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The Oxford Mysteries #3
The Hunters Club: The utterly compelling Victorian crime thriller of the year
If you're not with them you're against them.
Oxford, 1883. Young men are being found bound, gagged and hooded at the gates of their colleges in the small hours.
Basil Rice, Jesus College fellow, is asked by the senior proctor to investigate. But matters of sexual purity are dangerous, as it lays Basil open to unwelcome scrutiny of his own private life.
Meanwhile, the University Vice Chancellor's Court has wrongly imprisoned a young shopgirl from the town, and she seeks the services of young academic and budding journalist, Non Vaughan, to clear her name.
The uncovering by Basil of a secret society, The Venatores, and the murder of a student, cause Non and Basil to join forces. But is justice possible in a world so unjust and dangerous?
A scintillating historical mystery from the author of CWA Historical Dagger shortlisted A Bitter Remedy.
Praise for the Oxford Mysteries series'An excellent historical mystery dripping with atmosphere that exposes the chauvinism, misogyny and bigotry of late Victorian England' The Times
'Real figures from history rub shoulders with those invented by Hawkins and her inventiveness is prodigal' Financial Times
'Fearlessly tackles taboo attitudes of the era, taking aim at misogyny, homophobia, and sexual politics. An excellent addition to the historical mystery canon. Marvellous!' Vaseem Khan
'Brilliantly researched, rich in atmosphere and with two likeable and intriguing protagonists at the centre' Philip Gwynne Jones
Oxford, 1883. Young men are being found bound, gagged and hooded at the gates of their colleges in the small hours.
Basil Rice, Jesus College fellow, is asked by the senior proctor to investigate. But matters of sexual purity are dangerous, as it lays Basil open to unwelcome scrutiny of his own private life.
Meanwhile, the University Vice Chancellor's Court has wrongly imprisoned a young shopgirl from the town, and she seeks the services of young academic and budding journalist, Non Vaughan, to clear her name.
The uncovering by Basil of a secret society, The Venatores, and the murder of a student, cause Non and Basil to join forces. But is justice possible in a world so unjust and dangerous?
A scintillating historical mystery from the author of CWA Historical Dagger shortlisted A Bitter Remedy.
Praise for the Oxford Mysteries series'An excellent historical mystery dripping with atmosphere that exposes the chauvinism, misogyny and bigotry of late Victorian England' The Times
'Real figures from history rub shoulders with those invented by Hawkins and her inventiveness is prodigal' Financial Times
'Fearlessly tackles taboo attitudes of the era, taking aim at misogyny, homophobia, and sexual politics. An excellent addition to the historical mystery canon. Marvellous!' Vaseem Khan
'Brilliantly researched, rich in atmosphere and with two likeable and intriguing protagonists at the centre' Philip Gwynne Jones
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2025
37 people want to read
About the author
Alis Hawkins
24 books110 followersAlis Hawkins grew up on a dairy farm in Cardiganshire. Her inner introvert thought it would be a good idea to become a shepherd and, frankly, if she had, she might have been published sooner. As it was, three years reading English at Corpus Christi College, Oxford revealed an extrovert streak and a social conscience which saw her train as a Speech and Language Therapist. She has spent the subsequent three decades variously bringing up two sons, working with children and young people on the autism spectrum and writing fiction, non-fiction and plays. She writes the kind of books she likes to read: character-driven historical crime and mystery fiction with what might be called literary production values.
Series: The Teifi Valley Coroner historical crime series, featuring Harry Probert Lloyd and John Davies. Published by Freight Books 2017, due for reissue by The Dome Press October 2018
Trilogy: The first of the Black Death trilogy, The Black and The White, coming soon from Sapere Books (summer 2018).
Standalone: Testament – previously published by PanMacmillan, soon for reissue by Sapere Books (summer 2018).
You can find more on Alis and her writing on her website (see link below) on Facebook - Alis Hawkins Author - and on Twitter (see link below)
Series: The Teifi Valley Coroner historical crime series, featuring Harry Probert Lloyd and John Davies. Published by Freight Books 2017, due for reissue by The Dome Press October 2018
Trilogy: The first of the Black Death trilogy, The Black and The White, coming soon from Sapere Books (summer 2018).
Standalone: Testament – previously published by PanMacmillan, soon for reissue by Sapere Books (summer 2018).
You can find more on Alis and her writing on her website (see link below) on Facebook - Alis Hawkins Author - and on Twitter (see link below)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 2, 2025
Students from the university are being found bound and gagged. Basil is given the mission to work out what is happening, why it is happening and stop it. Meanwhile Non is continuing to develop her journalism skills and seeks justice for a young shopgirl who was wrongly imprisoned by the university. As the truth starts to emerge, one student is murdered. Basil and Non have a race against time.
The third story in this series and Basil and Non are well established and their relationship continues to develop, although there is still an edge there.
The third story in this series and Basil and Non are well established and their relationship continues to develop, although there is still an edge there.
October 19, 2025
An excellent new case for non and basil to investigate although this is the third in a series they can be read as standalones but are best read in order. This is chilling as although it’s set in 1883 it’s got elements to it that could happen today and in fact according to the authors notes similar thjngs have happened in recent times, this is a series that goes from strength to strength - 5* from me
July 1, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Alis Hawkins’ The Hunters Club is more than a historical mystery—it’s a morally complex meditation on truth, trust, and the power of grassroots resistance. In this third installment of the Teifi Valley Coroner series, Hawkins tightens the narrative lens on community fractures and forensic sleuthing in 1850s Wales, delivering a richly textured and emotionally grounded investigation that feels as modern in its urgency as it is rooted in the past.
When the mutilated body of a well-known landowner turns up near Tregaron, coroner Harry Probert-Lloyd and his assistant, John Davies, are forced into a case that exposes not only a killer but the darkest undercurrents of rural tension—namely, the secretive activities of the titular “Hunters Club.” As the case evolves, it becomes clear this isn’t just about one man’s death, but about the hidden networks of power, violence, and marginalization that shape the lives of the working poor.
Hawkins is particularly adept at showing the friction between Welsh cultural identity and English legal authority, embedding historical detail without overwhelming the reader. The setting itself breathes and bleeds—it’s not just atmospheric, it’s politically alive.
One of the novel’s most compelling elements is its dual protagonist dynamic. Harry is dogged and principled but increasingly aware of the limits of the justice system he serves. Davies, by contrast, is a conduit for the emotional resonance of the story—empathetic, quietly radical, and the lens through which readers see the cost of violence borne by those outside institutional power.
The writing is restrained yet piercing, with moments of understated lyricism that invite reflection. Hawkins doesn’t settle for neat resolutions. Every revelation comes at a price, and moral clarity is hard-won, if it’s achieved at all.
The Hunters Club draws a clear line between historical injustice and contemporary resonance. The titular club becomes a symbol of elite impunity cloaked in secrecy, echoing current concerns about hidden influence and systemic inequality. But this isn’t just political commentary—it’s a story about people trying, and often failing, to do the right thing under immense pressure.
The novel also continues Hawkins’ exploration of male vulnerability and intellectual companionship—refreshingly nuanced in a genre often reliant on lone-wolf detectives or overused tropes.
In The Hunters Club, Hawkins doesn’t just write about crime—she dissects justice. Her historical mysteries are stitched with a contemporary heart, challenging readers not only to solve the case, but to question what justice looks like when the law bends to power. It’s a story of resistance, imperfect reckonings, and quiet courage—a book that lingers like the echo of footsteps in a wet valley at dusk.
Alis Hawkins’ The Hunters Club is more than a historical mystery—it’s a morally complex meditation on truth, trust, and the power of grassroots resistance. In this third installment of the Teifi Valley Coroner series, Hawkins tightens the narrative lens on community fractures and forensic sleuthing in 1850s Wales, delivering a richly textured and emotionally grounded investigation that feels as modern in its urgency as it is rooted in the past.
When the mutilated body of a well-known landowner turns up near Tregaron, coroner Harry Probert-Lloyd and his assistant, John Davies, are forced into a case that exposes not only a killer but the darkest undercurrents of rural tension—namely, the secretive activities of the titular “Hunters Club.” As the case evolves, it becomes clear this isn’t just about one man’s death, but about the hidden networks of power, violence, and marginalization that shape the lives of the working poor.
Hawkins is particularly adept at showing the friction between Welsh cultural identity and English legal authority, embedding historical detail without overwhelming the reader. The setting itself breathes and bleeds—it’s not just atmospheric, it’s politically alive.
