The Semester of Our Discontent by Cynthia Kuhn Series: Lila Maclean Academic Mystery #1
Published by Henery Press on April 5, 2016
Source: Library
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 227
Format: eBook
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English professor Lila Maclean is thrilled about her new job at prestigious Stonedale University—until she finds one of her colleagues dead. When she herself is suspected of involvement—by everyone from the chancellor to the detective working the case—she has no choice but to assign herself the role of amateur detective.
More attacks on professors follow, and the only connection is a curious symbol at each of the crime scenes. Putting her scholarly skills to the test, Lila gathers evidence, but her search is complicated by an unexpected nemesis, a suspicious investigator, and an ominous secret society. Rather than earning an “A” for effort, she receives a threat featuring the mysterious emblem and must act quickly to avoid failing . . . and becoming the next victim.
First off, the cat in The Semester of Our Discontent is Cady, named after the suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Our dog’s name is also Cady. It’s the one she came with from the shelter, but maybe I can use the suffragist line too?
This is the first in the Lila Maclean mysteries, all of which I’m hoping to read during March for the Can You Read a Series in a Month? challenge. Dr. Lila Maclean, a recent PhD graduate, has just been hired at the prestigious Stonedale University, where her cousin, Calista, is also a professor. Lila loves teaching and is passionate about Gothic and Mystery writing, probably one of the reasons I like her. She is not however thrilled with the pompous, sexist chair of the English department, who of course winds up murdered.
The Semester of Our Discontent is a smart, fun mystery, with a bit of humor to it. The college was a perfect setting and the rivalries and jealousies in the department felt real. Lila is a good amateur sleuth, intelligent, but she makes mistakes, gets caught up on the wrong trail. Her new colleagues are an interesting batch of characters and I’ll enjoy getting to know them better throughout the series. The mystery itself was interesting with several twists and turns, a secret society, and a mysterious symbol, and I did not guess who the killer was.
About Cynthia Kuhn
Cynthia Kuhn writes the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries and the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries.
Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Literary Mama, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications.
Originally from upstate New York, she lives in Colorado with her family. She is professor of English at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she teaches literature, writing, and film.
In addition, she is past president of Sisters in Crime-Colorado and a current national board member. Other memberships include Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Short Mystery Fiction Society, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Colorado Authors League, and the multi-author blog Chicks on the Case.
I read this one and thought it was a very fun mystery…mostly because I do love that academic setting, and it made me laugh, too. 🙂
It was fun. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
I love how she named her dog.
In the book, it’s her cat.
Sounds like a fun read that I’d enjoy; Lila Maclean the sort of character I’d love to sit and have a cup of tea with.
Good luck with the challenge.
I will admit that I picked a series with shorter books.