World War II is over and Duncan Forrester is a history professor -- no longer a spy. When death follows him to Oxford and a close friend is accused of murder, he must use his knowledge of the past and his skills as an operative to uncover the motive and the murderer.

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.