THE AGE OF TREACHERY is, at its core, a locked door mystery. Key suspects are in a room full of people when their colleague plummets to the courtyard right outside. Author Gavin Scott weaves together Norse mythology, wartime politics, and academic espionage in a plot that takes Forrester from his prestigious campus to post-war Berlin and the snowy peaks of Norway.

Scott references many well-known historical figures -- from Oxford scholars, which is not entirely unexpected in a story set on campus, to a key personage in the Satanic church. Sometimes it's interesting and appropriate, other times the name-dropping elicited a disbelieving, "Oh, come on."

The mystery itself is very compelling. Forrester's friend has a very good reason for wishing the victim dead; could Forrester be wrong about his innocence? Several others have motives as well, though. And how does it all connect to a German spy and a long-missing manuscript?

THE AGE OF TREACHERY is a very cinematic read -- not surprising considering author Scott is also a screenwriter -- and it will keep the most ardent mystery lover guessing the whole way. I recommend this book for readers interested in the World War II era as well as lovers of murder-mysteries. If you find it as enjoyable as I did, you'll be glad to note that two other Duncan Forrester mysteries are already scheduled for publication.

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