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Party Girls Die in Pearls: An Oxford Girl Mystery
It’s 1985, and at Oxford University, Pimm’s, punting, and ball gowns are de rigeur. Ursula Flowerbutton, a studious country girl, arrives for her first term anticipating nothing more sinister than days spent poring over history books in gilded libraries—and, if she’s lucky, an invitation to a ball.
But when she discovers a glamorous classmate on a chaise longue with her throat cut, Ursula is catapulted into a murder investigation.
Determined to bag her first scoop for the famous student newspaper Cherwell, Ursula enlists the help of trend-setting American exchange student Nancy Feingold to unravel the case. While navigating a whirl of black-tie parties and secret dining societies, the girls discover a surfeit of suspects. From broken-hearted boyfriends to snobby Sloane Rangers, lovelorn librarians to dishy dons, none can be presumed innocent—and Ursula’s investigations mean that she may be next on the murderer’s list.
But when she discovers a glamorous classmate on a chaise longue with her throat cut, Ursula is catapulted into a murder investigation.
Determined to bag her first scoop for the famous student newspaper Cherwell, Ursula enlists the help of trend-setting American exchange student Nancy Feingold to unravel the case. While navigating a whirl of black-tie parties and secret dining societies, the girls discover a surfeit of suspects. From broken-hearted boyfriends to snobby Sloane Rangers, lovelorn librarians to dishy dons, none can be presumed innocent—and Ursula’s investigations mean that she may be next on the murderer’s list.
331 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2017
About the author
Plum Sykes
8 books567 followersVictoria "Plum" Sykes is a British-born fashion-writer, novelist and New York socialite. "Plum" was a childhood nickname (the Victoria plum being a variety of that fruit).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 463 reviews
June 3, 2017
What a great story! I LOVED it! I've never read anything like it and I can't wait till the next in the series comes out.
It's set in the 80's (who didn't love something about the eighties?) It begins with Ursula Flowerbutton (quite the name, right?) moving to the big city to study at Oxford.
Boy did she get more than she bargained for in her first semester?
She's hit on by several boys, invited to several parties (with only 1 formal dress in her closet), found a dead body and I haven't even mentioned all her classes?
What's a girl to do? Make awesome friends! She becomes besties with an American exchange student (with lots of money and an awesome closet of clothes!).
They become the "Cagney and Lacy" of Oxford, they attend parties to locate suspects, they sneak into rooms that are off limits - all in the name of the investigation!
Just when they think they have their suspect, another person looks guilty as sin!
You will love this book for beginning (the cover is to die for!) to end!
It's set in the 80's (who didn't love something about the eighties?) It begins with Ursula Flowerbutton (quite the name, right?) moving to the big city to study at Oxford.
Boy did she get more than she bargained for in her first semester?
She's hit on by several boys, invited to several parties (with only 1 formal dress in her closet), found a dead body and I haven't even mentioned all her classes?
What's a girl to do? Make awesome friends! She becomes besties with an American exchange student (with lots of money and an awesome closet of clothes!).
They become the "Cagney and Lacy" of Oxford, they attend parties to locate suspects, they sneak into rooms that are off limits - all in the name of the investigation!
Just when they think they have their suspect, another person looks guilty as sin!
You will love this book for beginning (the cover is to die for!) to end!
May 10, 2017
two stars.
This book was just ok. The English college theme has been done, and even for a cozy mystery didn't quite work. I thought the authors of the "Royal We" created a better story, and this could have been a better collab into their storyline. Party Girls die in Pearls had interesting pop culture and fashion descriptions located throughout, but overall, the storyline was disappointing. The depictions of the students’ day to day interactions did not seem believable or overly interesting.
This book was just ok. The English college theme has been done, and even for a cozy mystery didn't quite work. I thought the authors of the "Royal We" created a better story, and this could have been a better collab into their storyline. Party Girls die in Pearls had interesting pop culture and fashion descriptions located throughout, but overall, the storyline was disappointing. The depictions of the students’ day to day interactions did not seem believable or overly interesting.
April 16, 2018
I’ve been lightly entertained before by Plum Sykes, and was hopeful that this novel might do the same. Unfortunately, much of the British ‘80s slang went over my head and the era that I recalled was far removed from the one portrayed here. Oxford University campus, ritzy debutantes, trust fund children in fatuous cliques, beyond bizarre clothing and a flippant regard for post secondary education frames a wandering murder mystery, which heads to English hills and dales, tutorials, shooting weekends and clandestine love affairs. I didn’t find it amusing, just silly. Too bad.
I kept thinking that Plum Sykes was trying to do an imitation of the formidably satirical Jill Cooper crossed with Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce series, and achieving neither. I guess more novels are in store for the sleuths of Sykes’ Oxford University duo. They won’t be on my highly anticipated list.
Two stars.
I kept thinking that Plum Sykes was trying to do an imitation of the formidably satirical Jill Cooper crossed with Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce series, and achieving neither. I guess more novels are in store for the sleuths of Sykes’ Oxford University duo. They won’t be on my highly anticipated list.
Two stars.
April 30, 2020
I didn't care for it.
My Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
My Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
July 14, 2018
I reeeeallly liked this book - footnotes and all! What’s not to like about the retro college life setting & the cozy-like vibe of this ‘Oxford Girl Mystery” novel?
I’m forever longing for times that I haven’t lived through. Being someone that was particularly young in the 80s, I’ve always felt as if I’d missed out on the tacky glitz of how I’ve romanticized this time to be - the goth costume parties, the Lycra, the hair teasing - all the things MTV portrayed the world to be. I really feel that this book satisfies a bit of that nostalgia and succeeds in “taking” me there.
The decision to add an American character to this British cast of characters was brilliant. Nancy, an American garden tool heiress, was so funny and the perfect mall-going, fashion obsessed counterpart to the more reserved and studious Ursula. Together these two work on figuring out the mystery of the dead girl found on their professor’s office couch. This mix of cultures also allowed for some serious English slang. I learned lots!
I especially loved reading the descriptions of Nancy’s outfits for every occasion -party dresses, off the shoulder spandex and sequined hot pants for days!!!
This whodunnit will keep you suspecting everyone of murder up to the end and wishing for flutes of fizzy cocktails and Marlboro reds. Loved it!!!!!
I’m forever longing for times that I haven’t lived through. Being someone that was particularly young in the 80s, I’ve always felt as if I’d missed out on the tacky glitz of how I’ve romanticized this time to be - the goth costume parties, the Lycra, the hair teasing - all the things MTV portrayed the world to be. I really feel that this book satisfies a bit of that nostalgia and succeeds in “taking” me there.
The decision to add an American character to this British cast of characters was brilliant. Nancy, an American garden tool heiress, was so funny and the perfect mall-going, fashion obsessed counterpart to the more reserved and studious Ursula. Together these two work on figuring out the mystery of the dead girl found on their professor’s office couch. This mix of cultures also allowed for some serious English slang. I learned lots!
I especially loved reading the descriptions of Nancy’s outfits for every occasion -party dresses, off the shoulder spandex and sequined hot pants for days!!!
This whodunnit will keep you suspecting everyone of murder up to the end and wishing for flutes of fizzy cocktails and Marlboro reds. Loved it!!!!!
March 18, 2018
When you're hoping the protagonist and her best friend are going to be the next ones killed, you know it's time to give up on the mystery you're reading. And the footnotes... Lord have mercy. This isn't David Foster Wallace. Total miss for me
December 24, 2017
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I liked that the story took place at Oxford but it was just okay and I can't recommend it highly.
August 6, 2017
My family recently went on our summer vacation where I was thrilled to make a small dent in my ever growing TBR by reading nine books, all of which were fun reads (exciting in and of itself because I tend to be a picky reader). The two clear standouts were Party Girls Die in Pearls and Eden by Jeanne Blasberg, two very different but equally fabulous reads. In Party Girl Dies in Pearls, Plum Sykes crafts a clever tale filled with memorable and mostly likeable characters set at Oxford University in the mid-1980’s. Sykes’ sly, witty, and occasionally tongue-in-cheek method of telling Ursula’s adventure makes Party Girl Die in Pearls a highly entertaining tale that kept me laughing and marveling at Sykes’ incredible storytelling skills. The mystery was well-done and realistic, and the resolution of the crime was highly satisfying and thankfully not easy to puzzle out. The many twists and turns added both suspense and at times humor to her story.
Having experienced the 80’s in my teens, I thoroughly enjoyed the many 80’s references including Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, tube tops and huge hairstyles. Sykes also employed footnotes to explain or comment on certain references; these footnotes added greatly to the ingeniousness of the book. I highly recommend Party Girls Die in Pearls and cannot wait for the next Oxford Girl Mystery.
Having experienced the 80’s in my teens, I thoroughly enjoyed the many 80’s references including Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, tube tops and huge hairstyles. Sykes also employed footnotes to explain or comment on certain references; these footnotes added greatly to the ingeniousness of the book. I highly recommend Party Girls Die in Pearls and cannot wait for the next Oxford Girl Mystery.
June 5, 2017
Recommendation via @jo_rodgers - 5/21/2017
This was such a fun, and breezy mystery. Really enjoyed the characters, setting and all the details put into this novel. I did figure out who the murderer was quite soon. But, overall a great read for in between other books. It reminds be quite a bit of P. G. Wodehouse and Nancy Mitford; absurd, yet entertaining in both wit and humor. I do hope there will be more adventures featuring the dynamic protagonist from the series.
This was such a fun, and breezy mystery. Really enjoyed the characters, setting and all the details put into this novel. I did figure out who the murderer was quite soon. But, overall a great read for in between other books. It reminds be quite a bit of P. G. Wodehouse and Nancy Mitford; absurd, yet entertaining in both wit and humor. I do hope there will be more adventures featuring the dynamic protagonist from the series.
December 6, 2020
Good escape from reality, set in 1985 Oxford University, funny that the author helpfully explains the 80's pop-culture references in foot notes. The mean librarian stereotype was sad, many are still exactly the same kind of curmudgeon. I wonder what the Oxford librarians think of that representation?
Three stars because it was just a sort of murder mystery, nothing that great. Reminiscent of American Psycho because of the elite atmosphere.
One quote spoke to me, which was quoted in the novel: Marcus Aurelius said, "if you're distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your own estimation of it, and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."
Three stars because it was just a sort of murder mystery, nothing that great. Reminiscent of American Psycho because of the elite atmosphere.
One quote spoke to me, which was quoted in the novel: Marcus Aurelius said, "if you're distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your own estimation of it, and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."
August 2, 2019
I saw the film Oxford Blues at a very impressionable age. Oxford and crew are indelibly linked in my mind. This book, set in 1980s Oxford, is full of references to the music, pop culture and fashion of that period and I AM HERE FOR IT! It made me nostalgic for a time and place of which I was never a part. I still hold out a secret hope that my son will grow up and row crew for Oxford one day....
February 11, 2021
I like cosy murder mysteries that make fun of high society
May 17, 2023
i’m embarrassed on how long this took me but tbh it was a mid book. i read the whole thing in a british accent in my head which was fun. glad i finished it and ending wasn’t bad.
Shelved as 'wishlist'
December 4, 2021Only $1.99 right now! This looks super fun.
August 18, 2017
The first thing that caught my fancy and made me immediately take interest in this book was the name of the protagonist, Ursula Flowerbutton. The story starts with a newspaper report written by our very own, younger version of Miss Marple and the mysterious murder of a fellow student makes us sit straight. Not to worry, the rest of the book is not half as serious as the first page. Full of hilarious pop culture and dapper house parties, Plum Sykes' first in a series of Oxford Mystery novels, makes for a great beach read.
The characters have highly superficial lives and Sykes paints a brilliant caricature of the upper royalty class present in the 1980s London. Starting from the fashion to the food habits and sitcoms, everything is perfectly depicted.
Other than the slightly disappointing build-up of the discovery of the mysterious murderer, the book is a really funny read. It makes you laugh, roll your eyes and keeps you occupied for a couple of hours. This is one of those books that you can finish off in one sitting with some wine and cake to accompany.
To read the entire review visit www.theliquidsunset.com
The characters have highly superficial lives and Sykes paints a brilliant caricature of the upper royalty class present in the 1980s London. Starting from the fashion to the food habits and sitcoms, everything is perfectly depicted.
Other than the slightly disappointing build-up of the discovery of the mysterious murderer, the book is a really funny read. It makes you laugh, roll your eyes and keeps you occupied for a couple of hours. This is one of those books that you can finish off in one sitting with some wine and cake to accompany.
To read the entire review visit www.theliquidsunset.com
May 8, 2017
Party Girls Die in Pearls may be a mystery, but it's also a fun, frothy read set in 1980s Oxford. Ursula Flowerbottom is our student/amateur detective who is determined to follow the story of the murder of a popular fellow student- not only did she find the body, but she's got to write the article for the school paper, naturally. If you're a fan of British mysteries and a fan of 80s culture, Party Girls Die in Pearls is the perfect combination. The world Ursula finds herself in at Oxford is delightfully full of parties and scandal. This looks to be the first in a series, and as it really only covers Ursula's first week at school, the author has left herself with plenty of room to have Ursula cover more stories, and I'll be looking forward to reading them.
*Copy provided by the publisher via Goodreads giveaways for an honest opinion- thanks!*
*Copy provided by the publisher via Goodreads giveaways for an honest opinion- thanks!*
June 24, 2017
Such a fun mystery!
March 20, 2019
First of all, I really enjoyed this book. Really, I did! However, I enjoyed in the way that one enjoys a "guilty pleasure" soap opera, which is why I gave it two stars out of five - simply because three stars wouldn't feel fair to the other authors I've given three stars to.
Maybe I only enjoyed it so much because it was exactly the book I was looking for at the moment I found it: a glamorous, funny, lighthearted story set in Oxford, revolving around a murder mystery.
Ursula Flowerbutton (yes, really, that's her name) finds a fellow student dead in the chambers of a don on her first week at university. Her name is not the only conveniently romantic thing about Ursula. She is raised by her two grannies since her parents died (a tragic backstory which serves absolutely no purpose) on a farm that sounds too pictoresque to be true. Despite her plain clothing and upbringing, EVERY single boy in Oxford seems to be smitten with her, which also struck me as quite strange. In terms of murder solving Ursula is absolutely no Morse, but I have to say that I found the story of the murder mystery nicely executed. It kept me guessing right up until the end and did not leave me feeling disappointed - as mysteries often do when the build up is too big. But the murder is only one of two big themes in the book; the other being the glamorous life of Oxford students in the eighties. This theme is at once a strength of the book, for anyone who feels like reading a murder mystery without all the gloominess.
However, the other side of this is that the amount of words dedicated to describing everyone's outfits is STAGGERING. Every single person who walks into a scene is described from head to toe, often with words and terms that I didn't even know, leaving me with still no clue WHAT they were wearing exactly.
Then, the footnotes. Personally, I'm a fan of properly used footnotes, so they had me excited at the start. Unfortunately, Sykes only uses them to describe obscure terms from both the eighties and Oxford. The Oxford ones came across as a little snobbish at times, especially when you know Sykes studied at Oxford herself. And personally I draw a line at a footnote explaining who Cynthia Lauper is (first of all, yeah, we know) and what's worse, describing her as "was to Madonna what Megan Trainor is to Taylor Swift". WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN???
I mentioned that there is less gloominess here than in most murder mysteries, and I should add that maybe there perhaps is too little gloominess. I have never seen more awkward and horribly written descriptions of people crying than in this book. Prepare for a lot of "uuuuurrrrhghghglll.... im... sohooooorrryyyyy" blubbering.
The setup for next books, especially in terms of romance, couldn't really be any more obvious, but does work in making you just a little bit curious about what happens next.
Overall I enjoyed it both because it was a cute read about one of my favourite places, and because it was often so hilariously terrible. Definitely a recommendation to bring with you on vacation.
Maybe I only enjoyed it so much because it was exactly the book I was looking for at the moment I found it: a glamorous, funny, lighthearted story set in Oxford, revolving around a murder mystery.
Ursula Flowerbutton (yes, really, that's her name) finds a fellow student dead in the chambers of a don on her first week at university. Her name is not the only conveniently romantic thing about Ursula. She is raised by her two grannies since her parents died (a tragic backstory which serves absolutely no purpose) on a farm that sounds too pictoresque to be true. Despite her plain clothing and upbringing, EVERY single boy in Oxford seems to be smitten with her, which also struck me as quite strange. In terms of murder solving Ursula is absolutely no Morse, but I have to say that I found the story of the murder mystery nicely executed. It kept me guessing right up until the end and did not leave me feeling disappointed - as mysteries often do when the build up is too big. But the murder is only one of two big themes in the book; the other being the glamorous life of Oxford students in the eighties. This theme is at once a strength of the book, for anyone who feels like reading a murder mystery without all the gloominess.
However, the other side of this is that the amount of words dedicated to describing everyone's outfits is STAGGERING. Every single person who walks into a scene is described from head to toe, often with words and terms that I didn't even know, leaving me with still no clue WHAT they were wearing exactly.
Then, the footnotes. Personally, I'm a fan of properly used footnotes, so they had me excited at the start. Unfortunately, Sykes only uses them to describe obscure terms from both the eighties and Oxford. The Oxford ones came across as a little snobbish at times, especially when you know Sykes studied at Oxford herself. And personally I draw a line at a footnote explaining who Cynthia Lauper is (first of all, yeah, we know) and what's worse, describing her as "was to Madonna what Megan Trainor is to Taylor Swift". WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN???
I mentioned that there is less gloominess here than in most murder mysteries, and I should add that maybe there perhaps is too little gloominess. I have never seen more awkward and horribly written descriptions of people crying than in this book. Prepare for a lot of "uuuuurrrrhghghglll.... im... sohooooorrryyyyy" blubbering.
The setup for next books, especially in terms of romance, couldn't really be any more obvious, but does work in making you just a little bit curious about what happens next.
Overall I enjoyed it both because it was a cute read about one of my favourite places, and because it was often so hilariously terrible. Definitely a recommendation to bring with you on vacation.
October 23, 2020
Just wonderful!
March 27, 2019
Cute. But what happened to Claire Potter??? Loved the clothing descriptions. Clever footnotes.
April 18, 2017
I've been eagerly awaiting this book ever since I read the announcement in Publisher's Marketplace and I was not disappointed. Plum Sykes knows how to write a cracking good mystery and the 80's setting is perfection. I spent a great deal of time in England during the 1980's and this book brought back all kinds of memories, from the terrible fashions to the fantastic music. Anyone who owned a copy of the Sloane Ranger Handbook (I still own a copy) will want to read this book. It’s 1985, and at Oxford University, Pimm’s, punting, and ball gowns are de rigeur. Ursula Flowerbutton (what a fantastic name for a character) arrives at Oxford and immediately feels out of her depth amongst her glamorous classmates. All she wants to do is join the college newspaper and make her mark. But when she discovers a glamorous classmate on a chaise longue with her throat cut, Ursula is catapulted into a murder investigation.
What I loved about this book, apart from the setting, was the character of Ursula. She starts out a bit of a wallflower, unsure of herself, but once she discovers the murder, she grows as a character. I particularly liked her relationship with Nancy, an American who is studying abroad at Oxford for a year. Together, these two make an unbeatable team. If Agatha Christie had lived through the 80's, this is the book she might have written. I sincerely hope that this is the start of a new series. I long to see what new misadventures Ursula and Nancy get into. I may actually need to read this book again.
What I loved about this book, apart from the setting, was the character of Ursula. She starts out a bit of a wallflower, unsure of herself, but once she discovers the murder, she grows as a character. I particularly liked her relationship with Nancy, an American who is studying abroad at Oxford for a year. Together, these two make an unbeatable team. If Agatha Christie had lived through the 80's, this is the book she might have written. I sincerely hope that this is the start of a new series. I long to see what new misadventures Ursula and Nancy get into. I may actually need to read this book again.
October 1, 2017
-The premise for this book is exciting but unfortunately the follow through disappoints. The writing is possibly the most boring I've ever read and was. so. damn. SLOW. The characters are also shallow and there was so much backstabbing. There was so much focus on the posh rich kids than there was on the actual murder mystery. Murder mystery felt seconded to the posh rich kids dramas. The 'murderer' was immediately obvious which just made the book even more disappointing.
Thought I would love this one but I didn't. Read if you enjoy immersing yourself in rich British universities in the '80s where posh rich kids upon posh rich kids make sport out of backstabbing each other, Avoid if you're looking a fast-paced exciting murder mystery where the twist and turns are endless and you never no what's around the corner.
Thought I would love this one but I didn't. Read if you enjoy immersing yourself in rich British universities in the '80s where posh rich kids upon posh rich kids make sport out of backstabbing each other, Avoid if you're looking a fast-paced exciting murder mystery where the twist and turns are endless and you never no what's around the corner.
April 16, 2019
So fun! I’m so proud of myself for guessing the mystery before our main character, because I’m usually pretty bad at solving the mysteries lol.
I also really loved the Oxford setting. The descriptions were so well done, it was so easy to envision myself there. Our main character, Ursula Flowerbutton, was really enjoyable and her friend, Nancy, was so quirky and funny. I loved them trying to solve the mystery together.
My only minor problem was the author’s habit of over describing everything the characters were wearing. There were lots of parties and therefore lots of dresses and suits being described. I’m not someone who is super into fashion so some of the fashion terms being used just flew over my head and made it hard to visualize unless I stopped and looked up whatever the word meant. (Which I had to do quite often, but got annoying after awhile.)
4.5/5 stars
I also really loved the Oxford setting. The descriptions were so well done, it was so easy to envision myself there. Our main character, Ursula Flowerbutton, was really enjoyable and her friend, Nancy, was so quirky and funny. I loved them trying to solve the mystery together.
My only minor problem was the author’s habit of over describing everything the characters were wearing. There were lots of parties and therefore lots of dresses and suits being described. I’m not someone who is super into fashion so some of the fashion terms being used just flew over my head and made it hard to visualize unless I stopped and looked up whatever the word meant. (Which I had to do quite often, but got annoying after awhile.)
4.5/5 stars
January 3, 2023
Picked on spec whilst browsing the library shelves. I uhmmed and arred about whether to give it a go.
With A TBR pile that is bigger than my remaining life expectancy, I need to be more selective.
Its a shallow, whimsical tale set in 1980s Oxford. A new country bumpkin girl is starting university. She stumbles on the dead body of another fresher. She teams up with an American, under the pretense of writing an article for the student magazine, to investigate and ultimately solve the murder.
Its all a bit Enid Blyton for adults, with added annoyance in the use of footnotes to describe everything about Oxford University Life and more bizarrely, 80s cultural references. Like Dallas.
Dull read and nothing to encourage a return to the series (I think its a series) or the author.
With A TBR pile that is bigger than my remaining life expectancy, I need to be more selective.
Its a shallow, whimsical tale set in 1980s Oxford. A new country bumpkin girl is starting university. She stumbles on the dead body of another fresher. She teams up with an American, under the pretense of writing an article for the student magazine, to investigate and ultimately solve the murder.
Its all a bit Enid Blyton for adults, with added annoyance in the use of footnotes to describe everything about Oxford University Life and more bizarrely, 80s cultural references. Like Dallas.
Dull read and nothing to encourage a return to the series (I think its a series) or the author.
September 11, 2018
This is what I would call a fun, cozy mystery. It is set in the 1980's in Oxford, England on the campus of Christminster College. The characters are engaging. The two main characters are sensible English girl Ursula and American fashionista Nancy. They get caught up trying to solve the truth behind a murder that happens on campus. There are hilarious mentions of the 80's fashions and good descriptions of the campus life in Oxford.
December 8, 2021
I really really really enjoyed this book! I remember growing reading Plum Sykes and always loving her books and writing styles. My gateway drug into Plum Sykes writing was Bergdorf Blondes, and I utterly enjoyed it. I loved this book just as much. I would never ever expect a murder whodunit from Plum Sykes, but I enjoyed it so much. First and foremost the coolest part about this book was placing it in the mid eighties. It was fun to incorporate all of the flairs for fashion and smoking indoors. I also feel like there’s a general fun and fancy free feeling about the 80’s and that was absolutely captured in this book. Also the characters were an actual joy and pleasure to get to know. None of the characters were extra or superfluous, the way the book reads is almost like anyone of these people could be the murderer. It’s a fantastic read for someone who loves fun girly books but also has appreciation for a good old fashion murder novel. This book absolutely drips with the classic voice of Plum Sykes but is so fun to experience in the whodunit arena.
August 10, 2018
I found this to be very difficult to get into and enjoy. Although I liked that it was set at Oxford and had an interesting set of characters the story felt a bit juvenile. It was basically British Gossip Girl meets Nancy Drew. The names were all ridiculous and the characters felt very caricature-like.
The footnotes were overkill and the plot was predictable. It was obvious that the author experienced life at Oxford in the 80s and this book was a way for her to relive that chapter. The descriptions of clothes and people's experiences was extensive and weighed down the action. Overall my review is summed up in one word: meh.
The footnotes were overkill and the plot was predictable. It was obvious that the author experienced life at Oxford in the 80s and this book was a way for her to relive that chapter. The descriptions of clothes and people's experiences was extensive and weighed down the action. Overall my review is summed up in one word: meh.
April 10, 2020
Party Girls Die in Pearls caters to pretty much all of my guilty pleasure book tastes - set in academia (hello, Oxford), centered around posh kids in high class cliques, murder mystery, etc.
Our plucky protagonist Ursula teams up with American abroad student Nancy to solve the case, but only so she can secure a spot at the school’s famed student newspaper. With a cast of humorous characters and extremely detailed 80’s charm, I couldn’t help but enjoy this. It’s no The Secret History, but sometimes all you need is something light and juicy.
Our plucky protagonist Ursula teams up with American abroad student Nancy to solve the case, but only so she can secure a spot at the school’s famed student newspaper. With a cast of humorous characters and extremely detailed 80’s charm, I couldn’t help but enjoy this. It’s no The Secret History, but sometimes all you need is something light and juicy.
March 31, 2018
This was cute. I really like Plum Sykes, and this book was an enjoyable read, but ... I also didn't care what happened? The whole time, I just kept thinking, "Oxford students just have one meeting a week with a professor? That's it?" The mystery itself was a little convoluted, and I don't think it makes much sense to a kill a character nobody actually likes. But there's good setup for the next in the series. I just wish it didn't have to be a mystery.
August 6, 2017
Fun, fluffy crime fiction which made me nostalgic at least from the time period & protagonist situation - 1985, college freshman year. The footnotes make me giggle, as it is hard to believe that the young adult readers most likely to gobble this up have no recollection of the recent history provided in them. Very cute, fun read!
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