Passport to Murder

Professor Prather Mystery #2

by Mary Angela

Start with an unlucky number. Throw in a romantic location. Include a dashing Frenchman and an uncompromising professor. And you have all the ingredients for a passport to murder. This semester, it seems that Professor Prather’s dreams are about to come true. Ever since she was a young girl, she’s imagined going to France, and her French colleague, André Duman, has finally made that trip possible. Over spring break, she and André are to lead a group of students and faculty to Paris to explore the City of Light. But before she can utter her first bonjour, a professor dies, and they are stuck in Minneapolis. She returns to Copper Bluff with an unstamped passport and a mystery to solve. When André becomes the prime suspect, Emmeline puts her research skills to good use, determined to find out who really killed the professor and spoiled their spring break plans. With thirteen travelers assembled, the possibilities are varied and villainous. Luckily, her dear friend and sidekick, Lenny Jenkins, is close by. Together, they will sort through the conflicting clues even if it costs them time, trouble, or tenure. Book 2 in the Professor Prather Mystery series.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2017

About the author

Mary Angela is the author of the Professor Prather academic mystery series, the bestselling Happy Camper cozy mystery series, and several short stories. She also writes the Lady of Letters historical mystery series under the name Mary Winters. When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family. She lives in South Dakota with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets. You can find out more about her loves, including her writing, at MaryAngelaBooks.com.

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder mystery set in and around academia. Working for tenure can be murder, literally. I enjoyed it. I liked the bookish heroine and her way of investigating that depends on her emotional intelligence.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

A trip to Paris sounds delightful. Professor Emmeline Prather is chaperoning the trip with her French colleague, André Duman, for students and other faculty members to the City of Light over Spring Break. After the 13 travelers bus trip to Minnesota, they board the plan for Paris. But they don’t get far before one of the other professors dies and the plane turns around. They have to stay in Minneapolis until the police can rule on the cause of death. Soon, it is declared murder and André Duman is on the top of the suspect list. Emmeline returns to Copper Bluff determined to do everything she can to find the real killer. She may never get to Paris but she can save her friend.

This mystery starts out at a good clip and doesn’t let up. I read the whole thing in one evening. The mystery is like a closed room mystery a la Agatha Christie. Someone on that plane is the killer. Some of the suspects can be eliminated quickly, but others are hiding things and were sitting close enough to do the deed. The police and FBI zeroed in on one person and tried to make the evidence fit. Emmeline took the correct approach or following the evidence. When a second person dies the case really gets interesting.

Professor Emmeline Prather has a good level head on her shoulders. When she teams up with her friend Lenny, they are unstoppable. She follows the clues, does a little research and presents what she finds to Lenny and they talk it through. He is also around to ask questions she can’t. I enjoy how they work together and that they seem to be getting closer.

I liked the supporting cast, students, and faculty. They are a diverse group in age and backgrounds. They were believable and relatable.

I have read several cozy series set at a college and the author finds a way to make her setting unique. South Dakota is not a typical locale for a cozy mystery and having to travel to nearby Minneapolis opens up a bunch of new places to discover.

The author has given readers a well plotted and well-written story. She has created engaging characters that we can become invested in. I hope to visit Copper Bluff again soon!

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was even better than the last one since the characters are firmly established at this point. Em is all set to travel to Paris (where she has dreamed of going her whole life) as part of a University trip. Things get heated as the group gathers to set off since half of them seem to not get along. After a long bus ride to the airport they need they board the flight and things go smoothly until one of the Professor's traveling with them starts acting strange and collapses. She is quickly pronounced dead and the entire group is held for questioning as the plane is turned back to where they started. With her trip ruined Em finds herself investigating again even when she knows she should leave it alone. Again the ending surprised me as I did not expect the killer to be the one revealed. This is a great mystery novel that has a strong female lead, good supporting characters that offer some funny interactions, and enough action to keep the reader turning the page while guessing what will happen next. I highly recommend it to fans of the genre and give it 4/5 stars.

[WHPL Reference]

Find it at the West Hempstead Public Library http://encore.alisweb.org/iii/encore/...

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

English teacher Em Prather has always longed to go to France. In fact, her degree is in French literature, but the small college where she works doesn't have a French department. But now's her chance, as the professor who is lobbying for a French department is taking students and some faculty members--including her!--to his native France for a spring break tour. They're even on the airplane when a member of their party dies, and they must go back to snowy Minneapolis. A tragic accident--or is it? Em certainly wonders, and she convinces her long-time buddy Lenny to help her investigate.

[Jennifer S. Alderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passport to Murder is an enjoyable mystery set in the academic world. I like Emmeline and sympathized greatly with her disappointment at not being able to travel to France on account of Professor Jaspers dying en route. The character studies are well done. There are plenty of reasons for this seemingly friendly bunch to want Jaspers dead. Emmeline, with the help of her friend Lenny, puzzles through all their motives until only one is left.
It's an enjoyable, gentle mystery that fans of captivating puzzles and Agatha Christie will enjoy.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passport to Murder is the second book in the Professor Prather Mystery Series. The book and series is good and written like an Agatha Christie style whodunit, the basis of Cozy and Traditional mysteries. The main heroine is your typical cozy sleuth. She is a college professor at a college in a sleepy college town. In this book, Emmeline Prather and Colleagues are heading to Paris, but when a colleague is murdered on the plane ride. The rest of it is a great mystery and a well done whodunit plot.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I had all the same reactions as I did to the first book... I could copy and paste my first review. Same issues, same responses to them. Beautiful environment, annoying main character - as well as lots of other little things.

I'm not sure if the writing was a bit more refined or if I was just able to adjust my expectations (or a bit of both) but I ended up enjoying this book more. It was what a cozy should be - pleasant. The mystery unraveled at the end was particularly interesting and well done. (The actual mystery - not how she exposes everyone secrets publically like Poirot again. That made me cringe! Especially when she exposes personal student information.)

While I enjoyed the environment and would read another book in this series, I no longer has the desire to return to teaching myself. Too many undersides revealed in this book.

I liked the introduction of an FBI character, although he didn't ultimately contribute to the mystery.

Around page 110, the author stated that this was the main character's second year teaching. The timing seemed a bit fuzy because that would make the first book occured during her first year teaching. There was no indication given during the first book that she was a brand new teacher. In fact, there seemed to be indications she had been teaching for a while at that point (references to past students, previous semesters, ect). There were also references that made it seem like she did her undergrad studies at the same college. This explains A LOT!!! Her grad student like behaviors and routines. Her limited financial means. Her emotional immaturity and kinship with students. But why wasn't this mentioned earlier?! And why don't we see this impacting her relationships with faculty and students as she transitioned from student to faculty? A lot was swept under the rug there and dealt with in vague references.

Again, many of her observations just felt off to me. Her understanding of criminal justice but also just the way she approached life. The day before her much anticipated Paris trip she is wondering what to pack and if she needs an electrical adaptor. I'm very detail oriented and enjoy planning, but it strains credibility that anyone (even a flighty English teacher) wouldn't be packed a day before such a huge trip. And that she wouldn't have used her "fabulous research skills" already to know about currency converters.

It also bothered me that she "researched" things like medicine usages by trying to subtly interview various people - basically taking in second hand knowledge that she tricked out of people. This does not seem like valid research. Pick up an actual medical book! Go directly to a valid source! Also, she invites Lenny to the French dinner, so that the faculty could have a free 5-minute car ride? Call a taxi if you want a ride! It is easier and cheaper then paying for an additional dinner. Little things like that just made no sense to me. Obviously the English professor's wave length operates in a totally different way than mine.

Initially - during the first half of the book or so - I was bummed that there were no references to the first book or personal developments since then. But this came in spades during the second half of the book. Several references to the dead student from book one as well as progression in her romantic relationship with Lenny. Side note, I did appreciate how slow and subtle she was with their relationship development.

