A Saintly Killing (Book 3, A Faith Morgan Mystery) by Martha Ockley (Book Review)

A Saintly Killing (Book 3, A Faith Morgan Mystery)

By Martha Ockley

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Mystery

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 234

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-091-2

In A Saintly Killing,  by Martha Ockley, Faith Morgan is busy as the vicar of St. James.  St. James is going to celebrate its 900th anniversary and Faith has a clipboard filled with tasks she needs to finish before the celebration. 

Faith is working on her tasks, when Sal Hinkley, the artist who was commissioned to paint the church was found dead.  This puts Faith and other members of the community under the watchful eye of Detective Inspector Ben Shorter and his department.

Once again Faith has to deal with her former boyfriend (she was a policewoman in Ben’s department).  What will become of their relationship?  Will St. James’s anniversary celebration happen?  Will Faith be able to complete her list of tasks or will she become too involved with the murder?

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Martha Ockley writes fiction and nonfiction and enjoys spending time with her parrot.

My thoughts-

Martha Ockley is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.  I really enjoy reading her books again and again.  Each time I read her books I learn more about Faith Morgan, the role God has in our lives, and how people think.

I have read, A Saintly Killing, several times now and have enjoyed it both times.  I got caught in the detail and storyline each time.  What made this book so captivating to me was how approachable Ockley made Faith.  So often people who are involved in ministry are put on a pedestal and we think they can do and should do no wrong.  Faith was shown as one of us, a person who can make mistakes and do more than just be a vicar.

One of my favorite parts is how much she still involves herself in solving mysteries, even though it is no longer her profession.  I am interesting in seeing how her relationship with Detective Inspector Ben Shorter will develop.  Will it become a romance again or stay plutonic?

If you have read and enjoyed the other two books in the series, you will enjoy this one.  If you have never read any of them, you can read my reviews of the other two books.

The Reluctant Detective: http://indoorgardenmusings.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-reluctant-detective-book-1-faith.html

The Advent of Murder: http://indoorgardenmusings.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-advent-of-murder-by-martha-ockley.html

I know I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received A Saintly Killing, by Martha Ockley, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Reluctant Detective (Book 1, A Faith Morgan Mystery) by Martha Ockley (Review)

The Reluctant Detective (Book 1, A Faith Morgan Mystery)

By Martha Ockley

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Mystery

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 254

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-068-4

The Reluctant Detective, by Martha Ockley, is the first book in the Faith Morgan Mystery series.  Faith Morgan used to work as a policewoman, but she thought she could do more as a vicar.

She was sent to the village of Little Worthy to see if it would be a church where she would like to be the vicar.  While she is visiting, the current vicar suddenly dies and Morgan becomes the vicar until they find a replacement.  Her former boyfriend, Ben Shorter, is the Detective Inspector on the case.  She is also his former colleague.

Morgan has a difficult time give up her desire to ask questions and solve mysteries.  She also does not know what to do with the appearance of Shorter.  Will they be able to solve the mystery together?

About the Author-

Martha Ockley currently lives in the North East of England and writes fiction and nonfiction.

My thoughts-

The Reluctant Detective, by Martha Ockley, was an excellent introduction to the Faith Morgan Mystery series.  I have now read this book twice and I enjoyed it just as much the second time as well the first.

Ockley was very creative when she developed Faith Morgan’s character.  I never would have thought to have her be a former policewoman turned vicar.  It brought a professional point-of-view to the book that would not have been there if she had been just a vicar who solved mysteries.  It also brought a level of professionalism to the way Morgan talked with her new parishioners.

I thought some of the conversation between Faith and Detective Inspector Ben Shorter, her former boyfriend and colleague, was stiff sometimes.  Perhaps it was because they had a past together.

I would recommend The Reluctant Detective as well as the second book in the series, The Advent of Murder.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Reluctant Detective by Martha Ockley, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Advent of Murder by Martha Ockley (Review)

The Advent of Murder

(Book 2, A Faith Morgan Mystery)

By Martha Ockley

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Mystery

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 256

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.95, ISBN 978-1-78264-006-6

Vicar of Little Worthy, Faith Morgan can’t seem to keep away from police investigations.  It is Christmastime and she is going to visit one of her parishioners, but when she get there a body has been found by the river.  Faith used to be a policewoman, so she wants to prove her parishioner is innocent. 

It is one of her busiest times and now it got even busier. 

Why was the young man killed, drugs, jealousy, an accident?  Who could have done it?  Will Faith have time to help with the Christmas programs at her church?

About the Author-

Martha Ockley currently lives in the North-East of England and writes fiction and nonfiction.

My thoughts-

The Advent of Murder, by Martha Ockley, kept me guessing until the end.  I didn’t have any idea who the murderer was, not even any suspects.  I think that is the best kind of mystery, when the reader has no idea who did it.

I have not read the first book in the series, The Reluctant Detective, and it wasn’t necessary to do so to fully enjoy this book.  I would like to read the first book though, because I want to know why Vicar Faith Morgan is a vicar and no longer a policewoman.  A prologue would have been a great way to learn about her past.

I thought Faith made a great vicar, but with God’s help and I felt, his blessing, she was able to use her detective skills to help the detectives.  She was very good at her tasks, which made her a very strong character.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.  It was a great book.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Advent of Murder, by Martha Ockley, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.