What do you think?
Rate this book
Cambridge Fellows #3
Lessons in Discovery
Orlando’s broken memory may break his lover’s heart. Cambridge Fellows Mysteries, Book 3 Cambridge, 1906. On the very day Jonty Stewart proposes that he and Orlando Coppersmith move in together, Fate trips them up. Rather, it trips Orlando, sending him down a flight of stairs and leaving him with an injury that erases his memory. Instead of taking the next step in their relationship, they’re back to square one. It’s bad enough that Orlando doesn’t remember being intimate with Jonty—he doesn’t remember Jonty at all. Back inside the introverted, sexually innocent shell he inhabited before he met Jonty, Orlando is faced with two puzzles. Not only does he need to recover the lost pieces of his past, he’s also been tasked by the Master to solve a four-hundred-year-old murder before the end of term. The college’s reputation is riding on it. Crushed that his lover doesn’t remember him, Jonty puts aside his grief to help decode old documents for clues to the murder. But a greater mystery remains—one involving the human heart. To solve it, Orlando must hear the truth about himself—even if it means he may not fall in love with Jonty the second time around… Carries a three-handkerchief rating. Contains sensual m/m lovemaking and men in kilts.
200 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2009
13 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Cochrane
86 books372 followersBecause Charlie Cochrane couldn't be trusted to do any of her jobs of choice—like managing a rugby team—she writes. Her mystery novels include the Edwardian era Cambridge Fellows series, series, and the contemporary Best Corpse for the Job. Multi-published, she has titles with Carina, Samhain, Riptide and Bold Strokes, among others.
A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Mystery People and International Thriller Writers Inc, Charlie regularly appears at literary festivals and at reader and author conferences with The Deadly Dames.
A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Mystery People and International Thriller Writers Inc, Charlie regularly appears at literary festivals and at reader and author conferences with The Deadly Dames.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 31, 2017
What should have been a celebration of their first anniversary turns into a disaster when Orlando falls down the stairs and bangs his head, resulting in post-traumatic amnesia that wipes out the previous 12 months from his memory. With no idea of his relationship with Jonty, Orlando is understandably confused by the fact that he now has a friend. Unable to return to work, the college Master's sister, provides Orlando with papers concerning a mystery surrounding the "Woodville Ward", who disappeared from the college in the 15th century, presumed when a body was found some centuries later to have been murdered. As the pair unravel the mystery they rediscover their own relationship - particularly when Orlando nurses Jonty through a bad bout of flu. Christmas with the Stewarts is a turning point for both their relationship and the mystery and it all turns out well in the end.
This is another enjoyable story of these two academics, and reminds me of The Daughter of Time in some ways with the unravelling of a historical mystery.
Alas, I must now wait until the rest of the series are re-published to continue with Jonty & Orlando's adventures.....
This is another enjoyable story of these two academics, and reminds me of The Daughter of Time in some ways with the unravelling of a historical mystery.
Alas, I must now wait until the rest of the series are re-published to continue with Jonty & Orlando's adventures.....
May 3, 2020
Whilst recovering from a fall and amnesia An old mystery which is over 400 years old is brought to the boys attention and they go about trying to solve it.
Interesting mystery which is solved with the help of Jonty's father and brother in law.
I am really enjoying this series of books.
Interesting mystery which is solved with the help of Jonty's father and brother in law.
I am really enjoying this series of books.
March 31, 2020
I let this one settle in my mind for a few days to decide if this was a case of me just being not into the book, or the book being a bit dull. I'm going to assume a little of both is true, but I did get bored, particularly at the end of this one. I should likely give this 2 stars.
I love amnesia in trope form. This should never be confused with representations of actual memory loss and the serious trauma that can cause. This is a plot device to set the characters in a different state of knowing things about each other to see what changes.
Nothing. That's what changed. I felt like this was a waste of the trope. It became an excuse to write a first time again in book three of a series where that plot structure needed to be replaced with an established relationship narrative arc.
The background mystery in this one is a historical case that was implausible and I had no emotional connection to at all, I didn't care about any of it, and the amount of historical record discovered was... let's just say it pushed the suspension of disbelief to its limits. The less said about the excerpts from 16th century letters the better.
I liked the characters, their silly, sparkly, bubbly champagne interaction with a core of deeper, more serious emotion. But that was all I got out of it.
I love amnesia in trope form. This should never be confused with representations of actual memory loss and the serious trauma that can cause. This is a plot device to set the characters in a different state of knowing things about each other to see what changes.
Nothing. That's what changed. I felt like this was a waste of the trope. It became an excuse to write a first time again in book three of a series where that plot structure needed to be replaced with an established relationship narrative arc.
The background mystery in this one is a historical case that was implausible and I had no emotional connection to at all, I didn't care about any of it, and the amount of historical record discovered was... let's just say it pushed the suspension of disbelief to its limits. The less said about the excerpts from 16th century letters the better.
I liked the characters, their silly, sparkly, bubbly champagne interaction with a core of deeper, more serious emotion. But that was all I got out of it.
February 3, 2010
Orlando’s broken memory may break his lover’s heart.
Cambridge Fellows Mysteries, Book 3
Cambridge, 1906.
On the very day Jonty Stewart proposes that he and Orlando Coppersmith move in together, Fate trips them up. Rather, it trips Orlando, sending him down a flight of stairs and leaving him with an injury that erases his memory. Instead of taking the next step in their relationship, they’re back to square one. It’s bad enough that Orlando doesn’t remember being intimate with Jonty–he doesn’t remember Jonty at all.
