“. . . characters are colorful, their world engaging, and Dr. Harry is especially charming. Details of food and fashion give a lush touch to the well-painted period settings–Oxford is evoked especially well–and the portrayal of factions, competition, and power plays within the scholarly world lend amusement and intrigue. Ongoing references to poetic theory, the Bloomsbury group, and the dark … the dark shadow of Hitler add to the textured sense of place. Those who aren’t yet fans of Vandagriff will be hooked.” –Historical Novel Review
“. . . the well-educated, literary characters . . . are enjoyable, and the plot is nicely balanced between tense action and the love triangle. . . an entertaining historical mystery.” –Kirkus Reviews
Fans of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane will love this tale! A stylish mystery is set in Oxford in the 1930’s with loveable characters and a cast of eccentric suspects.
After Miss Catherine Tregowyn, poet, and Dr. Harry Bascombe, her bête noire, discover a body in the Somerville College chapel, they are declared suspects in a murder inquiry. How can they prove their innocence? The pair decide they must launch their own investigation into the strangling of Oxford don, Agatha Chenowith. But working as a team will not be easy. Their relations are anything but cordial.
It is not long before they uncover motives aplenty. Apparently, Dr. Chenowith was not at all what she seemed. As the surprises about the victim’s secret life multiply, they are awash in a sea of suspects.
Into this scenario sails the former love of Catherine’s life as he returns from Kenya. Is she going to give Rafe another chance to break her heart? He convinces her to give him a six-month trial, and eager to show his worth, he joins in the investigation. Rafe offers to fly Catherine and Harry in his de Havilland six-seater to the Isle of Man where they must pursue a lead. Inevitably, Rafe and Harry square off in a battle for Catherine’s affections.
Meanwhile, playing detectives proves to be a dangerous pursuit. Catherine and Harry shortly embroil themselves in a plot much larger than mere murder. No one wants to hear their theory, however. It contains truths too painful to contemplate. And it makes Catherine and Harry’s lives expendable.
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Full of twists and turns, fun and foppery.
Well written, well-defined characters, great story. I really enjoyed this book! Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
Enjoyed it, well written, interesting characters
Kind of slow paced then hurried at the end. No development of suspects. An O K read.
OK not great. Didn’t seem awfully 1920/30s British to me.
Love cozy mysteries!
Set in the 1930’s, this mystery has a great vintage feel to it that reminds me of popular series like Father Brown or Grantchester, albeit in a slightly earlier time period. Catherine is a poet and an Oxford alum who unwittingly stumbles upon the body of a murdered professor. Since she was the one who found the body, and is therefore a primary suspect, Catherine takes it upon herself to investigate the murder with the help of her rival poet, Dr. Harry Bascombe.
Amidst a tangled trail of grievances left behind by the late Agatha Chenowyth, Catherine discovers that nearly everybody connected to the night of the murder has some possible motive. Who did the old bird in?
There are strange rumors circulating about a fascist group that idolizes the old Teutonic legends and believes that Hitler is the man to bring the world into a new future. Could Professor Chenowyth have been involved with something terrible?
If you enjoy mysteries that embody that quaint British feel with all the charm of the Golden Age, then you’ll love G.G. Vandagriff’s page-turner “An Oxford Murder.”
Fun to read!
Did not like it. Too predictable.
The book totally captured the atmosphere of Oxford and the era. Characters were real and very likeable. The only clue I had that the author was American was that she spelled “pyjamas” as “pajamas” – American style. I recommend it.
It was entertaining, but their were too many characters that weren’t memorable.
An intelligent cozy with likeable characters.
Cute storyline.
This book has great characters and is easy to read. Will keep you guessing until the reveal but is believable. The dialouge is interesting and takes you back to a different time.
A woman and a rival professor find a body in the chapel after coming back from a retirement dinner at Oxford. They both end up as suspects because they had run ins with the woman in the past. They decide to investigate because their reputations are at stake.
I’d give this book more of a 2.75 if I could. It’s an ok read for the beach or when in an airplane, but it just have much depth for being historical fiction.
This one fun to read. Very entertaining.
I liked this book and the mystery. The characters are a little pedantic, but it’s set in Oxford in the 1920s – it’s likely pretty authentic.
Interesting read if you love the English countryside.
Historical mystery that gives a picture of how people lived and acted in usual situations that suddenly turned dark and dangerous. An enjoyable page turner but I don’t know how accurate a portrayal of women in academia this really is.