A Fatal Mistake (Ryder and Loveday, Book 2)

Faith Martin

Sep 2018 · Ryder and Loveday Book 2 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

Don’t miss Faith Martin’s fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as ‘the perfect village mystery’ by J.M. Hall

‘Fiendishly clever... A thoroughly absorbing, gripping read’. Clare Chase

Oxford, 1960. In the glorious sunshine of Oxford, on a day when everyone should be celebrating, tragedy strikes when a university student is found floating in the river, dead.

Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday finds herself paired with coroner Clement Ryder to investigate and it soon becomes clear that this case is not going to be easy.

The witnesses all refuse to give a straight answer, each new lead sends them in a new direction and tales of other missing youngsters add further mystery to the investigation.

One thing is certain though, something doesn’t seem quite right about the university’s most popular student....

A gripping, twisty cozy crime novel that you won't be able to put down. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman and M.C. Beaton.

‘Absolutely loved it... The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone seriesReaders LOVE Faith Martin’s books:

‘Absolutely perfect! This is the book I have been craving since I last read the Thursday Murder Club series!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Very entertaining... Full of red herrings, plot twists and turns. I thought I knew who was the killer but I was wrong.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This author's books are soothing to the soul. Her characters are likable, and the plots always keep me guessing. Excellent fun.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Have become an addict of Faith Martin – love her novels.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Cracking good read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Plenty of action and drama to keep the reader gripped through to the end' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys crime fiction' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Compelling murder mystery' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Ryder and Loveday Series

Book 1: A FATAL OBSESSION

Book 2: A FATAL MISTAKE

Book 3: A FATAL FLAW

Book 4: A FATAL SECRET

Book 5: A FATAL TRUTH

Book 6: A FATAL AFFAIR

Book 7: A FATAL NIGHT

Book 8: A FATAL END

Ratings and reviews

Once again, Coroner Clement Ryder 'borrows" Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday to help him investigate the drowning of a young man. There was a collision of sorts among 3 boats full of University students ... was he one of the passengers that didn't make it? Questioning the other young people involved, no one can remember seeing the victim at any time .. but Ryder senses that most of them are lying throw their teeth. The question is .. Why? Once again, Trudy is at loggerheads with her superior officer. He doesn't like the idea of a woman wearing a uniform so he keeps her pretty much tied to a desk .... unless the coroner needs her. One of the men that they need to question is the son of a very prominent and wealthy man. Her instructions are to leave him alone ... don't bother him .... So what does Trudy do? She may be young, but she's also fearless and right is right no matter who is involved. She doesn't believe in double standards where justice is concerned. This is the third of a most interesting series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. It's the 60s .. a time before DNA, no smart phones, no data bases to speak of. The detective work consists of a lot of knocking on doors and asking questions .... and then trying to solve the puzzle. Trudy and Ryder have a unique relationship. He's old enough to be her father and she looks at him as a mentor. There is so much she can learn from him. He loves to see the sparkle in her eyes when she's on the hunt .. and hates when he shoots her ideas down. There is much respect, even humor, between them. Many thanks to the author / HQ Digital / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Female policewoman during the 1950s finding the profession difficult and undermining at times. Her superior officers, ALL male believe that a woman's place is at home looking after her family. However, women joining the force in the 1950s is what was needed. A new view, a fresh pair of eyes who can spot the vs that many makes are reluctant to admit are all so evident. A cracker of a story. Many female crime fans will find Faith's books a masterstroke of genius as one young lady challenges the powers that be and well and truly puts them in their place?

About the author

Faith Martin has been writing for thirty years and has published over fifty novels. She began writing romantic thrillers as Maxine Barry, but quickly turned to crime! It was when she turned to writing detective stories as Faith Martin that she became more widely known. Having lived in Oxfordshire all her life, both the city and the countryside often feature in her novels. The fauna and wildlife of a farming landscape has always played a big part in her life – and often sneaks its way onto the pages of her books.