Murder Under the Sun by Faith Martin.
Detective Hilary Greene book 22.
I did enjoy this book. I must admit I've only read a couple in this series. But I will be having a look at the first book. I did love the cover and blurb of this book. I love cold cases. I did like Hilary, Gareth and Claire. I did have a theory with who the killer was. But I was wrong. I was very surprised who the murderer was. Im looking forward to the next book.

Stuck in the basement, former detective Hillary Green and her team are tackling another cold case. This time it is the death of Imelda Philips who was battered to death in her own home. When an unexpected lead opens the case up, followed by another body, it down to the team to establish if these two cases are linked and whether with he new evidence it can now be solved.
A well written book with good pace and enough intriguing detail to give realism to the plot, particularly the ending.

Murder Under the Sun by Faith Martin was a book, once you have read the first few pages you will be hooked. Faith has a way of writing that will draw you into any of her books and this one was no different, especially as it is book 22 in the DI Hillary Greene series. Confession I have only read book 18 which was Hillary's Back! which I loved.
This one was no different. It was brilliant, full of twists and turns throughout, if you love British police procedurals books this is a series for you. I really enjoyed this book and I had no problem getting into the Faith's latest DI Hillary Greene book.
Superb book and I highly recommend all of Faith Martin's books.

It’s interesting to read a book set in England in which the weather is stiflingly hot - usually writers play on the cold, wet weather. This adds an interesting new angle to this otherwise thoroughly English-feeling book. I loved the way the author wove humour into the story, including the dialogue between the characters, it’s a nice, well paced read with a good balance of the mystery to intrigue you while also enjoying the “cosy” aspects of the book, including the wonderful characters,

The summer in England was excessively hot, with the heatwave not letting up, and former Detective Hillary Greene and her two offsiders, Claire and Gareth, sweltered in their basement offices. The day they were handed another cold case to work was no different, but they wanted to find justice for Imelda Phelps after she'd died fifteen years ago, with no one being convicted of her murder. Their superintendent, Rollo Sale, instructed Hillary to do her best, come to him if she needed, and stick to her 9-5 hours (he knew her well!)

As the investigation deepened, with both Claire and Gareth alternating days of being on the road with Hillary, or researching the past, the weather continued to harass the Brits. Humidity, heat and the constant high temperatures drained everyone. But Hillary was determined. Would this be the first case she was unable to break? It was definitely heading that way...

Murder Under the Sun is the 22nd in the Hillary Greene series by Faith Martin and I loved it! I'm so glad the series has continued, even though Hillary is now a civilian consultant. Her methods haven't changed, just her status; her determination and grit continues. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Joffe Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

It's an unbearably hot summer in Britain, and cold case detective Hillary Greene and her team are looking into the murder of a model. They try to interview the original detective, but she seems to have dementia, so they start looking at the victim's family and former business partner. Then when one of these individuals is murdered, Hillary is warned not to combine the current case with the cold case since a hotshot cop who is not a team player wants to handle it. This can be read as a standalone, but if you're read any of the previous books, you know Hillary chafes at this restriction. Recommended for fans of British police procedurals. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I normally don't read British crime fiction, as they are usually very slow, but this author is an exception. This is great storytelling with a bit of humour, as well as great characters and an interesting plot.

Murder under the sun
During a relentless brutal heat wave, ex-DI, now civilian consultant, Hillary Greene and her quirky small cold-case team are tasked with investigating a so far unsolved murder from 15 years ago. The going is especially tough since the victim‘s family is reluctant to cooperate…Set in Oxfordshire, this twisty cleverly plotted story kept me on the edge of my seat from page one. Highly recommended!


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Hillary Greene and her cold case team are sweltering in their stuffy basement office on the hottest day of the year when they are handed an impossible case. Fifteen years ago, Imelda Phelps was battered to death in the hallway of her home. The brutal crime shocked the residents of the pretty market town of Chipping Norton. The killer was never caught. If Hillary is to crack the case, she must keep an open mind. But one thing is this crime was personal. It’s up to Hillary and her team to work out which of Imelda’s family and friends is hiding a deadly secret.
The twenty second outing for Hillary & I’m still loving the series. It could be read on it’s own. A well written entertaining & intriguing book. The pace is good, the characters well portrayed & I was left guessing. I’ve grown to love Hillary with all her quirks but she’s a great role model to younger members of her team. Roll on book twenty three
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

First time I have read anything from this author and I enjoyed Imelda Phelps character. In the CRT unit being a former DI.. It was paced well with a good storyline. Plenty of suspense throughout. I would definitely read the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

The latest in the longline of Hillary Greene novels is significantly better than its immediate predecessor. In Murder Under the Sun, Hillary is back on home ground in Kidlington and attempting to solve another cold murder. I enjoyed the investigation elements of the book and it held my attention easily. I do wish that Hillary's character was better developed though; that she had some kind of life outwith work. And I have to confess to being fed up with her wretched car. It's the only thing she shows any emotion towards but, given that it's been around since the beginning of the series, it's really time to get rid of it.

