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The MIT Murders
Three bodies. Three messages. One killer who wants to play.
A young woman is found murdered in the elevator of her Cambridge apartment building. Painted by hand on the wall above her is a cryptic Justice is Blind.
Days later, a jogger is dead on Boston Common with a note pinned to her Justice is Swift.
A third victim is found at the top of a stone tower in rural Maine, a placard hung around her Veritas vos liberabit. The truth will set you free.
The killer has a list of names. But who is on the list, and why?
Chief Homicide Detective Dimase Augustin is a former Marine and a battle-hardened investigator, and he has seen most of what people do to each other. He has never seen this. Every road leads back to M.I.T., one of the country's most respected academic institutions. Could a killer really be hiding among the libraries and laboratories?
As the bodies spread from Boston to Maine, the FBI moves in, and Dimase finds himself racing a man who is always one step ahead — brazen enough to walk through the front doors of Cambridge PD itself. But the deeper Dimase digs, the less this looks like the work of a stranger. The five women share a secret that started it all.
How many of them will still be alive when he finds out what it is?
The MIT Murders is the first of eight Dimase Augustin Detective Thrillers.
★★★★★ "So many twists and turns!" ★★★★★
★★★★★ "Truly gripping." ★★★★★
★★★★★ "I can't stop raving about it!" ★★★★★
★★★★★ "Couldn’t put it down and read it in two days" ★★★★★
★★★★★ "Great storyline, good characters, and very well written." ★★★★★
A young woman is found murdered in the elevator of her Cambridge apartment building. Painted by hand on the wall above her is a cryptic Justice is Blind.
Days later, a jogger is dead on Boston Common with a note pinned to her Justice is Swift.
A third victim is found at the top of a stone tower in rural Maine, a placard hung around her Veritas vos liberabit. The truth will set you free.
The killer has a list of names. But who is on the list, and why?
Chief Homicide Detective Dimase Augustin is a former Marine and a battle-hardened investigator, and he has seen most of what people do to each other. He has never seen this. Every road leads back to M.I.T., one of the country's most respected academic institutions. Could a killer really be hiding among the libraries and laboratories?
As the bodies spread from Boston to Maine, the FBI moves in, and Dimase finds himself racing a man who is always one step ahead — brazen enough to walk through the front doors of Cambridge PD itself. But the deeper Dimase digs, the less this looks like the work of a stranger. The five women share a secret that started it all.
How many of them will still be alive when he finds out what it is?
The MIT Murders is the first of eight Dimase Augustin Detective Thrillers.
★★★★★ "So many twists and turns!" ★★★★★
★★★★★ "Truly gripping." ★★★★★
★★★★★ "I can't stop raving about it!" ★★★★★
★★★★★ "Couldn’t put it down and read it in two days" ★★★★★
★★★★★ "Great storyline, good characters, and very well written." ★★★★★
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 20, 2021
I do not understand why this book has so many reviews that give it 5 stars but do not actually comment on the book at all. The writing is stiff and awkward, the characters do not behave realistically, and the police procedures do not seem anything like genuine police work.
Characters who we are told by the author are extremely intelligent and educated seem to have quite flat internal dialogs and reactions to extreme events. Would a highly intelligent and savvy young woman gawp so mindlessly when her elevator stops between floors and she sees a man staring at her from the hatch in the ceiling?
The plot, which sounds so promising in the reviews, is lacking in surprise and interest.
So why all the 5-star reviews that give no description of why the reviewer liked it? Are they real?
Characters who we are told by the author are extremely intelligent and educated seem to have quite flat internal dialogs and reactions to extreme events. Would a highly intelligent and savvy young woman gawp so mindlessly when her elevator stops between floors and she sees a man staring at her from the hatch in the ceiling?
The plot, which sounds so promising in the reviews, is lacking in surprise and interest.
So why all the 5-star reviews that give no description of why the reviewer liked it? Are they real?
March 25, 2025
An enthralling read which is hard to put down. When a disgruntled academic goes on a killing spree starting with a bizarre murder of a young woman in the ancient lift of her apartment complex, Detective Dimase Augustin is introduced to the reader. When another case also comes to light, Dimase sees some frightening similarities, and the imaginative plot that unfolds takes in to account the feelings of the perpetrator and how those feelings broaden to blood lust along the way. Involving academic research into Alzheimer's disease, it also highlights how greed can override the obtaining of knowledge of this disease and a possible cure.
Detective Augustin involves other Government agencies and before the twists at the end of the story, he becomes known to the perpetrator and has to outthink that person to protect a further two females that seem to be targets. Highly recommended.
Detective Augustin involves other Government agencies and before the twists at the end of the story, he becomes known to the perpetrator and has to outthink that person to protect a further two females that seem to be targets. Highly recommended.
May 7, 2026
Murder Jeopardy
A vengeful scientist uses his brilliance to wreak vengeance on the women he holds responsible for ruining his career. The women are bright and resourceful and they are joined by a clever detective. But who will win the game of Murder Jeopardy?
The killer was hands down the best character in this rather uneven outing. The women are fairly bland and frankly hypocritical. The detective is a legend in his own mind. Kicks into things c more than deciphered them. 2.5 stars
A vengeful scientist uses his brilliance to wreak vengeance on the women he holds responsible for ruining his career. The women are bright and resourceful and they are joined by a clever detective. But who will win the game of Murder Jeopardy?
The killer was hands down the best character in this rather uneven outing. The women are fairly bland and frankly hypocritical. The detective is a legend in his own mind. Kicks into things c more than deciphered them. 2.5 stars
April 25, 2025
The writing kept me engaged, which made it a fairly quick read. I found the characters believable, compelling and some were relatable in how they felt and acted. The detective was interesting though I think more could be explored with his character. Perhaps in the next book in the series, which I am about to read. Good stuff here.
May 26, 2026
Excellent book
This turned out to be such an interesting take on someone snapping. Liked the fact the plot steams along interestingly enough to keep the reader guessing. Really well written.
This turned out to be such an interesting take on someone snapping. Liked the fact the plot steams along interestingly enough to keep the reader guessing. Really well written.
October 25, 2026
Very Good
This is a well written book taking place in the world of medical research. Professor trying to find a cure for Alzheimers have a disagreement. One professor becomes a serial killer. This book was hard to put down. I highly recommend.
This is a well written book taking place in the world of medical research. Professor trying to find a cure for Alzheimers have a disagreement. One professor becomes a serial killer. This book was hard to put down. I highly recommend.
December 1, 2019
The beginning is great will continue to read it!
March 30, 2021
MIT murders
Es un muy buen libro policial
Tiene suspenso y argumentos
Tal ve debiera ser menos predecible
Esta hecho para el cine
Es un muy buen libro policial
Tiene suspenso y argumentos
Tal ve debiera ser menos predecible
Esta hecho para el cine
September 6, 2025
Author attending book group tomorrow night!
Read
August 22, 2026Not for me!
Plot too complicated. Inexplicable police decisions. Perpetrator beyond belief. Not a story, or an author I would be willing to recommend.
Plot too complicated. Inexplicable police decisions. Perpetrator beyond belief. Not a story, or an author I would be willing to recommend.
April 14, 2025
A nail biting thriller! Edge of your seat reading.
September 18, 2023
great story!
I think the story was great! Very imaginative. The author described the bizarre feelings of the murderer really well. I am disappointed that the murderer lived.
Great first novel!
I look forward to the next!
I think the story was great! Very imaginative. The author described the bizarre feelings of the murderer really well. I am disappointed that the murderer lived.
Great first novel!
I look forward to the next!
April 26, 2025
I thought that this was an okay read. Started well but seemed to drag a touch toward the end.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews