The Library Paradox

On LibraryThing I wrote: 'A bluestocking Victorian wife and mother chafing gently under the social constraints of Cambridge is invited to investigate the suspicious death of a London academic. Leaving her children with relatives she comes to Kings College and mingles with academics and Jewry to solve an ingenious mystery in a Victorian London redolent with authenticity. With its clear style and rigourous fair play, this is a rewarding puzzle and and a satisfying resolution.'

As soon as the murder scene was described it was obvious what the solution was and made more obvious by the fact that it was resolutely not suggested as a possibility by any of the characters. The plot was slow moving and not enlivened by the detective's frequent moonings over the 'sweet little limbs' of her children, whom she pretty much abandons every time there is a case. I enjoyed the parts about research into Jewish history and blood liable but the audiobook seemed to go on forever and all of the characters were annoying and bits of the plot far-fetched and ridiculous.

A bluestocking Victorian wife and mother chafing gently under the social constraints of Cambridge is invited to investigate the suspicious death of a London academic. Leaving her children with relatives she comes to Kings College and mingles with academics and Jewry to solve an ingenious mystery in a Victorian London redolent with authenticity. With its clear style and rigourous fair play, this is a rewarding puzzle and and a satisfying resolution.

The dead body of a academic is found in the library of King's College University ,London in 1896.It seems from the facts that emerge that is is quite simply impossible that anyone could have been near enough,given the time factor involved,to have done the deed. The person brought in to investigate is Vanessa Wetherburn (nee Duncan) who is a feisty private detective. But is she either feisty or indeed clever enough to solve this seemingly impossible case. As she digs deeper,another case which involves Ritual Murder becomes entangled in this one.
This is a classic 'Locked Room' mystery and is a paradox indeed !