Final Exam

Murder 101 Mystery #4

by Maggie Barbieri

St. Thomas, the college north of New York City where Alison teaches, has had its share of scandals involving its students, staff, and Alison herself, so when a Resident Director goes missing they keep it quiet by tapping Alison as a replacement. A stay in the dorms is like hard time and she will do anything to avoid it. Her way out: Find the reluctant resident and drag him back. Luckily, she doesn’t have to look further than the drugs he’s hidden to get her boyfriend, Detective Bobby Crawford, on the case.

Final Exam is another wildly entertaining adventure in the Murder 101 series.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Romance

336 pages, Hardcover

First published December 8, 2009

About the author

Maggie Barbieri is the author of the Murder 101 series, which is comprised of Murder 101 (2006); Extracurricular Activities (2007), Quick Study (2008), Final Exam (2009) and Third Degree (due November 2010.) She lives in the New York metro area/Hudson Valley with her husband, and two children. By day she's a writer and editor of college textbooks. She is currently at work on the sixth book in the series, still untitled.

Reviews

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty mediocre mystery, I thought. The premise is good...a female professor at a small Catholic primarily women's college with a handsome if Aspergers policeman boyfriend and a penchant for investigating mysteries and speaking her mind. But I found the characters wooden. The best friend is not really a good friend, so it's unclear why they remain friends. The main character is unbelievable obtuse at times. And there's a fine line between writing a snarky but likeable character ad writing one that is too negative and annoying. However, I did like the book enough to finish it.

[Crazy for Books (Stephanie) · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the first book, Murder 101, Alison said she had only been in the presidents office once, "when I had been granted tenure" . Now in this book, she says she's nontenured.

One of my biggest pet peeves with ongoing series featuring a primary character, is when the author/publisher/editor forget salient facts about the main characters. She's supposed to be tenured, now for the purpose of this storyline, which is dumb, her possible tenure is on the line unless she does this job they want her to do and she's basically bullied into it.

This is also the second time in so many books that Alison's friend, Max, had run out on her in a time of need. Max wouldn't be my friend, at all, any more.

For someone so smart, how can Alison be so stupid? She's just spoken to Michael Columbo and figured out what Amanda's father was up to, but she thinks doing the job as Resident Director is more important than making the call to Crawford and telling him everything she'd figured out. The first thing to do was to make sure that Michael was taken care of. That the cops wouldn't blame him for doing something he had no idea he was doing. Not to make sure stupid kids weren't in the dorms past curfew. I mean, COME ON! That's something you check on after you've called Crawford.

I was kinda liking this series until this installment. She's done something stupid at every turn and let the school: The President of the school and Sister Mary, take advantage of her. She's let the Campus police push her around. The woman has an assigned parking spot as a professor. I think her status as a professor at the school for nine years, trumps her temporary position as Resident Director. She can park in her spot no matter what. As long as she's working there as a prof, that supersedes her position as an Resident Director. But no, they put tickets on her car, boot her tire and then cone the area so she won't park in her assigned parking spot while she's there as an RA... against her will, I might add.

Then you've got Max and Fred mad at her for telling them like it is after..., again, taking advantage of her "let things be" personality. And Kevin has hidden from his responsibilities and her, this entire book.

I'm really mad at this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good series. I like the characters and Allison keeps things interesting and exciting. The story was good and I enjoyed seeing how it unfolded.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I skipped #3 in this series because I didn't like #2, but I enjoyed this one. Although it's a flimsy idea that Allison would ever have to substitute for a missing residence-hall director, it gives her an excuse to be on campus and poke around in The Case of the Missing RD. I also enjoyed this one because she didn't have to stumble over any bodies -- which always seems a little far-fetched -- just deal with a within-the-realm-of-possibility narcotics investigation. And her relationship with Crawford seemed to have a lot more enjoyably witty banter, perhaps because Allison's RD position imposed celibacy upon them instead. Go, Barbieri -- I'd rather read dialogue then steam.

Will look forward to #5.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I positively LOVED Barbieri's 1st book (Murder 101), but this fourth outing isn't nearly as good. She's becoming very formulaic - bumbling amateur sleuth (who calls her hot cop boyfriend only by his last name) yet somehow solves the mystery. That's why I liked her first one - Barbieri completely avoided this stereotype. Hopefully her next one will be better and be more along the lines of the first.

[Julie Akeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again a great book but while I am close to getting done with this series I'm starting to burn out on it so time for something else. Really good and man she is stubborn about using her old parking space, I think she should have a bike to get across campus if she had to be forced to use the on campus faculty lot that's out in the boonies. And I can't help but think that was unlawful that her on campus room she was forced to take had black mold...they should have cleaned that up..it was a Catholic College so just tell them it's the spawn of Satan trying to get at her maybe they would have cleaned it up.

[Jessica Pritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! Really adored the ending!!! It was so cute!! I always enjoy the main character Alison. She is funny, cute, and relatable. I hated finding out how her best friend Max's personality truly is. I have to admit that was having a crush on her. <3

[Melissa Etheridge · Rating 1 out of 5]

tapping out after this one. for someone who is a professor she is pretty stupid, her best friend Max is the worst as is her significant other. Crawford is beginning to also seem pretty freaking stupid and puts up with more shit than he should. I'm surprised he hasn't dumped her yet.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I will look for earlier ones. Writing similar to Hess and the university settings. A little laugh out loud situations.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had some really funny lines. Sometimes it's nice to read a mystery that has NO dead bodies!

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give 3.5 stars if I could.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really glad Audible members get to enjoy this series! I wanted to read these books ever since I saw the movies! Hilarious, exciting and next please!

[Libby]

(E-Lib) Wow, Max is even more annoying in this book. How juvenile and selfish can she be? I can't believe she painted Alison's bedroom!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final exam takes us on another mysterious journey with Dr. Alison Bergeron, professor of English. Maggie Barbieri made me a fan right off with book one, and I've loved every one since. With fun characters, dry, witty humor, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, the Murder 101 series will have you laughing to tears in minutes.

Summary:
Dr. Alison Bergeron is on thin ice. The hi-jinks she continually gets up to are not small, and an administration that already finds her difficult, is now disapproving and probably looking for any way to take her job. Granted, the scandals that have wracked the small campus of St. Thomas University are not in any way Alison's fault, but she does have a habit of getting right in the middle after the fact. This time, Alison's boss demands that she take over the Resident Director job in one of the student dorms after the current director goes missing. The university is hoping to keep this mystery quiet, but Alison is curious to know why no one knows where this man, Wayne, has gone and why no one has reported him missing. Moving into the dorm is the last thing Alison wants to do. She has a house, a dog, and a very adult relationship with Detective Bobby Crawford to think about. Unfortunately, her best friend has also taken over said house, and let's just say moving to the dorm is a break from that unhappy human and the mess that goes with her. Still not wanting to give up any alone time she can have with Crawford, Alison enlists his help, somewhat slyly, and sets about finding the missing Wayne on her own. Unluckily, Alison's situation is about to get a lot worse. Before she's even lived in the dorm a full 48 hours, Alison finds herself amidst exploding toilets, visits from law enforcement (not the cuddly Crawford kind either), and flying beer bottles. Needless to say, her search for Wayne and the mess he's attached to is a lot more complicated than a mysterious disappearance. Still, this isn't enough to assuage her curiosity or get her out of dorm duty. With Crawford's reluctant help, Alison sets about sleuthing to solve the mystery of the sometimes missing Wayne, never-before-seen drugs, and a young female students connection to it all. Alison has her work cut out for her, and hopefully she can find all the answers without adding to her current kidnapping count.

