Well I'm not sure how I would review this one. I'm not sure if this is the first in this series or if there was another before. It starts out pretty good but then -- well I'm thinking it warps quickly into a romance type thing. I love this authors work so I'll read another before I decide if it's my style or not.

Jenn Dalton is a mystery writer who works in a writing lab at a local college. When she visits the library one day and stumbles upon the body of one of the English faculty members, she enlists the help of her friends to find out how the man ended up crumpled beneath the balcony. Will she find the killer before the killer finds her?

This book was kind of interesting because it ties in with the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. jenn lives in Taylorsford, Virginia, and works at Clarion. She hasn't ever gone to the library so she doesn't know Amy Webber but she does know Richard Muir from campus. There are some hints in this book that Jenn will eventually meet Kurt and I have to say I was disappointed with that. I don't care for Kurt's character, he is unrealistic and I feel like he serves as an unfair crutch in the Blue Ridge Library series, allowing Amy to cut corners on her investigations. I'm hoping that if Kurt does appear in this series it will be peripheral only and that he won't become involved in the mysteries.

I like Jenn's character, but I can't stand Zach. He's condescending and doesn't feel like a good match for Jenn. Jenn's other inner-circle friends, Bri and Charlotte, are both sweet and they make a good investigative team. The mystery was good and the investigation was very natural and fun to read. I also liked how there were kind of two mysteries and you're not really sure when they're wrapped up. It worked in this book, though it's definitely something that can be easily overdone so I hope the author doesn't choose to follow that same formula in future books. Gilbert did that in the Blue Ridge series and it didn't work very well for me (though in those cases the second mystery to be solved was always something very small and inconsequential so it felt like it wasn't worthy of being included in the book at all, in this case it was something more serious so it worked.)

For fans of Gilbert, this is typical of her work and definitely something fans will enjoy. If Gilbert is a new author for you, I would recommend reading the Blue Ridge Library series first.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

This is a light mystery read though for me it was sort of anti-climactic.
Jen is a mystery author at Clarion University where she sees a dead body of a professor. This inspires Jen to solve the murder by looking into the colleagues and their relationship with the victim. She is assisted by Zach whom she also starts a romantic relationship.

There was a lot of interesting bits in the story. The biases within the department were well researched. The additional scares encountered by Jen also added quite a bit of suspense. I always love reading small town settings. It's kind of the dream.

I think that the unveiling of the actual culprits did a number on the book because you weren't so invested in those characters. Overall a decent read.

I thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A well written and very engaging read. If you enjoy JA Jance you would like this author. Good plot, well paced, and good character development. I read the book in one sitting.

Those readers who like their crime to happen sooner rather than later, will be pleased that the murder happens within the first few pages of this book. Set on a college campus, protagonist Jen Dalton is drawn into things when a favorite student of hers becomes the number one suspect. Helped in crime solving by her friends the cafeteria manager and reference librarian, Jen must find the real culprit before another murder….possibly her own…occurs.

Suspicion Falls..
The first in a new series featuring Jen, an author and an educator at Clarion University, Virginia. When an unlikeable professor is found dead, suspicion falls on one of Jen’s own students and so the investigation begins - as Jen uses her own mystery writing knowledge of sleuthing in order to track down a killer. With a well drawn cast, a well imagined setting and a solid mystery at its heart. Lively storytelling laced with wit. A solid start to a new series.

Schooled in Murder, by Victoria Gilbert
Is Jennifer “Jen” Dalton an academic who also happens to be a mystery writer? Or is it the other way around? Whatever the truth is, her position on the faculty at Clarion College in Virginia isn’t favored by everyone. She writes genre fiction, which rubs some literary types the wrong way, especially when they invade their coveted turf.

One such literary type is Professor Doug Barth. But one afternoon, it seems that he himself may have rubbed someone the wrong way. His lifeless body, having fallen from the mezzanine overlooking the ground level of the English Department building, offers the initial, definitive proof of murder. But who could – or would – have done it?

When a female student, a promising young writer and one of Barth’s mentees, emerges as the primary suspect, Professor Jen jumps into the fray, putting her mystery writer’s brain fully into gear. With help from the school’s cafeteria manager, librarian, and the campus Psychologist, she manages to out-wit the local police in solving the crime.

The story is entertaining and easy to follow. The chapters are short, which helps with pacing. The book didn’t have as much humor as I would expect from a cozy mystery, but, nevertheless, was worthwhile and entertaining. I would recommend it for quality reading, in any setting, any time of the year.

2.75 stars

Things I did enjoy about the book: the plot and mystery building had an intriguing start. I liked the concept of a campus murder mystery, especially with the point of view coming from an employee who is a mystery writer herself. Those were the key points that drew me to choosing this to read in the first place, and the book definitely brought those in. I also liked the easy to read, short chapters.

This was one my first attempts at getting into "cozy mystery" and I think that's where some parts of the book fell through for me. Some of the characters felt a little stiff during the progression of the story, and I am more used to fast-paced thrillers, so the mystery itself felt a little bit slow for me, which may be perfect for those who love a slowly built story. AKA, the "cozy" part of the book.


Much thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

A great start to a new series! Wonderful characters in an incredible setting. This book will keep you guessing until the end.

A Professor from Clarion University is murdered right after he has an argument with a student. Mia fits the bill for the murderer since she was the last one seen with him. Jen, who is mentoring Mia doesn’t believe that to be the case. With the help of a few friends investigates to find the true killer.
Goodreads

English department employee, and part time writer, Jenn Dalton, finds a real life mystery to solve when a faculty member turns up dead on campus. Bringing into question many of those surrounding her; co-workers and even students are suspect in this quick moving mystery. Lovers of this genre will find themselves in a quaint, college town among books, libraries and literature. This cozy is quaint, but not simple. As a mystery writer herself, Jenn has to put into practice the sleuthing skills she’s only written about up until now. There is more than one mystery to solve in this story and just the right amount of romance for a cozy mystery. I look forward to future titles with this college campus setting and solid cast of characters. If you love the idea of spending a few hours immersed in libraries, college towns and mystery, pick up this book. Thank you Crooked Lane Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

The story grabbed my interest from the start. I enjoyed the characters and wanted to know the outcome of their relationships as well as the mystery. The story kept me turning the page and saying, one more chapter.
An enjoyable cozy mystery.

This was my first time reading anything by Victoria Gilbert, and it will not be my last. Schooled in Murder is an Academia Cozy Mystery.

Jen Dalton takes her job seriously, and she cares about the students who come in for help. So when one of those students is a suspect in a murder, Jen feels compelled to help. She just has to put herself into the mind of a character from her books. With the help of her friends, they embark on a thrilling journey to uncover the truth. Add in some close calls, her caring mentor/landlady, her loving cat, an enemies-to-lovers subplot, and you have a plot that will keep hooked. This becomes the perfect book to curl up and read on a cold night.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Gilbert, and Crooked Lane Books for letting me read this ARC. This is my honest revie

The book begins with Jenn finding the victim. From there it begins a search to find who killed him. I enjoy the book. I like all the books written by the author. I would recommend this book.

I enjoy mysteries with a university setting and Schooled for Murder was perfect! Jenn Dalton, a mystery author, is working at Clarion University, in the writing program, mentoring students. Suddenly, she finds herself in the same situation as the characters of her mysteries do - solving a murder.

The mystery was fast-paced and the description of the university's lovely campus set a cozy background for the book..

I look forward to reading more of the Campus Sleuth mysteries!

I received an ARC from Net Galley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is the first in a new cozy mystery series, "A Campus Sleuth Mystery." Jen is a successful writer of mystery books and a writing instructor in a college in Virginia. She discovers the body of an English professor in the library, and when one of her students is suspected of foul play, she gets involved in the investigation. Her knowledge of murder that she uses in her writing comes in handy as she looks into the library murder, and then into another suspicious death. This is an interesting new series that shows promise for the future. Jen is a strong, likeable character who appears capable and knowledgeable. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC.

I seriously don’t think Mrs. Victoria Gilbert could write a bad cozy mystery even if she tried to. I really enjoyed this book, even though Jen is not your typical whimsy sleuth, she really grows on you, because she is aware of the consequences that could happen when you try to do the Investigators work. I absolutely loved that we got a little group of awesome college faculty working together to protect and defend a student whom they all respect and like and believe in her innocence. I love that we get more out of the murder mystery! (Won’t say what because #nospoilershere haha). I also enjoyed what seemed to be a good “enemies to lovers” trope in this one, the romance did not take away from this murder mystery, it was brought in just at the right moment! Highly recommend!!

Overall this a good sleuth cozy mystery. It’s not an obvious ending - there were many suspects which made it fun and interesting.

This is a fast paced story which I personally prefer however In terms of the character development it felt too fast; and I do wish we got to know them more.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Crooked Lane Books for this early advanced copy!

"Schooled in Murder (Campus Sleuth Mysteries #1)" by Victoria Gilbert is the first book in a new cozy mystery series focused on Jennifer Dalton. She is a fairly successful mystery writer who also works mentoring students in writing. While at the library she comes across what appears to be a fall victim. Turns out he was pushed.

Jen gets involved in solving the crime because a student she doesn't think could have committed the crime is being set up to take the fall. I really didn't have a good idea on who the committed the crimes until almost the reveal.

Schooled In Murder by Victoria Gilbert follows our leading lady, Jenn, who works at a university writing center. The story revolved around the death of Professor Doug Barth in the beginning of the story, and one of Jenn’s students is the prime suspect. The book follows Jenn and her ragtag crew of amateur sleuths who are on the case.

While I was really looking forward to reading this book, as I have been starting my foray into cozy fantasies and mysteries, I was a little let down. For about the first 60% of the book, I wasn’t feeling the plot and was very bored. I felt like none of the characters had a distinct personality, and they all had the same flat voice. In addition to that, the plot was moving at such a slow pace that it was hard to stay engaged when nothing was going on. There was a twist about 60% into the book that I enjoyed, and I finished the book having a good time. But at the same time, I believe the new plot element was extremely rushed despite it being fun.

I would say this story is a solid 2.5 stars, it wasn’t that great but it had some redeemable qualities that, as flawed as they were, I still enjoyed nonetheless. The story is just below average with characters that are lacking, so I would say this falls into the realm of decent books, but definitely not a book that I would recommend to people just starting out in the genre who want a little more to sink their teeth into.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!