Reviews from Readers: Roommate Revenge

5 out of 5 stars  A Complex and Realistic Mystery!
The great thing about the University Mystery series is how complex the mysteries are, but plausibility is certainly not sacrificed for complexity. Donelan's sleuth, criminology professor Marlee McCabe, methodically follows each lead, and there is plenty of discussion with her cousin Bridget on the many possible ways the crime may have been perpetrated. A theory is brought forth, then turned on its head as new information is discovered, much as would happen in a real-world investigation, so the reader can truly feel like a participant instead of an onlooker. The good characters are engaging, people one would want to spend time with, while the bad guys are delightfully sleazy, so it's satisfying when they get their comeuppance. The university itself and the surrounding town is definitely a place one would want to visit. This installment also features murder from a decade ago, and there's a very strong B-story about opiate addiction, making it apparent that this is something that could happen to anyone, not just the morally depraved. All in all, Roommate Revenge is an excellent entry into this long-running series

​5 out of 5 stars  BEST. ONE. YET!
I love the University Mystery Series and this one tops them all. Marlee and Hector deal with murder in their B&B, possible career ending issues and an old, supposedly solved murder that rears its ugly head. Cohorts Bridget and Bettina aid and abet as well as chastise Marlee as she pursues the killer. Authentic writing and believable characters, along with a cast of wonderfully sordid villains made this difficult to put down. I finally just stayed up one night and finished it because I had to know! I highly recommend all of the books in the series. This one is my absolute favorite.
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5 out of 5 stars Murder and Pizza – does it get any better?
Author Brenda Donelan's "cozy mysteries" are anything but simplistic. Her ability to weave a narration with so many plausible threads takes the reader on a lovely romp from red herrings to false flags, all while furthering the development of main characters and their relationships. "Roommate Revenge" returns us to Elmwood, South Dakota, where our intrepid heroine, Professor Marlee McCabe, grapples with yet another murder occurring in the Bed and Breakfast she and her partner, detective Hector Ramos, own and run. With the help of her cousin Bridget, Marlee must untangle the webs of lies and deceit leading up to and after the murder. Yet, murder isn't the only thing she must contend with; conflicts at the University and her own partner's deceptions. Donelan has crafted each character to be lovable, if flawed, making them identifiable with the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed "Roommate Revenge" and look forward to Marlee's next escapades! Also, with two verifiable deaths at the B&B, maybe Donelan can weave in some ghostly hijinx.....as long as they don't eat all the pizza!