"Award-winning author Janet Neel has hit the mark with this critically acclaimed British mystery series featuring Police Superintendent John McLeish and his wife, Francesca Wilson. On maternity leave, Francesca is grateful for a part-time position as the college's bursar--until she discovers murder at academia's ivory tower."

This is an outstanding mystery! Wonderful characterization, grand plotting -- the reader is kept guessing until the very last pages. Was it Neil, the perennial philanderer? Was it Alice, whose shoulder chip was at least a mile high? Was it Alice's husband, seemingly so devoted that he might murder to make her wishes come true? Was it Michael, whose jealousy over his wife's affair led him to violence, never mind he was having his own affair? Or someone as yet not introduced? You'll have to read the book to find out. ( )

problems in a women's college

Janet Neel succeeds with this novel on a number of levels. At the most simple level, it is a tautly-plotted whodunnit, with all the clues available, although I remained in the dark until very nearly the end.

Of even greater appeal to me, however, it touched on two separate aspects of what I laughingly call my career, offering a fascinating insight into the rivalries between the Fellows of an aspiring college, and into the musings of senior officials within the Civil Service. I was disappointed to see the untrammelled disdain with which the Department for Education (or, rather, one of its many former incarnations) was dismissed by oficials from other government departments, though that was merely personal bias! Having now moved to another government department myself, I am also less inclined to challenge that portrayal myself.

Following the sudden death of the previous Warden of the College, and as a consequence of the crumbling ineptitude of its previous Bursar, the Department for Education insists upon the appointment of Dame Sarah Murchison (a noted academic administrator) and Francesca Wilson (a high-flier on secondment from what was the Department for Trade and Industry when the novel was written) respectively as Warden and Bursar of Gladstone College. Gladstone is an all-female establishment falling under the aegis of London University. Already aware that there were some serious irregularities within its finances, Francesca and Dame Sarah soon discover that the history of mismanagement stretches further than previously imagined, and that the looming financial crisis is even worse than feared.

As if that were not enough, students start being attacked within the grounds of the College, and then the police (principally in the person of Superintendent John Macleish, equally high-flying husband of Francesca) start to re-investigate the death of the previous Warden. The story moves briskly on to a well-managed denouement.

When I first read this book, as an official in the Department for Education, I found it particularly appealing simply for the frequent appearances by Sir Neville Allason, its Permanent Secretary. The strong plot and the rest of the story were very pleasant bonuses. On a second reading that view is reinforced. ( )

I don't understand why this book is not better known. If you liked Gaudy Night, you'll positively love this. ( )

Very entertaining. Janet Neel succeeds with this novel on so many levels. Not only is it a tautly-plotted whodunnit - this novel offers a fascinating insight into the rivalries between the Fellows of an aspiring college, and into the musings of senior officials within the Civil Service. I was disappointed to see the untrammelled disdain with which the Department for Education (or, rather, one of its many former incarnations) was dismissed, though that was merely personal bias!
Following the death of the previous Mistress, and the crumbling ineptitude of its previous Bursar, Dame Sarah Murchison (a noted academic administrator) and Francesca Wilson (a high-flier on secondment from what was then the DTI) are appointed respectively as Mistress and Bursar of Gladstone College, an all-female establishment falling under the aegis of London University, to help unravel some serious irregularities within its finances. However, she soon discovers that the history of mismanagement stretches further than previously imagined, and that the looming financial crisis is even worse than feared.
Students start being attacked within the grounds of the College, and then the police (principally in the person of Superintendent John Macleish, equally high-flying husband of Francesca) start to re-investigate the death of the previous Mistress. The story moves briskly on to a well-managed denouement.
Writing as an official in the DfE, I found the book was well worth reading simply for the frequent appearances by Sir Neville Allason, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Science - the plot and the rest of the story were very pleasant bonuses! ( )