What do you think?
Rate this book
Deadly Misconduct
Research to die for? Alicia is determined to return to academia after time off to care for her sick mother. An unlikely conference in sleepy Hobart town throws her into the path of Professor Conneally, who offers her a dream job in Cambridge. It seems the universe is on her side – until the professor drops dead at the conference dinner. Alicia's convinced it's no accident, but no one will believe her. Can she find the culprit before the conference is over? Or will she lose all her friends, and the opportunity of a lifetime? Pull on your slippers, get cosy in your favourite chair, and spend an hour or two solving the mystery in beautiful Tasmania.
- GenresMystery
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2018
25 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Amos
9 books11 followersRJ (Ruth) Amos has a PhD in Chemistry and has taught and researched chemistry for about ten years at two Australian universities, meeting some fascinating people and hearing almost-incredible stories. She decided to start writing those stories in novel form because she feels that others would enjoy hearing about them just as much as she does. She’s added a murder or two because that makes the story that much more fun.
Ruth loves reading a good mystery in front of an open fire, walking along the beach with her husband in both winter and summer, and chatting with her two grown-up children, and she is convinced that Tasmania, where she lives, is the best place on God’s good earth.
Ruth loves reading a good mystery in front of an open fire, walking along the beach with her husband in both winter and summer, and chatting with her two grown-up children, and she is convinced that Tasmania, where she lives, is the best place on God’s good earth.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 5, 2018
This was a fun story: easy to read and perfect for a weekend away (at least, it seemed to me, over Easter :-)
Like many mystery stories of this sort, much of the interest is in the setting. This one is set in a little town outside of Hobart in Australia - giving us an appreciation of the beachside 'small-town near a small city' kind of life. In addition, it is set in a university chemistry department, so we get a view into the highs and lows of academic life, and some of the cool equipment and processes in chemistry work. It also gives a good setting for a murder - all those chemicals lying around...
Of course, the plot is important as well: the main character, Alicia, is an out-of-work chemist, attending a scientific conference in the hopes of finding a job. She witnesses the death of a potential employer, but it could possibly be a murder. She draws all the wrong conclusions about who might be responsible. I think this might be how a 'normal person' with no experience in these matters could behave? Certainly more believable than someone with no experience immediately tracking down the killer.
Anyhow, after trying and failing a few times to find out 'who dunnit', she eventually comes across a likely suspect and tries to find out what happened. Her friends help as well, and it all comes together in the end, with Nate the policeman coming to save the day.
I am interested to read more about Alicia in the next book. I hope her character develops a little, and she becomes a bit more 'scientific' in her approach to crime-solving, but then perhaps haphazard is part of her charm.
Like many mystery stories of this sort, much of the interest is in the setting. This one is set in a little town outside of Hobart in Australia - giving us an appreciation of the beachside 'small-town near a small city' kind of life. In addition, it is set in a university chemistry department, so we get a view into the highs and lows of academic life, and some of the cool equipment and processes in chemistry work. It also gives a good setting for a murder - all those chemicals lying around...
Of course, the plot is important as well: the main character, Alicia, is an out-of-work chemist, attending a scientific conference in the hopes of finding a job. She witnesses the death of a potential employer, but it could possibly be a murder. She draws all the wrong conclusions about who might be responsible. I think this might be how a 'normal person' with no experience in these matters could behave? Certainly more believable than someone with no experience immediately tracking down the killer.
Anyhow, after trying and failing a few times to find out 'who dunnit', she eventually comes across a likely suspect and tries to find out what happened. Her friends help as well, and it all comes together in the end, with Nate the policeman coming to save the day.
I am interested to read more about Alicia in the next book. I hope her character develops a little, and she becomes a bit more 'scientific' in her approach to crime-solving, but then perhaps haphazard is part of her charm.
April 21, 2018
You’ll never guess How, or Who dunnit...
A cleverly crafted, intricate murder mystery by this new author.
The main character, Dr Alicia Conway, is a scientist and keen observer of goings on around her. When she witnesses the sudden death of a colleague, her mind and instincts are aroused and she begins to search for answers. The more she delves, the more complex the mystery becomes. This book takes you into the realm of scientific investigation, and the inner workings are brilliantly described. I found it fascinating, and found myself on the edge of my seat as the book began to climax towards its nail-bitingly suspenseful and highly original ending. I loved Alicia. She’s not your usual style of investigator — she’s gentle, kind and caring — even when getting verbally shoved around by the rude and unpleasant folks she must deal with.
I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author!
A cleverly crafted, intricate murder mystery by this new author.
