Con Lehane’s amateur sleuth, Raymond Ambler, crime fiction curator at New York City’s 42nd Street Library, steps out of his comfort zone in the latest in the series, Murder at the College Library. There’s nothing gentle about academic politics, and when Ambler steps onto a college campus, he’s unexpectedly caught up in murder. Worst of all, he drags his son, John, into his latest investigation.
Trinity College of the Bronx has a small collection of crime fiction, with an emphasis on New York mystery writers. Ambler knows the curator, and he’s reluctant to evaluate his colleague’s collection, but Ambler’s boss is insistent, and the college president wants the New York Public Library to buy the collection. Although he meets with Sam Abernathy at the college, Ambler isn’t impressed, and doesn’t want to spend the money. While he’s there, though, he witnesses Sam arguing with another professor. When that man is shot, and Sam is the primary suspect because of his background as an army sniper, Sam’s lawyer drags Raymond and John into the case. He wants them to nose around on campus, and find some other suspects.
As always, Ambler is a reluctant sleuth, but John is eager to help. John was imprisoned for years for a shooting, and he’s willing to question some adult students. But, Raymond becomes a target, and John, an ex-con, finds himself in trouble.
The college politics and investigation are a departure for Ambler. As always, he struggles with his personal relations with his son, grandson, and the expectant mother of his future baby. He’s also struggling with his lack of knowledge of the campus itself. Although the latest book doesn’t concentrate on the collection at the 42nd Street Library, Lehane brings back favorite characters, including Ambler and his bartender friend, Brian McNulty.
Murder at the College Library is a little slow as Ambler struggles with his lack of knowledge of the faculty, administration, and college students. But, fans of academic mysteries should appreciate this latest addition to the subgenre.
Con Lehane’s website is https://conlehane.com/
Murder at the College Library by Con Lehane. Severn House, 2024. ISBN 9780727823052 (hardcover), 229p.
FTC Full Disclosure – The author sent a copy of the book, with no promise of a review.