Review by Leslie H. Nicoll
Lessons in Discovery is the third book in the Cambridge Fellows series by Charlie Cochrane. In the first book, Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith meet and fall in love; in the second, they go on holiday together; and in this one, Orlando falls down the stairs and conks his head. As a result, he becomes amnesic and totally loses his memories of the past year, most notably his friendship with and love for Jonty. Also in this book, just as in the prior two, Jonty and Orlando put on their detective caps and solve a mystery. The combination of the sweet affection and a mystery works well for this series and makes the books very entertaining and enjoyable as quick, easy reads.
While I have been thoroughly entertained by all three books, if I had to rate them as to my favorites, Lessons in Discovery would be at the top of the list, which surprised me. I’ll be honest – I enjoyed book number two (Lessons in Desire) but it had moments where it was a little too sweet and slightly over the top, at least for me. I worried that if Cochrane kept on this trajectory, with the plot of Orlando losing his memory, Lessons in Discovery had the potential to veer either into the realm of completely saccharine or totally maudlin. Fortunately, my fears were baseless.
Orlando does lose his memory, yes, but what he doesn’t lose is the maturity and insight into his own personality that he has acquired through his friendship and love for Jonty. As a result, his re-discovery of himself is very compelling. I’ve occasionally thought of Orlando as “a lovable goof,” which is endearing, but sometimes seemed at odds with his keen intelligence and analytical mind. In this story, he has grown up and he realizes it. He is able to reflect on issues of friendship, loyalty, sexual awareness, and his own repressive childhood with new eyes and new emotions. I’ve always liked Jonty as a character but by the end of this book, I really, really liked Orlando which speaks to just how well characterized he was through Cochrane’s deft writing.
Jonty and Orlando re-establish their relationship (I don’t think I’m giving too much away by saying that, since there are four more books planned in the series) but they also create a network of family and friends who understand about their “secret.” Personally, I think this is realistic. Even though, throughout history, many gay people were persecuted and imprisoned because of their sexuality, I think that there were many who were able to live normal lives without the condemnation of society. My reasons why Oscar Wilde couldn’t, and Jonty and Orlando can, are more than I want to get into in this review. Rather, my point is that Cochrane has set herself up very well for the future books. Jonty and Orlando turned the corner in this book and became rich, well-developed, three dimensional characters and I look forward to reading more about them as they live their lives together.
I also think the mystery in this story is the best of the three. Orlando is tasked with solving a 400 year old historical puzzle which, of course, is very well suited to his mathematical abilities. If another contemporary murder had happened under Jonty’s and Orlando’s noses, as did in each of the previous two books, I think that would have stretched the bounds of plausibility. On top of that, the mystery itself was intriguing and very cleverly written and had lots of interesting tidbits of English history.
I particularly enjoy Cochrane’s writing style which reminds me classic English mysteries such as those by Agatha Christie. She has lots of funny expressions and clever turns of phrase which sound very British and very “I say old chap” –at least to this American reader.
All in all, this is a lovely series of books: charming and tender, full of loving affection between the two main characters. I highly recommend them.
(originally posted on Speak Its Name, September, 2009)
Cambridge Fellows Mysteries, Book 3
Cambridge, 1906.
On the very day Jonty Stewart proposes that he and Orlando Coppersmith move in together, Fate trips them up. Rather, it trips Orlando, sending him down a flight of stairs and leaving him with an injury that erases his memory. Instead of taking the next step in their relationship, they’re back to square one. It’s bad enough that Orlando doesn’t remember being intimate with Jonty–he doesn’t remember Jonty at all.
Review by Leslie H. Nicoll
Lessons in Discovery is the third book in the Cambridge Fellows series by Charlie Cochrane. In the first book, Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith meet and fall in love; in the second, they go on holiday together; and in this one, Orlando falls down the stairs and conks his head. As a result, he becomes amnesic and totally loses his memories of the past year, most notably his friendship with and love for Jonty. Also in this book, just as in the prior two, Jonty and Orlando put on their detective caps and solve a mystery. The combination of the sweet affection and a mystery works well for this series and makes the books very entertaining and enjoyable as quick, easy reads.
While I have been thoroughly entertained by all three books, if I had to rate them as to my favorites, Lessons in Discovery would be at the top of the list, which surprised me. I’ll be honest – I enjoyed book number two (Lessons in Desire) but it had moments where it was a little too sweet and slightly over the top, at least for me. I worried that if Cochrane kept on this trajectory, with the plot of Orlando losing his memory, Lessons in Discovery had the potential to veer either into the realm of completely saccharine or totally maudlin. Fortunately, my fears were baseless.
Orlando does lose his memory, yes, but what he doesn’t lose is the maturity and insight into his own personality that he has acquired through his friendship and love for Jonty. As a result, his re-discovery of himself is very compelling. I’ve occasionally thought of Orlando as “a lovable goof,” which is endearing, but sometimes seemed at odds with his keen intelligence and analytical mind. In this story, he has grown up and he realizes it. He is able to reflect on issues of friendship, loyalty, sexual awareness, and his own repressive childhood with new eyes and new emotions. I’ve always liked Jonty as a character but by the end of this book, I really, really liked Orlando which speaks to just how well characterized he was through Cochrane’s deft writing.
Jonty and Orlando re-establish their relationship (I don’t think I’m giving too much away by saying that, since there are four more books planned in the series) but they also create a network of family and friends who understand about their “secret.” Personally, I think this is realistic. Even though, throughout history, many gay people were persecuted and imprisoned because of their sexuality, I think that there were many who were able to live normal lives without the condemnation of society. My reasons why Oscar Wilde couldn’t, and Jonty and Orlando can, are more than I want to get into in this review. Rather, my point is that Cochrane has set herself up very well for the future books. Jonty and Orlando turned the corner in this book and became rich, well-developed, three dimensional characters and I look forward to reading more about them as they live their lives together.
I also think the mystery in this story is the best of the three. Orlando is tasked with solving a 400 year old historical puzzle which, of course, is very well suited to his mathematical abilities. If another contemporary murder had happened under Jonty’s and Orlando’s noses, as did in each of the previous two books, I think that would have stretched the bounds of plausibility. On top of that, the mystery itself was intriguing and very cleverly written and had lots of interesting tidbits of English history.
I particularly enjoy Cochrane’s writing style which reminds me classic English mysteries such as those by Agatha Christie. She has lots of funny expressions and clever turns of phrase which sound very British and very “I say old chap” –at least to this American reader.
All in all, this is a lovely series of books: charming and tender, full of loving affection between the two main characters. I highly recommend them.
(originally posted on Speak Its Name, September, 2009)
March 3, 2018
Enjoy reading about these two. Like the strong female secondary characters that exist in this male dominated world.
July 27, 2019
Heights and depths and heights again. I'm so glad I read this, although I was dreading it. *Sigh*
October 29, 2022
1906. A fall results in Orlando Coppersmith losing the memory of the last year. Meaning he has no knowledge of his very close relationship with Jonty Stewart. To keep his mind busy he is given a cold case to solve. That of the disappearance of Charles Shaa in 1497.
An enjoyable historical mystery
An enjoyable historical mystery
February 20, 2012
Lessons In Discovery is the third in the Cambridge Fellows series, and the one that cemented my love for Jonty and Orlando. With the first book, the characters felt very removed and dispassionate. I loved the historical feel of the book, but the men? Not so much. The second book, Lessons in Seduction, started to draw me in, as the characters fleshed out and become real. Then the angst and layers of Lessons in Discovery pulled me completely into the world of St. Bride's and the pairing of Drs. Coppersmith and Stewart.
Previously, Orlando had finally gotten over his fear and made love to Jonty as he had long wished. Now, an enthusiastic partner in their love making, Orlando runs up the staircase to the bedroom ahead of Jonty, slips, and hits his head. The result is a catastrophic head injury that causes partial amnesia. Gone is the year in which he met and fell in love with Jonty. Gone is all memories of first friendship as well as first love. The pain that Jonty feels upon learning that Orlando doesn't remember him is palpable. But the worst is to come when Jonty decides to tell Orlando that they weren't just friends but lovers. Trust me when I tell you to have the tissues handy for this one.
Lessons in Discovery take the reader on a journey with Orlando, as he uncovers the layers to his past with Jonty and starts to fall in love with him all over again. Charlie Cochrane does a splendid job with the setting and dialog. I actually felt as though I were walking the frozen fields and paths with Jonty and Orlando during their visit to Jonty's family at Christmas time. The descriptions of the Hogmanay Ball filled me with delight. And as usual, there is a mystery for the fellows to solve. This time is the mystery of the Woodfield Ward, whose skeletal remains have been found in a well. Both the resolutions of the mystery and Orlando's missing memories are interwoven beautifully, creating a tapestry of love, mystery, and murder that leaves the reader so very satisfied and content.
So it's merrily on to the rest of the series. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Jonty and Orlando. I am sure that there will be love, angst and a good mystery as the sun shines over the Cambridge landscape. I think I will go find a supply of bulleyes in preparation for our next visit. Join me.
Previously, Orlando had finally gotten over his fear and made love to Jonty as he had long wished. Now, an enthusiastic partner in their love making, Orlando runs up the staircase to the bedroom ahead of Jonty, slips, and hits his head. The result is a catastrophic head injury that causes partial amnesia. Gone is the year in which he met and fell in love with Jonty. Gone is all memories of first friendship as well as first love. The pain that Jonty feels upon learning that Orlando doesn't remember him is palpable. But the worst is to come when Jonty decides to tell Orlando that they weren't just friends but lovers. Trust me when I tell you to have the tissues handy for this one.
Lessons in Discovery take the reader on a journey with Orlando, as he uncovers the layers to his past with Jonty and starts to fall in love with him all over again. Charlie Cochrane does a splendid job with the setting and dialog. I actually felt as though I were walking the frozen fields and paths with Jonty and Orlando during their visit to Jonty's family at Christmas time. The descriptions of the Hogmanay Ball filled me with delight. And as usual, there is a mystery for the fellows to solve. This time is the mystery of the Woodfield Ward, whose skeletal remains have been found in a well. Both the resolutions of the mystery and Orlando's missing memories are interwoven beautifully, creating a tapestry of love, mystery, and murder that leaves the reader so very satisfied and content.
So it's merrily on to the rest of the series. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Jonty and Orlando. I am sure that there will be love, angst and a good mystery as the sun shines over the Cambridge landscape. I think I will go find a supply of bulleyes in preparation for our next visit. Join me.
November 24, 2023
Four stars on re-read. I first read this about ten years ago and it was an easy five stars, but this time around, it was not quite as captivating. It's the amnesia book and there are some painful moments in this instalment, that's for sure. I've avoided re-reading this one for while. I love this series. I adore it because Jonty and Orlando are such charming characters. Comfort reads, most definitely.
February 21, 2015
Loving this series :)
March 21, 2019
The coldest of cold cases, amnesia, life-threatening flu, and Christmas with the Stewarts, Senior.
Again, rounding up to 3 for Goodreads, and down to 3 for Amazon, i.e., just OK.
Historical puzzles, where all involved have long since passed away, can be an interesting change from modern, scientific crime investigations, but I found the unraveling of *this* Tudor-era death to be rather too implausible. It depended on a curious collection of papers which (despite supposedly having been preserved for posterity) used a number of different ciphers, revealed one at a time, too obviously in the hopes of maximizing suspense. And we readers don't even see one final, definitive bit until Orlando and Jonty are displaying it to the head of St. Bride's. I did come to the same conclusion they did, though not much in advance.
The starting-over-with-amnesia thread was actually handled pretty well given *its* inherent unlikelihood, though the romantic writing is still a bit overly sappy and euphemistic in a way that makes the *author* (not just the characters) sound quite young.
Unfortunately, the screwed up paragraph breaks that annoyed me in book 2 occurred here as well (though not quite as frequently), with the confusing addition of some completely unindicated changes of *scene*. Again, there are a few other issues of iffy syntax or word choice, etc., though not a big deal on their own. There's also a consistency error re. book 1's killer's past: *SPOILER for book 1* .
On a minor note, there was another re-used name, this time Arthur, like Mrs. Patterson's late brother (mentioned in book 2), here being the first name of Owens, the oft-mentioned scoundrel/rival scholar whose existence is motivating them to solve the old riddle quickly in order to keep it out of his hands.
Another point for discussion concerns Jonty's conviction that his sister, despite affection for her husband, is still disgusted by the duties of the marriage bed, years after the shock of her innocently ignorant wedding night. That particular situation was all too common, and thus plausible; I've heard similar about a great-aunt! However, I'm left wondering whether we're supposed to assume he's destined to discover his error at some later point. Wouldn't the formidably determined and loving Mrs. Stewart, who (as it's made clear in this volume) is still happily passionate with Mr. Stewart, have gotten past cultural assumptions of propriety to make sure her daughter was happy, too, as she does for her youngest son? She could have spoken to Lavinia, albeit belatedly, and/or convinced her husband to privately make some suggestions to Lavinia's apparently clueless new husband. Honestly, given the other ways the Stewarts disregard convention in the interests of joy and kindness, I'm surprised she left Lavinia as uninformed as she herself has been, in the first place!I
Anyway, that's all side business. I did like our heroes a bit better this time than in the last. Orlando came across as a stronger character, daring to reach for more despite not being able to remember having had it, and taking charge when needed. I think I might agree with a review I saw (on book 2?) that said these stories would be better if they weren't held to the "mystery" framework.
Again, rounding up to 3 for Goodreads, and down to 3 for Amazon, i.e., just OK.
Historical puzzles, where all involved have long since passed away, can be an interesting change from modern, scientific crime investigations, but I found the unraveling of *this* Tudor-era death to be rather too implausible. It depended on a curious collection of papers which (despite supposedly having been preserved for posterity) used a number of different ciphers, revealed one at a time, too obviously in the hopes of maximizing suspense. And we readers don't even see one final, definitive bit until Orlando and Jonty are displaying it to the head of St. Bride's. I did come to the same conclusion they did, though not much in advance.
The starting-over-with-amnesia thread was actually handled pretty well given *its* inherent unlikelihood, though the romantic writing is still a bit overly sappy and euphemistic in a way that makes the *author* (not just the characters) sound quite young.
Unfortunately, the screwed up paragraph breaks that annoyed me in book 2 occurred here as well (though not quite as frequently), with the confusing addition of some completely unindicated changes of *scene*. Again, there are a few other issues of iffy syntax or word choice, etc., though not a big deal on their own. There's also a consistency error re. book 1's killer's past: *SPOILER for book 1* .
On a minor note, there was another re-used name, this time Arthur, like Mrs. Patterson's late brother (mentioned in book 2), here being the first name of Owens, the oft-mentioned scoundrel/rival scholar whose existence is motivating them to solve the old riddle quickly in order to keep it out of his hands.
Another point for discussion concerns Jonty's conviction that his sister, despite affection for her husband, is still disgusted by the duties of the marriage bed, years after the shock of her innocently ignorant wedding night. That particular situation was all too common, and thus plausible; I've heard similar about a great-aunt! However, I'm left wondering whether we're supposed to assume he's destined to discover his error at some later point. Wouldn't the formidably determined and loving Mrs. Stewart, who (as it's made clear in this volume) is still happily passionate with Mr. Stewart, have gotten past cultural assumptions of propriety to make sure her daughter was happy, too, as she does for her youngest son? She could have spoken to Lavinia, albeit belatedly, and/or convinced her husband to privately make some suggestions to Lavinia's apparently clueless new husband. Honestly, given the other ways the Stewarts disregard convention in the interests of joy and kindness, I'm surprised she left Lavinia as uninformed as she herself has been, in the first place!I
Anyway, that's all side business. I did like our heroes a bit better this time than in the last. Orlando came across as a stronger character, daring to reach for more despite not being able to remember having had it, and taking charge when needed. I think I might agree with a review I saw (on book 2?) that said these stories would be better if they weren't held to the "mystery" framework.
July 26, 2025
4+⭐
How is it even possible to have an amnesia plot that doesn't create great urgency but still it's very good? I don't get it. I am laughing and crying with these guys getting their first times again. I'm not at the edge of my seat and I read other things in between, but I am pretty much immediately charmed again getting back.
I might not read the whole series back to back, but I love these guys, and so many of the colourful side characters too. I think I'll actually manage to read all 12 books of the series, if they're all this warm and funny.
The mystery here was a cold case with bunch of adult men rushing into code cracking with the enthusiasm of 8 year olds. I actually quite enjoyed the process (more the comedy of it probably than the revelations), though I once again guessed the solution quite early.
How is it even possible to have an amnesia plot that doesn't create great urgency but still it's very good? I don't get it. I am laughing and crying with these guys getting their first times again. I'm not at the edge of my seat and I read other things in between, but I am pretty much immediately charmed again getting back.
I might not read the whole series back to back, but I love these guys, and so many of the colourful side characters too. I think I'll actually manage to read all 12 books of the series, if they're all this warm and funny.
The mystery here was a cold case with bunch of adult men rushing into code cracking with the enthusiasm of 8 year olds. I actually quite enjoyed the process (more the comedy of it probably than the revelations), though I once again guessed the solution quite early.
February 10, 2010
Continuing my reviews of this series, we’re now into book three. The series has definitely settled into a pattern with good characters that develop slowly in the context of each book while having a parallel light mystery occurring at the same time. The mystery is afforded as much page time as the actual relationship of Orlando and Jonty, yet the focus is firmly on the characters themselves. The solid writing is more engaging in this offering and the humor and light hearted wit bring more entertainment within the wonderfully historical setting. Although this book is a bit of a throwback to the original, this is the most enjoyable of the series so far and has got me hooked for future offerings. This is a reprint so those who have already read this series probably don’t need to re-buy but those new to the author/series definitely should.
In this installment Jonty and Orlando are celebrating their one year anniversary in decadent style. It’s been one wonderful year since Jonty attempted to abscond with Orlando’s chair in the Senior Common Room and Jonty proposes the two move into a house together away from St. Bride’s. Reluctant to change, the always cautious Orlando doesn’t immediately agree but has other thoughts on his mind at present. When those distracting thoughts lead to an injury, the entire last year is lost from Orlando’s memory. As part of his recovery, Orlando attempts to solve an old mystery at the college while reconnecting with his best friend and forgotten lover, Jonty.
The story is quick and entertaining as the relationship of Orlando and Jonty takes a step back when the shy and gentle Orlando forgets he ever had a friend, let alone a male lover. At the same time, there is the mystery of a missing heir that has become lore within the college. The two storylines share equal page time yet the focus is on the relationship first and foremost. The relationship between Orlando and Jonty harkens back to the first book when Jonty slowly seduces the other man, yet thankfully the development Orlando has had over the course of two books and one year has not disappeared. The changes evident in the man are still there and he reacts rather well to the new information, so much so that the actual injury is almost unimportant. Almost but not quite as it does lend itself well to the story and plays into the relationship in a fun and entertaining way.
The mystery is rather light and solved by the characters without much intuition from the reader. The additional information needed is within the set of letters, something the reader can’t deduce, and thus this has a disconnected quality to the story. I was always reminded I’m reading a story rather than experiencing it since all the details are available to the characters but not to the reader. However, the light mystery is engaging and enjoyable to read as it doesn’t overpower the book but introduces the lovely character of Miss Peters. Far from being the token females, her character and that of Mrs. Stewart are delightful and almost steal the scenes. This combined with the charm of watching Orlando fall in love with Jonty all over again, but thankfully quicker this time, made for a surprisingly quick, thoroughly enjoyable tale.
The writing is very affected with the style of speech and even phrasing always being very true and authentic to the historical time period. When reading this story there is no doubt of the time period and the frequent reminders are wonderful, adding to the experience of reading a story fully engaged in that setting. The thorough research is evident and very few - if any - concessions are made for the time in an attempt to accept the relationship. The threat of exposure is always present and the men behave in a suitable manner, yet the humor and love between the two is constant and obvious. An example of what I mean is below:
Jonty had readily agreed—if he was to be forbidden some of the usual festive amusements, then a little cerebral exercise would be most welcome. As much as he looked forward to being home again, and for all that he said regarding his mama, he’d missed her enormously while he had been ill. He kept muttering that it didn’t seem like it would be a real Christmas without a proper Hogmanay ball and, although his mother had promised that the event would take place, it was to be a modified version with the minimum of dancing and frolicking. When Jonty had said he was determined to put some sort of spanner in those works, Orlando dreaded to think what the little toad had in mind.
This is another well written offering in the series and with several more to come, the possibilities are intriguing. The character of Orlando has developed and changed the most so the next book promises to delve more deeply into Jonty’s personality. Given the wealth of opportunity with their respective pasts, I’m very curious where the author will go next. The romance is not explicit and often uses analogies for any sexual act, giving a very sweet, light feeling to those scenes. So those looking for scorching hot explicit sex are going to be disappointed. However those who enjoy an accurate historical setting with well developed characters and a wonderful romance without needing to ignore the consequences and actions of the time period will be very pleased with this series. Start at the beginning and you’ll likely be hooked as well. One of my few qualms about this piece is that there are numerous editing errors and considering this is a re-released, I'm surprised there are that many.
In this installment Jonty and Orlando are celebrating their one year anniversary in decadent style. It’s been one wonderful year since Jonty attempted to abscond with Orlando’s chair in the Senior Common Room and Jonty proposes the two move into a house together away from St. Bride’s. Reluctant to change, the always cautious Orlando doesn’t immediately agree but has other thoughts on his mind at present. When those distracting thoughts lead to an injury, the entire last year is lost from Orlando’s memory. As part of his recovery, Orlando attempts to solve an old mystery at the college while reconnecting with his best friend and forgotten lover, Jonty.
The story is quick and entertaining as the relationship of Orlando and Jonty takes a step back when the shy and gentle Orlando forgets he ever had a friend, let alone a male lover. At the same time, there is the mystery of a missing heir that has become lore within the college. The two storylines share equal page time yet the focus is on the relationship first and foremost. The relationship between Orlando and Jonty harkens back to the first book when Jonty slowly seduces the other man, yet thankfully the development Orlando has had over the course of two books and one year has not disappeared. The changes evident in the man are still there and he reacts rather well to the new information, so much so that the actual injury is almost unimportant. Almost but not quite as it does lend itself well to the story and plays into the relationship in a fun and entertaining way.
The mystery is rather light and solved by the characters without much intuition from the reader. The additional information needed is within the set of letters, something the reader can’t deduce, and thus this has a disconnected quality to the story. I was always reminded I’m reading a story rather than experiencing it since all the details are available to the characters but not to the reader. However, the light mystery is engaging and enjoyable to read as it doesn’t overpower the book but introduces the lovely character of Miss Peters. Far from being the token females, her character and that of Mrs. Stewart are delightful and almost steal the scenes. This combined with the charm of watching Orlando fall in love with Jonty all over again, but thankfully quicker this time, made for a surprisingly quick, thoroughly enjoyable tale.
The writing is very affected with the style of speech and even phrasing always being very true and authentic to the historical time period. When reading this story there is no doubt of the time period and the frequent reminders are wonderful, adding to the experience of reading a story fully engaged in that setting. The thorough research is evident and very few - if any - concessions are made for the time in an attempt to accept the relationship. The threat of exposure is always present and the men behave in a suitable manner, yet the humor and love between the two is constant and obvious. An example of what I mean is below:
Jonty had readily agreed—if he was to be forbidden some of the usual festive amusements, then a little cerebral exercise would be most welcome. As much as he looked forward to being home again, and for all that he said regarding his mama, he’d missed her enormously while he had been ill. He kept muttering that it didn’t seem like it would be a real Christmas without a proper Hogmanay ball and, although his mother had promised that the event would take place, it was to be a modified version with the minimum of dancing and frolicking. When Jonty had said he was determined to put some sort of spanner in those works, Orlando dreaded to think what the little toad had in mind.
This is another well written offering in the series and with several more to come, the possibilities are intriguing. The character of Orlando has developed and changed the most so the next book promises to delve more deeply into Jonty’s personality. Given the wealth of opportunity with their respective pasts, I’m very curious where the author will go next. The romance is not explicit and often uses analogies for any sexual act, giving a very sweet, light feeling to those scenes. So those looking for scorching hot explicit sex are going to be disappointed. However those who enjoy an accurate historical setting with well developed characters and a wonderful romance without needing to ignore the consequences and actions of the time period will be very pleased with this series. Start at the beginning and you’ll likely be hooked as well. One of my few qualms about this piece is that there are numerous editing errors and considering this is a re-released, I'm surprised there are that many.
May 24, 2020
An interesting mystery in that it is an intellectual study of codes and a long debated man who disappeared hundreds of years prior. Two Cambridge scholars, one in mathematics and one in Shakespeare, take on the task of solving the clues studied by many.. Cochrane does a good job on integrating the two scholars current problems while maintaining a plot anchored in very old papers, letters and so on. It is an interesting version of the tradition of mystery novels keeping the reader's interest with two separate storylines.
October 29, 2022
With a gracious nod towards Josephine Tey's Daughter of Time as our duo (ably helped by Jonty's splendid father) investigate an unsolved Tudor murder mystery, Charlie Cochrane really puts the reader through the emotional wringer with Orlando's head injury and memory loss which means he had no recollection of his relationship with the love of his life, Jonty.
The story was both charming and emotionally involving, and the love between these two very different but equally loveable men really drives this wonderful series.
The story was both charming and emotionally involving, and the love between these two very different but equally loveable men really drives this wonderful series.
April 4, 2025
The third in a mystery series involving two Cambridge dons in 1906. I only read this one when someone mentioned the mystery involved Elizabeth of York (who was patron of the “Woodville ward” who had disappeared in Cambridge in 1497) and a favorable attitude toward Richard III. Well, the mystery was pretty lame and there was no significant involvement with E of Y or Richard III. Most of the book involved the homosexual relationship of the two dons, which was pretty sweet but not all that interesting to me, especially as it became repetitive. If your a Ricardian, don’t bother.
June 23, 2025
A concussion from a fall triggers amnesia in Orlando and resets his relationship with Jonty back to before. So, Jonty has to support Orlando's rediscovery of their love relationship while they attempt to discover the facts of a 400 year mystery that is very Daughter of Time-ish. The book is a bit slow, but still enjoyable. Miss Peters and Mrs. Stewart are strong supporting (in several senses) characters.
May 6, 2017
Pretty good, I'm always a sucker for amnesia fics. I thought the mystery they were solving was a little boring and also unbelievable - a murderer conveniently leaving behind a cache of encoded messages detailing the whole case that are suddenly discovered 400 years later?
But overall a good read because it was precious to see two gays fall in love all over again :)
But overall a good read because it was precious to see two gays fall in love all over again :)
September 27, 2020
I'll always have a special place in my heart for Jonty and Orlando, but this Cambridge Fellows book is above and beyond my favourite. The perfect mix of a great mystery, with a lovely romance besides.
