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IRISH TENURE: A MYSTERY SET AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME by Ralph McInernySt. Martin's Minotaur, December, 1999 Suspects abound when Amanda Pick, an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, ends up dead. Could it have been the English Professor who has been pushing his unwanted attentions in her direction, the assistant professor vieing with her for the single tenured slot in the philosophy department, Amanda's roommate's crazy ex-husband, or the rare book dealer who will do anything to possess the previously unknown G. K, Chesterton manuscript Amanda had hoped would propell her toward tenure? Brothers Roger and Philip Knight are called on to discover the truth behind the murder--a truth that the University sincerely hopes has nothing to do with the college. Fundraising is under weigh and life and is surely the priority. Author Ralph McInerny (see more BooksForABuck.com reviews of novels by McInerny) is a professor at the University of Notre Dame and sprinkles his novel with tidbits about the college, its landmarks, and its oddities. The characters are well drawn and the absolute power held by senior professors is clearly and frighteningly drawn out. Roger and Philip Knight form an amusing pair of sleuths, with Roger's bulk and intellect calling to mind an Indiana version of Nero Wolfe. Although the novel is clearly targeted at friends and alumnae of the University of Notre Dame, its appeal is certainly broader than this encompassing anyone who has ever considered the academic lifestyle. Two Stars Purchase IRISH TENURE from Amazon.com (available in hardback).
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