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Dorothy Martin #1-5
The Dorothy Martin Murder Mystery Box Set: Books 1–5
In this five-book box set:
Book 1: THE BODY IN THE TRANSEPT
Dorothy Martin, a recently widowed American, is having her first Christmas in England. But as she leaves midnight mass, she literally stumbles over a dead body — unpopular priest Canon Billings. The list of suspects for his murder includes most of Sherebury town. But Dorothy doesn’t give up easily when it comes to finding out the truth.
Book 2: TROUBLE IN THE TOWN HALL
A cleaner finds the body of a young man, stuffed in a closet at Sherebury’s historic town hall. Dorothy’s dear friend Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt warns her to steer clear of the investigation, but she can’t resist being drawn in. There are plenty more skeletons in local closets, enough to keep an amateur sleuth on her toes — unless the hands of a murderer reach her first.
Book 3: HOLY TERROR IN THE HEBRIDES
Dorothy hopes for a perfectly peaceful stay on the Isle of Iona, but trouble follows her there. Thrown in with a bickering American church tour, she tries to keep her distance. But when one of the group falls to his death from a cliff, Dorothy is the only witness. She notices a clue that the police dismiss and feels bound to investigate. But it’s a choice she may regret . . . now that a hurricane is coming in.
Book 4: MALICE IN MINIATURE
Dorothy’s gardener is caught stealing a priceless miniature tea set from Brockelsby Hall. The owner, eccentric Sir Mordred Brocklesby, is up in arms. Dorothy travels to the grand old country house, hoping to get to the bottom of it all. But then the housekeeper is found poisoned. Can Dorothy unmask a murderer without putting herself in mortal danger?
Book 5: THE VICTIM IN VICTORIA STATION
Dorothy chats with a young man on the train to London. But by the time they reach Victoria Station, he is dead. The next day Dorothy checks all the newspapers — to find no mention of his death. She makes inquiries with the police but draws a blank there too. Who was the murdered man and why was he killed? Dorothy is determined to get to the truth.
Book 1: THE BODY IN THE TRANSEPT
Dorothy Martin, a recently widowed American, is having her first Christmas in England. But as she leaves midnight mass, she literally stumbles over a dead body — unpopular priest Canon Billings. The list of suspects for his murder includes most of Sherebury town. But Dorothy doesn’t give up easily when it comes to finding out the truth.
Book 2: TROUBLE IN THE TOWN HALL
A cleaner finds the body of a young man, stuffed in a closet at Sherebury’s historic town hall. Dorothy’s dear friend Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt warns her to steer clear of the investigation, but she can’t resist being drawn in. There are plenty more skeletons in local closets, enough to keep an amateur sleuth on her toes — unless the hands of a murderer reach her first.
Book 3: HOLY TERROR IN THE HEBRIDES
Dorothy hopes for a perfectly peaceful stay on the Isle of Iona, but trouble follows her there. Thrown in with a bickering American church tour, she tries to keep her distance. But when one of the group falls to his death from a cliff, Dorothy is the only witness. She notices a clue that the police dismiss and feels bound to investigate. But it’s a choice she may regret . . . now that a hurricane is coming in.
Book 4: MALICE IN MINIATURE
Dorothy’s gardener is caught stealing a priceless miniature tea set from Brockelsby Hall. The owner, eccentric Sir Mordred Brocklesby, is up in arms. Dorothy travels to the grand old country house, hoping to get to the bottom of it all. But then the housekeeper is found poisoned. Can Dorothy unmask a murderer without putting herself in mortal danger?
Book 5: THE VICTIM IN VICTORIA STATION
Dorothy chats with a young man on the train to London. But by the time they reach Victoria Station, he is dead. The next day Dorothy checks all the newspapers — to find no mention of his death. She makes inquiries with the police but draws a blank there too. Who was the murdered man and why was he killed? Dorothy is determined to get to the truth.
1095 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2022
1327 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne M. Dams
46 books216 followersJeanne M. Dams lives in South Bend, Indiana. The Body in the Transept, which introduced Dorothy Martin, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dams is also the author of Green Grow the Victims and other Hilda Johansson mysteries published by Walker & Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 11, 2022
I purchased the box of 5 books mainly because I was looking for this type of book and was hoping for modern-day Miss Marple :) I love reading this type of book primarily because it is entertaining, provides fun, and makes you think ahead and try to find the killer. This set, however, was a bit disappointing. I really hoped to like the main character, an older lady from America relocating to England and finds herself with dead bodies but I felt she was more than I could stand. Poking her nose, keeping stuff she uncovers. I will not be purchasing additional ones, I guess I'm spoiled by the Jenny Starling series by Faith Martin that I really loved.
