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A Killing in November

DI Wilkins, Book 1

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A Killing in November

By: Simon Mason
Narrated by: Matt Addis
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About this listen

 A Killing in November is an Oxford-set crime series of surprising twists, troubled pasts and a dynamic duo who are brought together by a mysterious murder investigation.

Ryan Wilkins grew up on a trailer park, a member of what many people would call the criminal classes. As a young Detective Inspector, he's lost none of his disgust with privileged elites - or his objectionable manners. But he notices things; they stick to his eyes. His professional partner, DI Ray Wilkins, of affluent Nigerian-London heritage, is an impeccably groomed, smooth-talking graduate of Balliol College, Oxford. You wouldn't think they would get on. They don't.

But when a young woman is found strangled at Barnabas Hall, they're forced to.

Rich Oxford is not Ryan's natural habitat. St Barnabas's irascible Provost does not appreciate his forceful line of questioning. But what was the dead woman doing in the Provost's study? Is it just a coincidence that on the night of her murder the college was entertaining Sheik al-Medina, a Gulf state ruler linked to human-rights abuses in his own country and acts of atrocity in others?

As tensions rise, things aren't going well. Ray is in despair. Ryan is in disciplinary measures. But their investigation gradually disentangles the links between a Syrian refugee lawyer now working in the college kitchens, a priceless copy of the Koran in the college collection and the identity of the dead woman.

A Killing in November introduces an unlikely duo from different sides of the tracks in Oxford in a deftly plotted murder story full of dangerous turns, troubled pasts and unconventional detective work.

(P) 2022 Quercus Editions Limited©2022 Simon Mason Crime Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Fiction Murder Exciting Detective England

Critic Reviews

This is a terrific crime novel, with a startlingly original protagonist we're going to see a lot more of. Oxford's mean streets just got meaner.
This moody, atmospheric novel is full of surprises, with subplots about sexual harassment and the impact of the Syrian civil war.
It's a brave writer who sets a new crime series in Inspector Morse's Oxford but Mason has come up trumps with chalk-and-cheese cops DI Ryan Wilkins and DI Ray Wilkins...It's well plotted and very funny. *****
The first novel in a promising new police series set in Oxford that explores the working relationship between a chalk-and-cheese detective duo.
This has a TV series written all over it.
Simon Mason has reformulated Inspector Morse for the 2020s. This angelic two-year-old son, Ryan Jr ("Is it hard being a daddy?"), are superb and his relationship with Ray, a snob with a heart of gold beneath the sharp suit, shows huge potential. The good news is they'll be back.
The story has modern relevance, ingenious plotting, vivid characterisation, a touching father-son relationship and impressively accurate city geography.
[T]his is a very individual piece of work, with a satisfying plot involving Syrian refugees, snobbish dons and nimble interaction between the ill-assorted protagonists. There is real craftsmanship at work here.
Ryan Wilkins is about as far removed from George Smiley as a protagonist can be, he may in time become as memorable. He's an extraordinary creation, and demonstrates that even in the most suspenseful thrillers, character is king
Mason avoids the obvious tropes, and rather movingly focuses on Ryan's relationship with his young son. Well plotted, too. It's the first in a series: start now and avoid the rush. (Mick Herron)
Mason has reformulated Inspector Morse for the 2020s
Mason has reformulated Inspector Morse for the 2020s. The murder mystery is worthy of Colin Dexter but the result is less bookish and more bolshie
This moody, atmospheric novel is full of surprises.
My favourite crime novel of the year was Simon Mason's A Killing in November . . . it was enhanced by deft prose and the detective duo of social misfit Ryan Wilkins and the Balliol-educated Ray Wilkins. (Nicholas Clee)
Mismatched cops probe a college murder in this funny and well-plotted debut
A real page-turner . . . the relationship between the two detectives is beautifully developed, and it's brilliantly plotted and very funny
All stars
Most relevant
I'm so glad I took a punt on this author, hitherto unknown to me. Wonderful characters, engrossing storyline, fascinating setting. While it did stretch credulity a little trying to figure out how Ryan ever achieved the rank of DI, I foresee many intriguing cases in his future. However, I hope the author embues Ryan with a little better dress sense. That tracksuit is already getting on my nerves!

The narration was very good indeed, with some admirable acting and well performed character voices.

I can't wait for this series to continue.

Great story! I will definitely be following Ryan.

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DI Ryan Wilkins is a wonderful character -- and a breath of fresh air in the musty world of Oxford College crime.

Simon Mason -- please don't be tempted to sack him, demote him, put him on traffic or subject him to any more humiliations. Just let him rip!!

it could've been a cliche to pair up an Oxford graduate with a chav from the caravan park--but Ryan is so beautifully full of life, i found him genuinely inspiring. It was quite moving how each time he lands in front of the super or disciplinary review, he replays instances from his childhood and takes us with him as he zonks out and focuses on the things that really matter (his kid and solving crimes). Go Ryan!!

Brilliantly read too!

Bring back Ryan asap!!

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I just loved this. I was looking for something in the crime genre that was not too bleak or bloody. This was much more than that - I laughed out loud with some of Ryan’s dialogue- with a classic mismatched pair of DIs who are both likeable with top quality narration.

Wonderfully read funny compelling crime story

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A new detective pairing that manages to be both classic yet very modern and fresh.
Story was entertaining and all characters were well thought out.
Loved the narrator he brought the story to life. Looking forward to another book in hopefully what will be a new crime series.

New take on the classic detective pairings

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Simon Mason is an outstanding story teller, full of totally different ideas and I LOVE the fact that he is such a wordsmith. Beautifully described although Ryan is really stressful to live alongside... but what a great dad.

Fantastic story

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