, but this one felt a bit on the more ridiculous side of things. But still entertaining for sure. Once again, trigger warnings for murder and suicide description

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1962 Middle Fenton May Day. The may queen, 17 year old Iris Carmody is discovered dead,tied to the maypole. A week later, the son of Superintendent Finch, David and boyfriend of Iris is found, hanging in a barn. Finch asks Ryder and Loveday to investigate alongside the police.
An entertaining mystery

[Melliane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mon avis en Français

My English review

J’étais ravie de retrouver Loveday & Ryder dans une nouvelle aventure.

Cette fois-ci, nos deux héros sont confrontés à deux affaires, mais n’ont le droit d’enquêter que sur une. En effet, une jeune fille que tout le monde déteste dans un village a été retrouvée morte et son petit ami, le fils d’un membre des forces de l’ordre, a été retrouvé par la suite pendu dans une grande. Nos héros doivent élucider cette dernière affaire. Pourtant, les deux sont étroitement liées et ils vont devoir faire attention de ne pas marcher sur les plates-bandes des autres. Ou en tout cas, de le faire discrètement.

J’ai passé un bon moment avec ce roman. Je me suis demandé pendant toute ma lecture qui était le tueur et pourquoi. Tout le monde cache des secrets dans les villages et personne ne veut voir la police fourrer son nez partout. Et je dois dire que je ne m’attendais pas à cette fin et à ce tueur.

C’était une très bonne lecture et je suis impatiente, comme toujours, de retrouver tous les personnages dans le prochain tome qui, je suis sûre, ne me plaira !

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy following Trudi and Dr Ryder as they investigate a murder, but it seemed like this was a smaller part of this story than many of the previous books. The first quarter of the book was the inquest, which probably went on a bit too long. Then the author trawls through the thoughts and long internal debates of all the suspects and witnesses, which in the main turn out to be fairly irrelevant. I also could have done without the author attempting to introduce the possibility of romance in Trudi’s life.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have absolutely no idea how I've missed reading this series before, I've got some catching up to do! Set in the 1960s, this series has coroner Dr. Clement Ryder and WPC Trudy Loveday working together to discover if the untimely death of the son of Superintendent Keith Finch, David, a university student, really was suicide following the murder of his girlfriend - and was he her killer? With two deaths in this rural community, can Trudy and Clement determine just what happened to both of these young people?

There are lots of references to life in England during the sixties, from music to money. Forget mobile phones, social media, databases, computers,, supermarkets and out of town shopping centres! Return instead to the village store, close knit communities that people rarely leave - and gossips galore. I haven't read anything with sixpences, half-crowns and the like in for a long time! Add into that a story with well developed characters, plenty of mysteries, red herrings and clues and you've got yourself a great read. Ryder and Loveday are a strange combination but work so well together. There's plenty of danger, the ending is a dramatic twist and the whole story a fascinating page turner. I'll definitely be looking out for more by this author in future!

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was dressed in a long white gown, embroidered with tiny flowers. Her body was wrapped in colourful ribbons that floated in the breeze. But underneath the swathe of golden hair, a string of darkly smudged bruises ringed her neck. As May Day dawns in the peaceful village of Middle Fenton, Iris Carmody, the May Queen is found brutally strangled. A week later, David Finch, her boyfriend is found hanged in a local barn, and the police assume guilt over murdering his beloved has driven him to suicide – but not everyone is convinced especially his father the superintendent. WPC Trudy Loveday and coroner Clement Ryder are sent to investigate, and quickly realise that there’s a double murderer on the loose.
This is the sixth book in this engrossing series set in the 1960's. It's true to the time period & relies on good old police work. I really like both Trudy & Clement & enjoy their cases. I was drawn in from the start & totally captivated until the end. There were plenty of suspects plus twists & turns. I didn’t work out who the killer was, which is always a plus. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[David Stimpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Notch.

Ryder and Love day are back with another Case. It is another Good Solid Story Faith Martin Has got to be one of My very Favourite Authors. Good well thought out Stories..

[Chautona Havig · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best things about this series is seeing Trudy's growth as a detective even as Clement begins to lose his edge.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was slow to start but once it got going it kept me guessing. It was so obvious who the guilty person was, but then maybe it wasn't....

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was icy and morbid (in an english murder in oxford way) and i loved it

[Susan Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The two main characters, young WPC Trudy Loveday, and Coroner Clement Ryder are asked to investigate an apparent suicide. They work well together, Trudy learns so much from the much older Clement’s knowledge and wisdom, and will become an excellent detective once she can overcome the police station prejudice against women officers. The story is set in 1962 so has a very pleasant, slightly old-fashioned quality.

The story begins with the gruesome murder of a young woman who was due to be crowned May Queen of the village of Middle Fenton, near Oxford. She has been strangled, and held up on the maypole by its many ribbons. A few days later her boyfriend David Finch, son of Superintendent Finch, a senior policeman, is found hanging from a rafter in an old barn in the village. Everybody assumes that he killed his girlfriend Iris, then killed himself. Superintendent Finch does not believe it and asks DI Harry Jennings, who is leading the investigation, to arrange for Loveday and Ryder to look into it. Jennings is rather annoyed about this, and makes it quite clear they are not to get anywhere near the murder case, his territory.

This is a different era in police work - no DNA evidence, no computers, or search engines, no mobile phones. All police work is done the hard way, interviewing people and finding the clues in what you are told. Trudy and Clement are aware that some people they talk to are not telling the entire truth, but they are able to pick some salient points out that point them in the right direction, and a very valuable clue which proves that David’s death was not suicide.

The village setting makes it interesting because everybody knows everything that goes on, and the villagers seem split down the middle - the women thinking that Iris was a hussy who was always going to come to a bad end, and the men saying she was a beautiful girl and the women were jealous of her. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. There are several red herrings and misdirections which are very well plotted! I did guess who the murderer was, but only a couple of chapters before we found out the truth.

I will certainly look out for other books by this author. I received a copy of this story from the publisher, via NetGalley, and am delighted to write an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 rounded up 4 Stars!
This is Book #6 in the Ryder & Loveday ‘Fatal’ Mystery series.
The setting is Oxford 1961
Our main characters are WPC (Woman Police Constable) Trudy Loveday who is young & bright (and a bit naïve) along with Coroner Dr. Clement Ryder, who is sophisticated, experienced (and a bit crusty).
Trudy is new and on probation ~she is bright and very ambitious but so far has her duties have been filing and making coffee. She has arrested a few pick pocket thieves but hasn’t been given any real cases. Since the story is based in the 1960, we know there were few women in crime fighting, also no helpful tools such as cell phones, or DNA).

Personal Note: I once attend a luncheon where the guest speaker was the first female Chief
of Police in our Country. She told us where she started as a police officer back in the late 60s
she had to wear a women’s uniform ~ skirt and high heels. She asked us …”Can you imagine
chasing down a criminal in a skirt and high heels?”
This story begins when the town’s May Queen, Iris Carmody, is found dead, strangled and wrapped around the may pole with the ribbons hanging from the pole. A few days later, her boyfriend David Finch is found dead hanging in a barn. David is the son of Chief Superintendent, Finch. Fear has it that this might be a murder suicide.
Story kept me interested as to what really happened. Although setting is the 1960 the investigation was normal. The attitude toward Trudy was the only thing different. Perhaps the May Queen was a 60’s thing ~ I actually remember being very young and was asked to be the flower girl for the May Queen. In this case the May Queen procession was a church activity where the Virgin Mary ~ Queen of May was crowned by the May Queen. It was a big deal in my small town.

I love these characters and I actually loved this story... for many reasons but top of my list is that I loved no profanity!!!!
I look forward to the next Faith Martin story!

Want to thank NetGalley and HQ Digital for this uncorrected digital copy granted to me early for a honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 4, 2021

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this on Netgalley and liked the sound of it so promptly requested, it was only when I downloaded it that I realised it was several books in to a series. I decided to give it a go anyway and was pleased to find that it acted nicely as a stand alone story as well and I was easily able to fill in the bits of backstory from the information provided. having thoroughly enjoyed this book I will definitely be working by way through the previous books in the series as well.

I really like the setting and feel of this book. Setting the series in the 60’s means that the book feels quite gentle even as the crime dealt with is the murder of a teenage girl. There is no worrying about tracking mobile phone records or internet searches instead we get to enjoy our duo driving round the local area talking to people and examining crime scenes.

WPC Loveday has to work to prove herself to her male colleagues who treat her as something of an oddity and aren’t quite sure what to do with her. Ryder however has no trouble seeing her skills and potential and works easily with her.

The professional relationship and friendship between Ryder and Loveday was delightful. It’s so nice to have a ‘detective’ pairing with absolutely no suggestion of romance.

I did arrive at some of the correct conclusion before our duo but only just and at the point where the information was all available.

An enjoyable read with a well plotted crime to solve.

With thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for honest review.

A Fatal Affair is available now.

[Maine Colonial · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter how much her chief, DCI Jennings, tries to keep her down, doing things like filing and making tea, WPC Trudy Loveday won’t be suppressed. Jennings is “asked” by a superior to assign Trudy to work with her mentor, Coroner Clement Ryder, to look into his son David’s death, which has been assumed to be a suicide, caused by David’s remorse over killing his girlfriend, Iris. Jennings’s team will investigate Iris’s murder, while Trudy and Clement work on David’s case. Anyone who has read this series knows that Trudy and Clement are more likely to resolve their case—and maybe Jennings’s—before the other team get very far.

Set in the early 1960s, in Oxford and environs, this series illustrates the difficulties of a young woman trying to forge her own professional and personal path, and defeat the misogynistic assumptions and attitudes that are her everyday experiences. It seems that Iris had even more ambition to escape the social restrictions of life in her home village, though using far less reputable methods to do so. It soon becomes clear that the suspect pool in Iris’s case is much broader than initially assumed, and the reason for David’s death could easily be murder rather than suicide.

This is another entertaining read in the series. I do think it would be a good idea for the author to take a bit more time and care in her writing; she has a bad habit of repeating adjectives and adverbs in the same sentence, which makes it appear that she’s in too much of a hurry to be bothered proofing her work.

[I am PADiPAWS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a firm fan of Faith Martin’s crime novels and have read all 19 of her DI Hillary Greene series as well as 7 Jenny Starling and 3 Monica Noble.

However my favourite of her stories are the exploits of WPC Loveday and Oxford Coroner and retired surgeon, Clement Ryder. A Fatal Night is the 7th outing of this team. For those who remember it, this series realistically evokes memories of the early 1960’s and particularly how WPC’s were regarded as being tea makers and typists in possession of little intelligence or practical use in policing! It also serves to remind us of the advances in science and technology - younger readers will be wondering how they managed without mobile phones, computers, forensic science investigators, DNA testing, etc.

This book involves Ryder and Loveday in the investigation of a road accident in the snow following a New Year’s Eve party, which they suspect may not have been accidental at all. A desperately short staffed DCI Jennings, who is no fan of the couple, has no alternative but to let them investigate until he has staff to take over, and by the time he has they have virtually tied up the case.

Whereas this book can be read and enjoyed as a ‘stand alone’ I think many readers will wish to go back and read the series from the beginning either before or after reading this one.

A lovely period crime story.

Reviewed from a pre-publication draft obtained through Net Galley.

[Scilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful young woman, Iris, was found wrapped in the Maypole ribbons, strangled. Every male in Middle Fenton was in love with her. But supposedly, her boyfriend was David Finch, son of the Police Superintendent. When David is found hanging in his friend's family barn looking like a suicide seven days later, it is generally believed that David killed Iris. But the Superintendent doesn't believe David is capably of murder, and he asks Dr. Ryder, the coroner, to investigate David's death with the help of WPC Trudy Loveday, regardless of the results of the inquest.

Ryder and Loveday talk with Iris's best friend Janet, and David's best friend, Ronnie, as well as lots of the townspeople. Everyone believes David committed suicide, but Ryder and Loveday aren't so certain. David had been going around town trying to investigate, and he didn't leave a suicide note. He was seen writing in the little notebook, and the notebook hadn't been found. They begin to think that David was killed because he had too much information on the killer. Can they find the double murderer before he finds them? The ending is VERY exciting as the killer finds them!

[Ed Napiorkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story and as entertaining as the earlier works in this series. Well paced, free flowing, interesting enough to maintain the reader's curiosity of how things would unfold. The Who Dunn It? plot was OK, the eventual perpetrator was believable though did raise a few questions to me regarding our sleuth's interactions with them in the earlier parts of the story. I was a bit disappointed with the final reveal, not so much in the details which were revealed in order to tie all the threads together but more in the believability of the scenario in which those details were revealed. The length time taken in the particular scene and therefore the response from and behavior of the individuals participating, just not quite right from my perspective. Nevertheless if you do not get too caught up in the finer details everything fits together and an entertaining read. A particular character thread from the previous book continued through into this one and is posed for potential further developments in the next. I rated the book at 3 starts.

[RIchard Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fatal Affair by Faith Martin – 5 Stars
Publisher: HQ Digital
ISBN: 9780008410483

The plot is twisty and intelligently complex. The characters are well crafted. The setting is a village where rumors abound and secrets are hidden. There are many more words I can write to praise this novel, but most important of them is I absolutely enjoyed it
This is the third book I have read in the Ryder and Loveday series. The characters bring me back to read more. Trudy has completed her probationary period but is still not being recognized as a capable professional police officer. Dr. Ryder continues to struggle to keep his illness from being noticed. He is a brilliant mentor to Trudy. They work together to lead the story through an investigation that ends in a surprising conclusion, proving that the most obvious facts do not always lead to the correct answer.
I look forward to getting another of Faith Martin’s books, settling into a comfortable chair, and enjoying a great story.

Reviewer: Nancy

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 6th book in Faith Martin's Ryder & Loveday series is as good or better than the 1st 5. It can be read as a stand alone. WPC Loveday and Coroner Ryder make an excellent investigative team. This book is set in the 1960's when most police work was done in person since the tech at the time was pretty scarce. It's interesting to see how much police work has changed since then.
Set in a small rural village, A FATAL AFFAIR kicks off when the village's May Day festivities are interrupted by the death of the May Queen. One week later, the young woman's boyfriend is found hanged so most everyone assumes he was responsible for her death. But we know better. Our team must work quickly to solve the murders and return this area to peace. Ms Martin's series are known for their in depth research and the characters that populate small town England. I've enjoyed this series and several of her others. Recommend to anyone who loves mysteries done right.