Oxford Blood
A gripping YA murder crime thriller – a twisty Oxford University dark academia murder mystery about ambition, privilege and deadly secrets
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Walker Books
Age 14+
Thrillers
*A BOOKSELLER BOOK OF THE MONTH*
For fans of A Good Girls Guide to Murder and The Secret History, this riveting murder mystery thriller from a brilliant new voice in YA fiction explores themes of privilege, prejudice and identity.
Eva has one dream: to study English at Oxford University. Not only will she receive a world-class education – getting into Oxford is a pass to freedom.
But when Eva and her best friend George are invited to Interview Week, they find themselves part of a kill-or-be-killed competition on an anonymous student forum, Oxford Slays. When Eva finds George dead on the steps of a statue in the college, she knows he’s been murdered – but all eyes are now on her. Can she clear her name, catch the true killer and win her place at Beecham College?
Eva has one week to prove her innocence, and Oxford Slays will be watching.
Ace of Spades meets The Secret History in this riveting murder mystery thriller, full of narrative twists and turns, complex and appealing characters and a captivating, authentic setting – set against the backdrop of an important message about the true cost of privilege.
“A smart, captivating murder mystery, packed full of twists and turns, with a courageous and fiercely intelligent heroine." The Bookseller (Book of the Month)
Creators
Rachael Davis-Featherstone is a mixed-raced Black British multi-award-nominated author, literary agent and co-founder of Creative Roots Studio. She has published over twenty books, ranging from picture books to commercial fiction, and has been translated into seven languages. I Am NOT a Prince (2022) was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Rachael was also longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards and shortlisted for the Inclusive Books for Children Awards. Many of her books explore authentic representation of the Black British mixed-race experience, including Oxford Blood (2025). Rachael champions diversity in literature and was a judge for the inaugural Jericho Prize. She is a Non-Executive Director for ALCS and a Trustee for English PEN. In 2024, Rachael co-founded Creative Roots Studio, which helps writers and illustrators build sustainable careers.