Another awesome book in this series. This plot had some nice twists and turns. There were lots of suspects and lots of motives, finding the right one was not an easy task. I love the characters and how they go about the job. Looking forward to seeing what Hillary and her small crew get involved in next.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Former DI Hillary Greene is now a civilian consultant to the department and works with a small team (based in the basement of the station house) and together they work to bring cold cases (murder) to justice. Investigating a fifteen-year-old murder has a lot of challenges and it's only made worse by the endless unrelenting heat and humidity, not to mention the flaws in the original investigation. To top it all off, someone who was a person of interest then has been murdered now and the DI in charge is convinced that he is always right in everything. Excellent story!
As usual, the story does stand-alone quite nicely.
Not an unbiased review as I really enjoy the Hillary Greene series! Pub Date Jun 12, 2025
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected proof copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley.
#MurderUndertheSun by #FaithMartin #DIHillaryGreeneBk22 @joffebooks #NetGalley
#crimethriller #suspense #coldcase #familydrama #murder #relationships #twisty

Hilary Greene and her civilian cold case team are investigating the death of Imelda Phelps 15 years ago. Rather poorly investigated at the time but an ideal one for Hillary and team. Lots for them to investigate especially when a second body turns up. Are there links? Hillary has to take a step back in order for the 'fresh' murder to take precedence, another team, but still manages to work the case to a somewhat unexcepted conclusion. Well written and convoluted enough to keep the reader's interest, as usual.Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Hillary Greene at her best. Really great read, lots of thinking ‘outside the box’, with a great case to solve. As ever the descriptions transport you into her world.. Thoroughly recommend it.

This was a nice mystery.. This was my first Faith Martin book but I had no problem diving right in. Love cold cases so this was up my alley. Ending was good, not great, but I would recommend to all mystery lover.

I have read all of these which says something! The latest does not disappoint, this is great escapist crime with a good cast of characters that moves along at a decent pace and comes to an unexpected and satisfying conclusion. Another success from Faith Martin!

Former Detective Hillary Greene is now a civilian employee assigned to cold cases. Her small team of three occupies cramped basement quarters where they try to turn up new leads on old cases. When they start asking questions about a 15-year old murder, trouble ensues, including another murder. The heat is up, both on those closest to the crimes, and literally, with an unrelenting heat wave in the UK.

Though this series has twenty previous titles, this book stands alone. I've read others and they are all enjoyable. Any number of people could be the perpetrator, but the police need a confession as there is so little physical evidence, especially after the passage of time. Hillary's quick thinking ensures that justice will be served.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Another fantastic entry in the Hillary Greene series! Murder Under the Sun is the perfect title, as it takes place during a heat wave in England. Faith Martin does such a great job with the description, that you can practically feel the sizzle. The hot summer adds to the feeling of foreboding throughout the book.

Here we find Hillary back on familiar ground in her new role as a special consultant solving cold cases. This one involves the murder of a beautiful woman, Imelda Phelps, who was bludgeoned in her home fifteen years before. It was an especially shocking case at the time because it took place during the day in the village of Chipping Norton. Imelda was a wife and mother and working her way up as a model. Hillary and her crew, leave no stone unturned in their search for the killer. Everyone from strangers to family members to former business associates are suspects. And everything isn’t smooth going at the precinct either. Great mystery and well drawn characters. Love her team! Claire who’s in her mid-fifties and Gavin a young former soldier, add to the story. This is my third book in the series, and I have now sought out the rest of the series to read. Faith Martin did an excellent job writing an entertaining and well thought out mystery.



#MurderUndertheSun #NetGalley

Murder Under the Sun by Faith Martin. Twenty-second book DI Hillary Greene series. The cold cases and Hillary and her team solving them are as interesting and complex as always. Lots twists and turns, fast paced and enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you to Ms Martin, Joffe Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.