Richard, a hapless, middle-aged academic in a central London university, becomes involved in a possible murder mystery. Led on by Sara, his young and energetic friend, they search for the truth behind the apparent suicide of the universitys HR Director. Richard, not a natural detective, bumbles self-effacingly through the investigation as they crisscross the university and a regenerating South London, repeatedly stumbling across badgers, a mysterious Director of Studies and a strange cohort of students. Helped by his old friend, the misogynistic but wily Professor DArcy, they are pitted against Professor Steele, the sinister head of department, and three clone-like administrators, the three Tims. Set within the confines of crime and intrigue, the themes of loneliness, purpose and identity gently underpin the story.

A humorous but poignant story of an academic's mid-life crisis. Richard, bored with suburbia, tries to build a new life in inner-city London. After a year of emotional and practical upheaval, and with the help of some unlikely new relationships, he succeeds but it is nothing like his original dreams, plans or resolutions.

Intended especially for final year undergraduate and masters level students of information systems, this book provides valuable guidance on how to tackle a project, complete it and write it up in an effective and satisfactory manner. Based on the authors' experience of supervising student projects over many years, it provides sound practical advice and valuable pointers to further reading.