This is the sixth book in the Ryder and Loveday series from Faith Martin. These stories tell of the investigations carried out by Oxford city coroner Dr Clement Ryder with the assistance of WPC Trudy Loveday, a young police officer in the early days of her career. All the books are set in the early 1960s in Oxford and surrounding villages. They can all be read as standalone stories.


In this case, Dr Ryder and Trudy are called in after a young village girl is found murdered early on May Day and her boyfriend is found hanged at a local farm a few days afterwards. The boy in question is the son of a high-ranking police officer who is keen to clear his son of suspicion of murdering the girl and then committing suicide. The coroner, ably assisted by the WPC, digs into activities in the village, turning up quite a few surprises and many possibilities for what may have happened to the girl and the young man. After many twists and turns, the story reaches a thrilling climax as the chain of events finally becomes clear.

Having read and enjoyed all of the books in this series so far, I sat down looking forward to another story filled with mystery and intrigue. I was not disappointed. As so often before, I found myself quite unable to guess at the outcome of the investigation; there were suspects aplenty and Faith Martin led me down many a blind alley before the truth was revealed in truly dramatic fashion. The characters that the sleuthing duo met along the way were so skilfully described that I felt I knew each one, but then, which were passionate about family or others in their lives and which really evil? I can thoroughly recommend this book to lovers of thrilling mystery stories. I am enjoying the pairing of the coroner and the young police officer and hope that there may be more books to come in this series.

A Fatal Affair by Faith Martin is a NetGalley advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. WPC Trudy Loveday and Dr. Clement Ryder (city coroner) help DI Harry Jennings solve the death of the son of the superintendent of police. Many think the son committed suicide after killing his girlfriend Iris. This is the 6th book of the series. I have not read any of the earlier stories but will have to go back and get them as this one was quite good. I liked Faith Martin's Hillary Greene series. Thanks to Faith Martin for her great writing and letting me read this book early.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of A Fatal Affair, the sixth novel to feature PC Trudy Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder, set in Oxford, 1961.

When the May Queen of Middle Fenton, Iris Carmody, is found dead, wrapped around the maypole by its ribbons the village is in shock. When her boyfriend, David Finch, is found a few days later hanging in a barn, the villagers are quick to draw conclusions. His father, Superintendent Finch isn’t and asks Ryder and Loveday to take a closer look.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Fatal Affair, which is an engrossing mystery with plenty of suspects and a captivating protagonist in Trudy Loveday. I found the plot absorbing as it contains little to no forensics and consists mainly of human interactions and deductions. Yes, these characters are mostly stereotypes, like Iris the loose moraled, money grubbing gold digger or the smart but naive David Finch, but it hardly matters as they fit the narrative nicely and the reader “knows” them, or their type. The plot itself is clever as I had no idea of the killer’s identity until the denouement, although the motive was slightly clearer, tied as it is to Iris’s personality.

The novel is told from various points of view, mostly Ryder and Loveday, giving the reader a wider perspective and more characters to suspect, as many of them, outside the investigators, have secrets and dark thoughts that raise alarm bells with the reader. Fortunately there are no musings from the unnamed killer, a current trend that I loathe.

I love the relationship between the crusty, sophisticated Ryder and the young, naïve Trudy. He looks on her as a daughter and she, in turn respects and learns from him. They are a formidable team and improving with every outing.

A Fatal Affair is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Another great entry in the Loveday/Ryder series by Faith Martin. The combination of experience (Dr. Ryder) and youthful naivete (WPC Loveday) coming together to solve an interesting case, never fails to deliver a great read. This book features a great plot and interesting characters.

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

My thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for an advanced copy for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own
This is the sixth in the series, set in the 1960’s, with WPC Trudy Loveday and the coroner Clement Ryder. Another good simple, mystery, that will keep you guessing until the very end. Setting the series in the 1960’s, is interesting as there are no cell phones, tracking systems, databases, social media etc. Good old fashioned pure and simple detective work. I thoroughly enjoy this series, as they beautifully capture the 60s attitudes and morals. The young WPC and the coroner have a really relatable relationship that never feels forced. If I had a criticism it would be nice if some parts of the main characters were able to progress, although I appreciate the author is constrained by historical accuracy in telling Trudy's story. The story moves quickly with a perfecting ending to hopefully lead to her next mystery story by this duo.

MS.Martin's books never disappoint. This is another very good simple, mystery, "who dunnit", that will keep you guessing until the very end. The setting of the 1960's is interesting since there are no cell phones, tracking systems etc. It's pure simple detective work and the story moves quickly with a perfecting ending to lead to her next mystery story by this duo. Quite enjoyable quick read.
I was provided an advanced reader copy of the book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

This is a roller coaster of a story in a perfectly suitable setting and with credible characters. It is refreshing when a murder tale, this time two murders, does not rely solely on detectives. The first death, of the village’s MayDay queen, Iris Carmody, is for the police to solve but the second death, an apparent suicide by the young student, David Finch, merits the attention of an ageing coroner, Clement Ryder, and unappreciated policewoman, Trudy. Most of the story centres on the activities of that unlikely pairing. They need to show weather this is a murder and suicide or a double murder. Then there is the sideline of Mortimer Crowley’s wild parties involving young women. The story takes many turns and keeps challenging the reader to solve the murder before the investigators. There is a clue to watch out for near the end. This is an absorbing read and would be a good television programme. Once you start it, you will not want a break and that is what a good read is all about. I recommend it.

this book was easy reading, reminded me of midsummer murders although i was surprised at the end when the killer was revealed.

This is the first Ryder and Loveday mystery I’ve read. The story was full of suspense and kept you guessing until the end!

You can't beat Faith Martin for a bit of highly enjoyable light relief. I often think the word "cosy" is a misnomer because a lot of the time they can be very well written and acutely observed with great insights into human nature. I have previously really enjoyed the Jenny Starling books ( we need a cookbook..) . This was a new character to me but equally as enjoyable with a suitable twisty plot and great characters, Well written and well structured, First class and a joy to read

The sixth of the series, and they keep getting better and better. This time out Trudy and Dr. Ryder are given the task of trying to determine if a young man's death is due to suicide or murder. The request comes from the Chief Superintendent, so Trudy's boss, DI Jennings can't block it, even though he still thinks Trudy should be limited to filing and fetching coffee.
In this mystery, the young man's death is the second one of the book, the first being the soon to be crowned May Queen who was "stepping out" with the young man. Trudy and Ryder must find out if he killed himself or was murdered and why.
As they get further into the investigation, the two cases begin to mingle, and it's impossible to keep them completely separate. The final 20% of the book really ramps up the tension to a "don't want to put it down" pace. Overall, the book is well written with excellent plotting and good pace. One caution, if you haven't read the others in the series, you may want to do that first. There is much to Trudy and Ryder's relationship that is established in earlier books as well as information on how Trudy functions in the world of the 1970's with it's limited attitudes toward women in the workplace. My thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for an advanced copy for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. Review to be published in MysteryandSuspense 1/31/21

Gruesome Discoveries....
Book six in the Ryder and Loveday series of mysteries and some gruesome discoveries launch another investigation for the pair. When it becomes clear that they are seeking the perpetrator of a double murder it also becomes clear that they themselves are in grave peril. Tense, fast moving plot with likeable protagonists and a colourful cast of supporting characters. A worthy addition to the series.

I love this series of books by Faith Martin, they beautifully capture the 60s attitudes and morals. This is a twisting tale around the death of a beautiful young girl. Ryder and Loveday are a fab crime fighting odd couple. The young female pc and the coroner have a really relatable relationship that never feels forced. More please.

Wonderful! There is something strangely comforting about the Ryder and Loveday books. Set in the 1960s they depict a time gone by, a simpler world but still with plenty of murder and intrigue. Really enjoyable.

Our favorite detecting duo are back in this exciting story of young constable Loveday and crusty old coroner Dr. Ryder. Author Faith Martin impeccably plots out the story of a murder and suicide in a small village, providing, as always, a rich setting and intricate characters. The reader is kept guessing until the tense, surprising end. It’s hard to find a more satisfying series than this one set in the early 1960’s with a newly minted, often harassed female police officer and a shrewd, secretive coroner. The unlikely couple team up to investigate seemingly straightforward or hopeless cases. A winner!

WPC Trudy and Dr Clement, Loveday and Ryder, are back and this time they've been officially sanctioned to look into a suspicious death. Murder or suicide? The inquest and the victim's family don't agree and one member of the latter is in a position to pull strings - and also to affect Trudy's slowly (very slowly) developing career.

I'm very much enjoying this series, although I'd be happy for some aspects of the main characters' lives to move along slightly more quickly. Faith Martin is, of course, constrained by historical accuracy in telling Trudy's tale but, given her unlikely partnership with Dr Ryder, I hope that she might actually be allowed to progress in the force at some point.

That unlikely relationship is one of the joys of the books. It as developed over the course of the series from being formal and constrained with Dr Ryder clearly in charge to a more balanced one as Trudy demonstrates her ability to learn quickly and gains confidence.

Another excellent book by Faith Martin, she never fails to please. This is a thriller about the death of a beautiful young lady who had recently been made May Queen in the village of Middle Fenton and the Coroner Clement Ryder and his assistant WPC Trudy Loveday investigate it. It is a page turner from page one to the end.

A Fatal Affair by Faith Martin – 5 Stars
Publisher: HQ Digital
ISBN: 9780008410483

The plot is twisty and intelligently complex. The characters are well crafted. The setting is a village where rumors abound and secrets are hidden. There are many more words I can write to praise this novel, but most important of them is I absolutely enjoyed it
This is the third book I have read in the Ryder and Loveday series. The characters bring me back to read more. Trudy has completed her probationary period but is still not being recognized as a capable professional police officer. Dr. Ryder continues to struggle to keep his illness from being noticed. He is a brilliant mentor to Trudy. They work together to lead the story through an investigation that ends in a surprising conclusion, proving that the most obvious facts do not always lead to the correct answer.
I look forward to getting another of Faith Martin’s books, settling into a comfortable chair, and enjoying a great story.

Reviewer: Nancy