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The Department
Some secrets we keep even from ourselves
Philosophy professor Neil Weber can' t think of one good reason to get up in the morning. His wife has left him, his academic research has sputtered, and the prospect of tenure is more remote than ever.
Until Lucia Vanotti disappears.
A college student at the Southern university where Neil teaches, Lucia has a secret of her own— one that haunts her relationships and leads to destructive, reckless behavior. When Neil is drawn into the mystery of her disappearance, he finds himself suddenly relevant again. But at what cost? Each clue pulls him deeper into Lucia' s dark past, but also into the hidden lives of his closest friends and colleagues.
What drove Lucia to risk everything? And why does Neil, a professor who hardly knew her, care to find her? From campus classrooms to sex dens to backwoods hideaways, The Department shows the world through the eyes of Lucia and Neil as they descend into obsession, delusion, and the dangerous terrain of memory— uncovering the trauma that drives them to behave in ways even they themselves could never have predicted.
Perfect for fans of Tana French and Gillian Flynn
Philosophy professor Neil Weber can' t think of one good reason to get up in the morning. His wife has left him, his academic research has sputtered, and the prospect of tenure is more remote than ever.
Until Lucia Vanotti disappears.
A college student at the Southern university where Neil teaches, Lucia has a secret of her own— one that haunts her relationships and leads to destructive, reckless behavior. When Neil is drawn into the mystery of her disappearance, he finds himself suddenly relevant again. But at what cost? Each clue pulls him deeper into Lucia' s dark past, but also into the hidden lives of his closest friends and colleagues.
What drove Lucia to risk everything? And why does Neil, a professor who hardly knew her, care to find her? From campus classrooms to sex dens to backwoods hideaways, The Department shows the world through the eyes of Lucia and Neil as they descend into obsession, delusion, and the dangerous terrain of memory— uncovering the trauma that drives them to behave in ways even they themselves could never have predicted.
Perfect for fans of Tana French and Gillian Flynn
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
93 people are currently reading
4693 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Faber
1 book44 followersJacqueline Faber is an author and freelance writer. Her work explores questions about memory, loss, language, and desire. She lives with her family in Los Angeles. The Department is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
March 7, 2025
A twisted, enigmatic tale of dark academia, The Department pulled me deeply into the intricacies of philosophical thought and behavior. From the handful of well-developed characters to the brilliant, shocking twist that lit up the last third of the book, there was much to love about this debut novel of psychological suspense. And with eloquent prose that pulled me into the minds of both dual POVs, there wasn’t a doubt of my attachment to both of them in turn. It was Lucia, however, who got—and kept—my attention. A mix of vulnerable, strong, realistic, and flawed! , the depth to her persona had me utterly floored.
There were, unfortunately, a few hiccups along the way. You see, while at times I loved the shrewd insights and thought-provoking critiques, they did go on rather too longthe middle of the book could’ve used a bit of editing as the slow burn took on rather ponderous crawl. Last but not least, I would have loved to get Phaedra’s side of things. She was so tied into Neil’s characterization, that it would’ve given me a further frame of reference for both him and the story. One more big warning, this was NOT built for fans of Ruth Ware or Gillian Flynn. Much slower in pace than either of those two, I’d be more inclined to compare it to The Secret History if push came to shove.
All said and done, however, I was nevertheless swept up in the words. With a brain-wrecking moral and ethical dilemma that kept me thinking long and hard, this book had a strong general fiction/drama core alongside of the suspense-laden feel. After all, while there was an underlying mystery just waiting to be solved, it took a back seat throughout the winding plot much of the time. In the end, though, the many suspicious characters, somewhat open-ended conclusion, and well-written dual timelines meant that it was a definite win for yours truly despite the small number of flaws. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Philosophy professor Neil Weber can't think of one good reason to get up in the morning. His wife has left him, his academic research has sputtered, and the prospect of tenure is more remote than ever.
Until Lucia Vanotti disappears.
A college student at Neil’s Southern university, Lucia has a secret of her own—one that haunts her relationships and leads to reckless, destructive behavior. When Neil is drawn into the mystery of her disappearance, he finds new energy, purpose, and relevance. But at what cost? Each clue pulls him deeper into Lucia' s dark past, but also into the hidden lives of his closest friends and colleagues.
What has driven Lucia to risk everything? And why does Neil, a professor who hardly knew her, care so deeply about finding her? From campus classrooms to sex dens to backwoods hideaways, The Department reveals the world through the dual perspectives of Lucia and Neil as they descend into obsession, delusion, and the dangerous terrain of memory—uncovering the traumas that drive them to behave in ways they never could have predicted or imagined.
Thank you to Jacqueline Faber and Oceanview Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 4, 2025
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Content warning: drug use, infidelity, misogyny, sexual assault, suicide, mention of: self-harm, domestic violence
There were, unfortunately, a few hiccups along the way. You see, while at times I loved the shrewd insights and thought-provoking critiques, they did go on rather too longthe middle of the book could’ve used a bit of editing as the slow burn took on rather ponderous crawl. Last but not least, I would have loved to get Phaedra’s side of things. She was so tied into Neil’s characterization, that it would’ve given me a further frame of reference for both him and the story. One more big warning, this was NOT built for fans of Ruth Ware or Gillian Flynn. Much slower in pace than either of those two, I’d be more inclined to compare it to The Secret History if push came to shove.
All said and done, however, I was nevertheless swept up in the words. With a brain-wrecking moral and ethical dilemma that kept me thinking long and hard, this book had a strong general fiction/drama core alongside of the suspense-laden feel. After all, while there was an underlying mystery just waiting to be solved, it took a back seat throughout the winding plot much of the time. In the end, though, the many suspicious characters, somewhat open-ended conclusion, and well-written dual timelines meant that it was a definite win for yours truly despite the small number of flaws. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Philosophy professor Neil Weber can't think of one good reason to get up in the morning. His wife has left him, his academic research has sputtered, and the prospect of tenure is more remote than ever.
Until Lucia Vanotti disappears.
A college student at Neil’s Southern university, Lucia has a secret of her own—one that haunts her relationships and leads to reckless, destructive behavior. When Neil is drawn into the mystery of her disappearance, he finds new energy, purpose, and relevance. But at what cost? Each clue pulls him deeper into Lucia' s dark past, but also into the hidden lives of his closest friends and colleagues.
What has driven Lucia to risk everything? And why does Neil, a professor who hardly knew her, care so deeply about finding her? From campus classrooms to sex dens to backwoods hideaways, The Department reveals the world through the dual perspectives of Lucia and Neil as they descend into obsession, delusion, and the dangerous terrain of memory—uncovering the traumas that drive them to behave in ways they never could have predicted or imagined.
Thank you to Jacqueline Faber and Oceanview Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 4, 2025
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Content warning: drug use, infidelity, misogyny, sexual assault, suicide, mention of: self-harm, domestic violence
November 2, 2024
I’m giving The Department 4 solid stars! The story had dark twists and turns all along the way. I really liked how the author stayed true to the “philosophy” side with her professors and it really made the reader think. The ending was a letdown for me but all in all, crazy good ride.
April 2, 2025
The first thing that ran through my head after I finished The Department by Jacqueline Faber, was that it was fuc*ing tragic. This ended up being such a hard read to experience and the end left me breathless, depressed, angry, and validated all at the same time. My heart absolutely ached for Lucia, and it was an interesting dynamic switching back and forth between her before (then) viewpoint and Neil in the present.
The audiobook was okay and not my favorite, so if you are thinking about buying or using a credit, I would try to go library or read first. I really enjoyed Spencer Cannon’s narration for Neil, but the only thing I really liked about Tawny Platis’ narration was when she voiced Lucia's parents. It was just too rushed and hard to understand for me, which kept my pace at nothing above a 2.5x speed. Mental illness and trauma take centerstage in this book and it is not your average mystery/thriller in the slightest.
Read this if you are looking for dark themes, a thought-provoking read, and a slow pace.
The audiobook was okay and not my favorite, so if you are thinking about buying or using a credit, I would try to go library or read first. I really enjoyed Spencer Cannon’s narration for Neil, but the only thing I really liked about Tawny Platis’ narration was when she voiced Lucia's parents. It was just too rushed and hard to understand for me, which kept my pace at nothing above a 2.5x speed. Mental illness and trauma take centerstage in this book and it is not your average mystery/thriller in the slightest.
Read this if you are looking for dark themes, a thought-provoking read, and a slow pace.
February 8, 2025
It has been years since I’ve stayed awake until the early morning hours to read. I even fell asleep during a recent new release that was highly anticipated 👀 BUT I was up until 4:30am reading The Department. Not only are the characters easy to relate to, but the pace is perfectly quick in a familiar setting which really carried me away until I just HAD to know what came next. A tremendous debut!
March 28, 2025
Philosophy Professor Neil Weber can't think of one good reason to get up in the morning. His wife has left him, his academic research has sputtered, and the prospect of tenure is more remote than ever. Until student Lucia Vanotti disappears. Lucia has a secret of her own - one that haunts her relationships and leads to destructive, reckless behavior.
I've more than once said that I was done with dark academia but then The Department popped up in an email from the publisher and I was drawn right into the story, unable to resist. We get the story from the perspectives of Neil and Lucia and how their two stories come together is really convoluted. Neil's ex-wife, who has since remarried yet another professor, plays a pivotal role in the book and it might've been nice to have her point-of-view as well but we get the gist of it from her conversations with Neil. I wouldn't hesitate to read another novel by Jacqueline Faber.
TW: Sexual assault, self-harm, erotic asphyxiation, infidelity.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing, via Edelweiss, for providing access to this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
I've more than once said that I was done with dark academia but then The Department popped up in an email from the publisher and I was drawn right into the story, unable to resist. We get the story from the perspectives of Neil and Lucia and how their two stories come together is really convoluted. Neil's ex-wife, who has since remarried yet another professor, plays a pivotal role in the book and it might've been nice to have her point-of-view as well but we get the gist of it from her conversations with Neil. I wouldn't hesitate to read another novel by Jacqueline Faber.
TW: Sexual assault, self-harm, erotic asphyxiation, infidelity.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing, via Edelweiss, for providing access to this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
January 27, 2025
The Department is a fast paced, beautifully written, and thought provoking book that I couldn't put down. Faber's writing flows naturally, weaving together a story with many twists and turns. While I am not particularly well-versed in the topic of Philosophy, I was attracted to the dark, moody vibe of this book- very Film Noir- and found the text very easy to follow and captivating. The story winds its way through many different genres that somehow come together seamlessly, making this book unique. Somebody mentioned a "slow burn" which I thought was a wonderful way to describe this story. By the time the true ending is revealed, you've already gone through countless (wrong) assumptions of what has happened. You think you know, but you don't- and that's what I love about stories like this. The ending is both surprising and heartbreaking and keeps you thinking about it long after it's finished. Definitely recommend!!
February 7, 2025
I really loved this one! The writing was superb and I loved the short chapters, multi POV and alternating timelines. So well done.
The characters were so well developed, complex and a bit broken
The characters were so well developed, complex and a bit broken
March 11, 2025
Jacqueline Faber's The Department depicts a far from typical college department. Imagine a department staffed by over-sexed professors and troubled students. This may be typical on modern campuses, but the addition of a murder and another missing student takes this campus out of the norm and into a suspenseful murder investigation. One way to describe this book would be to downplay the murder and treat it as a story about love and family told by philosophy professors and their students. Friendships and ethical obligations play roles, too. The addition of a plot element focused on a secret sex club livens things up. Readers will wonder whether Neil, Jack, or Tim killed Lucia. Beyond these facts and considerations, no spoilers. But, how did Neil's cigarette end up at the crime scene? Expect surprises.
January 1, 2025
The Department is, on its surface, a straightforward mystery with excellent pacing. But, at its core, it’s a novel that delivers something much more profound: an examination of trauma, powerful female narratives, and an exploration of why we make the choices we do.
This book has many strengths, but among its most impressive is its characterization. The story is told through alternating chapters narrated by Neil and Lucia. Neil is an endearing mess, and his imperfections are conveyed in a relatable, ever-so-slightly bristly way. He’s full of good intentions and respect, but he doesn’t always manage to get his point across, and his obsessive tendency makes him a thrilling narrator.
- - -
The Department is a stunning debut, one which hopefully precedes many more books by Faber. It was a surprising and rewarding mystery, and I loved the plot twists. My favorite element of the novel was far and away the fully-imagined female characters, who were strong and vulnerable, brilliant and imperfect. The pacing of this novel is absolutely relentless, and it’s clear Faber has a knack for keeping the reader hooked throughout.
Read the full review here: The Department Full Review
This book has many strengths, but among its most impressive is its characterization. The story is told through alternating chapters narrated by Neil and Lucia. Neil is an endearing mess, and his imperfections are conveyed in a relatable, ever-so-slightly bristly way. He’s full of good intentions and respect, but he doesn’t always manage to get his point across, and his obsessive tendency makes him a thrilling narrator.
- - -
The Department is a stunning debut, one which hopefully precedes many more books by Faber. It was a surprising and rewarding mystery, and I loved the plot twists. My favorite element of the novel was far and away the fully-imagined female characters, who were strong and vulnerable, brilliant and imperfect. The pacing of this novel is absolutely relentless, and it’s clear Faber has a knack for keeping the reader hooked throughout.
Read the full review here: The Department Full Review
December 19, 2024
I saw another bookstagrammer feature this book, checked out the synopsis, and knew I wanted to read it! THE DEPARTMENT is a stunning debut, perfect for fans of the psychological thriller genre. There were a few different players in this story and they all contributed to the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a local college student.
This story was atmospheric which was great but even better was the amazing writing. I was hooked on page one from Jacqueline Faber’s beautiful prose. I loved that as another reader said she stayed true to the philosophy angle. There was also a moral and ethics dilemma that I really appreciated. By the end I was really thinking wow…. The things people do.
This was a story I couldn’t look away from and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Oceanview publishing and Jacqueline for my review copies!
This story was atmospheric which was great but even better was the amazing writing. I was hooked on page one from Jacqueline Faber’s beautiful prose. I loved that as another reader said she stayed true to the philosophy angle. There was also a moral and ethics dilemma that I really appreciated. By the end I was really thinking wow…. The things people do.
This was a story I couldn’t look away from and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Oceanview publishing and Jacqueline for my review copies!
January 30, 2025
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and Jacqueline Faber for granting me a digital copy of this book.
3⭐ - based in a college town, professor Neil's life couldn't be more boring but when a troubled student goes missing, will he be the one that can solve this mystery?
This is a dual pov story, with Neil and Lucia as narrators - it is an easy to follow mystery novel. However I wasn't too keen on the philosophy aspect of the story.
3⭐ - based in a college town, professor Neil's life couldn't be more boring but when a troubled student goes missing, will he be the one that can solve this mystery?
This is a dual pov story, with Neil and Lucia as narrators - it is an easy to follow mystery novel. However I wasn't too keen on the philosophy aspect of the story.
January 28, 2025
The Department is so beautifully written that I felt like I was walking the halls of the University alongside the characters. Each character is perfectly imperfect, making you love and hate them—sometimes within the same paragraph. The inclusion of philosophers and their theories was a delightful touch; even without a background in philosophy, the book makes them accessible and engaging. And the twists? Absolutely unpredictable! Highly recommend!
March 21, 2025
A perfect dark “academic thriller” that I tore through in a few days. This story had dark twists and turns all along the way, short chapters, multiple points of view, and an alternating timeline. The themes of loss-and how we are shaped by our losses and how we survive-also kept me hooked. I could not put this down.
May 6, 2025
Awesome! ♥️
October 5, 2025
This was much sadder than I expected, & it was also very well done. Love the academic setting, & I really enjoyed all the characters. This was dark without being over the top & kept me guessing.
January 31, 2025
I couldn't put this book down. Faber's writing style immediately weaves you into her world so vividly I feel like I'm there. She paints an effortless portrait of her two flawed protagonists with both a complexity of character and intrigue, you cannot stop turning the pages. It feels like a story within a story about two very different people who's lives intersect in both obsessive and unexpected ways. I really appreciated the intellect and exploration of philosophy in the pursuit of academia. She didn't dumb it down for her readers. While grossly entertaining, the subject matters deals with real issues of the heart, our traumas past and present and the human psyche.
April 24, 2025
An original and interesting academic thriller surrounding the disappearance of grad student Lucia and a professor who becomes obsessed with solving the case. What I really enjoyed about this book is how much insight we got toward the characters. Each character felt flawed and layered. Reading from Lucia's POV was especially heartbreaking, but her character felt very real. An impressive debut and fascinating mystery. 4.25⭐️
January 28, 2025
The Department was beautifully written, with it’s author seamlessly navigating between varying characters, perspectives and moments in time. I couldn’t put this book down. It had it all—mystery, suspense, romance, thrill, and a pull to keep wanting more of what it was serving up! I highly recommend this one!
January 28, 2025
I cannot recommend this book enough. It's an elevated page turner - I had to bring it to work to read at lunch because it's that good. The book explores massive ideas of death, motivation, fear and desire through complicated characters whose impulses remain relatable. Great read. Can't wait for more from the author.
February 21, 2025
“There are moments that change the course of everything, that alter the trajectory of your life because you can’t undo them , and you can’t forget them. You don’t see them coming, but once they arrive, it feels like they were always on their way. How was I to know the one such moment was upon me? That it would come, not with a bang, but with a whisper.”
Neil is a philosophy professor. He is recently divorced and unfortunately his ex-wife and her new husband both work in the same department at the same university. He is drinking too much, will probably not get tenure and is generally just going through the motions. Then one day a female student, Lucia, disappears, and Neil realizes he has interacted with her once before. With nothing else to ground him, he becomes obsessed with the case.
The story is told in alternating points of view—Neil in the present and Lucia in the past. The story is a slow burn but extremely twisty. I was 95% sure I knew where things were going and I was completely wrong. I also really loved the writing style. This felt straightforward and honest and I felt like I knew Neil and Lucia.
This was a fantastic debut and I will be eagerly awaiting Faber’s next book.
Neil is a philosophy professor. He is recently divorced and unfortunately his ex-wife and her new husband both work in the same department at the same university. He is drinking too much, will probably not get tenure and is generally just going through the motions. Then one day a female student, Lucia, disappears, and Neil realizes he has interacted with her once before. With nothing else to ground him, he becomes obsessed with the case.
The story is told in alternating points of view—Neil in the present and Lucia in the past. The story is a slow burn but extremely twisty. I was 95% sure I knew where things were going and I was completely wrong. I also really loved the writing style. This felt straightforward and honest and I felt like I knew Neil and Lucia.
This was a fantastic debut and I will be eagerly awaiting Faber’s next book.
June 2, 2025
It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel—Jacqueline Faber delivers a stunning dark academia read. The story is full of unexpected, often chilling twists, with excellent pacing and a mystery that hooked from beginning to end.
One of the novel’s strengths is how it explores trauma and the way it shapes the characters’ decisions. The philosophical themes woven throughout add real depth and complexity, and I found myself fascinated by the interplay of obsession, delusion, and identity in this world.
Neil’s journey—unraveling the threads of the mystery and discovering how everything connects—was especially compelling. The characters are deeply flawed, even unlikeable at times, but in a way that feels honest and eerily relatable.
I changed my mind more than once about what I thought was really going on, which is exactly what a good mystery should do. The ending is devastating and lingers long after the final page.
This is intelligent, thought-provoking writing. You should definitely read it.
4.5 stars
One of the novel’s strengths is how it explores trauma and the way it shapes the characters’ decisions. The philosophical themes woven throughout add real depth and complexity, and I found myself fascinated by the interplay of obsession, delusion, and identity in this world.
Neil’s journey—unraveling the threads of the mystery and discovering how everything connects—was especially compelling. The characters are deeply flawed, even unlikeable at times, but in a way that feels honest and eerily relatable.
I changed my mind more than once about what I thought was really going on, which is exactly what a good mystery should do. The ending is devastating and lingers long after the final page.
This is intelligent, thought-provoking writing. You should definitely read it.
4.5 stars
April 3, 2025
I'm finding some absolute bangers of books that have like 200 reviews on here through like random recs this year? this one, The Professor, Old Soul... anyway yes I really liked this. I thought it was beautifully written and fascinating. much like The Professor, there's a very deep sadness running through this book and it's extremely effective.
I do think the end of the book was a bit unsatisfying. like without spoiling it, a character asks another character to make a very critical choice, a choice that has formed the themes of the novel. and then that character asked to make a choice just, uh, kinda doesn't? it makes it feel very pointless. I also feel like there were about three important characters too many (Michelle girly what was the point of you). still, I highly recommend this book. it really Got Me.
I do think the end of the book was a bit unsatisfying. like without spoiling it, a character asks another character to make a very critical choice, a choice that has formed the themes of the novel. and then that character asked to make a choice just, uh, kinda doesn't? it makes it feel very pointless. I also feel like there were about three important characters too many (Michelle girly what was the point of you). still, I highly recommend this book. it really Got Me.
February 6, 2025
A psychological thriller
The Department is a dark academic thriller, a story that delves into the mysterious disappearance of a college student and the secrets unearthed by a struggling philosophy professor.
This story is said through the dual perspectives of Lucia and Neil, the two important figures in this story.
Nothing is going well for Professor Neil Weber: his wife left him, his academic research is going nowhere and is prospect of tenure is on the line…..Until Lucia Vanotti disappears, a college student at Neil’s university. What happened to her and why does Neil care about finding her?....
From the campus classrooms to sex dens we follow how their world descend into obsession and delusion while they uncover what drive them to behave the ways they never could have imagined.
Although I enjoyed the insights and thought- provoking moments I found this story to be way too long and dragging too much, it moves at a slow crawl and keep this tempo till the very last page…I had a hard time keeping with it and was so happy seeing the end coming.
The characters have a dark past and nothing is positive. This story is a trip into the disturbed world of a illusioned professor and a female student…A story written and said many times…
Indeed I did not enjoy this thriller but maybe you will so don’t take my words for it, have a look for yourselves.
I received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing for my thoughts: this is the way I see it
The Department is a dark academic thriller, a story that delves into the mysterious disappearance of a college student and the secrets unearthed by a struggling philosophy professor.
This story is said through the dual perspectives of Lucia and Neil, the two important figures in this story.
Nothing is going well for Professor Neil Weber: his wife left him, his academic research is going nowhere and is prospect of tenure is on the line…..Until Lucia Vanotti disappears, a college student at Neil’s university. What happened to her and why does Neil care about finding her?....
From the campus classrooms to sex dens we follow how their world descend into obsession and delusion while they uncover what drive them to behave the ways they never could have imagined.
Although I enjoyed the insights and thought- provoking moments I found this story to be way too long and dragging too much, it moves at a slow crawl and keep this tempo till the very last page…I had a hard time keeping with it and was so happy seeing the end coming.
The characters have a dark past and nothing is positive. This story is a trip into the disturbed world of a illusioned professor and a female student…A story written and said many times…
Indeed I did not enjoy this thriller but maybe you will so don’t take my words for it, have a look for yourselves.
I received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing for my thoughts: this is the way I see it
August 4, 2025
Meh. Being a philosophy professor I thought I might like this. I didn’t. Nothing to captivate me here, no redeeming characters, no really interesting plot twist. Skip it.
January 17, 2025
I found this in the 'read now' section of Edelweiss. This doesn't mean I was planning not to write a serious review after reading.
Although I can see why other reviewers gave it four or five stars, I was not impressed by the overload of philosophical thoughts - it took my mind off the real story. The writing is great but it was just not the right book for me.
Although I can see why other reviewers gave it four or five stars, I was not impressed by the overload of philosophical thoughts - it took my mind off the real story. The writing is great but it was just not the right book for me.
February 4, 2025
BOOK•REVIEW
#ad many thanks for the advance copy @uplitreads #partner
The Department
Publishes: February 4, 2025
Okay, so I just have to say that I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I’d been high af when reading it.
The book hits the mark in the dark psychological aspect. It’s dark and really gets down to the bare bones of what humanity is about - the good and the bad. But as a thriller I think the book missed the mark.
Told in dual POVs, the Protagonist Neil, who’s a professor, is nothing short of a little bit of an Edgar Allan Poe - his life is a mess and he struggles with many things in his life. Drinking, obsession, writer’s block, his life is falling apart. The other POV is that of Lucia, who is a student at the school Neil teaches who mysteriously disappears and has secrets of her own.
The book had potential, but at times, it felt like it got lost in philosophical deep dives about trauma, choices, and moral dilemmas. Interesting? Sure. But it often slowed the story to a crawl and the pacing was already slow before all that.
When people talk about the fight-or-flight response they often forget that there’s actually another response: freezing. But when a larger group witnesses a crime and no one does anything - it’s usually because those people assume someone else will do something. The only problem with that type of thinking is that it’s what most people will think. So nothing gets done and they all just watch a crime happen in front of them. All it takes is one person to start shouting orders and that useless group of onlookers will suddenly become useful.
However, if everyone thinks that way, that someone else will surly do something, then no one acts. It reminded me of those stories where girls get kidnapped from Walmart parking lots while witnesses just stand there, watching. All it takes is one person to take charge, but if no one does… well, you know how that ends.
I can say this book is thought-provoking but the pacing was a little too slow for my liking. 3.5
I absolutely loved the crime “evidence” swag bags. The writing was good! So I’ll def be reading this author’s future work. This just wasn’t a book for me.
#ad many thanks for the advance copy @uplitreads #partner
The Department
Publishes: February 4, 2025
Okay, so I just have to say that I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I’d been high af when reading it.
The book hits the mark in the dark psychological aspect. It’s dark and really gets down to the bare bones of what humanity is about - the good and the bad. But as a thriller I think the book missed the mark.
Told in dual POVs, the Protagonist Neil, who’s a professor, is nothing short of a little bit of an Edgar Allan Poe - his life is a mess and he struggles with many things in his life. Drinking, obsession, writer’s block, his life is falling apart. The other POV is that of Lucia, who is a student at the school Neil teaches who mysteriously disappears and has secrets of her own.
The book had potential, but at times, it felt like it got lost in philosophical deep dives about trauma, choices, and moral dilemmas. Interesting? Sure. But it often slowed the story to a crawl and the pacing was already slow before all that.
When people talk about the fight-or-flight response they often forget that there’s actually another response: freezing. But when a larger group witnesses a crime and no one does anything - it’s usually because those people assume someone else will do something. The only problem with that type of thinking is that it’s what most people will think. So nothing gets done and they all just watch a crime happen in front of them. All it takes is one person to start shouting orders and that useless group of onlookers will suddenly become useful.
However, if everyone thinks that way, that someone else will surly do something, then no one acts. It reminded me of those stories where girls get kidnapped from Walmart parking lots while witnesses just stand there, watching. All it takes is one person to take charge, but if no one does… well, you know how that ends.
I can say this book is thought-provoking but the pacing was a little too slow for my liking. 3.5
I absolutely loved the crime “evidence” swag bags. The writing was good! So I’ll def be reading this author’s future work. This just wasn’t a book for me.
February 3, 2025
“The Department” has a mystery-psychological thriller vibe. Neil is a bit of a washed-up philosophy professor who becomes intrigued by a missing student. This seems to tap into something within him. The story is told through his memories and thoughts, whether true, enhanced, or a product of what else is going on with him—that is unclear or perhaps up to the reader to decipher.
Some of the plot themes were a bit confusing at times. Whether that was intentional by the author, I’m unsure. There were several philosophical messages and twists throughout the story and the ending, which I had to read a couple of times. Again, perhaps that is what the author wanted the reader to experience, tapping into something within ourselves, too.
Some of the plot themes were a bit confusing at times. Whether that was intentional by the author, I’m unsure. There were several philosophical messages and twists throughout the story and the ending, which I had to read a couple of times. Again, perhaps that is what the author wanted the reader to experience, tapping into something within ourselves, too.
October 1, 2025
I really liked the premise and the setup. But then the mystery gets going, the wheels fall off. Our MC is a professor investigating the disappearance of a student that he barely knows, for reasons that even he can’t articulate. To make matters worse, he’s a bit of an idiot.
The case itself proceeds slowly, with the actual detective in charge of the case unsure why the professor is involving himself, as are we all.
Finally the solution itself is compelling but it feels like it’s part of an entirely different book
The case itself proceeds slowly, with the actual detective in charge of the case unsure why the professor is involving himself, as are we all.
Finally the solution itself is compelling but it feels like it’s part of an entirely different book
March 11, 2025
I was fortunate to receive this academic thriller as a Goodreads Giveaway. The story is told through the perspectives of Neil Weber, a troubled professor who teaches ethics in a university philosophy department, and Lucia Vanotti, a student whose disappearance Neil becomes obsessed with investigating. There are dark twists and plenty of suspenseful moments as the novel explores the traumas of its characters and their relationships and decisions. The quick pacing and thought-provoking ideas of this debut novel make it a gripping, satisfying read.
September 30, 2025
I usually don’t read books where the main character is a middle-aged mediocre white guy, but I’m glad I gave this book a shot. I will stand by my opinion that Neil is a pathetic, oblivious, idiot, but Lucia’s story really drove the plot for me. Her story, told in her POV, was tragic and relatable and to quote her boyfriend, Naseem, “She was everything.”
I got hints of the twist before the big reveal, but it was still satisfying. The ending proved that Neil is an idiot. Solid 4 star read.
I got hints of the twist before the big reveal, but it was still satisfying. The ending proved that Neil is an idiot. Solid 4 star read.
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