The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies

This debut historical mystery has a cozy vibe, an academic Oxford setting, a post-WWII era with a murdered university librarian, secrets and lies. Oh my!

The story centres around an amateur sleuth and a seasoned spy with a bit of romantic tension. Gin (short for Ginevra) and Sidney have different personalities and investigative tactics who are asked by the British Security Service to investigate the murder of a popular Oxford librarian. As one does.

Gin is a debutante who brings eagerness, charm, social connections (and family dysfunction), but no experience whatsoever. While Sidney is a moody former WWII spy/code breaker who is haunted by his experiences in the war, but for all his experience, Gin somehow has more success in the case. Hmm.

I liked the premise and enjoyed the academic post-war setting, but this is a very slowly paced story for most of the book with a lot of characters to keep track of and not enough espionage. Thankfully, things pick up in the final 15% of the book when there's a burst of tension and some good reveals.

This is a lighter espionage read with a bookish/academic vibe, a fun rivalry between the two main characters and a titch of romantic tension. It was a bit of a struggle in the middle to stay invested, but after the teaser at the end of the book, it sounds like it's set up to be the first in a series and I could be convinced to pick up the next book in the series.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Kate Westbury

Genre: Historical Mystery

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Series: Oxford Guide 1

Publisher: Minotaur Books

First Published: Sept 1, 2026

Read: August 26-31, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Oxford University, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is the irresistible debut from Kate Westbury that seamlessly layers mystery, romance, and a dash of academia to introduce the Crown’s newest undercover operatives.

Oxford, England, 1951 - The Honorable Ginevra Bishop likes red lipstick, clever retorts, and earning top marks in her tutorials. She’s following her mother’s footsteps by studying at Oxford, eager to prove she’s more than a debutante.

Sidney Braithwaite likes brooding, Latin, and ignoring his nightmares. He’s determined to forge a new life for himself at Oxford, far from his childhood mining village and free from memories of the war.

Though Gin and Sidney have little in common, the British Security Service is keen to unite her charm with his espionage there’s a Soviet spy at the university, and the agent tracking them down was poisoned. MI5 wants Gin and Sidney to pick up the trail and identify the informant before more sensitive information is compromised. As a team, the pair of undergraduates clash in personality, upbringing, and taste––but have a connection neither can deny. Gin and Sidney must unite their respective talents to follow the clues before they’re caught in the traitor’s crosshairs…if the sparks flying between them don’t blow up the operation first.