The Black Hour/Lori Rader-Day/331 pgs.

Sociology professor, Dr. Amelia Emmert, is returning to her college classroom after having spent the last ten months recuperating from a gunshot wound that left her walking with a cane, and the shooter, Leo Lehane, dead from a self inflicted gunshot wound. The most puzzling item for Amelia, is that she didn't know Leo Lehane--he wasn't in any of her classes, and had no reason to shoot her. Amelia acquires a new teaching assistant, Nathaniel Barber, who is new to the college, but also has his own agenda in wanting to be Amelia's assistant. The story is told in alternating chapters through Amelia and Nath's voices. As the book moves along, more background information is provided, and additional characters muddy the water. Just when you think you have it all solved, a new piece of information enters the mix. This is a great mystery/suspense book from a very promising debut author. Highly recommended!