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Monica Noble #1-3
The Complete Monica Noble Murder Mysteries: The Vicarage Murder / The Flower Show Murder / The Manor House Murder
In this three-book box set:
Book 1: The Vicarage Murder
No one throws a party like Monica Noble. On the guestlist for her latest soiree: a celebrity chef, an Oxford don, and a bitter divorcee. But as the drinks are flowing, a shotgun rings out. One of the guests is found dead. Can Monica solve the mystery before anyone else pays the ultimate price?
First as An Unholy Mess under Faith Martin’s pen name Joyce Cato.
Book 2: The Flower Show Murder
Monica can’t tell a begonia from an azalea. Even so, she’s thrilled to judge the village flower show — until her fellow judge decides to smell the roses and drops dead. Everyone assumes he had a heart attack, but Monica knows they’re wrong. Can she catch up to the killer before he strikes again?
First as An Unholy Whiff of Death under Faith Martin’s pen name Joyce Cato.
Book 3: The Manor House Murder
Monica and her husband attend a conference at a swanky manor house hotel. But at the dinner table, the unthinkable happens. A guest drops dead. Who killed her? Suspicion falls on Monica’s husband. She knows he’s innocent, but the true killer is watching her every move. Can she unmask him in time to save her husband?
First as An Unholy Shame under Faith Martin’s pen name Joyce Cato.
Book 1: The Vicarage Murder
No one throws a party like Monica Noble. On the guestlist for her latest soiree: a celebrity chef, an Oxford don, and a bitter divorcee. But as the drinks are flowing, a shotgun rings out. One of the guests is found dead. Can Monica solve the mystery before anyone else pays the ultimate price?
First as An Unholy Mess under Faith Martin’s pen name Joyce Cato.
Book 2: The Flower Show Murder
Monica can’t tell a begonia from an azalea. Even so, she’s thrilled to judge the village flower show — until her fellow judge decides to smell the roses and drops dead. Everyone assumes he had a heart attack, but Monica knows they’re wrong. Can she catch up to the killer before he strikes again?
First as An Unholy Whiff of Death under Faith Martin’s pen name Joyce Cato.
Book 3: The Manor House Murder
Monica and her husband attend a conference at a swanky manor house hotel. But at the dinner table, the unthinkable happens. A guest drops dead. Who killed her? Suspicion falls on Monica’s husband. She knows he’s innocent, but the true killer is watching her every move. Can she unmask him in time to save her husband?
First as An Unholy Shame under Faith Martin’s pen name Joyce Cato.
572 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2021
1907 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Cato
13 books100 followersJoyce Cato is a pen name of English author Jacquie Walton. She also writes under the pen names Jessie Daniels, Faith Martin and Maxine Barry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 4, 2022
These are tremendous fun. I recommend that you get a sheet of paper and start a character list with the first book (like you did in college with Dickens). Along the lines of Maeve Benchey, Martin fully populates her stories, so there are a lot of characters to keep track of. (She also likes to use characters with like names in each story--James, John, Jason or Chloe, Clare, Carol, so it is easy to get confused even if only momentarily. I wish someone would gift her a baby names book.) Along the lines of M.C. Beaton, only the truly deserving die. Which is nice in fiction because it isn't how life actually works. So if you like either of those authors, you are sure to like Martin.
If you are spectacular at remembering names and minutia, or if you start a characters list right away, these are quick reads, offer lots of smiles (unless you currently have a sexy teen daughter with a smart mouth), and the romance and temptations are sweet not graphic.
I will be starting another Faith Martin series. Highly recommend!
If you are spectacular at remembering names and minutia, or if you start a characters list right away, these are quick reads, offer lots of smiles (unless you currently have a sexy teen daughter with a smart mouth), and the romance and temptations are sweet not graphic.
I will be starting another Faith Martin series. Highly recommend!
February 3, 2023
Quite an excellent series, with a main character whose mind works subconsciously at putting puzzle pieces together. I had not figured out the whodunit in any of the three when Monica had. The subplots are generally relevant distractors, and generally well done.
I have a particular aversion to the technique of explaining things are about to change ("He didn’t know, then, that he should have been making the most of it whilst he was still able to — for things were just about to change.") It seems to me a space-filler; the story should bring out the change organically, and the hint statements are annoying. That, I'm sure, is personal preference, but it is mine.
Three is about the right number of books. I think the characters could get monotonous with any more. Though I suspect more are in the works - the tension between Jason and Monica is otherwise just filler.
I have a particular aversion to the technique of explaining things are about to change ("He didn’t know, then, that he should have been making the most of it whilst he was still able to — for things were just about to change.") It seems to me a space-filler; the story should bring out the change organically, and the hint statements are annoying. That, I'm sure, is personal preference, but it is mine.
Three is about the right number of books. I think the characters could get monotonous with any more. Though I suspect more are in the works - the tension between Jason and Monica is otherwise just filler.
July 7, 2025
wrong doings in a small English village
Three whodunit stories that take place in a small village around Monica, Vicar Graham’s wife. With an instinct for putting pieces of a puzzle together, Monica presents an interesting asset to hunky Chief Inspector Jason’s work.
Book1: The Vicarage Murder
4****
The most interesting thing about this book is that it starts off reading like literary fiction, which sets it apart from most in the cosy mystery genre.
A vicarage converted to condos, a housewarming garden party, and a murder puts most every one of the neighbors on the suspect list. Many clues come sprinkled in from conversations that happen away from Jason, the Chief Inspector and Jim, his Sargent. Naturally, it’s Monica who puts all the pieces together with the inadvertent help of her Vicar husband since this is, after all, her series.
The ending pulled together a little too easily to earn the story 5 stars. The writing was good enough to keep it from being a 3 star whodunit.
Book 2: The Flower Show Murder
3***
A flower show in a nearby parish. A prepotent owner of the local chemical works with an angry soon-to-be-ex-wife. A local Vicar who is a friend of Graham’s, his wife, gently worn genteel nobles, and a whole list of locals make up the cast to this whoddunit murder mystery.
There’s good character interaction and setting. Three stars because it was a little too easy to work it out.
Book 3: The Manor House Murder
5*****
There is something infinitely satisfying about a whodunit where the murderer turns out to be the one you want to be the guilty party. When it’s surrounded by a cast of characters—this time a conference full of male and female Vicars of varying degrees of power—it’s all the more satisfying, especially when the foreshadowing is intricately woven into backstories. Once again, Monica is the one who puts all the pieces together with the motivation of knowing her husband, Graham, was high on the suspect list since he was the one who inadvertently provided the murder weapon. A good finish to a boxed set.
Three whodunit stories that take place in a small village around Monica, Vicar Graham’s wife. With an instinct for putting pieces of a puzzle together, Monica presents an interesting asset to hunky Chief Inspector Jason’s work.
Book1: The Vicarage Murder
4****
The most interesting thing about this book is that it starts off reading like literary fiction, which sets it apart from most in the cosy mystery genre.
A vicarage converted to condos, a housewarming garden party, and a murder puts most every one of the neighbors on the suspect list. Many clues come sprinkled in from conversations that happen away from Jason, the Chief Inspector and Jim, his Sargent. Naturally, it’s Monica who puts all the pieces together with the inadvertent help of her Vicar husband since this is, after all, her series.
The ending pulled together a little too easily to earn the story 5 stars. The writing was good enough to keep it from being a 3 star whodunit.
Book 2: The Flower Show Murder
3***
A flower show in a nearby parish. A prepotent owner of the local chemical works with an angry soon-to-be-ex-wife. A local Vicar who is a friend of Graham’s, his wife, gently worn genteel nobles, and a whole list of locals make up the cast to this whoddunit murder mystery.
There’s good character interaction and setting. Three stars because it was a little too easy to work it out.
Book 3: The Manor House Murder
5*****
There is something infinitely satisfying about a whodunit where the murderer turns out to be the one you want to be the guilty party. When it’s surrounded by a cast of characters—this time a conference full of male and female Vicars of varying degrees of power—it’s all the more satisfying, especially when the foreshadowing is intricately woven into backstories. Once again, Monica is the one who puts all the pieces together with the motivation of knowing her husband, Graham, was high on the suspect list since he was the one who inadvertently provided the murder weapon. A good finish to a boxed set.
June 11, 2022
Finding myself in need of a new author, I decided to try “The Complete Monica Noble box set: Books 1-3". However, despite Faith Martin’s decent vocabulary her prose in unrelentingly dull and, had it not been for references to mobile phones, I could easily have thought it had been written as an homage to the pedestrian crime novels of the 1950’s.
It is after the murder has been committed and the arrival of the local police that it begins to feel very dated. The detective has to spell out all his actions as though his sergeant has received no training and/or the readership are equally clueless having never watched a single television cop show. Our DCI notes that it is a shame the guests have inevitably been discussing the preceding events, yet he questions them as a group thereby giving the culprit the opportunity to ensure his or her story does not contradict what has been said by the others. By this point I decided I could not bear to continue this inane tale and abandoned it about half way through book one. Sorry not for me.
It is after the murder has been committed and the arrival of the local police that it begins to feel very dated. The detective has to spell out all his actions as though his sergeant has received no training and/or the readership are equally clueless having never watched a single television cop show. Our DCI notes that it is a shame the guests have inevitably been discussing the preceding events, yet he questions them as a group thereby giving the culprit the opportunity to ensure his or her story does not contradict what has been said by the others. By this point I decided I could not bear to continue this inane tale and abandoned it about half way through book one. Sorry not for me.
July 21, 2021
This set was on offer. A very engrossing and well bought bit of temptation.
A pleasant series with a thoughtful heroine, loving husband and a chief inspector. Both men are handsome, both men are under Monica's spell .
Monica herself is prone to solving murders via observations and deductions.
Each title. Is an interesting read. My favourite was the third title which saw the daughter develop a little and have a key role for once.
Gentle cosy tales of murder, greed, jealousy, lies wrapped up with the strength of goodness. Definitely a case of the wrapping being the bit to keep!!
A pleasant series with a thoughtful heroine, loving husband and a chief inspector. Both men are handsome, both men are under Monica's spell .
Monica herself is prone to solving murders via observations and deductions.
Each title. Is an interesting read. My favourite was the third title which saw the daughter develop a little and have a key role for once.
Gentle cosy tales of murder, greed, jealousy, lies wrapped up with the strength of goodness. Definitely a case of the wrapping being the bit to keep!!
January 22, 2022
I have enjoyed so many of Faith Martins books and look forward to reading many more. I like the fact that they are real murder mysteries and not full of graphic descriptions of blood and gore. I also appreciate the total lack of swearing that is so unnecessary in lots of books in this genre. In this series the one doing the detecting is Monica Noble who is a country vicar's wife rather than an actual detective. She always seems to be one step ahead of the handsome chief inspector Dury. I can certainly recommend these books to anyone who likes a gentle detective novel in the style of Midsomer Murders.
July 6, 2021
I read the trilogy to conclusion because I prefer to complete what I start, at least where books are concerned.
Monica and Graham Noble were admirable characters.
The author tends to have too many characters, some of whom have similar sounding names. In the first book I wrote out a cast of characters to keep them straight in my mind.
I suggest the author locate another editor as the books are replete with errors in structure. Head hopping, two characters having dialogue in the same paragraph as examples.
Monica and Graham Noble were admirable characters.
The author tends to have too many characters, some of whom have similar sounding names. In the first book I wrote out a cast of characters to keep them straight in my mind.
I suggest the author locate another editor as the books are replete with errors in structure. Head hopping, two characters having dialogue in the same paragraph as examples.
August 15, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this set of cozy mysteries! I hope there will be more!
Monica, who has a teenage daughter, has married a vicar for her second husband. They obviously love one another, and the daughter and hubby are adjusting well to one another. Monica does have challenges in moving from London to a sleepy village. However, sleepy villages can be deceiving -as we know from Agatha Christie. Each book follows a murder-and there are surprises along the way. There are a few curse words-but not from Graham, Monica's husband. I liked these as an easy read.
Monica, who has a teenage daughter, has married a vicar for her second husband. They obviously love one another, and the daughter and hubby are adjusting well to one another. Monica does have challenges in moving from London to a sleepy village. However, sleepy villages can be deceiving -as we know from Agatha Christie. Each book follows a murder-and there are surprises along the way. There are a few curse words-but not from Graham, Monica's husband. I liked these as an easy read.
October 23, 2021
Murder Happens in the Lives of Vicars
This is without a doubt one of the best book series I have ever read. Faith Martin takes the reader into an unknown world of cigars. Monica and Graham Noble and Chief Detective Jason Fury are portrayed as intelligent, professional people who work together to see justice served. I especially loved the way the author described the church, the landscape, and the people without it becoming a boring experience. I highly recommend this book set!!!!! You are in for a good reading trip.
This is without a doubt one of the best book series I have ever read. Faith Martin takes the reader into an unknown world of cigars. Monica and Graham Noble and Chief Detective Jason Fury are portrayed as intelligent, professional people who work together to see justice served. I especially loved the way the author described the church, the landscape, and the people without it becoming a boring experience. I highly recommend this book set!!!!! You are in for a good reading trip.
April 18, 2023
Mystery part good
I liked the mysteries well enough. One important thing didn't make sense in last mystery at the point of discovering the murderer's first attempt at intended victim, but I'd spoil it if I told. I didn't, however, appreciate the possible romance between Jasen & Monica. It had no bearing on the mysteries & just kept being played in every story. What reader would want to read that Monica left a wonderful husband to have an affair with a police inspector?
So..only 4 stars for these.
I liked the mysteries well enough. One important thing didn't make sense in last mystery at the point of discovering the murderer's first attempt at intended victim, but I'd spoil it if I told. I didn't, however, appreciate the possible romance between Jasen & Monica. It had no bearing on the mysteries & just kept being played in every story. What reader would want to read that Monica left a wonderful husband to have an affair with a police inspector?
So..only 4 stars for these.
February 1, 2023
Gripping
I loved these books. They gave me some thing to think about. The clues were all there. You just have to think hard and work them out. I solved the last book but not the first two. I loved the characters I felt like I knew them. I imagined myself living in that lovely village. I couldn't put the books down. Gripping. I would recommend these story to everyone who enjoys a good cosy mystery.
I loved these books. They gave me some thing to think about. The clues were all there. You just have to think hard and work them out. I solved the last book but not the first two. I loved the characters I felt like I knew them. I imagined myself living in that lovely village. I couldn't put the books down. Gripping. I would recommend these story to everyone who enjoys a good cosy mystery.
September 23, 2023
intriguing
I really enjoyed reading this series. Martin keeps referring to the killer in such a way that we don’t know who it is. I found it fairly easy to determine who it wasn’t, but the killer in each book was usually a surprise to me. Characters are well created. Errors are few, mostly in punctuation. None of the errors detract from the story (except the one related to tight jeans and T-shirt). All in all, I highly recommend this set.
I really enjoyed reading this series. Martin keeps referring to the killer in such a way that we don’t know who it is. I found it fairly easy to determine who it wasn’t, but the killer in each book was usually a surprise to me. Characters are well created. Errors are few, mostly in punctuation. None of the errors detract from the story (except the one related to tight jeans and T-shirt). All in all, I highly recommend this set.
July 26, 2021
First Class Mystery
Rev. Graham and Monica Noble are a delightful couple, raising a teenage daughter. They live in a small village where Graham is the Vicar of the local church. Between them they hear about most of the local happenings. These mysteries are excellently written, well crafted and eminently readable. I hope to read more about this couple in future books.
Rev. Graham and Monica Noble are a delightful couple, raising a teenage daughter. They live in a small village where Graham is the Vicar of the local church. Between them they hear about most of the local happenings. These mysteries are excellently written, well crafted and eminently readable. I hope to read more about this couple in future books.
September 22, 2021
I've just finished reading these 1-3 series and I must say that CI Jason Dury should put Monica Noble on payroll as a full time or at least a part time detective. She has the uncanny ability to use all the clues she gathers on her own, and uses them to ferret out the killer. Real crack up job! Good reading! Interesting stories and plots.
November 14, 2022
Good story, poor editing
The plotting and characterizations are enjoyable,but the editing attempts with the "woke" group pronoun use create a confusing narrative,at times. There was nothing in the characterizations to ever suggest that the murderer was binary so the pronoun use of "their" is incorrect at worst and annoying at best.
The plotting and characterizations are enjoyable,but the editing attempts with the "woke" group pronoun use create a confusing narrative,at times. There was nothing in the characterizations to ever suggest that the murderer was binary so the pronoun use of "their" is incorrect at worst and annoying at best.
February 2, 2023
Faith Martin has a gift for writing mysteries. I enjoy reading each book and sometimes I can figure out who dunnit. She has a female as the main character and creates her as a likeable person. Each story has a unique storyline using tried but true methods of murder. It is the motive behind the crime and leads to the murderer.
March 4, 2023
Enjoyable cosy mysteries
If you want to pass an enjoyable couple of hours grappling with why someone was murdered and who did it these three books are for you. The back story of husband and wife, new marriage, adolescent step daughter, handsome detective just add to the entertainment.
If you want to pass an enjoyable couple of hours grappling with why someone was murdered and who did it these three books are for you. The back story of husband and wife, new marriage, adolescent step daughter, handsome detective just add to the entertainment.
March 29, 2024
The first book was the best
Faith Martin is a great writer and the first Monica Noble mystery showcased her skills. The other two books in this series had too many supporting characters and were too long. I will definitely read other Faith Martin books, but three in this series is enough.
Faith Martin is a great writer and the first Monica Noble mystery showcased her skills. The other two books in this series had too many supporting characters and were too long. I will definitely read other Faith Martin books, but three in this series is enough.
June 23, 2021
Monica Noble is better than Miss Marple
This trilogy of books are a very good read and Graham and Monica fascinating characters. Would love to read more Faith Martin with these main characters.
This trilogy of books are a very good read and Graham and Monica fascinating characters. Would love to read more Faith Martin with these main characters.
July 1, 2021
Three good reads
I’m a rather big fan of Faith Martin and enjoy her books. I must admit that I have to suspend disbelief with the Monica Noble series as Monica seems to be able to find the solutions to even complicated and convoluted mysteries out of thin air.
I’m a rather big fan of Faith Martin and enjoy her books. I must admit that I have to suspend disbelief with the Monica Noble series as Monica seems to be able to find the solutions to even complicated and convoluted mysteries out of thin air.
July 27, 2021
I love Faith martin's mysteries. They always feature well-developed characters, superb plotting, and a plethora of red herrings to keep you guessing. When she finally connects all the dots at the end, it's totally believable, but still a surprise, as there were so many dots to choose from.
August 20, 2021
Enjoyed this series
Really enjoyed this series. The characters were great just like people I know, and could relate to. Story line kept me up late reading what would happen next. All three stories were great. Will there be more? Hope so.
Really enjoyed this series. The characters were great just like people I know, and could relate to. Story line kept me up late reading what would happen next. All three stories were great. Will there be more? Hope so.
September 18, 2021
Three lovely cosy mysteries all solved by the extremely attractive DCI, with the help of the local vicar's wife Monica Noble. Once I had read the first one I had to keep reading them all. My regret is that there isn't a fourth,
January 17, 2022
Could not get interested in the story.
I did not get interested in the characters. Seemed to wander from person to person with little connection. Like the writer just not this book.
I did not get interested in the characters. Seemed to wander from person to person with little connection. Like the writer just not this book.
February 7, 2022
That was exciting
This was just another great book by Faith Martin. She writes such wonderful characters. The stories are always really great. I swear I can never guess who the bad guy is. Which makes for a really great book.
This was just another great book by Faith Martin. She writes such wonderful characters. The stories are always really great. I swear I can never guess who the bad guy is. Which makes for a really great book.
March 17, 2022
Monica Noble Murder Mystery
I loved the home ties and quiet community and the love between Monica and Graham keeping the mystery and drama of each book. Good clean unexpected terms and intrigue Of each books keeps it a page turner that you do not want to end.
I loved the home ties and quiet community and the love between Monica and Graham keeping the mystery and drama of each book. Good clean unexpected terms and intrigue Of each books keeps it a page turner that you do not want to end.
July 6, 2022
Well-written mysteries!
Well plotted murder mysteries, each with a surprising twist. The characters are well developed and the protagonists are engaging and intelligent. I thoroughly enjoyed these three stories. I will be reading more of Faith Martin's books.
Well plotted murder mysteries, each with a surprising twist. The characters are well developed and the protagonists are engaging and intelligent. I thoroughly enjoyed these three stories. I will be reading more of Faith Martin's books.
September 14, 2022
Faith Martin does it again!
Faith Martin is so easy to read. Her story are full of real life experiences with beautiful details of country life. The mysteries are fast moving and with clues that are there if you can pick up on them. Yes Faith Martin is good.
Faith Martin is so easy to read. Her story are full of real life experiences with beautiful details of country life. The mysteries are fast moving and with clues that are there if you can pick up on them. Yes Faith Martin is good.
December 13, 2022
More please
For lovers of cozies with rich likeable characters and interesting plots, look no further. Ms. Martin writes for readers. Engaging books every time. Hope there are more coming.
For lovers of cozies with rich likeable characters and interesting plots, look no further. Ms. Martin writes for readers. Engaging books every time. Hope there are more coming.
January 26, 2023
Three very good stories
Don't be turned off by the numbers of characters to keep track of. Each one plays a part in the mystery. Enjoy the twists and turns and the ending of each book.
Don't be turned off by the numbers of characters to keep track of. Each one plays a part in the mystery. Enjoy the twists and turns and the ending of each book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews