The Professor is the sophomore novel by Lauren Nossett, and the second book in the series featuring Detective Marlitt Kaplan. I recommend reading Nossett’s debut, The Resemblance, prior to diving into this one since important character building and setting description occurs, making The Professor a more satisfying reading experience. Our main character, Marlitt, a former (disgraced) homicide detective returns to the University of Georgia to help a young professor clear her name in the death of a local university student. Although Marlitt is no longer employed by the local police force, she uses her experience and cunning mind to try to crack this complex case.

The pace of this novel was a bit slow initially, but during the last 30% I couldn’t stop turning the pages. There is a twist towards the end that had me gasping out loud.

I enjoyed the dark campus theme and Southern setting of both of Nossett’s books. Additionally, the author does a good job portraying the challenges of being a woman in professions that have been traditionally held by men, as well as casting light on mental health illness for both students and faculty in the university setting.

Although I did enjoy the premise of The Professor, Marlitt puts herself into some crazy predicaments that do not seem particularly believable. You may need to suspend some disbelief for this one. I did not fully connect with the main characters, and found myself missing some of the side characters from The Resemblance.

All in all this is looking to be a fun series to follow. I haven’t heard if Nossett has another up-and-coming novel featuring Marlitt, but the ending of The Professor might suggest that we have not seen the last case investigated by this clever and enterprising detective.

Give The Professor a try if you enjoy dark campus novels, psychological suspense thrillers, mysteries set in the South, and detective series. Be sure to first read Nossett’s debut, The Resemblance, to get the most out of this novel.

Thank you to Net Galley and Flatiron Books for the eARC of The Professor by Lauren Nossett in exchange for my honest review.

3.25 Stars

The Professor follows the story of a German professor accused of having an affair with a student who alledgedly commited suicide. The story develops through three POVs, the main one being of a former detective who is determined to solve the case on her own. At the time I requested this book I wasn't aware there was a first book with the same detective character, and it makes sense that in this book some things are mentioned in passing but not very well explained. The Professor is considered a standalone novel, but I feel maybe the context of the detective character would be much better understood after reading the first book. Nevertheless, The Professor was well written and had a great plot twist I didn't see coming. A very entertaining read.

I loved Nossett's first novel but I didn't enjoy this companion/sequel. The story wasn't compelling to me personally and I found it hard to get sucked into the book.

This is an honest review written in exchange for an advanced reader copy from Net Galley.

The Professor is a complex, well thought out story with many hidden facets. The book opens with the suspected suicide of a student that has been loosely linked to a German professor at his college.. The professors best friend has a daughter that used to be an investigative detective and she is called in to prove the professor’s innocence.

Thius begins the cat and mouse chase. She soon realizes the team she used to work with has been assigned this case and she works hard not to cross paths but does she manage? She finds herself involved at a level much deeper than is safe and she is grateful to be offered assistance from an old “ friend”.=Someone she’s not on best terms with but needs to forge a truce in order to work together.

There are a lot of twist and unforeseen turns but eventually they have answers to many questions and they are not all what everyone expected.

This is a fast paced well written book that had me riveted from the first page. I would highly recommend it to any of my friends that love thrillers with a twist. I would love to read anything else that Lauren Nossett writes after this.

This book is exactly what I always want out of a campus mystery/thriller but rarely get.

Lauren Nossett does an exceptional job of capturing campus atmosphere and weaving that into the central mystery of the story, which is well crafted, complex, and propulsive.

The story reminded me a lot of a less bleak version of a Tana French novel (most specifically The Likeness), though Nossett has put her own spin on the concept such that it feels completely unique.

I loved the way this book was structured, and the characters are an unusually intriguing lot for the genre. The mystery feels incredibly tense, but in a fun way, and the protagonist is both nuanced and easy to root for.

Campus mysteries are my favorite so I read a lot of them, and this is the best I’ve read in quite a while. I look forward to the continuation of this series.

The Professor is the second installment in a series from Lauren Nossett, but can be read as a stand alone. I did not realize it was the second installment and wish I had known. While this can be read as a stand alone, the history from the first installment is referenced often. It didn't impact the current story, but it did make me feel a little disconnected from the main character. That may be why I struggled to stay engaged with the plot. I was interested enough to finish it, but I didn't really care that much about the characters. The format was interesting, with alternating viewpoints. I don't think the conclusion was quite earned though. Certain pieces of the story needed to be developed more thoroughly, and the book still could have been about 25% shorter. I won't rush to pick up another installment if there is one, although I may go back to read the first in the series to fill in my understanding of this one.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #FlatironBooks for a free copy of #TheProfessor by Lauren Nossett. All opinions are my own.

This thriller is a little bit of a slow burn. The mystery is set up quickly and there's a lot of back story about Marlitt/Marley. If I were her former coworkers, I would have been so pissed when it was clear that she was conducting her own investigation, going so far as to move into the former apartment of the deceased Ethan.

I questioned Marley's decisions quite a few times, including when she gets in a car with the killer, after she figured everything out. I enjoyed the twist, when we were starting to figure out that the "Him" chapters were Spencer, not Ethan. However, to just have Spencer die at his own hand in the end was anti-climactic. In the last chapter, it's even said that Verena doesn't know the whole story yet because the investigation is ongoing, but her Title IX case is dismissed.

I don't know if I completely missed this, but why was the fact that Marlitt was in a house fire mentioned so much? I just don't understand how it added to the story, often referencing her scars, or even built in to her character development at all.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Lauren Nossett and wonderfully narrated by Saskia Maarleveld - 4.5 stars!

Ethan Haddock is found dead in his apartment, an apparent suicide, and everything points to a failed romance with one of his professors, Dr. Verena Sobek. She is investigated and put on leave, pending results of the investigation, and social media is ruining what's left of her reputation. Marlitt Kaplan, an ex-detective now a research assistant, is asked by her mother, another professor and colleague of Sobek's to investigate Ethan's death. But Marlitt doesn't have the police force credentials to help her investigate, so she has to get creative.

This book follows Marlitt's story that started in Nossett's book The Resemblance, but it is certainly a stand alone. I always enjoy books set in academia and this one doesn't disappoint. Marlitt definitely makes questionable decisions in her investigation, but she has the best of intentions. She's still missing her life on the police force, especially the relationship with her partner, Teddy. The book was skillfully set in different POV - Marlitt, Verena and Him. I never guessed the culprit - looking forward to more books by this author!

I am so thankful to Macmillan Audio, Lauren Nossett, Flatiron Books, and Netgalley for granting me advanced access to this suspenseful sequel that's projected to hit shelves on November 14, 2023. The first book in this series was a slow burn, and that's typically how this one started off as well, but boy it revved up in the last 3/4 of the book, leaving me shocked and bamboozled once again.

Former detective and now research assistant Marlitt Kaplan is sorta back on the case as one of her mother's students has been found dead and her closer colleague and friend has been cast as the one to blame, after supposedly having an affair with Ethan Haddock. Kaplan put her detective cap back on to get to the bottom of this cat and mouse chase before another victim is left for the finding.

This thriller is pretty much what you'd expect from the genre, though I did like the way that Nossett doesn't just focus on trying to be as surprising and twist filled as possible. I also liked that our protagonist, Marlitt, has the makings of a damaged main female character that are seen a lot in this kind of thriller, but she never quite teeters into overblown or ridiculous territory as this trope sometimes can. There were a good number of things that did catch me off guard, and I liked the way that Nossett explores the toxic aspects of academia and the way certain people can be vilified by their peers and community just for existing and being outside of the box. I did think that sometimes the pacing was a little slower, and while I was surprised by a few things nothing really blew my mind. Overall I enjoyed reading this, and I think that others would as well.

First off, thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis for this book sounded fantastic and I was super excited to read it. I mean who doesn't love a suspenseful mystery thriller?!? Unfortunately, it was just okay for me! I wish I had known that this book was a sequel to the author's previous book "The Resemblance". It would have helped me tremendously with the background of the characters and the confusion. I am not sure why the marketing for this book does not state its a sequel.

In addition, the first half of the book was extremely slow for me! Honestly, I considered stopping at this point; however, I decided to keep reading and I am glad that I did. The second half did pick up the pace and I was eager to figure out the mystery. But I was not completely sold on the ending because it was a bit unbelievable for me.

Overall, I would strongly recommend reading The Resemblance before reading this book. Ultimately, I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read the first book.⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow! I really enjoyed this one. More than the first one (Lauren’s debut and first in the series) — which was also pretty good!

I might be a little biased as a UGA grad because I just absolutely love and get all nostalgic reading about books set at my alma mater.. it’s like a warm cozy hug to me and makes it so much easier to visualize the setting. But the plot and suspense really kept my attention and I never could have guessed all. of. those. twists!!! I’d call this a police procedural adjacent?? I just absolutely love Marlitt, the FMC, quirks and mistakes and all. Fingers crossed for more in this quasi-series (same characters, different story, can be read as standalone)!

Thank you so much to Flatiron, Lauren, and NetGalley for the early digital review copy!

Set in Athens, Georgia, this is a continuation of the author’s first novel, The Resemblance. I think it would benefit the reader to experience The Resemblance first to get all the background on the main characters, but this can also be read as a stand alone as well. In this story, our main character, Marlitt Kaplan, is no longer working for the police department because of events from the first book, so she is now a college research assistant. When a college student, Ethan Haddock, is found dead by suicide, one of his professors, Dr Verena Sobeck is under suspicion because of an alleged love affair with him. Marlitt’s mom asks her to investigate, as a favor, since Dr. Sobeck is a friend of hers. Of course, Marlitt gets involved, police work is in her blood. Just like in The Resemblance, we get an inside view of how the very institution that should be educating and protecting our students, can also be the biggest obstacle to true justice during a scandalous tragedy. Thank you Netgalley, Flatiron Books and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on November 14, 2023

Thank you, NetGalley and Flatiron Books, for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book for review.

In this enthralling and suspenseful mystery thriller, readers embark on a captivating journey alongside a seasoned detective who becomes entangled in academia. Driven by a relentless determination to prove the innocence of a wrongly accused professor, the detective navigates through a web of intrigue and secrets.

While this book is part of a series, it masterfully introduces Marlitt, the detective, delving into her background and providing valuable insights into her character. Marlitt is a fascinating protagonist who relies on her sharp intellect and instincts rather than meticulous planning. Haunted by a crisis of faith in the institution she once served, she grapples with the weight of her past actions and the need for redemption.

What sets this story apart is its use of multiple points of view, adding layers of depth and movement. Through these different perspectives, readers are granted a unique vantage point as they witness the events unfold. Furthermore, the inclusion of dual timelines gradually unveils the characters' innermost thoughts and motivations, lending an air of intrigue and complexity to the narrative.

On a personal level, I find myself deeply empathizing with the professor who finds herself facing a relentless barrage of bullying, slander, and even a temporary suspension. Through her struggles, I am able to grasp the immense pressure she meets in a highly competitive environment, which takes a toll on her personal life and mental well-being. These experiences resonate deeply within me, highlighting the profound impact such circumstances can have on an individual's journey.

The story concludes with an intriguing twist that captures the reader's attention, leaving them in deep contemplation even after finishing the book. This suspenseful tale explores more profound concepts through its melancholic atmosphere and enigmatic aspects, providing a stimulating encounter that resonates long after the pages are turned.

This book was difficult for me to read. I did not finish. The main plot is lacking and predictable from the beginning. Some parts were just highly unbelievable and the "thoughts" of the main character often got in the way of what was happening.

I was hoping this would be better than the first book in this series, especially since it is set in Georgia, but... It wasn't.

A college student is found dead, apparently by his own hand. National attention across social media, as depression and mental health issues are increasing on campuses across the country. A possible relationship with one of his professors? I love toxic environments. (In books, mind you. Definitely not in real life!)

Marlitt Kaplan is a former detective, but now she's just a research assistant. When her mom, a colleague of the professor accused of being involved in the student's death, asks her to help find out the truth, she finds herself going to unusual means to find answers.

This was a fascinating story. It started a little slow, but once it started to pick up, there were lots of surprises along the way. I loved reading about the environment and power structures at the school. Gripping all the way to the end. I loved the end. This was a great book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Such an interesting storyline using a college professor and her insecurities. You believe you know who the players are but are very surprised with the ending..

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

This is a mystery set on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. A central character is a German professor. When one of her students dies, apparently from suicide, the professor is suspected of being overly involved with the struggling student. But a former police detective has other ideas, takes an unusual approach to investigating what really happened, and aims to prove that the professor did nothing wrong.

The book starts slow and the use of multiple POVs causes some repetition, but the author creates several possibilities for what happened to cause the young student's death. The author methodically develops the possibilities and resolves them efficiently.

Very well-written. Author show great command of language. Excellent character development. Reader gets a vivid impression of what all the major and minor characters are all about.

Thank you to NetGalley or the ARC. I stayed up past my bedtime to finish! I am a college professor and I love thrillers so theirs was right up my alley. Excellent who done it mystery where you feel connected to the characters. Interesting story about a professor and student death. I had varying theories throughout and enjoyed the ending. Fans of Freida McFadden and Riley Sager will enjoy the one as well.

I was initially put off by the different voices of the chapters-sometimes that device works well and sometimes it doesn’t and the neutrality of Her was a bit forced I thought. I understood the premise but didn’t find it added anything to the story. Overall the red herrings were many, as an academic I thought the author captured the trials and tribulations of a tenure track position in the humanities quite well, and setting this in Georgia seemed how shall we say just the right amount of southern Gothic although Athens would never consider itself part of that genre. The twist at the end was shall we say spectacular. So a solid effort although I’m not sure I’d recommend it to others as the writing style was sometimes choppy.