What do you think?
Rate this book
Sessions University #1
From the Midst of Wickedness
Scandal at the University.
Thomas Simpson, a professor at Sessions University, is seduced into joining the administration of president, Bryan Q. Fitz-Hugh, an extraordinarily brilliant, visionary, charismatic leader. As the new director of university communications, he begins to have disturbing concerns about the administration.
The new Beijing Center is dedicated and funded. No one is sure how it was paid for yet the president is planning such centers worldwide to fulfill his vision of Sessions as The Global University.
Anonymous international wire transfers of tens of millions of dollars are being received by the university's capital campaign.
The president is sleeping with the Secretary of State, with whom he graduated from the Kennedy School at Harvard.
The university's provost, who is jealous that Fitz-Hugh was chosen over him, successfully petitions the Faculty Senate to vote for an independent audit of the university.
His sudden, mysterious death and the uncertainty of whether it was a suicide or murder shocks the university.
As if Thomas did not have enough family, political and relationship troubles, an attractive and savvy reporter begins to stalk him, inquiring about the issues facing the university. Thomas's, his family's and the university's situation becomes ever more perilous and at risk.
Thomas Simpson, a professor at Sessions University, is seduced into joining the administration of president, Bryan Q. Fitz-Hugh, an extraordinarily brilliant, visionary, charismatic leader. As the new director of university communications, he begins to have disturbing concerns about the administration.
The new Beijing Center is dedicated and funded. No one is sure how it was paid for yet the president is planning such centers worldwide to fulfill his vision of Sessions as The Global University.
Anonymous international wire transfers of tens of millions of dollars are being received by the university's capital campaign.
The president is sleeping with the Secretary of State, with whom he graduated from the Kennedy School at Harvard.
The university's provost, who is jealous that Fitz-Hugh was chosen over him, successfully petitions the Faculty Senate to vote for an independent audit of the university.
His sudden, mysterious death and the uncertainty of whether it was a suicide or murder shocks the university.
As if Thomas did not have enough family, political and relationship troubles, an attractive and savvy reporter begins to stalk him, inquiring about the issues facing the university. Thomas's, his family's and the university's situation becomes ever more perilous and at risk.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2017
11 people are currently reading
15789 people want to read
About the author
Nelson Cover
5 books177 followersNelson Cover graduated from Johns Hopkins with a BA in English and San Francisco State University with a Masters in English with a concentration in Creative Writing.
He formerly worked as the Associate, and then Director of Annual Giving at The Johns Hopkins Institutions, Director of Development and Executive Director of the Cancer Research Foundation at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, Director of Development at the Washington National Cathedral, and Director of Development at The American Enterprise Institute. He then founded The Sheridan Group, where he served as president for thirty years, a full-service, fundraising consulting firm. He retired in 2013 and is now a full-time author.
Outside of his successful career, Nelson is an avid cyclist, car enthusiast, and dog lover. He has written four novels: Danced by the Light of the Moon, From the Midst of Wickedness, A Matter of Circumstance, and a collection of short stories, Truth, Lies and Deceit. All Mortal Greatness is the third in his Sessions University series. He currently resides in Florida with his wife.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 13, 2020
Enjoyed this thriller.
The story shows an indepth analysis of the world inside an university and the politics in it.
Thomas's predicament after he is promoted is brought out realistically and how he gets into murky waters is brought out well.
The plot has enough twist and turns to keep it thrilling till the very end.
Enjoyed it.
The story shows an indepth analysis of the world inside an university and the politics in it.
Thomas's predicament after he is promoted is brought out realistically and how he gets into murky waters is brought out well.
The plot has enough twist and turns to keep it thrilling till the very end.
Enjoyed it.
January 18, 2018
A wonderful read with just the right amount of academic and political intrigue to keep those pages turning. I read it in two sittings! All characters were well developed and vivid descriptions that made the reader be a part of the book. I'm waiting for the sequel! Zoltan rocks :)
November 8, 2018
From the Midst of Wickedness comes a thrilling novel by Nelson Cover. Containing seductions, death, and stalking... you won't want to put this novel down. I highly recommend From the Midst of wickedness and look forward to more cat-and-mouse thrillers from Nelson Cover.
Read
December 15, 2018Wow...was I ever wrong to prejudge this good book by its slow start. Glad I stuck with it and soon, deep in it! Think you will enjoy this tour into the machinations of university hallowed halls.
September 3, 2021
Thrillers are a personal favorite and in most thrillers there is a lot of suspense and usually something big happens early on. From the Midst of Darkness was more about the inner workings of a college with the ‘big event’ not taking place until 200 pages in and resolution (sort of) less than 100 pages later.
While I appreciate the author writing character accents, I found Zoltan’s to be a distraction, especially since he was my favorite character. And, if Zoltan and Thomas were such great friends for so many years, wouldn’t Thomas know that Zoltan didn’t have his own lab?
This book was not for me. Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of this book that I won through a Goodreads giveaway.
While I appreciate the author writing character accents, I found Zoltan’s to be a distraction, especially since he was my favorite character. And, if Zoltan and Thomas were such great friends for so many years, wouldn’t Thomas know that Zoltan didn’t have his own lab?
This book was not for me. Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of this book that I won through a Goodreads giveaway.
November 28, 2017
Why them? Why now? These two questions continue to nag throughout this latest thriller by Nelson Cover, who brings 43 years as a fundraising professional to bear on this tale of a university world full of intrigue, malfeasance and flawed characters. He self-published a first novel in 2013.
Meet Thomas Simpson, an intelligent, good at his craft, associate communications professor at Sessions University, ensconced in a suburb not too far from Washington, DC. With great credentials and a seemingly dead-end job, Simpson is a family man (dual income, two kids) and an adulterer, who finds himself, after a long drought, on the uproad to a promotion and a new cast of acquaintances and intrigue tied to the university’s $4.5 billion capital campaign and its charismatic, highly intelligent new president. Along for the ride is Zoltan Vastag, Simpson’s best friend and partner in crime – outrageous in appearance and somehow a more believable character – who provides a Greek chorus-like reiteration of where they’ve come from and where they are going. Zoltan is a researcher – another dead-end slot – at the university medical center.
When the two friends are approached by one of the president’s “henchmen,” campaign consultant Frank Lusby, as they resume their meet-for-drinks routine at the start of the semester, his seemingly harmless question sets them on a new course. “If you had one word of advice for the president, what would it be?” Both respond with well-articulated, thoughtful answers, and are rewarded with an invitation to a reception for deans and department heads. Lusby says it would be good to have a few “at large” folks from the university and medical campus there. He promises to introduce them to the president and other members of the administration.
The story unfolds from there, with a slew of names and positions that require a “who’s who” score card at times, and a host of characters and situations that range from unnecessary to fascinating. Author Cover dwells on the dichotomy between Simpson’s family life (which includes an autistic child) and his new position among the mucky-mucks, yet doesn’t always take the time to show why his characters behave the way they do. This is a disservice to readers, particularly in the cases of his psychotherapist wife Janet, university provost Samuel Kravitz, billionaire Mark Berger and assistant to the president Ursula Mueller. These characters deserved much more insightful portrayals.
Cover provides an interesting, insider’s look at the administrative side of university politics and male alliances, but he could have done a lot more with a lot less. The tale is a bit too dense, without enough highs, lows, and twists to categorize it as a top-notch thriller.
Meet Thomas Simpson, an intelligent, good at his craft, associate communications professor at Sessions University, ensconced in a suburb not too far from Washington, DC. With great credentials and a seemingly dead-end job, Simpson is a family man (dual income, two kids) and an adulterer, who finds himself, after a long drought, on the uproad to a promotion and a new cast of acquaintances and intrigue tied to the university’s $4.5 billion capital campaign and its charismatic, highly intelligent new president. Along for the ride is Zoltan Vastag, Simpson’s best friend and partner in crime – outrageous in appearance and somehow a more believable character – who provides a Greek chorus-like reiteration of where they’ve come from and where they are going. Zoltan is a researcher – another dead-end slot – at the university medical center.
When the two friends are approached by one of the president’s “henchmen,” campaign consultant Frank Lusby, as they resume their meet-for-drinks routine at the start of the semester, his seemingly harmless question sets them on a new course. “If you had one word of advice for the president, what would it be?” Both respond with well-articulated, thoughtful answers, and are rewarded with an invitation to a reception for deans and department heads. Lusby says it would be good to have a few “at large” folks from the university and medical campus there. He promises to introduce them to the president and other members of the administration.
The story unfolds from there, with a slew of names and positions that require a “who’s who” score card at times, and a host of characters and situations that range from unnecessary to fascinating. Author Cover dwells on the dichotomy between Simpson’s family life (which includes an autistic child) and his new position among the mucky-mucks, yet doesn’t always take the time to show why his characters behave the way they do. This is a disservice to readers, particularly in the cases of his psychotherapist wife Janet, university provost Samuel Kravitz, billionaire Mark Berger and assistant to the president Ursula Mueller. These characters deserved much more insightful portrayals.
Cover provides an interesting, insider’s look at the administrative side of university politics and male alliances, but he could have done a lot more with a lot less. The tale is a bit too dense, without enough highs, lows, and twists to categorize it as a top-notch thriller.
November 8, 2018
Excellent book!
December 16, 2017
Thomas Simpson and Zoltan Vastag, his close friend and colleague, are suddenly promoted from professors to high university positions soon after meeting Frank Lusby, consultant to Sessions University who is working on the president’s capital campaign. While this is all very exciting for the two men, Thomas gets wind that something clandestine is in the works, which is amplified by Dr. Kravitz, the university provost. Thomas’s life becomes increasing complicated between putting together plans for his new position, dealing with various issues at home, and starting an affair with Ursula, the university president’s assistant. While Thomas is desperately trying to wrap his head around all the craziness, shock hits the college campus when word gets around that Dr. Kravitz committed suicide.
Cover presents a story with chilling verisimilitude to academic politics. Those who have worked the college scene will undoubtedly appreciate the way Cover balances between struggling academia and hidden administrative agendas. Cover includes a well-defined, cosmopolitan cast that ranges from the commonplace to the extremely wealthy with a whole bunch more sprinkled in between. While slowly building his plot around twisty events within Thomas’s seemingly ordinary life, Cover keeps his story flowing by weaving in constant tension between his characters. Well written and replete with many intense (as well as hilarious) scenes, From the Midst of Wickedness is a gripping and fascinating read.
Cover presents a story with chilling verisimilitude to academic politics. Those who have worked the college scene will undoubtedly appreciate the way Cover balances between struggling academia and hidden administrative agendas. Cover includes a well-defined, cosmopolitan cast that ranges from the commonplace to the extremely wealthy with a whole bunch more sprinkled in between. While slowly building his plot around twisty events within Thomas’s seemingly ordinary life, Cover keeps his story flowing by weaving in constant tension between his characters. Well written and replete with many intense (as well as hilarious) scenes, From the Midst of Wickedness is a gripping and fascinating read.
December 30, 2023
Full disclosure: I won a paper copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I read the first 85 pages. Then I lost the book. It’s in my house somewhere, but I just can’t find it. But those first 85 pages of academic and political intrigue grabbed my attention and the book hovered in the back of my mind for 5 months. Finally I downloaded the ebook so I could finish it. The second half was very fast moving and I couldn’t put it down.
May 31, 2024
A friend introduced me to Nelson Cover's works, and I am grateful for that. I went to the University of Florida and had a great time ... even received a good education ... however I could not, and cannot, imagine the inner workings of a College or University. Nelson Cover's "From the Midst of Wickedness" took me into the world of high-level scholastic admin ... what an eye-opener because this fiction smacks of reality!
January 11, 2018
Liked.
Very enjoyable read. From start to finish however the finished left me wanting more. The characters blended together like a fine bottle of wine in front of a fire.
Very enjoyable read. From start to finish however the finished left me wanting more. The characters blended together like a fine bottle of wine in front of a fire.
March 18, 2020
Wow! What a good book, I was on vacation and brought the book with me, read the book in 2 days,if you like mystery and thriller I suggest this book for you! I'm hoping for a second book. I received this book from Goodreads giveaways and the author Mr. Nelson Cover for a honest review. Thank you!
November 20, 2017
Author Nelson Cover has forged a wickedly entertaining novel that brings readers in from start to finish. FROM THE MIDST OF WICKEDNESS is a seamless thriller of academic and political intrigue that dishes up the goods. Each chapter is a scintillating lead-in to another, the pacing and plotline expertly tailored to keep eyes glued to the page. It also portrays the labyrinthine inner world of university politics with intricate and surprising detail. The best part, however, is the excellent characterization. All the players have very well-developed, well-thought-out personalities with equal measures of flaws and virtues. Even the story's protagonist, Dr. Simpson, has his faults and imperfections which he must face as he finds himself caught up in a scandal bigger than he is. There are even touching moments, mainly through Dr. Simpson's struggles in raising his special needs son. In all, FROM THE MIDST OF WICKEDNESS is a solid, suspenseful thriller with plenty of mystery and a satisfying ending.
November 30, 2017
When I think of a novel in the “thriller” genre, Nelson Cover’s “From the Midst of Wickedness” will not be the first book that comes to mind. The book is led ploddingly along by its protagonist, Thomas Simpson, a bland university professor at Sessions University, from a slow beginning to a climax that is nearly as slow and an ending that is as lackluster as the main character. There is little suspense as the plot drags on for more than two thirds of the book, until one small bit of drama hints at an uptick in the storyline, only to crash back down again to a disappointingly wrapped-up ending, with few details or any explanation – it’s almost as if the writer just ran out of room decided to summarize his conclusion. Some of the more interesting “mystery” aspects of the story don’t really make any sense, and are never explained. As a narrator, Thomas is unlikable, making selfish choices with no consequences, and much of the book is spent on more colorful characters that end up meaning very little to the actual storyline, rendering those details unfortunately irrelevant. Additionally, the incorrect word usage, misspellings, and grammar mistakes are distracting and irritating. This was a frustrating read that does not live up to its promising synopsis.
April 26, 2021
First I would like to state that I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. When I received this book I began reading it at once. I really enjoy the authors writing style, pulls you into the book from the very beginning and you don't want to put the book down. It kept me on the edge of my seat reading from cover to cover. All the characters are very well portrayed though out. When you are finished you wish you weren't. A most wonderful read and I highly recommend this book
July 24, 2021
From the Midst of Wickedness, book one in the Sessions University series, is a fast-paced, page-turner mystery/thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. Academia and politics, two things that are hand in hand, is the backbone of the story and what a wild, amazing story it is! Mr. Cover does an excellent job weaving the two together. The reader can easily relate to the main character, Thomas Simpson, as he undercovers ... well, I don't want to give any spoilers away! I was very happy to discover there is a book two in the Sessions University series. Highly recommend!
July 24, 2021
From the Midst of Wickedness, book one in the Sessions University series, is a fast-paced, page-turner mystery/thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. Academia and politics, two things that are hand in hand, is the backbone of the story and what a wild, amazing story it is! Mr. Cover does an excellent job weaving the two together. The reader can easily relate to the main character, Thomas Simpson, as he undercovers ... well, I don't want to give any spoilers away! I was very happy to discover there is a book two in the Sessions University series. Highly recommend!
December 4, 2017
It took a few pages to set the hook, but once it did I had to keep reading and finish this book. The characters are well developed, unique and so entirely human. The plot was excellent, credible but not predictable. Also, I learned a lot. One reason I read is to gain some (admittedly, incomplete) insight and understanding of different facets of the world we live in. In this book it was fund giving and academia.
January 25, 2020
Sorry I am not enjoying this, I am bored and it's messing with my reading enjoyment, so I am not finishing it. I am not connecting with the characters, in fact when I sit the book down I can't even remember their names, so I am putting it down, and moving on
I was given this book in exchange for a fair honest review, all opinions are solely my own and have no ill intent towards author, publisher, or promoters of this book..
I was given this book in exchange for a fair honest review, all opinions are solely my own and have no ill intent towards author, publisher, or promoters of this book..
April 12, 2020
Excellent writer, terrible story much like The Great Gatsby!!! In my opinion !!!!
The only good people don't have much of a role to play and the bad people are rewarded. Just as corruption works .......
The corruption is couched in literary wordiness and speeches by one of the main characters, however, it appears to be modern babble for the optimistic.,....and very quickly devolves......
Good to see Berger again, as he's a favorite from the author's earlier novel!!!!
The only good people don't have much of a role to play and the bad people are rewarded. Just as corruption works .......
The corruption is couched in literary wordiness and speeches by one of the main characters, however, it appears to be modern babble for the optimistic.,....and very quickly devolves......
Good to see Berger again, as he's a favorite from the author's earlier novel!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2018
well written characters but the land of acadamia doesn't hold my interest. well, interesting enough for me to read the entire book but not a page turner for me. i do thank goodreads for the giveaway and Nelson Cover for signing the book. Probably a great book for most people; I just enjoy a little more suspense.
June 23, 2018
Not really tomy likeing. Really slow. The first person doesn't even die until you get half way through the book. The charactersand dialog are good.Tommie seems to be a more interesting character thean all of them.
November 6, 2024
This book was written for people who have a mind into business and administration. It reads very dry. The conversations get tiring. I felt like the main characters could have been fleshed out more to be made more "human".
May 26, 2020
I received a copy of this one in a Goodreads Giveaway. It was thoroughly enjoyable - detailed in all the right ways without being turgid. It was wonderful escapist reading.
October 12, 2020
The story was about a university and its administration and other events.
November 11, 2024
Very university oriented but it drew me in with the character development. I think I have met people like this before outside of academia!
did-not-finish
February 23, 2025DNF didn’t grab me
Read
November 23, 2017This mystery/thriller had me going up until the last minute. From the Midst of Wickedness contained the right amount of political intrigue with an academic twist that you wouldn't expect to find. Dr. Simpson is a likeable character and he's relatable as he has his own issues and even takes care of his son, who happens to have special needs. This book provided a bit of intrigue, humor, along with a glance into how university politics often play out. Throughout this book, it was definitely appreciated that the author took the time to have meaningful and plausible "lead-ins," which led to the next chapter. It made the book flow seamlessly and enjoyable to read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews