Series debut
You can’t help devouring Lucy Connolly’s yummy books like a really good bar of chocolate. This first installment of her new series finds the central character, former journalist Dr. Gwen Griffiths, returning to Wales to become a professor at the very place where she attended university. After the layoffs and contractions endured by newspaper staff everywhere, she’s certain she’s found a secure berth at a new place when her old friend Carolyn, now the dean, recruits Gwen to run the journalism department with a real-world edge.
It’s almost a fairy tale situation – Gwen’s job may be pretty good, but her living and working conditions are even better, as she will not only live rent free in a gorgeous apartment in a building with a concierge filled with fellow professors, but she has a student assistant to drive her around. She doesn’t even have to take out the trash, as it’s only necessary to gently place her can outside the door. Remember what I said about chocolate bars? When she gets to her office, it’s just as dreamy, huge and beautiful, with a staff secretary to make sure there are tea and biscuits to be had all day long. Makes you yearn to go back to school yourself.
Unfortunately there’s trouble even in Welsh Paradise. The night Gwen arrives her old buddy gives her a welcome party with most of the faculty in attendance, and as she’s introduced around, she notices a definite hostility on the part of another professor, Dr. Alice Rice. Her rude behavior only confirms the chatter about her unpleasant personality, somewhat explained by the fact Alice had wanted Gwen’s job. But, like the hard-nosed journalist she is, Gwen is able to roll with the punches, and heads home to collapse after her trying day.
As she’s sharing a post party drink with one of her fellow professors her doorbell rings, and she opens the door to discover Alice, who collapses in her arms, only managing to utter the word “poison” before she expires. This unsettles even the tough Gwen, who does her best with CPR, though to no avail.
As the shock waves reverberate through the department Gwen finds her new colleagues welcoming, and her assistant, a young student named Ellis, is not only eager to show her around, but also to write about Alice’s death for the school paper. Gwen takes the budding journalist under her wing, helping him with interview questions, and accompanying him on a trip to a local newspaper office where they search the back issues for clues.
This is a classic set up – the most reviled person on the page is naturally the one taken off of it, and the almost pleasant investigation that follows, which includes a bit of gentle danger for Gwen, is smart enough and so, so much fun to read. The resolution is golden age worthy, and just as yummy as the rest of the read. While you might figure out whodunnit, you’ll enjoy the journey to the solution anyway, as you unwrap this homemade chocolate bar, Welsh style. — Robin Agnew