Day of the Dead

by Brenda Donelan

When a college professor is found dead on campus, rumors and innuendo begin to swirl at Midwestern State University. The police department and the university are mysteriously secretive about the professor's background and the ongoing investigation. Marlee McCabe, a professor of Criminology, is unwittingly pulled into the investigation leading her to question the integrity of the police department and her university. Despite warnings, Marlee uncovers information on the professor's death, making her the next target of someone who has nothing left to lose.

Genres: Fiction, Crime

357 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2014

Reviews

[Jenny Whetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was pretty good! I studied Criminal Justice so all the CJ facts listed in the story are accurate. It's nice to read a book where a certain subject is correct! I soon found out that I could not read this fast enough to learn the mystery. The author does a good job with describing details in the story. I thought the author did a great job of showing the steps the main character took to try and solve this puzzle. This is the first time reading anything by this author and I doubt it will be the last.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very enjoyable mystery set on a university campus. Some of the side conversations/information seemed unnecessary, but I could probably say that about every book. These just felt more "forced" than normal (like the author wanted to squeeze in some political commentary, etc.)

Overall, though, this was a fun summer read.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery was written by a SD author. The setting is a fictitious university in SD. The inner workings of college politics between faculty and administration play a role in plot development. The story was interesting. Could have used some better editing. At times the main character, a professor of criminology, seemed quite arrogant, which made her unlikeable to me. But perhaps she was just portrayed realistically. Some foul language but otherwise clean read. First in a series but no cliffhanger ending.

[curleduptoes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book immensely!

A college murder mystery that involves issues related to homosexuality, as well as education becoming a business of sorts. Marlee is a University professor, not yet tenured. A murder happens on the campus and she is not able to let it go. Hence the investigation.

This was a quick read with a few redundancies and minute turn-offs. You can check my notes and highlights on the same. Marlee definitely fought well for justice, but she thinks a little too much. The characters are all quite likable and well placed. Humor quotient is good too.

The climax was quick but completely unpredictable, and trivial.

One must give this book a go if they want to read a good mystery!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the prime example of how a murder mystery can have a realistic setting, relatable characters, and a compelling plot, and a great whodunit. In this one, it is presented as the murder of a professor on a colloge campus in small town, South Dakota. its not quite a cozy, but more a work of crime fiction, with real life issues (discrimination, prejudice). It still has the small town feel, with the setting and some of the places in the town, the unique names given to some of the restaurants and shops in the town. Marlee McCabe, is a great as a sleuth and professor in Criminology and other Criminal Justice subjects that I remember form my college days as a criminal justice student, and my studies. She works as a more of a reluctant sleuth then an amateur, to be refired on in cases. I did like this as a premise, and the way she contines to pursue the case is quite admirable.

[Italo Italophiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author set this traditional mystery (not a cozy! as the sprinkling of vulgarities proves) where she grew up and lived all her life, and on a university campus where she has worked in the past. That authenticity made the story's setting the strongest bit of the book.

While locally reared, she has a clear-eyed view on the cultural cruelty of the area, that is anything but "kind", "friendly", or "Christian".

I would have enjoyed expanded comments from the victim, which were included as chapter beginnings. That was a wonderful touch to bring the victim to life for the reader.

The author's field of study and work, criminology, adds much credibility too, with the technical stuff conveyed in an entertaining classroom setting.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to meet Brenda Donelan in person at the North Iowa Book Bash this year. The Day of the Dead is the first in a series of books about a professor of Criminology whose investigating murder. In this case you meet some interesting people but there wasn't a lot of depth from any of the characters except for the main character Marlee McCabe. Her passion for hunting for the truth and justice was clear. Even though I didn't really get sucked into the characters the plot was interesting. And I am looking forward to future installments.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book set in South Dakota with an insight into a professor's life and the criminal justice system. Marlee is a professor of Criminology at a college hoping for tenure . When another professor is killed she is drawn into finding out what happened even though she has been warned strongly by the dean to stay out of it. She also get threatening notes telling her to stay out of it. Of course she doesn't and she uses the case in her classes to try and figure out things.

[Lisa Bjorneberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because it is a take on a real incident that I hoped to learn more about. While the topic and local setting were appealing, the writing style was just too amateurish. I actually stopped reading this book for awhile and read something better before returning to see it through.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked and disliked the book. I'm not sure how to explain it. I believe this was her 1st written book, but not sure. I have other books by her and have every intention to read them. I think her writing will mature with each book.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Easy, quick read. Loved how the story is set in South Dakota, but yet some places/towns are real, others not. Very repetitive and wordy, but does not leave the reader room for any confusion.

[cindy moegenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read. Liked it because it was an enjoyable easy read from a SD story & author.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good story at a good pace. I like the setting at the college and all the intrigue that goes along with being a professor! Well written and easy read!

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story revolves around the death of a college professor. His coworkers think it is murder and the local police department want to close it fast and label it a suicide. Read along to find out how the true story unfolds.