June 13, 2022
This 5 book set was a bit of a middle of the road experience for me. The plots were pretty preposterous, but I liked the characters. I got the bundle for free on my kindle, and there are many many more in the series, but they can only be purchased separately and I am just not willing to join Kindle unlimited or pay or pay for the rest.
Want to read
February 17, 2023Joffe Books
BOOK 1: THE BODY IN THE TRANSEPT
Dorothy Martin, a recently widowed American, is having her first Christmas in England. But as she leaves midnight mass, she literally stumbles over a dead body — unpopular priest Canon Billings. The list of suspects for his murder includes most of Sherebury town. But Dorothy doesn’t give up easily when it comes to finding out the truth.
BOOK 2: TROUBLE IN THE TOWN HALL
A cleaner finds the body of a young man, stuffed in a closet at Sherebury’s historic town hall. Dorothy’s dear friend Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt warns her to steer clear of the investigation, but she can’t resist being drawn in. There are plenty more skeletons in local closets, enough to keep an amateur sleuth on her toes — unless the hands of a murderer reach her first.
BOOK 3: HOLY TERROR IN THE HEBRIDES
Dorothy hopes for a perfectly peaceful stay on the Isle of Iona, but trouble follows her there. Thrown in with a bickering American church tour, she tries to keep her distance. But when one of the group falls to his death from a cliff, Dorothy is the only witness. She notices a clue that the police dismiss and feels bound to investigate. But it’s a choice she may regret . . . now that a hurricane is coming in.
BOOK 4: MALICE IN MINIATURE
Dorothy’s gardener is caught stealing a priceless miniature tea set from Brockelsby Hall. The owner, eccentric Sir Mordred Brocklesby, is up in arms. Dorothy travels to the grand old country house, hoping to get to the bottom of it all. But then the housekeeper is found poisoned. Can Dorothy unmask a murderer without putting herself in mortal danger?
BOOK 5: THE VICTIM IN VICTORIA STATION
Dorothy chats with a young man on the train to London. But by the time they reach Victoria Station, he is dead. The next day Dorothy checks all the newspapers — to find no mention of his death. She makes inquiries with the police but draws a blank there too. Who was the murdered man and why was he killed? Dorothy is determined to get to the truth.
YOU GET ALL FIVE OF THE ABOVE BOOKS IN THIS EDITION. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS BESTSELLING SERIES.
BOOK 1: THE BODY IN THE TRANSEPT
Dorothy Martin, a recently widowed American, is having her first Christmas in England. But as she leaves midnight mass, she literally stumbles over a dead body — unpopular priest Canon Billings. The list of suspects for his murder includes most of Sherebury town. But Dorothy doesn’t give up easily when it comes to finding out the truth.
BOOK 2: TROUBLE IN THE TOWN HALL
A cleaner finds the body of a young man, stuffed in a closet at Sherebury’s historic town hall. Dorothy’s dear friend Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt warns her to steer clear of the investigation, but she can’t resist being drawn in. There are plenty more skeletons in local closets, enough to keep an amateur sleuth on her toes — unless the hands of a murderer reach her first.
BOOK 3: HOLY TERROR IN THE HEBRIDES
Dorothy hopes for a perfectly peaceful stay on the Isle of Iona, but trouble follows her there. Thrown in with a bickering American church tour, she tries to keep her distance. But when one of the group falls to his death from a cliff, Dorothy is the only witness. She notices a clue that the police dismiss and feels bound to investigate. But it’s a choice she may regret . . . now that a hurricane is coming in.
BOOK 4: MALICE IN MINIATURE
Dorothy’s gardener is caught stealing a priceless miniature tea set from Brockelsby Hall. The owner, eccentric Sir Mordred Brocklesby, is up in arms. Dorothy travels to the grand old country house, hoping to get to the bottom of it all. But then the housekeeper is found poisoned. Can Dorothy unmask a murderer without putting herself in mortal danger?
