If you're not with them… you're against them.
Oxford, 1883. Young men are being found bound, gagged and hooded at the gates of their colleges in the small hours.
Basil Rice, Jesus College fellow, is asked by the senior proctor to investigate. But matters of sexual purity are dangerous, as it lays Basil open to unwelcome scrutiny of his own private life.
Meanwhile, the University Vice Chancellor's Court has wrongly imprisoned a young shopgirl from the town, and she seeks the services of young academic and budding journalist, Non Vaughan, to clear her name.
The uncovering by Basil of a secret society, The Venatores, and the murder of a student, cause Non and Basil to join forces. But is justice possible in a world so unjust and dangerous?
A scintillating historical mystery from the author of CWA Historical Dagger shortlisted A Bitter Remedy. Praise for the Oxford Mysteries series
'An excellent historical mystery dripping with atmosphere that exposes the chauvinism, misogyny and bigotry of late Victorian England' The Times
'Real figures from history rub shoulders with those invented by Hawkins – and her inventiveness is prodigal' Financial Times
'Fearlessly tackles taboo attitudes of the era, taking aim at misogyny, homophobia, and sexual politics. An excellent addition to the historical mystery canon. Marvellous!' Vaseem Khan
'Brilliantly researched, rich in atmosphere and with two likeable and intriguing protagonists at the centre' Philip Gwynne Jones A former speech and language therapist and current freelance writer and editor, Alis Hawkins is a founding member of Welsh crime writers' collective, Crime Cymru, and chair of Wales's only crime fiction festival, Gwyl CRIME CYMRU Festival. She has been shortlisted for the CWA's Historical Dagger three times, most recently in 2024.
