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Preview
  • A Fatal Obsession

  • Ryder and Loveday, Book 1
  • By: Faith Martin
  • Narrated by: Stephanie Racine
  • Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (360 ratings)

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A Fatal Obsession

By: Faith Martin
Narrated by: Stephanie Racine
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Summary

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

‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries

Oxford, 1960. There's a murderer on the loose and two unlikely heroes are poised to solve the case.

Meet Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday – smart, enthusiastic and always underestimated.

In the hope of getting her out of the way, Trudy’s senior officer assigns her to help coroner Clement Ryder as he re-opens the case of a young woman's death. She can't believe her luck – she is actually going to be working on a real murder case.

Meanwhile, the rest of the police force are busy investigating a series of threats and murders in the local community, and Clement can't help but feel it's all linked.

As Trudy and Clement form an unlikely partnership, are they going to be the ones to solve these crimes before the murderer strikes again?

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 series

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

©2018 Faith Martin (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
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What listeners say about A Fatal Obsession

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  • Overall
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Fantastic Plot

A really enjoyable story. A great plot which kept me guessing to the very end. The background to the story and local flavour was very good too.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining but where is the caution?

This is a pleasant listen with an unusual set up and good characterisation. It is in the cosy category but that does not quite excuse the cavalier attitude towards interviewing witnesses. it would have been better if the protagonists had pretended the need to caution a person didn't exist. What they did was to do their best to get a confession before the suspect had time to think. Possibly just as well that we don't follow the case to trial when no doubt it would all have fallen apart and the guilty person walk free!

The narrator has a pleasant reading voice and carried the story well.

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A fatal Obsession

Good enjoyable mystery with twists and turns highly enjoyable will read the next in the series

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing book

At first I was a bit hesitant, thinking that the pairing of two very different characters would never work, but I was wrong.
A very good storyline whilst in the background these two characters just seemed to become real and they did work well together.

Now on to book 2

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Well read

I loved this book and the fact that it was set in my era and I grew up in Oxford, it kept me guessing and I really liked Trudy’s character. It was very well told.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thoroughly enjoyable read.

Lovely for a wet and cold Sunday curled up in front a fire. great characters and a well developed plot make it a book you can't put down. can't wait to read the next one.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Finally an engrossing, enjoyable mystery

Good, clever story. Wonderful narration.

This is just the kind of gentle story that makes a change from the high octane, high adrenaline, fast paced fare that seems to be in vogue.

The plot is complex, but smoothly delivered, sharp and intelligent with very regular & irregular characters.

Onwards to book 2…

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent listen

I thoroughly enjoyed this. it kept me company during a day of painting the kitchen (and afterwards, listening into the night). The narration was good so am surprised by other reviews berating it, but I suppose everyone has different preferences.

I loved the premise of a young probationary Wpc in a 60s police force tackling sexism and social expectations and the contrast with a more mature and experienced male coroner fighting a developing illness.

I would have liked Truly to have made more contributions to the reveal stages of the investigation towards the end, instead her role is mostly note taker. I also would have liked the discovery of the killer to have been revealed differently. It was too convenient. Can't say more without spoilers. These minor points did nothing to diminish my overall enjoyment of this excellent story.

I've downloaded the next audiobook in the series as company for today's painting.

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5 people found this helpful

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an unexpected treasure

I loved listening to this book. it is the first one I have read by Faith Martin but will certainly not be the last. Her characters are very realistic and well put together and the main character is a pure joy. She reminds me of the way things were back in the 1960s and 1970s when I was embarking on my first career. Her introductions of the characters are paced in such a way as to be able to remember them as individuals without getting them mixed up. The narrator is also excellent and seems to know instinctively when to leave spaces and when to sound excited. Well done.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Another cracker

Faith Martin has a wonderful battle, brings the characters to life in her narrative, especially Clement and Trudy

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