History Lessons
A college history professor must solve her superstar colleague's murder before she becomes the next target in this funny, romantic debut mystery, perfect for readers of Janet Evanovich, Kellye Garrett, and Ali Hazelwood.
As a newly minted junior professor, Daphne Ouverture spends her days giving lectures on French colonialism, working on her next academic book, and going on atrocious dates. Her small world suits her just fine. Until Sam Taylor dies.
The rising star of Harrison University’s anthropology department was never one of Daphne’s favorites, despite his popularity. But that doesn’t prevent Sam’s killer from believing Daphne has something that belonged to Sam—something the killer will stop at nothing to get.
Between grading papers and navigating her disastrous love life, Daphne embarks on her own investigation to find out what connects her to Sam’s murder. With the help of an alluring former-detective-turned-bookseller, she unravels a deadly cover-up on campus.
This well-crafted, voice-driven mystery introduces an unforgettable crime fiction heroine.
As a newly minted junior professor, Daphne Ouverture spends her days giving lectures on French colonialism, working on her next academic book, and going on atrocious dates. Her small world suits her just fine. Until Sam Taylor dies.
The rising star of Harrison University’s anthropology department was never one of Daphne’s favorites, despite his popularity. But that doesn’t prevent Sam’s killer from believing Daphne has something that belonged to Sam—something the killer will stop at nothing to get.
Between grading papers and navigating her disastrous love life, Daphne embarks on her own investigation to find out what connects her to Sam’s murder. With the help of an alluring former-detective-turned-bookseller, she unravels a deadly cover-up on campus.
This well-crafted, voice-driven mystery introduces an unforgettable crime fiction heroine.
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Community Reviews
What’s it about?
Daphne Ouverture is an assistant professor specializing in French colonialism at a prestigious university. She is just beginning her career, and so she spends her time giving lectures, grading papers, and going on awful dates. When another young professor sends her a strange text message in French, she ignores it until she discovers he has been murdered that same night. She is slowly drawn into the mystery- and so are we.
What did it make me think about?
Well, I was mainly wondering what would happen next.
Should I read it?
Daphne Ouverture is such a character! She is black, smart, and has a colorful group of friends and family that surrounds her. Like many mysteries, you do need to suspend your disbelief a little, but I thoroughly enjoyed not just Daphne but the whole cast of this book. Zoe Wallbrook has a perspective, but that did not hinder my enjoyment of the book, and it was an interesting and different take than a white man would have written. Who doesn’t appreciate a new point of view in the mystery category? Additionally, there is even a hint of romance and a touch of humor to keep things interesting. I am hoping Daphne and friends will be back, and I, for one, will read the next book.
Quote-
“But any good historian worth their salt would tell you that secrets didn’t want to be buried.”
Daphne Ouverture is an assistant professor specializing in French colonialism at a prestigious university. She is just beginning her career, and so she spends her time giving lectures, grading papers, and going on awful dates. When another young professor sends her a strange text message in French, she ignores it until she discovers he has been murdered that same night. She is slowly drawn into the mystery- and so are we.
What did it make me think about?
Well, I was mainly wondering what would happen next.
Should I read it?
Daphne Ouverture is such a character! She is black, smart, and has a colorful group of friends and family that surrounds her. Like many mysteries, you do need to suspend your disbelief a little, but I thoroughly enjoyed not just Daphne but the whole cast of this book. Zoe Wallbrook has a perspective, but that did not hinder my enjoyment of the book, and it was an interesting and different take than a white man would have written. Who doesn’t appreciate a new point of view in the mystery category? Additionally, there is even a hint of romance and a touch of humor to keep things interesting. I am hoping Daphne and friends will be back, and I, for one, will read the next book.
Quote-
“But any good historian worth their salt would tell you that secrets didn’t want to be buried.”
Review Copy From Netgalley:
The moment I started this book, I was hooked. From the mystery around Daphne's colleague's death to the debate over the new Dean of the college and the dangerous target on Daphne's back. I enjoyed it all. On the surface, it seemed Daphne's connection to a colleague's death was non-existent. Until she realizes a random text from him in french is a message from a beloved personal book of hers--that's suddenly gone missing.
Daphne's intuitive, kind and professional nature despite the microaggressions she endures at Harrison University made her an instant favorite character for me. Her supportive best friends and her ex-CIA father made the story even more entertaining when Daphne sought out answers on her own to track down her missing book. Sam's 'charmer' personality didn't fool everyone, but it hid a lot of dark secrets both on and off campus.
The more Daphne uncovers; the greater the danger.
This was my introduction to the author's work and I'm excited to read from her again.
The moment I started this book, I was hooked. From the mystery around Daphne's colleague's death to the debate over the new Dean of the college and the dangerous target on Daphne's back. I enjoyed it all. On the surface, it seemed Daphne's connection to a colleague's death was non-existent. Until she realizes a random text from him in french is a message from a beloved personal book of hers--that's suddenly gone missing.
Daphne's intuitive, kind and professional nature despite the microaggressions she endures at Harrison University made her an instant favorite character for me. Her supportive best friends and her ex-CIA father made the story even more entertaining when Daphne sought out answers on her own to track down her missing book. Sam's 'charmer' personality didn't fool everyone, but it hid a lot of dark secrets both on and off campus.
The more Daphne uncovers; the greater the danger.
This was my introduction to the author's work and I'm excited to read from her again.
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