Faith Martin

Faith Martin is the pen name of Jacqueline Walton, a prolific British crime fiction author who has sold more than two million books and become one of the most popular writers in UK cozy crime and police procedural fiction. Born in Oxford and raised in the Oxfordshire countryside, Martin draws heavily on her knowledge of the region — her novels are steeped in the landscapes, villages, and social dynamics of rural England. She worked in a variety of jobs before turning to writing full-time. Her best-known creation is DI Hillary Greene, a tenacious, no-nonsense detective working out of Thames Valley Police. The Hillary Greene series spans over twenty novels and has built a devoted readership who love Greene's sharp instincts, dry wit, and complicated personal life. The Ryder and Loveday series, set in 1960s Oxford, pairs a young WPC with an experienced coroner to investigate suspicious deaths — combining golden-age mystery charm with Martin's gift for atmospheric settings. Under other pen names — including Joyce Cato and Maxine Barry — she has also written romance and psychological suspense, demonstrating remarkable versatility. Martin's strength is pacing and readability. Her novels are tightly plotted, satisfying mysteries that move briskly and deliver genuine surprises. She writes the kind of books that readers devour in a sitting and immediately reach for the next. The audiobook editions of Martin's mysteries are ideal listening — well-paced and atmospheric. Her books and audiobooks are perfect for fans of classic British crime fiction who enjoy strong detectives, rural settings, and clever plotting.