A killing in November by Simon Mason

The first in a series about DI Ryan Wilkins, will please crime fiction fans. Here is an unusual sort of detective, partnered with someone so different that the animosity between them could not be more confronting. Wilkins was brought up in a trailer park outside Oxford, while Ray Wilkins, of affluent Nigerian-London heritage was educated at Baillol Colleges, Oxford. The pair were brought up close to each other but worlds apart. The trailer park is associated with low life and criminal activity, while Ray Wilkins reeks of money and privilege, through his accent, knowledge and clothing. The interaction between the two is a riveting part of this series. And you just know that by the end of book one they will have found common ground.  

When a young woman is found strangled in the Provost’s study Wilkins is called in but the confusion of the two detectives with the same name, gives rise to more darts being thrown at the class divisions at Oxford. Ryan has been transferred to Oxford from another jurisdiction, where he assaulted the Bishop of Salisbury. Ryan turns up in this usual outfit, sloppy track pants, trainers and t-shirt. Unfazed by the Provost’s position, Ryan gets into hot water with his partner and his boss, asking the Provost questions that they find offensive. Ryan delves behind the Provost’s bluster and protestaitons, and despite Ryan being taken off the case, he is called back when the Provost’s wife asks for him to return, citing information he needs to hear.

Ryan sees things others do not see, and his background makes him cut across the privilege and machinations of college life.

The night of the murder, the Provost is host to Sheik al-Medina, hoping to bring an endowment to the college, but his links to the absque of human rights brings voices of dissension linked to several refugees working in the college.

A priceless copy of the Koran held within the library at the college is both a lure for the Sheik, and a reason for some wanting its repatriation.

Before long, Ryan has ruffled many feathers, and Ray is being blamed for his partner’s inadequacies. But despite Ryan’s unorthodox behaviour and Ray’s focused doggedness, the storm brewing above their heads, and the lies being told, many twists occur before a conclusion is reached. Plotted beautifully, many strands are followed before the red herrings can be pushed aside and the real killer revealed, along with their motivation.

I listened to this novel, and look forward to hearing the continuing series.

Themes: Crime, Oxford, Detection, Refugees.

Fran Knight