This murder mystery with a very cosy feel turned out to be a real gem of a read. It is part of the Rina Martin series and can be read as a standalone although you soon realise that the characters here all share a very bloody past that is only alluded to here, but after reading the book I would certainly look forward to reading some of the earlier one and finding out all there is to know about the inhabitants of Frantham, a coastal farming community in the south of England. It really is a case of “Move over Midsomer, Frantham is the REAL murder capital of the UK”.

Rina Martin herself is an actress of a certain age who has just come out of retirement to film a new season of her sleuthing serial. The book may have her name on the front cover but in actual fact she only plays a small, albeit very important role in the story. The main character is D I MacGregor, known as Mac who, with his team of police officers, is involved with solving the murder of Ellen Tailor, a local woman shot dead at point blank range.

It really is a cracking little read, well plotted with some smashing characters who you very soon get attached to (well, some of them). There are plenty of twists, suspects and red herrings that kept me changing my mind about the murderer in nearly every chapter.

I can’t think of anything that I didn’t about this read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Many thanks to the publishers via Netgalley for the review copy.
11 s Les Wilson1,641 14

A good book but rather an abrupt ending for me.2 s Robert CrouchAuthor 13 books15

We’re back in Frantham for the seventh novel in the series. Rina, fresh from filming a new series for TV, returns home feeling weary but satisfied. She’s soon drawn into the murder of Ellen Tailor, a popular single mother who’s shot in her kitchen. Mac and his small team investigate, trying to make sense of the killing, struggling to find a motive.

The secondary plot involving a former 2nd World War airfield, and events during the conflict, bring a retired historian into the investigation. Missing archives, his abrupt nature and his friendship to Ellen place him firmly under suspicion. The family of Ellen’s former husband, who never approved of her, are also high on the list of police suspects.

A second murder changes everything, adding pressure to the investigation and casting doubt on some of the leads being followed.

It’s a familiar complex puzzle with Rina at one end and Mac at the other, both investigating and coming together to solve the murders. Their relationship and the bright characters who make up the cast lift the stories and add colour, humour and compassion, casting some welcome light over the grim tale.

Once on the trail, it doesn’t take Mac and Rina long to join the dots and solve the case, wrapping up all the loose ends for a satisfying ending.

While you can read this novel on its own, the whole series is a warming, charming journey with terrific characters, relationships and storylines to keep you turning the pages. It would be a shame not to enjoy them all. Sandra Allen40

another winner…didn’t figure out who-done-it

A widowed young mother is shot by someone she knew and trusted. As the investigation goes forward, bits and pieces of WWII are brought in. An airfield and museum are being opened with donations from local families. A historical researcher, Will Trent, has swiped a journal, letters and a reel-to-reel tape. He is not well-d. And someone stabs him in the back at the weekend of the grand opening. Two murders! Are they related? Through twists and turns, the murderers are caught. I have never correctly identified the murderer in any of these books. (And I’m usually good at it.) Peggy151 2

Another jewel in the series

I love thus series, someone loves the indulgence of a bag of.peanut m&m's. This is not "high minded" literature. This is not a philosophical treatise. This series is a pleasant distraction and strip into a lovely English seaside village. The characters and their eccentricities areas enjoyable as each m&m you pop. Not a fully nourishing meal. No this book is protein rich and good for you it's own cozy way. Great l!ot. Well told story. Doesn't melt in your hand! Wendy Hearder-moan957 2

Read this as “Forgotten voices”. The debate about whether private papers about war activity should remain private or be used for educational purposes was interesting and relevant to me. I thought the author was too coy about exactly what was going on in Frantham during the war so I didn’t understand Vera’s motivation as much as I should have. Also I was unclear how Mac and Kendall decided who the killer was. Still, I enjoyed it overall. Catherine Woodman5,319 112

I enjoyed this new author, and I d Rina Martin a lot. I am disappointed that my local library doesn't have more in this series. This is a sad story, one that is altogether relatable. There are secrets that someone doesn't want to come out, and there are open hostilities that bubble to the surface and threaten to crush things, children and others. Rina is the good at the center of this, and her intuitions help to bring about the correct conclusion to a murder investigation. Sean Harding4,021 28

I am persevering through the Jane A Adams bibliography, although sometimes its is diffu=icult. They start so well, and have an intriguing premise, and there is little padding, so why are they so difficult to maintain interest? I suspect that it may be the main characters are fairly dull.
Anyway onward I go.
Rina Martin #7
Jane A Adams #27adams-jane-a Kelly A. Foth6

The Characters

While the plots in all seven books are cleverly designed and presented, I read the whole set because I cared about the characters. I heartily recommend you meet these wonderful people for yourself. M. White448

