From Booklist
In one of Raphael's last two mysteries, there was no murder for the first two-thirds of the book, and in the most recent, there was no corpse. Now a corpse doesn't show until past the two-thirds mark, and whether it bespeaks murder or accident is uncertain. Raphael's writing, however, suggests a deepening gloom and impending trouble both in the wintry groves of academic Michigan and the sun-kissed tropics of Serenity, the resort to which Nick Hoffman and his partner, Stefan, flee from political infighting at the venal university. Raphael keeps us turning pages with mouthwatering descriptions of buffets and a paradise brimming with cheerful attendants, and even without a corpse, he ratchets up tension with rumors of ghosts and some very substantial fellows threatening to trade blows. Some mystery fans may feel let down by the resolution, which flouts genre expectations, while others may cheer it and welcome Raphael's innovativeness. Whitney Scott
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Book Description
It's winter, but academic madness is in full bloom at the State University of Michigan. Untenured English professor Nick Hoffman is trying to keep out of the line of fire as three senior professors battle to be department chair--all of whom hate each other and demand Nick’s support. The situation implodes when an emergency meeting turns the department, and normal academic procedure, upside down. In an intense atmosphere of mounting crisis, Nick and his colleagues lose rights and autonomy, and he is desperate for a quick getaway. Nick's partner, Stefan, suggests an idyllic week at a Caribbean Club Med. The island of Serenity, however, proves to be anything but serene. Once again, Edith Wharton scholar Nick Hoffman, who grew up in New York City without even being mugged, finds himself face-to-face with murder. His winter vacation in paradise becomes a nightmare as he learns the truth of the warning that You can run, but you can’t hide. And on a tiny island, there’s nowhere even to run...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It's winter, but academic madness is in full bloom at the State University of Michigan. Untenured English professor Nick Hoffman is just trying to keep out of the line of fire. In an intense atmosphere of mounting crisis, he is desperate for a quick getaway, so his partner, Stefan, suggests an idyllic week at a Caribbean Club Med. The island of Serenity, however, proves to be anything but serene. Once again, Edith Wharton scholar Nick Hoffman, who grew up in New York City without even being mugged, finds himself face-to-face with murder.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Untenured professor Nick Hoffman (The Edith Wharton Murders) and partner Stefan vacation in the Caribbean to escape chaos at the State University of Michigan, where the provost has assigned an unpopular choice to be department chair. Their problems, however, follow them to Serenity Island: some important people whom Nick needs to investigate are there and not by coincidence. The murder of the resort's manager takes priority, though. Once again, academic politics are set off by memorable characters, salient observations, and extremes of temperature/location. For series fans and gay mystery collections. Raphael, a Lambda Literary Award winner, lives in Okemos, MI. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews