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The Doomed Doctor: Doro Banyon Cozy Historical Mysteries-Book 6
A Founder’s Day celebration becomes less than festive when a valuable artifact comes up missing. Before amateur sleuth Doro Banyon and her team can locate it, her little dog finds a dead body. Are the two events connected? Can Doro uncover the truth before more disasters strike?
Heading the planning committee for a Founder’s Day celebration has amateur sleuth and college librarian Doro Banyon juggling multiple roles. The appearance of her best friend Aggie’s former beau, now a doctor, complicates matters because he is intent on reviving their relationship. As Aggie, happily engaged, fends off his overtures, the man’s murky past emerges—as does his reason for pursuing her. When a priceless artifact, to be given to the college as part of the big event, is stolen, comes up missing, Doro and Aggie resolve to find it before word gets out. But their task is thwarted when the doctor's dead body is found.
Heading the planning committee for a Founder’s Day celebration has amateur sleuth and college librarian Doro Banyon juggling multiple roles. The appearance of her best friend Aggie’s former beau, now a doctor, complicates matters because he is intent on reviving their relationship. As Aggie, happily engaged, fends off his overtures, the man’s murky past emerges—as does his reason for pursuing her. When a priceless artifact, to be given to the college as part of the big event, is stolen, comes up missing, Doro and Aggie resolve to find it before word gets out. But their task is thwarted when the doctor's dead body is found.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2025
About the author
D.S. Lang
29 books110 followersIf you like historical mysteries and intrepid female sleuths in a small town America setting, try my books! My heroines are dedicated to bringing the bad guys and gals to justice, and they have a team of colorful characters who support them in their efforts.
My Arabella Stewart series takes place soon after the Great War. Bella, who served an Army Signal Corps operator, returns to find her hometown and family resort in dire straits. Almost immediately, she is thrust into a murder investigation. Constable Jax Hastings reluctantly accepts her help.
The pair, who were childhood friends, partner in a series of investigations, while also working past barriers put in place during the war.
My Doro Banyon series is also set in an American small town in 1920s, but on a college campus. Doro is a librarian who, along with her best friends, finds herself immersed in a series of mysteries. It has a cozier feel than the Bella series.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 31, 2026
Doro and Aggie have their hands full planning the big Founders Day weekend celebrations. It will be the biggest ever and while the stock market crash has prevented some alum from attending, everyone who can will be there. The ladies are too busy for romance and Ev and Wade will be busy too. Their job is to provide security for a rare manuscript first edition book on display in the entrance of College Hall. The wealthy donor, Mrs. Smith, has threatened to block Doro's promotion if Doro continues to object to the location of the display. President Adams is unable to convince Mrs. Smith otherwise and so the book goes on display in full view of anyone with only Wade and Ev to guard it round the clock. Aggie comes face to face with her first college boyfriend and Wade is jealous. Aggie is so over Rudyard Ingraham but Rud can't take a hint. Other alum and even a local shopkeeper seem to have beef with Rud as well and are demanding money. Doro is worried about the book's safety, especially now when times are tough. Her worst fears are realized when someone smashes the display case and steals the book. Is there a connection to the body a curious pup found at the bottom of a new pool being installed on campus? Probably... and Ev and Wade have a plan to catch the culprit or culprits. Doro is incredibly worried for Ev's safety and this case pushes Doro to confront her feelings for Ev and figure out what she wants for her future.
I enjoyed the plot and couldn't put the book down even though I figured out what must have happened pretty early on. I was slightly off but mostly right. There were a few twists I didn't expect. The romance is progressing nicely and quickly too. I prefer a little more slow burn but it's going to be awhile yet before Doro has everything she's ever wanted and I did like the developments that happen here.
You should read The lost exam first but if you didn't, they recap what happened. I found this one more enjoyable already knowing the characters and their backstories. It was fun to see how Doro and Aggie, especially Aggie, have grown since their undergraduate days. Doro was a fun loving, naive girl eager to attend the college and solve the mystery of the missing exam just like the sleuths in the books she loves so much. Doro is still curious but she's more mature and thoughtful about her investigations. She has a big heart and a lot of compassion. It was surprising to learn more about Doro's early years as a freshman and how awful the young men were to her. She knows how to handle immature students now she's a professor but part of her resents the boys who are now men who bullied her. Doro's feelings for Ev has grown a lot since her train trip home from Colorado. She isn't sure what he feels though and hesitates to ask him. For now she's enjoying stepping out when they can but hopes for more in the future. They're hiding their relationship from the outside world though and it could hurt them now during Founders' Day.
Aggie has matured a lot. She was so shy and insecure as an undergrad. She craved attention and affection since the deaths of her parents and her brother's move to France. Young Aggie wasn't even confident in her writing abilities yet and now she's a prize winner and published author, an engaged woman, soon to be stepmother and like a sister to Doro. Yet upon encountering Rud, she reverts to her shy persona. Aggie is too nice. Wade becomes extremely jealous and loses his temper upon learning Aggie had a romance with the sleazy doctor. Wade is usually so placid and understanding. He was married so he understands Aggie had a past but to have her old friend return and want to rekindle their relationship threatens Wade. Wade feels insecure because he's not educated like Aggie and Rud. I didn't like that and worried Wade would be a suspect in the murder investigation. Fortunately Aggie and Wade are a mature couple and able to talk about things. They're farther along in their relationship and understanding of one another than Doro and Ev. Wade is a far better man than Rud and Aggie doesn't care that he doesn't have a college degree. In fact, none of the men with college degrees in this story are likable while Wade and Ev are salt of the earth, honestly true and loyal good men. I know real life couples like that and the men are just like Wade and Ev.
Ev knows how HE feels about Doro and he isn't threatened by any of the college educated men Doro may have known in the past but he does feel a little insecure about his lack of education. He's been bullied about it and teased about Doro supporting him. Doro knows he isn't interested in her money. He makes a good salary doing honest work. Ev worries about Doro getting involved in investigations because she's a civilian. He argues and rightly so that he and Wade are trained lawmen and armed. They know what they're doing. Doro can't help worry about him though. She seems a little overly concerned she's going to lose him but this case seems relatively tape in comparison to the last one and Wade IS right there. Doro knows Ev is good at his job and she trusts him but she doesn't trust the criminals. Aggie seems a little less intensely worried or she hides it better.
I don't remember Rud being so awful as an undergrad. He was fun and a good friend. Then he turned into a rich jerk allowing his mother to make Aggie feel miserable and less than, feelings Aggie has carried around to this day. She didn't even tell Doro! Rud has gotten worse now his parents are dead. I suspect they didn't have much money in the first place, only a family name and social cachet. He seems to have lost a lot of money along the way and won't admit it to anyone. he owes a lot of people money and can't even come up with cab fare in his wallet. He keeps making excuses I recognize as low on cash. Rud is interested in Aggie for her money NOW! Apparently he thinks they could live on royalties and prize money in the city? Yeah I doubt that even during the Depression! There are signs he needs money and there's one obvious solution, if he can get past Wade and Ev. Did Rud steal the book? Did someone kill him and steal the book from him?
The Smiths are awful people too. Mrs. Smith is an egomaniac who throws around her money and influence to get what she wants, to heck with logistics and security concerns. SHE wants her donation prominently displayed where the most people can see it OR ELSE. Doro should know dealing with donors will be part of her job as library director and this stuff happens in real life too. I've heard some bizarre stories but nothing of this magnitude. She should have used her own money to hire more security! Mr. Smith is a hail fellow well met sort of gent who spoils his only son and condones his son's bad (illegal?) behavior. He pretty much openly announces his son goes to speakeasies. I think Vance is bad news. I think he's in with the gansters and rumrunning and has some hold over Rud. I think Rud stole the book to pay Vance. Either that or Vance stole the book because he's in league with the thieves in New York. He DID say he has a friend who has an antiquarian business even if Vance claims he doesn't understand how an old book could be valuable. It's enough to know it IS valuable and where to sell it.
I do hope Lester Jonson isn't involved. I think he learned his lesson way back when. His dream is to teach and he hasn't been as successful as Doro yet. Rud is rude and has to remind Lester of his and Juliet's misdeeds back in the day. That was over and done with, resolved to everyone's satisfaction thanks to Doro and Aggie and Doro's dad. No need to be rude about it. I don't want the killer or the thief to be Hank Devlin. Another old classmate of Rud's Doro remembers as an undergrad, Hank is a doctor (also a veterinarian), a husband and father. He's a devoted family man and with the Depression just beginning, he's feeling the pinch. It's only going to get worse if a certain person doesn't pay his debts. It sounds like Hank and Rud have a history beyond college and it's not an amicable one. Hank has the most motive to steal the book but also the most to lose. His wife, Cereta, is meek and quiet but she loves her children and the critters they care for. Could she be hiding a stronger personality? Could she be fed up with Rud and murder him? I really, really don't want it to be them. They seem like a happy family and good people aside from Hank's anger towards Rud the slimeball.
Slimeball Rud has also managed to offend the local baker, Stuart Adler. Adler has had a tough time since the war. His son Sam went to war and returned with lung problems after being gassed. Other adult children moved away and weren't helping with the business and the ill son couldn't help either. Stuart and his wife had to do it all and spend all their money on expensive treatments for their son. Now his wife is ill too and Stuart is desperate. He claims they sold Sam's car to Rud just before Rud graduated and Rud drove off with a promise of payment that never came. Rud accidentally reveals he did have the registration and he did have the car but claims it was junk, he overpaid and paid long ago. He claims Adler has been harassing him. The two men almost come to blows. The Adlers's adult daughter Bonnie has come home to help in the bakery. She was living in the city enjoying her independence but had to return due to her mother's illness. She also claims her father is losing his faculties and it's tough to deal with him and keep up the bakery orders. How sad! I feel for her and I can relate. I do not relate to being sympathetic and kindly towards slimeballs. It's clear she LIKES Rud and maybe "like likes" him. Is she covering up his crimes or is she pretending so she doesn't fall under suspicion for murder? I kind of hope she's not a murderer because I would feel so awful for her father. That would break him and destroy the business.
So what actually did happen? All of it seems a little too easy!
I hope to catch up with Doro and friends soon. I enjoy this cozy series and being in a library adjacent field, I can relate a lot to Doro.
I enjoyed the plot and couldn't put the book down even though I figured out what must have happened pretty early on. I was slightly off but mostly right. There were a few twists I didn't expect. The romance is progressing nicely and quickly too. I prefer a little more slow burn but it's going to be awhile yet before Doro has everything she's ever wanted and I did like the developments that happen here.
You should read The lost exam first but if you didn't, they recap what happened. I found this one more enjoyable already knowing the characters and their backstories. It was fun to see how Doro and Aggie, especially Aggie, have grown since their undergraduate days. Doro was a fun loving, naive girl eager to attend the college and solve the mystery of the missing exam just like the sleuths in the books she loves so much. Doro is still curious but she's more mature and thoughtful about her investigations. She has a big heart and a lot of compassion. It was surprising to learn more about Doro's early years as a freshman and how awful the young men were to her. She knows how to handle immature students now she's a professor but part of her resents the boys who are now men who bullied her. Doro's feelings for Ev has grown a lot since her train trip home from Colorado. She isn't sure what he feels though and hesitates to ask him. For now she's enjoying stepping out when they can but hopes for more in the future. They're hiding their relationship from the outside world though and it could hurt them now during Founders' Day.
Aggie has matured a lot. She was so shy and insecure as an undergrad. She craved attention and affection since the deaths of her parents and her brother's move to France. Young Aggie wasn't even confident in her writing abilities yet and now she's a prize winner and published author, an engaged woman, soon to be stepmother and like a sister to Doro. Yet upon encountering Rud, she reverts to her shy persona. Aggie is too nice. Wade becomes extremely jealous and loses his temper upon learning Aggie had a romance with the sleazy doctor. Wade is usually so placid and understanding. He was married so he understands Aggie had a past but to have her old friend return and want to rekindle their relationship threatens Wade. Wade feels insecure because he's not educated like Aggie and Rud. I didn't like that and worried Wade would be a suspect in the murder investigation. Fortunately Aggie and Wade are a mature couple and able to talk about things. They're farther along in their relationship and understanding of one another than Doro and Ev. Wade is a far better man than Rud and Aggie doesn't care that he doesn't have a college degree. In fact, none of the men with college degrees in this story are likable while Wade and Ev are salt of the earth, honestly true and loyal good men. I know real life couples like that and the men are just like Wade and Ev.
Ev knows how HE feels about Doro and he isn't threatened by any of the college educated men Doro may have known in the past but he does feel a little insecure about his lack of education. He's been bullied about it and teased about Doro supporting him. Doro knows he isn't interested in her money. He makes a good salary doing honest work. Ev worries about Doro getting involved in investigations because she's a civilian. He argues and rightly so that he and Wade are trained lawmen and armed. They know what they're doing. Doro can't help worry about him though. She seems a little overly concerned she's going to lose him but this case seems relatively tape in comparison to the last one and Wade IS right there. Doro knows Ev is good at his job and she trusts him but she doesn't trust the criminals. Aggie seems a little less intensely worried or she hides it better.
I don't remember Rud being so awful as an undergrad. He was fun and a good friend. Then he turned into a rich jerk allowing his mother to make Aggie feel miserable and less than, feelings Aggie has carried around to this day. She didn't even tell Doro! Rud has gotten worse now his parents are dead. I suspect they didn't have much money in the first place, only a family name and social cachet. He seems to have lost a lot of money along the way and won't admit it to anyone. he owes a lot of people money and can't even come up with cab fare in his wallet. He keeps making excuses I recognize as low on cash. Rud is interested in Aggie for her money NOW! Apparently he thinks they could live on royalties and prize money in the city? Yeah I doubt that even during the Depression! There are signs he needs money and there's one obvious solution, if he can get past Wade and Ev. Did Rud steal the book? Did someone kill him and steal the book from him?
The Smiths are awful people too. Mrs. Smith is an egomaniac who throws around her money and influence to get what she wants, to heck with logistics and security concerns. SHE wants her donation prominently displayed where the most people can see it OR ELSE. Doro should know dealing with donors will be part of her job as library director and this stuff happens in real life too. I've heard some bizarre stories but nothing of this magnitude. She should have used her own money to hire more security! Mr. Smith is a hail fellow well met sort of gent who spoils his only son and condones his son's bad (illegal?) behavior. He pretty much openly announces his son goes to speakeasies. I think Vance is bad news. I think he's in with the gansters and rumrunning and has some hold over Rud. I think Rud stole the book to pay Vance. Either that or Vance stole the book because he's in league with the thieves in New York. He DID say he has a friend who has an antiquarian business even if Vance claims he doesn't understand how an old book could be valuable. It's enough to know it IS valuable and where to sell it.
I do hope Lester Jonson isn't involved. I think he learned his lesson way back when. His dream is to teach and he hasn't been as successful as Doro yet. Rud is rude and has to remind Lester of his and Juliet's misdeeds back in the day. That was over and done with, resolved to everyone's satisfaction thanks to Doro and Aggie and Doro's dad. No need to be rude about it. I don't want the killer or the thief to be Hank Devlin. Another old classmate of Rud's Doro remembers as an undergrad, Hank is a doctor (also a veterinarian), a husband and father. He's a devoted family man and with the Depression just beginning, he's feeling the pinch. It's only going to get worse if a certain person doesn't pay his debts. It sounds like Hank and Rud have a history beyond college and it's not an amicable one. Hank has the most motive to steal the book but also the most to lose. His wife, Cereta, is meek and quiet but she loves her children and the critters they care for. Could she be hiding a stronger personality? Could she be fed up with Rud and murder him? I really, really don't want it to be them. They seem like a happy family and good people aside from Hank's anger towards Rud the slimeball.
Slimeball Rud has also managed to offend the local baker, Stuart Adler. Adler has had a tough time since the war. His son Sam went to war and returned with lung problems after being gassed. Other adult children moved away and weren't helping with the business and the ill son couldn't help either. Stuart and his wife had to do it all and spend all their money on expensive treatments for their son. Now his wife is ill too and Stuart is desperate. He claims they sold Sam's car to Rud just before Rud graduated and Rud drove off with a promise of payment that never came. Rud accidentally reveals he did have the registration and he did have the car but claims it was junk, he overpaid and paid long ago. He claims Adler has been harassing him. The two men almost come to blows. The Adlers's adult daughter Bonnie has come home to help in the bakery. She was living in the city enjoying her independence but had to return due to her mother's illness. She also claims her father is losing his faculties and it's tough to deal with him and keep up the bakery orders. How sad! I feel for her and I can relate. I do not relate to being sympathetic and kindly towards slimeballs. It's clear she LIKES Rud and maybe "like likes" him. Is she covering up his crimes or is she pretending so she doesn't fall under suspicion for murder? I kind of hope she's not a murderer because I would feel so awful for her father. That would break him and destroy the business.
