Hot Wired

Bel Barrett #9

by Jane Isenberg

With a great job as a community college professor, some peace and quiet now that the kids are out of the house, and a loving new husband, it would seem Bel Barrett finally has a chance to kick back and enjoy life. But just when things seem too good to be true, trouble rears its ugly head again--this time in the form of a hateful rap that's circulating on a popular college website. In the old days, the bathroom wall was the place to air grievances for a bad grade or a pop quiz. But now Bel's learning that the internet is a lot more effective at ruining a reputation--students across the country think she's a racist and a sexist, all thanks to a vengeful rap posted on pickurprofs.com.

With a little sleuthing, Bel realizes that a former student, who dropped out, joined the army, and lost his arm fighting in Iraq, is taking out his frustrations at her expense. The wannabe rapper wants to make sure someone pays for his misfortune, and with the administration breathing down her neck, and her job in jeopardy, Bel may very well be the one. And while she's concentrating on keeping her job, and keeping her life in order, the rapping avenger turns up dead on the subway track, and all signs point to Bel as the most likely suspect. Now a middle-aged, law-abiding college professor has to find the evidence to prove she's innocent, before the decision to give one bad grade lands her in jail for a long, long time.

Genres: Mystery

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

Reviews

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last of the Bel Barrett series. I have really enjoyed these books. The characters are great and I loved the humor. Recommend for good light mysteries.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Wired
Jane Isenberg
Mystery
302 pages
copyright: 2005
isbn: 0-06-057753-3

A Bum Rap

At long last, fifty-something New Jersey community college professor Bel Barrett can kick back adn appreciate life with a loving new husband and the kids grown and on their own. But when an angry ex-student posts a nasty hip-hop screed about her on a popular college website, Bel is devastated. In fact, the entire college is up in arms, and the situation spirals out of control when the venomous poet is discovered lying dead on the subway tracks.

Though she hasn't a single homicidal bone in her body, Bel is suddenly the cops' chief murder suspect. And when her career and her freedom are on the line, this post-menopausal prof must now enter the alien world of hip-hop culture--making unlikely friends and some very dangerous enemies in the process--on her determined quest to clear her name and unmask a killer.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may have been a re-read for me. As I was reading the book several times I thought "gee, this seems familiar" but I wasn't sure so I kept reading. I have enjoyed the Bel Barrett Mysteries. Bel is a menopausal college prof and all of the books in the series have had a title related to menopause. Very clever. This is the last book in the series and although I can't say that I would rank it with mysteries by Carolyn Hart or Susan Wittig Albert I have enjoyed all of the books and give them a consistant 4 stars.

[Littlegolynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this book today. All about a female professor who solves murders. Takes place in New Jersey and she going thorugh the change. Ergo the names of the books.

[Jean Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Bel Barrett, entertaining, will read more of the series.

[Gd]

loved the character and related to hot flashes