Burning Down the House

Nick Hoffman #5

by Lev Raphael

Nick Hoffman's State University of Michigan is a place where the Borgias and the Marx Brothers would be equally at home. Heading into the Christmas season, SUM is being torn apart by bizarre attempts to make it more diverse while an autocratic new provost pushes for a White Studies program and Nick faces not only a tenure battle but conflicting requests for support in a battle for department chair.

With his professional life a mix of seasonal chaos and departmental warfare, Nick discovers that he's not only attracted to the outrageously sexy Juno Dromgoole and disturbed by these disorienting new feelings in his life, but also the target, along with Juno, of a vicious harassment campaign that escalates into stalking, assault, and attempted murder. There's certainly no shortage of suspects, only solid clues. The decisions Nick faces may change his life forever...if he survives.

Genres: Mystery, LGBT, Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 2001

About the author

I've wanted to be an author since I was in second grade and fell in love with "The Three Musketeers", which I read to pieces. It hasn't been a swashbuckling life exactly, but one full of surprises, including recently selling my literary papers to Michigan State University's Libraries.

Since second grade, I've loved all sorts of books and have ended up writing nineteen books in many genres: memoir, mystery, short story collections, a children's book, and more. I've been an academic, a radio DJ, had my own talk show, and currently have three terrific giugs.

I write a monthly column for Bibliobuffet.com called Book Brunch. I blog at Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lev-rap...). And I do a monthly "Under the Radar" book review for WKAR 90.5 FM in East Lansing, MI. I'm always on the lookout for beautifully written books in any genre, but I more and more favor books from smaller presses, because they need more exposure.

I love reading my work and have done hundreds of readings on three different continents. Readings are performances, and I practice, practice, practice.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the main character of this book to be way too overwrought for my taste. Always complaining about the University where he is employed as an assistant professor while at the same time worrying endlessly about getting tenure. It reminded me of the old joke about the food in a restaurant being terrible and the portions way too small. In addition, only one of the two plot lines was finalized. I assume that this was to lure readers into the next book. I am not taking the bait.

[Neet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the Nick Hoffman mysteries and Nick is still wondering if he'll ever get tenure. Also, Nick find himself continuing lusting after friend and fellow professor Juno (who is a female). Nick has never felt desire for members of the opposite sex, and doesn't have his beloved cousin Sharon to confide in(she's still recovering from surgery) and is afraid to admit his desires to Stefan. Also, Juno fears she's being stalked and wants Nick to investigate. Nick is also a victim of an attack and wonders how far he will still to protect himself. The story continues to the 6th book.This is definitely a good read.