I was a little doubtful about A Saintly Killing when I started reading it. Even though I knew from the start its main character was a vicar, I have to admit being a little put off by the church setting at first. A little too much religion, and not enough whodunnit I thought. But after the first couple of chapters, things picked up a bit and I ended up enjoying it quite a lot. In fact, I wouldn't mind spending more time with Faith Morgan and her parishioners. And I can definitely see myself recommending this one to friends who like cozies. ( )

This is a delightful mystery set in the English town of Little Worthy. Faith Morgan, who has traded her carreer in police work to that that of parish vicar, still has murder creeping into her life. Past and present lives of her parishoners intertwine leading her down several paths until the death of the artist doing a painting of the church is solved. All this in the middle of preparing for the church 900th anniversary and family concerns with her mom!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next Faith Morgan mystery. ( )

I received "A Saintly Killing" by Martha Ockley in in order to review it for the LibraryThing's Early Reviewers. This is the 3rd book in the Faith Morgan Mystery series. Vicar, Faith Morgan, is busy preparing for her church's 900th anniversary celebration in the small English village of Little Worthy, when the artist contracted to paint a picture of St. James for the anniversary booklet, is murdered. Faith is a former police detective, therefore it is difficult for her to "turn off" her analytical police training. Her former partner, (and former beau) Ben Shorter, is the detective investigating the murder. Faith can't help but be involved when several members of her congregation are suspects in the murder. The investigation is very emotional for Faith, as she seeks to support and comfort her parishioners while attempting to sort out the truth. Adding to her stress are the concerns over her mother's worsening alzheimers and the return of her sister's shady ex-husband. The characters and relationships in this 3rd book are more developed and the plot takes some unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged. I enjoyed it and look forward to book #4! ( )

A Saintly Killing is the 3rd book in Martha Ockley’s Faith Morgan Mystery series. You can read my reviews of the previous 2 books by clicking on the following titles — The Reluctant Detective and The Advent of Murder. The series protagonist, Faith Morgan, is a vicar who serves the church of St. James in the small English village of Little Worthy. She left her former life as a policewoman to serve God, however, murders keep turning up and she is soon swept into the investigations.

The third book finds Faith preparing for the 900th anniversary celebration of the historic church. In the midst of the preparations a murder occurs that has Faith struggling with her role as comforter and spiritual leader and her inclinations to find out whodunit. Adding to her troubles are her former romantic interest, DI Shorter, and her family’s struggle with her mother who has been newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. But Faith is a capable woman who can juggle all aspects of her life, including murder investigations.

A Saintly Killing is an interesting murder mystery with lots of likely suspects with myriad motives. The victim is widely disliked for her temperamental attitude and her disregard for others. And while the mystery is the catalyst for the story, it is Faith’s struggles that kept me engaged. She is a realistic and complex character that a reader can easily identify with. A central theme to this book is forgiveness and repentance. I found it interesting that Faith is sometimes reluctant to forgive, going as far as suggesting that forgiveness can be withheld if the other party isn’t sorry. Although not very Biblical, this is an idea that can lead to bitterness and unresolved grief — an insidious evil in Little Worthy.

A Saintly Killing is a very British novel in setting, style and language. It kept me guessing until almost the end, which I really like. I want to be challenged by a mystery. The author leaves a few loose ends, so I am hoping there are more Faith Morgan stories in the future.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Kregel and Lion Hudson for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

A nice little cozy, with the twist of a female vicar and the 900th year celebration of the local church. Faith moves confidently through the story, the third in a series. I haven't read the others, but the style is certainly up my alley. ( )