Reviews from Readers: Day of the Dead 5 out of 5 stars Fans of TV Crime Shows Will Devour This Novel August 6, 2014 If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced, entertaining read, this is it. The protagonist Marlee McCabe is extremely well defined: smart, snoopy, verbal and very funny. She made me laugh out loud. There is also an extended palette of instantly recognizable secondary characters, not stereotypes but realistically drawn people we might recognize from our own lives, now taken up in a college-town murder investigation where racism and homophobia are barely suppressed. The author does a stellar job of pacing the story, maintaining a feeling of tension and suspense and keeping the reader wondering as clues to the mystery are offered up. Everything eventually comes together in a surprising and satisfying conclusion. If you're a fan of mystery novels or TV crime dramas, you'll love this. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
5 out of 5 stars Great Book June 16, 2014 Donelan captures a real life essence that a reader can truly identify with by granting her audience a list of characters that are interesting yet believable. The descriptions of the small South Dakota town and its gloomy season also gives the reader a sense of empathy for the characters and the difficulty they must face when something so shocking and ambiguous takes over their lives. The story also delivers an interesting look into the life of a professor and the world of academics. Overall Day of the Dead does not use grand spectacles to maintain the readers attention, but rather uses smart references towards difficult topics such as homophobia and hate crimes as well as relatable characters to keep the reader drawn in. Looking forward to the next book!!!
5 out of 5 stars Right on! June 2, 2014 Donelan quite accurately described the political climate of a college campus, a generalizable nature of student behavior, and the often pettiness of faculty. The interactions of Marlee with her students was believable. The world of Marlee portrayed off campus as a single Midwestern professional women will resonate with many female readers. In addition to character development Dr. Donelan demonstrated considerable knowledge and understanding of the plight of gays in a Midwest setting. Day of thy Dead greatly satisfied this reader's fascination with both genres of mystery and of gay/lesbian fiction. I look forward to reading the second book in the university mystery series. Keep them coming!
