A Detective In Love

Harriet Martens #2

by H.R.F. Keating

In that mythical Victorian piano-legs -in-pantaloons era people, at least in the respectable classes, may have convinced themselves that sex was something that manifested itself only when a baby had to be made. But in fact it's us, the sophisticated, we-know-it-all generation, who still don't really acknowledge how we're all in a every way all the time at the mercy of that louring cloud.

Detective Harriet Martens--the title character from The Hard Detective--returns in this newest police procedural from a master of the genre, H. R. F. Keating. Detective Martens has a well-deserved reputation for unyielding toughness. In The Hard Detective, she led a Stop the Rot campaign against local crime and faced down a brutal killer on a spree of cop killing. Now, she has been called on to lead the investigation into the murder of Bubbles Xingara, Britain's number one tennis star and media darling, who was found dead on the grounds of her sprawling country home. The case is sure to draw worldwide attention.

The mystery, however, isn't what tests the Hard Detective's strength. It's the fact that Detective Martens, devoted wife, has fallen madly and passionately in love with a subordinate officer. From her first meeting with that subordinate, Martens must struggle not only to solve a perplexing homicide, but also to control her increasing urges and to withstand temptation. Her difficulties are made no easier by her husband regularly commenting on the unavoidable power of "amorousness."

Genres: Crime

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 8, 2001

About the author

Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating was an English writer of crime fiction most notable for his series of novels featuring Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID.

H. R. F. KEATING was well versed in the worlds of crime, fiction and nonfiction. He was the crime books reviewer for The Times for fifteen years, as well as serving as the chairman of the Crime Writers Association and the Society of Authors. He won the CWA Gold Dagger Award twice, and in 1996 was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction.

Series:
. Inspector Ghote
. Harriet Martens

Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has 2 threads: First, a murder of a local beautiful tennis star. The second is Detective Supt Harriet Martens fantasy infatuation with a subordinate police officer. Not until 150 pages in(out of 251pages) does she tell him--and finds he feels the same about her. I think that there was too much fantasizing. The murder mystery has many false leads and the killer is not revealed until almost the end. It is DS Martens who solves the case.
I give it 3 and 1/2(rounded up to 4) out of 5 stars.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Detective Superintendent Harriet Martens is woken one morning to be told that she is leading the investigation into the death of British tennis star Bubbles Xingara which had occurred that morning.
Might have been more of an interesting tale if Martens had not be obsessed with love and sex.
A NetGalley book

[AD · Rating 2 out of 5]

WHICH is it to be: A true-blue detective story or a Soppy romance story?

I wanted a detective story, with the deliberate didactic quirks of this particular (hard) detective character keeping in line with that particular style of this author, H.R.F. Keating, creator of Harriet Martens, HARD DETECTIVE series.

Instead, I got a soppy love story...ugggh!

Okay, to be fair, this is only my 2nd HARD DETECTIVE in the series (of 7). However, what I liked about my 1st, The Hard Detective is the character(ization) of a 1) mature a woman, 2) good at what she does, being a damn good detective, 3) makes no apology for being a damn good detective, 4) respected for what she does, being a damn good detective, and 5) considered a damn good, "hard" detective; defined by brains and brawn (and maybe even a beauty - which count less).

With the brains and brawn perspective, Harriet Martens solved cases; while also maintaining a family balance.

However, what came next, to tear down this rare, respectful version of a "lady detective" is the love story...uggghhhh! And that's what I didn't want to see happen to this brains and brawn female character.

So, what can I say beyond reading "A Detective in Love" from my light feminist (very light feminist) perspective? I can still say the book was a disappointment because the storyline of a teenage tennis star being killed near her home with no witnesses is one I didn't/couldn't connect with. Not sure why, other than there was very little to "connect" to this murder victim (perhaps intended because the love story was supposed to be the lead), which again is the disappointment with this "HARD DETECTIVE" story. Also, a gentle SPOILER alert, the hunt/investigation for the murderer dragged on and on and on with little focus on the actual hunt, until at the very end (really the last few pages), you get the answer, the identity of the murderer. And boy was it a let down.

Moreover, to be clear, it's not a woman, a detective (a professional) woman can't do her job well and be respected for it...and be in love. That scenario wouldn't have impressed either, yet what happens in A Detective in Love seems to prove that a woman can't be in love and do her job well (as least not as well as if she maintained the status as a "hard" detective).

Thus would I recommend reading "A Detective in Love" (Harriet Martens, #2)? Not really. Perhaps, had I read "A Detective in Love" as 5th in the series, perhaps I might not have been so disappointed. On the other hand, if you like a Soppy Love Story with your Hard Detective Story, this is a good read for you. Keeping reading.
peace

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Detective in Love by H.R.F Keating

It was six-thirty in the morning when Detective Superintendent Harriet Martens took the call that informed her that Britain's number one tennis star and media darling, the wonderfully pretty Bubbles Xingara, has been murdered in the grounds of her big country house. Harriet is now in charge of a case that will have the world's media – already massing for the start of Wimbledon out in force. But it is not the investigation that is about to explode Harriet's life, for Harriet wife and mother has fallen madly in love with a fellow officer...

I listened to the first book in this series a few weeks ago and I have been looking forward to reading this one ever since. A cleverly written mystery. Whilst I can see why this book has some negative reviews, it was an enjoyable listen and relatively short. Harriet is fighting her passion for Anselm whilst also trying to focus on the murder investigation she is supposed to be leading.

Rating 4/5

[Julie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in the box set I have is more about a fantasy romance than a detective story.

The detective side of Harriet is determined and believes all criminals should be caught. The woman side of her is unprofessional and a fantastist. Her marriage is odd, despite the agreement - just acceptance of human needs rather than fidelity. The philosophical argument was fascinating however. But I am not sure if people would realistically be so blasé.

The murder of a popular tennis star has many false leads, but that's the nature of this genre.

I am becoming used to the writing style - its switching between first-person to third. The characters suited the plot, if not totally realistic.

Overall, I enjoyed the investigation, especially the questioning of suspects. The use of Mr or Mrs instead of rank was puzzling.

Worth a look if you like an unusual police story set in England 24 years ago.

[Hank · Rating 1 out of 5]

yuck! i made myself finish this book, but i really did not like it! A female detective, nicknamed "the Hard Detective" lusts after a junior officer, decides it is love, and behaves ridiculously. In addition the author gives us great detail about this character's obsessive thinking, presenting it as normal. I would not recommend this, no matter how desperate you are for a mystery to put you to sleep at night.

[Maureen Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never read such rubbish. I made my self read to the end although I did fast forward.
A top detective talking such drivel.
Also you never call a detective Mr. It is always DI or equivalent.
The first book I quite enjoyed I am now loath to read any further books.

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter drivel

[RC Prentice · Rating 1 out of 5]

The subplot drives the plot. I really thought it was kind of a dumb book and I will not read any more of H.R.F. Keating.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another fantastic book by this author. She has really sucked me into this series. I love the main character, she's a fantastic, strong able-bodied female in charge with loyal employees that help her solve cases. I love that she's human and makes human foibles, and yet still finds her way through.

I'm very glad to see that it is a series with a multitude of books, I love when there are. many books to catch up on and not just one or two. I wholeheartedly recommend this series to people (I wouldn't necessarily call it a cozy, it's a step up from that) but it's a very fast pace moving and the characters have wonderful development you really find yourself feeling like you're surrounded by them.

I can't wait for book 3.

* I would like to thank the author/publisher/net galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

[Julie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. I loved seeing the 'tough' Harriet (the 'hard detective') practically fall to pieces as she falls for a fellow police officer. This series is written in a great contrast with Harriet's perspective in third person and yet also hearing her inner thoughts, her inner monologue, it makes her so real.

These books are quite Agatha Christie-ish in tone though still very modern.

The mystery is clever as well. Didn't guess it at all. A good, gripping read. I will definitely be reading many more in this series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keating has long excelled at breaking boundaries of the genre. Here, Harriet Martens has been given the case of a murdered tennis star--probably the most important crime she's ever been called upon to solve--but her happy married life is totally disrupted when she falls madly in love with one of her subordinates. She fights her passion for Anselm to concentrate on the murdered girl. The book is a lot grittier than the giddily romantic title would have you believe.

[Rachel]

I started listening to this as an audio book but it wasn't very far along when I started wondering if it was about the murder of a tennis player or the sexual life of the investigating dectective. After about the third time I said to myself 'WT...?" I whipped out the cd and took it all back to the library. I guess I like my crime fiction pure.

[Alice Doherty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was a bit underwhelmed after reading this book. The actual crime investigation was mildly interesting but it wasn't fully developed. The love (more like lust) side to the story just seemed unnecessary and it felt like the author was just bulking up the page numbers. Won't be reading more from this author.

[C Bassett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a slog to get through. Not great depth of characters, particularly the primary character. Was fun to read another version of "crime fighting" in the UK, but was left feeling less than impressed overall.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just don't expect a bumbling Indian detective, or English equivalent. This is far more angsty than any Inspector Ghote, harder, dare I say more real.
Once you get past the surprise, it's a good read and a good twist at the end.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Keating's best. Martens is still entertaining and the plot isn't bad but it just didn't gel. This is a short quick read. Try it if you like British police procedurals. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this..I didn't love it

He has me very interested to see what else was done..

hhhmmm

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing after his Inspector Ghote books. My other comments are the same as the start of those made by Rachel.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd book I have read in this series of books, I have one more to read, It wasn't one of the better books I have read. It's readable but really didn't grip me.