Only after starting this book did I spot that there are several earlier books in the series. Perhaps that is why I found it slow to really get going. I enjoyed it in the endas it built to a dramatic conclusion.
What does this crime thriller have?
A very public dead body on the village green
A body in a barn
Murder?
Suicide?
Those last too are the questions to which a young WPC and an aging coroner need to find the answer.
The result is a fairly fast paced novel, which manages to encapsulate village life in a 1960s rural village near Oxford.
There are sufficient twists and turns in the plot to maintain interest.
I give my thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for a copy in exchange for this review.

Another favorite by a great author. The plot of the story was very well written. The author really draws the reader in as you read. Cannot wait for another story.

This is the first I have read in the Ryder and Loveday series. The story itself was well conceived and has the reader guessing throughout. It is set in the early sixties when crime detection was a more simple affair than it is now. After the village May Queen is found strangled and tied to the maypole and then her boyfriend is found hanging, it seems a simple case of murder and suicide. However Dr Ryder and WPC Loveday think there is more to it than at first appears. A steady tale that is told in a gentile way of times gone by. It rarely shocks but has a few twists and turns along the way. I admit I prefer something a little more gritty and faster paced but a decent enough story that makes you realise just how much things have moved on during the last 60 years.

This was a well paced story. Although it was part of a series it was very much a stand alone book. The location and character descriptions were just perfect and it was easy to relate to both. The book exposes village life, gossipy women, tight knit community not accepting strangers easily and adds a rich London society group for richness and depravity.
All the way through I was trying to decide who was responsible for one murder, was there a suicide or another murder and more importantly why everyting happened as it did. Twisting all the way thorugh the book it had a sound ending.

It is 1962 in a sleepy English village when the lovely Iris Carmody, Queen of the May, is discovered murdered and tied to the very maypole that is part of the annual festivities for May Day. A few days later, her boyfriend, the son of police Superintendent Keith Finch is found hanging in a barn, ostensibly a suicide. Finch asks Clement Ryder and Trudy Loveday to investigate his son’s death after the final inquest verdict.

Ryder is the aging local coroner, while Loveday is a young constable trying to be accepted as a serious police officer. They have teamed up very successfully before in solving crimes.

This is the sixth in the Ryder/Loveday series, the second I have read although it works well as a standalone. I like the books that have been published under the author’s pen name, Faith Martin. They have solid stories; more substantial than “cosy” mysteries yet still enjoyable, engrossing reads.

The series continues...Coroner Dr Ryder and Constable Trudy Loveday are paired together investigating a mysterious death of a young girl on May Day in 1962.

Plenty of Faith Martin's plot twists, but not easy to guess who the murderer was. I am still not sure if I should have read her previous Loveday/Ryder books before this one but it still is a good old fashioned police procedural novel.

Thanks to Net Galley and HQ Digital for the chance to read and review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, HQ Digital for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “A Fatal Affair.” All opinions are my own.

May Day, 1962 dawns and in a village near Oxford a young woman is found murdered. Lots of speculation, for the girl was definitely no better than she should be. There are no obvious suspects, however. Quite soon a local police superintendent’s son is also dead – seems like a suicide. He was the girl’s supposed boyfriend. Looks like everything is done and dusted, the case closed. But the superintendent wants Coroner Ryder to look into it further, and WPC Trudy Loveday as assistant won’t be far behind. Faith Martin has much for us to ponder in “A Fatal Affair,” the latest in the Ryder and Loveday series.

The father doesn’t think the boy killed himself – not in his nature. We’re left to wonder, too, as Ryder and Loveday start to delve into the circumstances of what the boy was doing. It seems the boy was doing his own investigation – was he killed for it?

Ms. Martin gives us plenty of suspects, and their thoughts and reasons and worries about what Ryder and Loveday are going to find out. Because they will, of course.

Characters are always the center of attention in a Ryder and Loveday book – with Oxford itself not too far behind. Trudy is once again trying to prove that females belong in the police force, always hoping that a case will come along that will prove her worth. And then there’s Ryder’s illness to contend with. Our author keeps us on our toes in both cases. It helps to have read earlier books to know the details of these situations – and did I mention that “that” reporter is back? I’d like to see the back of him, but it was not to be, alas. Although he definitely has a part to play in “A Fatal Affair,” I’ll give him that.

A beautiful girl’s ugly nature is truly revealed, with all the terrible damage it causes, in a powerful final scene. Ryder and Loveday as usual make a great team, and I look forward to their continuing partnership.

A Fatal Affair is the sixth instalment in the WPC Trudy Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder series, set in the rural village of Middle Fenton, Oxford. It's Tuesday 1st May, 1962 and the village is getting ready to celebrate May Day. Margaret Bellham, a member of the May Day Committee for the past twenty years, is bustling her way towards the village green. It is her job to oversee the May Day Procession and organise those who would be preparing the food for the traditional picnic around the village duck pond. She also has the responsibility to ensure that the village maypole, a permanent structure erected in pride of place on the village green nearly two centuries ago, is ready for the maypole dancing by all the village maidens under the age of eighteen, which would start promptly at noon. As she stepped towards the stone maypole. Unsure of what her eyes were seeing she sank to her knees on the grass. In front of her was the May Queen the villagers had voted for — seventeen-year-old Iris Carmody. The vividly coloured ribbons that hung from the crown of the maypole were wrapped tightly around her body and a ring of dark smudged bruises were visible around her neck. A week and four days after finding Iris' body, DI Harry Jennings isn't making much headway. He's in his office mulling the case over when Superintendent Keith Finch visits him about the death of his son, David. Many believe that David committed suicide because of his girlfriend, Iris', murder.

His father admits that his son was head over heels for her and her brutal killing hit him hard. David's mother, Betty, had been worried sick about him even before the girl's death as she had heard that Iris was being unfaithful and was just that type of girl. Found three days earlier hanging in a barn belonging to a close friend of the Finch family, there had been rumours that university student David had been the one to strangle his girlfriend before taking his own life a short time later due to the guilt. Speculation was rife but Keith doesn't believe that his son would have killed himself. Can Lovejoy and Ryder get to the bottom of what happened to both David and Iris and set the record straight? This is a riveting and thoroughly compulsive procedural and it's always a pleasure and never a chore to be reacquainted with both Lovejoy and Ryder. Set in the '60s, I loved the fact that the police had a lot more legwork and traditional policing and evidence gathering to do as obviously there were no mobile phones, internet, DNA tests, forensics and suchlike, and it makes for a very different and unique read mainly using deductive skill and interviews. It is an enthralling mystery with a large suspect pool and twist after exciting twist. Martin has plotted it to perfection as I couldn't work out the murderer's identity until it was revealed at the end. Told primarily from Ryder & Lovejoy's perspectives there are many disturbing and unsettling secrets just waiting to be uncovered in this tight-knit community. Highly recommended.

She was dressed in a long white gown, embroidered with tiny flowers. Her body was wrapped in colourful ribbons that floated in the breeze. But underneath the swathe of golden hair, a string of darkly smudged bruises ringed her neck. As May Day dawns in the peaceful village of Middle Fenton, Iris Carmody, the May Queen is found brutally strangled. A week later, David Finch, her boyfriend is found hanged in a local barn, and the police assume guilt over murdering his beloved has driven him to suicide – but not everyone is convinced especially his father the superintendent. WPC Trudy Loveday and coroner Clement Ryder are sent to investigate, and quickly realise that there’s a double murderer on the loose.
This is the sixth book in this engrossing series set in the 1960's. It's true to the time period & relies on good old police work. I really like both Trudy & Clement & enjoy their cases. I was drawn in from the start & totally captivated until the end. There were plenty of suspects plus twists & turns. I didn’t work out who the killer was, which is always a plus. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Well I was determined to give this series a good try but it just didn’t suit me at all. I can just about remember England in the early 60’s but would like to think that even then the police would have been less easy going than this story shows them to be.
I will score it three stars because it’s probable mor3 a case of “ it’s not you it’s me” to be fair.

This author is new to me and it is a very English feeling and nice and comforting read. I really did enjoy it and loved the twists and turns.

I just let myself relax and go back a few decades and back to village life near Oxford. The scene setting was brilliant very well thought through.

