Review by Library Journal Review
Jen Dalton is the director of the campus writing center at Clarion University. She's also a mystery writer doing research in the campus library when she finds the body of Doug Barth, an English professor. Mia Jackson, a student Jen mentored, is the primary suspect in his death. Barth was clutching a paper Mia wrote, and several people claim to have seen her arguing with him. Jen doesn't believe Mia is guilty, although the young woman has disappeared. Jen joins forces with a reference librarian and the cafeteria manager to find other suspects, thinking she can use her skills as a mystery writer. Instead, she receives threats, is attacked on the campus, is followed on the road, and has her brake lines cut. When a suspect is arrested while attacking Jen, it seems the mystery is over, but there may be a killer still on the loose, and this one knows Jen is a threat. VERDICT The first in the "Campus Sleuth Mysteries" series isn't quite up to the quality of Gilbert's "Blue Ridge Library" or "Hunter and Clewe" mysteries. However, fans of cozies set in the world of academia might enjoy.--Lesa Holstine
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A mystery writer must solve a real-life murder or face unpleasant consequences. In addition to writing mysteries, Jennifer Dalton is the director of the campus writing center at Clarion University. Heading to the library to do some research, she discovers a body fallen from the mezzanine with a C-minus paper nearby. Was it an accident, suicide, or was he pushed? Jenn decides to poke around after Mia Jackson, one of her favorite students, can't be found, and becomes the leading suspect in the death of the man, Professor Doug Barth, who'd just humiliated her in class over that C-minus assignment. The provost sends psychologist Zachary Flynn to see if Jenn needs counseling, but Jenn, who'd had a bad prior interaction with him, refuses his ministrations. Zach doesn't give up, though, and eventually Jenn, accepting his help with her trauma and her sleuthing, finds him more simpatico as they work together. Together with a few helpful friends, Jenn digs into Barth's past and present life and discovers more than one person who dislikes him, including his wife and several of his colleagues in the English department. When someone on campus pushes her to the ground and whispers a threat against her, Jenn realizes that her detective work is upsetting someone, very likely the killer. Despite more warnings, she refuses to waver and becomes even more determined when another Clarion faculty member is murdered. An appealing sleuth with an engaging love interest lights up this series debut. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
