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 … 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 SUBJECT OF MALICE by Cynthia Kuhn | A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all.
more
A great read with a wonderful surprise at the end!
English professor Lila Maclean is attending an academic conference she has helped organize near her university in Colorado, and she is looking forward to presenting a paper, attending panels, and rubbing elbows with the publisher that has accepted her book. The downside is that her rival, Simone, and Simone’s twin sister, Selene, are also attending the conference and trying to make life miserable for her. The conference organizers have some surprises up their sleeves, but the dead body after the opening night dinner wasn’t one of them. Did someone’s academic rivalry boil over to murder?
In this book, Lila is approached by her boyfriend, police detective Lex Archer, about helping investigate because she knows the players and the motives. That stretched credibility a bit for me, but I was having so much fun I didn’t let it bother me too much. There is plenty of malice at the conference, not all of it connected to the murder, and that was enough to keep me turning the pages as quickly as possible until I reached the satisfying climax. Lila is once again a great main character who faces a couple of twists in her personal life in this book. We don’t see all of the supporting cast, but the ones we do see are great as usual, and the suspects are strong as well. The setting of the conference, an old movie studio turned into a resort, added a layer of fun to things as well. All told, I give this book a grade of A+.
Papers, and panels, and murder, oh my! Everyone’s favorite professor, Lila Maclean (secret powers include reading and finding bodies), is back and she’s on the case (officially)! Lila’s latest adventure is full of high drama and high crimes. Such FUN!
An intelligent, witty mystery that will keep you guessing to the very end.
A pure delight from page one. Cynthia Kuhn’s Lila Maclean mysteries will cure what ails you. Funny and fantastic.
My favorite book of the series so far. I stayed up far too late reading it and the ending leaves readers with a twist I did not see coming. It made me check if the next book was available for pre-order yet because I was ready to make sure I had my copy reserved to see what happens next. A smart and well-written series that is sure to leave you guessing until the very end.
Murder, mystery, good friends, and plenty of surprises and twists. Exciting ending leading into the next book.
In The Subject of Malice, Lila Maclean is attending Malice in the Mountains, a book conference at Tattered Star Ranch. Because of her tenure requirements, Lila has a huge job to do at this conference. She must find a publisher who’ll agree to publish her book, speak impressively on her academic panel, and manage to avoid a nemesis. Detective Lex Archer asks for her help, so now she has an added job which involves keeping her other colleagues alive when an influential scholar is murdered. Anyone who has ever been seeking tenure on a college campus will laugh right along with the politics, back-stabbing, and greased palms in this fourth book of the Lila Maclean series.
The Subject of Malice had so many laugh-out-loud moments, it was a joy to read. I could picture the conference in my mind—and the academic infighting, too! But the ending? Wow. I didn’t see that coming. I’m on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next installment of this terrific series.
“The Subject of Malice” earns 5/5 Book Deals…Engaging Page-Turner!
As a newbie to Cynthia Kuhn’s work, I took a chance starting with the fourth book in her Lila Maclean Academic Mystery series…I was not disappointed, even though it took a few pages to get caught up on background and character connections, I joined in easily. Lila Maclean is an assistant professor, and budding author, attending and participating in an academic conference, Malice in the Mountains, sponsored by the Horror and Gothic Society. It’s a strange gathering of costumed attendees, professional and personal rivals, and…murder! I greatly enjoyed Kuhn’s use of the first-person narrative from Lila’s perspective along with descriptive language and dialogue that best illustrated the setting, characters, tone, and personalities…I cringed at the twins Simone and Selena Raleigh. The story had a lot of engaging facets: ins and outs of an academia community, conflicts with colleagues, professional accolades. There’s a sprinkling of secrets, jealousies, back-stabbing, and just plain misunderstandings. And don’t forget some personal peril when the killer’s identity is revealed. Karma didn’t get me everything I wanted, but nonetheless, I highly recommend this page-turner!
Smart, action-packed, and immensely satisfying, The Subject of Malice had me from page one. I love this series, and it just keeps getting better.
Absolutely addictive! Don’t miss this smart, funny page-turner.
A twisty mystery with a gentle, gracious humor and a touch of whimsy. Reading it is like spending the afternoon with a best friend. You laugh. You smile. And you want to see her again very soon. I can’t wait for the next Lila Maclean mystery.