Dead clever - Scarlett Thomas

A girl found dead on campus - raped, murdered, headless. A university gripped by fear. Just the place for a bit of peace and quiet.

Lily Pascale dumps London - (well, the relationship was turning sour) - and heads home for rest and relaxation. But a part-time job at the university lands her right in a murder enquiry. She can't help getting involved and soon she is following a trail of bizarre clues and codes that lead her into a realm of drugs and something unimaginably sinister. The first killing was just the beginning, leading towards a dreadful conclusion - unless Lily can put the pieces of the puzzle together in time.

Scarlett Thomas's debut crime novel heralds a fresh and vibrant voice and a hip new heroine in detective fiction