The Art of Vanishing (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery)
Publisher: Henery Press (February 28, 2017)
Paperback: 262 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1635111699
Kindle – ASIN: B01NBHR7Y6
Synopsis
When Professor Lila Maclean is sent to interview celebrated author and notorious cad Damon Von Tussel, he disappears before her very eyes. The English department is thrown into chaos by the news, as Damon is supposed to headline Stonedale University’s upcoming Arts Week.
The chancellor makes it clear that he expects Lila to locate the writer and set events back on track immediately. But someone appears to have a different plan: strange warnings are received, valuable items go missing, and a series of dangerous incidents threaten the lives of Stonedale’s guests. After her beloved mother, who happens to be Damon’s ex, rushes onto campus and into harm’s way, Lila has even more reason to bring the culprit to light before anything—or anyone—else vanishes.
Review
I think this is the first time in a long time that I have ready a mystery and no one has died! There is still a mystery to solve, but not why someone was killed. This time they are trying to figure out what the scoop is behind celebrated author Damon Von Tussel. Is he really just a recluse or is there more to his story?
Lila puts up with a lot where she works, mostly from the Chancellor, but also from a fellow professor, Simone, who has it out for her. I never knew the world of academia could be so competitive. The Chancellor is a bit of a jerk expecting Lila to do all these things with no care for her life or if she has a conflict and can’t jump and fill his demands. But at least she has her cousin, Calista, on her side.
The actual mystery was quite a shock when all was revealed. I never expected it to turn out the way it did and for some people to reveal their true intentions. There are a few clues to point you in the right direction, but not many.
There is also a potential love interest between Lila and Lex (the police detective). But there is also Nate, but even though Lila sees him as a friend, could he be interested in more?
I did find one inconsistency (and it may have been fixed by the final printing of the book, I had an ARC). At an event, Lex asks Lila if he can take her to dinner the next night. She said no because of an author reading that was happening. However, the following text seems to span a few days before the actual event. It is a minor thing that I noticed but it threw me off as I read that section.
I still enjoyed the book and am curious to see what the author has in store for the next installment. We give it 4 paws up.
About the Author
Cynthia Kuhn teaches and writes in Colorado. Her work has appeared in McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Literary Mama, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD and other publications. She is the current president of Sisters in Crime-Colorado and blogs with Mysteristas. Visit her at cynthiakuhn.net or @cynthiakuhn.
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Giveaway
check out the other blogs on this tour
March 1 – T’s Stuff – INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 1 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW
March 2 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT
March 2 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT
March 3 – Books Direct – INTERVIEW
March 3 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT
March 4 – Mystery Playground – INTERVIEW
March 5 – The Editing Pen – INTERVIEW
March 6 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW
March 6 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
March 7 – My Journey Back – REVIEW, INTERVIEWAdding interview
March 7 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW
March 8 – Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 9 – Girl with Book Lungs – CHARACTER INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 9 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 10 – Rainy Day Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
March 11 – Connie’s History Classroom – REVIEW
March 11 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT
March 12 – Varietats – REVIEW
March 12 – Babs Book Bistro – CHARACTER INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 14 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
March 14 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
This book sounds fantastic! I love the cover. Thanks for hosting.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! And yes, that date issue was an ARC thing and it was fixed before the final version. Good catch. 🙂