A very wonderful mystery novel {Murder in Disguise Book Review}

Murder in Disguise is the 3rd novel in the series, and I can say it's truly fantastic & stands alone because I have yet to read the first two novels in the series. In fact, this is the first book by Donn Taylor that I have ever read. It was clear that I was missing some info that would've provided more depth and detail to the key characters, but rather than making me disappointed in what I was reading, it has me planning to go back and read the first two novels because I really enjoyed protagonist Preston Barclay.

Preston Barclay is a 'quirky' character; he reminded me of my junior high & high school days of reading Agatha Christie and being totally amused and impressed by Hercule Poirot & Miss Marple. Preston is a protagonist who is brilliant and yet so unassuming, and most people upon first meeting him would consider this college professor to be a fuddy-duddy, when he is actually a very calculated, insightful, strong & smart man. My biggest difficulty in getting into this novel is the fact that various music will run through Preston's mind when goes about his day--the music displays his subconscious, from how he views people to the mood of his day. After a couple of chapters I got used to it and was able to more easily focus on the storyline. I liked how Preston is looking deeper into the supposed suicide of a friend. The plot and characters are very well developed, and the layers of conflicts, mystery, danger and protagonist v antagonist carry until the very last page of the book. 

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no obligation to write a review. My honest opinion has been provided without any requirement to write a positive review.*

Murder in Disguise (Lamplighter Mysteries, October 2017)

Official verdict: Suicide. 

But why would that vigorous department chairman kill himself? To avoid disgrace? Those rumored ventures on the dark side? Some other secret life? Visiting professor Preston Barclay wonders. But his questions bring no answers, only anonymous threats. He has enough problems already, proving himself on a strange campus while radical faculty do all they can to undermine him. Worse yet, that sexy siren assigned as his assistant complicates his courtship of the beautiful Mara Thorn.

While Press keeps asking questions, Mara’s research reveals a cancer of criminal activity that permeates the community and even the campus itself. The more Press questions, the more dangerous the threats against him become, and the more determined he grows to clear his friend’s name.

But can Press and Mara’s stumbling efforts prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger…?

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With a PhD in English literature (Renaissance), Donn Taylor taught literature for 18 years at two liberal arts colleges. Now retired, he has published suspense novels, mysteries, and poetry. His historical novel "Lightning on a Quiet Night" was a finalist for the 2015 Selah Awards. He is a frequent speaker at writers' conferences. In a prior incarnation, he led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. He now lives in the woods near Houston, TX, where he writes fiction, poetry, and essays on current topics.