Book Review: The Raven and the Nightingale

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Raven and the Nightingale     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Joanne Dobson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character
Series: Professor Karen Pelletier # 3
Doubleday, Nov 1999, $21.95, 288 pp.

In Western New England, Enfield College associate professor Karen Pelletier works in the English department where she tries to not alienate anyone as she seeks tenure. However, even for the repressed Professor Pelletier, it is difficult to get along with resident celebrity Dr. Elliot Corbin. The arrogant Elliot firmly believes he is the world’s leading authority on Edgar Allan Poe. When Karen receives a donation of Poe papers for her Northbury Center, Elliot salivates.

One of the notebooks turns up missing on the day the papers are revealed. Shortly thereafter, someone shoots Corbin, leaving him dead in his home. Attractive police officer Lieutenant Pistrowski heads the investigation. He enlists Karen’s help because she can interview people that would ignore him. She can use academia vernacular to make inquiries among the college elitists. However, her questioning places her in danger from an unknown killer who has nothing to lose by murdering again.

After reading THE RAVEN AND THE NIGHTINGALE, Poe fanatics will never look at the writer the same way again. Readers also receive a crash course on college politics that are filled with jealousies and competitions. The mystery is well designed with many female suspects who could have done the deed, making it nearly impossible to figure out who actually killed Corbin. Joanne Dobson provides her audience with a thought provoking and entertaining literary who-done-it.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner