The Riddle of the River

May 25, 2009
A rock solid plot and an intriguing backstory lift British author Shaw's fourth historical to feature Cambridge amateur sleuth Vanessa Weatherburn (after 2008's The Library Paradox
). In the summer of 1898, Vanessa, now blessed with a baby boy and a supportive husband, looks into the death of a beautiful young woman found floating Ophelia-like in the river Cam. Actress Ivy Elliott, as she's later identified, proves to have been a victim of foul play. When a married gentleman admits to a dalliance with Elliott, Vanessa determines to see the case through. She attends a séance and poses as a single woman of easy virtue, walking a fine line between her traditional mores and whatever is necessary to ferret out a killer. After drawing some very wrong conclusions, Vanessa discovers that goodness and love can be found in the most unexpected of places. A number of real-life notables, in particular radio developer Guglielmo Marconi, play supporting roles.