The Wykehamist

by Alexandra Strnad

Lucian is the Wykehamist, a bright, handsome, charming, and privately educated young man, who effortlessly glides through life - from Winchester College, to the University of Cambridge, to London, and finally Hong Kong. But when Lucian is arrested, his secrets begin to unravel, the dark, violent side of him exposed.
Introverted, yet beautiful, Clementine doesn’t allow anyone to get close to her. She struggled to make friends at the University of Cambridge finding the elite circles exclusive and intimidating. But there was one man, Lucian, who she was desperate to know.
SALTBURN meets AMERICAN PSYCHO in this shocking new crime novel...

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2025

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wykehamist pulled me in with its unsettling portrait of Lucian, a seemingly perfect young man who moves effortlessly through the privileged worlds of Winchester College, Cambridge, London, and eventually Hong Kong. I liked how the story slowly chips away at that polished exterior rather than revealing everything at once. Clementine’s perspective adds another layer to the tension, especially as someone who feels like an outsider at Cambridge yet becomes increasingly fascinated by the charismatic Lucian.

The comparison to Saltburn and American Psycho definitely makes sense, but the book has its own disturbing atmosphere. There’s something particularly chilling about watching Lucian’s charm and intelligence coexist with the darker side that emerges after his arrest. The contrast between his carefully constructed image and the secrets underneath kept me turning the pages, and the story left me with that uncomfortable feeling of wondering how well we ever really know the people who seem to have it all together.

[Amal K · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wykehamist is a deep dive into obsession in a world where privilege and appearance are weapons. Ranging across continents, a thriller that explores and explodes, a gripping read.