Customer Reviews

Oxford Exit

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In Death and the Oxford Box, the first Kate Ivory mystery, Stallwood did an able job of introducing a likeable writer/amateur sleuth, although the plot wasn't particularly compelling. In the third installment, Oxford Mourning, Stallwood adopted Rendell/Vine narrative techniques -- to solid (albeit amateurish) effect. In this, the second of the three Kate Ivory mysteries, however, character, plot, and technique coalesce to wonderfully entertaining result. Don't be put off by the crusty library setting; it is, in fact, one of the most intriguing aspects of the mystery.

The antics and volume of her neighbors are preventing Kate from concentrating on her manuscript. Worried that the advance will run out before she has finished the work, she reluctantly accepts friend and former lover Andrew's offer of a job tracking down the culprits in a series of Oxford library thefts. Excerpts from the troubling submissions of one anonymous student in a in a creative writing class parallel Kate's trail through the libraries of Oxford to California and back. How are these dark self-revelations related to Kate and the disappearance of rare books?

Alas, Stallwood's mysteries are now out of print. To feed your taste for the writer/English professor-turned-sleuth genre, then, seek out Joanne Dobson's Karen Pelletier mysteries, Edith Skom's Beth Austin series, and -- most recommended -- Amanda Cross' Kate Fansler books.

"Oxford Exit" is the first Kate Ivory mystery that I have read. Written by Veronica Stallwood, this book tells the story of Kate Ivory, historical romance novelist as well as amateur sleuth. Her friend, Andrew, (a security officer at an Oxford library,) enlists Kate's help in tracking down a computer hacker who is stealing valuable books and deleting the archive records so that the thefts will be undiscovered. In the process, Kate learns of the murder of a library trainee, Jena. She wonders if there could be a connection with the book thefts.
Along with Kate's investigation, the books every other chapter contains essays written by the hacker and potential murderer. Although the reader gets a clear sense of the perpetrators voice and personality, Ms. Stallwood does not reveal the name of the culprit. This allows the reader to have the unique experience of becoming acquainted with the villain in the story without knowing his true identity. This method was both eerie and refreshingly different.
Veronica Stallwood uses superb characterization in this book. All of the characters are portrayed extremely well, and Kate is shown as a woman with needs as well as a sense of humor and a strong determination to right wrongs. This mystery is a truly wonderful story, and a must-read. Please give it a chance. Happy reading!