Introduction
Published in 2025 by Rachael Davis-Featherstone, it’s an underrated read as a murder-mystery, incorporating the discussion of privilege, racism and misogyny.
A Summary
Eva has always wanted to study English at Oxford, and Interview Week feels like her chance to finally get there. She heads up with her best friend George, who she also quietly has feelings for, and everything seems to be going the way she hoped. Then, only a day into the trip, George is found dead at the base of a statue. Eva is the one who discovers him. What should have been an exciting week turns into a nightmare as suspicion falls on her. Now she has to figure out what really happened and fight to hold on to the future she has been working toward while the school turns against her.
Writing Style
Oxford Blood is a singular POV novel, following Eva. The novel, for its majority, is split over the course of a week. The chapters are short, between 5-20 pages, but the writing style often makes this seem faster due to some lines only being a few words for emphasis and to display her emotions.
My Thoughts
I went into this book with no expectations, and it ended up being a really pleasant surprise. The premise itself isn’t groundbreaking, a murder mystery at a top university, but the way Featherstone handled it made it feel fresh. The conversations around white privilege were especially strong and felt right at home in a story set at Oxford. Honestly, more academic novels should lean into that. I also loved how the story unfolded through the side characters. Lilly in particular felt real, with insecurities and morals that shaped her choices, even when they clashed with what the main character wanted. The book also touches on the dangers women face in environments where wealthy white men hold all the power, and while I appreciated those moments, I do think the story could have pushed that theme even further. I will say the book leans more toward telling than showing, especially when it comes to the mystery. It felt quite straightforward, and instead of letting us experience the dead ends and misdirections, Eva just explains them in her inner monologue. It takes away some of the tension and flattens the atmosphere. Eva herself was incredibly frustrating at times. She is stubborn in a very believable teenage way, but it made me want to shake her. Her dad is an excellent inspector, and watching her ignore his advice while still trying to involve herself with the police was a bit painful. It’s realistic, but still hard not to shake your head at.
Recommendation
I absolutely recommend this to those that love Good Girls Guide to Murder. It feels oddly similar in the way the plot unfolds, but I would say that there are discussions of sexual assault, druggings and racism, so it might not be the best read if that’s tough for you.
