The Reluctant Detective

by Martha Ockley

Published 22 October 2010
Arriving back in the region of her birth - Winchester in Hampshire - Faith Morgan, newly ordained priest in the Church of England, witnesses the dramatic death of a fellow priest during a communion service at a church in Little Worthy. He has been poisoned with a pesticide mixed with the communion wine. One of the police officers who turns up at the scene is Ben Shorter, Faith's ex long - term boyfriend. They trained as police officers together, until Faith's vocation took a different turn. Her relationship with Ben changed too at this point as she became uneasy with his drive for convictions, seemingly at any cost - even that of the truth. Most reluctantly Faith is drawn to dust down her detective skills, even as she picks her way through the delicate relationships of a church and village reeling from the death of a well - loved minister. Just what was the deceased's relationship with an attractive widow...?

A Saintly Killing

by Martha Ockley

Published 17 October 2014
A local artist is found dead at her easel, and Faith discovers that several of her flock may be implicated.

It is late July and preparations are underway for the one thousandth anniversary of the church at Little Worthy. As Vicar, Faith Morgan has planned a whole range of celebrations-a music festival, a photographic booklet of recent history, a planting of new trees in the graveyard and vicarage garden, bell ringing, and a visit from the bishop.

A new painting of the church has been commissioned from distinguished local artist Sal Hankley. Sal, who has recently returned from Australia, is not a universally popular choice. She is outspoken and opinionated, and she has made her share of enemies.

Before the painting can be completed, Sal is found dead at her easel on a hillock overlooking the church. A respectable member of the community-a member of the Parochial Church Council-is under suspicion. Faith, now trying to hold the church and the village together, once again finds herself teamed with her former boyfriend, Detective Inspector Ben Shorter, as they seek to discover the murderer.

The Advent of Murder

by Martha Ockley

Published 19 July 2013
Faith Morgan, former policewoman and vicar of the small English village of Little Worthy, goes to visit one of her parishioners at his farm, only to discover the house surrounded by police cars. A body has been found in the local river and farmer Markham is charged with murder.

Though busy with preparations for Christmas, Faith is called on to investigate when it's found out that the victim is also a member of her congregation - Lucas Kemp, a member of the choir.

Faith's informal inquiries lead her to uncover a hotbed of tensions and romantic rivalries in the choir, questions about drugs, and a run-in with an unsavory uncle - which leads to a dramatic rescue by Ben, Faith's former detective partner and ex-boyfriend.

In the tradition of Father Brown and Miss Marple, The Advent of Murder brings readers an authentic picture of English rural and church life combined with a satisfying mystery that will keep readers guessing until the end.