Economist • Professor • Author

Robert
Archibald

After a distinguished career teaching economics at the College of William & Mary, Robert turned to writing — bringing real characters and gripping plots to mystery fiction.

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Robert Archibald

About the Author

Robert
Archibald

Robert Archibald had a long and distinguished career as an economics professor at the College of William and Mary, where he taught for 41 years and retired as Chancellor Professor of Economics, Emeritus.

As well as a number of academic journal articles and opinion pieces, he published three books. The first book was singly authored and published by Johns Hopkins University Press. The other two books were co-authored with his colleague David Feldman and were published by Oxford University Press.

After William and Mary, Robert turned to writing mystery novels. His fiction features regular, realistic people — not superheroes — navigating real difficulties in modern-day America, with all its political division and tension.

His novels are published by Blue Fortune Enterprises, LLC and are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and directly from the publisher.

My Novels Academic Books

Fiction

Mystery Novels

Stories of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances — set in a divided modern America.

Stolen Identity book cover

2025

Stolen Identity

Two twenty-somethings become an internet sensation after surviving a sinking cruise ship — until they're kidnapped and imposters take their place with a plan to assassinate the President.

Round About Revenge book cover

2019 • Series Book 1

Round About Revenge

Phil Philemon's wife is killed by a drunk driver who gets off with barely a penalty. Consumed by grief, Phil devises an elaborate plan for justice — traveling the country with his friend Ralph.

Who Dung It? book cover

Novel

Who Dung It?

George Wilcox finds himself reincarnated as a dung beetle in Africa — and is quite sure he was murdered. The question is: how does a dung beetle solve his own murder?

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Non-Fiction

Academic
Books

Three landmark books on the economics of higher education — exploring why college costs so much, how to redesign financial aid, and where America's universities are headed.

"Why Does College Cost So Much?" was listed by Bill Gates as one of the seven best books he read in 2013.

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Johns Hopkins University Press

Redesigning the Financial Aid System

Oxford University Press • Bill Gates Pick 2013

Why Does College Cost So Much?

Co-authored with David H. Feldman

Oxford University Press

The Road Ahead for America's Colleges and Universities

Co-authored with David H. Feldman

Get the Books

Available from your preferred retailer or directly from the publisher.

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