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Susan Lombardi Mystery #1
Deadmistress
The headmistress of an exclusive private school for girls has been found murdered in her office. When professor Susan Lombardi learns that her friend John is the prime suspect, she sets out to clear his name, but her research uncovers some troubling secrets about the school's faculty and students. And soon it becomes clear that John is not the only one with a motive for murder. “This is a story about puzzles and people, and that’s where it shines.” - Kim Malo, Mystery Morgue “There is a continual twinkle in the author’s prose.” - Steve Lewis, Mystery File
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
77 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Carole B. Shmurak
7 books9 followersDr. Carole B. Shmurak is Professor Emeritus at Central Connecticut State University. She is the author of eleven books, including Deadmistress, featuring professor/sleuth Susan Lombardi; there are three more titles in the Lombardi series. Under the pseudonym Carroll Thomas, she is the co-author of the Matty Trescott young adult novels, one of which (Ring Out Wild Bells) was nominated for the Agatha for best young adult mystery of 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 6, 2010
Very light mystery set in a private school. If not for the setting, the book wouldn’t have been worth the time spent reading it. It was a bit of fun because of the setting.
October 3, 2014
This was a really interesting quick listen little mystery. It felt like it wasn't the first book in the series. The other characters seemed very familiar with Susan and her curiosity.
I really liked Susan and her spunk. She has insatiable curiosity that could get her in trouble in the future. She is smart enough not to fall into TSTL traps. She has a really great supporting cast in her husband Swash, friends Ellaine, Mark and John. I also loved Granny at the private school.
The mystery wasn't too difficult, still interesting and engaging. I did not like the possible cheating and was also not for the teacher who sleeps with his students not being punished.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Barbara Benjamin-Creel. She does a great job keeping the energy of the lead character and makes the story move. She has a great feel for Susan, which is important because it all comes from her POV. Nice pace and tone throughout the read.
I will definitely be looking at more of this series. Even thought the book it ten years old it still felt current. I will have to investigate if this was in fact the first book or somewhere else in the series.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
I really liked Susan and her spunk. She has insatiable curiosity that could get her in trouble in the future. She is smart enough not to fall into TSTL traps. She has a really great supporting cast in her husband Swash, friends Ellaine, Mark and John. I also loved Granny at the private school.
The mystery wasn't too difficult, still interesting and engaging. I did not like the possible cheating and was also not for the teacher who sleeps with his students not being punished.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Barbara Benjamin-Creel. She does a great job keeping the energy of the lead character and makes the story move. She has a great feel for Susan, which is important because it all comes from her POV. Nice pace and tone throughout the read.
I will definitely be looking at more of this series. Even thought the book it ten years old it still felt current. I will have to investigate if this was in fact the first book or somewhere else in the series.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
May 18, 2020
This is the first in the Susan Lombardi mysteries. Susan is a professor of education at Metropolitan University. Previously, she taught at the Wintobury Academy for Girls. It is a a preparatory school for wealthy young women set in Connecticut. Susan is doing research there. When the head mistress is killed and a former colleague of hers is the prime suspect, since he threatened her at a faculty meeting, Susan feels that she must get involved. Her husband does not think that is a good idea. She enlists a student at Metropolitan University who was once a private investigator to assist her. The only unusual clue is that the woman’s copy of Bartlett’s Quotations is missing. Susan knows the faculty and administration so well she cannot believe any of them would do it so she and her assistant dig into the woman’s past. Along the way, Susan becomes involved in some faculty politics at her university. It is her husband who incidentally gives her the lead she needs to solve the case. The story moves briskly with short chapters and sprightly characters. Susan’s location in Connecticut makes it easy to follow up leads in New York and New Jersey.
February 26, 2016
This wasn't a bad book. But lets just say it would definitely be classified as "mystery light".
It presents a decent who dunnit, but it's light on detail. There are plenty of suspects, so that's covered, but the setting could have been brought to the fore more. It could have used more substance.
It presents a decent who dunnit, but it's light on detail. There are plenty of suspects, so that's covered, but the setting could have been brought to the fore more. It could have used more substance.
October 13, 2010
A light weight mystery that i bought at the BIG E from the author. First of 3. Set in CT. Very quick read.
August 9, 2018
Quite a good read.
The writing:
Usually when I see these three things: list of characters, map, quotes at each chapter heading, I encounter a muddled read. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well-written this - comparatively short - book was. The map and list of characters augmented the read, and the quotes weren't obtuse ('show-offy') - they were clear and relevant to the chapter content.
The conversations and character interactions were absolutely authentic - to me, the most difficult thing to get right, and Shmurak did a perfect job.
And this quote has a perfect verb: "I skidded into the visitor's parking lot and *slushed* across campus..." One word, and she has the whole winter scene in your mind's eye.
The plot:
There was enough information given throughout the story so that the murderer was fairly revealed - if you were astute enough. There was enough backstory on the characters and enough interplay that you want to read more in the series. And the murder itself was interesting.
The writing:
Usually when I see these three things: list of characters, map, quotes at each chapter heading, I encounter a muddled read. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well-written this - comparatively short - book was. The map and list of characters augmented the read, and the quotes weren't obtuse ('show-offy') - they were clear and relevant to the chapter content.
The conversations and character interactions were absolutely authentic - to me, the most difficult thing to get right, and Shmurak did a perfect job.
And this quote has a perfect verb: "I skidded into the visitor's parking lot and *slushed* across campus..." One word, and she has the whole winter scene in your mind's eye.
The plot:
There was enough information given throughout the story so that the murderer was fairly revealed - if you were astute enough. There was enough backstory on the characters and enough interplay that you want to read more in the series. And the murder itself was interesting.
March 16, 2020
Silly me, I read these out of order
Unknowingly read the third book first so I got to know Susan Lombardi before I met her here.
A quiet and pretty wholesome mystery....I guess the term is cozy, though I would call it a very PG rated story.
If you like Jessica Fletcher, this is your cup of tea.
Unknowingly read the third book first so I got to know Susan Lombardi before I met her here.
A quiet and pretty wholesome mystery....I guess the term is cozy, though I would call it a very PG rated story.
If you like Jessica Fletcher, this is your cup of tea.
January 15, 2020
Short and fast, just the way I like them sometimes. The writing was a little cheesy, or maybe it was the narrator as I listened to this in audio form. It wasn't a deep book by any means but it did provided me with a quick, simple read when I wanted it.
January 18, 2020
Deadmistress
It started out as interesting. It was well written, but it I lost interest reading some parts. Good Mystery. A good who did it story.
It started out as interesting. It was well written, but it I lost interest reading some parts. Good Mystery. A good who did it story.
December 13, 2020
Well written
I really enjoyed i this book. It was well written and I did not want to put it down! Would read more by this author.
I really enjoyed i this book. It was well written and I did not want to put it down! Would read more by this author.
December 22, 2020
Interesting tale, surprise ending, but really, the writing is so flip and the main character jumping to conclusions all over the place, it seemed kind of juvenile.
May 2, 2024
Sooo good!
The characters in this book are very believable. I recommend this book to anyone who likes an old fashioned whodunit.
The characters in this book are very believable. I recommend this book to anyone who likes an old fashioned whodunit.
January 13, 2022
Nice quick read
November 18, 2014
Publishers' Summary
The headmistress of an exclusive private school for girls has been found murdered in her office. When professor Susan Lombardi learns that her friend John is the prime suspect, she sets out to clear his name, but her research uncovers some troubling secrets about the school's faculty and students. And soon it becomes clear that John is not the only one with a motive for murder.
©2004, 2011 Carole B. Shmurak (P)2014 Carole B. Shmurak
My review,
The Dead Mistress is the awful Sabina, whose rule over her exclusive little empire came to a nasty end, but ........... Who did it? Is the wrong man being lined up ready to take the blame? Susan thinks so which is good enough reason, she believes, to poke her perky little nose in everywhere it's not really wanted.
This is a short listen, and, despite a precarious plot is entertaining enough with some interesting insights to life in Academia. I look forward to discovering how Susan polishes up her sleuthing skills by consuming more of the series.
This was first published as a book a few years ago, and it certainly translates well to audio.
Narrator
It takes but a few moments to realise that Barbara Benjamin- Cole is a well trained and experienced narrator, she did, in fact, enhance the story for me no end. A true professional, seamlessly moving from character to character bringing them alive. Through her lovely voice I enjoyed it so much more than I would have by only reading it. I'll certainly be looking out for her name.
I received a free copy of this audiobook in return for my honest review
Deadmistress: Susan Lombardi Mystery, Book 1
The headmistress of an exclusive private school for girls has been found murdered in her office. When professor Susan Lombardi learns that her friend John is the prime suspect, she sets out to clear his name, but her research uncovers some troubling secrets about the school's faculty and students. And soon it becomes clear that John is not the only one with a motive for murder.
©2004, 2011 Carole B. Shmurak (P)2014 Carole B. Shmurak
My review,
The Dead Mistress is the awful Sabina, whose rule over her exclusive little empire came to a nasty end, but ........... Who did it? Is the wrong man being lined up ready to take the blame? Susan thinks so which is good enough reason, she believes, to poke her perky little nose in everywhere it's not really wanted.
This is a short listen, and, despite a precarious plot is entertaining enough with some interesting insights to life in Academia. I look forward to discovering how Susan polishes up her sleuthing skills by consuming more of the series.
This was first published as a book a few years ago, and it certainly translates well to audio.
Narrator
It takes but a few moments to realise that Barbara Benjamin- Cole is a well trained and experienced narrator, she did, in fact, enhance the story for me no end. A true professional, seamlessly moving from character to character bringing them alive. Through her lovely voice I enjoyed it so much more than I would have by only reading it. I'll certainly be looking out for her name.
I received a free copy of this audiobook in return for my honest review
Deadmistress: Susan Lombardi Mystery, Book 1
May 31, 2014
First Thoughts: It was a good cozy mystery centered on a murder at an all female school. The sleuthing was a bit lame and how they reached a conclusion was not at all surprising.
Susan Lombardi use to teach at the private school where the headmistress was killed. When she is visiting she finds out that her friend John is the main suspect and she just doesn't believe he could do such a thing. With the help of her ex-private investigator friend Mark she does a little sleuthing on her own to find out why anyone would want to kill Sabina.
Sabina was not well liked amongst a lot of the professors so that really leaves a lot of suspects. Sabina decided that they didn't need the Shakespeare festival making the theater professor mad. She was also trying to get rid of on campus housing for some of the professors and having an affair with another. There are also some of the students that might hold a grudge for getting in trouble for drinking, etc.
Overall it was a decent cozy mystery, but I just thought it was sort of weird how at the end they are going over suspects and then there is like this ah ha moment and Susan knows who the killer is. I sort of had it figured out but it was nice to know I was heading in the right direction. If you are into cozies then you might like this short mystery novel.
Narrator: Barbara Benjamin-Creel
First time listening to this author and once I got use to her she fit with the main character. Some of her other voices were a bit strange but I always give them kudos for trying. It was easy listening for my ears.
Susan Lombardi use to teach at the private school where the headmistress was killed. When she is visiting she finds out that her friend John is the main suspect and she just doesn't believe he could do such a thing. With the help of her ex-private investigator friend Mark she does a little sleuthing on her own to find out why anyone would want to kill Sabina.
Sabina was not well liked amongst a lot of the professors so that really leaves a lot of suspects. Sabina decided that they didn't need the Shakespeare festival making the theater professor mad. She was also trying to get rid of on campus housing for some of the professors and having an affair with another. There are also some of the students that might hold a grudge for getting in trouble for drinking, etc.
Overall it was a decent cozy mystery, but I just thought it was sort of weird how at the end they are going over suspects and then there is like this ah ha moment and Susan knows who the killer is. I sort of had it figured out but it was nice to know I was heading in the right direction. If you are into cozies then you might like this short mystery novel.
Narrator: Barbara Benjamin-Creel
First time listening to this author and once I got use to her she fit with the main character. Some of her other voices were a bit strange but I always give them kudos for trying. It was easy listening for my ears.
June 3, 2015
I listened to the Audible version, narrated by Barbara Benjamin-Creel
The books reminded me so many of your mystery novels or shows - Miss Marple, Murder She Wrote, etc., mixed in with a boarding school movie/book - like Dead Poets Society etc.
What I most enjoyed about the book, while being vague to avoid spoilers, would be the way the confession of the killer was got. It was quite novel and actual fit well with the setting of the story.
The mystery itself was good, although not edge-of-your-seat engaging but it was something different.
I certainly wouldn't be opposed to getting the next book in the series. I'm not going to rush out and get book 2 but I might pick it up eventually.
I really enjoyed Barbara's narration, for the most part. She does a variety of accents throughout the book (including a brooklyn accent and something I would describe as Fargo-esque) as well as giving each individual character a different voice. A very good range and very consistent. Certainly helped engage the story.
One minor thing I disliked was the occasional sound effect. At one point the book reads "she took a sip of her drink" and Barbara added in a taking a sip sound effect. I know some people like htis sort of stuff but I generally don't. So one small mark against an otherwise really well done narration.
Overall a solid 3.5 heading towards a 4/5 for this book.
The books reminded me so many of your mystery novels or shows - Miss Marple, Murder She Wrote, etc., mixed in with a boarding school movie/book - like Dead Poets Society etc.
What I most enjoyed about the book, while being vague to avoid spoilers, would be the way the confession of the killer was got. It was quite novel and actual fit well with the setting of the story.
The mystery itself was good, although not edge-of-your-seat engaging but it was something different.
I certainly wouldn't be opposed to getting the next book in the series. I'm not going to rush out and get book 2 but I might pick it up eventually.
I really enjoyed Barbara's narration, for the most part. She does a variety of accents throughout the book (including a brooklyn accent and something I would describe as Fargo-esque) as well as giving each individual character a different voice. A very good range and very consistent. Certainly helped engage the story.
One minor thing I disliked was the occasional sound effect. At one point the book reads "she took a sip of her drink" and Barbara added in a taking a sip sound effect. I know some people like htis sort of stuff but I generally don't. So one small mark against an otherwise really well done narration.
Overall a solid 3.5 heading towards a 4/5 for this book.
July 22, 2014
Deadmistress is a good cozy mystery written by Carole B. Shmurak. The story centers around Susan Lombardi who is s a professor at a Connecticut university who used to teach at an exclusive private girl's high school, Wittenbury Academy. After the unlikeable headmistress at Wittenbury is murdered, Susan investigates the death to satisfy her curiosity under the guise of helping to clear the name of a teacher friend who is the primary suspect.
Throughout the story, we are introduced to several interesting characters, including Susan’s accommodating husband Swash, her best friend, Elaine, and an adult student who holds a private investigator’s license, Mark. With the help of her posse and a few high school students, Susan helps solve the murder of the headmistress quite nicely.
I listened to the Audible version of this book by Barbara Benjamin-Creel who did a great job narrating. Her inflictions and tone were appropriate and she exhibited the right amount of “spunk” and cheekiness needed in a cozy mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed her reading!
Throughout the story, we are introduced to several interesting characters, including Susan’s accommodating husband Swash, her best friend, Elaine, and an adult student who holds a private investigator’s license, Mark. With the help of her posse and a few high school students, Susan helps solve the murder of the headmistress quite nicely.
I listened to the Audible version of this book by Barbara Benjamin-Creel who did a great job narrating. Her inflictions and tone were appropriate and she exhibited the right amount of “spunk” and cheekiness needed in a cozy mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed her reading!
November 6, 2009
This was a fun first novel and a very fast read! I was a little leery of the title because I thought I might be getting into a vampire/paranormal type book but soon realized it was just a play on words, since the Headmistress of the school is the "Deadmistress" when she is murdered in her office.
I had a few quibbles about the main character (Susan) and her determination to solve the murder, after all it had been five years since she worked with these people, but it was explained as her worry about a good friend being a main suspect.
Seeing inside the world of a private school for girls was interesting and the contrast between that world and the world of a public university was stark. Having Susan switching back and forth between the two kept the story moving along.
I'll be reading more by this author.
I had a few quibbles about the main character (Susan) and her determination to solve the murder, after all it had been five years since she worked with these people, but it was explained as her worry about a good friend being a main suspect.
Seeing inside the world of a private school for girls was interesting and the contrast between that world and the world of a public university was stark. Having Susan switching back and forth between the two kept the story moving along.
I'll be reading more by this author.
September 4, 2014
I was lucky enough to win an audiobook of DEADMISTRESS by Carole Shmurak. Since it was my very first audiobook, and I "read" the story on my early morning walk when I wasn’t yet awake, I listened to it twice.
Professor Susan Lombardi becomes an eager amateur sleuth when a body turns up and her friend turns into the prime suspect. She’s a great character to spend time with and has a few piquant perceptions.
Other characters are charming and funny, with some highly enjoyable accents. I’m surprised by how rich the experience of listening to books can be.
The first Susan Lombardi mystery was originally published in 2004 and this audiobook with narrator Barbara Benjamin-Creel was published in 2014.
I shall definitely be listening to more of Susan’s adventures.
Professor Susan Lombardi becomes an eager amateur sleuth when a body turns up and her friend turns into the prime suspect. She’s a great character to spend time with and has a few piquant perceptions.
Other characters are charming and funny, with some highly enjoyable accents. I’m surprised by how rich the experience of listening to books can be.
The first Susan Lombardi mystery was originally published in 2004 and this audiobook with narrator Barbara Benjamin-Creel was published in 2014.
I shall definitely be listening to more of Susan’s adventures.
March 12, 2015
Nearly the definition of a cozy mystery. A smart, intuitive woman sticks her nose where is doesn't belong to solve the murder of her ex-boss. For the most part, this was a really good book. Easy reading and a nice ending. Kind of clunky dialogue, though.
I listened to the audio version of this book and I really liked the narration. I usually don't like female narrators because the pitch of their voice can bring me out of the story, but Barbara Benjamin-Creel did a fantastic job keeping it low key and bringing some nice characters to the party.
Great little cozy mystery.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
I listened to the audio version of this book and I really liked the narration. I usually don't like female narrators because the pitch of their voice can bring me out of the story, but Barbara Benjamin-Creel did a fantastic job keeping it low key and bringing some nice characters to the party.
Great little cozy mystery.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
July 23, 2010
Read as part of my cozy mystery challenge "Read Around the USA". I can now mark Connecticut off the list. I would have rated the book with one star because I really didn't care who killed the headmistress of a small private girl's school in Connecticut. The woman needed killing. What brought the rating up to two stars was the insight into the private school environment contrasted with the politics that were being played out at a nearby university. I'm a sucker for books set in an academic setting. Don't run out to get this one.
February 26, 2010
2.5. Readable, a bit thin, but characters ok. Murder at a girls' school.
March 13, 2015
Murder in a private girl's school in Connecticut. A lite mystery.
November 23, 2015
Engaging classic whodunnit. Extra star for familiarity with CT prep schools...
July 9, 2016
love the fact that the "detective" is an academic in a School of Education at a university. Glad that there are four books--perfect for light, fast reading.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews