Name: History Lessons by Zoe B Wallbrook: Fresh geeky gutsy sleuth
Author: Zoe B Wallbrook

In History Lessons, her fiction debut, Zoe B Wallbrook introduces a refreshingly modern, geeky, gutsy cozy mystery heroine with strong series potential. Read my review.

History Lessons by Zoe B Wallbrook, Book Review

Publication: Soho Press, July 2025.

Genre: Mystery, Crime-Detective, Romance, Literature

History Lessons Publisher Synopsis

A college history professor must solve her superstar colleague’s murder before she becomes the next target in this funny, romantic debut mystery, perfect for readers of Janet Evanovich, Kellye Garrett, and Ali Hazelwood.

As a newly minted junior professor, Daphne Ouverture spends her days giving lectures on French colonialism, writing her first academic book, and going on atrocious dates. Her small world suits her just fine. Until Sam Taylor dies.

The rising star of Harrison University’s anthropology department was never one of Daphne’s favorites, despite his popularity. But that doesn’t prevent Sam’s killer from believing Daphne has something that belonged to Sam—something the killer will stop at nothing to get.

Between grading papers and navigating her disastrous love life, Daphne embarks on an investigation to find out what connects her to Sam’s murder. With the help of an alluring former-detective-turned-bookseller, she unravels a deadly cover-up on campus. This well-crafted, voice-driven mystery introduces an unforgettable crime fiction heroine readers will root for.

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My Review

History Lessons‘ setup ticked lots of boxes for me, so my expectations for Zoe B Wallbrook’s debut novel were high.

This novel’s fictional university campus and university town make a great setting for a crime mystery. It offers up opportunities for plausible interactions between people from all walks of life within a complex social hierarchy rife with tension and secrets. Many elements of this setting are vividly drawn, some to the brink of satirisation, such as the questionable building architecture and pugilistic squirrels. I suspect many of the fictional details are actually Wallbrook’s sly nods to relevant historical places and artefacts.

Lead Daphne is a character who is special in many ways. A young female African-American professor specialising in French History at a US university, her minority experience and viewpoint is a well that Wallbrook plumbs at multiple depths. Being a history nerd, she’s an avid researcher and reader — cue many literary, art and history references. Plus, readers progressively learn of additional skills and experience Daphne has, which prove quite fortuitous given the gutsy sleuthing she finds herself undertaking.

Is Daphne a unicorn? Yes…. but that makes for a refreshingly interesting, and gutsy, literary cozy mystery heroine. The minority representation in History Lessons does not stop at Daphne either. Pleasingly, Wallbrook has populated her novel with a genuinely diverse cast and experience set, in which strong females shine bright. Wallbrook also throws into this mix an endearing father figure for Daphne to lean on, a bookish beau to bond with, and an affectionate pet to cuddle.

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However, when you put so many wonderful fictional ingredients in a single pot, like so many debut novelists do, getting the balance between them just right can be tricky. I say this rarely, but it is possible to have too much cleverness packed into a single novel.

I enjoyed Wallbrook’s literary descriptions, self-talk and reflection, but at times the point felt laboured, or at least stymied the story pacing. At other times, Daphne’s swiftness to act required suspension of disbelief. The criminal mystery in History Lessons is sufficiently layered and complex to exercise the mind — big tick from me. But, the investigative journey felt unwieldy at times, the sense of urgency and momentum uneven.

Despite these weaknesses in execution, Wallbrook has set up a great stage and set of characters for a mystery series — one I’d certainly be interested in continuing to read. History Lessons may not be best suited for readers seeking the typical highly accessible narrative and swift pacing of a cozy mystery, but those who like more literary mysteries will find plenty to enjoy.