The Orchid Mystery

About The Orchid Mystery

The Orchid Mystery is the first book in the Cambridge Mystery Series by Nancy L. Mangan.

Set in Cambridge in 1977, the novel follows DCI Jonathan Rievaulx and DC Emily Carter as they investigate the death of a respected academic found in the gardens of St Michael’s College. Beside the body lies a rare orchid, placed with unsettling care.

At first, the death appears to be a private tragedy. But Cambridge has a talent for keeping its secrets well polished. As Rievaulx and Carter begin to look more closely, they uncover old loyalties, academic rivalries, hidden influence and a world where reputation matters almost as much as truth.

Drawing on the beauty, history and unease of Cambridge college life, The Orchid Mystery is an atmospheric historical crime novel for readers who enjoy traditional British mysteries, academic settings, slow-burning suspense and detectives who notice the things other people would rather leave alone.

The novel is published by Camel Press, an imprint of Epicenter Press.


About the Cambridge Mystery Series

The Cambridge Mystery Series is a sequence of historical crime novels set in 1970s Cambridge. The books combine murder, atmosphere, academic politics, hidden histories and the uneasy relationship between town and gown.

At the heart of the series are DCI Jonathan Rievaulx, an observant and rather academic detective, and DC Emily Carter, a modern young policewoman making her way through a profession and a society that do not always welcome her.

Together, they investigate crimes rooted not only in violence, but in secrecy, privilege and the long shadows of the past.


Short FAQ

What is The Orchid Mystery about?

The Orchid Mystery is a historical crime novel set in Cambridge in 1977. When an academic is found dead in a college garden with a rare orchid placed beside the body, DCI Jonathan Rievaulx and DC Emily Carter are drawn into a mystery involving academic rivalry, hidden loyalties and old secrets.

Who wrote The Orchid Mystery?

The Orchid Mystery was written by Nancy L. Mangan, author of the Cambridge Mystery Series.

Is The Orchid Mystery part of a series?

Yes. The Orchid Mystery is the first book in the Cambridge Mystery Series.

Where is The Orchid Mystery set?

The novel is set in Cambridge, England, in 1977, mainly around the fictional St Michael’s College and the wider world of Cambridge college life.

What kind of mystery is The Orchid Mystery?

It is an atmospheric historical crime novel with elements of a traditional British mystery, academic mystery and police procedural.

Who are the main detectives?

The main detectives are DCI Jonathan Rievaulx and DC Emily Carter.

Who publishes The Orchid Mystery?

The Orchid Mystery is published by Camel Press, an imprint of Epicenter Press.

Where can I buy The Orchid Mystery?

The Orchid Mystery is available through online retailers and can also be ordered through independent bookshops. See the Where to Buy page for current links.