by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of Into the Grey. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

Doctoral candidate Dulcie Schwartz thought she was finally getting closer to the completion of her dissertation, but the unexpected inclusion of Professor Roland Fenderby on her thesis committee jeopardizes her plans. Not only does the specialist in nineteenth-century American politics savage Dulcie’s research and topic of interest, he sequesters the library material critical to her work. Dulcie is not shy about expressing her frustrations, but perhaps she should not have so facetiously tossed off a line of needing an alibi should the professor ever be bludgeoned by one of his own books. For not only is she the one to discover Professor Fenderby in his office, he is indeed bloody and apparently murdered by the book…Literally.

Being associated with murder on the campus is horrifying, and almost as bad is having her distant cousin looked upon with suspicion as well. Not only does Mina Love and Dulcie resemble one another, they share a lineage that Dulcie believes traces back to the author of her chosen topic of dissertation, “The Ravages of Umbria.” Their world soon begins to mirror that of that unappreciated Gothic novel, with beautiful heroines, caddish murder victim, and a ghost. The latter is in the form of Mr. Grey, Dulcie’s beloved late cat, whose unseen presence comforts while issuing cryptic warnings. More corporal, but just as vocal, is Dulcie’s tuxedo cat Esme, who retains her feline qualities while offering wry commentary on human nature.

Although Esme and Mr. Grey do what they can to assist Dulcie, this novel truly explores the machinations within the academia. Highly educated and extremely intelligent, the professors and students are nonetheless capable of committing foolish acts for the basest of reasons. Fenderby had acquired quite the reputation with his female students, and the university’s efforts to cover the scandal war with its duty to protect them. As Dulcie nears the end of this stage of her academic life, it also means entering uncharted territory, not to mention what it would mean to her relationship with fellow graduate student Chris Sorenson. If Dulcie does finally achieve her dream and complete her dissertation, could it threaten the other love of her life? This tenth in the Dulcie Schwartz Feline Mystery series continues to explore the absurdly entertaining world of higher education, all while retaining its affection for the feline heroes.

To enter to win a signed copy of Into the Grey, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “grey,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 15, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address. Special Note: The publisher is providing the giveaway and can only give it away through a free online service called NetGalley–winners will be instructed on how to join by the publisher-please do not enter if you don’t want to join NetGalley–sorry for the inconvenience.

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Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Into the Grey: A Feline-Filled Academic Mystery

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).