Murder 101

by: Maggie Barbieri

Published by: St. Martin's Minotaur

Reviewed by Sharon Broom

St. Thomas is a small Roman Catholic college in the Bronx. Dr. Alison Bergeron is an English professor who in one week finds herself divorced, her car stolen and then found with the body of a young St. Thomas student (Katherine Miceli) in the trunk--and she's the prime suspect in Katherine's murder.

Alison's best friend Max, isn't exactly offering the emotional support she needs, her ex-husband Ray's secrets begin to surface, the dead girl's creepy boyfriend (Vince) kidnaps her as does the victim's mob-connected father, Peter Miceli.

If Alison doesn't learn who killed Katherine, she and others she cares for might become victims themselves. And if she doesn't protect her heart, Detective Bobby Crawford, just might get too close for comfort.

Murder 101 is a fun read, with a bright protagonist that at times comes off as 'wimpy' with her constant tears, vomiting, and failure to 'stick up for herself.' If this becomes a series, I hope Alison matures and kicks some serious butt in the next outing. I applaud the author's choice to keep Alison from falling into bed with our hero and for giving her a moral platform. She redeemed herself nicely.

I look forward to her next novel.

Armchair Interviews says: A new author, Maggie Barbieri should only improve with each book.