I have adored Alison from the first moment we met her. She's often described as boring or dull by her best friend, Max, but I just don't see it. She has a dry wit that translates into a but-gusting humor. I love her curiosity and her ability to get herself into the craziest situations with very little effort. I love her relationship with Crawford and was so happy to see more of them together. They have a smooth dialogue and are very comfortable with each other. Crawford is sweet, especially when he gets embarrassed. Supporting cast was pretty good, too. Father Kevin is usually always entertaining, but Max really got on my nerves this book. I agreed with everything Alison said, and was disappointed that it was mostly swept under the rug. Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the Murder 101 series. When I can be laughing until tears roll down my cheeks, then I know it's a great book. I would advise that you read the series in order, as there are nuances and character traits you may not understand without doing so. Great job Maggie. Looking forward to more! <3

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Dr. Alison Bergeron is on shaky ground after previously being involved in three other mysterious affairs on campus so when the dean says that she "can" take the place of a missing residence director, she cannot argue. Alas that means leaving her recently separated best friend in her house and also precludes private time with her hot cop boyfriend. Naturally she goes looking for that residence director, uncovering some secrets along the way.

Why I Read: It was featured on my library's shelves, tempting me for two weeks. Originally I resisted because I knew it wasn't the first book but eventually I caved.

Thoughts: I've been craving a book that focuses more on the mystery rather than "atmosphere" (I'm talking to you Ms. Alexander and Ms. Raybourn) and this fit the bill as well as being a lot of fun. The main character is Dr. Alison Bergeron, a professor at a Catholic school in New York. She has a great sense of humor and I'd think we'd get along (except for me being a student and more of a cat person while she has an adorable-sounding dog). But she seems very levelheaded and determined. I also really liked her boyfriend (although she feels too mature to use that term) Crawford. He just sounds really hot and generally very supportive of her (although she breaks the law at one point, which he obviously can't support).

One character I did not like was her best friend Max. Maybe Max is a lot of fun in earlier books but here she is incredibly annoying and whiny. I did not quite understand why they were friends. The other characters I mostly liked. As to the mystery, I was disappointed that there was not a murder (There's blood on the cover-someone ought to be dead!) and I did not manage to put everything together but I liked following it.

Overall: 4 out 5. Light and breezy. Luckily one does not have to read this series in order but I'm definitely planning to get the rest through the library when I have time.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. I love English Professor Alison Bergeron, I love the setting of St. Thomas College and surrounds, I love the way Barbieri writes. Even though I sometimes start finding myself getting frustrated with Alison -- as I do with Hannah Swensen -- Barbieri dials things back just before the frustration fully sets in. It's a skill that I never noticed before but that I think it critical for an author -- recognizing who you're writing for and making sure not to alienate her. I think it's pretty clear that I'm part of this audience.

Now, as for the plot of this book: the Powers That Be at St. Thomas reach out to single professor Alison when one of their residence hall directors suddenly gives notice and disappears just before spring break. Alison, they say, will be the new director in-residence through the end of the semester, whether she wants to be or not -- at least she will be if she wants to keep her job.

Miserable at this prospect to begin with, within hours of moving in Alison finds herself pulled further into the mystery of the missing director when her toilet explodes thanks to the stash of drugs the missing director hid there. Luckily Crawford, her detective boyfr -- er, something -- is right there to find the cause, call in the right people and help Alison solve the mystery of the missing director. A great read!

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 4th entry in the Alison Bergeron series, college professor and amateur sleuth Alison finds herself forced to move into the dorms on campus at spring break, to take the place of a missing Resident Director.Since this device is immediately suspect, given that no college would force a faculty member to move into a dormitory, it was pretty disappointing -- though it did serve to move the action back to campus, an aspect that was definitely lacking in the previous entry.

Alison embarks on a complicated effort to investigate the RD's disappearance, so that she doesn't have to remain in the dorms until the end of the semester, and she enlists Bobby Crawford in her bungling efforts. I don't understand why he puts up with the flagrant lawbreaking (it's not charming or cute), or, really, at this point, what he sees in her.

The side plot with Max and Fred didn't do much to further the story, either. The ending did leave a thread hanging for the next installment, though. I hope that's a good thing.

[Cherie]

This is the third book I've read by this author...and I liked it as well. As noted, the series is about a woman named Alison, who teaches English at a small Catholic college in New York.

When a resident director goes missing, she is asked to fill in for him and moves into a dorm with her dog, Trixie. Wayne Brookwell, the missing man, is spotted hiding out on campus and Alison realizes that there is a connection to one of her bosses—a stern nun named Sister Mary. Wayne seems to have formed a close relationship with one of the young women in the dorm. As Alison settles into her new, dismal digs, she finds herself obsessed with finding Wayne and solving the mystery behind his disappearance, since it is the only way to get back to her old life.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series and liked this book.

In this book, Alison discovered things (such as where Wayne was) rather than actively investigated things. She's a professor not a detective. In previous books, though I've enjoyed them, having her poke her nose in things wasn't really all that believable.

I found the side story of Max and Fred breaking up and Max being so self-centred kind of annoying. If Max was my friend, I would have dump her a longtime ago. It was good to see Alison finally stand up to her.

It's a fun read that doesn't drag. I bought the ending.

Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2011/11...

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a young residence director disappears, the powers-that-be at Saint Thomas University insist that professor Alison Bergeron take his place--she's in their bad books because of her repeated involvement with crime. But her first day in her new quarters, Alison (and her policeman boyfriend Crawford) find a souvenir of the missing R.D. that puts a new light on his missing status. Alison is unhappy to be moving from her own house, but glad to get away from her best friend Max, who has moved in with her and is moping about the breakup of her marriage to Crawford's partner.

[Nora-adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

You just gotta love Alison Bergeron... No matter which way she turns, no matter how hard she tries, she ends up in trouble of one sort or another. One of the dorm directors goes missing and the President of the school gleefully dumps the job of Temporary RD onto her.

She's not a happy camper, especially when she finds her new toilet stopped up with a brick of heroin. What can I tell you... it's another trip on the Cyclone Roller Coaster life of Prof. Alison Bergeron and her boyfriend Det. Bobby Crawford.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just knew being a professor was way more exciting than grading papers and working on dissertations. Alison Bergeron stumbles across odd happenings yet again on her college campus. The semester is almost over, the resident director of one of the dorms disappears and Alison is tapped to move in as a replacement. The story moves quickly and Alison's boyfriend, police detective Bobby Crawford is back, along with a few other favorites.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I feel that the plots of all of the books in this series are far-fetched, they're interesting enough for me to continue coming back for more. It was a nice change of pace for Allison not to be involved in a murder this time, but I felt the relationship between her and Crawford wasn't as good as in the previous books. If the ending is anything to go by though, we should have plenty of that in the next book.

[Natasha Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed tis book. The only problem is Max. In the first book I liked her but now she is annoying. She is not a good friend. I was happy and upset when Alison finally grew a backbone when dealing with Max. She stood up for herself but when it came down to holding Max accountable she backed down. They relationship doesn't seem to have changed much after all this happened. Max will still run over Alison.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

English professor Alison Bergeron is forced to do extra duty as a resident director at one of the St. Thomas dorms when the regular RD disappears during spring break. A few academic stereotypical characters, a nun, a priest, a wild best friend and a police detective boyfriend all in recurring roles. Wish the covers weren't so stupid for this series, because the books are well written and fun.

[angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. Sarcastic, smart, funny with believable characters. the jacket of this one says that the books are being made into a tv show with Kristin Davis (Charlotte from 'Sex and the City) playing the lovable Professor Alison Bergeron. This plot is a little thin and gets a little wacky at times compare to the previous 3 books but still enjoyable just the same.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Maggie Barbieri's Allison Bergeron series. This is another good solid entry and involves more antics on campus. Temporarily forced to live in a dorm, Allison is thrust into a situation that is not of her making but she is determined to straighten it out. Good humor, well-defined characters and a solid plot make this a great read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alison Bergeron is a college instructor who knows what's politic, so when the dean asks her to move in and be the residential advisor in the dorm where the last RA went missing, she says yes. But the hardships of dorm living are the least of here worries once she finds the brick of drugs in her dorm room toilet.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alison, an English professor at St. Thomas University in the Bronx, is coerced into becoming the temporary resident director of Siena dorm after popular RD Wayne disappears. Det. Bobby Crawford of the, Alison's boyfriend, who happens to be an NYPD detective helps her move and discovers a brick of heroin hidden in the bathroom. Mildly amusing.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though Final Exam isn’t as laugh-out-loud quirky as Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, it has the same offbeat charm—thanks, especially, to its motley cast of characters.

Read the full review at http://www.nightsandweekends.com/arti...