The Mummy Case Mystery

by Dermot Morrah

Genres: Crime, Mystery
Pages: 230
Rating:

Synopsis:

The Commemoration Night ball at Beaufort College, Oxford, is disturbed first by a strange prank with a professor's mummy, then by a tragic fire that kills the professor-or did it? If he died in the fire, what happened to the mummy? Professors Sargent and Considine take it upon themselves to investigate when the coroner rules accidental death, leaving them with unanswered questions.

I read about this book in Martin Edwards’ book on classic crime, and thought it sounded pretty awesome, so I tracked down a copy. In the UK they’re stupidly expensive, but AbeBooks solved that problem.

The book is very much an Oxford mystery: the first few chapters are just completely redolent of nostalgia and love for Oxford. It’s very similar in feel to Gaudy Night, and I’d be surprised if Dermot Morrah wasn’t an alumnus. (There’s a touch of romance here, but only the very lightest touch: no placet ne, magistra? here, and no chance of it either. It’s not anti-women but it’s not particularly positive about them either, though at least one character’s views on women in education are rather shown up.)

The mystery is entertaining enough, and I cottoned on to significant parts of it — not all, but most. Don’t be fooled by the title, in any case: the Egyptian stuff is mere trappings, though the mummy case is important in its way. Oxford is the real star.

I found it enjoyable, but a little slow and convoluted.