Lauren Nossett returns following her smashing academic campus debut, THE RESEMBLANCE (5 stars), where we met Detective Marlitt Kaplan, appearing in her latest, THE PROFESSOR, an equally satisfying, excellent, riveting sequel of ambition, lies, and obsession!

The protagonist, Marlitt Kaplan, is no longer a police officer following the events of the first book. She is now a college research assistant for her father, a professor. Her mom is also a professor at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA.

Ethan Haddock, a college student at UGA, is discovered in his apartment dead, apparently by suicide, or was it?

There is a lot of media surrounding the campus and its ongoing issues with depression and mental health among college students. The faculty is caught in the middle of getting involved (too much or too little).

His German professor, Dr. Verena Sobek, has been taken in for questioning, and there are rumors he was fascinated with her and a possible romance. Her reputation will be ruined unless someone proves her innocence. Was there a love affair gone wrong?

A Title IX investigation is opened, and the professor is suspended, and the media is crucifying her, and it is all over social media.

To protect her friend's innocence, Marlitt's mother (colleague/professor) has asked Marlitt to help investigate. She can do little without a badge, but the positives are she does not have to go through all the bureaucracy and play by their rules.

Marlitt does some major undercover sleuthing, finds Ethan's apartment studio and pretends to be a tenant interested in looking around. She winds up leasing the studio and moves in. She is intelligent, tenacious, and clever.

It is creepy knowing Ethan died in this same room; however, she gets to meet the other roommates undercover. However, she may get more than she bargained for when she is in danger of getting too close.

Marlitt misses her old job and her partner, Teddy. She cannot get to phone records or other pertinent info but does not think he took his own life. Who murdered him to make it look like a suicide, possibly?

She has dinner with the former roommates, Spencer and Sadie— to learn more, and things do not add up. Will the college itself be to blame for not helping the students vulnerable to mental health problems?

THE PROFESSOR is intense, twisty, and gripping. Told from POV: there is the female Goth roommate, Sadie, the male narcissistic, Spencer, and the professor, Verena Sobek. (Her/him)

Did Ethan take his own life, or was it murder? Who else wanted him dead, or was it to set up the professor?

That ENDING!! ??? The jaw-dropping twist you do not see coming! "Revenge will never solve anything. Karma will.”

A master storyteller, Lauren Nossett deftly explores the toxic aspects of academia. From the pressure of professors while maintaining boundaries between themselves and their students. Who will listen to the students show empathy with their mental health struggles with little support from the university?

I enjoyed the author's writing, a former professor turned novelist with a Ph.D. in German literature. She has created a standout protagonist in Marlitt, knowing she will not return to Athens PD. She has to serve and protect, and she does not believe in the system after last fall and what has recently happened with this case.

THE PROFESSOR covers topics of manipulation, lies, revenge, jealousy, control, drugs, ambition, jealousy, mental health, and obsession! I enjoyed this one even more than the first. I hope we will see more of Marlitt as a PI!

AUDIOBOOK: I listened to the audiobook narrated by the talented Saskia Maarleveld (same as the first book) with a perfect accent for Verena and the other character's voices for an outstanding suspenseful listening experience!

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advanced audio listening copy.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Nov 14, 2023
Nov 2023 Must-Read Books
Nov Newsletter

A solid follow-up to Nossett's previous book, with clear narration and points of view. When picking up the book I did not realize the story followed the same protagonist, so I was initially caught off guard by the similarities, but I think patrons could read the book with or without having read The Resemblance. Great for fans of Liane Moriarty and Samantha Downing.

I was really looking forward to this audiobook because I’m a fan of the narrator and the description seemed interesting. Unfortunately I got to about 65% and DNF. I thought both the detective and the professor made bad choices and I didn’t find either of them to be sympathetic characters. In short - I really didn’t care at all about anyone. As many other reviewers have mentioned, it would have been good to know this is the 2nd book in what might prove to be a series. Hopefully the publishers will make that clear..

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

I am in my mystery/ thriller era and The Professor really hit the spot. Marlitt is a heroine I can get behind and read more about. The plot moved steadily and built a nice slow intensity. I did not realize this was a sequel to her previous novel but I would be inclined to read the first one now.

Thank you to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc for this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This book took me on a wild ride and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, the author Lauren Nossett, and Netgalley for access to the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Professor is a slow-paced investigative procedural. It doesn’t do anything new in the genre but is an okay one-time read. I would call this a low-key mystery (not cozy though).

A disgraced former detective gets strong armed by her mother into unofficially investigating the death of a university student. College student Ethan supposedly overdosed, but his professor Dr. Verena Sobek is suspected of having had an affair with him and possibly having a hand in his death.

The protagonist Marlitt Kaplan has glimmers of interesting character traits and life experiences, but the book does not dig into them. Neither does it examine the internal moral dilemmas and real world consequences she should be facing with the situations she gets herself into throughout the novel.

I did not enjoy the alternating POVs when the narrative left the present day investigation. Those other POVs put a damper on the pacing. There was too much navel-gazing and repetitive internal thoughts. I feel that the book would’ve benefitted from these chapters being shorter or even cut. I can understand how other readers might respond positively to these chapters, as they do show you Verena Sobek's perspective on the previous couple months.

This is not a “thriller.” I did not feel a sense of danger or taut anticipation. The major reveal in and of itself was fine but seemed clumsily executed with lackluster info-dumping at the end. If this is a mystery, then I would have liked more foreshadowing sprinkled throughout the book and clever investigative piecing of the puzzle together by our protagonist.

NARRATION: Saskia Maarleveld does a great job, providing a baseline gravity to the narration that matches the genre. She reads with appropriate attention to detail. I also liked the voices and accents she does to differentiate internal thoughts and dialogue.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Nossett, Flatiron Books and MacMillan for the physical and audio arcs of The Professor in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own and may not be reproduced (except for quotations).

“On a spring afternoon in Athens, Georgia, Ethan Haddock is discovered in his apartment, dead, apparently by his own hand. His fatality immediately garners media attention: not because his death reflects the troubling increase of depression and mental health issues among college students, but because the media has caught the whiff of a scandal. His professor, Dr. Verena Sobek, has been taken in for questioning, and there are rumors his death is the result of a bad romance. A Title IX investigation is opened, the professor is suspended, and social media crusaders and trolls alike are out for blood.

Marlitt Kaplan never investigated love affairs. A former detective turned research assistant, she misses the excitement of her old job, but most of all the friendship of her partner, Teddy. When her mother, a professor at the university and colleague of the accused professor, asks for her help, she finds herself in the impossible position of proving something didn't happen. Without the credentials to interview suspects or access phone records, she will have to get closer to a victim's life than ever before. And she quickly finds herself in his apartment, having dinner with his roommates, even sleeping in his bed. But is she too close to see the truth?

In her relentless pursuit to uncover the mystery behind Ethan’s death, Marlitt will be forced to confront the power structures ingrained in the classroom against the backdrop of a historic campus and an institution that sometimes fails its most vulnerable members.”

I enjoyed the next chapter in Marlitt’s story. I’m going to be perfectly honest, though – both The Resemblance and The Professor are just “so-so” stories for me, as a whole. They are pretty predictable and don’t really stand out on their own. With that said, they’re not bad, they’re just quickly forgettable. I am invested in Marlitt’s character though and am enjoying her storyline more than the actual investigation going on in each of the first to books. And for that reason, I will continue to follow along with future books because I can’t wait to see what turns her story is going to take.

3.5/5 as a whole, but rounded to 4/5 for Marlitt’s storyline.

I really enjoyed this audio book. The narrator was great and did a good job of pronouncing German words as well. I think there will be a disconnect from some readers who don't speak German, but I personally enjoyed it. The social commentary was refreshing for a thriller as well which added another dimension to the book besides just your typical thriller mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to an early copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The Professor by Lauren Nossett will be released on November 14th, 2023.

I wasn't a huge fan. I don't know if it was the storyline or if I just wasn't the targeted audience, but I was dragging to finish this audiobook. There is nothing wrong with the writing style and the narrator did a wonderful job, but I just...wasn't into it.

When a student fatality rocks a college campus in Athens, Georgia, a former police detective takes problems into her own hands to solve the mystery of his death. Although she has the experience to solve the mystery, she lacks the actual credentials to do so which leads her to get closer than ever before to the crime. While she originally took on the responsibility to clear the name of an accused professor, she quickly begins to realize that the web of mystery might be much more complicated than she ever realized.

Unfortunately, I don't feel that it was made clear that this book was a sequel whenever it was given to me as an ARC, however, I definitely feel that enough background on the previous book was given that it was easily read as a stand-alone. As a whole, I thought this book was well-written, intriguing, and not terribly predictable - which in my opinion is about all you can ask for in a thriller / mystery. With this being said, this is just not my favorite genre, and if it were, I can imagine my rating would have been higher. For lovers of thrillers / mysteries, I would say that it is definitely worth it to give this book a shot!
 
I received a complimentary Audiobook ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

First Thoughts: Slow with buildup
Mood While Reading: Busy, Busy, Busy!
Song: Love The Way You Lie by Rihanna & Eminem

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Macmillan Audio for granting me access to the audiobook! I loved the narration for this one!

I only recently read The Resemblance and was super excited when I was granted access to the second novel following Marlitt’s life after leaving the force. The Professor immediately sucked in me.

When Marlitt’s mom calls to ask her for a favor, she knows something is deeply wrong. Her mom’s professor friend, Verena is suspected of inappropriate conduct with one of her students, Marlitt is asked to help clear her name. Worse, the student is question is now dead and Verena’s name has been found on the body.

No one can say Marlitt doesn’t commit 100%. Personally, I think she’s a lunatic, but her methods work. I found her to be quite egotistical in the first book and in this novel I saw true character development, but still wasn’t sure if she’d done enough for herself to right her personal path.

The thriller itself was interesting and I wanted to know what happened. I did find it a bit slow at times, but I think this was more slow burn than The Resemblance.

I am hoping there will be a third! I can’t wait to read it!

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.

Marlitt did not plan to be trying to figure out a homicide after she left the police force but her mother begged her to prove the innocence of her fellow German professor Dr. Verena Sobek after a student is found dead and rumors that he was having an affair with Verena begin to circulate. Marlitt doesn't have access to the information that the police have gathered so she resorts to unconventional methods and sublets Ethan's (the dead student) room. The more she learns about his roommates, his classmates, and campus life the murkier things become. Is there truth to the rumors? Is she going to be able to figure it out before it is too late?

There are chapters from Verena's perspective where we come to understand more about her and her life. There are also chapters from Him. But who is Him and what is his part in the story?

The narrator did a good job telling the story and pulled me in as I tried to figure out what was going on.

Leave it to me to unknowingly pick up a sequel.

While the mystery works as a stand-alone, the overall structure of the book doesn't. Within the first 20%, I felt like I was missing out on some key information about the main character, Lee. She's in the middle of extensive trauma that isn't clearly explained. I looked up the author, and sure enough, The Professor is part of a first series. Based on the first book's blurb, all of Lee's trauma and character work is explained there. While I didn't mind Lee's character, she felt unfinished. Several side characters that play pivotal roles are underdeveloped and, lacking context, which I assumed I would've gotten with The Resemblance.

Key information aside, I liked the mystery aspect. A professor is accused of the murder of a student, and rumors spread that there was an affair. Lee works on the case for personal reasons and gets a raw look at academic life. The novel delves into the toll college can take on mental health, and the self-medication often used by students and professors. It also takes a look at the casual racism prevalent in society, and how rumors quickly spiral into dark and gruesome accusations.

The story did start off a little slow, but once it reached a steady pace I couldn't put it down. I listened to the audio version, so it was easy to put it on 2.0 speed and go about my day. The author didn't use a slew of red herrings and misdirection, so while the mystery was engaging, it wasn't hard to figure out. If you like mysteries that are really challenging and difficult to solve, this one might not be for you.

If the premise of this story interests you, read The Resemblance first. It will make the reading experience for The Professor much smoother.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

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.

The narrator did a great job handling the multiple viewpoints and subtle accents.

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

This is the second installment in a series from Lauren Nossett, but can be read as a stand alone. As the title suggests, this takes place at a university. From the beginning, this book was captivating. I found myself invested in the story, its characters, and the outcome. There were multiple points of view, which I am always a fan of. One of the main characters, a former Detective, is clearly passionate about finding the truth, and is willing to do some crazy things to get it. The intertwining paths between the characters made it all the more interesting. It was a little sad, some suspenseful, and all around a great read/listen. I enjoyed the audio version and narrator, Saskia Maarleveld.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books, and the author for granting me access to this ALC!

I had a hard time getting into this one. I liked the story line/idea. It just didn't resonate with me for some reason- I couldn't focus on it. Maybe it was the narrator?

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 title. It is a bit slow at first but it picks up a little past the halfway point.
I don't do a lot of detective or investigator novels but this one was a bit different. It was okay.
I loved the narration.

In this riveting sequel to The Resemblance, a UGA student, Ethan Haddock, is found dead in his apartment of an apparent suicide, thrusting his German professor Verena Sobek into a Title IX investigation and onto the police’s radar as rumors swirl about a possible teacher-student affair. Disgraced former police detective Marlitt Kaplan agrees to do some sleuthing and try to clear Verena’s name, even going “undercover” and moving in with Ethan’s former roommates to try to find out what really happened.

This suspenseful slow burn is an examination of toxic aspects of academia: the pressure upon tenure track professors, the difficulty of maintaining boundaries between professors and students, student apathy, and mental health struggles with only cursory support from the university. Marlitt is a fascinating character, tenacious and driven by a desire for answers and justice, leading her to make questionable choices but also pursue leads that no one else deems important. The author skillfully weaves Marlitt’s character development through the mystery using a multiple POV, multiple timeline structure, with Marlitt in the present doggedly following clues, and perspectives titled Her and Him giving us the academic backstory.

Technically you could read The Professor as a standalone, but I think it works much better if you read The Resemblance first to get Marlitt’s full backstory and gain a fuller understanding of what drives her. I feel like (hope!) that the author left the door open a crack for future stories about Marlitt, since she’s a really appealing character and even when she makes bad decisions, you understand why she’s doing it.

I read the physical book and the audiobook simultaneously, with the audiobook enhancing my enjoyment of the written word. The audiobook is very well done with little touches like a slight German accent for Verena’s dialogue making the listening experience more immersive. Many thanks to Flatiron Books for the physical ARC and to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me an advance listening copy of this book.