A Killing in November

I bought this book largely on the basis of a couple of highly favourable reviews I read in the newspapers, which flagged it up for a fresh take on the police procedural novel. Of course, one has heard that about several books before: sometimes deservedly; sometimes less so.

On this occasion the reviews that I read were spot on. It revolves around a murder in Barnabas Hall, one of Oxford’s oldest colleges, with the victim found in the Provost’s lodgings. The first policeman on the scene is Detective Inspector Ryan Wilkins. Although he had grown up in one of the poorer areas of the city, this is his first day on duty, having just been transferred in from the Wiltshire Constabulary. His attendance there is a mistake. The call should show more have gone to his near namesake, Detective Inspector Raymond ‘Ray’ Wilkins, Ray could not be more different from Ryan. He is African-Caribbean, from a prosperous West London suburb, and is a graduate from one of Oxford’s colleges (although not Barnabas Hall). The clash of cultures between a streetwise copper who has made it despite, rather than because of, his origins with someone who has been picked up for the fast track and has already acquired the support of senior officers is fairly standard, but Mason puts some additional twists on it.

The plot is also strong, and stands up on its own right, rather than simply as a vehicle for the contrast between the two Inspector Wilkins. Although this has only just been published in hardback, the edition I read also featured the first two chapters from the next instalment, to which I am already eagerly looking forward. show less

If you disregard the unlikelihood of Ryan ever having been promoted to DI in the first place (let alone by the age of 27), and the improbability that a murder case would be worked by two DIs, a civilian support worker and no one else, then this is a fantastic read. I loved Ray and Ryan and enjoyed every word. Looking forward to the next one.

After being transferred from Wiltshire to Oxford, DI Ryan Wilkins is on a short leash. He is paired with DI Ray Wilkins and the two are diametrically opposite to each other. Ray is educated, smooth and suave, Ryan isn't but he has very good instincts. Their case involves a murder in an Oxford College, an environment where Ray is at home and Ryan is like a fish out of water, but only by pooling their skills can they solve the crime.
I have actually read all the subsequent novels in this series and this one does fill in a few gaps! Funnily enough I didn't enjoy it as much as the others (but it's still great). Possibly because this novel is concerned with establishing the dynamics between the two main characters and therefore the plot gets show more a little lost at times. I do love the emphasis on class, education etc as well as the plot regarding human trafficking. show less

This book set in and around Oxford university is ok
Main character is Detective Ryan Wilkins who is a bit of a Rebel and uncouth he is paired up to work with his Superior Detective Inspector Ray Wilkins. They are totally different chalk and cheese. They are investigating the death of a young Lady at the University they have their list of potential suspects.
Ryan has his own demons and is trying to juggle bringing up his young son also called Ryan up all on his own.

Another lady is found murdered same method. Ryan gets chucked out of the Police for nearly killing his own Father who is horrible.
He tries to help Ray who doesnt really want his help.
But together they manage to catch the Double Murderer who was also stealing rare artefacts.

A DI with a distinct dislike for the upper class has to investigate a murder at Oxford.

Im Arbeitszimmer von Sir James Osborne an der altehrwürdigen Universität von Oxford wird die Leiche einer jungen Frau gefunden. Eigentlich sollte DI Ray Wilkins, selbst ein Oxford-Spross, den Fall klären, doch durch eine Verwechslung wird DI Ryan Wilkins, der nicht gerade für sein Taktgefühl bekannt ist, an den Tatort gerufen. Daher müssen sich die ungleichen Ermittler zusammenraufen, um den Fall zu klären.
Dies ist der erste Band aus der Reihe „Ein Fall für DI Wilkins“. Ich habe ein Weilchen gebraucht, um mich in diesen Kriminalroman einzulesen, denn es ging ziemlich langatmig los. Doch das änderte sich, als die Ermittlungen losgingen. Aber auch der Schreibstil ist manchmal etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig.
Interessant fand ich show more aber das Zusammentreffen der Ermittler, die nicht unterschiedlicher sein könnten. DI Ray Wilkins hat einen Oxford-Abschluss und kommt aus gutem Haus. In Rekordzeit ist er bei der Polizei auf seinen Posten aufgestiegen. Er ist gut gekleidet, intelligent und wortgewandt. DI Ryan Wilkins sieht auf den ersten Blick eher nach einem Kriminellen, denn nach einem Ermittler aus. Er zieht sich schlampig an und auch sprachlich, spürt man ihm an, wo er herkommt. Er ist in einem Trailerpark mit einem alkoholabhängigen, gewalttätigen Vater aufgewachsen. Sein Auftreten sorgt dafür, dass man ihn leicht unterschätzt, aber er ist ein fähiger Ermittler. Das sorgt natürlich zunächst für Konflikte, manchmal auch für Situationskomik, doch mit der Zeit wissen die beiden die Fähigkeiten des anderen zu schätzen.
Auch wenn die Ermittlungen etwas schleppend verlaufen, so ist der Fall doch spannend und verzwickt. Die Professoren machen es den Ermittlern aber auch nicht leicht, weil ein möglicher Sponsor bei Laune gehalten werden muss. Aber am Ende löst sich alles schlüssig auf.
Mir hat dieser Kriminalroman mit seinen ungleichen Ermittlern gut gefallen. show less

Hervorragender Krimi mit tollem Ermittlerduo.