Murder Among the Spires

Don’t miss the latest instalment of the cosy crime thriller series, Val & Arbie Mysteries, from best-selling author Faith Martin. Pre-order now!

Oxford University, 1927. Arbuthnot ‘Arbie’ Swift thought he was returning to St Bede’s College for High Table gossip, sherry-soaked reunions, and perhaps a ghost story to inspire his latest book.

Instead, he wakes to the news that the wife of one of the Oxford scholars has been found dead, apparently by her own hand. But Arbie suspects there is more hidden behind the whispers and stiffly offered condolences than meets the eye.

With a scandal-conscious Principal, an officious inspector, and his quick-witted friend Val, he must navigate academic rivalries and long-buried secrets – before another death turns Oxford’s dreaming spires into a crime scene.

Readers LOVE the Val & Arbie Mysteries:

'The conclusion to this story is startling, surprising, and very clever. I never stood a chance of guessing this one!’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'It was entertaining, full of twists and turns with a few red herrings, suspenseful and unputdownable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This book delivers exactly what cosy crime fans hope for’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This is a golden age style mystery that was a pleasure to read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Another engaging story, that will keep you guessing from start to finish' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviews

Praise for the Val and Arbie Mysteries:

‘Brilliant characters that leap off the page’ The Sun

‘Amuses and intrigues in equal measure’ Daily Mail

'A masterfully constructed pageturner of a murder mystery. Clever, compelling, and intriguing. An excellent read' TA Williams

‘A golden-age world with an energy that is totally contemporary’ J.M. Hall ‘A charming and clever take on a locked room murder’ Sarah Yarwood-Lovett

‘A wonderful Wodehousian world of intrigue and suspicion and a tricky puzzle to solve.’ Helena Dixon

‘All the ingredients of a classic mystery – engaging characters and an impossible crime. The story races along like a runaway locomotive… enormous fun.’ Orlando Murrin

‘A beautiful written 1920’s murder mystery series full of fun, wit and red herrings’ Anita Davison

'The perfect "country house" murder mystery. The book is terrific fun.' Jane Bettany

'We devoured this whoddunit in one sitting!' Bella

'With murder, intrigue, and ghostly happenings, this will satisfy cosy crime fans.' Heat

'Her knowledge of the genre and easy writing style makes this an effortless and fun read.' My Weekly

'A clever mystery.' Woman's Own

'This engaging and energetic mystery hosts an abundance of engaging characters and is great fun.' Platinum

About the author

Faith Martin has been writing for thirty years and has published over sixty novels. She began writing romantic thrillers as Maxine Barry, but quickly turned to crime! It was when she started writing detective stories as Faith Martin that she became more widely known. Having lived Oxfordshire all her life, both the city and the countryside often feature in her novels. The fauna of a farming landscape has always played a big part in her life – and often sneaks its way onto the pages of her books.