A Murder of Rogues

by Joe Heap

A compulsively entertaining historical YA novel that
playfully blends dark academia with scandal, murder mystery and queer
romance - like If We Were Villains meets Lex Croucher.




In Regency England, Cascabel Gray dreams of freedom - and disguises
herself as a boy to secure a place at Oxford University. After
all, she's as comfortable in breeches as she is in ballgowns.




Her plans are upended, however, when she receives a blackmail
letter from Charles Lafleur, a member of infamous secret society
the Rogues Club, threatening to expose her.



But when Lafleur is found dead, the plot thickens... and Cascabel
becomes a prime suspect in his murder. She joins the Rogues Club
to conduct an investigation of her own, and her life soon begins
to spiral out of control.



To survive, she must switch between her male and female personas,
attracting both fellow student William Grenville and a chambermaid
known as Mouse - and even attending a ball with an Austrian
prince. Can she find a way to balance her double life and clear
her name, before she loses everything?



This book combines the genius ingredients of cosy crime, queer
romance and dark academia, all wrapped up in a fast-paced, entertaining
plot - perfect for fans of Agency for Scandal, Laura
Steven and Lex Croucher.
A fierce, determined and irresistible protagonist who slips fluidly
between two identities and genders as Cascabel and Pom.

All the period-drama appeal of a historical Regency setting,
with a vibrant, modern sensibility and a sensitive handling of prejudice.

Joe's first novel, The Rules of Seeing, won the Romantic
Novelist Association's Debut Novel Award.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, LGBT, Historical, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Dark Academia

441 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2025

About the author

Joe Heap was born in 1986 to a biology teacher and a drama teacher, and grew up in a house that was 70% books, 25% bags of unmarked homework, 18% underpants drying on radiators, and 3% scattered Lego bricks.

He is very bad at maths.

In 2004 Joe won the Foyle Young Poet award, and his poetry has been published in several periodicals. He studied for a BA in English Literature at Stirling University and a Masters in Creative Writing at Glasgow University, during which time he ate a deep-fried Mars Bar. It was okay.

Joe is now a full-time writer, but previously worked as an editor of books for kids and young adults. He has also been a subtitler for BBC News, a face painter at a safari park and a removal man for a dental convention. Before smartphones were invented, he manned a text service where people could ‘ask any question’, but he has since forgotten most of the answers.

He lives in London with his long-suffering girlfriend, short-suffering son, and much-aggrieved tabby cat.

Reviews

[Marz Hare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what this book would be like, but it hooked me from the first chapter.

A big part of it was the main character, Cascabel / Pom (I'll be using neutral pronouns to refer to them, as they describe themselves as both man and woman or neither — a fellow enby!). Anyway, gender relatability aside, I loved how curious, driven and bold they were! The story revolves around their desire to study in Oxford and to be intellectually challenged. For that, Cascabel pretends to be their twin brother, Thomas (but makes the name their own by using the nickname “Pom”).

During their time in Oxford, they meet several interesting characters — Garlick (a manservant who might have discovered their identity), Mouse (a deaf glovemaker and chambermaid), William (an earl’s son and member of a group of rowdy students known as The Rogues)... Honourary mention to Treacle the cat.

Anyway, things go fairly smoothly for Cascabel / Pom until they become a suspect in another student's murder.

The investigation itself was interesting, but let me tell you (and this is rare praise), there is a queer romantic subplot that was SO sweet and had me rooting for the relationship to go well. Yea, call me a bitter fucker, but I don't tend to care about romantic relationships. They're usually just eh for me. This one, though? It worked for me. It was built on vulnerability, growing trust, learning from each other and celebrating each other's strengths.

As a final note (and the reason why I held back on rating this 5*), the ending fell a bit flat for me. It was okay but didn't hit as hard as I would have liked.

Still, I would gladly recommend this to anyone who'd enjoy a historical novel with queer characters and a mystery at its core.

[Sam (FallingBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oxford academia setting x mystery x gender fluid MC in the regency period. Really liked the cosy crime aspect and the exploration of identity during a time where there weren't established labels. There have been queer people throughout history people!!!

[Ashli Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m going to mark this as sapphic, but if YOU agree or not is your choice. the main character is AFAB non-binary in a relationship with a girl, now as a enby lesbian I viewed this as sapphic hence the tag.

I want to start this off by saying the three star isn’t necessarily a reflection on the book, more of myself. this is a very YA story, and I think I have outgrown some younger themes / writing styles. If I had read this book at 15/16 I would’ve loved it so much more. the story was fast paced and fun with diverse characters, an interesting little mystery with dark academia elements and all round good, so pls do not let this put you off if you want to read it.

I loved the representation, it’s been a goal of mine to find more books with non-binary rep in and I’m glad I read this because it was handled so beautifully. It really conveyed the experiences and thoughts of being a non-binary person and it was handled with such delicacy and care, it warmed my heart. on top of enby rep we also have: bisexual rep, achillean rep and a deaf love interest.

[FaithfulReviewer (Jacqueline) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bolinda Audio, the author and NetGalley for an LRC in return for an honest review

A Murder of Rogues is a compulsively entertaining blend of dark academia, mystery, historical fiction and even a bit of romance - but for some inexplicable reason has been categorised on NetGalley as Sci-Fi & Fantasy!?! I have no idea why, there is not so much as a whiff of either - if you are expecting magical or fantastical elements you will find this story sadly lacking!

Set in Regency England, the novel follows the journey of Cascabel Grey who, disguised as their twin brother Thomas (known as Pom) gains access to education and freedom that would otherwise be denied to females. This decision is both a quest for intellectual freedom and a rebellion against the stifling roles society has imposed - but Pom's plans are rudely interrupted when another Oxford Scholar, who has been Blackmailing his peers, turns up dead; it would appear that someone is prepared to kill to keep their secrets from being revealed. Pom’s story echoes the real-life legacy of Dr James Barry (c. 1789–1865) a pioneering military surgeon who lived publicly as a man in order to practise medicine - a comparison that adds depth and historical weight to the narrative.

The protagonist is a non-binary, bisexual character whose identity is explored with nuance and clarity. Pom explicitly states they are -

"neither a boy nor a girl"

and their attraction to both William (a fellow Scholar) and Mouse (a deaf Chambermaid) is presented without fuss or sensationalism. One plot point however, felt like a missed opportunity: Pom spends considerable time learning sign language from Mouse and I kept waiting for this presumed Chekhov’s gun to fire. Disappointingly, it never does and it felt like a thread that could have enriched the climax or resolution but was left dangling.

Quick note on aesthetics: the Kindle edition cover features generic, mismatched AI-style artwork (which I hate with a passion) that generally accompanies self-published titles which doesn’t in any way reflect Pom’s persona. In contrast, the audiobook cover does a far better job of capturing the tone of the book with subtle hints of things to come - masquerade masks, stark masculine gothic architecture and a sense of duality and danger.

Narrator Lucy Walker-Evans gives an expressive, well paced and emotionally intelligent performance with excellent character differentiation - a perfect match for the material.

#AMurderofRogues #NetGalley

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Described as "A compulsively entertaining novel that blends dark academia with scandal, mystery and queer romance" ....it sounded like something I would enjoy, but I was surprised by how much I actually loved this one!

We follow Cascabel Grey, who maskarades as her twin brother Thomas Gray (nickname Pom) so she can attend Oxford, in Regency England.

But her secret is threatened when a member of a secret society, the Rogues Club, blackmails her. When the blackmailer is murdered, she becomes a prime suspect and must infiltrate the Rogues Club to investigate. Juggling her double life along with a budding romance, she races to uncover the truth before her secret is revealed.

I was captivated from the very first chapter. The writing is sharp, witty, and effortlessly engaging, and the vivid portrayal of Regency England provides a great backdrop.

Cascabel (Pom) was a delightfully intelligent and charming protagonist—I found myself fully invested in her journey from the very beginning. The murder mystery element was engaging and cleverly plotted; I was thoroughly entertained and, admittedly, completely wrong about the culprit (which only added to the fun).

The romance was sweet and well-balanced, enhancing the story without overshadowing the central mystery—something I particularly appreciate in this genre.

While the pacing felt a little slow in the middle, this was the only reason I didn’t rate it a full five stars. However, the lively and witty writing style more than made up for it and kept me thoroughly entertained throughout- I read this in two days!

Special mention goes to Treacle the cat—books with cats are always a win in my eyes. 🐈

I also really enjoyed the ending, especially the final reveal and the way everything came together so satisfyingly.

Thankyou Scolastic for the review copy, all thoughts are my own.

[Juliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was so so good. I loved the whole historical Oxford setting. It was really really well written. I could really picture myself walking through the streets of Oxford in 1815. The whole idea of a girl wanting to go to university and having to disguise in a boy was such a good one and it was cleverly done and really, really well written.
I left the writing. It was clear and understandable and although the author added a few words from back then it wasn’t overbearing and it was actually really nicely done. I kept trying to guess who had murdered one of the characters but it was really difficult and I never guessed and I was really surprised at the ending in a nice way though I think the author is really managed to create an atmosphere and create a depth in this book and that’s what kept me going and I was just wanting to read more and more.
The twist and turns were impeccable. I was always really excited to read them. I really enjoyed everything about this book and Cascabel/Pom was just such a good character and had so much going for her.
I will definitely be recommending this book and I am looking forward to reading anything else this author writes. I don’t actually have anything negative to say. This was a very easy 5star to give.

Bonus points for that stunning cover, it is so pretty and I would pick this up in a bookshop!

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and thank you for the author for writing this book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

A Murder Of Rogues is an enjoyable blend of dark academia, mystery and romance. It's also a perfect pallet cleaner and cozy read for late autumn vibes 🍂
I went into this book with high expectations because the premise sounds perfect. Secret societies? Dark academia? Queer and non-binary rep? 1800s Oxford? Check. However, I feel this book lacked much substance. The characters were surface level and didn't have any unique personalities which made me a bit bored. Also, the plot, even though it had different layers and sub-plots, wasn't my favourite. On the other hand, it was really binge-able, interesting and entertaining. Additionally, I liked the different reps (gender fluid, deaf and queer). I liked how the opinions and experiences of these reps were explored as people experiencing them in the 1800s but also made realistic to modern opinions.
I had mixed opinions on the romance. Whilst I enjoyed some scenes and the forbidden aspect, I feel like the important connecting scenes weren't shown enough to explain their love. I loved the epilogue though - it was a perfect conclusion and continuation to their romance 🥺🥺
I really loved the historical aspect and the dialogue felt realistic to the time period without being too cringe which is hard to find. However, the writing style was too simple which made the book lack a magical and beautiful aesthetic.
I liked how Pom wanted to be a surgeon, though, because it added to the gothic atmosphere and it's also a really rare sub-plot.
Overall, A Murder Of Rogues was enjoyable and addictive. However, I think that you shouldn't go into it with any expectations or comparisons to any other books because it isn't similar. Also, if you're going to pick this up, it's a perfect mystery to read in foggy, cold and snowy weather.

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Murder of Rogues by Joe Heap is a fast‑paced YA dark academia mystery/thriller with a solid plot. I enjoyed exploring Cascabel’s dual persona and watching her navigate the challenges of living on both sides of her identity. Her deception isn’t exactly new, but it’s handled in a way that’s still intriguing and genuinely fun to follow.

I also appreciated the commentary on how society viewed women and how difficult it was to express yourself in a male‑dominated world. The mystery kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had the killer figured out, I was completely wrong. Cascabel’s love interest felt young and underdeveloped, and I wish that part of the story had been explored more deeply.

Likes:
• Dark academia vibes
• Dual‑persona arc
• Young love


Dislikes:
• Overuse of patriarchal themes
• Underdeveloped secondary characters
• Friendships not explored enough

Ratings Breakdown:
* Setting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
* Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
* Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
* Message: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
* Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5


Overall, this was an entertaining read with a promising premise and a compelling main character. I flew through the chapters and found myself turning the pages nonstop. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy YA mysteries and thrillers with a dark academia feel and a cast of charming characters.

Huge thanks to Scholastic Australia and Joe Heap for my copy. As always, my thoughts come straight from my whodunit‑loving brain.

~JaNnA~

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with many ARCs I’ve reviewed recently, A Murder of Rogues is a book that has potential but fails to fully deliver on it. To start with, I really enjoyed the premise of a non-binary main character sneaking into Oxford disguised as a man because they couldn’t have gotten an education otherwise, and having to investigate a crime of which they are accused but haven’t committed. That whole premise was fairly fun, and I appreciated the themes of gender identity, misogyny and homophobia that were discussed throughout the book.

What I have an issue with is the execution of this premise. Although they could have been extremely likeable, the characters were flat, with little personality beyond what served directly the plot, and I had a hard time getting attached to any of them. To me, the best stories are those where the characters feel real, whereas in this novel, they mainly felt like pawns through which Joe Heap told the story he wanted to tell. Similarly, the relationships between the characters were mostly one-dimensional, without any real depth even though I’m sure they could have been developed to something far more genuine. Even the romance, although cute, wasn’t as developed as it could have been.

The plot put me off from the very beginning because a lot is happening all at once, sometimes for reasons that feel a bit uncertain. It’s clear that Joe Heap had a lot of great ideas, but the plot was all over the place because all those ideas were implemented at the same time. I had a hard time getting into the novel at first because the plot was rushed and the inciting event comes out of absolutely nowhere, without, at the end, any explanation of how it even came to be. Speaking of which, the resolution was a bit too convenient for my taste, and didn’t leave me feeling entirely satisfied.

Overall, this book is one that could have been great but hasn’t been very well written and edited. That being said, those issues are things that can be improved with more practice and experience, so I might just pick up Joe Heap’s next books if the premise sounds interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic UK for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Grisly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, I had a good time, but it feels like it wanted to do too many things and would have benefitted from picking one or two themes and sticking with them. It wants to be histroical fiction; and dark academia; and a murder mystery; and a romance; and an exploration of non-binary identity; and a critique of attitudes towards women and queer people and on and on and on. All these directions and not enough development on any of them. And with that, none of the side characters had a chance to shine, making the suspects and the murder mystery reveal feel pretty lame overall.

I think having a non-binary protagonist in a historical setting is a great idea, but it felt pretty lacking in this instance. There are only two characters that express an opinion of Pom being non-binary, with one being positive and one being negative, and it definitely wasn't enough. The entire narrative is constructed around Pom's gender identity but it's lack of relevance in the plot makes it seem like not that big of a deal. It's a bit of a shame, and I think the best option would have been getting rid of the murder mystery entirely to focus instead on Pom and how their identity affects them and their relationships.

The mystery was forgettable and took too much time away from the central theme of the story. We aren't even told why Pom wants to attend Oxford in the first place. They say they want to go into the medical field, but Oxford doesn't have a medical school at this point in time so they have to beg the people in the infirmary to let them be an assisstant. Like, what does Pom even get out of this? Seems like a lot of effort without alot of benefits, but hey ho.

I'm being pretty negative, but if you go in with low expectations you'll probably have a good time. Like, yes it has a lot of unfulfilled potential, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad book in it's own right. Tbh if I was 15 reading this I would think it's peak fiction so.

[Acantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly taking inspiration from the historical figure of James Barry, this book follows the adventures of Cascabel/Pom, who is both man and woman, and determined to be both. But to not let the world hold them back, as they set out to study at Oxford and learn medicine. Things rapidly spin out of control when someone is murdered and they are dragged into the investigation in order to clear their name before the identity is uncovered.

Pom is an engaging, entertaining main character, a delight to follow - although some of their later choices are a little questionable and I did sort of loose the thread of their investigation at one point. The leap they made, the direction they took, it was as if I had missed a page or something.

The queer romances are beautifully done, and I was rooting for them all during it. The murder mystery was fine, although surprisingly not really the focus of the book, not really. This is more about the characters, and their own struggles. We learnt almost nothing about the victim and he was the least developed of everyone.

All the other characters are fleshed out, entertaining and engaging, be they heroes or villains. Even the horrible ones, you enjoyed them. Her mother however, not a fan. Her plans were the worst. Just the plain worst.

The audio was good, the narrator entertaining and able to separate the characters so it was easy enough to keep track of who was talking.

But what is this cover???? The kindle version is stunning, eye catching, beautiful. The audio cover on the other hand... black and gold, like any 'dark academia' book, nothing to stand out from the pack. It's a real disappointment. I mean, its fine but it doesn't capture the attention or spark joy.

~thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book promises a lot of things going in – queerness, historical setting, mystery, dark academia – and all of those things are turned up to the max!

We follow our main character, Pom (and, side-note; this is the second book I’ve come across in the last couple of weeks where the promotional material fumbles the gender of the protagonist, but this isn’t the place to unpack that!) who disguises themselves as a young man in order to gain an Oxford education. Pom was such a brilliant narrator, witty and entertaining while still having the depth needed for a novel that explores so many different avenues. Their blossoming relationship with Mouse was extremely tender and wonderful, and gave the story so much heart.

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The overarching plot is a murder mystery, and it really does keep you on your toes the whole way through. Along with Pom, I suspected so many different figures as the story went on, although I would have loved to have that ‘aha!’ moment before it was revealed to us.

I particularly enjoyed, however, the way Pom’s identity was explored. Heap resists the urge to push modern concepts onto them, instead allowing Pom to explore their own gender and identity from a more historically accurate starting point. This also means that some of the prejudices of the time remain with them, and at a pivotal moment in the book Pom is called to question some of their own preconceptions.

This was a really solid and entertaining read, and while I would have preferred a punchier ending and some more fleshed-out plot points here and there, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books where the main character (Pom/Cascabel) makes one bad decison after another and everything spirals until it all comes together at the last minute. It was enjoyable, though I wanted to shake Pom sometimes over their many bad decisions.

What was done really really well was the way Pom/Cascabel described their experience of their gender and attraction. They were sent to Oxford by their mother in a grand scheme to show that a woman can masquerade as a man, but embrace the chance to be more themself and acquire an education (although the education part does fall by the wayside rather quickly). They feel like neither man nor woman and are attracted to both men and women, which is unusual to see in books set in this era (or at all, really). I really appreciated this representation as I am also nonbinary and bi, and it felt really true and resonated.

Also done really well was Pom's relationship with Mouse, who teaches them sign language so they can converse. Of course the murder mystery, and Pom's bad choices, threaten all of that.

The murder mystery was well done, with suspicion thrown on one character after another as Pom desperately searches for clues. I was kept guessing up until the end.

A highly entertaining read that kept me riveted. I would definitely read more of Pom's adventures (and hopefully fewer bad decisions). I hope the author writes more.

The audiobook was wonderful and the narrator did a great job voicing the characters and bringing the story to life. I would definitely listen again.

*Thanks to Bolinda Audio for providing an early copy for review.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★ — One of my top books of the year!

Thank you soooo much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. A Murder of Rogues was such a fun and entertaining read. Our protagonist, Pom/Cascabel, is one of my favourites in a while: smart, bold, fun, and they feel so grounded and real. I wish the book was longer just so I could spend more time with them and explore some of the themes that we didn't have the time to dig into.

I'm using they/them pronouns because, even though the word “nonbinary” isn't used in the book, Pom specifically says that they are neither a boy nor a girl. They’re also bisexual, and there’s the sweetest queer romance in this. I kept kicking my feet and dying whenever they interacted and aaaaaaah!!!!!

I really enjoyed the writing style, the plot, and the side characters, especially Knox, the scottish surgeon. And I loved Mouse, a deaf girl who teaches Pom sign language. Her representation felt thoughtful and natural, and I adored every scene she was in.

The narrator of the audiobook did a great job bringing everyone to life. I was completely immersed. I didn’t guess who the killer would be (though I had my hopes!), and the reveal was juicy. It wasn’t who Pom or I thought it would be, and the twist worked really well.

I can’t say much more without getting into spoilers, but this was a delightful read. I loved the historical setting, the mystery, the queer romance, and the voice. Such a good book and great narration too!

[MizzyRed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite the enjoyable audiobook to listen to! I was always a big fan of Tamora Pierce and her character of Alanna who takes her brother's place and pretends to be him to get the education she wanted as a knight. Now Cascabel is not going for knighthood but I applaud their (since they consider them both and neither a boy or a girl) goal of becoming a surgeon. Unfortunately getting into Oxford seems to be the easiest part of the journey! From blackmail to murder and a dangerous red book with many secrets (some of them apparently murdering for!) plus being considered a suspect and hounded by the constables! I really rooted for Pom (Cascabel) as they balanced all that, had time to join the Rogue's club (to help solve the murder before being accused of it themselves), fight a duel, begin to learn to be a surgeon and even fall in love. I love the whole addition of Mouse teaching Pom sign language which was a nice quiet time in between the rousing drinking and sneaking out to create mayhem with the other rogues. The ending did fall a little flat after the big climax of kidnapping and solving the case but it was still sweet.

I had fun listening to this audiobook. The narrator, Lucy Walker-Evans did a great job in bringing the complex character of Cascabel/Pom to life and all their many adventures in Oxford and the surrounding area with the rogues and I hope they can continue to follow their dreams as whover they want to be! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this great story!

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an audiobook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

A MURDER OF ROGUES is a historical mystery centring queer lives.

This is a book that takes the "girl dressing as a boy to do something interesting forbidden to girls" trope and explores it through a gender queer lens. It's a book that looks at the queer lives that are so often deliberately overlooked or written out of the historical narrative.

All of this is wrapped up in a murder mystery in an era without finger printing or DNA tests. The murdered boy is deeply unpleasant, blackmailing several students. It gives the reader plenty of suspects, forcing Cascabel to join the infamous Rogues Club to expose the real killer before they're outed.

I appreciated the book had Cascabel spiralling the more they were involved in the Rogues Club. It showed how deeply they had fallen, trying to find out what happened. They get a little addicted to alcohol and used to morphine. It impacts their studies and relationships. This is not a nice club and it was nice to see this changing Cascabel's behaviours.

Lucy Walker-Evans narrates. There are three tones used for Cascabel - one that's very feminine, for when they're having to present as a young woman, one that's more masculine (when being their brother), and then one that's in the middle for when they're just being them. It's quite subtle, but a really nice way of exploring the difference between role playing and natural in the story.

[Rosina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to Scholastic for sending me a copy of this book, it sounded right up my alley! This is a YA historical dark academia featuring a non-binary main character named Cascabel who disguises herself as her brother to attend Oxford. But someone discovers her secret and when they wind up dead, Cascabel, or Pom as she's now known, is accused of murder. It's up to him to discover who the killer really is, without outing himself.

As an enby myself, I did feel for Cascabel/Pom. Both being masculine and feminine can be a delight. And in the regency period, being a man was the only way to get the Oxford education they wanted. The character felt true to me and you can see all the sides and confusion.

The romance was obviously queer with Cascabel being an enby. Their relationship with Mouse was cute. And I appreciated how real some of their struggles felt with the time. But despite that, most of their moments were just sweet. I loved her teaching them sign language and them always bringing her treats. It was adorable.

The mystery aspect of this book was interesting too. I didn't predict who the killer was at all. My suspicions aligned with Cascabel at one point, but I'm glad I was wrong. It definitely made it more interesting.

I found this book easy to read and I flew through it in 2 days after struggling with physically reading for so long, so yay!

I very much enjoyed this book and will happily read from the author again.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like:
✨ Undermining the patriarchy?
✨ Posh university settings/"academia" style books?
✨ Disguises, balls, and clubs full of deplorable rogues?
✨ Murder mysteries and adventure?
✨ Fabulous and extensive LBTGQ+ rep?

If so, you should absolutely read A Murder of Rogues! This delightful Regency era historical fiction novel follows Cascabel Grey (also known, charmingly, as Pom) as they pose as their twin brother, Thomas Grey, in order to study at Oxford University. Pom is quickly introduced to the infamous Rogues Club, a band of rather deplorable and debauched young gentlemen. When one of the Rogues is murdered, Pom becomes the prime suspect, and they must use both of their personas and all of their cunning to solve the mystery before their secret comes out.

This was such an adventure from start to finish. Pom/Cascabel was the most compelling protagonist and I just loved them, even when they made a few dubious choices lol. The side characters, particularly Knox (a Scottish surgeon), Mouse (a deaf chambermaid) and Garlick (Pom's manservant), were equally wonderful. The romance was also very sweet and satisfying.

The audiobook, narrated by Lucy Walker-Evans, is nothing short of brilliant. She performs all the characters with their own voices and mannerisms and it's just so much fun to listen to. What a performance! I had a great time.

I'm so glad I requested this book.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cascabel Grey always knew she was different, and disguising herself as a boy to secure a place at Oxford University proves this. She is helped by her mother, who both agree that women are stifled by society and freedom is a luxury that they are denied. Life at university is going very well until she receives a blackmail letter from Charles Lafleur, a fellow student and a member of The Rogues, a secret society, threatening to reveal her true identity if she does not pay him.

Soon after, she receives a visit from Detective Wade, advising her that Mr. Lafleur has been murdered and she is the prime suspect in the crime. Cascabel knows she must find the real killer if she is to keep her place at Oxford, but in doing so, she loses control of the life she has longed for so long. Can she catch the killer in time to get her life back on track and continue her education?

Thank you so much to @scholasic for an advanced copy of this book. This is not a book I would generally pick up, but I loved it. It was full of mystery and intrigue, and easy to follow, yet a genius plot. The characters were lovable and hateful all at the same time, but they impacted the story perfectly, and I never knew who to trust right up to the end.

As well as charming characters and a suspenseful plot, it has romance, drama, historical fiction, murder and a stunning cover. But don’t be fooled like me by the cover, which gives a fantastical vibe, a genre that is not my favourite and my reason for being sceptical about the novel. However, this book contains no fantasy whatsoever. I think this will be a hit with many people, considering it ticks so many boxes and is such a compelling read.

[Suzannesbooks25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book described as dark academia with scandal, mystery and queer romance. It definitely has all of this and more. Extremely well written and witty too. It has everything I love to read in a novel.

It is set in Regency England in 1810 and follows Cascabel (Pom), who enrolls in Oxford to gain an education, but has to disguise as a boy to get in. A murder happens on campus, the police think that Pom is a suspect. Pom investigates on her own to try and clear her name but along the way finds herself in some tricky situations. Pom is a brilliant character and the romance aspect is heart warming and wrote brilliantly. Just the right amount of romance to not take anything away from the main plot. The ending was unexpected and I was wrong about the murderer.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. Well written and I would read books by this author again. The beginning I found to be a tad bit slow, but that did not last long, and I was then in the throes of it, finding it hard to put down at the end. In fact I was up late finishing this one.

I was gifted this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Lily Golding · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but it was nothing particularly special. I would have liked more exploration of gender from the main character. It’s important to note that even though she uses she/her pronouns on the blurb, she describes herself as “not a boy and not a girl” so it’s pretty clear she’s non-binary.

I liked the D/deaf rep from the love interest, Mouse. It was good to see the main character go to so much effort to learn sign language to get close to her. Though it did annoy me that she was completely ignorant of her privilege, constantly going to see Mouse when she’d been told not to, even though Mouse being found in the company of someone who looked like an upper class man would not end well for Mouse in the slightest.

Overall, I just wanted more from this book. It was easy to read but it didn’t particularly captivate me. I probably won’t read more from this author unless he does something more interesting.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Cross-posted to thewhisperingofthepages.co.uk

[Clarisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like undermining the Patriarchy?
Then this book is for you!!

A MURDER OF ROGUES BY JOE HEAP

Firstly, I want to say thank you to scholastic for sending me a copy of this book.



This novel was an absolutely joy to read. A dark academia setting, murder mysteries and adventure, disguises and of course a fabulous and extensive LGBTQ rep!

I loved how we had a Queer representation, an hearing impaired person and gender fluid representation in this book.

The story follows a non-binary protagonist who shifts between male and female personas — not just to investigate a murder at Oxford, but to gain access to a medical education. And to be honest women are just as superior as men. So I am so happy to have a strong FMC in this book and Cascabel/Pom is such an awesome character and inspiration for women that wanting more than just being a wife or a mother.

This is such a delightful read for me

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 amazing stars


I couldn’t wait to read your next book Joe! Congratulations on this amazing book!

[Harriet Diggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This novel was an absolute joy to read. Suspenseful, atmospheric dark academia with a unique twist.

I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations about women in education and really loved diving into the mind of our main character as they swapped between their two personas. All the characters were believable and multi-layered, making the whodunnit plot line even more engaging as so many people had different possible motives. The mystery element was very well done.

I would like to note that while this is YA and certainly suitable for a YA audience, the writing style was surprisingly mature and felt more Adult in parts. Again, definitely suitable for a YA audience though.

This was very nearly a 5⭐️ read for me, I just personally wish our character received a happier ending.

Thank you to Scholastic for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Murder of Rogues is a fascinating historical mystery set at Oxford University in the regency era, brimming with romance and rich queer representation. We follow Pom, who applied to Oxford disguised as a boy in order to gain entry. Pom is non-binary, describing themselves as neither boy nor girl, but must flit between the identities of Thomas and Cascabel while investigating the chilling murder of a fellow student. Pom is a fierce protagonist; sharp, witty, and determined not to let anyone or anything stand in their way. An addictive story set in Regency England but with a bold, modern feel.

Recommended for fans of witty historical mysteries with queer heart.

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-copy.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book was such a delightfully surprising read. A murder mystery in a dark academia setting is what drew me in but I stayed for the characters, the intrigue and the romance.

Set in Regency England, our main character Cascabel must disguise herself as her twin brother in order to go to Oxford and get the education and freedom she dreams of. However, someone discovers her secret and tries to blackmail her. When the blackmailer is found murdered Cascabel, under the guise of her brother, is now a suspect. Balancing her two personas Cascabel sets out to discover who the actual killer is while navigating her school, work, growing feelings for a chambermaid and infiltrating the infamous Rogues Club.

The story explores queer romance and gender identity which was beautifully done. I loved the academia setting, the writing felt very immersive, and the plot was fast paced and entertaining.

Thank you Scholastic for the advanced copy

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging and unexpected read for me, as it’s not a genre I normally choose. The story follows a non-binary protagonist who shifts between male and female personas — not just to investigate a murder at Oxford, but to gain access to a medical education. Their secret identity adds a clever layer of tension to the narrative.

There’s a sweet love story at the heart of the book, balanced against darker elements like a corrupt police force, a truly despicable group of rogues, and an international incident. At times, it felt like there was a lot going on, but overall it’s an intriguing, atmospheric thriller with a strong historical setting.

#AMurderofRogues #NetGalley

[Rune · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this work in audio format free of charge from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

The narration is excellent and well done. It brings the story and its characters to life very well.

The Title caught my attention, A murder of Rogues, and the fact it was an historical murder mystery and I was hooked.

The character of Cascabel is fun, deterimined and very daring as she slips between her two identies and genders of Cascabel and Pom.

Iiked the story but it did push alot of the social norms of its time period a bit far from true it was stil a decent mystery.

A good rainy day mystery.

[mila_readss · Rating 4 out of 5]

˖°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ 𝗔 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀 ˖°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: YA dark academia 
𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 435 pages 
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4 ⭐ 

𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 14th August 

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:

• YA dark academia 
• Murder mystery 
• Dual identity 
• Queer romance 
• Historical fiction 
• Regency England 

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴!

I was totally hooked from the very first page!

I was super intrigued by the premise, the setting, and the main character. The whole dual identity thing was super fun and thrilling. It definitely kept me on my toes!

We gradually got to know all the side characters throughout the book, and each one had their own unique personality. It was a real mystery figuring out who the enemy was and who was innocent.

The queer romance added a fantastic layer to the story, giving the characters more depth and showing us a different side to them.

So why not a 5-star rating?

The only reason is that I felt the conclusion was a bit rushed, and I was left feeling a little underwhelmed by the revelations and the reasons behind them.

But overall, I had a blast and I definitely recommend you give this a read!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable murder mystery, and a lot more, audiobook for older teens, and up. Cascabel Gray/ Pom by choice, is an interesting lead character. Dressing as a boy to enter the University, blackmail and a murder threaten to expose the ruse. The setting Regency England, in particular Oxford. Can she find the muderer without being exposed? Her family have their own plans for Pom, not advantageous, and possible romance and relationships stir further troubles. Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the Audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Ray]

I’m grateful for receiving this arc, however I wasn’t aware this book would involve surgery and medical themes which personally isn’t for me. Otherwise, the writing is really engaging and I was interested just not enough to get past it. A mention of these themes wouldn't go amiss in the blurb.