The Study of Secrets (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery #5)

Author:  Cynthia Kuhn
Genre:   Mystery

Hardcover; Trade Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #:  9781635116151; 9781635116155
Henery Press Publishing
250 Pages
$29.99; $15.95; $4.99 Amazon
May 26, 2020

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There could be nowhere more fitting for English professor Lila Maclean to spend her sabbatical than in a proper Victorian mansion.  The whimsical Callahan House seems to have materialized from the pages of the mystery novels she is researching, with its enchanting towers, cozy nooks, and charming library.  Unfotunately, it also features a body in the study.

Residents of Larkston have long believed that the Callahan family is cursed - the murder on the estate sets the town buzzing.  Wild rumors are fueled by a gossipy blogger who delights in speculation, and further crimes only intensify the whispers and suspicions.  A newly discovered manuscript, however, appears to  expose startling facts beneath the fictions,  When Lila steps in to sort the truth from the lies, it may cost her everything, as someone wants to make dead certain that their secrets stay hidden.

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Lila Maclean is an English Literature professor at Stonedale College.  She's taken a sabbatical at the home of Bibi Callahan, whom Lila has recently discovered is her favorite author, Isabella Dare.  While no one knows the secret but her, Bibi was so taken with Lila that she asked her to stay and help organize her files during her sabbatical.

But when Lila accidentally comes across an old manuscript of Bibi's that has never been published, she doesn't expect it to cause problems, she merely wants Bibi to publish it.  But while Bibi insists it's a work of fiction, there's some truth to it.  It's the tale of the night her only sister Ilse disappeared, and her own thoughts as to who could be involved.  Unwittingly, Lila lets it slip that the manuscript exists when the Larks visit - three women who have been friends with Bibi since childhood - and when one of them is later found dead and the manuscript is missing, it now becomes a murder investigation.

While the police are looking into the murder, they don't believe the manuscript has anything to do with it.  Bibi asks for Lila's help in finding out where the manuscript is, and who could do something like this; but when Lila starts finding answers, they aren't the ones Bibi and her friends want to know.  And without anyone to help her searching for clues, she must depend on herself - and maybe the reluctant detective assigned to the case - to ferret out a killer who might just get away with murder...

This is the fifth book in the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries, and as such, is just as good as the others, which is saying something.  Lila's life has always been a bit stressful; not just being a professor who's trying to achieve tenure, but her recent breakup with another homicide detective still has her reeling.  While she's found a moment of peace with Bibi, the murder changes all that.

Still, Lila seems to thrive on mystery in her life.  She's intelligent, thorough, can manage her professional life and her personal one even while one or the other isn't going the way she'd like it to go.  Lila is a woman I think I'd like to have as a friend.  Her intensity, dedication to her work and friends, and generous nature are all part of this book.

But the story goes deeper than what Bibi wrote in the manuscript.  For of course, she only has her version of what might have happened to work with.  When the ending comes, the murderer is revealed, more than the  truth comes out, it's both sad and horrifying, in a way; yet when there's closure - in more ways than one - it allows people to move on with their lives and decide what they truly want.

Ms. Kuhn's ability to tell a story that pulls the reader in from the beginning and keep them there through the end is shown in this book.  She brings you easily into Lila's life, the people around her, and you get to experience her thought process as she investigates.  It's a captivating tale of murder that leaves you wanting more.  Highly recommended. 

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Study-Secrets-MacLean-Academic-Mystery/dp/163511618X/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3359573717

More on Cynthia Kuhn's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/k/cynthia-kuhn/

The Subject of Malice (A Lila MlLean Mystery #4)

Author:  Cynthia Kuhn
Genre:   Mystery

Hardcover; Trade Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781635115147;  9781635115116
Henery Press Publishing
248 Pages
$31.95; $15.95; $4.99 Amazon
July 23, 2019

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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.

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Lila MacLean is an assistant professor of English at Stonedale University.  She's at the Malice in the Mountains literary conference, and while there is finally going to meet her publisher and discovers she's also up for an award.  But it's not going to be easy - her colleague and nemesis Simone Raleigh is there for the same reasons, and Lila discovers that Simone has a sister - Selene, who is Simone's twin.  They are alike in almost every aspect, right down to picking at Lila every chance they get. It doesn't help that the Raleighs seem to be friends with the publisher; and what's worse - she's just discovered that their own book proposal is on Isabella Dare.

Lila has been passionate about the author for as long as she can remember, and is writing a book on her.  But when the Raleighs decide that their own book will be comparing Charlotte Bronte's work to Isabella Dare's, she can hardly believe her ears.  It's obviously an attempt to undermine her, and she's furious, even though she's keeping her emotions in check.  She also knows that the Raleighs know she's been writing a book about Isabella since she works at the same university.

Later that night, Lila is asked to sit at the press table, along with her editor Meredith, and other members of the Fairlake University Press:  managing editor Richmond Haskin, Hanover Jones, computer expert, Ellis Gardner and Candace Slaten.  While all seems to be going well, there is a book signing, and Lila is joined by others in line.  But then she hears a scream...and discovers Meredith and Hanover bending over the body of Ellis, who appears to be dead.

Cue the arrival of Detective Lex Archer of Stonedale PD, who is also Lila's boyfriend and was at the conference to be with her.  Now he's on the job, and since it's an academic conference, he and the department need Lila's help.  It's not the first time she's helped the police, but it's the first time she's actually been added as a consultant, and she's giddy over it.

Then there's golden boy Flynn McMaster (gee, I love that name for some reason); an author who has taken both the book and film worlds by storm.  There's a new book coming out which focuses on his work - and is going to be published by her own house.  When Flynn is introduced as the keynote speaker, he decimates the book and the publisher, and everyone is stunned.

What later ensues can only be described as a disaster.  The press is trying to do damage control because of Flynn's unauthorized - and devastating - speech about the book; Lila sees Selene - an engaged Selene - coming out of Flynn's suite the morning after a party; Lila discovers another body; and she learns something about Lex that threatens their budding relationship.  Now Lila has to figure out how to get her book published before the twins and help find a killer who might kill again if they're not stopped...

I have always enjoyed Ms. Kuhn's books and this one, I am glad to say, was just as enjoyable as the others.  There is a lot going on, so you have to keep on your toes to pick up the clues as they come.  Although I didn't understand why Lila kept her emotions to herself (I'm not one to be a doormat for anyone), I am glad to say that her 'gumption' finally won out in the end.  Faced with everything that was happening, it was bound to, sooner or later.  Lila is a wonderful character; she's intelligent but not without insecurities which make her likable.

The story goes in several different directions from Lila's intense desire to get published so she will get tenure, to avoiding the Raleighs, to trying to find a killer.  Yet all threads come together in the end, and the journey is a gratifying one.  The mystery is done beautifully, and you never quite know who the killer might be until near the end, which is how it should be.

When all is said and done, the reasons for the murder is rather sad; yet there is a delicious surprise at the end which leaves us longing for more.  This was a captivating story that pulls the reader in quickly and keeps them absorbed throughout and I thoroughly loved it.  I look forward to the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Subject-Malice-MacLean-Academic-Mystery/dp/1635115140/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2889566939

More on Cynthia Kuhn's Books:  https://www.fantasticfiction.com/k/cynthia-kuhn/