The Semester of our Discontent by Cynthia Kuhn

Lila Maclean is a new professor at Stonedale University. Specializing in American Literature, she is one of two first-year teachers, the other one being Simone who doesn't seem to like Lila very much. Another person who doesn't like Lila? Roland Higgins, the chair of the department. He's a martinet, very much against any author who isn't white, male, and long-dead. Unfortunately for Lila, who is studying a female mystery novelist from the 1970s, this puts her firmly in his "does not like it" category which she finds out to her dismay on her first day of work. It's too bad that that day coincides with his murder. And Lila (along with her advisor Judith) is first on the scene. And then another body turns up. Then her cousin is arrested for murder. And it's up to Lila to get her out.
A nice first book in a series. There were some issues but overall a very good book and one for which I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Followed by The Art of Vanishing