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Cambridge Fellows #12.9
Lessons in Following a Poisonous Trail
Somebody appears to be lacing certain Cambridge dons' food with laxatives. When they appear to have turned to stronger poison Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith get on the trail. Only Jonty's laid up in sick bay with a rugby injury so he'll have to wait for the clues to come to him...
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 6, 2020
6 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Cochrane
86 books373 followersBecause 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 16, 2021
I really love the Cambridge Fellows Mysteries and I eagerly pick up any and all stories in that world even the brief little short stories. I was thrilled to get some new novellas even though I'm dying for another novel-length.
This latest is one of the novellas and takes place in 1911 with Jonty laid up after a rugby injury and Orlando doing all the legwork on their latest case with Dr. Panesar as his temporary partner. One of the rugby players from the other college is now in a coma after being poisoned and they are rushing to find answers especially when it seems that there have been pranks in the past aimed at other Cambridge dons.
Lessons in Following a Poisonous Trail was enjoyable for seeing Jonty, Orlando, and the fun Dr. Panesar on the trail, but I have to say that I felt that this one was all over the place at times. The detectives weren't the only ones confused. I kept getting the other incidents and who was involved mixed up. As you can surmise, this didn't make for the most enjoyable reading experience. I figured out some of it- actually, it was obvious and so obvious that I wondered if a twist would happen- but found the actual solution fell a tad flat for me. Oh well... I still got to see my favorites in action once again. One of the best historical cozy mystery series out there.
This latest is one of the novellas and takes place in 1911 with Jonty laid up after a rugby injury and Orlando doing all the legwork on their latest case with Dr. Panesar as his temporary partner. One of the rugby players from the other college is now in a coma after being poisoned and they are rushing to find answers especially when it seems that there have been pranks in the past aimed at other Cambridge dons.
Lessons in Following a Poisonous Trail was enjoyable for seeing Jonty, Orlando, and the fun Dr. Panesar on the trail, but I have to say that I felt that this one was all over the place at times. The detectives weren't the only ones confused. I kept getting the other incidents and who was involved mixed up. As you can surmise, this didn't make for the most enjoyable reading experience. I figured out some of it- actually, it was obvious and so obvious that I wondered if a twist would happen- but found the actual solution fell a tad flat for me. Oh well... I still got to see my favorites in action once again. One of the best historical cozy mystery series out there.
May 18, 2020
I've said it before and I'll say it again, whether the author writes 100 full length novels or only one 2-page holiday coda, I will always be on board and it will never be enough. Jonty and Orlando are quite possibly my favorite fictional sleuthing duo, and trust me I read a lot of mysteries and I have a long list of faves😉.
This time around, has a nasty prank led to dire unforeseen consequences or well thought out mayhem? You know my answer to that is to read for yourself and as this is mystery novella entry in the series I'll be spoiling even less😉. Trust me, if you love Jonty and Orlando than you already know this is a fantastic gem and if you've never read Cambridge Fellows Mysteries before, you need to.
As for Jonty and Orlando themselves, I think Poisonous Trail actually conveys how much they mean to each other more than almost any of the other entries. Considering they spend so much of the story apart that seems like an odd thing for me to say but as the old adage goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder", not being able to bounce ideas off each other instantly they each come to appreciate the other that much more. Don't get me wrong, there was never any doubt how they felt for one another it's just you get the idea that they maybe took their proximity for granted and with Jonty in the sick ward on campus that proximity is not there at the moment.
Talking about Jonty, Orlando, and their "proximity", if you've been a fan of the series then you already know most of the heat is off page. Now, some prefer to "see" the hot-and-heavy, Lord knows I'm no prude but sometimes it's nice to have the story concentrate more on the mystery and the relationship leaving the heat to the imagination. Personally, when done right I think off-page can strengthen the readers' bond with the characters because the author has to convey the romance more deeply. Just another reason why I love this series so much. I should add that I really loved seeing Dr. Panesar get to scratch his sleuthing itch this time around, he's not one to often aid them in their cases so I think it adds to the boys finding themselves in unwanted territory of Jonty not being able to "pound the pavement" as it were in regards to doing the leg work.
Cambridge Fellows is a historical mystery series which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea. As a history buff I really appreciate the author's obvious respect for the era with her attention to detail, from phrases to clothing to regulations and everything in between. Just because the details are there if you are one who shies away from the genre because they don't want to read a school lesson, don't worry the author never lets the details get so heavy that they screw with the reading experience.
One last thing: if you are new to the series and wondering about reading order because I believe Poisonous Trail is the 17th published work, I highly recommend checking out the chronological timeline on the author's website because some stories "go back and fill in". Would you be lost if you read them willy-nilly? No. As each entry is a new mystery, you could make a case of them being standalones but as it's also a journey of Jonty and Orlando's relationship, there is a certain level of growth in each one so I highly recommend reading them chronologically if you can but it's not a must.
This time around, has a nasty prank led to dire unforeseen consequences or well thought out mayhem? You know my answer to that is to read for yourself and as this is mystery novella entry in the series I'll be spoiling even less😉. Trust me, if you love Jonty and Orlando than you already know this is a fantastic gem and if you've never read Cambridge Fellows Mysteries before, you need to.
As for Jonty and Orlando themselves, I think Poisonous Trail actually conveys how much they mean to each other more than almost any of the other entries. Considering they spend so much of the story apart that seems like an odd thing for me to say but as the old adage goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder", not being able to bounce ideas off each other instantly they each come to appreciate the other that much more. Don't get me wrong, there was never any doubt how they felt for one another it's just you get the idea that they maybe took their proximity for granted and with Jonty in the sick ward on campus that proximity is not there at the moment.
Talking about Jonty, Orlando, and their "proximity", if you've been a fan of the series then you already know most of the heat is off page. Now, some prefer to "see" the hot-and-heavy, Lord knows I'm no prude but sometimes it's nice to have the story concentrate more on the mystery and the relationship leaving the heat to the imagination. Personally, when done right I think off-page can strengthen the readers' bond with the characters because the author has to convey the romance more deeply. Just another reason why I love this series so much. I should add that I really loved seeing Dr. Panesar get to scratch his sleuthing itch this time around, he's not one to often aid them in their cases so I think it adds to the boys finding themselves in unwanted territory of Jonty not being able to "pound the pavement" as it were in regards to doing the leg work.
Cambridge Fellows is a historical mystery series which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea. As a history buff I really appreciate the author's obvious respect for the era with her attention to detail, from phrases to clothing to regulations and everything in between. Just because the details are there if you are one who shies away from the genre because they don't want to read a school lesson, don't worry the author never lets the details get so heavy that they screw with the reading experience.
One last thing: if you are new to the series and wondering about reading order because I believe Poisonous Trail is the 17th published work, I highly recommend checking out the chronological timeline on the author's website because some stories "go back and fill in". Would you be lost if you read them willy-nilly? No. As each entry is a new mystery, you could make a case of them being standalones but as it's also a journey of Jonty and Orlando's relationship, there is a certain level of growth in each one so I highly recommend reading them chronologically if you can but it's not a must.
October 21, 2020
Had a hard time keeping track of all of the characters who might or might not have played a role in the suspected poisonings, but that could just be down to me and inability to concentrate these days. Interesting twist to have poor Jonty laid up in an infirmary bed with a sprained ankle so that he has to do his sleuthing from a distance, and Dr. "sorry I blew up the laboratory" Panesar is always a welcome addition to the team. Plus we get a fair amount of pining from Orlando, whose bed is too big without his partner in crime and in life.
I should probably read it again sometime when I am not so distracted (not sure when that will ever be true).
I should probably read it again sometime when I am not so distracted (not sure when that will ever be true).
May 6, 2020
3.5*
Our super sleuths are at it again, but with Dr Panesar this time too as Jonty is laid up after a ‘rugger’ injury.
The truth of the matter is much different than their initial thoughts, and traced down by diligent fact checking.
Now, I was a bit disjointed reading this, grabbing time in small bites, and I think it needs a solid run through as I got quite confused as to who was at what dinner, with what affliction and which relationship to who. So this did spoil my reading pleasure somewhat, but my fault.
Our super sleuths are at it again, but with Dr Panesar this time too as Jonty is laid up after a ‘rugger’ injury.
The truth of the matter is much different than their initial thoughts, and traced down by diligent fact checking.
Now, I was a bit disjointed reading this, grabbing time in small bites, and I think it needs a solid run through as I got quite confused as to who was at what dinner, with what affliction and which relationship to who. So this did spoil my reading pleasure somewhat, but my fault.
October 24, 2022
Meh, not my favorite Jonty and Orlando adventure. It starts out strong. A don is poisoned. Seriously enough that it may be life threatening. Then is sort of devolves from there. There seems to be intertwining plots and the characters appeared as confused as I was at times. Plus, do I really care if a bunch of dons get slipped some laxatives in their pudding? Not really. I do love Jonty and Orlando though. And Dr. Panesar is always a pleasure so it eeked its way to a 3 star for me.
May 31, 2023
Short puzzling case
Jonty is injured playing rugby by a player who ends up in a coma later. Cases of poisoning by laxatives in various colleges are investigated trying to find the intended target and the person responsible. Since Jonty is laid up in bed by doctor's orders, Dr. Panger is enlisted to help out. It is a fun type of case with no actual murder and a good resolution. A nice addition to the series.
Jonty is injured playing rugby by a player who ends up in a coma later. Cases of poisoning by laxatives in various colleges are investigated trying to find the intended target and the person responsible. Since Jonty is laid up in bed by doctor's orders, Dr. Panger is enlisted to help out. It is a fun type of case with no actual murder and a good resolution. A nice addition to the series.
May 23, 2020
3.5 stars
April 10, 2021
A well researched historical romantic mystery. Set in the early 20th century this series is well written with likable characters.
January 15, 2022
Jonty is in hospital following a rugby accident so Orlando enlists the help of their friend Dr Panesar to help so,ve the latest mystery.Enjoyable.
December 6, 2022
Another mind-bending puzzle to solve for our wonderful duo Jonty and Orlando. As entertaining as always.
October 13, 2024
October 1911 Dr Stewart is injured during a rugby match. But has one of the opposition been poisoned. What of other 'pranks'.
An entertaining historical mystery
An entertaining historical mystery
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews