Whipster

by Susan Grossey

With the University preparing for Michaelmas term in 1827, Cambridge is alive with promises of fortunes to be made. University constable Gregory Hardiman has neither the appetite nor the funds to invest, but many others are tempted by the gleam of Bolivian silver. On patrol one evening Gregory is called to a violent incident at an inn, and before long his enquiries lead him to several of the town’s best-known figures – including the Master of St Clement’s College.

Struggling to make sense of what he has learned, Gregory himself is targeted as someone threatens to blackmail him. And with a chance of happiness once again within his grasp, can he risk losing it all if his past is revealed?

283 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2025

About the author

My name is Susan Grossey. I graduated from Cambridge University in 1987 with a degree in English, and then taught secondary English for two years before realising that the National Curriculum was designed primarily to extinguish every spark of creativity in its teachers. I then became a technical author, and reached the pinnacle of this profession when I was asked to document the workings of a choc-ice wrapping machine in Cardiff, while wearing a fetching blue hairnet (which I forgot to remove until it was pointed out by a cashier in a petrol station on the M4).

From this unbeatable high point I moved into technical training, and one day was asked to help with a staff manual on fraud prevention. As I wrote the chapter on money laundering, I realised that here was a topic that could keep my interest for years – and so it has proved. Since 1998, I have been self-employed as an anti-money laundering consultant, providing training and strategic advice and writing policies and procedures for clients in many countries. As part of my job, I have written several non-fiction books with exciting titles like “Money Laundering: A Training Strategy”, “The Money Laundering Officer’s Practical Handbook” and “Anti-Money Laundering: A Guide for the Non-Executive Director”.

However, even this is not enough financial crime for me, and in my spare evenings and weekends I write fiction – but always with financial crime at the heart of it.

Reviews

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cambridge 1827 and as the town readies itself for a new term Gregory Hardiman continues to combine his duties as ostler at the Hoop inn together with the role of university Constable. On one of his nightly patrols Hardiman is called to an inn in town where he witnesses the results a violent crime and is dismayed to discover he recognises one of the victims. However, it would seem that whilst seeking out the evil within his midst he upsets someone who has the power to shatter Hardiman’s well guarded secrets. With his usual keen eye for sleuthing Hardiman sets about discovering who was responsible for this heinous crime and in doing so he uncovers a a sorry tale of blackmail, corruption and deceit.

It’s been a real pleasure to be back in company with Hardiman, he’s such a steadfast man, filled with a genuine need to help others and has a keen eye for seeking out the truth. He cleverly spots charlatans and miscreants and does his utmost to bring them to justice but is always aware of the fickleness of human nature. There is such a strong sense of historical authenticity that whilst reading I feel as if I am whisked away to walk the dark streets with Hardiman as he maintains his role as university Constable finding trouble in the shadows and hidden passageways of Georgian Cambridge.

The eponymous Whipster on whom the story revolves is written with a fine eye for historical detail and an uncanny knack of bringing the smallest detail to life. I must admit to sneaking to the back of the book to the excellent glossary in order to look up the meaning of the word and it fits the story perfectly.

[Tessa Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Susan Grossey’s books about Gregory Hardiman. He’s such a likeable character, and the details of life in early nineteenth century Cambridge are fascinating. This book was my Christmas present to myself, and it didn’t disappoint.

[Debbie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shouldn't have been so sad when Susan Grossey finished her 7-book Sam Plank series, because her second series, about Cambridge College Constable Gregory Hardiman, is equally compelling.

This third in series is the best yet, with Gregory and friends well established now, and their character arcs evolving in the background as another murder mystery arises. As ever, there is conflict and contrast between town and gown, and Constable Hardiman must manoeuvre with care to solve the murder while maintaining the fine balance between the university's system and the city's.

I especially like the worldly-wise former soldier Hardiman's humanity and kindness to others, pursuing his own sense of justice for those from all walks of life, and not just for the privileged classes.

As ever, Grossey brings history to life in vivid and relatable detail, sharing her protagonist's fascination with words, and sprinkling the narrative effectively with now archaic terminology current in Hardiman's day, adding to the authenticity of the story.

Bring on number four...