Series: A Cassandra Sato Mystery
Publisher: Emerald Prairie Press
Release Date: April 22, 2019
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Ambitious Cassandra Sato traded her life in Hawai’i for a dream position as Student Affairs VP at Morton College in tiny Carson, Nebraska. She expected the Midwestern church casseroles, land-locked cornfields, and face-freezing winters would be her biggest challenges, but it’s her job that’s rapidly becoming a nightmare.
A deaf student is dead and the investigation reveals a complicated trail of connections between campus food service, a local farmer’s beef, and the science lab’s cancer research. Together with her few allies, Cassandra must protect the students caught up in the entanglement.
Dealing with homesickness, vandalism, and a stalker, Cassandra is trapped in a public relations disaster that could cost her job, or more. No one said college was easy.
My Review ♥️
I have been trying to broaden my reading horizons and get out of my comfort zone, reading new authors and trying out new genres. Death by Dissertation is a cozy mystery by debut author Kelly Brakenhoff that is a a slower pace than I'm used to. With deep character development, especially with main character Cassandra Sato, and a great story line with decent writing, Ms. Brakenhoff has written a wonderful first novel.
In saying that, I will admit for me that the book dragged considerably, which took away from the charm of the story. I do not believe this has anything to do with the novel itself but more about my preference of faster paced mysteries. I also found it difficult to engage with the characters and the situations they faced as a whole. I did, however, love the ASL (American Sign Language) aspect, and admired the author's choice to make this a major part of the story line.
Though predictable, and a little too drawn out for my taste, Death by Dissertation is a great start for a debut author and I can't wait to see what other adventures await Cassandra Sato.
In saying that, I will admit for me that the book dragged considerably, which took away from the charm of the story. I do not believe this has anything to do with the novel itself but more about my preference of faster paced mysteries. I also found it difficult to engage with the characters and the situations they faced as a whole. I did, however, love the ASL (American Sign Language) aspect, and admired the author's choice to make this a major part of the story line.
Though predictable, and a little too drawn out for my taste, Death by Dissertation is a great start for a debut author and I can't wait to see what other adventures await Cassandra Sato.
My Rating: ★★★
Get to Know & Connect With Author
Kelly Brakenhoff is an American Sign Language Interpreter whose motivation for learning ASL began in high school when she wanted to converse with her deaf friends. As an American Sign Language Interpreter with more than twenty years of experience,
Kelly’s worked in college classrooms for fifteen different majors. From traipsing across muddy farm fields to stomach-churning medical procedures, and stage interpreting for famous figures, Kelly’s community interpreting interactions number in the thousands. Unfortunately, once she’s stepped away from the job, she usually forgets 90% of what happened. Which helps her keep confidential information safe, but also makes it really hard to grocery shop for more than 5 items without a written list.
Kelly wants to live in a world filled with peace, love, and joy, where people who can hear learn enough sign language to include deaf people in everyday conversations and work. Where every deaf child has early access to language and books with characters like them, and dark chocolate is cheap and plentiful.
When she’s not interpreting or writing, you can find Kelly cheering for her favorite Husker teams or training for half-marathons because she really likes dessert.
Her first mystery, Death by Dissertation, released April 22, 2019.
When she’s not interpreting or writing, you can find Kelly cheering for her favorite Husker teams or training for half-marathons because she really likes dessert.
Her first mystery, Death by Dissertation, released April 22, 2019.
How About A Giveaway?
From June 22 – 30th you can get your copy of Death by Dissertation for $.99!!
Tour Participants
June 17 – The Layaway Dragon – REVIEW
June 17 – Only By Grace Reviews – REVIEW
June 18 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE
June 18 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
June 19 – Island Confidential – REVIEW
June 20 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 20 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
June 21 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW
June 21 – That’s What She’s Reading – GUEST POST
June 22 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
June 22 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 23 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
June 24 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
June 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW
June 25 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 26 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
June 26 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
June 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
June 27 – I’m All About Books – GUEST POST
June 28 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
June 29 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, GUEST POST
June 30 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
*I have reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Great Escapes Book Tours. All opinions are completely honest, and my own.
No comments
Thank you for visiting! :)