I haven't read any of the other books in the series but that didnt seem to matter.

I was given an advance copy by the publisher and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

I have absolutely no idea how I've missed reading this series before, I've got some catching up to do! Set in the 1960s, this series has coroner Dr. Clement Ryder and WPC Trudy Loveday working together to discover if the untimely death of the son of Superintendent Keith Finch, David, a university student, really was suicide following the murder of his girlfriend - and was he her killer? With two deaths in this rural community, can Trudy and Clement determine just what happened to both of these young people?

There are lots of references to life in England during the sixties, from music to money. Forget mobile phones, social media, databases, computers,, supermarkets and out of town shopping centres! Return instead to the village store, close knit communities that people rarely leave - and gossips galore. I haven't read anything with sixpences, half-crowns and the like in for a long time! Add into that a story with well developed characters, plenty of mysteries, red herrings and clues and you've got yourself a great read. Ryder and Loveday are a strange combination but work so well together. There's plenty of danger, the ending is a dramatic twist and the whole story a fascinating page turner. I'll definitely be looking out for more by this author in future!

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

I’m in a bit of a quandary with this review. If Faith Martin is using the early 60’s because it was a simpler time and things moved at a slower pace, it’s worked, but why pick an era when the “WPC” is still seen as a second class copper, when the one in this story is anything but.
The story revolves around an Old Coroner, who is suffering from, and trying to hide, Parkinson’s, and a smart young WPC, going off the books to investigate the death of a young man, and his connection with an earlier murder.
The young man is the son of a Police Superintendent, and was the boyfriend of a girl that was murdered. All appearances are that he killed himself with that inferring he had killed the girl.
It’s hard to say what is realistic because it is set in an era where there was a lot of “anything goes” policing.
I enjoyed the story but it’s slow. Another reviewer on here says it is like a Sunday afternoon TV crime drama, I have to agree with them.

This is book number six in this charming series by Faith Martin, but the first book I have read. Set in the small rural village of Middle Fenton in the 1960’s, the story opens with the death of the Queen of the May, Iris Carmody, who was found dead, having been strangled and found tied to the Maypole by the tightly wound bright ribbons.
Her boyfriend, David Finch, is later found dead, hanging in a barn. David is the son of Police Superintendent Finch, who naturally doesn’t believe his son could have murdered Iris and then committed suicide. He asks WPC Trudy Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder to conduct a discreet investigation on his behalf.
The attitudes of the 1960’s are very accurately described. I remember dancing around the village Maypole in the 1960’s when I was at Primary School, and what a popular occasion it was. The Queen of the May was chosen to sit on a large throne and ruled over the ceremonies, it was an honour to be chosen.
WPC’s then were mainly concerned with the Department of Women and Children. They searched for missing and found children, dealt with cases of prostitution and other sexual assaults, but were very rarely promoted, and rarer still were allowed to become involved in CID work. They made the tea, answered the telephone and did the majority of the filing. They wore a very impractical uniform, straight skirt, blouse and tie, hair if long, was to be pinned up under a small hat, they had a tunic, stockings of course and carried a handbag, in which was an extremely small truncheon!!
I found this book to be a study of good and logical , old fashioned detective work. I loved the relationship between Trudy and Clement, being based upon respect for experience, honesty and reliability.
My friend has the collection of these books, so, when I told her I was reviewing this book, the sheer amount of hostile emojis on her message to me was amazing! Basically, if I revealed anything about the story, our friendship would be over! I need to be on good terms with her, as I want to read the previous books in this series!! I think I might be lucky!!
I only guessed the identity of the killer 3 pages before it was revealed, so that counts as a great outcome for me. If I guess it too early, I tend to rush through books , only searching for relevant points to confirm my suspicions.
Thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley for my ARC, much appreciated. This is my honest review, and I have given a four star read.
I will post reviews to Goodreads and Amazon upon publication.

The cameraman had a nice fat close-up of a bumblebee grazing on honeysuckle set against the background of a honeyed Cotswold stone wall. Well, that's how I imagine a televised version of A Fatal Affair might begin, whilst the cameraman pulled back to a wide angle shot of the village green and the horror which met Margaret Bellham's eyes that fateful May day.
To be perfectly frank the story had all the ingredients for an hour's Sunday evening TV but not for a good detective novel. The investigative duo, WPC Trudy Loveday and coroner Clement Ryder, working as it were 'on the side' , stretched professional credibility too far. The failure to garner forensic evidence from the beam where a rope may have left an impression of both hoisting, then releasing a young man's body would have quickly answered the question, "Was it suicide"? The only decent detective in the sad story ended up dead.
As you may gather it won't top my favourite detective thriller list but it was entertaining nevertheless.

This is part of a series and whilst it could be read as a stand alone it would be better if you had read the previous books. I had and enjoyed the character building. I really enjoy these murder mysteries set in the past.

There is enough realism but also cosy mystery element. I felt this was a tad obvious but enjoyed the different vantage point of them being asked to help this time! There were a few editing errors such as of instead of off but a final review before publishing should clear this up.

Overall id give it 4 stars. Thank you for the arc.

3.7 rounded up 4 Stars!
This is Book #6 in the Ryder & Loveday ‘Fatal’ Mystery series.
The setting is Oxford 1961
Our main characters are WPC (Woman Police Constable) Trudy Loveday who is young & bright (and a bit naïve) along with Coroner Dr. Clement Ryder, who is sophisticated, experienced (and a bit crusty).
Trudy is new and on probation ~she is bright and very ambitious but so far has her duties have been filing and making coffee. She has arrested a few pick pocket thieves but hasn’t been given any real cases. Since the story is based in the 1960, we know there were few women in crime fighting, also no helpful tools such as cell phones, or DNA).

Personal Note: I once attend a luncheon where the guest speaker was the first female Chief of Police in
our Country. She told us where she started as a police officer back in the late 60s she had to wear a
women’s uniform ~ skirt and high heels. She asked us …”Can you imagine chasing down a criminal in a skirt
and high heels?”
This story begins when the town’s May Queen, Iris Carmody, is found dead, strangled and wrapped around the may pole with the ribbons hanging from the pole. A few days later, her boyfriend David Finch is found dead hanging in a barn. David is the son of Chief Superintendent, Finch. Fear has it that this might be a murder suicide.
Story kept me interested as to what really happened. Although setting is the 1960 the investigation was normal. The attitude toward Trudy was the only thing different. Perhaps the May Queen was a 60’s thing ~ I actually remember being very young and was asked to be the flower girl for the May Queen. In this case the May Queen procession was a church activity where the Virgin Mary ~ Queen of May was crowned by the May Queen. It was a big deal in my small town.

I love these characters and I actually loved this story... for many reasons but top of my list is that I loved no profanity!!!!
I look forward to the next author, Faith Martin story!

Want to thank NetGalley and HQ Digital for this uncorrected digital copy granted to me early for a honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 4, 2021

A good combination of a Coroner and a fresh WPC setting out to clear the name of one of the deceased in a double homicide. The duo work well within the limits set for them and clear both the cases. The narrative is fast and tight and the conclusion satisfying. A quick read.

A beautiful young woman, Iris, was found wrapped in the Maypole ribbons, strangled. Every male in Middle Fenton was in love with her. But supposedly, her boyfriend was David Finch, son of the Police Superintendent. When David is found hanging in his friend's family barn looking like a suicide seven days later, it is generally believed that David killed Iris. But the Superintendent doesn't believe David is capably of murder, and he asks Dr. Ryder, the coroner, to investigate David's death with the help of WPC Trudy Loveday, regardless of the results of the inquest.

Ryder and Loveday talk with Iris's best friend Janet, and David's best friend, Ronnie, as well as lots of the townspeople. Everyone believes David committed suicide, but Ryder and Loveday aren't so certain. David had been going around town trying to investigate, and he didn't leave a suicide note. He was seen writing in the little notebook, and the notebook hadn't been found. They begin to think that David was killed because he had too much information on the killer. Can they find the double murderer before he finds them? The ending is VERY exciting as the killer finds them!

A solid four star read. Well written. Good characters. Fast paced. Gripping. Plenty of suspense to keep me enthralled. Did not guess the culprit. Would definitely read her next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it