This is the 4th book in the Lila MacLean Academic Mystery series. I have read book one, The Summer of our Discontent.
About: The organizers have rustled up plenty of surprises for the literary conference at Tattered Star Ranch. But the murder of an influential scholar wasn’t on the program—someone has clearly taken the theme of Malice in the Mountains to heart. This shocking crime is only the beginning: other dangers and deceptions are soon revealed.
English professor Lila Maclean has a full agenda: she must convince a press to publish her book (possibly), ace her panel presentations (hopefully), and deal with her nemesis (regrettably). However, when Detective Lex Archer requests Lila’s academic expertise, she agrees to consult on the case. While her contributions earn high marks from her partner, it could be too late; the killer is already taking aim at the next subject. As Lila races to keep her colleagues alive, publish or perish takes on new meaning.
The organizers have rustled up plenty of surprises for the literary conference at Tattered Star Ranch. But the murder of an influential scholar wasn’t on the program—someone has clearly taken the theme of Malice in the Mountains to heart. This shocking crime is only the beginning: other dangers and deceptions are soon revealed.
English professor Lila Maclean has a full agenda: she must convince a press to publish her book (possibly), ace her panel presentations (hopefully), and deal with her nemesis (regrettably). However, when Detective Lex Archer requests Lila’s academic expertise, she agrees to consult on the case. While her contributions earn high marks from her partner, it could be too late; the killer is already taking aim at the next subject. As Lila races to keep her colleagues alive, publish or perish takes on new meaning.
The organizers have rustled up plenty of surprises for the literary conference at Tattered Star Ranch. But the murder of an influential scholar wasn’t on the program—someone has clearly taken the theme of Malice in the Mountains to heart. This shocking crime is only the beginning: other dangers and deceptions are soon revealed.
English professor Lila Maclean has a full agenda: she must convince a press to publish her book (possibly), ace her panel presentations (hopefully), and deal with her nemesis (regrettably). However, when Detective Lex Archer requests Lila’s academic expertise, she agrees to consult on the case. While her contributions earn high marks from her partner, it could be too late; the killer is already taking aim at the next subject. As Lila races to keep her colleagues alive, publish or perish takes on new meaning.
The organizers have rustled up plenty of surprises for the literary conference at Tattered Star Ranch. But the murder of an influential scholar wasn’t on the program—someone has clearly taken the theme of Malice in the Mountains to heart. This shocking crime is only the beginning: other dangers and deceptions are soon revealed.
English professor Lila Maclean has a full agenda: she must convince a press to publish her book (possibly), ace her panel presentations (hopefully), and deal with her nemesis (regrettably). However, when Detective Lex Archer requests Lila’s academic expertise, she agrees to consult on the case. While her contributions earn high marks from her partner, it could be too late; the killer is already taking aim at the next subject. As Lila races to keep her colleagues alive, publish or perish takes on new meaning.
TheorganizershaverustledupplentyofsurprisesfortheliteraryconferenceatTatteredStarRanch.Butthemurderofaninfluentialscholarwasn’tontheprogram—someonehasclearlytakenthethemeofMaliceintheMountainstoheart.Thisshockingcrimeisonlythebeginning:otherdangersanddeceptionsaresoonrevealed.
EnglishprofessorLilaMacleanhasafullagenda:shemustconvinceapresstopublishherbook(possibly),aceherpanelpresentations(hopefully),anddealwithhernemesis(regrettably).However,whenDetectiveLexArcherrequestsLila’sacademicexpertise,sheagreestoconsultonthecase.Whilehercontributionsearnhighmarksfromherpartner,itcouldbetoolate;thekillerisalreadytakingaimatthenextsubject.AsLilaracestokeephercolleaguesalive,publishorperishtakesonnewmeaning.TheorganizershaverustledupplentyofsurprisesfortheliteraryconferenceatTatteredStarRanch.Butthemurderofaninfluentialscholarwasn’tontheprogram—someonehasclearlytakenthethemeofMaliceintheMountainstoheart.Thisshockingcrimeisonlythebeginning:otherdangersanddeceptionsaresoonrevealed.
