March 2013 Debut of the Month.

A compelling, genre-bending crime debut packed full of atmospheric detail that brings a dark and macabre Cambridge to life. The author studied English at Cambridge, hence the pin-sharp detail, and the plot has you moving between the present day and the seventeenth century with an elusive, violent serial killer who seems to have all the time in the world. If you are looking for something a little different in the crime genre, look no further ...

In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for The Beauty of Murder a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'It kept me guessing and gasping when I turned the page and there was another twist'.  Scroll down to read more reviews.

Synopsis

Stephen Killigan has been cold since the day he came to Cambridge as a junior lecturer. Something about the seven hundred years of history staining the stones of the university has given him a chill he can't shake. When he stumbles across the body of a missing beauty queen, he thinks he's found the reason.

But when the police go to retrieve the body and find no trace, Killigan has found a problem - and a killer - that is the very opposite of reason. Killigan's unwitting entry into Jackamore Grass's sinister world will lead him on a trail of tattooists, philosophers, cadavers and scholars of a deadly beauty. As Killigan traces a path between our age and seventeenth century Cambridge, he must work out how a corpse can be found before someone goes missing, and whether he's at the edge of madness or an astonishing discovery.

Reviews

We have asked a select number of members and browsers to review The Beauty of Murder. You can read their reviews below.

Julie Bickerdyke - 'The style of writing is beautiful and the book was a joy to read. The author makes you feel that you are in Cambridge and brings to life the streets and surrounding area, both present day and in the 17th century.' Click here to read the full review.

Sarah Chapman - 'A K Benedict’s debut is a fast-paced crime thriller with a time-travel twist to add an extra layer of complexity...The use of the different voices throughout the novel keeps the narrative interesting and the plot zips along a good speed.' Click here to read the full review.

Lindsay Healy - 'There is much to admire and intrigue in this debut novel. It crosses over several genres to offer us a speculative thriller, complete with murder-mystery, police investigation, philosophy, the aesthetics of murder, time-travel and magic. It’s inventive, haunting and compelling.' Click here to read the full review.

Ruth Paterson - 'The Beauty of Murder is a superb first novel.  I will certainly be looking for more books from this author in the future...As a reader of more “cosy” murder mysteries I was unsure if this novel would be for me, but found that I wasn’t focusing on the macabre but enjoying the unfolding mystery, learning more about the secrets of the city, university and the people in it.' Click here to read the full review. 

Edel Waugh Well worth a read !! It was awesome ! ... click here to read the full review.

Joan Hill I found myself both mystified and intrigued at times by this cleverly conceived novel ... click here to read the full review.

Dawn Lynch - 'Mystery, suspense, time travelling and history - what more could you ask for in a book.' Click here to view the full review.

Clare Topping All in all a readable thriller, not at all believable, but does it have to be? ... click here to read the full review.

Michelle Russ http://readinginprogress.blogspot.com It kept me guessing and gasping when I turned the page and there was another twist ... click here to read the full review.

Magda North  Great concept, great villain and an ending that properly surprised me. Worth a read ... click here to read the full review.

Patricia Whittaker - 'The story surrounds a young Cambridge lecturer called Stephen Killigan who inadvertently becomes involved in a series of murders  which involve him time travelling to search out the truth.' Click here to read the full review.

About the Author

A. K. Benedict read English at Cambridge and 20th Century Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Sussex. Alexandra was the front-person of an underground indie band, has composed music for film and television and is currently writing a television detective series. Find out more at www.akbenedict.com.   Author photo © Peter Mould More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation