Treasure in Oxford by David Williams


Treasure in Oxford
Title : Treasure in Oxford
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1447215362
ISBN-10 : 9781447215363
Language : English
Format Type : Kindle Edition
Number of Pages : 224
Publication : First published July 15, 1990

It's high summer in Oxford. The university vacation has just begun. The eight governors of the Moneybuckle Endowment (an architectural library) are assembling at All Saints College for the annual dinner before their meeting under chairman Mark Treasure, merchant banker. The talk at the table is of some pricey sketches said to be by Constable, and an offer from a dealer in the town. But the talk turns to shock when murder's done in Walton Street with the sketches as the obvious motive. The police are quick to make an arrest, but Treasure is sure they've got the wrong suspect-even though all other likely culprits are Moneybuckle governors, or Moneybuckle's custodian himself.
'As nifty a puzzle as clever Williams has yet devised, redolent with the reddest of herrings.' "Sunday Times"
'Elegant, literate, ingenious and a joy to read.' "Birmingham Post"

Treasure in Oxford Reviews

  • Michelle

    A fun mystery with art authenticity at its center. I thought I was in for it when I read the first sentences, but thank goodness it was a joke! I enjoyed the cast of characters (especially Miss Chance). I don’t usually start midway through a series, so I’m interested in what the earlier books do for Treasure’s characterization. Here he is fairly generic in manner but obviously clever to put together the pieces of the mystery.

  • Heidi

    Would have been better as a short story. A lot of unnecessary tidbits to it. The actually story behind the drawings was not all that interesting. The reveal was good enough. Overall, mainly a nostalgic read for me and a quick murder mystery novel. Not my favorite, but entertaining enough.

  • ricoeurian

    Treasure in Oxford is surprisingly topical, with a central mystery about the authenticity and valuation of three sketches that could be by John Constable, at time when a Constable painting has sold for the highest price ever for this artist. Mark Treasure, merchant banker hero (not many of those these days!), is chairman of the Moneybuckle Endowment, whose members convene at its home in Oxford and get drawn, one way and another, into the mystery… and murder… surrounding the sketches. The tone is light and pacy, and there are masterful scenes which are each funny or chilling, as David Williams leads you through a most satisfying read.

    This book has recently been reissued in digital format in the UK by the Bello imprint at Pan Macmillan, the aim of which is to bring lost, out-of-print popular classics to the attention of 21st century readers. Check out some of the authors here:
    www.panmacmillan.com/bello