Jess seems always to have been overlooked. She's never made the mark for her family, and now at university her gorgeous friend gets all the admirers while she seems invisible, merely a gateholder.

She's arrived at university in Norwich and is eager to enroll for a course on the works of Agatha Christie, led by the charismatic lecturer, Lorna Clay. 

Finally things seem to be falling into place, and Jess comes alive in this circle of beautiful, intelligent people. But as she becomes more involved, things become complicated. Relationships are entangled, loyalties are challenged, and ultimately things could go badly wrong.

It's an intriguing book. Sucked in, I couldn't put it down even though I didn't find the characters as beguiling as Jess clearly did. It would make an interesting book group discussion exploring secrets and lies, obsession, friendship and loyalty, rivalry, and coming of age. Oh, and the contribution made by the Agatha Christie storyline.