August 2019 Value Read - Murder at the University, by Faith Martin

[Beth]

Page 1
".She wasn't that old, was she?..... Still, when cool DJ's [on the radio] began to grate, it surely couldn't be a good sign"

Already I am identifying with this character! Bottom of page 1 and I like the book so far!

[Beth]

I now realize that I have read some of the author's books (three, actually). They are all light reads but, sometimes,it's nice to get away from the books full of blood, guts and gore!

I too like her stories about living on the boat. If you don't like your neighbours .. No worries...they move on in a few days, anyway. Imagine if all city people had that option

[Pat]

Beth wrote: "Page 1
".She wasn't that old, was she?..... Still, when cool DJ's [on the radio] began to grate, it surely couldn't be a good sign"

Already I am identifying with this character! Bottom of page 1 ..."

I enjoy this kind of humor too, Beth. That's a good indicator for the rest of the book. IMO, we need a variety in our reading just like in our food and friends. Sometimes a light read is just right.

[Beth]

I agree, Pat. It's nice to mix things up although I draw the line at what they call a "cozy" mystery

[Pat]

Some "cozy" mysteries can be a bit too precious for my taste too, though I just finished reading all the Betty Rowland/Melissa Craig novels set in a small village. Perhaps because the amateur detective is a mystery writer, I enjoyed her combining murderous reality with her fictional crime writing. Also liked following writer "Mel Craig's" life from arrival in the village through significant changes over many years. Rowland's plot twists were clever as I rarely guessed the killer's identity. One thing that amused me is that though her female detective has a series of meaningful affairs, no passionate scenes take place on the page. Finding an author I like and reading all their books at once is fun.

[Mary]

I just finished this one. I enjoyed reading it but it didn't propel me through the pages the way some police procedural stories do. I read the previous book in the series immediately prior to this and I am glad I did. There were a number of references in this book (e.g., Yorkie Bars, the Dick Francis book and the whole bad ex-hubby plot) that I'm not sure I would have "gotten" if I hadn't done so. I will probably read others in this series.

I know we're only focused on THIS book but I have to say that the writing and plot development in the Hillary Greene series thus far is much more satisfying than the Jenny Starling series (which are cozies for those who prefer to or not to read that genre).

[Pat]

David wrote: "Pat wrote: "Finding an author I like and reading all their books at once is fun.
"
It can be and I have been known to read a few of one author in a go. The problem I get though if I read all of on..."

I know what you mean, David, about reading a series and then perhaps feeling disappointed in what you read next. I have that situation with reading singles alternately, also.

[Brian]

I have half way through the book, it is a very easy read but I has kept me interested so far. I find it interesting all of the little bits of information we are getting about her life with her husband and his ex-partner. I think I like this book better then the first one in the series.

[Beth]

Perhaps what is nice about this author is that your don't have to keep track of a multitude of characters and how they fit in the story .... It's a nice, simple plot

[Beth]

I seem to be slow at getting through this one but when I do sit down and open my kindle, I do enjoy the main character!

[Beth]

I liked this one better than others in the series! The characters are believable and I can identify with Hillary! The pace is good throughout the book and I found it to be a good read