The Cambridge Plot

Rosie Gilchrist #5

by Suzette A. Hill

Dedicating a monument to an eminent member of a Cambridge college should be a simple matter of course, but plans for a statue honouring Sir Percival Biggs-Brookby are far from set in stone and the committee face many obstacles to decision-making – not least among themselves. Despite already commissioning an artist to complete the work, the meddling daughter of the deceased is determined to enlist her own sculptor to create the statue. It’s convenient for her, then, when the university’s chosen candidate turns up dead . . .
Felix Smythe and Professor Cedric Dillworthy, a benefactor to the project, are invited to Cambridge to participate in the preparations. Unbeknownst to them, Rosy Gilchrist is also there, attending a reunion at Newnham College. As the search for answers intensifies, the diplomatic veneers of the Cambridge alumni begin to rot away, and Rosy and her associates find themselves reluctant partners once more, determined to carve the truth from the lies.

320 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2019

About the author

Suzette A. Hill was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, in 1941. She is a graduate of Nottingham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Universities. Hill taught English literature all her professional life. At age sixty-four and retired, she tried her hand at a short story - just to see what writing fiction felt like, and to her surprise a quintet of humorous novels (Reverend Francis Oughterard series) was the result.

Reviews

[Rose A · Rating 3 out of 5]

An undemanding easy read (which was just what I was looking for) but not my favourite from the series. People were far too inclined to confess - it didn’t seem plausible. Cedric and Felix remain excellent.

[Trevor Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have put it down. Every character sounded the same. I could not tell you with any certainty who the protagonist was. The only redeeming quality was an occasional mention of Cambridge monuments or establishments that brought back happy memories for me.

[David Grieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witty and enjoyable murder mystery that pokes fun at a number of 1960s middle class stereotypes as it goes along. Felix and Cedric make a great double act, albeit they are caricatures, and Rosy Gilchrist ends up playing second fiddle to them. The plot is fairly simple and takes a while to get going and, as with the characters, everything is slightly blown out of proportion and unlikely. Providing you are willing to suspend disbelieve you should enoy it.

[Claudouse Montrec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not something special but rather an easy and pleasant read. I wanted to read a story set in Cambridge to revive my good memories of the city and I'd say it quite paid off. I'd appreciate it if anyone had to suggest any other interesting novels taking place in Cambridge. It's my favourite place in England.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a neat little package of wit that pokes fun at stuffy British-ness in the 1960s, but the pace is glacial; it felt like it was taking an inordinately long time to read such a short book. Ironically, once the murders begin, it actually becomes a less interesting book. The novel is worth it for the double act of Cedric & Felix...they deserve a series of novels all to themselves.

[Dawn Tyers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third in a series I think and maybe I’d have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t the first I’d read. It took a long time to get going and the characters seemed a little flimsily drawn, so much so that none of them seemed prime. On the plus side it was quite humorous in places and Cambridge was vividly described. Doubt I will read further instalments.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, not one I'd recommend. I thought it would be about the way the 3 main characters suss out a crime, but they are almost completely incidental to what's discovered. A few too many far-fetched co-incidences.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, I love love love these books! So pithy and quick! Love the settings and the characters are fun, no other way to put it! Can't wait for the next book!!!

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Cindy Norris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blegh, the cover was more interesting than the book.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. Supercilious characters and no real plot line. Just couldn’t get into it.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun