Westbury’s debut perfectly captures Oxford in 1951, encapsulating the societal norms and mores of the time, bringing the foibles and misogyny of the academic world, spiced with espionage, and more than a hint of romance to the story.

The Honorable Ginevra Bishop is studying languages to prove her smarts and rise above the tedium society wants to box her into, when she meets Sidney Braithwaite, trying to find a new path after a painful stint in the war, and longing to find a future that will be more than that of the mines his father worked.

Sparks might fly when they two meet but they’re not instantly of the collegial kind. They are conscripted to work together for MI5 to unmask a Soviet spy who is leaking sensitive information, situation they both initially abhore but soon see the sense of after the killing of a friendly librarian.

There are plenty of suspicious suspects for them to follow as Gin learns the detecting world Sidney knew from his war work that still leaves painful scars. As they get closer and closer to their real target, Gin fends off a would-be suitor she loathes, and learns an uncomfortable truth that will affect her future.

The bantering dialogue and likeable protagonists provide a nicely done setup that should cement this duo readily for a sequel.