The main character, Dr Alicia Conway, is a scientist and keen observer of goings on around her. When she witnesses the sudden death of a colleague, her mind and instincts are aroused and she begins to search for answers. The more she delves, the more complex the mystery becomes. This book takes you into the realm of scientific investigation, and the inner workings are brilliantly described. I found it fascinating, and found myself on the edge of my seat as the book began to climax towards its nail-bitingly suspenseful and highly original ending. I loved Alicia. She’s not your usual style of investigator — she’s gentle, kind and caring — even when getting verbally shoved around by the rude and unpleasant folks she must deal with.
I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author!
September 12, 2022
Nice to read a book like this set in my home state of Tasmania. At one point, the characters were at a particular booth in Salamanca Market and I thought to myself "I've seen that booth!" A fun cosy mystery in a setting you don't normally find them.
July 18, 2021
There were elements of this book that I really enjoyed and other parts that I didn't enjoy as much. That's why, overall, I gave this book 3 stars.
I thought the writing was excellent, it was clear and concise and the pacing was great.
The book is written from our main characters point of view, and I thought the way the author put us in the authors head was very well done. We really got a sense of what the main character was thinking and what her motivations were.
My main issue with this book was, unfortunately, I didn't really like the main character. This wouldn't have presented such a problem if we hadn't been in that characters head and the author hadn't done such a good job in putting us there. I found the main character to be judgemental and quick to action, especially when illadvised.
If an unlikeable main character is something you enjoy, then I thin this book will be for you!
I thought the writing was excellent, it was clear and concise and the pacing was great.
The book is written from our main characters point of view, and I thought the way the author put us in the authors head was very well done. We really got a sense of what the main character was thinking and what her motivations were.
My main issue with this book was, unfortunately, I didn't really like the main character. This wouldn't have presented such a problem if we hadn't been in that characters head and the author hadn't done such a good job in putting us there. I found the main character to be judgemental and quick to action, especially when illadvised.
If an unlikeable main character is something you enjoy, then I thin this book will be for you!
July 1, 2021
Academia
After a break to take care of her ailing mother, Alicia attends a conference to get back into the chemistry information gossip and job status network. She got a possible job offer, then, the professor died. Fearing a healthy man was murdered, she spoke to her friend whose husband is a detective, but they both said she was out of line.
I got this book free, but it is a great new take on the cut-throat business of Ph.D. Candidates and the pressure to write and publish post-graduation. It makes a great point of stress and how it affects people. I love the novel view of this mystery. (It is not to technical about the lab work.)
After a break to take care of her ailing mother, Alicia attends a conference to get back into the chemistry information gossip and job status network. She got a possible job offer, then, the professor died. Fearing a healthy man was murdered, she spoke to her friend whose husband is a detective, but they both said she was out of line.
I got this book free, but it is a great new take on the cut-throat business of Ph.D. Candidates and the pressure to write and publish post-graduation. It makes a great point of stress and how it affects people. I love the novel view of this mystery. (It is not to technical about the lab work.)
September 15, 2021
This story was delightful. The amateur detective chased down all the wrong leads and almost gave up their investigation. The supporting cast of characters was well written and helped move the story along at a great pace. I especially enjoyed the "nerdy" science references, as well as the descriptions about what life is like in the small state of Tasmania when seen through a wider lens of a traveller. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
May 7, 2019
Delighted to come across this leisurely tale set in Hobart (where I live) at the university (where I studied). It made for a relaxing and enjoyable read, enhanced by the familiar setting. It was refreshing to read a murder mystery without violence, gore, corpses and lots of forensic detail. I didn't need to avert my eyes once :) .
June 11, 2023
Perfect Murder Mystery for a Hot Summer Day
I thoroughly enjoyed 'Deadly Misconduct' for light summer reading. It was fun considering the suspects and looking into the world of academic politics. I how the characters develop more fulsomely in coming books in this series.
I thoroughly enjoyed 'Deadly Misconduct' for light summer reading. It was fun considering the suspects and looking into the world of academic politics. I how the characters develop more fulsomely in coming books in this series.
December 13, 2019
I really got into and enjoyed this book!
March 12, 2021
A book I couldn’t put down
I really enjoyed this story. It kept you wondering what was going to happen next. Great ending. Can’t wait to read more of her stories.
I really enjoyed this story. It kept you wondering what was going to happen next. Great ending. Can’t wait to read more of her stories.
October 18, 2023
Not as light hearted as the cozy mysteries I have read recently but I did enjoy it. Plus it did make me think about my ideas on academia.
A few run on sentences though.
A few run on sentences though.
August 28, 2020
Deadly misconduct was a perfect weekend read. It drew me in right from the start and I could only ever put it down long enough to make a cup of tea and keep reading. The suspense of the mystery held me in place until the last page. I can’t wait to read more of these stories
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews