The Oxford Affair
Featured in Publishers Weekly’s Indie Spotlight
“‘A story that joyously celebrates all things British and literary…A sprightly mashup that pays loving tribute to Britain and literary genres.” —Kirkus Reviews
When Susan Klein arrives in Oxford to direct an elite adult summer school, she expects literary debates in a charming academic setting—not a body floating in the Thames. The victim? The college bursar. And the police have no suspects.
Enter Nelson Sinclair, a Southern restaurateur with a sharp mind, a courtly manner, and, as it turns out, a target on his back. As a prospective donor to the college, Nelson should be enjoying quiet afternoons under the historic spires. Instead, he’s dodging near-fatal “accidents” that seem ripped straight from the syllabus of the class he's taking, The English Detective Story.
With danger closing in, Nelson convinces Susan to enroll in the course, and together they embark on a hunt for the truth—one that twists through Oxford’s cobbled streets, shadowy libraries, and secret societies. But as their investigation—and their undeniable attraction—intensifies, so does the peril. Could the murder of the bursar be tied to the threats on Nelson’s life? And if so, will they uncover the truth before it’s too late?
With wit, charm, and a dash of dark academia, this gripping mystery sweeps you into a world of cunning crimes, romantic love, and the timeless allure of Oxford’s dreaming spires.
Praise & Reviews
Indie Spotlight: February 2026, Publishers Weekly
New Books by NorCal Authors, Bay City News
“…A story that joyously celebrates all things British and literary. The characters take cues from Hamlet’s play within a play and the detective novels being studied to try to expose all. A sprightly mashup that pays loving tribute to Britain and literary genres.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The Oxford Affair is a coming-of-age transition story for a woman in her late 40s or early 50s. That’s a time of second chances for many women when we get to come of age on our own terms. There’s less influence from society on the choices we make than when we were teenagers, but there are still hormones involved! Susan’s story plays out in the wonderful setting of an Oxford summer program with lots of explorations into food and English mysteries and many other English-oriented themes. The Oxford Affair is a short, fun novel that met all of my expectations for spending time to learn among Oxford’s dreaming spires.”
—Joy Weese Moll, Joy’s Book Blog
An excerpt from The Oxford Affair by Lynne Kaufman on What Cathy Read Next