BOOK 5: THE VICTIM IN VICTORIA STATION
Dorothy chats with a young man on the train to London. But by the time they reach Victoria Station, he is dead. The next day Dorothy checks all the newspapers — to find no mention of his death. She makes inquiries with the police but draws a blank there too. Who was the murdered man and why was he killed? Dorothy is determined to get to the truth.
YOU GET ALL FIVE OF THE ABOVE BOOKS IN THIS EDITION. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS BESTSELLING SERIES.
October 2, 2023
Halfway through the first book of this box set I was already quite fed up with Dorothy.
Disappointing really. I liked the premise and the setting of the story. Liked that the Ecclesiastical tones. Unfortunately the main character was un-likeable and utterly annoying.
TSTL is bad enough in a YA story I expect a lot more and better from a woman Dorothy's age.
The biggest laugh for me was Alan Nesbitt's description of her "a woman with wit, intelligence, charm and enough cheek to snap at me". More like full of rash judgments, tendency to jump to conclusions, followed by wild accusations flung about, with the temper of a 5-year-old, decision making skills to match and a habit of biting the charming and kind constable's head off.
Her narration and inner monologues/arguments didn't improve anything either
Oh, and the whodunnit was no surprise whatsoever.
Definitely wont be continuing with rest of this box set
Disappointing really. I liked the premise and the setting of the story. Liked that the Ecclesiastical tones. Unfortunately the main character was un-likeable and utterly annoying.
TSTL is bad enough in a YA story I expect a lot more and better from a woman Dorothy's age.
The biggest laugh for me was Alan Nesbitt's description of her "a woman with wit, intelligence, charm and enough cheek to snap at me". More like full of rash judgments, tendency to jump to conclusions, followed by wild accusations flung about, with the temper of a 5-year-old, decision making skills to match and a habit of biting the charming and kind constable's head off.
Her narration and inner monologues/arguments didn't improve anything either
Oh, and the whodunnit was no surprise whatsoever.
Definitely wont be continuing with rest of this box set
April 29, 2022
Dorothy ❤️ Alan
So very entertaining! I liked every one of these stories but my favorite was Holy Terror in the Hebrides. I liked them all because our Dorothy is an older woman and a widow who moved to another country. She is smart and not afraid to go after the bad guy. These stories are very different than the common sleuth stories, they are not common at all. Alan, the police detective becomes her friend, then…..well you will have to give these stories a read and find out for yourselves! Good clean reading. Be prepared to steep yourself a pot of tea, fix a tray of goodies, find a quiet corner and dive in.
So very entertaining! I liked every one of these stories but my favorite was Holy Terror in the Hebrides. I liked them all because our Dorothy is an older woman and a widow who moved to another country. She is smart and not afraid to go after the bad guy. These stories are very different than the common sleuth stories, they are not common at all. Alan, the police detective becomes her friend, then…..well you will have to give these stories a read and find out for yourselves! Good clean reading. Be prepared to steep yourself a pot of tea, fix a tray of goodies, find a quiet corner and dive in.
February 21, 2023
These stories are delightful. The protagonist/heroine carries on in an unbelievable yet entertaining manner. The incredible detail of the cathedral is fascinating, along with the details of other buildings and dwellings, and the wonderful English village, countryside, train travel ... it's amazing. While reading, I easily imagine I'm right there observing the one of a kind character that is Mrs. Martin, a woman of my generation. Having completed the box set of the first five books, I am continuing on to the sixth. In short, the mysteries are quite good, are well written and have succeeded in expanding my vocabulary. I remain thoroughly entertained.
February 17, 2023
Fun amateur sleuth stories in their way.
Dorothy Martin falls into the role of detective solving murders almost by accident with some good plotting and quite quirky characters. I might have been tempted to give it 4 stars had the author had a more realistic view of Britain.
Let down on two fronts
1/ Despite dating tags that placed it in 1990s/2000s it felt very 1960s and
2/ It really does not rain that much here! Not even in Wales... LOL The times that Dorothy got soaked (approx 2 in 3 times that she stepped foot outside) became quite irritating after a while ! :-) :-)
Dorothy Martin falls into the role of detective solving murders almost by accident with some good plotting and quite quirky characters. I might have been tempted to give it 4 stars had the author had a more realistic view of Britain.
Let down on two fronts
1/ Despite dating tags that placed it in 1990s/2000s it felt very 1960s and
2/ It really does not rain that much here! Not even in Wales... LOL The times that Dorothy got soaked (approx 2 in 3 times that she stepped foot outside) became quite irritating after a while ! :-) :-)
June 20, 2022
Five book series
I enjoyed the characters and plots. Older American lady who relocated to to England after her husband died and turns detective.
She was courted by and eventually marries a real detective who is mainly in administration. He helped in many ways with her investigations.
The thing I really didn't like was the religion especially in the first two books.
These books were enjoyable and the plots were very good.
I enjoyed the characters and plots. Older American lady who relocated to to England after her husband died and turns detective.
She was courted by and eventually marries a real detective who is mainly in administration. He helped in many ways with her investigations.
The thing I really didn't like was the religion especially in the first two books.
These books were enjoyable and the plots were very good.
January 17, 2023
I enjoyed the box set. 1-4 kept me entertained and I liked the relationship between Dorothy and Alan. But by book 5 , I lost some of my interest with her bouts of breaking and entering and skating on the illegal side of things. Didn't ring true. Maybe added to the suspense but just wasn't for me. However, the ending did make me rethink a little. I still enjoyed the character and would read more of the author
May 12, 2022
A good 5 book series.
I did get a !little tired of being inside her head. The different places she went were well written, I felt as if I was there with her. The stories were good, but tiring . She has good friends and a special policeman too. Happy Reading !!
I did get a !little tired of being inside her head. The different places she went were well written, I felt as if I was there with her. The stories were good, but tiring . She has good friends and a special policeman too. Happy Reading !!
August 11, 2022
On 4th book in series. Dorothy is a royal pain in the butt. She’s nosy, extremely rash for woman her age and she continually places herself in danger. She’s not a great character because she is so annoying. Don’t think I will finish reading the box set of 5 and I will not be reading the rest of her series.
August 15, 2022
I’m hooked!
I got this boxed set because the price was right and the series sounded interesting. These books bring to mind the books of Agatha Christie. The plots are well constructed and the characters believable. Best of all, I don’t know “who done it” before I am halfway through the book. Highly recommend this series.
I got this boxed set because the price was right and the series sounded interesting. These books bring to mind the books of Agatha Christie. The plots are well constructed and the characters believable. Best of all, I don’t know “who done it” before I am halfway through the book. Highly recommend this series.
December 22, 2025
The overall rating for this box set is 4 🌟.
* "The Body In The Transept" 4.25 🌟 rounded ⬇️ to 4 🌟.
* "Trouble In The Town Hall" 4 🌟.
* "Holy Terror In The Hebrides" 3.5 🌟 rounded ⬆️ to 4 🌟.
* "Malice In Miniature" 4 🌟.
* "The Victim In Victoria Station" 4.5 🌟 rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.
And WooHoo!! This completes my last Goal for "Have The Book - TBR" making it 100/100.
* "The Body In The Transept" 4.25 🌟 rounded ⬇️ to 4 🌟.
* "Trouble In The Town Hall" 4 🌟.
* "Holy Terror In The Hebrides" 3.5 🌟 rounded ⬆️ to 4 🌟.
* "Malice In Miniature" 4 🌟.
* "The Victim In Victoria Station" 4.5 🌟 rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.
And WooHoo!! This completes my last Goal for "Have The Book - TBR" making it 100/100.
April 27, 2022
A different kind of murder mysteries.
An interesting set of five books featuring an American busy body and an English detective who is ready for retirement. There are a lot of twists and unforeseen villains, A good set of novels for light reading.
An interesting set of five books featuring an American busy body and an English detective who is ready for retirement. There are a lot of twists and unforeseen villains, A good set of novels for light reading.
July 26, 2022
Good Series
I bought 1-5 of the Dorothy Martin Mystery Series. I enjoyed it and looked forward to reading each day. Her skills as a detective were greatly exaggerated but in Book 5 The Victim in Victoria Station it was so preposterous I couldn’t wait to be through with it.
I bought 1-5 of the Dorothy Martin Mystery Series. I enjoyed it and looked forward to reading each day. Her skills as a detective were greatly exaggerated but in Book 5 The Victim in Victoria Station it was so preposterous I couldn’t wait to be through with it.
July 30, 2022
Dorothy Martin boxed set
Dorothy Martin is a widow who has fallen in love with Chief Constable who we office is in the cathedral town where she lives. She reminds a little of Agatha Christie ladies who have been modernised.
The all important question is raised in book 3.
Dorothy Martin is a widow who has fallen in love with Chief Constable who we office is in the cathedral town where she lives. She reminds a little of Agatha Christie ladies who have been modernised.
The all important question is raised in book 3.
August 4, 2022
Entertaining
This series is s fun read. A bit like potato chips for the brain. The characters are very likeable. The stories are clean. All that you might expect from a cozy mystery is here.
This series is s fun read. A bit like potato chips for the brain. The characters are very likeable. The stories are clean. All that you might expect from a cozy mystery is here.
September 15, 2022
The Dorothy Martin series is a wonderful escape to the English countrysidThe characters are appealing, relatable, and engaging. I will move to something else, but then feel compelled to come back to hear more of Dorothy's tales. One of my favorites.
December 10, 2022
Never suspect the endings
I absolutely love the characters, the settings, and the never-know-until-the-end storylines. Also I haven't read a book in a long time that I had to look up so many word definitions - delightful to come across. If you enjoy mysteries, you'll love these.
I absolutely love the characters, the settings, and the never-know-until-the-end storylines. Also I haven't read a book in a long time that I had to look up so many word definitions - delightful to come across. If you enjoy mysteries, you'll love these.
March 22, 2023
The Dorothy Martin murder mystery books 1-5
I liked the view of all things English by an expat American woman who has a knack for solving murders. Her neighbors, friends and cats were entertaining as well. Lets have a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy a nice read.
I liked the view of all things English by an expat American woman who has a knack for solving murders. Her neighbors, friends and cats were entertaining as well. Lets have a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy a nice read.
August 26, 2023
Wonderful
Great mysteries with a formidable all too human heroine, A connection to the police but a determination to do what's necessary. Very fast paced but with great detail written in an enthralling way
Great mysteries with a formidable all too human heroine, A connection to the police but a determination to do what's necessary. Very fast paced but with great detail written in an enthralling way
May 21, 2022
English mysteries
I love English mysteries and her are 5 that are very good. A good sleuth, a little history, a little architecture and good characters.
I love English mysteries and her are 5 that are very good. A good sleuth, a little history, a little architecture and good characters.
May 23, 2022
Good quick read
Entertaining and good pace. As an Anglophile were perfect for me. Several twists made for unpredicted outcomes. Would definitely recommend.
Entertaining and good pace. As an Anglophile were perfect for me. Several twists made for unpredicted outcomes. Would definitely recommend.
May 31, 2022
Great reading
I love books where the same people come through each story letting you really get to know them. Love this series.
I love books where the same people come through each story letting you really get to know them. Love this series.
July 8, 2022
Found they were good, but, by the 5th book I knew who did it before Dorothy
July 12, 2022
Light, entertaining read
Like the characters and enjoyed the stories as light relief. Interesting look at London through an 'American's' eyes. Cosy is a good description.
Like the characters and enjoyed the stories as light relief. Interesting look at London through an 'American's' eyes. Cosy is a good description.
July 16, 2022
each unique
Each of the 5 books were different. Unpredictable to the end. Very descriptive. Hope to read the rest of the series.
Each of the 5 books were different. Unpredictable to the end. Very descriptive. Hope to read the rest of the series.
July 20, 2022
I only read Book 1, but felt I didn´t need to read the rest of the set.
I liked that the action starts early in the story, but it was pretty obvious who did it and why.
I liked that the action starts early in the story, but it was pretty obvious who did it and why.
September 19, 2022
Outstanding read!
Never been to England but after reading this series I very much would like to visit😀. The books are well written and keep one engaged till the unexpected ending
Never been to England but after reading this series I very much would like to visit😀. The books are well written and keep one engaged till the unexpected ending
September 24, 2022
Delightful!
I binged the set! Clever, funny and CLEAN! I picture Dorothy as resembling Julia Childs! Enjoyed every page. Treat yourself to good reading.
I binged the set! Clever, funny and CLEAN! I picture Dorothy as resembling Julia Childs! Enjoyed every page. Treat yourself to good reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews