MY REVIEW:
No sooner than professor Preston Barclay arrives on campus to teach a couple of summer classes, rumors have spread that he intends to investigate the death of his friend and fellow professor. Despite the police evidence that points to suicide, Press is drawn into an ever-growing web of situations where nothing is as it seems. Was his friend’s death actually murder and was it just one part of a farther reaching crime problem?
As expected, I thoroughly enjoyed this latest Preston Barclay Mystery, “Murder in Disguise”. The author deftly manages to combine drama, mystery, humor, and a touch of romance while also educating his readers on the Christian history and other facts taught by the professor. Characterizations are excellent as Taylor manages to make each one seem naturally realistic. A few surprises along the way kept things interesting as did the growing romance between Press and Mara.
I also liked the way the author managed to tie current campus politics and practices into the story. It helped confirm suspicions of why many of our young people have developed their current mindsets. If only more of our educators were like Press and Mara and Professor Collier.
“Murder in Disguise” is a terrific book and so is the entire series. This series would be one that many men would enjoy as it is told from Preston’s point of view and the romantic content is fairly subtle.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Litfuse Publicity.
A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A story of murder, a rumored secret life, and anonymous threats—don’t miss book three, Murder in Disguise, of Donn Taylor’s Preston Barclay Mystery series! Visiting professor Preston Barclay decides to investigate the department chairman’s mysterious death. The more Press questions, the more dangerous the threats against him become, and the more determined he grows to clear his friend’s name. Can Press’ stumbling efforts prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts lives in danger?
Official verdict: Suicide.
But why would that vigorous department chairman kill himself? To avoid disgrace? Those rumored ventures on the dark side? Some other secret life? Visiting professor Preston Barclay wonders. But his questions bring no answers, only anonymous threats. He has enough problems already, proving himself on a strange campus while radical faculty do all they can to undermine him. Worse yet, that sexy siren assigned as his assistant complicates his courtship of the beautiful Mara Thorn.
While Press keeps asking questions, Mara’s research reveals a cancer of criminal activity that permeates the community and even the campus itself. The more Press questions, the more dangerous the threats against him become, and the more determined he grows to clear his friend’s name.
But can Press and Mara’s stumbling efforts prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger…?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With a PhD in English literature (Renaissance), Donn Taylor taught literature for 18 years at two liberal arts colleges. Now retired, he has published suspense novels, mysteries, and poetry. His historical novel “Lightning on a Quiet Night” was a finalist for the 2015 Selah Awards. He is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences. In a prior incarnation, he led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. He now lives in the woods near Houston, TX, where he writes fiction, poetry, and essays on current topics.
Find out more about Donn at http://www.donntaylor.com.
