I was looking forward to Victoria Gilbert’s Schooled in Murder. It’s the first in the new Campus Sleuth Mystery series. And, it’s set in the same world as her Blue Ridge Library Mysteries. But, this one is definitely for readers who are looking for another mystery set in the world of academia with its politics and pettiness. And, even the main character, Jennifer Dalton, seems petty at times.
Jenn is a mystery writer and director of the campus writing center at Clarion University in Virginia. She’s doing a little research for her next book when she finds the body of Doug Barth, one of the English professors. She panics when she sees the light motion detectors, and runs to call 911. But, when rumors start to circulate immediately that a student, Mia Jackson, might have killed Barth, Jenn doesn’t believe it. She mentored Mia. Although the young woman has disappeared, Jenn is convinced she’s not a killer. She agrees to join forces with two other women, a reference librarian and the cafeteria manager, who also believe Mia is innocent. They’re determined to find some suspects the police might not have considered. Jenn even drags a psychologist, a reluctant ally, into their search.
I’m a fan of several of Gilbert’s series. But, I didn’t see anything fresh in Schooled in Murder. Jenn is threatened and attacked. There’s a car accident that isn’t an accident, and someone follows her on a country road. There’s the obligatory faculty party for a mystery set in the academic world. And, there’s a second death that may or may not be murder, leading Jenn into more danger.
For now, I think I’m going to stick with the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries and the Hunter and Clewe ones. Jenn Dalton takes a few too many chances for me.
Victoria Gilbert’s website is https://victoriagilbertmysteries.com/.
Schooled in Murder by Victoria Gilbert. Crooked Lane Books, 2025. ISBN 9781639109234 (hardcover), 272p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley from NetGalley to review for a journal.
I’m with you. I hate that Had I But Known plotting. It’s weak. In fact, that’s what kept the new Paula Munier book off my favorites list, Mercy’s reckless behavior while nine months pregnant.
I totally get it, Jeff. She shouldn’t have been reckless like that, and the one scene really got to me.
I used to read her cozies. I have forgotten about her!
I like her Blue Ridge Library mysteries, Carol.
One of the many reasons I appreciate your book reviews, Lesa, is that you criticize as well as praise, although rarely and then always carefully. This is one of those cases. Thank you for your straightforwardness.
Thank you, Kim. I’ve had other authors say that as well, even after I criticized one of their books. But, I know, and so do they, that someone else may love the book just because it wasn’t quite right for me.
It’s amazing how petty academia can be. I remember from my time at grad school. I was just glad not to get swept up in it. I remember thinking there has to be some way we can reform this system.