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The Devil in Oxford

The intricate murder mystery series
By Jess Armstrong
Series: Ruby Vaughn
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Brief Description
December, 1923. Ruby Vaughn is looking forward to a quiet, relaxing trip to Oxford in the week before Christmas with her octogenarian housemate and colleague, Mr Owen. Far away from the arcane, unusual—and occasionally illegal—books that seem to always get her into trouble. The most she... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
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December, 1923. Ruby Vaughn is looking forward to a quiet, relaxing trip to Oxford in the week before Christmas with her octogenarian housemate and colleague, Mr Owen. Far away from the arcane, unusual—and occasionally illegal—books that seem to always get her into trouble. The most she expects to do is attend a handful of his antiquarian society meetings.

But when the body of disgraced scholar Julius Harker is discovered amongst his exhibition of Egyptian antiquities looted by Napoleon, panic spreads throughout the cobbled streets of Oxford. The last thing Ruby wants is another investigation, but then an old friend comes begging for her help.

If that wasn't enough, her past insists on haunting her when Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healer she met in Cornwall, suddenly reappears. It seems there is much more going on in Oxford than meets the eye.

The Devil in Oxford by Jess Armstrong weaves a thrilling tale of mystery, intrigue, and supernatural elements, captivating readers as they follow Ruby's unexpected adventure.

Series: Ruby Vaughn

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  • The Curse of Penryth Hall
    1922. Ruby Vaughn has made a life for herself running a bookshop alongside octogenarian Mr Owen. When she finds herself at Penryth Hall, deep in the Cornish countryside, painful memories emerge of her lost friendship with Tamsyn, now married to the rather sinister Sir Edward Chenowyth. Although desperate to leave, Ruby's plans are thwarted when Penryth's bells ring for the...
    By Jess Armstrong
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Secret of the Three Fates
    October, 1922. Ruby Vaughn's octogenarian employer and housemate Mr Owen said the trip to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders was to appraise some illuminated manuscripts for their bookshop. However, the truth soon unravels along with the decades-old secrets he has been carefully hiding.For Mr Owen, whose son Ben was killed in the Great War, is desperate to speak to...
    By Jess Armstrong
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Devil in Oxford
    The Devil in Oxford
    December, 1923. Ruby Vaughn is looking forward to a quiet, relaxing trip to Oxford in the week before Christmas with her octogenarian housemate and colleague, Mr Owen. Far away from the arcane, unusual—and occasionally illegal—books that seem to always get her into trouble. The most she expects to do is attend a handful of his antiquarian society meetings. But when...
    By Jess Armstrong
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780749032142

Publisher: Allison & Busby

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Allison & Busby

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 368

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Historical Crime & Mystery Historical Fiction Jess Armstrong Series: Ruby Vaughn

About the Author

Jess Armstrong's debut novel The Curse of Penryth Hall won the Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur First Crime Novel Competition. She has a master's degree in American History but prefers writing about imaginary people to the real thing. Armstrong lives in New Orleans.

Also by Jess Armstrong

View all
  • The Curse of Penryth Hall
    1922. Ruby Vaughn has made a life for herself running a bookshop alongside octogenarian Mr Owen. When she finds herself at Penryth Hall, deep in the Cornish countryside, painful memories emerge of her lost friendship with Tamsyn, now married to the rather sinister Sir Edward Chenowyth. Although desperate to leave, Ruby's plans are thwarted when Penryth's bells ring for the...
    By Jess Armstrong
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Secret of the Three Fates
    October, 1922. Ruby Vaughn's octogenarian employer and housemate Mr Owen said the trip to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders was to appraise some illuminated manuscripts for their bookshop. However, the truth soon unravels along with the decades-old secrets he has been carefully hiding.For Mr Owen, whose son Ben was killed in the Great War, is desperate to speak to...
    By Jess Armstrong
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

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