All the Suspects on Campus

by Heather Day Gilbert

A secret library. A murdered colleague. Can professor Jo Blue Oliver use her love of Agatha Christie to solve a case?

Jo Blue Oliver, an outspoken English professor at a small West Virginia college, has made a fascinating literary discovery in her new home: a hidden library tucked behind a secret door. The cozy room is stocked with an entire leather-bound collection of Agatha Christie books—the perfect setting for a private book club with her college-grad daughter, Millie..
 
Unfortunately, before the first meeting even takes place, fellow English professor Lucas Clements is found strangled in the campus pool. Then a skittish young student named Avery is reported missing. Noticing parallels to one of Dame Agatha’s classics—their first book club pick—Jo Blue can’t resist doing a little sleuthing of her own.
 
But if there’s one thing any Agatha fan should know to expect, it’s a plot twist—and a rising body count. Jo Blue’s library is just one of many secrets in this college town…and some of them are downright deadly…
 

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 26, 2027

About the author

Heather Day Gilbert, an RWA Daphne du Maurier Award-winning author and 2-time ECPA Christy Award finalist, enjoys writing contemporary mysteries/psychological thrillers and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather's realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she's not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.

Find out more at heatherdaygilbert.com.

Reviews

[Cara Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calling all fans of Agatha Christie. Your next favorite sleuth is here in the form of Jo Blue Oliver, an English professor at a small university. When a fellow professor is murdered, and one of her students disappears, she is determined to get to the root of what happened. Surrounded by a fantastic group of characters, this book will pull you into a cozy story filled with all the classic elements of a who-dun-it and nods to the Queen of Crime. I thoroughly enjoyed every page.

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Maybe it was the perfect crime…All the more reason for you to avoid campus."

Reading a new Heather Day Gilbert book is one of my reading highlights every year. I have my must-read go-to authors and she is definitely one of them. Whether it’s a cozy mystery like her Barks & Beans series or a standalone psychological thriller, it is always worth the wait.

“All The Suspects On Campus” is a cozy mystery that pays homage to Agatha Christie. And like Agatha Christie, Heather Day Gilbert writes a cozy mystery that has layers and depth beyond the typical cozy mystery. The writing is strong and descriptive while the characters come across as realistic and not one-dimensional. One thing I really enjoy is that almost immediately, the main heroine Jo Blue feels so familiar; even though it’s Book 1 of a series, you will feel like you know Jo Blue and will be rooting for her.

I enjoyed the college campus setting as well as once again a look at life in West Virginia. Heather Day Gilbert wears her state on her sleeve with pride and it’s always one of the best things about her West Virginia books.

Now onto the mystery, which is always the most important aspect of a cozy mystery. Good news is that the mystery element is strong. We have murder, we have suspects, we have clues, and we have red herrings galore (Agatha would be proud!). Plus it had a secret library with Agatha Christie books which was fun; it also makes me want to read The Third Girl by Christie that was mentioned several times in this book. Although I guessed a secondary plot mystery piece, the overall reveal was one I didn’t see coming (well, admittedly I had at times gone back and forth between like 5 suspects so it was one I considered for a moment but never a front runner guess!). And like a lot of her series, this book left the door open for many future books.

If you love cozy mysteries that are well written like Agatha Christie books, then this is a good one!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Heather Day Gilbert through her Barks and Beans Mystery series, so I was thrilled to see her launch a new series, The Christie Club Mysteries, inspired by Agatha Christie.
I loved this book! It has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, along with just a spark of romance. It also introduces a lively cast of characters that I’m looking forward to getting to know better as the series continues.

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I love the inclusion of Agatha Christie novels in this! I really liked Jo Blue and felt that she was a strong female character. I loved meeting all of the book club members as they were introduced. I also really liked trying to solve the mystery in this one. It really felt like a Christie novel!


I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.