Daphne Ouverture does not like drama. In fact, she consciously and consistently avoids it, hence her career decision to become a professor at a small-town university. As one of the few Black scholars of history in the area, she thinks it is best to keep her head down and avoid any unwanted attention. After receiving an out-of-the-blue text from a coworker one evening, Daphne's drama-free streak comes to a screeching halt. All of a sudden, the junior professor is involved in a murder case and an investigation into on-campus abuses of power. It is time for Daphne to face the drama and put an end to this plot before she loses her job, or worse...her life.
This campy mystery novel is very much defined by its setting in academia. Zoe B. Wallbrook has an expansive vocabulary, and you will likely learn a few new words while reading. Despite that, the story is very accessible, and Daphne is a really likeable character. You can't help but root for this nerdy junior professor (and kind of secret spy) who is suddenly dealt the craziest scenario. Somehow, though, Wallbrook is able to balance some of the more silly aspects of the plot with all-too-real observations about the problems that exist in spaces of higher education (likely that she has noticed in her experience as a recently tenured professor). Daphne is constantly dealing with racist microaggressions and misogyny; staff members abuse their power over young students and untenured professors. If you are looking for a mystery novel with a strong voice that is set in the toxic world of university politics, this is the book for you.
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