So what actually did happen? All of it seems a little too easy!
I hope to catch up with Doro and friends soon. I enjoy this cozy series and being in a library adjacent field, I can relate a lot to Doro.
August 5, 2025
D. S. Lang has done it again, The Doomed Doctor is MARVELOUS! I remember Lang sharing that she colored outside the lines on this book and I think it worked perfectly. Everything about this book screams cozy mystery. One thing I love about the Doro Banyon series is that all the books lean heavily on the mystery portion of their storyline. There’s nothing I love more than a strong mystery that does not scare me witless. With the coziness mixed in, it is the perfect ratio to create an extraordinary cozy mystery.
This book has been my companion through emergency dental work and I have very much enjoyed having it to keep me comfort and company. Being able to escape into a book from one of your favorite series is, quite possibly, the greatest thing in life when you hit a bump in the road. My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough, I wish with all my heart that it continued on and never stopped.
The character development in this book is exquisitely done. I love the fact the four main characters are still the main focus of the story. You’ll notice through reading the Doro books, that the stories shifts between being focused on different characters past or history. In this book, we get to see more into Aggie’s past, along with Doro’s too. Also, Lang brings experiences, previously mentioned in the other books and short stories, to life. I love the fact that Lang mentions experiences, characters, and stories in her previous works and brings them full circle in a later book creating an enthralling mystery for Doro and her friends to solve.
The Doomed Doctor is aces! I highly recommend reading all the Doro books and short stories in order, just because the characters are so enjoyable to follow; but if you enjoy stand alone book, grab The Doomed Doctor (or any in the series) and start reading! I promise, you’ll love it!
I highly recommend The Doomed Doctor and the Doro Banyon series! Each book has its own unique storyline and qualities that make it thoroughly enjoyable. I cannot say enough good things about this book and its series.
Thank you, D. S. Lang, for sharing your passion, hard work, and dedication with us! I absolutely adore your books and cannot wait until the next one is released. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed for a quick release date for book 7 and a possible short story in between.
Until next time.
Happy reading! 📖
This book has been my companion through emergency dental work and I have very much enjoyed having it to keep me comfort and company. Being able to escape into a book from one of your favorite series is, quite possibly, the greatest thing in life when you hit a bump in the road. My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough, I wish with all my heart that it continued on and never stopped.
The character development in this book is exquisitely done. I love the fact the four main characters are still the main focus of the story. You’ll notice through reading the Doro books, that the stories shifts between being focused on different characters past or history. In this book, we get to see more into Aggie’s past, along with Doro’s too. Also, Lang brings experiences, previously mentioned in the other books and short stories, to life. I love the fact that Lang mentions experiences, characters, and stories in her previous works and brings them full circle in a later book creating an enthralling mystery for Doro and her friends to solve.
The Doomed Doctor is aces! I highly recommend reading all the Doro books and short stories in order, just because the characters are so enjoyable to follow; but if you enjoy stand alone book, grab The Doomed Doctor (or any in the series) and start reading! I promise, you’ll love it!
I highly recommend The Doomed Doctor and the Doro Banyon series! Each book has its own unique storyline and qualities that make it thoroughly enjoyable. I cannot say enough good things about this book and its series.
Thank you, D. S. Lang, for sharing your passion, hard work, and dedication with us! I absolutely adore your books and cannot wait until the next one is released. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed for a quick release date for book 7 and a possible short story in between.
Until next time.
Happy reading! 📖
October 22, 2025
Another great story
I like these stories from the 1930s, a simpler time. This one was about a missing book and a young man who had wasted his life. Some sad tales but a happy ending for Dora and Ev.
I like these stories from the 1930s, a simpler time. This one was about a missing book and a young man who had wasted his life. Some sad tales but a happy ending for Dora and Ev.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews