The Bad Quarto

Imogen Quy investigates the suspicious death of a young don in The Bad Quarto, uncovering hidden secrets within Cambridge's academic world.

In The Bad Quarto, Imogen Quy, a college nurse at St Agatha's, finds herself embroiled in yet another perplexing mystery. Following the tragic death of John Talentire, a brilliant young don who perished while attempting to scale Harding's Folly, the initial conclusion points to an unfortunate accident. However, Imogen's instincts tell her that there is more to the story than mere folly. As she delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise, she begins to uncover unsettling truths that challenge the initial verdict of idiocy.

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a wildly eccentric production of Hamlet, which takes a dark turn when a murder accusation disrupts the performance. Imogen, with her keen intuition and determination, takes it upon herself to investigate the intertwined threads of academia and the arts. As she navigates through the complexities of college life and the quirky personalities that inhabit it, Imogen discovers that the world of Cambridge is rife with secrets and hidden motives.

The Bad Quarto not only showcases Imogen's investigative prowess but also highlights the vibrant and often chaotic atmosphere of university life. With each twist and turn, readers are drawn into a compelling mystery that promises to keep them guessing until the very end. This installment in the series solidifies Imogen Quy as a contemporary detective in the tradition of Miss Marple, making it a must-read for fans of classic whodunits.