Carole B. Shmurak Reviews (3)
 
(2009) Death at Hilliard High

This is a mystery that adults and teens will enjoy. A cozy read set in a high school that will appeal to both groups of readers. As the first page states, “it all started with a phone call, a simple, innocent phone call." Of course, it was a phone call that turned out to be anything but simple. 

When Shauna Thompson, high school English teacher, calls Susan Lombardi, she is simply asking for some professional advice. The only African American teacher at Hilliard High, Thompson has been the brunt of some pranks that seem to point at her ethnicity. Is she in danger or is this simply a student with a crush who doesn’t know how to show his true feelings? Susan is willing to help Shauna and soon gets to know some of the other instructors at Hilliard. When Leo Loops’ (aka Loopy) wife, Louise, is found dead at the bottom of their basement stairs, Susan knows there is a mystery here, too, and with her quick thinking is able to ferret out the killer.

Death at Hilliard High is a quick read with a satisfying ending on all counts.

By Ceil. First published in the Cozy Library August 25, 2009.
 
(2006) Death by Committee 
 
Decisions surrounding the granting of tenure to a college professor are likely to provoke strong emotions. But are those emotions enough to provoke someone to murder a committee member? That’s the question posed in Death by Committee. 
 
Education Professor Susan Lombardi is roped into being a member of the faculty committee that’s charged with recommending whether Abby Gillette gains tenure at Metropolitan University in Connecticut. She’s fairly controversial, either loved or hated by her students, mostly disliked by her peers and incredibly self-centered. The department chair selects Susan for the committee because she’s not already taken sides on the issue of tenure for Ms. Gillette as almost everyone else has.
 
When one committee member is seriously injured in a fire and another dies in Abby Gillette’s office, Susan’s husband Michael “Swash” Buckler is concerned for his wife’s safety. But he’s got other concerns. His elderly Aunt Rose has died and his feuding family is gathering for her funeral. Heaven only knows what kind of brouhaha that could lead to. And Susan is distracted by the bad vibes she’s feeling about her friend Elaine’s new beau. The more Elaine tells her about him, the louder the alarm bells sound.
 
Death by Committee is relatively short but packs a lot of story into its 170 pages. The author gives readers a glimpse into the world of academe: the pettiness, the intrigue, the peculiarities. Susan is a great heroine and amateur sleuth readers will like and care about. And the dynamics of Swash’s extended family will ring true to anyone who’s been involved in family warfare and elicit more than one chuckle.
 
By Diana. First published in the Cozy Library October 9, 2006
 
(2004) Deadmistress
 
Carole Shmurak has created a memorable and lovable character in Susan Lombardi, professor and educational consultant turned detective in Deadmistress. When her old friend John is accused of brutally murdering the headmistress of a very upscale private girls' school, Susan feels she must step in and do what she can to clear his name. Despite her husband's lack of enthusiasm about this turn of events, she continues her investigating and along the way it is made clear to her that many faculty at the Wintonbury Academy had motives for this murder, including her dear friend.
 
The pace is fast, the cast of characters listed in the front of the book is very helpful particularly due to the large amount of characters involved in the plot, and the quotes beginning each chapter are apt and attention getting. You will be carried along until the killer is revealed at the end of the book. A good book for cozy readers! And no, Susan doesn't promise her reluctant husband that she has given up sleuthing for good!
 
By Ceil. First published in the Cozy Library July 21, 2006.