October Book Club: The Catalogued Corpse by D.S. Lang
The Catalogued Corpse by D. S. Lang
You know I love a good academic mystery, so this month I’ve got an interesting twist for you. Imagine it’s the 1920s, and if you thought your college days were tough, you are in for a treat. In D.S. Lang’s The Catalogued Corpse, college librarian Doro Banyon stumbles across her nemesis, Professor Hemet Corlon, dead by the card catalogues. He’s not just playing dead—this is the real deal.
The campus, once a bastion for men only, is now grappling with women’s suffrage, and not everyone’s happy about it. Our heroine Doro, who’s been butting heads with the dearly departed over the status of women, finds herself a prime suspect in his untimely demise.
Enter Officer Mallow, campus security by day and undercover Prohibition agent by night. Could there be a spark between him and Doro? Possibly, but first, they’ll have to get past the whole ‘she might be a murderer’ thing. As for the campus life details, who knew single faculty members had to live on campus and dine in building cafeterias? Oh, and extra points to Doro for owning her own stylish automobile.
Her journey through sleuthing and subtle romantic sparks is accompanied by a vibrant cast of characters, including her best buddy Aggie and the surprisingly cooperative local Constable Lammers. Together, they navigate clues and office politics with humor and friendship.
The Catalogued Corpse is a cozy read for a lazy Saturday, the first in a series of four, offering plenty more mystery ahead. And lucky for us, the first book is available for free on Amazon! Fans of the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries who enjoy a historical twist will find Doro Banyon’s adventures are worth checking out.
Kelly Brakenhoff is the author of 15 books and a seasoned ASL interpreter. She splits her writing energy between two series: cozy mysteries set on a college campus and children’s books featuring Duke the Deaf Dog.
Parents, kids, and teachers love the children’s books and activity guides because they introduce ASL and the Deaf community through fun, engaging stories. And if you enjoy a smart female sleuth, want to learn more about Deaf culture, or have ever lived in a place where livestock outnumber people, the Cassandra Sato Mystery series will have you connecting the dots faster than a group project coming together the night before it’s due.
A proud mom to four adults, head of the dog-snuggling department, and grandma to a growing brood of perfectly behaved grandkids, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.