Murder in the Village

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In fact I think that this series just gets better and better with each book that is released, but more about that in a bit. If I were to compare my reading to a Sunday lunch, Faith Martin's books are the potatoes - a safe bet and, quite often, the best bit of the meal in a very understated way. Belinda and Harry are worlds apart but join forces after the murder of a tavern keeper is linked Together with Flora, his fellow sleuth, they pack their suitcases, dreaming of fragrant lavender fields and freshly baked pain au chocolat. But, best laid plans and all that, things go awry when she stumbles upon the body of Barry, who worked alongside her in the local pub.

She's managed to get over her shame (and her own internal review) after her corrupt detective husband died, while living in her Uncle's houseboat on an Oxford canal as she waits for access to her house. One murder and the missing dogs make two people decided to solve the mysteries until they could continue quiet living in Little Challham.I have wondered at times whether the author was English or not, as a few other American-related terms occasionally do show up. If there had been real chemistry between them it would have livened up the read, but it never gets there with a few musings and some lame jokes being the sum total. Her crime-solving partner, retired police detective Harry Powell is much more cautious (and dearly wishes Belinda was too) making for some wonderfully humorous moments and a lively, spark-filled investigation. But with so many murderers lurking about the village green, you never know how long these ordinary folk are going to last… best to meet them while you can!

In Murder in the Village, the first in the Belinda Penshurst series of mysteries, we meet Belinda Penshurt, who is a little over forty and living in her family home—the village manor/castle—in the village of Little Challham. 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. Murder in the Village is the start of another brand new cosy mystery series set in the quiet, cosy village of Little Chalham and which brings together two unlikely persons together to form a crime solving duo--Belinda Penhurst an independent woman in her early forties who lives in the local castle and has financially invested in a lot of the local businesses around the village and Harry Powell, a retired police officer/detective who has recently moved to the area and now runs his own dog food business. Mel appreciates Hillary's first-rate ability to solve her cases, and isn't happy about her harassment by the officers from York. 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.The new superintendent has bigger fish to fry and mounts a raid to catch the local drugs baron accepting a shipment at his remote farm.

Instead, another problem takes over all her time - a problem that could have serious ramifications for both herself, and her superiors.Maggie has lived in Provence long enough to know that village life is built on gossip and nurtured resentments for the least perceived slight—especially from an outsider. Clear diction but considering so many male characters the narrators voice seemed almost the same for the narration plus the female characters and also the male ones. A story wrapped with humor, wit, intrigue, murder, mystery and a lot of intriguing interpersonal interactions between the two main characters as well as between each of them and the townsfolk.

Belinda Penshurst, the owner of Challham Castle, worried about the pub owner's death and his relationship with her brother, Marcus. Belinda is a bossy, forceful woman with attitude (big chip or should I say boulder on her shoulder). Harry is reluctant and wishes to leave the murder investigation to the police but agrees to join her.

The books have a little humour interwoven in the story and very unique characters that make up Hillary's diverse team. I recently had the delight of reading and reviewing ‘Murder Of The Bride’ by Faith Martin, which is the previous book in the series featuring DI Hilary Greene, and I absolutely loved it. Murder Village’s cast of characters features vicars, schoolmarms, publicans, bakers, landed gentry and everyone in between. Greene is one of those feisty female detectives, who are not easily, if ever, afraid and she does all she can to seek justice for the victims of crime and to ensure that the guilty party pays for what he or she has done.