Lessons in Cracking the Deadly Code

Cochrane goes back to 1911, pre-Great War, for her latest Cambridge Fellows novella. While I enjoy seeing Orlando and Jonty still young and hale, there's a certain sadness in knowing what lies ahead for them. The mystery is a good one, and our two sleuths find themselves in a bit of danger as they forge ahead.

There was one aspect that bothered me: the lack of concern displayed about the fact that a student has been murdered. Sure, they want to solve the crime and find the culprit, but there seems to be little sadness about the student himself, and the later theft of certain objects feels like it is given equal weight to a brutal murder. I get that this is a “cozy mystery” so the angst is by definition minimized, but it seemed just a tiny bit callous.

Otherwise an enjoyable entry into the long-running series. If Cochrane keeps jumping back and forth in time there is no limit to the number of mysteries she can provide for our intrepid fellows.