Excellent read

This latest Rina Martin murder mystery is very good, with a complex "keeps you guessing" plot and interesting and well developed characters. I highly recommend it, and the whole series. You won't be disappointed. Mr Kenneth L Mullen966 4

Another great story

Another great story in the Rina Martin series featuring most of the usual characters. Well crafted plot with plenty of twists and turns.An ideal book to curl up with on a winter's night. Looking forward to reading more in the series. Kelly Thiessen10

One of the best Rina Martin books I’ve read. There was too much written about WW2. I understand why it was included for one of the kills, but it made the story somewhat confusing at times. Otherwise I couldn’t put it down. Pamela Raglin386 2

I love this series. If you Agatha Christie and Patricia Wentworth, give these books a try. More about people than procedure, loving scenery descriptions, interesting stories. Carol773 7

I got confused a lot, but enjoyed it anyway.at-the-library mysteries Ted Cartier319

The 7th book in this series, it was great that some of the character changed. Mrs CV27

Excellent read

Sleepy pace of life is enviable and you can see the scenes so clearly due to the excellent writing. Characters are great and just love the interaction. Mark134

More of the same

Just more of the same really . Not so many characters from the past and not the best in the series. But still a good read. Margaret Swanson409 1 followerRead

Fantastic mystery

The intensity of the suspense of this mystery is awesome. The anticipation of who the culprit is keeps you guessing til the end. Donna Demore11

Great

I loved all the books ..kept me glued to the books till the end... all-around believable stories... Very good reacf JULIE WALSHAM7

Great Story

The twists and turns are great , the story comes through all the way to the last page just fantastic Judith Byrne114 1 follower

Murder on the Farm

Very much enjoyed this story,so used to all the characters,all leading separate lives,yet together.Mystery abounds,have to know who the killer is. Patricia Randazzo202 4

I have enjoyed all the books I have read in this series. The main characters are interesting and have humanity. The plots always have a captivating twist. Elite Group3,066 50

FORGOTTEN VOICES – JANE A ADAMS 2 STARS

A tediously slow book

Ellen Tailor, recently widowed is found by her young children when they return from school shot at close range by someone using a double barrel shotgun.

DI "Mac" MacGregor together with DI Kendall and the support of the local police are left with very few clues as to why this very popular woman has been so brutally murdered. They quickly discover that her mother-in-law despised her, but would she go to the lengths of murder to get rid of her to claim the farm and become the children's legal guardian?

Also on their radar is William Trent a man not generally d, who will stoop to any lengths to gain possession of private and confidential papers that the local community have loaned to the committee wanting to set up a memorial of the town's participation during the war years. He is discovered murdered shortly after the opening day of the exhibition. Are the two murders linked? If so, what is the link?

Can Rina Martin, home after filming in her latest series together with her mismatched house guests help solve the murders?

It was obvious from the beginning who stood the most to gain from from these murders. Rina Martin's bizarre involvement with one of the detectives and her motley crew of guests were more of an irritant than an added benefit to the story.

Not one character stood out and all were drawn in a one dimensional manner, which made reading the story hard going.

Sorry Jane A Adams, the stories you've written so far following Rina Martin might have a huge following, but I for one will not be looking for the next book in the series.
Treebeard

Best Selling Crime Thrillers received an advanced copy of this book to review Kathleen1,278

Jumping into this series late in the game, I understand I am missing important pieces of the characters’ histories. That did not keep me from enjoying the resolution of the ghastly murder of a young, well d mother of two children who has been assisting in creating a museum for WWII artifacts in a small English town. Sgt. Frank Baker is the police detective with some mystery in his past; Rina Martin is a retired actress living in a house filled with intriguing housemates, mostly performers. Other residents of the small town of Frantham weigh in to complicate the plot, a study in psychology at times.authors-new-to-me my-uk-etc-thing Adrienne Roberson7 2

Very frustrating became homework and read less than a few pages per day but was determined to finish it. Around the last forty or so pages I got into and started to enjoy the pace and story but the ending just was beyond frustrating. So much so that I went back to the beginning and skimmed thru twice to see how it was all possible. I will give the author credit for the misleads and keeping one guessing in who did it. Jenny Hobson70 4

The early entries in this series were some of my very favorites. Just a little disappointed in this one. PennsyLady (Bev)1,083

Rina Martin mystery....detective and mystery fiction.....DI MacGregor and Rina Martin (retired actress) Cheryl635

Another engaging cozy mystery. Jane17

This book was a little disappointing to me. It was not a British cozy "in the tradition of Agatha Christie and M. C. Beaton" as jacket states it is. Not a bad story, just not a very good one. Susan334 3

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