Nick Hoffman Series by Lev Raphael, Gregory Ashe

When Perry Cross, an outsider, is hired to fill a new position at the State University of Michigan, fellow teacher Nick Hoffman finds the situation curious. But his curiosity changes obsession when he learns that his longtime lover, Stefan, shares a past with Cross. Now Cross has been murdered, and both Nick and Stefan are prime suspects.

Chaos hits the State University of Michigan when two bitterly rival Edith Wharton societies are brought together for a joint conference. Its reluctant organizer, assistant professor Nick Hoffman, is desperate to get tenure, but things go from bad to worse to murder. There's never been an academic satire quite like this one or a sleuth like Nick Hoffman.

He'd been warned to avoid Nick Hoffman's outspoken attitude and reputation for being in the wrong place at the wrong time had placed his career in jeopardy. But what trouble could be caused by eating lunch?It was his partner Stefan's idea that Nick eat near the campus bridge over the Michigan River once in a while, something to help him get over the nightmares of the murder two years earlier... moreHe'd been warned to avoid Nick Hoffman's outspoken attitude and reputation for being in the wrong place at the wrong time had placed his career in jeopardy. But what trouble could be caused by eating lunch?It was his partner Stefan's idea that Nick eat near the campus bridge over the Michigan River once in a while, something to help him get over the nightmares of the murder two years earlier. Nick's involvement had brought publicity, bad publicity, to EAR (the Department of English, American Studies, and Rhetoric), as well as to the State University of Michigan, and not done very much for his staying on a tenure track. With his review coming up soon, Nick didn't need any distractions...and he certainly didn't need to see the person lying dead on the bridge.Forced to wade ever deeper into the events set in motion by another death on campus, inexorably drawn into another risky investigation in the surprisingly cutthroat world of academia - where murder and faculty meetings are often difficult to tell apart - Nick's job isn't the only thing that may be on the line. less

It appears that Nick Hoffman's career is finally moving in the right direction, and the celebrity that comes with solving murders has brought him more students than he can possibly handle. But things are never calm at the State University of Michigan: Nick's partner's career seems to be spiraling down and out of control; a new faculty member is causing a lot of nasty talk; and cryptic messages are showing up in Nick's mailbox.

Nick Hoffman's State University of Michigan is a place where the Borgias and the Marx Brothers would be equally at home. Heading into the Christmas season, SUM is being torn apart by bizarre attempts to make it more diverse while an autocratic new provost pushes for a White Studies program and Nick faces not only a tenure battle but conflicting requests for support in a battle for department chair... moreNick Hoffman's State University of Michigan is a place where the Borgias and the Marx Brothers would be equally at home. Heading into the Christmas season, SUM is being torn apart by bizarre attempts to make it more diverse while an autocratic new provost pushes for a White Studies program and Nick faces not only a tenure battle but conflicting requests for support in a battle for department chair. With his professional life a mix of seasonal chaos and departmental warfare, Nick discovers that he's not only attracted to the outrageously sexy Juno Dromgoole and disturbed by these disorienting new feelings in his life, but also the target, along with Juno, of a vicious harassment campaign that escalates into stalking, assault, and attempted murder. There's certainly no shortage of suspects, only solid clues. The decisions Nick faces may change his life forever...if he survives. less

There's gold in them thar hills again, but only trace amounts in this sixth Connor Westphal mystery. No one in Flat Skunk, Calaveras County, California, puts much stock in old Sluice Jackson even when he's sober, but there's no denying that what he's just pulled out of his miner's poke has a persuasive shine to it. "Gold," says Sluice, displaying a tooth-sized nugget. First witnesses to the find-if indeed it is one-are Connor, demon reporter (sexy and deaf), and p.i... moreThere's gold in them thar hills again, but only trace amounts in this sixth Connor Westphal mystery. No one in Flat Skunk, Calaveras County, California, puts much stock in old Sluice Jackson even when he's sober, but there's no denying that what he's just pulled out of his miner's poke has a persuasive shine to it. "Gold," says Sluice, displaying a tooth-sized nugget. First witnesses to the find-if indeed it is one-are Connor, demon reporter (sexy and deaf), and p.i. Dan Smith, her lover (an attentive hunk). Since both like bucolic Flat Skunk the way it is, neither feels sanguine about the prospect of prospectors descending en masse. And they're right to be concerned, since a virulent case of gold fever is accompanied by the expected vicious behavior. For starters, someone burns down Sluice's cabin. Then there's a pair of killings, brutal and inexplicable. Meantime, Josh Littlefield, an old college friend of Connor's, suddenly turns up in Flat Skunk-a "deafie" married unhappily to a "hearie." Could they be in any way connected to Sluice's strike? When Sheriff Mercer arrests Josh on a charge of homicide, Connor knows it's time to dust off her Nancy Drew cap. Legally perky Connor (Blind Side, 2001, etc.) continues to appeal despite criminally porous plotting. less

Based on a 1904 unsolved murder case in Indiana, Crimson Snow weaves immigrant life, class and ethnic tensions into a taught drama featuring Swedish maid, Hilda, in the Studebaker mansion.

Successful professor Nick Hoffman finds his secure, happy, college-town life changed forever after a nightmarish encounter with police. But even when that horrible night is over, life doesn't return to normal. Someone is clearly out to destroy him. Nick and his partner Stefan Borowski face an escalating series of threats that lead to a brutal and stunning confrontation... moreSuccessful professor Nick Hoffman finds his secure, happy, college-town life changed forever after a nightmarish encounter with police. But even when that horrible night is over, life doesn't return to normal. Someone is clearly out to destroy him. Nick and his partner Stefan Borowski face an escalating series of threats that lead to a brutal and stunning confrontation.             A novel of suspense set in the academic world, Assault with a Deadly Lie probes the disturbing psychological impact of slander, harassment, stalking, police brutality, and the loss of personal safety. What will Nick do when his world threatens to collapse? How can he reestablish order in a suddenly chaotic life?             Assault with a Deadly Lie, the eighth installment of Lev Raphael's Nick Hoffman Mysteries, propels the series to a new level of danger and intrigue as Nick and Stefan are catapulted out of their tranquil existence by shocking accusations. less

Still reeling from having escaped a mass shooting on campus, English professor Nick Hoffman finds himself on the receiving end of confessions by one colleague after another. All of them have good reason to hate the new department chair, Dr. Napoleon Padovani, who throws his weight around capriciously and cruelly. Resentment mounts on campus -- with an inevitably fatal result. Chaos and confusion reign among the faculty, which then turns on its own... moreStill reeling from having escaped a mass shooting on campus, English professor Nick Hoffman finds himself on the receiving end of confessions by one colleague after another. All of them have good reason to hate the new department chair, Dr. Napoleon Padovani, who throws his weight around capriciously and cruelly. Resentment mounts on campus -- with an inevitably fatal result. Chaos and confusion reign among the faculty, which then turns on its own. Can Nick and his spouse Stefan restore order and save the day? Raphael has described the university as "a unique combination of the vanity of professional sports, the hypocrisy of politics, the cruelty of big business, with a touch of organized crime thrown in." less