Phi Beta Murder by C.S. Challinor

Once I started reading this I realised this was actually the book written before Murder on the Moor. It makes clear the reference in that book about why Rex even considered suicide as an option there.  Rex has very much embarked on his new love life and decided to visit his son studying in Florida after a phone call with him. He feels there is something wrong and wanted to check for himself what the matter was. Upon reaching there he plans to spend time with his son after the classes and also spend the weekend in the Keys.

On the first day after dinner he ends up spending the night in his son’s dorm room. In the morning as he was leaving there was a commotion with a girl banging on a door asking the person inside to open it while there is loud music playing from inside the room. Eventually, Rex offers to and breaks down the door he can see through the keyhole a boy hanging in the room. Everyone, dorm mates, campus security and indeed the house master all feel that the boy committed suicide as there is even a short note. However, Rex’s son and his friends do not feel it was a suicide but can offer no real proof to back their thinking.

When he gets back to his hotel his ex-girlfriend comes from UK with a notion to restart their relationship. When he refuses to do that and gets her a ticket to return to Scotland she attempts to take her life. He has to admit her to the hospital and worries about how to ensure she travels back to UK safely.  Then the parents of the dead boy arrive and on meeting Rex ask him to find out what really happened to their son. Was it murder? Was it suicide, if so what lead to the boy taking his own life?

Rex agrees to do what he can in the next few days he is there. How will he go about finding information as the friends are cooperative to an extent but the academic and administrative staff are not very forthcoming. There are many people with motive to want the boy dead. The bruise on the back of his head does mean something. Will they be able to sneak into the room sealed by the university staff and go through the dead boy’s computer to find clues? How does the website which puts out scandals relate to this death? How does the boy accused, by the dead boy, of drug dealing come into this scenario? Will he be able to give a satisfactory answer to the parents and give them some closure? Will he be able to get his ex-friend to accept that their relationship is over and leave? Poor man, he always has a lot on his plate, but at least his son is doing well and even helps him uncover the truth in this tale. A good story that keeps you guessing right till the end.