One of the novel’s most compelling elements is its dual protagonist dynamic. Harry is dogged and principled but increasingly aware of the limits of the justice system he serves. Davies, by contrast, is a conduit for the emotional resonance of the story—empathetic, quietly radical, and the lens through which readers see the cost of violence borne by those outside institutional power.
The writing is restrained yet piercing, with moments of understated lyricism that invite reflection. Hawkins doesn’t settle for neat resolutions. Every revelation comes at a price, and moral clarity is hard-won, if it’s achieved at all.
The Hunters Club draws a clear line between historical injustice and contemporary resonance. The titular club becomes a symbol of elite impunity cloaked in secrecy, echoing current concerns about hidden influence and systemic inequality. But this isn’t just political commentary—it’s a story about people trying, and often failing, to do the right thing under immense pressure.
The novel also continues Hawkins’ exploration of male vulnerability and intellectual companionship—refreshingly nuanced in a genre often reliant on lone-wolf detectives or overused tropes.
In The Hunters Club, Hawkins doesn’t just write about crime—she dissects justice. Her historical mysteries are stitched with a contemporary heart, challenging readers not only to solve the case, but to question what justice looks like when the law bends to power. It’s a story of resistance, imperfect reckonings, and quiet courage—a book that lingers like the echo of footsteps in a wet valley at dusk.
July 25, 2025
The latest instalment in the Oxford mystery series is a cracking story centred on the conflict between town and gown. Non has developed as a strong willed character, not quite abandoning her academic dreams, nor her Welsh roots but now pursuing a burgeoning career as a journalist and learning to choose her battles more carefully. She continutes to be terrier like in her quest to seek justice for a young woman accused of soliciting an undergraduate and uncovers a sinister secret society within the colleges of Oxford. Basil is tasked with solving a spate of attacks on undergraduates and inevitably the two cases are soon linked. As Non seeks to expose the miscreants Basil must try to protect the reputation of the University which leads to spirited argument and a fast paced plot. Tarley makes a welcome return as Non’s steadying protector while her conscience plays havoc with her loyalties and emotions in the form of her dead twin sister Angharad.
The story flips between the narratives of Non and Basil frequently leaving each on the type of cliffhanger that makes you read on and on. As the story unfolds, tension rises and it becomes a race to break the stiff upper lips to reveal the truth. The streets of Oxford play an imporant role as the hunting ground - I hope a map is included - and it is clear that the author has done her research both historically and geographically. There is plenty of human interest here too and a lot of care has been taken to present a story and a cast of characters, some from real life, that are both entertaining and thoroughly believable. Alis Hawkins is a terrific storyteller, the reader is plunged straight into a compulsive read from the start and it is very difficult to stop. I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
The story flips between the narratives of Non and Basil frequently leaving each on the type of cliffhanger that makes you read on and on. As the story unfolds, tension rises and it becomes a race to break the stiff upper lips to reveal the truth. The streets of Oxford play an imporant role as the hunting ground - I hope a map is included - and it is clear that the author has done her research both historically and geographically. There is plenty of human interest here too and a lot of care has been taken to present a story and a cast of characters, some from real life, that are both entertaining and thoroughly believable. Alis Hawkins is a terrific storyteller, the reader is plunged straight into a compulsive read from the start and it is very difficult to stop. I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
October 10, 2025
3/5 stars: This is the third entry in Hawkins' Oxford Mysteries series which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery set in Oxford, England 1883 and features a Welsh academic and aspiring journalist as she teams up with a gay Jesus College fellow to investigate the wrongful imprisonment of local women and a student's murder linked to a secret society. With plenty of twists and turns, Hawkins has crafted a mystery that balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Written in dual POV, Hawkins' writing and character work are well done; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable with a diverse and inclusive secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. The historical elements are interesting. I appreciate how Hawkins' brings attention to the difficulties between Oxford locals and the University and the struggles and inequalities women experienced. Hawkins touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, A Bitter Remedy.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Canelo in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Canelo in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
October 18, 2025
The Hunter’s Club by Alis Hawkins
This is the third in the series of Oxford mysteries which is set in the late 1800’s. The main character is Non or Rhiannon who is a Welsh female academic who is at odds with power wielded by the men at Oxford university. She is trying to build a career as a journalist and chances upon the plight of a female who has been wronged by the college proctors.
Whilst pursuing her case she teams up with Basil who has uncovered the murder of a college student with links to a secret society. Basil has his own secrets as though he is a fellow of Jesus College he is also a homosexual who has to hide his desires.
The history of the period is evoked in great detail and the story is revealed through the two points of view of the main protagonists. There are many twists and turns and I was intrigued to discover that some of the characters are based on real people of the time.
The tension which existed between the local people living in Oxford is powerfully revealed and the vulnerabilities of women to the forces of the college was quite shocking. Although this can be read as a stand alone novel you will great much more of an insight in Non and Basil if you read the first novel in the series, A Bitter Remedy.
Many thanks to the author, Canelo (The publishers) and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in return for and honest review.
This is the third in the series of Oxford mysteries which is set in the late 1800’s. The main character is Non or Rhiannon who is a Welsh female academic who is at odds with power wielded by the men at Oxford university. She is trying to build a career as a journalist and chances upon the plight of a female who has been wronged by the college proctors.
Whilst pursuing her case she teams up with Basil who has uncovered the murder of a college student with links to a secret society. Basil has his own secrets as though he is a fellow of Jesus College he is also a homosexual who has to hide his desires.
The history of the period is evoked in great detail and the story is revealed through the two points of view of the main protagonists. There are many twists and turns and I was intrigued to discover that some of the characters are based on real people of the time.
The tension which existed between the local people living in Oxford is powerfully revealed and the vulnerabilities of women to the forces of the college was quite shocking. Although this can be read as a stand alone novel you will great much more of an insight in Non and Basil if you read the first novel in the series, A Bitter Remedy.
Many thanks to the author, Canelo (The publishers) and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in return for and honest review.
November 22, 2025
Oxford 1883. It is a most unjust and unequal world. Young men think they own the world and the young women working there are fair game. When a few young men turn up bound and gagged it is only a matter of time when anger turns deadly. A young shop girl is arrested and imprisoned for talking to a man. She seeks help from a young fearless journalist and an older lady who will help in anyway she can. When the Chancellor calls in Basil Rice to investigate the matters which are beginning to get attention and call Oxford into disrepute, it is too late. The discovery of a private club which aids and abets these young men adds to the mix.
Corruption amongst senior staff is rife, and everyone will cover up for boys who are from aristocratic families. The police do not want take action for fear of reprisal and Basil is fearful of discovery of his homosexuality, which will end in disgrace and any chance of a career. It is only Non who will work for justice for the young woman and very slowly the story comes to light. Helped by the Police who have to work very carefully, the whole system of injustice against the working class and the historical importance and rigidity of class is very apparent in the story.
The outcome of the case is far below of what is just but one takes what one gets.
Corruption amongst senior staff is rife, and everyone will cover up for boys who are from aristocratic families. The police do not want take action for fear of reprisal and Basil is fearful of discovery of his homosexuality, which will end in disgrace and any chance of a career. It is only Non who will work for justice for the young woman and very slowly the story comes to light. Helped by the Police who have to work very carefully, the whole system of injustice against the working class and the historical importance and rigidity of class is very apparent in the story.
The outcome of the case is far below of what is just but one takes what one gets.
November 1, 2025
The best Alis Hawkins' book yet. This is the third in her Oxford Mysteries series, but it would work equally well as a standalone.
The series is set in late 19th century Oxford, when women are allowed to study (suitably chaperoned) but not to take degrees, homosexuality is still illegal and there is a sharp divide between 'town and gown' and between the classes. I love how Alis Hawkins bring all these themes into the story to create an authentic setting for what is in intricate crime mystery with twists and turns to keep us guessing up to the end.
I am also enjoying seeing how Basil and Non's relationship evolves and how Non and Tarley's relationship develops. I'm looking forward to Book 4 to find out.
The series is set in late 19th century Oxford, when women are allowed to study (suitably chaperoned) but not to take degrees, homosexuality is still illegal and there is a sharp divide between 'town and gown' and between the classes. I love how Alis Hawkins bring all these themes into the story to create an authentic setting for what is in intricate crime mystery with twists and turns to keep us guessing up to the end.
I am also enjoying seeing how Basil and Non's relationship evolves and how Non and Tarley's relationship develops. I'm looking forward to Book 4 to find out.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews