Death by Dissertation: Cassandra Sato Series Book 1

Cassandra Sato #1

by Kelly Brakenhoff

From the sunny shores of Hawaii to the heart of Nebraska, a mystery awaits.

Cassandra Sato's leap from the tropical paradise of Hawaii to the rustic charm of Nebraska was supposed to be her big career move, not a detour into danger. But at Morton College, where the leaves are barely falling before secrets start piling up, Cassandra's fresh start is anything but serene.

The sudden death of a deaf student thrusts her into an investigation denser than the Nebraska cornfields. Amidst the swirling autumn leaves, Cassandra finds herself untangling a web of campus intrigue that threatens to derail her career and possibly her life.

Morton College promised a new chapter, but academic chaos reigns. Lance Erickson, a deaf work-study student with secrets of his own, becomes an unlikely ally. Add to the puzzle a sheriff with too many questions, a relentless reporter, a boss who prefers problems to stay buried, and a stalker who thinks he’s Zorro.

Each clue pulls Cassandra deeper into danger and seems to grease the rungs of the academic ladder she's precariously climbing. Can Cassandra uncover the truth before she slips off the ladder and becomes the next unfortunate headline?

Grab your front-row seat to this masterclass in resilience, academic survival, and sleuthing.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary, Cozy, Crime, Mystery Thriller

691 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2019

About the author

Kelly Brakenhoff is the author of 16 books and a seasoned ASL interpreter. She splits her writing energy between two series: cozy mysteries set on a college campus and children’s books featuring Duke the Deaf Dog.

Parents, kids, and teachers love the children’s books and activity guides because they introduce ASL and the Deaf community through fun, engaging stories. And if you enjoy a smart female sleuth, want to learn more about Deaf culture, or have ever lived in a place where livestock outnumber people, the Cassandra Sato Mystery series will have you connecting the dots faster than a group project coming together the night before it’s due.

A proud mom to four adults, head of the dog-snuggling department, and grandma to a growing brood of perfectly behaved grandkids, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Dissertation is the first book in the Cassandra Sato series written by Kelly Brakenhoff. It was published in 2019, and since this is a relatively new series with only a couple of books published to date, you can jump in early to experience this great collection. I love that it's set on a college campus and brings some much needed diversity to the sub-genre. The main character is from Hawaii but moved to Nebraska a few months ago, and she comes from Japanese ancestry.

Cassandra is in her late twenties, and after finishing up three degrees in Hawaii, she took a job working for the president of a college in Nebraska. He often tells her he selected her specifically because she was a different ethnicity and wanted to bring something new to campus. That tells us a lot about him, especially the way he drops a few odd lines and somewhat offensive sayings around her. Luckily, he is off on a trip to China, and Cassandra has a chance to run parts of the college while he's gone. Then a student dies. It appears like an accident, but of course, it isn't. Someone pushed him down the stairs. Adding to the drama and curious sub-plot, the student is deaf and had a deaf roommate. I am impressed with how well this piece of the story is integrated into the overall book.

Brakenhoff uses lots of ASL (sign language) and translators to help the dead student's roommate communicate what happened in the preceding days, especially when the local police bumble the investigation from the beginning. Throw in some very intriguing science experiments, blood plasma transfusions, financial donations, caged rats, and a strange preacher who yells a lot... this was quite baffling -- all in a good way. Readers have to pay close attention to the details to understand all that's going on. We also see Cassandra's romantic interests begin to develop as there are two or three suitors, all who seem like a good fit. Her mother will be very excited to meet them... I can't wait 'til she comes for a visit. That will bring a lot of levity!

The supporting cast is well-rounded; she has a friend who went to school in Hawaii but lives in the Nebraska area, grounding Cassandra. She's well liked at the college, though a few people dislike her very detailed approach to solving the crime. The best part - she brings out her culture / amazing attitude to kick-start a difficult student into waking up from his delusions. Though I only understood 50% of what she was saying, the writing style makes the words and emotions come across quite easily. I loved feeling a bit of Hawaii again (haven't been there in years... but stayed for two two-weeks trips, and I enjoyed it).

This is the beginning of a well-written and very promising series. Cassandra is extremely likable. I think the college setting will be very strong. I think a certain character in another book I know well might need to meet Ms. Sato at a college conference one day in the future. If you're looking for an academic setting with a nice balance of culture and side stories, this will be a great series to start. I'll be reading book two before the end of the year. Can't wait!

[Sherry Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always fun to get into the beginning of a new series and this one did not disappoint.

Not only does author Kelly Brakenhoff spin a good tale she seems to write from the heart.

This story is engaging and keeps you a bit on the edge of your seat as you watch for clues and try to figure out just what was up.

The story is centered around a college and those interested in staying in touch with Academia and love a good Cozy will be pleasantly pleased with this offer.

I received a complimentary copy.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death by Dissertation is the first novel in A Cassandra Soto Mystery series. The author sets the stage for the book by telling readers about the inner workings of a college. We get an inside look at the administrative side of college life and how they handle various situations. Cassandra Sato has plans on becoming a college president one day and this is the first step towards her goal. On a day to day basis, Cassandra deals with students who are more interested in playing video games and attending frat parties than going to class and turning in their assignments. Cassandra looks and dresses differently from the rest of the staff at Morton College. She is not used to see a sea of Caucasian faces and land all around her. Cassandra misses the tropical climate of her home along with the friendly people, veggies and the ocean. She is glad to have her friend Meg O’Brien, an ASL interpreter, working at the college and living nearby. Readers get a look at what deaf students must deal with on a daily basis (needing an interpreter for classes, people not understanding them, or treating them inappropriately). The author is an ASL interpreter herself and her knowledge is evident in Death by Dissertation. The mystery delves into the scientific arena and readers are provided with detailed technical information as the search for the killer ramps up. The author is detail oriented which means readers get meticulous descriptions of Cassandra’s clothing, room decorations and food items. The story proceeds at a languid pace until the action near the end of the book. Readers will have no problem identifying the guilty party long before it is revealed in the story. I would have preferred to know less about the administration of the college, academic politics, and students’ attitudes (there was too much of it). Some of the science information put me to sleep and other parts grossed me out. Cassandra is an interesting character with her unique style of dress and outlook. Some of her Hawaiian speech tangents left me baffled as well as her reluctance to wear jeans. I had to laugh when Meg helped Cassandra with her hair and asked, “How close to God do you want your hair?” I also enjoyed Cassandra and Meg’s commentary on women wearing yoga pants. Death by Dissertation has collegiate spirit, a complex crime, scientific exploration, an avaricious killer, and a gifted gumshoe.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Death by Dissertation” is an outstanding foray into university campus politics!

Read full review in the 2019 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Victoria Goessling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and interesting read. Even though I've worked with deaf interpreters before, I learned a lot while thoroughly enjoying the book. Strongly recommend it, with interesting characters, good plot development, and an enjoyable and accurate portrayal of Nebraska!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

There are many cozy mystery series set on college campuses, so authors have to work hard to make their stories unique. In Death by Dissertation, our protagonist Cassandra Soto have left Hawai’i for a job in Carson, Nebraska. I know winter there is milder than in the Upper Midwest where I live, but come on Hawai’i!!! It was that hook that first caught my attention.

As Student Affairs VP at Morton College, I am sure Cassandra can handle the weather and cornfields instead of the ocean, but I bet she never imagined finding one of her students dead. A deaf student that was working in a science lab doing cancer research.

His death is suspicious and Cassandra finds herself in the middle of the investigation while trying to do her job and her boss’s job because he has traveled to China and stay on top of all the homecoming week festivities. Worried that she could lose her position she keeps pushing forward but is put to a real test as she tries to discover who killed her student and why.

Cassandra Sato waded through everything that was thrown at her like a rockstar. To take the job of Student Affairs VP it is a given that she is ambitious and smart, but she is having a hard time fitting in in small-town Nebraska. She looks different than anyone else in town and she dresses more formally. Her home is vandalized and she is threatened and told to go back where she came from. But she handles it because this is her dream job and if she is ever going to be a college president she needs to stay calm and deal with all types of people.

Meg O’Brien is Cassandra’s longtime friend and an ASL interpreter at Morton College. My daughter uses American Sign Language at work, in fact, my grandsons can sign and understand many words too, although it is not part of their daily lives. I have always been interested in it. The author is an ASL interpreter herself and I like the way she puts that part of herself into the story and the character of Meg while raising an understanding of what deaf students encounter in college and going into the workforce.

I did enjoy some of the unique phrases of speech used by Cassandra, some were easily translated but some left me scratching my head. The interactions between Meg and Cassandra were realistic and some were laugh out loud funny. Their shopping trip to get Cassandra proper clothing for Nebraska was full of humor.

Ms. Brakenhoff is a very detailed writer which I felt was very necessary for this story due to the scientific theme. Many parts of the college and community are connected and play into solving the mystery with a wide variety of suspects. Her details also helped me to get a clear picture of all the characters. The pace she sets is relaxed until it starts to ramp up as more and more clues start to fall into place,

This series is off to a marvelous start. I can’t believe this is Kelly Brankenhoff’s first novel. She is an author to watch.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good start to a new series about a woman from Hawaii that takes a job in Nebraska....now you have to be thinking like I was...are you kidding?  WHY?!  But later in the book, we learn why and the support she had to make the move to advance her career.  Of course, things aren't going quite as she would have expected when a student is found dead on campus.  This book tells the journey of trying to solve the murder, keep her job, and stay alive.  Yes, you read that right, stay alive.  She has a stalker that means business.

This book is very detailed and I thought the author did a good job on character development and providing just enough information to keep the reader engaged but not so much detail that a reader might lose interest.  The mystery surprised me a little bit at the end but not too much.  There was something about this character that just stood out to me but I didn't know this character was also the killer.  Just seemed like there was something off.

I felt for Cassandra and the prejudice she ran into in the smaller town of Carson, Nebraska.  Yes, she was different than the rest of the town but you would have hoped they would have embraced her and welcomed her diversity.  Perhaps in future books.

The book did seem to move at a slower pace until the end where it really picked up steam until the killer was revealed.  There are some comedic moments especially when she visits the farm to check on the cows wearing a suit and heels.  Someone should have told her to change clothes or at least shoes.

There are some potential love interests for Cassandra should she choose to let loose and live a little and not focus so much on her career.  Sure the career is important but so is living life.

The only strange thing I noted when reading this book was when Cassandra would slip into this Creole dialect.  I didn't know that there was such a dialect as Hawaiian Creole but apparently so.  Some of the phrases were odd, especially when she mentioned getting "chicken skin".  I can only assume she was referring to what most of us might call "goosebumps" but she did use goosebumps in the book so not really sure what she meant.  There is also 1 f* bomb in the book which surprised me as that is not a word commonly used in a cozy.

Overall we enjoyed the book and we give it 3 1/2 paws.

[C.J. Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly Brakenhoff’s new amateur-sleuth mystery, Death By Dissertation, is not an action-oriented mystery. Hers is more a cozy-like tale strong in character development and in the exploration of culture – in this case, the culture of the deaf. The latter is not surprising given that Brakenhoff is herself an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and knowledgeable about this culture.

Our protagonist is Cassandra Sato, a Japanese-American and Hawaii born-and-bred, who has just taken an administrative position at a college in a small town in Nebraska. She is deeply ambitious – she wants to be a university president someday – and this job is the first step toward that goal. She is also desperately homesick for her Hawaiian home and family. We watch her character develop as she goes from engaging in sometimes snarky and immature interactions with students to a maturing young woman who sets aside her ambition in favor of doing the right thing on behalf of the students she represents.

The exploration of deaf culture is a real strength of this story. Cassandra has a best friend, Meg, who is an ASL interpreter. When a deaf student is found dead (murdered?), his roommate, also a deaf student, gets involved in trying to determine what really happened to his friend. Perhaps the best scene in the book occurs when the police come to question the deaf roommate. They don’t seem to understand that the deaf student isn’t being uncooperative. He simply cannot hear them, and that’s why he’s not answering their questions. Cassandra and Meg arrive, they see what’s happening, and then Meg stops verbally explaining to the police what’s she’s signing to the student. Only then do the police begin to understand that all that hand waving isn’t really hand waving – it’s a real language and real communication is happening.

Cassandra is pulled into the emerging mystery regarding the deaf student’s death. She begins to suspect that there may be something questionable about relationship between college scientists who are cooperating with corporate interests to develop an enzyme that may contribute to human health. As a result of her interest, Cassandra becomes the target of racist and sexist harassment, home vandalism, stalking, and finally she is threatened with physical violence.

Suspense builds especially in the final chapters of the book as we learn about to what extent greed and corruption can pervert academic research. Unfortunately midway in the novel, we are too often forced to detour away from this suspenseful story because we are subjected to professors jockeying for position (academic politics are likely only interesting to academics); too lengthy interactions with students that don’t contribute to the overall arc of the story; and a deep dive into excessive descriptions of foods, home decoration, and most especially women’s clothing and shoes, including brand names. This detour explains why this novel gets four stars rather than five.

My wish for Cassandra is that while she’s solving mysteries, she also sets aside those pointy-toed high heels that she thinks she has to wear for the job but that hurt her feet. I hope she’ll put on some hiking books and allow that handsome fellow Fischer to take her on a trek through the ocean of light and wind we know as the great North American prairie.

[Ronna Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so good. Very suspenseful. Can’t wait for the next one!!! Loved all the Nebraska ties.

[katayoun Masoodi · Rating 1 out of 5]

i didn't like much in this book, neither the story nor the characters, both the main ones and the secondary or even the ones walking the streets. all the very deatailed and boring descriptions or the very illogical actions of everyone was also not likeable for me. all in all, something that i regret reading and won't recommend to anyone and the i had such high hopes for this.

[Ana Manwaring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two months into her dream job as Student Affairs Administrator at prestigious Morton College located in Nebraska’s farming country, intrepid Dr. Cassandra Sato isn’t sure if she’s walked into a nightmare. She knew before leaving her Honolulu home, she’d have to contend with the cold, but she hadn’t realized how stifled living landlocked could be. And now a deaf student has died suspiciously right before Homecoming and her boss, Dr. Nielson, not only has left her in charge, but wants the investigation to be quick and quiet. Brakenhoff gives readers a detailed look at the culture on a campus of higher education as she richly develops the characters. Cassandra Sato is sharp, thoughtful, witty and persistent.

Brakenhoff’s prose is serious, succinct and packed with exactly what we need when we need it. She doesn’t waste words or rely on frivolous detail and she doesn’t rush. Cassandra has the full scope of student life on campus to contend with and the extra burden of Homecoming planning and minding, as well as a death to solve. If you are looking to get to know a place and the people who inhabit that place with a good dose of murder mystery investigation thrown in, you can’t go wrong with Death by Dissertation. And there’s a sequel scheduled for this summer!

[Carla Engstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a copy of Death By Dissertation and brought it home, laid it on the coffee table and then the book got covered with a magazine. A week or so later, the cat walked over the book stack, knocked the magazine off and uncovered Kelly Brakenhoff’s book. What a gem.
It’s not everyday that a Deaf student is murdered at a Nebraska college, but Death by Dissertation makes the reader want to turn the pages until we learn how a science lab study, enzymes, big Agri business and greed are somehow unlikely co-conspirators.
The author, Kelly Brakenhoff, is a sign language interpreter and uses her experiences with university life, Deaf Culture, Hawai’i and growing up in the Husker state to write a compelling murder mystery.
I could not put Kelly’s book down. I wanted to know what the main character and fact finder, Cassandra Sato, would do next. It was such an easy and fun read, I highly recommend Death by Dissertation. I can’t wait for the next installment of Ms. Sato’s adventures.

[M.E. Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Dissertation is the first in the Cassandra Sato mystery series by author Kelly Brakenhoff and it is a delightful story set in the halls of a Nebraska college. Brankenhoff’s engaging Dr. Sato is a fish-out-of-water character on many fronts—geographically, culturally, and in her new position—and her coping strategies reveal the depth of her intellect and the size of her heart. The author’s experience as an ASL translator is expertly transferred to ASL interpreter Meg O’Brien, Dr. Sato’s best friend. The chemistry the women share is warm and believable. Deaf students hold two prominent roles in this story—the first as the unfortunate victim. The second is the victim’s roommate who plays an active role assisting Dr. Sato. I found myself engrossed in the administrative workings of the college as well as how deaf students navigate college life through the use of technology and interpreters—without it ever impeding the pace of the mystery. The best endorsement of a book is deciding to read the next in the series. I’m fortunate that I have two more to go!

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a brilliant start to what I hope will be a long series! Kelly Brakenhoff pulled out the Cozy stops and wrote a page turner and a half.

Most people head to the warmth of Hawai'i but Cassandra Sato (Japanese Hawaian) has done the opposite by heading for a new job in Nebraska, it does help that one of her best friends is also at the College and she helps Cassandra settle in.  Only with her boss headed to China she has been left with a PR nightmare with a dead deaf student (which stuns her friend Meg who is the translator for Morton College), other students being ill, people basically ignoring her because of her Asian background, oh and some rather nasty practical jokes.

Now Cassandra, Meg, another female friend Cinda, the deaf student's room mate and two male members of staff (one is the security head) are determined to find out what on earth is happening, preferably before the first few months of Cassandra's job turn out to be her LAST few months working!

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the enjoyable Cassandra Sato academic mysteries. Newly Vice President of Student Affairs at Nebraska's tiny Morton College, Cassandra alteady has a plethora of management tasks on her platter. The departure of her scatterbrained superior for China during Homecoming Week doesn't help. Then a deaf student she knows vaguely is discovered dead at the Science Building, adding yet more tragedy, deceitfulness, and tribulations. It's not encouraging for Cassandra's first term, nor for her ultimate goal of acquiring a University presidency. It sure was never like this back home in Hawaii.


Find yourself caught up in this heartwarming academic cozy mystery featuring a strong and determined female sleuth.

[Catherine Siemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell me seriously how any academic could resist that title? Cassandra Sato is an up-and-coming academic administrator who's suffering culture shock, having recently transplanted from Hawaii to Nebraska. When a deaf student is found dead on campus, she suspects something is not right -- the resulting story is note-perfect with regard to academic politics. Cassandra is an appealing heroine, and there's a rich dose of Hawaiian culture as well as a clear window into the lives of deaf students at an institution of higher learning. A thoroughly enjoyable read -- may Cassandra have many more adventures -- without the mortality rate at Morton College growing too high . . . .

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I loved learning how the college in this book had a deaf interpreter for its many deaf students, who signed for students in classes and helped in other ways. The story was quite interesting, to solve the mystery of why a deaf student died on campus. Now I am ready to read the next book in this series.
Secondly, Cassandra Sato has moved from her home in Hawai'i to this college. She is the Student Affairs VP in Nebraska. Reading about how she was warned to "go back to where you came from" was relevant and distressing, as it reminded me of current events.
I received this book as a result of a giveaway, and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable book that introduces and blends multiple cultures and backgrounds. We see a young professional gain confidence in navigating rural Nebraska but coming from a very different Hawaiian upbringing. We learn about the pressures of an academic job and deaf students. And we see the importance of warm friendships that help in this campus mystery. Cassandra Soto is a character we can relate to and rejoice with as she succeeds. Looking forward to more of her adventures!

[Heart DeCoupeville · Rating 1 out of 5]

Acquired Kindle edition when offered free on Amazon.

Too much irrelevant detail. Glacial pace. A student is dead and Cassandra is nominally in charge of the campus. She does everything but make the resolution of the case -- whether crime or accident -- her priority. Details of her shower, details of her Skype conversation with her mother, details of this, details of that. What about details of the murder?

I gave up at 23%.

[Kim Franzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Dissertation is a great murder mystery! I snuck my kindle to work and read behind my desk when I couldn't finish it at home. I NEEDED to know how it ended! A very light, easy read with great details of the midwest kind of lifestyle. I can't wait for the next book about Cassandra!

[Macie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mystery evolves at the perfect pace amid the rich setting of small town Nebraska through the eyes of Dr. Cassandra Sato, who has just moved there from Hawaii. She is a character that you root for in both her professional and personal endeavors, and I can’t wait for the next part of her story!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Interesting characters. And learned some interesting points about the challenges that deaf students have in school. All set in rural Nebraska, a refreshing change from the big city crime novels. Definitely recommend it!

[Peggy Lange · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The author clearly understands college politics, life in small town Nebraska, deaf culture, and the anxiety of being new at a job. The plot moves along at a good pace and continues to get more complex as it goes. I recommend it, especially to fans of mysteries.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scooped this up at the 20Booksto50K conference, and I'm glad I did! I love a cozy mystery, and I also learned quite a bit about ASL and translation, not to mention getting my appetite whet for some Hawaiian food. Yum. Great read.

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Accidental death or murder? Is the difference worth your job or life?
Death by Dissertation by Kelly Brakenhoff is a fresh take on the cozy mystery genre. I truly enjoyed the college life, and the cultural and social differences brought to light along with the intriguing puzzle.
Dr. Cassandra Sato
Cassandra is such a different type of sleuth. She is the vice president of Student Affairs at Morton College in Nebraska. Cassandra recently moved there from Hawaii to her dream job. Although she isn’t alone as Meg, her friend of many years also works at Morton. Cassandra has had a cultural shock but seems to be figuring it out.  
Likes

Cassandra is almost always put together. She takes great pride in appearing as the administrator in charge.
Integrity and putting the students first are the main thing that Cassandra thinks about.
She doesn’t make friends easily, but she has strong friendships with those she does have.
Cassandra loves her family but realizes that she needs to step out of their shadow to grow more

Things about the book that I liked:

Cassandra’s character growth throughout the story is refreshing. It seems like most detectives come fully formed and don’t grow much.
Meg and Connor’s family keep Cassandra going when things get tough.
Showing the diversity of people in higher education and how it affects each of them.
The appearance of the hearing impaired students and learning how they cope with life’s day to day struggles. I enjoyed that; it gave me something to think about.
The recognition of the number of people with military backgrounds who assist Cassandra with her security issues was nicely done.
The love triangle and the fact that Cassandra doesn’t even realize that there is one, yet.
The snapshots of the college students and how they deal with college life, in general, was nicely written.
The descriptions of Hawaii and the knowledge of the islands and the people. I enjoyed Cassandra’s family calls.
The mystery was well planned, and I saw some of the clues, the aha moment was a surprise though.

4 Stars for Death by Dissertation by Kelly Brakenhoff
My rating for Death by Dissertation by Kelly Brakenhoff is four stars. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. The author’s attention to detail is superb. I liked the way the mystery brought out the growth of the characters and how things could go wrong with big money pharmaceutical companies, colleges, and student welfare.

This book is an excellent start to a new cozy mystery series, and I highly recommend this book.


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This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How close to God do you want your hair?”

Death by Dissertation is the kind of cozy mystery that diverts from the usual, purist ‘formula’. That’s not a bad thing at all, with the exception of one boundary line that I feel doesn’t need to be crossed when it comes to cozies. (More on that in my reviewer’s note at the end of this review.)

Brakenhoff’s debut cozy is rich in cultural diversity (which I love), specifically a mix of cultures we don’t normally see in this genre (individually, much less combined)…. and especially not something we see in rural small town Nebraska. The blending of each of those elements makes for a unique reading experience for sure, with several wince-inducing moments (as intended) that hopefully will make all of us more thoughtful and considerate of cultures different from our own. Cassandra’s native Hawai’ian roots sometimes needed a bit more explanation or transition or something, in my opinion… like when she would lapse into Hawai’ian Creole without explanation in settings that didn’t seem to make sense. I’m sure there was a reason for it – and maybe a little more delving into that aspect of her personality and heritage would have helped those jarring transitions make more sense for me as I read.

In addition to Cassandra and her struggle to be accepted in a rather diverse-less setting, Brakenhoff’s spotlight on the Deaf culture is heartfelt and educational. Giving us a glimpse at what it looks like for a deaf student at a predominantly “hearing” university, the author injects a much-needed dose of awareness and admiration for these characters & the Deaf community as a whole. Her best friend Meg bridges these two cultures – as an ASL interpreter for the university and also someone who used to be part of, however temporarily, the culture Cassandra calls home. The addition of her character really adds some cohesion to the separate diverse threads in this story and brings attention to the humanity at the heart of the diversity.

Going behind the scenes, so to speak, at a university made me glad it was Cassandra and not me having to put out all those fires sparking up in all different directions lol. The mystery itself was well-layered and while I knew whodunit fairly early on I wasn’t able to put all the pieces together (and had several alternate suspects lol) until the very end. I also loved the two romantical possibilities that the author introduces, and I can’t wait to see what transpires as the series progresses.

Bottom Line: Cassandra Sato is a very intriguing character – a transplant to rural Nebraska from Hawai’i to advance her career – and she is surrounded by intriguing characters. Her job totally stressed me out as the novel progressed, but I loved how she tackled everything with determination and heart. Her friendships (and potential romances) add life and vibrancy to the story, not to mention the cultural awareness they introduce. Brakenhoff rounds out a layered mystery with shots of humor and some really sweet moments too. My only hesitation in freely recommending this to a traditional cozy/clean-read audience is the occurrence (however scattered) of some very strong curse words that aren’t normally seen in this genre.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Brooke Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Great Escape Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Hello everybody! Happy Monday. 🙃 But at least there's this amazing tour for Death by Dissertation to help ya'll make it through the day.

This cozy follows a new faculty member from Hawaii at a college in NEBRASKA with several deaf students where one ends up murdered. There's quite a lot going on here, so let's dive on in.
About death by dissertation:

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IMHO: death by dissertation
Death by Dissertation was so great!!! I love cozies but I'm always looking for something different that stands out. Death by Dissertation didn't disappoint in any sense.

It was so easy to fall in sync with Cassandra. I loved all the little details of her day to day, her hectic schedule, and all the pressure she's under. I do think she needs to loosen up a bit, but I think that'll be great to watch her go from a tight bud to a full blossom.
Cheat Sheet:

Love Cassandra
So happy to have an ambitious woman doing her own thing, setting off on her own in such a big bold way
Love finding out all the details about Hawaii's culture
The Culture Shock is real!
BFFS <3
Deaf interpreters & deaf students, not a gimmick but integral to the setting & story
Appreciate the honest talk about miscarriage
All the events on campus sounded amazing
It is a very white area that Cassandra has to deal with & I think it's handled well
Cassandra's parents are adorable, hope we see more of them. Maybe even go back to visit??
The behind the scenes stuff about running a collage is so cool.
Love how Cassandra's so concerned about the students
There are possible LIs down the line..
Love Cassandra's mishaps, kinda like a rom com in that way
Figured out who's behind it all along with Cassandra
Stuck the landing.
Quick & fun read.
Can't wait to continue the series

Perfect for cozy mystery fans, obviously, and those looking for something new in the genre especially. I think this is has great crossover appeal with fellow rom com & crime lovers too.  It reminds me The Chronicle Mysteries on Hallmark .

If you don't read cozies, you should start with this one! It's a mystery, but light and down to Earth with amateursleuthing. It's all about the people, relationships, and setting.

About the Author:

Giveaway:
(5) Winner’s Choice - Print or Digital Death by Dissertation (Cassandra Sato) by Kelly Brakenhoff

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Tour Schedule:
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Vice President of Student Affairs, Cassandra's main duties are disciplining undergraduate students and mentoring thesis candidates. When she is tapped to fill in for the college president while he travels abroad creating partnerships with foreign universities, Cassandra imagines an opportunity to showcase her administrative talents and advance her career goal of one day becoming a college president herself. As it turns out, the experience will not only test her leadership abilities, it will endanger her own safety and that of several students.

Endless meetings and arrangements for Homecoming are somewhat stressful, but pale in comparison with the unfolding developments after the death of a student worker at the college laboratory where groundbreaking cancer research is being conducted. Cassandra must put her own career on the line to protect the students and the school's reputation. Will her actions earn her the respect and support of the college president and board of directors, or will she lose her dream job and the chance to realize her career aspirations?

Death by Dissertation is an engaging mystery with puzzling clues that introduces readers to a plucky protagonist. Cassandra is a highly motivated, talented young woman determined to make her mark in the field of higher education. Leaving her home and family in Hawai'i and adapting to life in Nebraska is challenging--both in terms of physical weather and cultural climate--but Cassandra's combination of natural grace and assertiveness serve her well. A core group of campus friends stands by her, and together they form relationships that readers will be able to follow in subsequent books in the series.

Author Kelly Brakenhoff is to be commended for her insider observations and realistic portrayal of campus politics and life in a small college town. These elements, along with the personable cast of characters, are a promising start to the series. I look forward to following the further adventures of Dr. Cassandra Sato and her friends and colleagues.

[Rebecca Douglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having nearly died my own death by dissertation (admittedly a long time ago, but I haven’t forgotten), when I saw this title I had to read the book! I’ve also spent my life in or on the edge of academia, so there was a certain familiarity to the setting and the issues Cassandra faces. Of course, small-town Nebraska is kind of out of my area (though I think the story is set not too far from where my family left back in 1904...), but it all added to the fun.

I expected a well-structured mystery, and I got it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book also took on issues of racism—our understanding of the deaf. These added layers more than compensated for any weaknesses in the mystery. I do think the mystery is well done, but I admit to finding myself a little lost at times in the motivations (or maybe, a little unwilling to believe in the scenario, especially given the strong need of the administrators to protect the school from any bad publicity). The unraveling at the end felt a bit abrupt, and left me a little confused—it might take two readings to get the whole story worked out.

Though I had a pretty good idea early on who did it, the author still managed some surprises for me. Maybe the most pleasant surprise was the depth of character development of the main character. If other characters remained a little less clearly defined, that felt right, as they are seen through Cassandra’s eyes, and she’s still getting to know most of them.

Romantic balance was right on, in my opinion—it was definitely present, but equally was definitely not the focus of the story. The greater distraction from the mystery was the serious story about change, adapting, and acceptance of others. I’ll take that distraction.

Recommendation:
A cut above a beach read. I’d call it a solid mystery, and a series with promise. I’m pretty sure there will be more romance as the series goes on, but was glad to find no recipes, patterns, or talking cats, so I have hopes that the romance won’t ever dominate the story.

3 1/2 stars.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been trying to broaden my reading horizons and get out of my comfort zone, reading new authors and trying out new genres. Death by Dissertation is a cozy mystery by debut author Kelly Brakenhoff that is a a slower pace than I'm used to. With deep character development, especially with main character Cassandra Sato, and a great story line with decent writing, Ms. Brakenhoff has written a wonderful first novel.

In saying that, I will admit for me that the book dragged considerably, which took away from the charm of the story. I do not believe this has anything to do with the novel itself but more about my preference of faster paced mysteries. I also found it difficult to engage with the characters and the situations they faced as a whole. I did, however, love the ASL (American Sign Language) aspect, and admired the author's choice to make this a major part of the story line.

Though predictable, and a little too drawn out for my taste, Death by Dissertation is a great start for a debut author and I can't wait to see what other adventures await Cassandra Sato.

*I have reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Great Escapes Book Tours. All opinions are completely honest, and my own.