Charlie Cochrane has a wonderfully distinctive voice in her writing and I love being transported to St Brides again each time I pick up this series.
Charlie Cochrane has a wonderfully distinctive voice in her writing and I love being transported to St Brides again each time I pick up this series.
October 3, 2022
The best way to solve a murder? Find out who benefits the most from it... expect to be surprised! *grin*
I love the fact that these stories read fast and have very little if any angst between the MCs. A fall down the stairs, a near-death case of the flu, and a 4oo-year-old murder mystery. What more could we ask for?
I love the fact that these stories read fast and have very little if any angst between the MCs. A fall down the stairs, a near-death case of the flu, and a 4oo-year-old murder mystery. What more could we ask for?
April 6, 2022
Numer #3. Just Keeps Getting Better
Josephine Tey used the plot device but our Cambridge Fellow’s do a far better job of it? In the capable hands of Charlie Cochran, this is another well written and enjoyable read.
Josephine Tey used the plot device but our Cambridge Fellow’s do a far better job of it? In the capable hands of Charlie Cochran, this is another well written and enjoyable read.
June 20, 2022
Better than book 2. I thought I'd not like the amnesia aspect, but it wasn't overdone and the boys' relationship progressed right back to where it should be fairly quickly. It proves their love was meant to be. I liked how they reconnected over sickness and the very old murder mystery.
February 22, 2018
My favorite one of the series
February 18, 2020
Review to come!
December 1, 2021
Another delightful romp in the world of Jonty and Orlando. This is definitely my favourite romance series by far!
June 12, 2023
I enjoyed very much getting to know the eccentric and endearing characters surrounding the professorial protagonists as they tackled their curious cold case.
December 21, 2024
Revealing the past
Secrets rarely stay buried forever. Especially with great detectives sleuthing them out. Well, once one of them gets their full faculties back, anyway.
Secrets rarely stay buried forever. Especially with great detectives sleuthing them out. Well, once one of them gets their full faculties back, anyway.
Read
June 5, 2009I suspect that Charlie Cochrane is a little prude as her character Orlando; and since I like Orlando, don't take this as a complaint, it's only that Charlie Cochrane's books are not notorious to be overly erotic, but more subtly sexy. The first book in the series was almost chaste, with some hints here and there that something was happening between Orlando and Jonty, but not real explicit proofs. In the second book it was expected for them to move on in their relationship, to deepen it... now, don't think that they jumped in bed and replayed the Kamasutra, but well that time something happened.
And in the third book? It's not in the nature of these characters to be daring, or at least not from Orlando's side, and so Charlie Cochrane adopted a trick that Monopoly's players well know, the "start again" penalty. And so at the beginning of the book, Orlando opportunely suffers from amnesia and Jonty has to start all over again his seduction play. It's indeed a nice play, and I enjoyed all over again the very prim and proper behavior of both characters, not only of Orlando; also Jonty is quite conservative: for example, when he finally manages to have Orlando again in his bed, he lets himself being swerved from his seduction plan for a coughing attack... and all end with both of them in their respective beds in separate not only rooms but even buildings... not exactly the behavior of a man overcome by passion.
But indeed Orlando and Jonty are right like they are, the nice stereotype of the two English professors of the beginning of the XX century, clever and full of knowledge, but maybe too often with their heads on the clouds instead of the ordinary things of life. They are allowed to being in that way since they live in a quite protective environment, the walls of Cambridge. In this case for them those walls are not a "prison", but their shelter, Cambridge is like a natural reserve where people like Orlando and Jonty can thrive where instead, outside those walls, they would perish. Some of Orlando's behaviors made me want to knock him on the head, but then I realized that I was thinking with a XXI century mind, and instead Orlando, and all his reserves, is the consequence of his upbringing in a very strict late XIX century family; we have to comprehend him and allow him to live in his safe world inside those walls, that are not only the physical walls of Cambridge, but also the mental walls he erected to protect himself, and that maybe are also one of the reasons for his amnesia.
I like also the new mystery they undertake in this new book; if it was another real murder, I would have suspected that Orlando and Jonty were like some unlucky charm, and I would have suggested to people to avoid them to not ending dead... And instead this time their investigation is aimed to resolve a more than 400 years old mystery, an investigation that is led through papers and legends, deciphering codes and making assumptions, some of them during a Christmas holiday spent with Jonty's family, they solve a mystery like modern families play at Cluedo. The mystery this time is more playful and less angst, above all since regarding people long ago dead and not directly involved with the heroes.
The new Cambridge Fellows Mystery confirms to be a nice and enjoyable book, with a very sweet romance, and two endearing characters.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NOGDYS/?...
And in the third book? It's not in the nature of these characters to be daring, or at least not from Orlando's side, and so Charlie Cochrane adopted a trick that Monopoly's players well know, the "start again" penalty. And so at the beginning of the book, Orlando opportunely suffers from amnesia and Jonty has to start all over again his seduction play. It's indeed a nice play, and I enjoyed all over again the very prim and proper behavior of both characters, not only of Orlando; also Jonty is quite conservative: for example, when he finally manages to have Orlando again in his bed, he lets himself being swerved from his seduction plan for a coughing attack... and all end with both of them in their respective beds in separate not only rooms but even buildings... not exactly the behavior of a man overcome by passion.
But indeed Orlando and Jonty are right like they are, the nice stereotype of the two English professors of the beginning of the XX century, clever and full of knowledge, but maybe too often with their heads on the clouds instead of the ordinary things of life. They are allowed to being in that way since they live in a quite protective environment, the walls of Cambridge. In this case for them those walls are not a "prison", but their shelter, Cambridge is like a natural reserve where people like Orlando and Jonty can thrive where instead, outside those walls, they would perish. Some of Orlando's behaviors made me want to knock him on the head, but then I realized that I was thinking with a XXI century mind, and instead Orlando, and all his reserves, is the consequence of his upbringing in a very strict late XIX century family; we have to comprehend him and allow him to live in his safe world inside those walls, that are not only the physical walls of Cambridge, but also the mental walls he erected to protect himself, and that maybe are also one of the reasons for his amnesia.
I like also the new mystery they undertake in this new book; if it was another real murder, I would have suspected that Orlando and Jonty were like some unlucky charm, and I would have suggested to people to avoid them to not ending dead... And instead this time their investigation is aimed to resolve a more than 400 years old mystery, an investigation that is led through papers and legends, deciphering codes and making assumptions, some of them during a Christmas holiday spent with Jonty's family, they solve a mystery like modern families play at Cluedo. The mystery this time is more playful and less angst, above all since regarding people long ago dead and not directly involved with the heroes.
The new Cambridge Fellows Mystery confirms to be a nice and enjoyable book, with a very sweet romance, and two endearing characters.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NOGDYS/?...
December 3, 2021
(Combined review for books 1-4 in the series)
3.5/5 stars for book 1, 3/5 for books 2-4. I liked the premise, the characters, and the development of their relationship, but the mysteries in these books were not very engaging (and often the answer is telegraphed early, leaving little suspense). Unfortunately, the mysteries get the majority of the page time and the relationship is left on the back burner. I often found myself skimming through mystery sections just to get back to the relationship, which I wished had been written with more nuance. The characters also refer to sex acts in euphemistic terms only, and some of the euphemisms were rather unfortunate ("doing your duty" is one of them). Overall, this series feels like missed potential, and after reading book 4 I skipped the rest of the series except for book 8.
3.5/5 stars for book 1, 3/5 for books 2-4. I liked the premise, the characters, and the development of their relationship, but the mysteries in these books were not very engaging (and often the answer is telegraphed early, leaving little suspense). Unfortunately, the mysteries get the majority of the page time and the relationship is left on the back burner. I often found myself skimming through mystery sections just to get back to the relationship, which I wished had been written with more nuance. The characters also refer to sex acts in euphemistic terms only, and some of the euphemisms were rather unfortunate ("doing your duty" is one of them). Overall, this series feels like missed potential, and after reading book 4 I skipped the rest of the series except for book 8.
December 22, 2012
Happy sigh. I love these books so much. They are just stuffed full with warm affectionate humorous sentiment, just the thing when you need to settle in for a comfy read.
For those not familiar with these books, this is a series set in the early 1900's, about two young professors at St. Bride's College, Cambridge. Jonty is a Shakespeare scholar, while Orlando is a brilliant professor of mathematics. When they first meet, Orlando is a terribly withdrawn, shy, humorless man who seems to have what we might now think of as Asperger's syndrome. He is set in his ways, and can't empathize with others. Jonty, however, is warm and outgoing, and soon starts cajoling Orlando out of his shell. While their romance is developing, they become involved in a series of mysteries both at the college and in the surrounding countryside -- one mystery per volume. This is the closest to a "cozy" mystery series I have yet to find in the mm genre.
Anyway -- all that lovely sentiment and atmosphere is present in this installment, in droves. Unfortunately, the plot seems even more artificial and contrived than in the previous two stories, with less action, but the characters help me to forgive the plot failings. And during this episode of their adventures, Orlando also loses his memory after a fall -- thus severely setting back both his blossoming emotional maturity and the relationship between the two men. IMHO there wasn't enough struggle with this issue -- there certainly was some, but nonetheless I wanted to see more -- but it was still an interesting component of the overall story.
If you read and enjoyed the first two volumes of the series, you'll like this as well. And if you haven't read them -- and you enjoy some gentle mystery and romance every once in awhile -- you should check them out. :-)
For those not familiar with these books, this is a series set in the early 1900's, about two young professors at St. Bride's College, Cambridge. Jonty is a Shakespeare scholar, while Orlando is a brilliant professor of mathematics. When they first meet, Orlando is a terribly withdrawn, shy, humorless man who seems to have what we might now think of as Asperger's syndrome. He is set in his ways, and can't empathize with others. Jonty, however, is warm and outgoing, and soon starts cajoling Orlando out of his shell. While their romance is developing, they become involved in a series of mysteries both at the college and in the surrounding countryside -- one mystery per volume. This is the closest to a "cozy" mystery series I have yet to find in the mm genre.
Anyway -- all that lovely sentiment and atmosphere is present in this installment, in droves. Unfortunately, the plot seems even more artificial and contrived than in the previous two stories, with less action, but the characters help me to forgive the plot failings. And during this episode of their adventures, Orlando also loses his memory after a fall -- thus severely setting back both his blossoming emotional maturity and the relationship between the two men. IMHO there wasn't enough struggle with this issue -- there certainly was some, but nonetheless I wanted to see more -- but it was still an interesting component of the overall story.
If you read and enjoyed the first two volumes of the series, you'll like this as well. And if you haven't read them -- and you enjoy some gentle mystery and romance every once in awhile -- you should check them out. :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews