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DI Hillary Greene #1
Murder On The Oxford Canal
Looking for a brilliant murder mystery with a feisty female detective?MEET DI HILLARY GREENE, A POLICE WOMAN FIGHTING TO SAVE HER CAREER.Not only has she lost her husband, but his actions have put her under investigation for corruption.Then a bashed and broken body is found floating in the Oxford Canal. It looks like the victim fell off a boat, but Hillary is not so sure. Her investigation exposes a dark background to the death.Can Hillary clear her name and get to the bottom of a fiendish conspiracy on the water?This is a crime mystery full of well-observed characters, which will have you gripped from beginning to end.MURDER ON THE OXFORD CANAL is the first in a series of page-turning crime thrillers set in Oxfordshire.Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Colin Dexter, or Ruth Rendell.What readers are saying about MURDER ON THE OXFORD CANAL“A great story and a great read. Likeable and interesting characters and I hope to read more about DI Hillary Greene and her team.” Nerys Roberts“This book is a real page turner and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.” Barbara“Drew me in from first pages, an excellent mystery. ” Rhonda“DI Hillary Greene is a force to be reckoned with.” Ray George“An excellent read from beginning to end.” Jeremy BallTHE LOCATIONThe Oxford Canal meanders through the beautiful county of Oxfordshire, sometimes joining up with the rivers Cherwell and Thames, and flows past the world-famous university city of Oxford. Unlike many canals which are practically ruler-straight commercial waterways, built to help transport goods and heavy traffic before the advent of the railways, the Oxford Canal is a more winding and natural-looking body of water, and is a haven for wildlife and wildflowers. It has several romantically-named locks on its length (such as the Three Pigeons Lock, and Dashwood Lock) and boasts the ominously-sounding Somerton Deep Lock, which often terrifies first-time boating holiday-makers.THE DETECTIVESDI Hillary GreeneAn attractive woman in her forties, Hillary Greene is a police officer of many years’ experience, and came up through the ranks. Consequently, she knows how the system works, and is fiercely loyal to the force without being blinkered to its faults. She is a long-standing friend of her immediate superior officer, 'Mellow' Mallow and enjoys a rather enigmatic relationship with the steely Superintendent Marcus Donleavy. Popular with the rank and file for her no-nonsense attitude and competence, she is currently under investigation on account of her recently deceased, and definitely corrupt husband (Ronnie Greene). But adversity has never stopped her from doing her job.DCI Philip 'Mellow' MallowMel appreciates Hillary's first-rate ability to solve her cases, and isn't happy about her harassment by the officers from York. Known for his sartorial elegance and laid-back manners, he has a sharp mind, and an eye for the ladies. A good friend and ally for Hillary in her recent tribulations, he's determined to keep his best investigator focused on the problems at hand.PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A REVISED EDITION OF A BOOK FIRST PUBLISHED AS A NARROW ESCAPE
Paperback
First published August 1, 2004
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About the author
Faith Martin
99 books981 followersFaith 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 675 reviews
October 18, 2024
A New Author!
I have sadly noticed that a lot of British detective series have female officers openly harassed by co-workers, ex-boyfriends and the damn public!
How are they supposed to be able to do a damn good job? Isn’t life difficult enough, being a cop?
Well, anyway, Hilary Green is a fighter. A straight-shooter, a role-model any way you look at her.
When a dead body is found in the canal, she has her suspicions about the killer and reasons for the murder.
The ending was so surprising that I know that I will be purchasing the next book in this series.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have sadly noticed that a lot of British detective series have female officers openly harassed by co-workers, ex-boyfriends and the damn public!
How are they supposed to be able to do a damn good job? Isn’t life difficult enough, being a cop?
Well, anyway, Hilary Green is a fighter. A straight-shooter, a role-model any way you look at her.
When a dead body is found in the canal, she has her suspicions about the killer and reasons for the murder.
The ending was so surprising that I know that I will be purchasing the next book in this series.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 28, 2019
This is the first in a series featuring D.I. Hillary Greene who works at a police station in Oxford, England. When we meet her for the first time she is being investigated herself due to her husband's criminal offences. At the same time she has to continue doing her job to the best of her abilities.
I enjoyed all the characters in her team and Hillary herself is a very interesting and capable person. There is a lot of good, every day police work plus an intriguing mystery.
I enjoyed it very much and will certainly continue with the series.
I enjoyed all the characters in her team and Hillary herself is a very interesting and capable person. There is a lot of good, every day police work plus an intriguing mystery.
I enjoyed it very much and will certainly continue with the series.
February 28, 2018
I invested 90 minutes in this book and nothing happened. It is clearly not for me. I’m old and can’t waste time on things I don’t care for.
October 17, 2017
A new author to me; he books are being re-packaged and re-released for a fresh and unsuspecting audience. This is fine but from experience faithful readers can get caught out and buying books they have already read. Murder on the Oxford Canal was originally published in 2004 under the title "A Narrow Escape."
This is a fine police procedural with a tight plot that is well written by its author, Faith Martin. Although written, now some 13 years ago, it doesn't feel dated or out of time, however it lacks some direction and pace that more recent crime thrillers have. While it isn't a classic it has a clever plot with a range of characters and sub plots to sustain one's interest.
However, these don't always work for me especially regarding the fascination with appearance and sexual attraction for the female police officers by most of the male staff. For me this took the edge of the credibility of the main protagonist DI Hillary Greene, her back story also didn't fit in my opinion with the person she was throughout this investigation.
However, it was a crime story set around canals and narrowboats that led me to want to read this first episodein this series.
The sense of life on a boat was well conveyed and the standout pages are the discriptions of the early police raid in search of drugs.
There is nothing here to really disappoint and many will find it a refreshing read, I hope you do too.
This is a fine police procedural with a tight plot that is well written by its author, Faith Martin. Although written, now some 13 years ago, it doesn't feel dated or out of time, however it lacks some direction and pace that more recent crime thrillers have. While it isn't a classic it has a clever plot with a range of characters and sub plots to sustain one's interest.
However, these don't always work for me especially regarding the fascination with appearance and sexual attraction for the female police officers by most of the male staff. For me this took the edge of the credibility of the main protagonist DI Hillary Greene, her back story also didn't fit in my opinion with the person she was throughout this investigation.
However, it was a crime story set around canals and narrowboats that led me to want to read this first episodein this series.
The sense of life on a boat was well conveyed and the standout pages are the discriptions of the early police raid in search of drugs.
There is nothing here to really disappoint and many will find it a refreshing read, I hope you do too.
July 18, 2020
Review tomorrow 👍🏻
This was an enjoyable read with some good characters and a great setting of Oxford. So first in a series of 17 /18 books set around DI Hillary Greene and the cases she investigates as part of Oxford constabulary, how she interacts with her fellow officers (some good some bad) and how she copes with the fact that her late husband had been a bent copper.
Investigating a dead body in a lock, whilst coping with being under investigation as a result of the untimely death or her late husband, the case is taken off her as it becomes murder and given to a more senior officer. Everything conspiring against her she is given a minor role in the investigation, and knows she has to prove both her innocence from corruption and also her worth as a member of the team.
An enjoyable mystery that I shall "investigate" further.
This was an enjoyable read with some good characters and a great setting of Oxford. So first in a series of 17 /18 books set around DI Hillary Greene and the cases she investigates as part of Oxford constabulary, how she interacts with her fellow officers (some good some bad) and how she copes with the fact that her late husband had been a bent copper.
Investigating a dead body in a lock, whilst coping with being under investigation as a result of the untimely death or her late husband, the case is taken off her as it becomes murder and given to a more senior officer. Everything conspiring against her she is given a minor role in the investigation, and knows she has to prove both her innocence from corruption and also her worth as a member of the team.
An enjoyable mystery that I shall "investigate" further.
February 22, 2021
This is a good start to a new series (currently 18 books long) introducing us to DI Hillary Greene and her colleagues of the Thames Valley Police. When we first meet Hillary, she is living in a canal boat on the Oxford canal. She was in the process of divorcing her husband, DI Ronnie Greene, who refused to allow her to stay in their house so she had taken up her Uncle's offer of his canal boat as a temporary measure. When Ronnie died while under investigation for corruption, it left her not only stuck on the canal boat but also under investigation herself by internal affairs.
When a body is reported floating in the Oxford canal, Hillary is first on the scene and pleased to have a case to take her mind off her investigation by internal affairs. first she needs to find out where he came from and whether he fell of a boat or was helped off. When he is identified as a low life with a history and links to a drug running syndicate, the police realise they may have something more sinister happening on their patch.
This is an enjoyable cosy-type police drama with a mystery to be solved. The plot was a little slow to get going but there was plenty of excitement later on. The secondary characters also helped to hold the interest as lives and relationships are in the process of being fleshed out and I expect we'll get to know them better as the series progresses. First published in 2004 it did feel a bit more dated than that as the male police are all somewhat chauvinistic towards Hillary and her young blonde female DS. There is also a welcome touch of humour in the interactions between the characters and I look forward to reading further. 3.5★
When a body is reported floating in the Oxford canal, Hillary is first on the scene and pleased to have a case to take her mind off her investigation by internal affairs. first she needs to find out where he came from and whether he fell of a boat or was helped off. When he is identified as a low life with a history and links to a drug running syndicate, the police realise they may have something more sinister happening on their patch.
