When I dreamed of becoming an English professor, I didn’t realize that I was essentially assigning myself homework for the rest of my life. It’s too late now, though: I’ve just begun a new job at Stonedale University. It’s a lovely campus, in a wrought-iron-gates-and-statues kind of way. But the first month has been a bit of a roller coaster.
To be honest, things aren’t going so well.
Most days are spent turning pages of one kind or another, which sounds serene, but it’s actually a panicked, never-ending flurry of prepping and grading; there’s always a new assignment waiting in the wings. And that’s just the teaching part—profs must also attend all kinds of meetings, advise students, and perform research because: publish or perish. There just aren’t enough hours.
At least I know where my classrooms are and have managed to show up on time every day with enthusiastically planned activities. As far as being a new faculty member, that’s been far more difficult. My colleagues have been rather standoffish. My cousin Calista advises me not to worry—she says that Stonedale is slow to embrace change. But I think it may have more to do with the fact that I was the one who found a dead body in our department library.
My boss, to be exact. Right after we had an argument.
The detective talking to me every two seconds isn’t enhancing my reputation much, either.
So in order to make it through my first semester, I need to figure out the identity of the killer. And all I have to go on right now is the knowledge that it’s not me. . .
Semester Of Our Discontent is the first book in the NEW Lila Maclean mystery series, published by Henery Press, April 2016.
English professor Lila Maclean is thrilled about her new job at prestigious Stonedale University, until she finds one of her colleagues dead. She soon learns that everyone, from the chancellor to the detective working the case, believes Lila—or someone she is protecting—may be responsible for the horrific event, so she assigns herself the task of identifying the killer.
More attacks on professors follow, the only connection a curious symbol at each of the crime scenes. Putting her scholarly skills to the test, Lila gathers evidence, but her search is complicated by an unexpected nemesis, a suspicious investigator, and an ominous secret society. Rather than earning an “A” for effort, she receives a threat featuring the mysterious emblem and must act quickly to avoid failing her assignment…and becoming the next victim.
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Meet the author
Cynthia Kuhn writes the Lila Maclean mystery series. Her work has appeared in McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Literary Mama, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD and other publications. Originally from upstate New York, she now teaches and writes in Colorado. Connect with her at cynthiakuhn.net, @cynthiakuhn and Facebook.
GIVEAWAY: Leave comment below for your chance to win either a print (US entries only, please) or e-book (open to everyone) of Semester Of Our Discontent. The giveaway will end April 11, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
This book has been one of my favorite reads this year. I loved it.
Thanks
Do not enter me in giveaway.
Congratulations on your release!
I’m confessing here (just between you and me) that “At least I know where all my classrooms are” triggered a recurring dream of mine. Not exactly nightmare category, but definitely a problem… I’m back in school for whatever reason and can’t find the classroom.
At least I’m not naked.
But seriously, I wish you the best success with your book. You deserve it.
This sounds like a great new series. I would love the chance to win a copy. Thanks for highlighting this Dru, and to Ms. Kuhn for giving us an interesting tease about this new character.
A smart, terrific read! No need to enter me, either. I bought and read the book!
Thanks for the great review introducing us to another great author and series. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’m going to put this one on my t-b-r list, too.
I like the sound of this! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I love campus mysteries and this one sounds great. Thanks for the heads up and the giveaway!
I always love the promise of a new series–this one sounds really interesting.
I haven’t read a book set on a college campus in a while and this one sounds interesting! Thanks for a chance to enter.
“When I dreamed of becoming an English professor, I didn’t realize that I was essentially assigning myself homework for the rest of my life.” This has to be one of the funniest lines I have ever read about teaching–and it’s something I always suspected. I’ve pre-ordered and can’t wait until tomorrow so I can dig in.
Please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I’ve already ordered.
This makes me remember the downside of my teaching days. But at least I never found a body! Thanks Dru for the introduction, I will have to read this! Thanks to Cynthia for the chance to win a copy! 😉
This sounds absolutely delicious!
Congratulations, Cynthia! No need to enter me in the giveaway either. I hope this is wildly successful!
Semester Of Our Discontent sounds great. I’ve added it to my ever growing TBR list. Thank you for the introduction and this chance!
Intriguing! I work at a university so this should be fun to read. And maybe somewhat disconcerting although I don;t think any professors have been murdered lately there. Thanks for the chance to win.
As a retired college English teacher, I am fascinated and a bit terrified by this premise. Hope I win!
Can’t wait to read this–I’ve already ordered–but big congrats to Cynthia on her debut.
This one sounds really, really interesting. Sure would love to win it.
What a fabulous and interesting book. Thanks for this great feature.
Thanks so much, Dru, for letting Lila visit today, and thanks to everyone for your comments!
Another new series and author to add to my TBR list. Thanks Dru. And Cynthia for the chance to read this.
Thanks Dru Ann to another new author and book. My list of to be read list keeps getting longer and longer. Also thanks for the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
Oh dear. A dead body is not the way to start a new job!
Always looking for new-to-me authors to try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Can’t wait to read this! Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy.
Sounds like fun for anyone who’s spent some time in a University setting. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I am so looking forward to reading this book. I love the title. Thanks for the giveaway Dru Ann!
After reading the comments, I can’t wait to read this book! Definitely on my TBR pile!.
loved reading the blurb,the book sounds very interesting..thanks for the chance to find out..
I really enjoy new to me authors and first in a series book. This book fits both.
What could be worse than finding a dead body when starting a new job. This is a new author to me and sounds like an intriguing read. Great giveaway, thanks.
I love to read new Authors that I have not read before. This book sounds Awesome. ! Thank you for a chance to win 💟💟
Love discovering new series – thanks for the introduction.
A new author and a great book. Thanks for the chance to win.
New author and title…sounds very intriguing!
This story sounds very different which is great. I am not familiar with the author, but would be very pleased to read her book if I were to win it.
Thank you for the chance.
Cynthia B
Academia is a favorite mystery setting of mine. It’d be great to read this one!
Love the intro to Lila’s life! And all this, in her first semester! Thanks for the chance to win!
I always enjoy books with an academic setting. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
This sounds great and it’s definitely going on my TBR list. I don’t know that I’ve ever read a mystery that takes place at a university. 🙂
Sounds good…thank you for the giveaway…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I think I need to read this!!!
Thank you for the giveaway….