Notes on an Obsession by C.L. Taylor review

About The Book

Book: Notes on an Obsession
Author: C.L. Taylor
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Publisher: Headline Books
Publication Date (UK): 25th February 2027

🔍Standout Read. Awarded to books I highly recommend.

My Review

When C.L. Taylor’s newsletter landed in my inbox that Notes on an Obsession was available to pre-order, I headed straight over to Berts Books to place my order for a dedicated and signed copy. When a further newsletter dropped to unveil the cover and mention a proof party during the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival then I knew I had to be there!

I have been attending Theakstons Crime since 2021 and I was thrilled that I managed to win a proof during the event. The proof came with two intriguing black envelopes, their clandestine contents secured by a gold wax seal. One to open and read before and then a final one for after.

The reason behind this is that this book is a little different to Taylor’s back catalogue. It’s definitely not one I will be spoiling so please do read on without fear.

Notes on an Obsession unfolds from the point of view of Ned Marlowe and uses dual timelines from the 1995 present day setting and also several years earlier in the late 80s. In 1995, there has been three student deaths at Oxford University. Then the rumours start, were they suicides? No one else seems to be questioning why, so Ned begins to investigate his suspicions.

Notes on an Obsession can also be the phrase used to describe me during, as I was hooked! The 80s/90s setting is so immersive. From the music of The Smiths, Faith No More and Nirvana, to the literature of Sylvia Plath, the films Reservoir Dogs and The Usual Suspects, the culture of Woolworths, games like Worms and Command & Conquer, snakebite and black (diesel where I’m from!) and pound-a-pint student nights. It all feels incredibly evocative of the era. Taylor has crafted a wonderful love letter to the time and I honestly need more books set then please.

The pace of the book can be slow, but I absolutely didn’t mind one bit as I wanted to savour it at the same time, to spend more time in Ned’s world. Crime fans will love the mystery of the students and investigating with Ned, dark academia fans will love the descriptions of the university setting and 80s fans will love being transported back to the past.

Notes on an Obsession has knocked The Guilty Couple off the top spot as my favourite C.L. Taylor book to date. 10/10, no notes… just the ones on an Obsession.

And that’s all I’ll say. No spoilers, remember! Notes on an Obsession will be published in February and I can’t wait for my pre-order to land!

Thank you to Headline Books for the proof copy which I won during Theakstons Crime.