Jill Paton Walsh Debts of Dishonor

Debts of Dishonor

The Master of St. Agatha's College in Cambridge Sir William invites College Nurse Imogen Quy to the High Table for dinner with important to the school billionaire businessman, Sir Julius "The Takeover King" Farran CEO of the financial conglomerate the Farren Group. Though the "third" choice, she accepts as she knows the college could use a large donation. Accompanying Sir Julius to the dinner is his employee college graduate Andrew Duncombe, considered by most of the alumni as the school's greatest economist.

Not long after the dinner, Imogen reads in the newspaper that Sir Julius died in what officially was declared an accident. However, Imogen thinks back to the dinner discussion in which Sir Julius informed her that he has made many enemies over the years with most wanting him dead and some willing to do so though the opportunity is slim. Julius' son-in-law Max takes over the business and fires Andrew. Subsequently, Andrew and Imogen visit Sir Julius' widow Lucia, who declares she is remarrying her late husband's doctor. This is followed by someone killing Max and then there is the announcement that serious financial improprieties occurred at the Farran Group. Unable to mind her business, Imogen, accompanied by Andrew, begins in earnest to investigate.

In spite of the amateur sleuth illogical flaw of why Imogen investigates, fans of the sub-genre will gain immense pleasure from a superbly written thriller. The cast seems so academically genuine while the heroine is a wonderful central character keeping the tale focused. A dazzling twist will add delight to an enthralled audience as Jill Paton Walsh writes a fabulous investigative novel.

Jill Paton Walsh

St. Martin's Apr 2006, $23.95, 288 pp.

ISBN: 031235536X

Harriet Klausner