There was also an interesting comment (made by a student) thrown into the last few pages about how books don't have heroes anymore. Books like Gone Girl just kill people. I agree! But then the professor chimes in that women have historically been oppressed and it is valid for them the express themselves through violence, ect... Basically telling all the other authors that they are okay, even if this book was a cozy. This series tends to be that way - overall pleasant and innocent but throwing in little side comments (about premarital sex, drinking, ect) to validate other lifestyles. Very PC & disappointing.

And no, cozy books are not automatically romance novels. Stop trying to assert that!

[Mary Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always been intrigued by superstition and myths, and I thought it would be thrilling to plot a book around a group of thirteen travelers. I’m disappointed when mysteries give me one or two suspects, so Passport to Murder was a way for me to entertain and challenge readers (and myself!) while sorting through myriad possibilities. Happy reading!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story and characters are well-developed, the descriptions make you feel you are there, whether on an airplane, in Minneapolis, or in Copper Bluff.

The author writes with intelligence, and the plot leads to a very logical and breathtaking (pun intended) conclusion.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Passport to Murder" is the second in the Professor Prather Mystery series, and is well written, with vivid descriptions and carefully crafted secrets.

Read full review in the 2017 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Quintin Honerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! I love these Agatha Christie style novels. Mary captures a cozy academic feel with an incredible amount of intrigue. I almost always can guess "who dunnit"--but not with Mary's novels. Thanks for another fantastic read!

[Priscilla Paton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Angela as written a "text-book" cozy with young academic Emmie Prather more ready to fly to Paris and to solve murders than delve into her research. The setting includes familiar spots in Minneapolis. This is as sweet as murder can be.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

when's the next book coming out??

[Ashley Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passport to Murder is the second book in the Professor Prather mystery series and I have to say that I enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed the first book in the series. I was a bit disappointed at first that the book wasn't actually set in Paris but once I got over that I realized that the story was even better for being set in Minneapolis and Copper Bluff. Professor Emmeline Prather is a college English professor who has a PhD in French literature but since she is teaching at a small university in South Dakota she had to accept an English department position.

Andre Duman is a French professor (who's actually from France) and is working hard on getting the university to set up a French major (which would allow him to bring Emmeline to his department as an upper level French instructor). One of the steps in this process has been setting up a spring break trip to Paris for students in his French classes. Unfortunately, with recent terrorism events occurring overseas many parents are leery of sending their children to France and only six students sign up for the trip. Fortunately Duman is able to supplement the trip with faculty members and they are still able to go. Unfortunately, on the plane ride to Paris, one of the faculty members, Molly Jaspers, passes away from a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. Because of this, the plane is forced to turn around and head back to Minneapolis where the students and faculty are then subjected to a police investigation, in order to determine exactly how Molly Jaspers died and who is at fault for the death.

Suspicion quickly falls on Andre Duman, who had an argument with Molly shortly before boarding the plane, and Emmeline knows that if she doesn't clear Duman of suspicion then there is no hope of a French major being created at the university. Emmeline's friend and fellow professor, Lenny Jenkins, helps her investigate and we are quickly led through a mystery full of twists and turns. I thought that the mystery was really well done and I had no idea who the killer was until Emmeline revealed it at the end of the book. I really enjoyed the glimpses at the life of a university professor and I enjoyed the characters in this book. I was also pleased to see that Emmeline and Lenny's relationship seemed to take a step forward here. I highly recommend this book and series and look forward to reading the next book, A Very Merry Murder.

[Marie McNary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking to take a vacation without leaving your home? Passport to Murder is a great escape into the world of Emmeline Prather and her life as a professor in Copper Bluff, South Dakota. And you don’t even have to leave your couch to go on the adventure!

This is the second book in the Professor Prather Mystery Series. Emmeline sets out with a group of faculty and students on a trip to one of her favorite places, Paris. However their plans are derailed when outspoken fellow professor Molly Jaspers is killed mid-flight. The group finds themselves stuck state side and Emmeline finds herself entangled in yet another murder investigation.

This series was new to me and I’m sure glad I found it! Here are my top reasons to read this book:

Easy to Jump In

Even though this was the second book in the series, I had no trouble jumping in and didn’t feel left behind with the story. The back story was easy to get caught up on and I had no trouble investing in Emmeline as a protagonist.

Enjoyable Main Character

Although Emmeline and many of the characters in the book are professors, they do not come off as stuffy or unrelatable. In fact, I found seeing the human side of the professors and faculty was an entertaining element of the book. They all had unique personalities and it was fun to see them shine outside of the classroom setting.

I’m Ready for More

I love when I finish a book and am already checking to see when the next installment comes out. This book was one where I found myself checking when Emmeline and her adventures would be back – because I can’t wait to see where these characters go next!

Complete post here: https://cozyexperience.com/take-journ...

[Andrea Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love discovering new cozy mystery series and this one is definitely going to be on my must follow list. This is the 2nd book in the series, but as is the case with most cozy mystery series, you can jump right in and

I connected with Emmeline instantly and I loved Lenny as well. The college setting was great. It was different, as most cozies that I read tend to be set in quirky shops of some kind or libraries. I definitely felt a connection between these two characters and I really hope that down the line they become a couple.

When one member of their travelling party dies on the plane, the spring break plans of a trip to Paris are crushed and Emmeline and Lenny start to investigate. (OK mostly Emmeline).

All the members of a trip seemed to have a reason to want Molly Jaspers dead, from students to colleagues to erm..her spouse.

Molly's death at first seemed like an accident. The Epipen didn't help her after she had somehow come in contact with a peanut. This is where I knew who did it. I was just really interested in finding out the why.

The other characters secrets also made this story interesting, and when you add in a second death, shortly after Molly's memorial, well that really makes you start thinking.

The Professor Prather series is definitely a must for anyone that loves cozy mysteries, like I do. The characters are wonderful and Mary's writing draws you right into the story.

I adored this book and can't wait for the next installment.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the professor Emmeline Prather was preparing her first travel to Paris she couldn't ever imagined that it would end with murder... but being 13 on the trip was never a good sign, don't you think?

Working at the university is never easy, but I was surprised that in this book almost all the professors had a good relation, there were only some minimal problems. At the same time it was quite interesting because almost all the possible murders were professors or students, so... who had really a good motive to kill?
In the university they are lucky that Em loves mysteries and let me tell you a secret, if there's not a mystery, she will create one, she loves stories and love to investigate, if she feels that something is not right, she will investigate, so, don't hide any dirty secret to Em, she will always discover it!
I loved the relation between Em and Lenny, I don't know if they will have a relationship or simply friends, but they have chemistry and they understand each other, their scenes together were my favourite in all the book, Lenny makes Em brighter, funnier and sharper, I hope he will stay for good.
This is the second book of the series "Professor Prather Mystery" but you can read it as standalone.
This is a quick read, with a curious mystery, a quite variety of suspects and a mystery peanut.
Ready for a trip to Paris?

[Sherry Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought was A trip to Paris cut short by a murder. Dawng not a great way to start spring break. And then when a close friend and colleague is accused well double Dawng!

My second thought was my sister would love this book! My sister loves academia. She works at a college. She loves mysteries. She would just 'get' this book and series.

I was intrigued by the South Dakota location. When I think S.D. I don't automatically think a series around a college town.

Although Passport to Murder is book 2 in the series it is easy to pick up and read and get into the story.
As in book 1 An Act Of Murder Emmeline is caught up in a murder and calls on her colleague Lenny to help her figure out just who dun it.

The reader is kept guessing who dun it all the way to the end when Emmaline announces to everyone who and how the murder was committed.

Passport to Murder is a great read and part of an interesting series.

I know what I am getting my sister for Christmas.

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for books set in the midwestern U.S. I am attracted to books that add some literary detail, such as quotes from famous authors, mentions of books I read in school. Yes, I was that geek who adored English class. Although this book focuses on a university setting and the main characters are quite well educated, that does not make them stuffy or boring. There is not a dull section in this quick paced, intriguing mystery.
The characters are very relatable and interesting. There is mention of attraction and romance that never overtakes the theme of mystery. The clues are given out at comfortable spacing. There is no loss for motives, even among characters you are hoping are not involved in murder.
I had not read the previous book in this series but I had no problem keeping pace and have added this author to my list of favorites. I will be reading the previous book and hope for many more.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Em Prather is beyond excited. She is headed for Spring Break with the highly esteemed French Porfessor, fellow faculty, and students. They are going to her dream location...Paris, France. How exciting is that?

Not nearly as exciting as a death among the group as Em soon finds out. As the entire group is stranded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Em is required to stay with the group and share quarters at a local hotel. Luckily, Em's closest friend, Lenny, is playing a gig in Minneapolis. As Em and Lenny swirl ideas about 'who' done it, they grow closer and a sub-story is introduced.

This is a Cozy murder mystery. Why I like it so well, is that the author introduces new locations to me. The author writes a tight plot, with likable characters, teaches us readers about current topics and writes compelling dialog.

Yes, I will be following this series for what I hope will be a long time.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emmeline Prather is no ordinary English literature professor. In book two of the Professor Prather mystery series, Emmeline once again finds herself aiding in the police investigation when a faculty member succumbs to a fatal allergic reaction. Emmeline's academic research skills are her super power, and she expertly employs them to unravel the mystery of her colleague's untimely demise.

Set in the small college town of Copper Bluff, South Dakota, this series features an interesting cast of characters, an appealing love interest, and an insider's look at life in academia, complete with a murder or two.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor is a character I am growing to enjoy. In this second book she tackles murder once again. Some of the familiar characters are back from the first book. I like Lenny and Andre the best of them. The plot is well-crafted. There are multiple red herrings. I had considered the murderer at one point and had rejected that character as the culprit. Fooled me.
These books make me want to teach at a small college and enjoy colleagues who are intelligent and well-read.
I'm ready for book three in the series!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the university setting in this series and the life of English professor Emmeline Prather. In this book Emmeline is supposed to be traveling to Paris with a group of professors and students over Spring Break. I found it interesting to read what happens when a passenger on a plane passes away and that the FBI would get involved. The reader is learning more about the background of the characters and they are developing over the course of the series. I am enjoying this series so far and can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again the author had me flip flopping between suspects and I still got it wrong! 🙂 The whole story line was intriguing and if you weren't paying attention you could miss something important. 🤔 The killer wasn't so much a surprise but I was still shocked. 😮 I'm so happy that the kiss has finally happened and I honestly can't wait for my books to hurry up and get here in the mail so I can see if the bad luck in their relationships was steering them toward each other. 😊 Definitely going to be rereading this series a lot! 😁

[Colleen Shogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific mystery! This is a superb sequel to Mary Angela's debut novel to begin her Professor Prather series. As a former university professor, she captures the campus culture well and manages to weave in a deliciously complex murder. I also really liked the developments between her main character and love interest Lenny. I'm a fan of this series and will keep reading!

[Marina Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun portrayal of campus politics and a mismatched group of people, as well as interactions between students and professors, but the mystery element was rather predictable, although it took a long time to unravel.

[Mary Cadahia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was a great read. the description of the characters were so good I could actually picture Mrs Gunderson and Emmeline. I started with book 2 but it never felt like I was behind in the story. going back for book 1 and any others I can get. you should too

[Lacretia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the Professor Prather series. I hated to see it end. I’ve come to know the characters and will truly miss them. Great character development and plot. This was an easy to follow, entertaining mystery. I’m looking forward to the next book, hopefully soon!!!

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story is set at a small college in South Dakota. Prof Prather is always thinking outside the box. When she is on a planned trip to France with a dozen others and someone is murdered, you can be sure her radar is on! I enjoyed the writing and first person narrative.