Lessons in Desire

Cambridge Fellows #2

by Charlie Cochrane

With the recent series of college murders behind him, Cambridge Fellow Jonty Stewart is in desperate need of a break.

A holiday on the beautiful Channel Island of Jersey seems ideal, if only he can persuade Orlando Coppersmith to leave the security of the college and come with him. Orlando is a quiet man who prefers academic life to venturing out into the world. Within the confines of their rooms at the university, it’s easy to hide the fact that he and Jonty are far more than friends.

But the desire to spend more time alone with the man he loves is an impossible lure to resist. When a brutal murder occurs at the hotel where they’re staying, the two young men are once more drawn into the investigation.

The race to catch the killer gets complicated by the victim’s son, Ainslie, a man who seems to find Orlando too attractive to resist.

Can Stewart and Coppersmith keep Ainslie at bay, keep their affair clandestine, and solve the crime?

Genres: Historical, Mystery, M M Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Historical Romance

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Because Charlie Cochrane couldn't be trusted to do any of her jobs of choice—like managing a rugby team—she writes. Her mystery novels include the Edwardian era Cambridge Fellows series, series, and the contemporary Best Corpse for the Job. Multi-published, she has titles with Carina, Samhain, Riptide and Bold Strokes, among others.

A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Mystery People and International Thriller Writers Inc, Charlie regularly appears at literary festivals and at reader and author conferences with The Deadly Dames.

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly charmed.

Playing into an imagined idyllic nostalgia, I was completely enchanted with Orlando and Jonty again. It was nice to see them in a setting away from Cambridge, out and about. Of course, Orlando's social reticence and deep-seated fear of discovery, which considering the consequences at the time were reasonable, made this a slow reveal.

He could just imagine Orlando during the conversation about Oscar Wilde in the bar—being clueless, missing the subtle signs of someone manifesting their attraction to him, nodding in exactly the wrong places and making the insinuation that he would be interested in an encounter.

But watching him bloom into a freer creature that experienced joy, smiled and laughed was worth it. Beautiful.

The Clue-like cozy mystery that the pair find themselves nosing around in was good. Solid misdirection applied with a multi-layer reveal that was interesting. The resolution was thoughtful. But, the win here is watching Jonty and Orlando's relationship flourish amidst the the fresh air, sand, and stolen moments.

Overall, good English period piece with a body count on the island of Jersey.

Favorite quote:

Halfway down he realised that he was very probably going to die and however would Orlando explain it to his mother? Very sorry, Mrs. Stewart, but needless to say he was arsing about as usual.

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

To use Jonty's endearing words, this was a great bowl of soppy pudding. Orlando and Jonty are so sweet together and there's something very charming about the writing itself.

However I can't wrap my head around how forgiving was everyone about the crime, or the person who did the crime. Which btw. I saw it from a mile away. Also I feel the murder and its investigation was set up rather as a secondary plot in this book. Mainly the focus was on the relationship development.

Overall this is a "lazy" book and I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean it was, for me, something that I would read on the beach or when I don't feel like doing anything and I have the time to read slowly and just appreciate the words.

[Steelwhisper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This vaccilates between 3 and 3.5 stars for me.

I like some of the descriptions of greater intimacy between the couple, and some of the local colour, but on the whole it was a bit too sweet and the guys too tootsie-goody for my tastes. I don't require alpha-males, but those two men had not enough hormones and not enough red blood. Even Peter Ustinov's Hercule Poirot came over as more male and less stuck up and brittle.

Something which persistently disturbed me was the posit that only insertive sex is actually "real sex." At that time, indeed 1910 as per the date of the statistics, over 90% of all gay men did NOT have anal sex. Right. Over 90% considered all the rest being just fine for them, or they on the other hand disliked or detested the idea of anal insertive sex. Had to state that, because it is a pet peeve of mine in historicals.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not particularly exciting or racy or unusually clever, but I loved it because it's just so... charming. It makes me want to speak with peculiarly English turns of phrase and carry a handkerchief and play croquet. The main couple is really growing on me. So glad I still have the rest of the series to look forward to.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second story featuring academics, and part time sleuths, Jonty and Orlando. Out of their comfortable routine at St Brides on holiday in the channel Islands, while Jonty is determined to make sure that Orlando enjoys himself, and maybe even learns to relax a little, they find themselves caught up in another mystery when a guest at their hotel is murdered.

Sprinkled throughout with period detail, and with a good mix of relationship and mystery storylines, this was really enjoyable and felt like comfort reading from the start. I really do like both main characters in this series - my only issue is that for such proper Edwardian gentlemen, I do wish they wouldn't "giggle" ...

[Eva Müller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was...nice. Not bad but not great either. The mystery was OK, but one throwaway line made it really easy to figure out parts of it. There was still enough to keep me guessing.
I didn't get at all why it was necessary to have parts of the story told from Mathew's point of view. I'm pretty sure that all the other books from the series, I've read so far, were just written from Orlando's and Jonty's POV and I really don't understand why it was changed here. It added nothing and they were honestly done rather sloppily mid-chapter.

There is a rather widespread trope on cozies that is 'the police have somebody as their main suspect and the amateur sleuths just refuse to believe that this person did it' and I honestly don't think it was executed that well here. I can buy this if the suspect is somebody the main characters have known for a long time but here they only just met him but still Jonty never wavers in his conviction that Mathew didn't do it. Even Orland isn't convinced, but Jonty ignores that.
I also found Jonty's behaviour questionable in regards to their relationship in general. It was like he was willing to accept that Orlando needed time to get over his past traumas, but Jonty would decide how much time that was. He was pressing him to talk about things at several occasions, including one time that felt more like emotional blackmail. That was even worse because the question he asked then was 'Why did your father kill himself' which really is just morbid curiosity on his part. I get why making Orlando talk about his childhood in general would be helpful, but that? Not so much.
(Also: his 'only penetrative sex is real sex'-views? Ugh)

[Basicallyrun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not... entirely enamoured of this series, and yet I keep getting struck by thoughts of 'Oh, wouldn't it be *nice* to read another?'. Huh. Objectively speaking, there are some pretty badly worded sentences in here, I guessed the murderer in a 'last person you think of' way almost as soon as they were introduced (admittedly got the motive wrong, but the murder weapon right), and the author's insistence on getting her characters to The Full Sex (thank you, whoever introduced me to that usefully snarky phrase) got kind of grating, though with the last I suppose I am reading a romance, so what did I expect?

I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the first book - it felt more contrived and somehow less well-edited? - but might read the next one as it promises history-within-history and hopefully a greater focus on the friendship part of the central relationship (yes, I read romances for the friendships. Yes, I know I'm doing it wrong). I should add that the person who gave this book a one-star review does have some valid points. My own suspension of disbelief is practically a high-wire act at this point, so I barely noticed the inconsistencies, but just as a heads-up.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series of mysteries set in 1906 and beyond involving two young Cambridge dons, Jonty and Orlando, who are lovers. I read the third one first and found the lovers sweet, but the mystery was sort of lame. The first in the series, Lessons in Love, and this one are 95% romance and 5% mystery. The lovers spend most of their time smacking each other’s behind (in this volume Jonty pressures Orlando to “become one flesh” by having anal sex) and hardly anytime being sleuths. It is still sweet but the pace is tepid, and the world these guys live is la-la land where no one bats an eye at their homosexuality other than an oddball now again. Even the local constabulary turn a blind eye. Jonty’s family, especially his mother loves her boys, and though religious have 2025 attitudes toward the boys activities. Orlando’s parents(who would have disapproved) are dead. It is sort of like “Brideshead Revisited” without any Catholic angst. I don’t know why I have read three of them and may read more—but the books do have charm.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orlando and Jonty are back and are off for a vacation in Jersey.
There were a few funny moments in this book, especially when Jonty decides roll down the hill and finds its not quite the same as when he was a child.
I did have an inkling for the murderer which is unusual, but all together a good book.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished Lessons in Desire, the second in the Cambridge Fellows series and I am beginning to see the reasons for the high ratings. Unlike the first book which left me detached and uninvolved in the characters, Lessons in Desire delighted me and gave me a better understanding of Drs. Coppersmith and Stewart as well as the times they lived in.

It is 1906 and classes at St. Brides College have been adjourned for the holidays. Jonty Stewart has persuaded his love and colleague to go on vacation with him to Jersey, a journey Orlando views with trepidation. Once the fellows reach the shores of Jersey, the book really began to engage me. As Jonty introduces Orlando to the joys of the seashore, from swimming to hunting crabs in the tidal pools, you experience these precious first times with him. Charlie Cochrane's descriptions of the shore and its delights are lyrical. She clearly loves the sea and has spent much time there in much the same pursuits as Jonty and Orlando. Orlando's repressed and restricted childhood leaves him unprepared for the childish games and day trips Jonty has prepared for them to do. This is such a wonderful look into a gentler, slower time. I loved riding with them on the bicycles, or catching shrimp and bedeviling the hermit crabs in their favorite cove. I laughed at their descriptions of the bathing costumes and Orlando's embarrassment in disrobing outside of his room (even though he would be merely taking off the clothes on top of the bathing outfit). As Orlando slowly opens himself up to fully experiencing being on holiday with Jonty, more of his past is revealed.

Of course, a murder occurs at the inn they are staying at and, much like Agatha Christie, you are introduced to all the suspects during Orlando and Jonty's stay. From the kind older couple to the young honeymooners, all the staple characters of an English murder mystery are here. But unlike a Agatha Christie novel, the murderer is easy to spot and the crime not really much of a mystery. That was my only real disappointment in this book. I wished that the murder mystery was as high in quality as the descriptions of Jonty and Orlando on holiday. But I love the fact that this is a typical cosie but a m/m cosie, a lovely addition to the genre.

If you are looking for hot, descriptive sex, then you will find the title misleading and the book disappointing. Here Jonty wishes Orlando to open himself to exploring new horizons of all types, not just including physical love. The lovemaking is gentle and usually under wraps as it were, left more to the readers imagination than visually realistic in terms. I thought this was very much in keeping with the tone and flavor of the story.

I look forward to the next installment in the series, Lessons in Discovery and another visit with Jonty and Orlando.

Rating: 4 stars

Note: I really like the cover of this book. It evokes the time period beautifully unlike the new modern cover for the first novel which was jarring.

[Erastes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I dislike romance blurbs with questions, because due to the restrictions on a HEA, the answer is pretty much answerable at the first page, but that wasn’t going to stop me enjoying Charlie Cochrane’s second outing with her Cambridge Fellows, as I had enjoyed book one immensely.

Right from the word go she had me hooked, as Jonty and Orlando’s banter made me smile–I love the way that Orlando is shocked at the very idea of going AWAY for a holiday–and how Jonty loves to tease him. After all, the man nearly freaked out at eating outside of Hall in the first book.

Jersey then, seems a very suitable compromise. English enough to be reassuringly familiar, but with enough of a tang of France to give a flavour of being “abroad.”

The charm of Cochrane’s writing, specifically with this series, is not reliant on action, gun fights, car chases and explosions, but takes you back to a time where life was slower, where you changed for each meal, where life was regulated by the gong, manners and polite conversation. Cochrane does this so beautifully that to there are scents of such classics as Rattigan’s Seperate Tables or The Raj Quartet. (Both would have been improved with a repressed gay love affair of course.)

Their time on the beach brought tears to my eyes, to be honest, because I was raised by the seaside and I miss doing all those simple things like throwing seaweed, exploring rock-pools and terrorising crabs. Cochrane knows her Jersey, having been there many times, and the scents and the sounds of the place fairly bounce from the page.

I love the humour in Cochrane’s work too, Jonty often puts his foot in it, causing Orlando to storm off in a huff, it’s gentle, English humour but it made me giggle a lot, and I had a smile on my face for a lot of this book. Orlando’s reactions to Ainslie’s attempted seduction was priceless.

All this and a murder mystery too, which I’m saying nothing about in case I spoil it.

What I like about the series is that Cochrane doesn’t give us everything at once. Orlando is like a nervous virgin–and although he’s participated in much with Jonty he hasn’t consummated their love affair entirely. More of the men’s backstory is revealed and slowly the relationship takes tiny steps forward, or perhaps three steps forward and a couple back. Readers coming to the Cambridge Fellows wanting pages of graphic monkey sex will be disappointed, but readers who enjoy a slow burn and exquisite knife-edge sexual tension will appreciate it hugely. Cochrane can do no wrong.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to like it so much. I read the first book at the beginning of my M/M reads and thought quite highly of it. In retrospect, I think I overrated it a bit, because I liked this second installment so much more. Maybe it's because Jonty and Orlando are on holiday, maybe it's because they know each other better, but this story was less gloomy than the previous one, with more humor and a few funny episodes.

The mystery was maybe a bit too easy to guess, but the relationship between Jonty and Orlando was a pleasure to watch. Orlando is still terrified of being outed and he's also a bit stuck in his intimacy. Jonty tries to reassure him and to lighten him up. They're a great couple, well matched. The historical setting adds a beautiful atmosphere and it's perfect for this non explicit, sweet romance.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1 Stars

I love how even something as serious as a murder can be set back for Orlando & Jonty to enjoy the discovery and love for each other.

Unlike last time, I was able to deduce the culprit - mainly because one of them laughingly mentioned that after the incidents at St. Brides the previous year it would most likely be the least likely suspect. And I was right! Of course, I hadn't the why of it so that was an interesting turn of events.

Also, for a book on the Non-Explicit list, it sure was steamy enough! No fade to black here; just politely worded euphemisms and such. Fitting, I think, for the book's time-period setting...feels quite appropriate.

Finally, I think I do so very much love Mrs. Stewart. And it breaks my heart the way Orlando would sometimes withdraw into his daydreams of having grown up as one of her sons.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd try: I guess this is just going to be a "Not bad" series for me. Plus, many HRtn goofs this time!

Goodreads 2.8; Amazon 3.3, partly due to the slipshod proofreading.

The emotional-maturity level of the leads tends to run more like an NA read, despite their being university fellows (teachers), not students. Orlando is, for all his mathematical rationality, irrationally curmudgeonly and fearful, and both of them get at times schoolboy-level silly. The romance (which, for better or worse, is even more fade-to-black than book 1, despite Jonty eventually, finally getting his wish of going farther) veers between sappiness and folly such as unfounded jealousy. Is "immature and non-explicit" now supposedly what it takes to be labeled "charming"?

The mystery is strewn with red herrings (tiepins, letter openers, and knitting needles among the weapon possibilities). I, unfortunately, spoiled the whodunit aspect for myself by not realizing that one review I looked at beforehand was about to NAME THE PERPETRATOR (which, to me, goes a bit above typical "spoilers", as were warned of at its top), calling it obvious based solely on the "least likely" trope in mystery fiction. I do think I would have at some point become correctly suspicious on my own, once hints at a possible motive were given. The "boys" disregard the danger they faced last time for the thrill of playing Sherlock again, with Detective Wilson (conveniently in the area) implausibly recruiting their untrained and imprudent participation a second time.

The biggest annoyance, however, was the plethora of missing, extra, and misplaced paragraph breaks throughout the whole short book. They were especially frequent in dialogue, leading to two speakers often being included (occasionally causing confusion) in a single paragraph. There were a few other minor goofs (e.g., misspelling Occam's Razor, "prided" for "primped"(?), a missing comma with address, etc.), but the line break issue occurred at least once every few pages (167± ÷ 46±)! I praised book 1 for its copyediting, but not this one.

Oh, BTW, speaking of editing, why did the author choose to give Jonty' s father the same first name as his first love? That should have been noticed and globally changed, don't you agree? Do a search on "Richard"; it's never commented on, just there.

These stories are in Kindle Unlimited, so I might read on, but I don't expect this much-praised series will ever be a favorite of mine.

[Josephine Myles]

In the second Cambridge Fellows book, our intrepid amateur sleuths take a much needed holiday. The beauty and calm of Jersey infuses the whole story, despite the murder of one of the guests at their hotel. There are rockpools, bathing and all manner of classic holiday activities. I think the only thing they don’t do is build a sandcastle!

Alongside the murder plot, which has a delightful number of possible murder weapons and suspects to ponder over, Jonty and Orlando have reached a difficult juncture in their relationship. Jonty wants to consummate things properly, but Orlando is twitchy about any physical contact outside of the safety of the familiar. However, his very first proper holiday helps to unwind him beautifully and we see a new, bolder side to his character emerge.

I’d recommend the Cambridge Fellows series to anyone who is doubtful about trying historicals. They aren’t burdened down with description and heavy prose, but have plenty of lively, witty dialogue. I know some of the later stories in the series have heavier subject matter, but certainly these early ones are sweet, entertaining and intriguing – the perfect kind of books to take with you on holiday, in fact!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series and it's among my most favourite. This book is charming and delightful and there's also a grisly murder. Orlando and Jonty are what make this series special and they are simply wonderful in this book. I'm completely biased, so of course it gets five stars. This is my third time reading this and it doesn't lose its sparkle.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story with this gentle, loving couple, I’m really enjoying this series. My only problem is that I unfortunately know what happens in book 8 and, although it’s a few books away, I’m dreading it.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good historical m/m mystery/romance in which Jonty drags Orlando off to Jersey for the first holiday Orlando's ever taken.

[Meri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was such a welcome Réunion to be back with Jonty and Orlando, this time on the island of Jersey during a college break. I really enjoyed the descriptions of scenery and the various people the pair encountered. I did find it a bit distracting as one elderly couple’s surname was Tattersall and I could only think of the pokies and bookies here in Australia. Tattersall in my mind is gambling apparently.
Loved the opportunity this book gave to see our MCs in a different environment, for Orlando at least not a very comfortable one. He seems happiest within the walls of Cambridge University. He does gradually relax and even starts to enjoy some of the activities. Jonty is able to put him at ease or distract him or sometimes talk him into trying something new.
I liked the character development in this book. There is a lot of time spent remembering their misspent youth (Jonty - naturally) or their unhappy childhood. Despite some heavy emotional discussions the pair do grow as a couple and they gain a deeper understanding for each other’s experiences. The mystery in this book was quite interesting and held my attention throughout, I never would’ve guessed the culprit- that was a clever plot twist. I feel I need to apologise to the poor character I was convinced was the guilty party as they were innocent in the end, still they didn’t help their case by being so obsessed.
Thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery and can’t wait to read book 3.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the first book in this series a while ago and lost track of the series. I rediscovered it and read one out of sequence and struggled for a bit as much had happened to our heroes and time had passed. Since I enjoy the lives and adventures of Orlando and Jonty so much, I decided to go back and start reading in order of release. I am so glad I did. The author has such a feel for this time period and the love of the two men for each other shines through each paragraph. Their adventures has many twists and turns and they have such a gentle sexual relationship. Their stories take us back to a much gentler time with the edges of darkness and violence always hanging about. This time the two men are on vacation and meet up with another man, Matthew, whose father is murdered. The two men are asked by Detective Wilson to help solve the mystery and we are thrust into the secrets and lies that obscure the truth. Matthew is also being blackmailed about his sexuality and the culprit must be found. With two mysteries on their hands, the two men shine with their detective skills. This book desperately needs editing, otherwise an excellent book.

[Danis ❤️ MM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than the first. Just barely, but better. Although I did have a few issues. First, pacing of course. It was a bit slow, but not nearly as slow as the first book (although if I read one more scene about their special swimming hole I was going to hurl my kindle across the room). And Jonty. He's such and absolute douchetard. 3rd base isn't good enough for this guy. Oh no. He's got to repeatedly pressure Orlando for the full monty, home run. Like dude, really, he was the Webster definition of virgin when you first met him. It sounded like he never even masturbated before you so just chill your jets. He'll be ready when he's ready. Ok, enough ranting. I do like several things about the book. The language, social customs were true to the period. Some writers stick to modern terms when writing in different eras and it can be distracting. And I love Orlando. For all his insecurities and geekiness, he's my fav.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I figured out the "who" and "how" parts of the mystery fairly early on, the "why" did elude me until the end, which I did NOT see coming! 🤔

As for Jonty and Orlando, what a difference a change of scene can make! Watching these two share new experiences together, and seeing Orlando break out of the shell that he had used to protect himself for most of his life, was most fascinating.

As is always the case with this author, the side characters were an interesting addition to the story and many were most helpful in solving the mystery. Although, it basically came down to Orlando's amazing sense of observation and deduction to get them to the correct conclusion.

[Jen (Fae_Princess_in_Space) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one, but it was incredibly slow-going and I just didn’t feel invested in the characters in the same way I did in book one… Jonty and Orlando just didn’t mesh in the same way for me here. I often found them childish and annoying, especially in the way Jonty kept pressuring Orlando for sex, even though he was clearly terrified of the prospect (like… you can have sex without full penetration guys, it’s no big deal). I think that this element of their relationship really put me off this book, although I did enjoy the murder mystery element and the setting on Jersey.

[Leslie Zak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical m/m mystery

Our Cambridge professors are on holiday on Jersey island. Poor Orlando is having trouble adjusting to many new things but valiantly gives them a try and to his surprise really enjoys himself as does Jonty. Of course there is a blackmail attempt and a murderer to expose all the while our heroes deepen their relationship. A very enjoyable read and I am off to read the next book.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fast becoming hooked on these gentle turn-of-the-20th-century stories where the development of the central relationship is as important as solving the mystery.

It was lovely to see Jonty persuading Orlando out of Cambridge and to watch him blossoming as Jonty longs for. The beachside scenes in Jersey were idyllic and as usual, the social observations of the period were impeccable. A real joy to read.

[Marlobo ♥ epilogues · Rating 3 out of 5]

To my taste, marginally better than the first volume in the series, but I still don't feel like there's that emotional intensity I yearn for in a romance; And if there was, it was more in the character of Matthew than in the MCs.

I'm going to put this series on stand-by. Perhaps I'll return to it at another time.

[Tinnean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly love Jonty and Orlando, and Jonty's family is marvelous. Seeing them on holiday was very enjoyable, with the added fillip of a murder mystery and the threat of blackmail.

The reason I couldn't give this 5 stars was the formatting, which I've mentioned. If Amazon does right by the author, I'll change the rating.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid follow-up to Lessons in Love. This two-week idyll on the isle of Jersey moved the romance forward and deeper, as Orlando is introduced to the fires of desire while he and Jonty make some friends and solve a case of blackmail and of murder and escape the attentions of "the Misses". All in all, a delight

[Kassu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐

I don't think I'm a fan of holiday romances and I didn't really get much out of the mystery here either (not that it was bad, just not my focus), but this couple is good. I'm warming up to the and the humour of the series more and more. I'm so jealous of Jonty's charm and patience, yet he isn't too perfect either. And those damn vague intimate scenes manage to be pretty hot too, heh.

[Bb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good story about these guys- 3.5. It is funny how much Orlando worries about going on vacation and then ends up enjoying it so much. They are so sweet to each other. Jonty pushes Orlando to expand his world which is good.