We’re delighted to be sharing Laura’s thoughts about The Devil in Oxford by Jess Armstrong.
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- Category : Crime, Thriller & Mystery
- Publisher : Allison & Busby
- Publication date : 4 Nov. 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 352 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0749032049
- ISBN-13 : 978-0749032043
December, 1923. Ruby Vaughn is looking forward to a quiet, relaxing trip to Oxford in the week before Christmas with her octogenarian housemate and colleague Mr Owen. Far away from the arcane, unusual — and occasionally illegal — books that seem to always get her into trouble. The most she expects to do is attend a handful of his antiquarian society meetings.
But when the body of disgraced scholar Julius Harker is amongst his exhibition of Egyptian antiquities looted by Napoleon, panic spreads throughout the cobbled streets of Oxford. The last thing Ruby wants is another investigation, but then an old friend comes begging for her help. If that wasn’t enough, her past insists on haunting her when Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healer that she met in Cornwall, suddenly reappears. It seems there is much more going on in Oxford that meets the eye.
The Devil in Oxford Review
I was delighted to see Ruby Vaughn return in The Devil in Oxford. Although I’ve read the series so far, each book works perfectly well as a standalone. Reading them in order does, however, give a deeper understanding of Ruby’s relationships with the other characters.
Set in 1920s Oxford, this story captures the excitement of the time, especially the fascination with Egyptology and the discovery of ancient artefacts. Ruby, an American heiress, is in Oxford with her employer, Mr Owen, hoping to enjoy the city and its surroundings. But those plans quickly change when a dead body is discovered in a museum among the artefacts.
Encouraged by a friend to assist with the investigation, Ruby reluctantly agrees — and soon finds herself drawn into the intriguing world of antiquities as she seeks to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death.
I was also pleased to see Ruan return to support Ruby. Their relationship is sometimes confusing to them both, yet it’s clear their feelings run deep and are worth exploring.
A wonderful read — and I’m already looking forward to more stories featuring Ruby and Ruan.
Author Info
Jess Armstrong’s debut novel The Curse of Penryth Hall won the Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur First Crime Novel Competition. She has a master’s degree in American History but prefers writing about imaginary people to the real thing. Jess Armstrong lives in New Orleans. Find all Jess’ links on Linktree
