The Blurb
In the sleepy college town of Copper Bluff, South Dakota, English professor Emmeline Prather is enjoying the start of a new semester. But when one of her students dies working on the fall musical, it disrupts life on the small, quiet campus. Although the police rule the death accidental, Prof. Prather has good reason to suspect foul play.
Unmasking the murderer proves much more challenging than finding dangling participles, so Em recruits fellow English professor Lenny Jenkins for assistance. Together, they comb the campus and vicinity for clues, risking their reputations and possibly their jobs. After an intruder breaks into Em’s house, Lenny advises caution — and perhaps a change of address. Em, on the other hand, is all the more determined to forge ahead, convinced they’re on the brink of an important breakthrough.
Unmasking the murderer proves much more challenging than finding dangling participles, so Em recruits fellow English professor Lenny Jenkins for assistance. Together, they comb the campus and vicinity for clues, risking their reputations and possibly their jobs. After an intruder breaks into Em’s house, Lenny advises caution — and perhaps a change of address. Em, on the other hand, is all the more determined to forge ahead, convinced they’re on the brink of an important breakthrough.
An Act of Murder by Mary Angela
Series: A Professor Prather Mystery, #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Camel Press
Publication Date: October 15, 2016
Paperback: 236 pages
ISBN-10: 1603813756
ISBN-13: 978-1603813754
Series: A Professor Prather Mystery, #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Camel Press
Publication Date: October 15, 2016
Paperback: 236 pages
ISBN-10: 1603813756
ISBN-13: 978-1603813754
e-Book File Size: 4713 KB
ASIN: B01M622C3B
ASIN: B01M622C3B
The Review
An Act of Murder stars Emmeline Prather, assistant professor of English at Copper Bluff University in Copper Bluff, South Dakota. She is "one of the younger faculty members at twenty-eight years old." She is "always searching for ways to look professional," and tries to keep her focus on getting published and receiving tenure. With her youth comes much enthusiasm for her students and her classes. Prof. Prather expects more of her students than do the other professors of the mandatory freshman courses of Composition 101. By requiring them to recite poetry and perform community service, she is ensuring they receive a true liberal arts education and are better prepared for the real world.
Author Mary Angela paints beautiful word pictures of Copper Bluff — the town and the campus. I can clearly picture both of them in my mind. As I read about the fall semester starting at Copper Bluff in An Act of Murder, I could imagine the years rolling back to my college days because of Ms Angela's evocative prose.
Author Mary Angela has created a cast of memorable characters, headed up by the quirky Emmeline Prather the Instigator, and her stalwart sidekick Lenny Jenkins. I love their witty repartee, as demonstrated here.
"Are you crazy?" he continued. "I'm pretty sure they call that ... something I could be arrested for."
I grabbed his arm and resumed walking. "Keep your voice down. It's called 'interfering with an investigation,' and you won't be. It's just Dan Fox calling about his gloves; that's all."
"Unless they find out I'm not Dan Fox. Then it's called 'Lenny Jenkins is out of a job.' "
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," I said. "It's not as if we don't have good intentions. When we find out what really happened, you'll be a local hero. They might even name a classroom after you."
"Yeah, Jenkins's Jail Cell," Lenny mumbled. "This is what happens, kids, when you interfere with an official police investigation."
I look forward to reading more about the Adventures of Em and Lenny in future books. I was quite surprised by whodunit in An Act of Murder, and also by the reason for the murder. Can you figure it out before Emmeline does?
I recommend An Act of Murder to all fans of cozy mysteries, particularly fans of academic mysteries. I think it will have special appeal to fans of Frankie Bow's Professor Molly Mysteries.
I really enjoyed An Act of Murder, and bestow upon it Four Kitties!
Four out of five kitties
Note: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of An Act of Murder.
All opinions shared are 100% my own.
All opinions shared are 100% my own.
Click here, to follow the tour and read other reviews, interviews, and a guest post!
The Author
About Mary Angela
When she’s not grading papers (when is she not grading papers?), Mary enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She and her husband have two amazing daughters, one adorable dog, and a cat who would rather not be limited by an adjective. An avid mystery fan, she is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
The Giveaway
Mary will award An Act of Murder (print [US only] or e-copy, winner's choice)
to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
If you enjoyed this post, please show your appreciation by sharing it.
