Passport to Murder
- Author: Mary Angela
- Publisher: Camel Press
- Print Length: 258 pages
- Release Date: August 15, 2017
- I Rate it:
- Genre: Cozy
- Purchase on Amazon
Book Summary
Start with an unlucky number. Throw in a romantic location. Include a dashing Frenchman and an uncompromising professor. And you have all the ingredients for a passport to murder. This semester, it seems that Professor Prather’s dreams are about to come true. Ever since she was a young girl, she’s imagined going to France, and her French colleague, André Duman, has finally made that trip possible. Over spring break, she and André are to lead a group of students and faculty to Paris to explore the City of Light. But before she can utter her first bonjour, a professor dies, and they are stuck in Minneapolis.
She returns to Copper Bluff with an unstamped passport and a mystery to solve. When André becomes the prime suspect, Emmeline puts her research skills to good use, determined to find out who really killed the professor and spoiled their spring break plans. With thirteen travelers assembled, the possibilities are varied and villainous. Luckily, her dear friend and sidekick, Lenny Jenkins, is close by. Together, they will sort through the conflicting clues even if it costs them time, trouble, or tenure. Book 2 in the Professor Prather Mystery series.
Mary Angela is the author of An Act of Murder, the debut novel in the new Professor Prather Mystery series being published by Camel Press. Mary teaches college English and lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with her husband and two young daughters. An avid mystery fan, she is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
For more information, visit Mary online at:
Book Review by Bree Herron
Return to Copper Bluff in this delightful second book to a series that is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Okay, I say that often but really this series hits home in the academic heart for me. And my adoring passion for anything French fit right into this book, well almost because it would have been a perfect trip if there wasn’t murder. Though the murder certainly was well done and written. I was willing to look over missing my fictional trip for it.
Characters
Emmeline is a brilliant character. No, really, she is. She has this dream job in the English department and a love for French things and places. She is back to solve this murder and mystery with her quick thinking and her ability to catch the killer in the most public of places. Emmeline has a few other side characters that stood out this book to me.
Lenny, is growing on me and possibly Emmeline. He is fun and charming with a stomach for good cake. The way he worked to help solve the mystery was a nice compliment to Emmeline.
I really love Emmeline’s neighbor. Mrs. Gunderson- I think she is secretly a magical human with her ability to pop into mind right before I read about her. She had small moments but she was another light side to murder.
Cover
Give me the perfect academic setting and fill it with books, and I’ll give you my attention. I have loved how this publisher does the covers for this series, they are well designed and engaging, giving light to small details like the stamps in the passport. Now, I know you need to go look at the cover, so I’ll wait (joking).
Enjoyable Moments
Lenny asking out Emmeline was perfect! Okay, I need to see Emmeline in a relationship, because the men around her could use the boost of a strong woman and the love of her heart. She delighted me with her findings and her conviction of the murderer. I could just see the reactions that she received. The author has a way of creating the big, unfolding moment for readers that have them reading, mouth open wide in shock.
Setting
We could have been to Paris. And is there hope for Paris? I am slightly sad that we weren’t there for our setting, but I do love this campus and can envision it often while reading the story. Academic settings intrigue me and I find humor in many of the teacher moments, and relate to these characters better.
Synoptic
This book left me wanting more.I would love the next mystery and to see what chapter in life Emmeline will turn in the next book. It is a delightful read, and as my toddler says” brilliant, just brilliant!” So in the words of a three year old and a book lover this book is worth read, and the stars.
What Setting would you want to see next?
**DISCLAIMER: I was provided an opportunity to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy in return for a fair and honest review.
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Thank you for your kind comments, Bree! I appreciate your review and all the reviews delivered to my inbox in your awesome newsletters. Such a wonderful site for readers!
Mary Angela