The Oxford Detective Society
About The Oxford Detective Society
As the Oxford Detective Society tackle their first case, someone is determined that a long-buried mystery should stay hidden…Oxford biographer Lyssa Moore is delighted to be commissioned to write about Amelia ‘Monty’ Montrose, the 1960s music icon who died mysteriously at her birthday party in 1966. But as Lyssa delves into Monty’s past, she discovers the wild child portrayed by the press was hiding far more than anyone knew. And someone is taking a very keen interest in Lyssa’s research. Her flat has been broken into, her phone is acting strangely, and she has a feeling she is being followed. Is Lyssa getting too close to a dangerous truth—was there more to Monty’s death than a tragic accident? With the help of her cat Bibbie and her Oxford friends, who form the Oxford Detective Society, Lyssa must uncover what really happened sixty years ago. Because in Oxfordshire’s country houses and picture-perfect gardens, the past refuses to stay buried…From multimillion-copy bestseller Faith Martin comes the start of a brand-new, incredibly gripping murder mystery series, perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Emylia Hall and Rachel McLean
What readers say
Readers enjoy this series opener's cozy 1960s Oxford atmosphere, its likeable biographer heroine and friendly neighbors, a mystery that grows out of research and conversation, and plenty of red herrings; the audiobook narration gets especially warm praise. The common criticisms are slow, meandering pacing built around long interviews with elderly relatives, a cast that's hard to keep straight, a rushed finish with thin villains and a title society that barely takes part, which leaves some feeling the group-sleuth comparison was oversold. Many see it as a promising start rather than a standout.
Best for: Readers who want a gentle, atmospheric 1960s Oxford mystery and don't mind a slow, talky investigation.
Summary of public reader reviews, updated November 2026.
