Kate Westbury is author of the novel, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies (Minotaur Press).

In 1950s Oxford, two students are recruited to help the British Security Service, MI5, find a Soviet spy hiding at the university. But in a city of scholars and secrets, trust is dangerous—and attraction could prove even deadlier.

The two students, Gin and Sidney, have little in common but the British Security Service is keen to unite her charm with his espionage experience: there’s a Soviet spy at the university, and the agent tracking them down was poisoned.

MI5 wants Gin and Sidney to pick up the trail and identify the informant before more sensitive information is compromised.

The novel, Westbury’s debut, seamlessly layers mystery, romance, and a dash of academia to introduce the Crown’s newest undercover operatives.

“Gin and Sidney are an appealing pair involved in a nicely paced, cleverly constructed puzzle. For fans of Anna Lee Huber and Ashley Weaver.” – Library Journal

Kate Westbury grew up a voracious reader of detective fiction, and unraveling plot twists became her favorite pastime. She now puts her whodunnit obsession to good use writing historical mysteries. Beyond the page, Kate teaches Latin and dreams of moving to an English village with crimes to solve.

Devin Shamel is an Atlanta-based country blues slide guitarist, singer, and songwriter known for blending traditional blues roots with modern, high-energy.

His releases include Blood Moon Rising, Yearner and Lovesick.

Goodnight Irene is a band formed by a couple from the Netherlands (Irene and Smokedogg) who have followed the tradition of married couples who sing and play the blues.

From the band: “We enjoy the tradition of married couples singing and playing the blues. We perform as a duo or we ask our friends to join us.

“We take a musical journey back in time, through the Deep South of America, including Piedmont, country blues, swing and jazz.”