The mystery begins when Mariana’s niece Zoe calls her from college about the disappearance of her Cambridge classmate and friend, Tara. By the time Mariana arrives to look after Zoe, the disappearance has been identified as murder, almost a ritualistic murder (it’s a bit gory). Zoe reports that Tara’s last words were a warning about Professor Fosca, who has an impressive academic reputation, an airtight alibi for the night of the murder, and a creepy harem of students who call themselves The Maidens. Naturally, Mariana gets drawn into investigating.
As a Cambridge grad with psych training, Mariana is uniquely suited for an investigation. I enjoyed following her through twists and turns as one person after another looked guilty at first.
This whole novel plays with academic characters so well. I wasn’t sure if Fred was an eccentric academic without a lot of social skills, or if he was evil. I knew Fosca was in love with his own brilliance, but was he also evil? Some of the Maidens are spoilt, entitled princesses, but were they actually evil or lying to cover up evil? Were certain bedders and porters up to something shady, or just messing with the academic nobs?
As a Cambridge grad with psych training, Mariana is uniquely suited for an investigation. I enjoyed following her through twists and turns as one person after another looked guilty at first.
This whole novel plays with academic characters so well. I wasn’t sure if Fred was an eccentric academic without a lot of social skills, or if he was evil. I knew Fosca was in love with his own brilliance, but was he also evil? Some of the Maidens are spoilt, entitled princesses, but were they actually evil or lying to cover up evil? Were certain bedders and porters up to something shady, or just messing with the academic nobs?