After reading the first book in this series, with the wonderful title The Semester of our Discontent, I have been looking forward to the second book in this series.
I was not disappointed! The Art of Vanishing is as funny and easily readable as the first title, and yet under the ‘fun’ lies a serious story. This time we meet with Lila’s mother and o dear, who wouldn’t want to have such a mother? For a few years anyway… not when you’re still little, I think. As a grownup, Lila has to deal with her famous mother and her even more famous friend, author Damon Von Tussel, a man loved and hated at the same time. Still, when documents disappear and people are trying to poison other people, there is nothing Lila can do but try and find the truth. And all this in between her submitting her first book, trying to find love and generally be overworked with all her tasks – especially when other people fail to do theirs, and blame it on Lila.
I like Lila. I like her a lot. But I think she is still a little too friendly, too polite. I wish she would stand up a little more for herself. Maybe in the next book in this series
I received this book through NetGalley for a honest review.

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

I enjoyed this second mystery in the Lila Maclean series. Lila's background is fleshed out a bit more and we get to meet her mum and get to know her colleagues a bit better. I liked the premise of the book - a literary festival with a temperamental star guest - and I liked the way that it brought Lila's family life into her work life and enabling the reader to get more of a sense of who she is. And the mystery itself made for a refreshing change <spoiler>with there being no actual murder, just some attempted murders etc</spoiler> and helped the series feel realistic.

I'll be looking out for book 3.

The second offering in the Lila Maclean Academic Mystery Book series is a spectacular continuation in the life of a tenure aspiring professor in Colorado. There are so many layers to Lila that I love the expert way Cynthia Kuhn lets me into her mind to share her thought processes. Sometimes in literary references it takes all of my minor in English to understand, but I am educated delightfully in the process. The mystery here is sharp and with feints that made the conclusion a surprise. The relationship developments with Lila's mom and the men in her life will keep me guessing until the next book is released. I for one can't wait!

Stonedale University is planning a big Art Week; and the keynote speaker, artist and scumbag Damon Von Tussel has disappeared. The college chancellor has made it clear he holds professor Lila MacLean responsible, because Damon disappeared on her watch. She needs to find the missing artist or start looking for a new job. The strange things begin to happen, guests of the college begin to have strange accidents, things go missing and when Lila’s mother (and Damon’s ex) shows up on campus and puts herself in danger, Lila knows she has to act fast to find out what’s going on and who’s responsible. I’m a big fan of academic mysteries and Kuhn ranks right up there with Carol Goodman with this series