Books in the A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery series

A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery, Book 1 - Nick Hoffman has everything he''s ever wanted: a good teaching job, a beautiful house, and a solid relationship with his lover, Stefan Borowski, a brilliant novelist and writer-in-residence at the State University of Michigan. But when Perry Cross shows up, Nick''s peace of mind is shattered. Not only does he have to share his office with the nefarious Perry, who managed to weasel his way into a tenured position without the right qualifications, he also discovers that Perry played a destructive role in Stefan''s past. When Perry turns up dead, Nick wonders if Stefan might be involved, while the campus police force is wondering the same about Nick.Originally published in 1996, this first book in the Nick Hoffman Academic Mystery series is now back in print, with a 2019 foreword by the author.EDITORIAL REVIEWS:"Deliciously wicked... The perfect book to take away for a weekend in the country... a genuinely funny modern comedy of manners." - Washington Post Book World"The Borgias would not be bored at the State University of Michigan, that snake pit of academic politics." - New York Times Book Review"Clever and sharp social satire." - Los Angeles Times "Lev Raphael skewers academic pretensions with wicked glee [and] Dickensian flair." - Chicago Sun-TimesLev Raphael offers "a delightful take on death in academe." - San Francisco ChronicleA "witty and devastating backstage view of college life." - San Diego UnionΓÇæTribune "Some of the most pointed and funny put-downs of academics in my memory." - Detroit Free PressRaphael "elegantly skewers ivory-tower pretensions, petty politics, incompetencies and hypocrisies." - BooklistLev Raphael combines "stylish literary mystery with an intimate look at the jungle of academia... witty, impeccably written." - The Mystery Review"Marvelous humor and satisfying mystery... wickedly fun." - Drood Review of Mystery"Bright, breezy, and laughΓÇæaloud funny." - Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery, Book 2 - Nick Hoffman, desperate to get tenure, has been saddled with a thankless task: coordinating a conference on Edith Wharton that will demonstrate how his department and his university supports women''s issues. There''s been widespread criticism that SUM is really the State University of Men. Problem is, he''s forced to invite two warring Wharton societies, and the conflict between rival scholars escalates from mudslinging to murder. Nick''s job and whole career are on the line unless he can help solve the case and salvage the conference.Originally published in 1998, this new edition contains a 2020 foreword by Gregory Ashe as well as a new introduction by the author.