EnglishprofessorLilaMacleanhasafullagenda:shemustconvinceapresstopublishherbook(possibly),aceherpanelpresentations(hopefully),anddealwithhernemesis(regrettably).However,whenDetectiveLexArcherrequestsLila’sacademicexpertise,sheagreestoconsultonthecase.Whilehercontributionsearnhighmarksfromherpartner,itcouldbetoolate;thekillerisalreadytakingaimatthenextsubject.AsLilaracestokeephercolleaguesalive,publishorperishtakesonnewmeaning.TheorganizershaverustledupplentyofsurprisesfortheliteraryconferenceatTatteredStarRanch.Butthemurderofaninfluentialscholarwasn’tontheprogram—someonehasclearlytakenthethemeofMaliceintheMountainstoheart.Thisshockingcrimeisonlythebeginning:otherdangersanddeceptionsaresoonrevealed.
EnglishprofessorLilaMacleanhasafullagenda:shemustconvinceapresstopublishherbook(possibly),aceherpanelpresentations(hopefully),anddealwithhernemesis(regrettably).However,whenDetectiveLexArcherrequestsLila’sacademicexpertise,sheagreestoconsultonthecase.Whilehercontributionsearnhighmarksfromherpartner,itcouldbetoolate;thekillerisalreadytakingaimatthenextsubject.AsLilaracestokeephercolleaguesalive,publishorperishtakesonnewmeaning.TheorganizershaverustledupplentyofsurprisesfortheliteraryconferenceatTatteredStarRanch.Butthemurderofaninfluentialscholarwasn’tontheprogram—someonehasclearlytakenthethemeofMaliceintheMountainstoheart.Thisshockingcrimeisonlythebeginning:otherdangersanddeceptionsaresoonrevealed.
EnglishprofessorLilaMacleanhasafullagenda:shemustconvinceapresstopublishherbook(possibly),aceherpanelpresentations(hopefully),anddealwithhernemesis(regrettably).However,whenDetectiveLexArcherrequestsLila’sacademicexpertise,sheagreestoconsultonthecase.Whilehercontributionsearnhighmarksfromherpartner,itcouldbetoolate;thekillerisalreadytakingaimatthenextsubject.AsLilaracestokeephercolleaguesalive,publishorperishtakesonnewmeaning."The organizers have rustled up plenty of surprises for the literary conference at Tattered Star Ranch. But the murder of an influential scholar wasn’t on the program—someone has clearly taken the theme of Malice in the Mountains to heart. This shocking crime is only the beginning: other dangers and deceptions are soon revealed.
English professor Lila Maclean has a full agenda: she must convince a press to publish her book (possibly), ace her panel presentations (hopefully), and deal with her nemesis (regrettably). However, when Detective Lex Archer requests Lila’s academic expertise, she agrees to consult on the case. While her contributions earn high marks from her partner, it could be too late; the killer is already taking aim at the next subject. As Lila races to keep her colleagues alive, publish or perish takes on new meaning."
One of my favorite paragraphs:
"We heard about Flynn, " Calista said. "Is it true that you found him?
"Yes but-"
"How many is that now?" Nate stared at me. "I don't know how you do it, find all the bodies in town."
"Not on purpose," I said, frowning at him.
"I know. But it seems to be one of your gifts".
I really enjoyed this book. Lots of suspense. The characters are interesting and their relationships have developed. Simone Raleigh is Lila's nemesis. And as if she wasn't bad enough, she has a twin sister? They are out to take away Lila's publication opportunity by seemingly copying her. Besides one or two murders, there is some other funny business going on with the Raleigh sisters. Things are going pretty good with Lex in their relationship, but Lila is pitched a curve ball there too. The ending was so awesome. It gave me a chill.
I would recommend if you haven't read any of this series, that you do read the first book. It really sets up the characters. Also you will see why the ending is so significant. Oh what the hay, you may as well just read the whole series. :)
Cynthia is Professor of English at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she teaches literature, writing, and film. In addition, she blogs with Chicks on the Case and is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.
https://cynthiakuhn.net/
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