A murder in a prestigious Oxford college calls for tact and sensitivity, both of which are in short supply in the young Detective Inspector who is the unusual main character of this book. Indeed, both of the investigating detectives are called D I Wilkins, but while Raymond is Oxford educated and from a privileged background, single father, Ryan, is from a decidedly less affluent environment. This novel uses the friction of ‘town and gown,’ well and throws fast tracked Ray into uncomfortable situations as he is first stunned by Ryan’s unconventional behaviour and yet finds his initial dislike changes into grudging respect.

The actual murder which the storyline is built around is an interesting one and involves the reader in various side issues, including the misuse of academic power, sexual harassment, possible terrorism links and always the discomfort of Ryan with the privilege around him. The author does an excellent job of creating two well defined detectives, who each have their own issues to deal with and who complement each other well. Ryan has a genuinely warm and moving relationship with his young son and a tendency to think creatively, which is let down by his inability to control his mouth or his anger.

I admire the fact the author did not finish this book with an obvious sequel, but I really hope he has one in mind. I would certainly look forward to reading more about Ryan and the Great Raymundo… I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

This book had me stumped. Sitting smug and thinking I had it all thought out, the author put me in my place. Finally we have a thriller that will keep you your toes.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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I enjoyed A Killing In November far more than I expected to. It’s well written and well structured so that I found any implausibilities and familiar tropes perfectly forgivable.

On the face of it, it sounds like a collection of clichés of the genre strung together: the chalk-and-cheese partners, the rebellious working-class detective in a posh environment and so on. Add to this the idea that Ryan, a CID Inspector, would turn up to investigate a death in an Oxford college wearing tracksuit bottoms and a baseball cap on backward, tell the Provost to “calm the [copulatory obscenity] down” and so on and it sounds utterly preposterous. And it is, really – but somehow it’s well enough done for that not to matter much. The two sides of Oxford are well portrayed, there is some pretty good characterisation and Ryan’s relationship with his 2-year-old son is especially well painted, I think.

The story is a good one, too. There are several possible avenues to consider, including possible jihadi action, straightforward theft, sexual harassment and so on. Each is, in its own way, well considered and I found it an involving and in places an exciting read. The two central characters are perhaps a little overdone, but they are interesting studies nonetheless, both flawed in their own way and with plenty of messy stuff left unresolved, rather than the trite little Life Lessons which so often pollute this kind of portrayal.

So, slightly to my surprise, I can recommend this as an entertaining read and a promising start to a new series. I’ll certainly be looking out for the next one.

(My thanks to Quercus for an ARC via NetGalley.)

An interesting and absorbing read about an unconventional Detective Inspector's approach to a murder.

Following the visit of a monies potential investor to an Oxford college, a criminal investigation is set intrain on finding a body.

What follows is an unusual take on a police procedural, and I found myself intrigued and fascinated by the way the book developed.

It is a different type of police story, but I fou d it very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next one by this author.