BOOK REVIEW: Murder at Cold Creek College by Christa Nardi

SYNOPSIS

Sheridan Hendley is a professor and psychologist, not a sleuth. When her colleague at Cold Creek College, Adam Millberg, is murdered, she is charged with helping the Detective assigned to the case. Immediately, her good friend becomes the prime suspect and Sheridan is motivated to help solve the case and prove Kim isn’t guilty. It also becomes apparent that Sheridan is attracted to the handsome Detective. As Sheridan tries to implement the crisis plan on campus and connect all the people in Adam’s life, she finds that many women have a motive for Adam’s murder. Slashed tires are the first indication that Sheridan’s involvement is obviously making someone nervous.

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REVIEW

As, if the bio says below, The author's name is a pen name for a real-life professor and psychologist, the time spent working in her profession was excellent preparation for writing "Murder at Cold Creek College".  

Let's just get this bit out right up front:  It is never a good sign when you show up for work in the morning and see emergency vehicles at a nearby building.  Agreed?

Aside from the fact that the murder victim (who did his fair share of victimizing) was also in the psychology department, it would make sense that another member of that department would be assigned as a police liaison of sorts.  And lucky her. ;)  (That's all I'm going to say about that.)

Sheridan Hensley escorts the state policeman around the department so he can interview the other members of the faculty and staff.  So she hears things, sees things, and as it is her job to study human behavior, she begins to analyze what is going around her and put pieces of information together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.  And darn it all if that doesn't make some people less than happy.

The plot is intricate, but understandable.  There is definitely substance to the work.  It is academic without being stuffy.  (I don't know about you, but I appreciate that a lot.)  The writing flows very well, making the story enjoyable.

Remember the old saying, "I'd like to be a fly on the wall...." (to hear whatever is going on)?  I felt like I was right there with Sheridan.  That is a wonderful quality for a book which is being read for enjoyment to have.  

I figure this book will appeal to 5 main groups:

• Those who have ever worked at a college/university.
• Those who have ever studied at a college.
• Those who think college is a good thing.
• Those who think college is a waste of time.
• Those who have ever heard the word "college".

I snuck a look at some of the other stops on the tour (which you can do as well by clicking the banner at the top of this post) to see if Ms. Nardi spilled the beans about her future writing plans.  Luckily she did, and even better, there is going to be a sequel!

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AUTHOR INFORMATION

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Christa Nardi is and always has been an avid reader. Her favorite authors have shifted from Carolyn Keene and Earl Stanley Gardner to more contemporary mystery/crime authors over time, but mystery/crime along with romance are her preferred choices for leisure reading. Christa also has been a long time writer from poetry and short stories growing up to technical, research, and nonfiction in her professional life. With Murder at Cold Creek College, Christa is joining many other reader/writers in writing one genre she enjoys reading – the cozy mystery. Christa Nardi is a pen name for a real life professor/psychologist from the Northeast.

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(Disclosure:  I received a print copy of "Murder at Cold Creek Cottage" from the author and publisher via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.  I have no affiliate relationship with any other business or person involved with the tour.)