The Art of the Whodunit

The last few weeks have been full of enjoyable things - I've been really lucky, and the gorgeous weather has been a bonus. A special treat was to lead a programme on The Art of the Whodunit for Road Scholar. I did this a couple of times before the pandemic, but four further programmes were cancelled because of Covid. However, the third programmes was perhaps the best of all. 

A memorable trip began with a flight to New York City and a day spent wandering, via Central Park, to Roosevelt Island. You reach the island by tram (more like a cable car) and among other things the island has a spooky Gothic building and former smallpox hospital which were very thought-provoking. The sort of places Rachel Savernake would relish. Then we met the 19 very pleasant people who had signed up for the course - about the ideal number, I'd say. It was great to work again with Chris Ball, who handles all the logistics with unobtrusive efficiency. And it was an unexpected pleasure to greet Judith Falco, who had taken part in the last programme as well. A glutton for punishment! Anyway, it was lovely to have another chance to enjoy her company.

The following day we embarked on the Queen Mary and the day after that I gave the first of seven daily lectures. Crossing the Atlantic by sea is a wonderful experience and the ship offered many delights, as usual. It was also good to see Giles Ramsay again; he was leading another tour. There was a third Road Scholar tour, led by Spencer Jones, a military historian whom I met for the first time. On landing at Southampton, I was greeted by the welcome news that the Daily Mail had given Sepulchre Street a rave review. We then headed for Oxford, where we spent five days at a hotel ideally located, close to the river and Folly Bridge.

Highlights of the Oxford leg of the journey including a boat cruise and a visit to the top of the Sheldonian, as well as wandering in the sun around the Parks, along the canal, and through Christ Church. We were given a special tour of Balliol, with the posh silver out on display, and also allowed to visit the Gaffer's Room in Blackwell's, where I did a book signing. The weather was perfect and the company delightful. Definitely a privilege to be a part of it.