Quieter Than Sleep

Well-developed characters and setting, and an intriguing mystery, rounded out with entertaining literary references, make this a welcome addition to the murder mystery genre.

I don't normally write reviews for works of fiction, but this book deserves to be praised. The first thing that stands out about "Quieter Than Sleep" is the use of language. Most mysteries and detective novels count on fast dialog to move the story along and to give the reader a sense of the characters. These books normally use short paragraphs and shorter sentences. They aren't always successful, either.Dobson, instead, writes longer passages using the most wonderfully descriptive words. She sets scenes beautifully and allows her characters carry on internal dialogs with well-chosen words.Don't think this bogs down the story or the momentum. It doesn't. The plot moves along at a good pace. I felt that her characters were extremely well-defined ... more so than in most mysteries. There's a real sense of who these people are and an understanding of why they act as they do. Their motives are clear.The clues are there. A few red herrings lead you astray. Sub-plots keep your interest. Marry that with an academic setting, faculty in-fighting, New England staidness, and Emily Dickinson and you end up with a most excellent book.It was quite a surprise to find out that this was a first novel for this author, it's that well done. I'm working my way through her other books. Dobson is well worth reading.

This was a new author for me, but caught my eye with its topic on academia. Since I am stuck in that world (kidding) myself, and know of the foibles of this world with the grant writing, the little secrets, the gossiping from which luckily I am exempt since I am deaf (but I "hear" third or fourth hand, literally by hand), I got a big kick out of the characters Ms. Dobson has written about. This is a deeply intelligent mystery without the need to be offensive as I find some writers are. I kept hoping and keep hoping that none of this about Emily Dickinson is true, since I love her poetry. But this was a truly satisfying mystery in plot, in characterization, and in explaining the whys and wherefores of a world many don't know about. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

Readers who appreciate an intricate mystery plot will enjoy Dobson immensely. This book has it all--a tightly-woven, haiku of a mystery; interesting, well-developed characters who act in synchronization with their motives (and whose motives stem from their personalities); and an intimate and realistic exploration of the specialized world of academia.It's a shame how few mystery writers manage to hit all three targets, but Dobson shows herself to be a master (that she keeps this up through the next two books is nothing short of amazing). Dobson's specialty (in my opinion) is the integration of subplots and side stories with the main mystery. Everything happens for a reason, and the reason always has to do with the mystery (not just to throw the reader off-track).I'm looking forward to the fourth book in the series this winter.

"The clost door flew open and Randy Astin-Berger found me for the last time, falling forward into my arms in a first, and final, embrace."This first novel by Joanne Dobson, an associate professor of English at Fordham University is anything but a sleeper! This mystery is set in the posh, political world of a small, elite Eastern college where fools sometimes rule and enemies are made for seemingly obscure reasons. Karen Pelletier, our heroine, is a suspect in the murder of Astin-Berger, but so are Avery Mitchell, the college president, single and very appealing; Ned Hilton, the professor who, as a result of the deceased's influence, did not receive tenure; plus any number of the students who were victims of Astin-Berger's charms and misuse of power.Enter Police Lieutenant Piotrowski, overweight and overwhelming, a real contrast to the proper Professor Pelletier. He seeks her help in solving the puzzle and pays her a much needed per diem to research the Dickenson papers that seem to play a part in the crime. Karen finds the answer in her research and almost loses her own life, but for the now-slimming, more gentle lieutenant. This reader hopes more novels featuring the college setting, and including the appealing college president and, of course, Lt. Piotrowski already are being written by Dobson.