The Art of Vanishing by Cynthia Kuhn

Lila Maclean is just trying to regroup after discovering a dead body last semester. The chancellor still seems to have it out for her and sends her off on an errand to interview Damon Von Tussel, the famous author who will be headlining their Arts Week. Too bad the man disappears right after his talk. Unfortunately, Lila's artist mother used to date Damon so it's up to her to track him down and drag him back for his campus appearance. Lila is successful but is somewhat worried when a vague threat is emailed to everyone on the Arts Week committee to cancel Von Tussel "or else." It doesn't help that Lila's mother rushes into town putting herself in harm's way.
This is a nice series but somehow I'm just not connecting. I'm not sure if it's the writing or the story, I feel bad because I can't put my finger on it. I really hope there's not a love triangle in the offing though. That is one of my biggest pet peeves with cozy mysteries, that they start focusing more on the madcap romance than the story.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out February 28
Follows The Semester of Our Discontent

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