Exploring Rachael Davis-Featherstone's moody thriller, Oxford Blood
About Author
Enter the dark academia of Oxford Blood, Rachael Davis-Featherstone's suspenseful YA debut, with a murder at its heart. . .
Rachael Davis-Featherstone is a mixed-raced Black British multi-award-nominated author and literary agent. She has published over 20 books, ranging from picture books to commercial fiction. Many of her books explore authentic representation of the Black British mixed-race experience, including her YA novel, Oxford Blood (2025).
Rachael champions diversity in literature and co-founded Creative Roots Studio, which helps writers and illustrators build sustainable careers.
Interview
Rachael Davis-Featherstone introduces her YA thriller, Oxford Blood (Walker Books)
August 2025
State-school educated Eva has the chance to win a place at Oxford University, but the murder of her best friend puts her future in question when she becomes the prime suspect.
Author Rachael Davis-Featherstone tells ReadingZone how her own path into studying at Oxford as a Black British student inspired her to write her first YA novel, exploring privilege, fitting in and identity, and with a murder to solve!
Read an extract from Oxford Blood
Q&A with Rachael Davis-Featherstone: Drawing on real life to write Oxford Blood
"Oxford interview week is hard enough but throw in a murder and this was a novel that I HAD to write!"
1. Can you tell us about your journey into writing and how you became an author? What kinds of stories do you write?
I have always enjoyed stories, but I never believed a career as an author was possible for me. Growing up I didn't see myself reflected in the books I read. I didn't know it yet, but I was dyslexic, and my challenges meant I leaned towards STEM subjects. I studied Maths at Oxford, and it was in my third year that I wrote an extended essay, receiving the highest grade in my degree. It sparked something in me: maybe I could write, some day.
I began a career in finance, but when I was 24 my mum died and I realised life was too short not to follow your dreams. I quit my job and wrote a book and didn't look back. After I had my children, I focussed on writing books for young people. I wanted to create the books that I didn't have in my own childhood - books that reflected me: a Black British mixed race working class individual.
2. What challenges do Black British writers face in becoming published authors, and how do you support other Black British writers through your work?
It is well documented that the publishing industry lacks representation in every aspect: publishing house employees, the authors, and the characters in the books. This creates a multitude of problems: young people of colour don't see themselves reflected in books, and children from other background lose a vital opportunity to build empathy. When new talent does break through in the industry, it is not being nurtured; writers of colour are struggling to build sustainable careers, and the books they are submitting to publishers are not breaking through the barriers of Sales and Rights in acquisitions meetings.
I champion diversity in literature and have been a judge for the Jericho Prize for new Black British voices. In 2024, I co-founded Creative Roots Studio which build sustainable careers for creatives, working with publishers to create dynamic books via a studio and boutique literary agency. Most recently, I have undertaken a PhD at Bath Spa university which explores how the Black British mixed-race can be portrayed authentically in children's literature.
3. Your own YA debut, Oxford Blood, is publishing this month - what happens in the novel?
Eva Dawkins has been invited to interview week at Beecham College in Oxford university, along with her best-friends and almost-boyfriend George. Over several days, they will be interviewed by the tutors and measured against students from state and private schools. It's intense, overwhelming and daunting for Eva, coming from a state school. But she could never have planned for what comes next.
George is found dead at the foot of an infamous statue of an enslaver in Beecham College. Eva is determined to bring his killer to justice, but the police think she did it. So now, not only is she struggling with her sense of place in the world and attempting to win a place at Oxford, she is also on the hunt for a murderer and trying to clear her own name.
Oxford interview week is hard enough but throw in a murder and this was a novel that I HAD to write!
4. Are you a fan of dark academia? What have you enjoyed most in creating your own murder mystery, and how far do you draw on real places and Oxford's history through the novel?
I enjoy a good thriller, and I love anything with an academic setting, so dark academic is right up my street! For me, the most exciting thing about writing Oxford Blood, was getting to reimagine the place I loved to study. I knew exactly where I wanted to locate the fictitious college of Beecham - Turl Street, and I paid meticulous attention to all of the locations in the book, so that the streets, and iconic landmarks are in their correct locations.
I enjoyed pulling back the curtain on what it is like to be a student at Oxford university, especially during interview week - the height of tension.
5. How much of Eva's story is drawn from your own journey into Oxford? What did you find the most challenging aspects of being at Oxford?
There are some similarities between Eva and me. We are both Black British mixed-raced, state-schooled and the first in our family to attend Oxford. I grew up in a single parent family, and I lost my mum in my early twenties. I was very nervous during my Oxford interview week, questioning whether I was good enough to attend. So, I drew on many of these elements in Eva.
However, my dad was not a detective, I didn't have boyfriends in sixth form and I definitely never investigated a murder! So, it was fun to weave elements of my lived experience into this thrilling murder mystery.
6. Through your characters, Eva and George, you explore the socio-economic divide in education. Why did you want to have this theme at the heart of the novel?
I grew up on a council estate and attended state school. I was the only person in my year to gain a place to study at Oxbridge, and the transition from sixth form to university was overwhelming for me. I wanted to explore those feelings through Eva, via her relationship with George and the other interviewees, particularly the implications for confidence and self-esteem.
7. Some of this is exposed through the online forum, Oxford Slays. How did the idea for this develop and what does this element bring to the novel?
Oxford Slays was loosely inspired by a real online platform used by Oxford Students. Interestingly, I didn't use the platform when I was at university. However, back when I was studying at Oxford, Facebook was newly launched, and I remember creating an account in my first year, so social media played a key part in my student life.
8. Oxford Blood contrasts some of the old traditions of Oxford with its move to change. Where do you stand? Should we love or loathe institutions like Oxford?
I love many of the old traditions, especially formal hall for dinner and wearing gowns, and I go back to my old college as much as I can. But I do believe that there is also room for growth and new traditions to be formed by the next generation.
9. Oxford Blood is a great murder-mystery, but also explores many challenging themes. What would you like your readers to take from the story?
First and foremost, I'd love to inspire young people to apply to Oxford university and feel confident that they can find their place in that world among some of the greatest minds in the world.
10. Do you have more YA novels planned? What are you writing currently and what does a writing day look like for you? How do you enjoy spending any free hours?
Yes! Earlier this week I completed the first draft of the sequel to Oxford Blood. I can't wait to share it all with you!
A writing day to me is a full-on day filled with sprints. I am part of an online writers' community, Write Magic, that hosts hourly sprints that motivate me to write. On a full day of sprints I can write over 5,000 words.
What pulls me away from the writing desk (and rightly so!) is spending time with my children. One of the best things about being a writer is that I get to choose my own hours, and I work them around spending time with my daughters.
School Visits: Do you offer school events? What can schools expect in your event for Oxford Blood, and how can they get in touch to arrange a visit?
Yes! You can find out more about the school visits I offer through my website: www.rachaeldavis.co.uk/author-visits
Oxford Blood: A gripping YA murder crime thriller