This is an enjoyable cosy-type police drama with a mystery to be solved. The plot was a little slow to get going but there was plenty of excitement later on. The secondary characters also helped to hold the interest as lives and relationships are in the process of being fleshed out and I expect we'll get to know them better as the series progresses. First published in 2004 it did feel a bit more dated than that as the male police are all somewhat chauvinistic towards Hillary and her young blonde female DS. There is also a welcome touch of humour in the interactions between the characters and I look forward to reading further. 3.5★
November 1, 2023
Murder on the Oxford Canal is the first in an English police procedural series. DI Hillary Greene is dealing not only with the death of her almost ex-husband but also an investigation into his corruption. I did appreciate that her husband’s crime wasn’t the common drug scheme. She’s assigned to a suspicious death - a body found in the canal. When the body turns out to be a known criminal and accomplice of someone the police have been after for years, Hillary loses her status as the SIO and Vice is brought in.
It made for an interesting scenario that Hillary is temporarily living on a narrow boat, which gives her a unique perspective on the murder.
In a weird twist, the book is written in third person omniscient. So while the series is named after Hillary, the reader is also privy to the thoughts of the other team members like Jeanine.
The book moves along at a decent pace. The story is believable and the characters are well defined. It was a good ending with a twist I didn’t see coming. This is a series I could see myself continuing with.
I listened to this and was less than impressed. Would it have killed Gemma Dawson to have at least taken a breath between chapters? She didn’t consistently attempt to make the characters sound differently.
It made for an interesting scenario that Hillary is temporarily living on a narrow boat, which gives her a unique perspective on the murder.
In a weird twist, the book is written in third person omniscient. So while the series is named after Hillary, the reader is also privy to the thoughts of the other team members like Jeanine.
The book moves along at a decent pace. The story is believable and the characters are well defined. It was a good ending with a twist I didn’t see coming. This is a series I could see myself continuing with.
I listened to this and was less than impressed. Would it have killed Gemma Dawson to have at least taken a breath between chapters? She didn’t consistently attempt to make the characters sound differently.
August 24, 2018
Great start to a series. Good mix of likeable and dodgy characters, and that's just the police!
Moves along reasonable pace, a little bit disjointed, or maybe it was my concentration.
Looking forward to reading more of this series soon.
Moves along reasonable pace, a little bit disjointed, or maybe it was my concentration.
Looking forward to reading more of this series soon.
June 7, 2020
DI Hillary Greene was currently being investigated because her soon to be ex was a crooked cop – a now dead crooked cop – and they were trying to prove she’d been involved in his corruption as well. She was currently living on her uncle’s narrowboat on the Oxford Canal – which she hated with a passion – but could do nothing about it until she was cleared. It was when a body was found not far from her mooring and she was given the case, that things changed.
As Hillary was investigating with her sidekicks, Tommy and Janine, helping out, she was being stymied from all sides. But she was determined to both clear this case, and also clear her name if it was the last thing she did. Finding the criminals along the way would be a bonus.
Murder on the Oxford Canal by Faith Martin is the first in the DI Hillary Greene series and I found it a little slow and bogged down in places. I enjoyed the mystery and Hillary’s intent to get to the bottom of it, but found the chauvinism and “old boys club” police attitude a little eye-rolling. But I’m keen to see how book two pans out. Recommended.
As Hillary was investigating with her sidekicks, Tommy and Janine, helping out, she was being stymied from all sides. But she was determined to both clear this case, and also clear her name if it was the last thing she did. Finding the criminals along the way would be a bonus.
Murder on the Oxford Canal by Faith Martin is the first in the DI Hillary Greene series and I found it a little slow and bogged down in places. I enjoyed the mystery and Hillary’s intent to get to the bottom of it, but found the chauvinism and “old boys club” police attitude a little eye-rolling. But I’m keen to see how book two pans out. Recommended.
October 4, 2017
DI Hillary Greene is balancing several balls. She's fighting to save her career. Her ex-husband, now deceased, has been found to be corrupt and was has made millions of dollars that hasn't been found. Internal Affairs suspect that she was involved in one way or another. She has a supervisor who would love nothing more than to see her lose her job and be charged with something ... anything.
A body has been found floating in the Oxford Canal. It's a young man, suspected to be a part of a drug organization that she would like to see taken down. The local police have never been able to put away their leader, and this is her chance to shine. Being lead investigator, that means she has to be out in the field and away from Internal Affairs and their boundless questioning.
This will not be the only body to fall. Will she be able to find the culprit, put away the drug leader, save her career?
This is a well written crime thriller, riveting and engaging. DI Greene is stand-up, stubborn, and well respected by her team. The secondary characters of her team bring credibility and integrity in getting the job done and bringing those responsible for crimes to justice. Having never been to the UK, I much appreciate the writer's descriptions and pacing of the book.
Many thanks to the author / Joffee Books / Netgalley for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
A body has been found floating in the Oxford Canal. It's a young man, suspected to be a part of a drug organization that she would like to see taken down. The local police have never been able to put away their leader, and this is her chance to shine. Being lead investigator, that means she has to be out in the field and away from Internal Affairs and their boundless questioning.
This will not be the only body to fall. Will she be able to find the culprit, put away the drug leader, save her career?
This is a well written crime thriller, riveting and engaging. DI Greene is stand-up, stubborn, and well respected by her team. The secondary characters of her team bring credibility and integrity in getting the job done and bringing those responsible for crimes to justice. Having never been to the UK, I much appreciate the writer's descriptions and pacing of the book.
Many thanks to the author / Joffee Books / Netgalley for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 4, 2018
This is not a book I’d want to read again. The plot is supposed to be about a murder case, add to that an investigation about corruption and you could have an exciting story. Well, there surely is something going on, but it is monotonous and painfully slow, so that I got the impression the storyline is somehow unfocused throughout the first half of the book. Above all it felt like there were too many unimportant figures that distract from the main plot. For example you get to know about some of the police officers who are only mentioned in one scene, but there they are dealt with in excessive detail, only never to be mentioned again afterwards. One of these figures is Sergeant Pickering whose nickname is ‘Picks’. He is good at picking locks and opening doors. No problem so far, but three paragraphs further down in the same scene the reader is told “Nobody knew what Pick’s real name was.” This does not make any sense to me, but it added to the impression that the first half of the book was not well done. Quite frankly, it also annoyed me that while reading I could see how descriptions were obviously absolutely unnecessary, did not create atmosphere, serve to move the plot forward or lure the reader onto the wrong track, create suspense or anything like that. I liked the second half of the book slightly better, because some of the loose ends got tied, but getting there felt too much like an uphill struggle. 1.5 out of 5 stars
April 29, 2020
This is the first book in the DI Hillary Greene series by author Faith Martin.
I enjoyed my introduction to author Faith Martin and this book was a decent start to the series. Like all new series it takes time to familiarise with the main characters and really get into the characters but I thought the author laid them out well while still keeping the story flowing. I gave the book a solid three rating but fully expect this to improve in future books once the characters have some meat on the bone.
In this story DI Hillary Greene is investigating the body found floating in the Oxford Canal. It looks like the victim fell off a boat, but Hillary is not convinced and investigations expose a dark background to the death.
A good plot, decent character that can be developed and some twists and turns that show promise for follow up novels.
I enjoyed my introduction to author Faith Martin and this book was a decent start to the series. Like all new series it takes time to familiarise with the main characters and really get into the characters but I thought the author laid them out well while still keeping the story flowing. I gave the book a solid three rating but fully expect this to improve in future books once the characters have some meat on the bone.
In this story DI Hillary Greene is investigating the body found floating in the Oxford Canal. It looks like the victim fell off a boat, but Hillary is not convinced and investigations expose a dark background to the death.
A good plot, decent character that can be developed and some twists and turns that show promise for follow up novels.
Read
October 9, 2024The start is a bit disorganized, but it straightens itself out rapidly. DI Hillary Greene is notified that she needs to get to the scene where a body has been discovered in the canal. Greene, herself, lives in a canal boat, since the death of her husband less than a year previously.
Leading the investigation into the unidentified deceased male is the main part of this police procedural. This looked to be an interesting police procedural that also could explore the challenges of being a woman in a British police force. (This isn’t groundbreaking and has served for at least several decades for police series on British television.)
Martin may have a story to tell that shows how an investigation rolls out. I didn’t mind the office politics since it almost always comes with the territory. But, I had to conclude that I wasn’t the target audience.
There are several investigators who are women. The narration wanders through their minds and concerns:
Should I want to be dating a senior chief inspector in my department?
Have my breasts begun to sag?
What do I do if he wants to kiss me?
Should I dress down or dress up for a date?
Am I jealous of a younger female colleague?
Is the guy, who is supposed to be investigating me, also trying to date me?
Leading the investigation into the unidentified deceased male is the main part of this police procedural. This looked to be an interesting police procedural that also could explore the challenges of being a woman in a British police force. (This isn’t groundbreaking and has served for at least several decades for police series on British television.)
Martin may have a story to tell that shows how an investigation rolls out. I didn’t mind the office politics since it almost always comes with the territory. But, I had to conclude that I wasn’t the target audience.
There are several investigators who are women. The narration wanders through their minds and concerns:
Should I want to be dating a senior chief inspector in my department?
Have my breasts begun to sag?
What do I do if he wants to kiss me?
Should I dress down or dress up for a date?
Am I jealous of a younger female colleague?
Is the guy, who is supposed to be investigating me, also trying to date me?
July 3, 2020
I read this as part of a group read and was not disappointed. A straightforward police procedural with a strong female protagonist, set near one of my favorite cities, Oxford. I look forward to reading more in this series.
January 21, 2018
I received a review copy of this novel directly from the author and publisher Joffe Books. I have voluntarily chosen to review the book, and the gifting in no way determines my review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.
**Silly me read Book 7 first but I am now reading the series in order**
So this is where it all began! While there were a couple of different characters in this story compared to book 7, everything makes so much more sense now. I love British police procedurals, there is something so familiar and comforting about them. Whilst not British, here in Australia we've been raised on quality police procedurals from England - the language, places and how the police system works is so much more recognisable to us that US crime series.
DI Hillary Greene is memorable! Short, sharp and succinct in language, she is a no nonsense type of copper that doesn't mind getting dirty by being hands on in her cases. She has a strength of character, resilience and insight that is quite incomparable, which makes her an extremely good copper and able to bear the weight of an internal investigation into her corrupt, dead and unlamented husband. She has a hard working team under her (with the exception of Frank) and while she comes across as brooking no fools she is still able to take her junior officers kindly under her wing to mentor them.
The story is fast paced making for an incredibly quick read, with multiple subplots woven intricately in between the main investigation. A stunning conclusion after a major case is solved leaves you with the knowledge than not only is Hillary like a terrier worrying at threads until they fall into place like a puzzle but that she is a canny, gutsy cop that never gives up the fight to catch her man/woman.
A remarkable, stunning new series that I'm sure I'll gobble down in one huge bite.
**Silly me read Book 7 first but I am now reading the series in order**
So this is where it all began! While there were a couple of different characters in this story compared to book 7, everything makes so much more sense now. I love British police procedurals, there is something so familiar and comforting about them. Whilst not British, here in Australia we've been raised on quality police procedurals from England - the language, places and how the police system works is so much more recognisable to us that US crime series.
DI Hillary Greene is memorable! Short, sharp and succinct in language, she is a no nonsense type of copper that doesn't mind getting dirty by being hands on in her cases. She has a strength of character, resilience and insight that is quite incomparable, which makes her an extremely good copper and able to bear the weight of an internal investigation into her corrupt, dead and unlamented husband. She has a hard working team under her (with the exception of Frank) and while she comes across as brooking no fools she is still able to take her junior officers kindly under her wing to mentor them.
The story is fast paced making for an incredibly quick read, with multiple subplots woven intricately in between the main investigation. A stunning conclusion after a major case is solved leaves you with the knowledge than not only is Hillary like a terrier worrying at threads until they fall into place like a puzzle but that she is a canny, gutsy cop that never gives up the fight to catch her man/woman.
A remarkable, stunning new series that I'm sure I'll gobble down in one huge bite.
September 3, 2018
Shallow writing, shallow characters, well-trodden plot.
This can't have taken long to write, with the help of an online guide and a thesaurus. The characters are paper-thin, the plot is basic and the style very stilted.
I can't really think of anything to recommend this book. It's not even good pulp - you can find much better writing in a rehashed Dick Francis novel. And almost every character's obsession with shagging their colleagues? Unimaginative and very unerotic.
I did make it to the finish, but I don't deserve a medal.
This can't have taken long to write, with the help of an online guide and a thesaurus. The characters are paper-thin, the plot is basic and the style very stilted.
I can't really think of anything to recommend this book. It's not even good pulp - you can find much better writing in a rehashed Dick Francis novel. And almost every character's obsession with shagging their colleagues? Unimaginative and very unerotic.
I did make it to the finish, but I don't deserve a medal.
November 7, 2020
I've just finished the third book in this eighteen book series and I'm thoroughly enjoying them.
The main reason I like them is because I like the protagonist D.I. Hillary Greene.
I strongly dislike kick-ass, sweary, female detectives and find Hillary refreshing and feminine. She's had some problems in the past; her late husband was a bad cop who's left her penniless and under internal investigation for corruption. In addition to this, she's currently living on her uncle's canal boat on the Oxford canal.
Yet despite her domestic privations, she remains cool, calm and collected at all times. She's extremely empathetic with her colleagues - and many of the suspects, too - and conducts her interviews with great intuition.
If you enjoy a good solid mystery with likeable, realistic men and women rather than kick-ass super heroes, then I think you'll enjoy this series.
The main reason I like them is because I like the protagonist D.I. Hillary Greene.
I strongly dislike kick-ass, sweary, female detectives and find Hillary refreshing and feminine. She's had some problems in the past; her late husband was a bad cop who's left her penniless and under internal investigation for corruption. In addition to this, she's currently living on her uncle's canal boat on the Oxford canal.
Yet despite her domestic privations, she remains cool, calm and collected at all times. She's extremely empathetic with her colleagues - and many of the suspects, too - and conducts her interviews with great intuition.
If you enjoy a good solid mystery with likeable, realistic men and women rather than kick-ass super heroes, then I think you'll enjoy this series.
December 25, 2023
First book in this British Mystery series and it shows great promise. Some of the characters may be a bit sterotypical but they are interesting enough to keep the reader intrigued. The murder mystery/police procudural story was imaginative and I failed to put the facts together until the very end. There were some personal issues for some of the characters that I am sure form a story arc into, at least, the next book, possible longer.
Definitely will be reading more of this series.
Definitely will be reading more of this series.
flipped-to-the-end
November 28, 2021This is the first in a long series of police procedurals set in the Oxford area. It was a reasonable enough story, but halfway through I decided I really wasn't in the mood for the barrage of professional and personal hurdles the decent and competent DI faced, and flipped to the end.
It seems a popular series, but not one I'll continue with.
It seems a popular series, but not one I'll continue with.
March 31, 2022
Loved it! I like nothing better than a British police procedural, preferably with a female D.I. Hillary Greene met all my criteria, and Faith Martin is a terrific writer, wry and intelligent. I plan to read the whole series.
May 19, 2019
There's something deeply satisfying about a good mystery, one that is absorbing and engaging.
Most mysteries are not. I think, "There are seven hours I'll never get back." I love mysteries nonetheless, always looking for the perfect one.
Most mysteries glide on through, accomplishing more than could really be done in the weekend that it takes to resolve the mystery, generally knocking on all of the right doors – and recognizing that they are the right doors when they open.
Murder on the Oxford Canal has an ensemble cast, which is recognizably distinct, one from the other. British mysteries tend to be set in police stations where many characters can work together to solve a difficult case – the US mysteries I read tend to have small casts, even when set in a police station (e.g., the Leaphorn/Chee novels). While DI Hillary Greene is a true standout – even as her life is quite difficult – she could not have solved this crime without her crew.
I have never read Faith Martin before, but her first DI Hillary Greene, Murder on the Oxford Canal, is a winner. Greene is smart, witty, stands up under pressure, recognizes the right doors as she passes by (sometimes on the third or fourth pass), and has three different men tripping over their feet for her, without her getting a swollen head.
Martin recognizes that smart women are hot.
Martin also recognizes that conventionally beautiful isn't necessarily what a person wants (except for a toss in the sack). DCI Mel Mallow "had a way of wearing clothes that she'd only ever seen on male models." Looks aren't everything. "Just once, she'd like to see him looking nonplussed." Will young and beautiful DS Janine Tyler recognize this before she ruins her career by sleeping with him?
Will DS Tyler recognize that her beliefs need to go more than skin deep? "Girl power was all very good when it didn't cost you anything to practice it." (p. 187)
Stay tuned.
And, what's this about books including British/American glossaries? It entertains me, but I wish that other international books, those using vocabulary without from a language not shared with the reader, would include glossaries.
Most mysteries are not. I think, "There are seven hours I'll never get back." I love mysteries nonetheless, always looking for the perfect one.
Most mysteries glide on through, accomplishing more than could really be done in the weekend that it takes to resolve the mystery, generally knocking on all of the right doors – and recognizing that they are the right doors when they open.
Murder on the Oxford Canal has an ensemble cast, which is recognizably distinct, one from the other. British mysteries tend to be set in police stations where many characters can work together to solve a difficult case – the US mysteries I read tend to have small casts, even when set in a police station (e.g., the Leaphorn/Chee novels). While DI Hillary Greene is a true standout – even as her life is quite difficult – she could not have solved this crime without her crew.
I have never read Faith Martin before, but her first DI Hillary Greene, Murder on the Oxford Canal, is a winner. Greene is smart, witty, stands up under pressure, recognizes the right doors as she passes by (sometimes on the third or fourth pass), and has three different men tripping over their feet for her, without her getting a swollen head.
Martin recognizes that smart women are hot.
Martin also recognizes that conventionally beautiful isn't necessarily what a person wants (except for a toss in the sack). DCI Mel Mallow "had a way of wearing clothes that she'd only ever seen on male models." Looks aren't everything. "Just once, she'd like to see him looking nonplussed." Will young and beautiful DS Janine Tyler recognize this before she ruins her career by sleeping with him?
Will DS Tyler recognize that her beliefs need to go more than skin deep? "Girl power was all very good when it didn't cost you anything to practice it." (p. 187)
Stay tuned.
And, what's this about books including British/American glossaries? It entertains me, but I wish that other international books, those using vocabulary without from a language not shared with the reader, would include glossaries.
February 16, 2020
I've heard about these books for ages and finally decided to start the series. Martin's later books might be better, but this one turned me off from the first pages. . . where she wakes up (with too much laborious detail), answers the phone, and then gets dressed to go to the scene of a crime. The details were so peculiar and offputting. Do I need to know that she "pulled on her tights" first (what, no panties?) and worried about her boobs as she put on her bra, etc., etc., but then put on makeup without ever washing her face? ICK! To me this all smacks of a beginning writer. I got that she was living in some kind of very unusual place, but I did not appreciate having to wait for the "surprise" that it was a canal boat. I was also put off by grammatical errors in the first few pages. All in all, this was a disappointment because I love Oxfordshire, and I was looking forward this popular series, but it will be awhile before I give it another try.
October 9, 2017
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I really enjoyed this book, it was set at a nice and steady pace which really suited the plot, it is a well written crime thriller. The characters were great (I loved some and not so much for others but they are exactly what the book needs) - they do work really well together and this helps to carry the plot through right to the end - there were twists and turns and it did keep me hooked. Whilst it isn't as fast paced as some of the other books I the genre this is still worth picking up without a doubt and I have given it a solid 4 stars - definitely one I'd recommend and looking forward to starting the second book in the series which is out very soon!! PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A REVISED EDITION OF A BOOK FIRST PUBLISHED AS A NARROW ESCAPE
I really enjoyed this book, it was set at a nice and steady pace which really suited the plot, it is a well written crime thriller. The characters were great (I loved some and not so much for others but they are exactly what the book needs) - they do work really well together and this helps to carry the plot through right to the end - there were twists and turns and it did keep me hooked. Whilst it isn't as fast paced as some of the other books I the genre this is still worth picking up without a doubt and I have given it a solid 4 stars - definitely one I'd recommend and looking forward to starting the second book in the series which is out very soon!! PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A REVISED EDITION OF A BOOK FIRST PUBLISHED AS A NARROW ESCAPE
August 7, 2024
4.25 Stars
October 6, 2017
This is book 1 in the DI Hillary Greene series which is being republished by Joffe Books.
DI Hillary Greene is reeling from the repercussions of the death of her estranged husband who was a bent policeman. She is under investigation by the Internal Investigators who believe she knows the whereabouts of the proceeds of Ronnie's crimes. Frank Ross was a friend of Ronnie's and uses every opportunity to get one over on Hillary. She is unhappy, living on a boat and struggling to hold on to the only thing she has left: her career.
This is a very intricate plot with many strands which makes for a very intriguing read. Hillary is dragged out of bed to investigate what is thought to be an accidental drowning. It was supposed to be an open and shut case to save the higher ranked investigators getting out of bed. It turns out to be anything but and Hillary is fighting to keep hold of the case but having leads stolen at every turn. Vice become involved and the Internal Investigators are waiting in the background. Everyone is waiting for Hillary to mess up.
This is not a fast paced 'thriller' but it is possibly one of the most intriguing books I have read. There are twists and turns all the way through which had me turning page after page. The characters develop well through the course of the book into well rounded characters. Some I like and others I don’t but they all work perfectly. This is a very promising introduction to what appears to be a brilliant series.
The book ends with a question to find the answer I am off to read Book 2.
Thank you to Joffe Books and Faith for the advance copy.
DI Hillary Greene is reeling from the repercussions of the death of her estranged husband who was a bent policeman. She is under investigation by the Internal Investigators who believe she knows the whereabouts of the proceeds of Ronnie's crimes. Frank Ross was a friend of Ronnie's and uses every opportunity to get one over on Hillary. She is unhappy, living on a boat and struggling to hold on to the only thing she has left: her career.
This is a very intricate plot with many strands which makes for a very intriguing read. Hillary is dragged out of bed to investigate what is thought to be an accidental drowning. It was supposed to be an open and shut case to save the higher ranked investigators getting out of bed. It turns out to be anything but and Hillary is fighting to keep hold of the case but having leads stolen at every turn. Vice become involved and the Internal Investigators are waiting in the background. Everyone is waiting for Hillary to mess up.
This is not a fast paced 'thriller' but it is possibly one of the most intriguing books I have read. There are twists and turns all the way through which had me turning page after page. The characters develop well through the course of the book into well rounded characters. Some I like and others I don’t but they all work perfectly. This is a very promising introduction to what appears to be a brilliant series.
The book ends with a question to find the answer I am off to read Book 2.
Thank you to Joffe Books and Faith for the advance copy.
January 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this new inspector, with an agenda of herself because of her creep of an ex-husband - DI Greene has an efficient squad working with her, and the yorkie bars that would like to pin the husband's frauds on her won't get a chance for she is a straight honest copper -
it's more or less a classic police procedural, with a few twists - i will go on reading this series, only if it were for the tongue-in-cheek way of wrting, sometimes slightly sarcastic - i just love it, did giggle a lot
it's more or less a classic police procedural, with a few twists - i will go on reading this series, only if it were for the tongue-in-cheek way of wrting, sometimes slightly sarcastic - i just love it, did giggle a lot
October 7, 2020
Pure police procedural. The characters are quite well drawn and the audiobook narration is enjoyable. All in all not fantastic but not bad either: think I'll try #2.
August 3, 2025
This story follows the life of DI Hillary Greene, and her investigations. The story is well-written, but does take a minute to get accustomed to the British language. Even being from Canada, where the British english is more dominant, it still took me a minute. The book had the right amount of pacing, the right amount of length and the characters were well described. You were definitely drawn to some, and annoyed with others. I enjoyed the read!
April 2, 2018
An adept police procedural, featuring DI Hillary Greene - she is tough, socially isolated as her deceased husband was a corrupt police officer and she is being investigated to find out if she was part or beneficiary of his schemes. Interesting in this book is that most of the 'meaningful looks' exchanged by the various police officers are about the sexual attractions going on between them all, instead of messages about whether they think the suspects are lying or how to proceed in their actions.
October 3, 2017
4 stars
DI Hillary Greene and DS Janine Tyler respond to a body in the water at a canal. Janine has a chip on her shoulder and while she likes Hillary okay, she doesn’t like working for a woman. (She’s a “man’s” woman you might say.)
DI Greene is under review for the misbehavior of her now-deceased husband who was also a police officer. She only has the case a little while before it is taken away from her and given to DCI Phillip “Mel” Mallow. DCI Mel is determined to keep Hillary in the case. He appreciates her mind and her support.
After they learn the name of the dead man David “The Pits” Pitman, they find that he is part of a large drugs smuggling criminal network. Two officers from vice are called in to assist.
After DI Hillary gets an inspiring idea about the narrowboats, the police are able to identify some boats owned by the leader of the criminal gang and they plan to raid one of the boats. What follows is an exciting raid. Things don’t go to plan, but DI Hillary saves the day. Hillary then decides against all common sense to go to speak with one of the major bad guys without telling DCI Mel. When that doesn’t go well, Hillary decides to speak to The Pits’ mother again. This gives her another idea.
The name of the murderer comes as no surprise, the delight was in getting there.
This book is well written and plotted. It started out a little slow, but the pace picked up quickly. DS Janine chasing after DCI Mel was off-putting, but at least it didn’t take up too much of the novel. The officers worked fairly well together, except for one DS Frank Ross, but again, he didn’t detract from the story. In fact, DS Ross added a little color. Sufficient background was given on the major characters, but not so much that it intruded in the story line.
I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book to read and enjoy.
DI Hillary Greene and DS Janine Tyler respond to a body in the water at a canal. Janine has a chip on her shoulder and while she likes Hillary okay, she doesn’t like working for a woman. (She’s a “man’s” woman you might say.)
DI Greene is under review for the misbehavior of her now-deceased husband who was also a police officer. She only has the case a little while before it is taken away from her and given to DCI Phillip “Mel” Mallow. DCI Mel is determined to keep Hillary in the case. He appreciates her mind and her support.
After they learn the name of the dead man David “The Pits” Pitman, they find that he is part of a large drugs smuggling criminal network. Two officers from vice are called in to assist.
After DI Hillary gets an inspiring idea about the narrowboats, the police are able to identify some boats owned by the leader of the criminal gang and they plan to raid one of the boats. What follows is an exciting raid. Things don’t go to plan, but DI Hillary saves the day. Hillary then decides against all common sense to go to speak with one of the major bad guys without telling DCI Mel. When that doesn’t go well, Hillary decides to speak to The Pits’ mother again. This gives her another idea.
The name of the murderer comes as no surprise, the delight was in getting there.
This book is well written and plotted. It started out a little slow, but the pace picked up quickly. DS Janine chasing after DCI Mel was off-putting, but at least it didn’t take up too much of the novel. The officers worked fairly well together, except for one DS Frank Ross, but again, he didn’t detract from the story. In fact, DS Ross added a little color. Sufficient background was given on the major characters, but not so much that it intruded in the story line.
I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book to read and enjoy.
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