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A Hitchcockian Thriller
Murder at Masden is a Hitchcockian thriller by Janice Papolos, an experienced author of non-fiction (how many authors have appeared on Oprah — twice?) who has scored a hit with her first novel. Set in a fictional present-day Oxford college, “Murder at Masden” focuses on Janie Cameron, a young professor of 19th-century English literature. One after another, her female students and friends are falling prey to a serial killer who seems to have an uncanny knowledge of her life and the lives of those she is close to. But is she really the killer’s target? As paranoia grips the Oxford community and increasingly stringent security measures prove ineffective, Janie turns to a new love in her life — William, a porter at another college, whom she meets at a pub quiz. This burgeoning love affair is plagued by difficulties in the shape of William’s errant identical twin Ian, and William’s perception of and reaction to the snobbery of Janie’s social circle (and perhaps Janie herself) towards a mere porter.
Papolos, an Anglophile who has studied at Oxford, makes the American reader at home in the unfamiliar details of academic life at Oxford. She deftly handles the social tensions of the English class system while building the suspense of the murder investigation. As in a Hitchcock movie, an ordinary person finds herself enmeshed in increasingly threatening circumstances over which she seems to have little control. Whom can Janie trust? Is William as good as he purports to be? This reader was kept guessing until the very end, and you will be, too.
Jane Cashman
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Suspense right up to the end.. a real surprise..couldn’t put it down
This mystery simply propels you forward as you try to figure out “who is the serial killer stalking Oxford?”
It is beautifully written, capturing the essence of life at Oxford, including the sensual romance of its lead characters.
The ending is swift and stunning.
D. Falcone
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Terrific Mystery
Murder at Masden was a not able to put down read.
The author’s character development was superb. It is a terrific mystery; beautifully written and suspenseful to the very end.
Kindle Customer
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Twists I genuinely didn’t see coming
The Oxford setting and literature references already made it feel different from most thrillers but then the plot just keeps turning. Janie is a character worth following and the mystery around her kept me second guessing the whole way through. Every time I thought I had it figured out it went somewhere else. The kind of book that keeps you honest.
D. Brown
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The chemistry between Janie and William pulled me through
The suspense kept me guessing but honestly the romance side was just as much of a reason to keep reading. Janie and William have a dynamic that feels natural rather than forced and the story uses it really well alongside the mystery. Not going to say anything more than that but the way it all comes together is worth finding out for yourself.
Solange Roe
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Not a typical crime mystery
This wasn’t just a straight detective mystery story. It had all the things, a literary theme relationship drama, and psychological tension mixed together. The Oxford setting added a lot of atmosphere too.
Andrew Carter
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Great summer read
A thrilling and involving mystery, full of articulate characters and well set in the milieu of Oxford University. Complex story with many twists and turns. Enjoyed it very much.
R. Taylor
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Murder at Masden is an exciting, terrifying, sexy murder mystery!
Murden at Masden is a cliff-hanger–exciting, terrifying, and sexy! I couldn’t put it down–read the whole book in a day. The setting at Oxford University is fascinating. You really get a feeling of what it’s like to be there. The characters are compelling, especially Janie, the professor, and the handsome twins William and Ian. I strongly recommend this book for those who love and crave a good mystery.
Susan Shew
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Please, I want some more..
This book held me captive from start to finish. Everything I look for in a novel characters that come to life, suspense, plot twists and a little romance. The author’s knowledge of life at Oxford and Welsh customs transported me “across the pond” while sitting on my sofa. Ms. Papolos, please keep writing. I’m hoping for another thriller from your pen
Beth Reichman
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A Great Mystery!
I got lost in this mystery…Was I reading it in Manhattan or in Oxford, England? Toward the end, I got too confident, thinking I knew who had been the murderer. But I was wrong! This book is engrossing and enthralling: great dialog, an intense plot, thoroughly engaging characters. It delivers all we want from a murder mystery!
Nancy J. Shear
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Suspense until the end
This mystery is a page turner that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. The setting is Oxford, with all its history and tradition, and the book is full of suspense, gruesome details, and deep relationships. You are right there with the protagonist, feeling the fear and tension. Well done!
Linda Rhodes
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Felt clever until the plot proved me wrong again
Happened more times than I’d like to admit. The Oxford setting and literature references give it a distinctive feel from the start but the plot is what really does the work. Every time I thought I had a read on where things were heading it shifted somewhere else. Janie is worth following on her own merits but the mystery built around her kept me genuinely on edge throughout. The kind of thriller that earns every twist.
Vivien Scott
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Genius Writing! Couldn’t put it down.
Loved this Novel. Beautifully written, with clever twists and turns. I love how the author interweaves romance, mystery, suspense, sex, family dynamic, even martial arts and so much more. The fact that the setting in Oxford University makes it even more intriguing. Will read it again… and again
J. D. Lewis
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A smart, sophisticated summer read
A labyrinth of plot twists and psychological turns——you will NEVER guess the killer! The romance is adult. And sexy.
This is a true mystery.
Susan Sheridan
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Solid
I enjoyed it overall. The story had enough twists and suspicious characters that kept me engaged and I liked how the sense of danger gradually closes in around Janie as the mystery unfolded.
Mitchell Bosco
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Great murder mystery
A captivating, clever murder mystery set in the beautiful city of Oxford with tremendous twists and seductive secrets. Murder at Masden was impossible to put down, each mystery leading to another, slowly unveiling the truth. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially if you love English mysteries…..!
Mary M.
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Slow start that earns everything that follows
takes its time in the beginning but once the murders start the whole thing shifts. The tension builds gradually in a way that feels earned rather than forced. I spent most of the second half trying to figure out who around Janie could actually be trusted. The mystery pulls you deeper the further in you get. One of those books that gets better as it goes.
Books That Inspire
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Who dunnit?
I thoroughly enjoyed Murder at Masden. From the opening chapters, the story drew me in with its intriguing mystery and well-crafted suspense. The author does an excellent job of building tension while introducing a cast of believable characters, each with their own secrets and motives.
What I particularly liked was the way the clues were woven into the story. There were enough twists to keep me guessing, but the solution felt logical and earned rather than forced. The setting added to the atmosphere and helped create a strong sense of place.
The pacing was steady throughout, and I found myself eager to keep reading to discover what would happen next, in fact I read it over two days. My thoughts on who the murderer might be changed continuously and it was a total surprise at the end. A fantastic murder mystery and definitely worth picking up
S. Pugh