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Trigger Warning
When does freedom go too far?
Doctor Rowena Halley has finally found a job that pays enough to live on. Too bad it’s a continent away from one of the men in her life, and an ocean away from the other. Plus, the campus she’s teaching at is not the idyllic haven it seems.
There are the usual problems of academia: busywork, embarrassing extracurricular activities, a difficult department chair. And then there’s real danger. A Gamergate activist has been invited to speak at the college, and a campus Men’s Rights group has threatened to protest the event. Are the rumors of violence swirling around the speaker “just talk,” or are they going to become action?
When Rowena gets drawn into organizing the event, she is called on to find out before something tragic happens. Her dive into the campus’s incel culture just threatens to stir the pot, though. Rowena is worried that she’s going to lose her job. With tensions on campus running this high, however, it may be more than her contract that is terminated. The college is concerned about freedom of speech. Rowena is concerned about the freedom to stay alive.
Combining suspense, dark humor, and a touch of romance, "Trigger Warning" is a sharply satirical examination of modern higher ed reminiscent of Robert B. Parker’s investigations into the dark side of contemporary college life, written by someone with years of experience in the trenches of academia.
*Content warning: Along with the kind of adult language you should expect from mouthy undergrads and battle-scarred Iraq vets, this book also contains a serious discussion of bullying, incel culture, and gun violence. You’ve been warned.*
Doctor Rowena Halley has finally found a job that pays enough to live on. Too bad it’s a continent away from one of the men in her life, and an ocean away from the other. Plus, the campus she’s teaching at is not the idyllic haven it seems.
There are the usual problems of academia: busywork, embarrassing extracurricular activities, a difficult department chair. And then there’s real danger. A Gamergate activist has been invited to speak at the college, and a campus Men’s Rights group has threatened to protest the event. Are the rumors of violence swirling around the speaker “just talk,” or are they going to become action?
When Rowena gets drawn into organizing the event, she is called on to find out before something tragic happens. Her dive into the campus’s incel culture just threatens to stir the pot, though. Rowena is worried that she’s going to lose her job. With tensions on campus running this high, however, it may be more than her contract that is terminated. The college is concerned about freedom of speech. Rowena is concerned about the freedom to stay alive.
Combining suspense, dark humor, and a touch of romance, "Trigger Warning" is a sharply satirical examination of modern higher ed reminiscent of Robert B. Parker’s investigations into the dark side of contemporary college life, written by someone with years of experience in the trenches of academia.
*Content warning: Along with the kind of adult language you should expect from mouthy undergrads and battle-scarred Iraq vets, this book also contains a serious discussion of bullying, incel culture, and gun violence. You’ve been warned.*
Unknown Binding
Published September 5, 2020
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About the author
Sid Stark
15 books18 followersUnder her other name, Sid lives a life very similar to that of her characters, although with more tedious grading and fewer exciting chase scenes.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 4, 2020
Another fascinating episode for Rowena. The book discusses the problems present in schools/universities of freedom of speech vs. safety of faculty and students and the potential of violence. Also pointed out is the hardship of finding teaching positions that pay well enough to live on and how faculty may be treated. I look forward to Rowena’s ongoing story.
March 5, 2020
I am fond of Dr. Rowena Halley. She seems to have some pretty rotten luck in the world of Academia. This book contains realistic language typical of today's college student. Campus life is fraught with misguided souls, unlovable administrators, and even some boy meets girl. Sid Stark takes a societal problem and treats it in a manner that is both realistic and a bit frightening. Her characters are interesting and presented in a way that you will either love them or hate them. I appreciate her perspective on the many personalities represented by campus life. With every read, I ask myself, "Is it too late to go back to school?"
Received as an ARC with no obligation to review.
Received as an ARC with no obligation to review.
May 20, 2020
The book discusses the present day problems present in schools/universities of freedom of speech vs. safety of faculty and students and the irruption of potential of frightening violence. Her characters are interesting and multi-faceted personalities represented by campus life.
Received as an ARC with no obligations.
Received as an ARC with no obligations.
September 8, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Rowena has a new job with new problems
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2020
Rowena is at a new job and has a new set of issues to deal with. Very realistic story. Kept me hooked from the beginning. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2020
Rowena is at a new job and has a new set of issues to deal with. Very realistic story. Kept me hooked from the beginning. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
February 19, 2020
Too graphic, not my cup of tea. And, somewhat of a slow storyline.
September 12, 2020
I enjoyed the first book I read by this author. So I tried another book. This book is even more enjoyable. We not only get a great story but also learn the tribulations of college professors.
July 1, 2020
I kept wanting to see what would happen next. Rowena starts a new job with plenty of unpleasant people and responsibilities and yet new acquaintances who enrich her life. I'll peg Karen as the antagonist. I wouldn't have minded seeing her get her comeuppance. The mystery is finally solved but ends with morbid consequences for a couple of students. Throughout the story, the sad situation in today's education system stands out.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews