Cover Image: With a Minor in Murder

With a Minor in Murder

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Member Reviews

Thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for the digital galley of this book.

After impulsively quitting her job with Seattle PD, Claire takes a job at the University of Washington. It’s a more inclusive workplace but there may be fewer opportunities for advancement. It seems like a more chill job, that is, until a body shows up on campus soon into her tenure. Architectural historian Libby Hart has fallen into a rut, and her friends challenge her to pick up a hobby outside of her academic interests. None of them realized it would be helping to solve a murder. Claire and Libby find each other attractive, but Claire is determined to keep Libby from the more grisly aspects of the case, which is difficult because Libby is super into helping solve the murder, and the ones that follow as the two grow closer.

This one was fun. I’m not one for murder mysteries, but throw in some lesbians, and that’s how you get me. I liked the playful nature of Claire and Libby’s relationship, even in the middle of a serious situation, and as they grow closer and the stakes get higher, the tension builds well, and I was just as interested in solving the mystery as rooting for their relationship. It’s also pretty PG-PG13, so if you like your romance sans steam, definitely check this one out. You can get it wherever you procure your books.

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I love Karis Walsh books. She's probably my number one go-to author now because I know I'm going to enjoy getting to know the characters, diving into the story, and have a great time with the humor.

I finished With a Minor in Murder a few days ago but got sick and couldn't get to the reviewing part of the ARC deal until today. But I STILL miss Clare and Libby. I loved getting to know them both separately and as a couple. And Cappy! I came to adore her, too.

With a Minor in Murder is a sweet romance mixed with some gruesome murders and a nice little mystery. I'm going to keep this review short because I'm still not feeling 100% but suffice it to say that I will read this one again - even though I know who the killer is. Also the mystery was nicely done, too. I was caught off guard by the reveal and totally suspected someone else. I love when that happens.

So a huge thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for hooking me up but an even bigger thanks to Karis Walsh for creating such lovely worlds for me to escape to. Very much looking forward to the next one.

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This book has a good premise with an excellent cozy mystery. It has suitable pacing, and well rounded characters. It's realistic and the elements of murder are well established and connected. The romance was slightly off, but it makes up for it because of the characters.

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I’m always happy when Karis Walsh releases a new book. This one had relatable characters with an entertaining murder subplot. I enjoyed the dialogue between our mains as well as their chemistry. Overall this is a good book.

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This was an enjoyable read. The main characters had some great banter going on, and both were relatable and likeable. The murder storyline was engaging without taking over the book and overshadowing the romance, and the architecture elements were interesting. A well written book.

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I struggled at the beginning of this story because I couldn't connect to either of the main characters. Clare was full on regret that after three weeks at her new jobs her colleagues weren't more friendly to her? Honey that's just three weeks, it needs time (and effort from you). And Libby's friends were basically shaming her for having no non-academically hobbies. If the girl likes to read and research and architecture, even though it's her job, let her be?

So yeah it was a difficult beginning for me, but I gradually got into the story as the plot moved on and Clare and Libby got to know each other better.

I thought the mystery part of the story would be bigger, but I'm glad for all the architecture stuff. The romance was a little bit too fast for me though, as it all happened under like ten days, ‘I love you’s were already at the end. What can I say, I like my slow-burn.

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I really enjoyed ‘A Minor in Murder’; I instantly connected with the characters and the crossover of crime and romance really appealed to me from the offset.
On the University of Washington campus, a professor is murdered and new addition to the police department, Clare takes the case up in hope of redemption. During the investigation she encounters Libby, an architectural historian who enables Clare to get the inside scoop on the faculty, students and a whole list of possible suspects.
The banter that Libby adds in particular really pulled me in from the beginning. The murder mystery storyline felt really well paced and added a really great backdrop for the main characters and overall it was a sweet, fun, sapphic mystery.

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I enjoy this author’s style of writing. This book flowed at an easy pace with a few unexpected obstacles along the way. The architectural theme was interesting and I shall “look up” at more of the buildings in the English towns & cities I visit.

I liked that the love story holds promise of more to come and look forward to the next in this series..

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One of the settings I like most besides library/bookstore, academic/campus/professor romance.

A murder mystery set on campus. Clair Sawyer has just been hired by the University of Washington Police Department after quitting her job at Seattle PD on impulse. Wondering and unsure if she made the right decision she is appointed to solve a murder on her first day.

Libby Hart, a Professor of architecture and many other subjects, is a colleague of the murdered professor. And thus after a questionable meet cute with Clair, they meet again due to the murder.

Claire is fighting her desire to get involved with Libby, stay professional and solve the murder asap. While dealing with her insecurities. Libby on the other hand is taken with Clair and set on solving the murder, having decided Claire needs her help to solve it. Besides the gruesome murder, it is a fun read and the side characters are all great fun.

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This book was fun. It had so many elements to enjoy. Academia, campus architecture, murder mystery, budding cozy relationship, past struggles, fitting in, and more. The awkward meet-cute of the central relationship was... awkward, and the following daydreaming was a little cringy, but once it got past the first stages it was fun to dig into. I suppose that's true in real relationships too though. Overall, an enjoyable romance/murder mystery.

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Walsh is back with another fun queer read, but it also fell a little flat in places. The banter was solid throughout, as was the overall plot arc, but there wasn't as much mystery as the description implied. Regardless, this was a quick and enjoyable romp.

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This was a great murder mystery with a lot of flirting. Libby is hands down the funnies character I’ve read/connected with in years. Her humor and ability to put her foot in her mouth, and say the wrong thing at the wrong time was incredible. Watching Libby the professor and Clare, or campus police office figure out this murder mystery was great

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Fun murder mystery, with a side of romance. Clair Sawyer hastily quit her job with the Seattle PD, and now finds herself as the newest officer of the University of Washington Police Department. Hoping to get a chance to prove herself, outside of drunk frat boys and small time vandalism, the murder of a professor looks like the perfect opportunity. Enter Professor Libby Hart.

Libby Hart, Professor of architecture and many other subjects she finds interesting, has been told she needs a hobby. So what if she follows the same schedule every day of the week, and eats the same pastries on a rotating schedule. When her coworker is murdered she finds a new hobby, and crush, all in the same place. She is going to help Officer Sawyer solve the murder.

This book was a pretty solid mystery, not too many twists and turns, but I didn’t automatically guess who it was either. My favorite part of this was Libby, her personality is so bright and when she was speaking I felt like I could hear her excitement in the text. The romance was over a quick period of time but the author didn’t rely on physical intimacy to push them together. The chemistry builds naturally through their conversations.

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I enjoy reads that involve colleges and universities. I also like mysteries. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting story. Officer Clare Sawyer, decides to leave her current position and join the University of Washington campus police department because she felt her talents and skills were not being utilized or appreciated. Professor Libby Hart, architectural historian, loves her job.

When a murder takes place on campus, Clare and Libby work together to solve it. I like the interaction between Libby and Clare with good dialogue and banter. The murder mystery provided several red herrings which is one of the foundations of a good mystery. I also liked the secondary characters especially Cappy and their boss. Even though there is a murder which is sad, there is also humor.

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With a Minor in Murder is a standalone romance/mystery by Karis Walsh. Released 10th May 2022 by Bold Strokes Books, it's 252 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a campus murder mystery, full of historical minutiae and academics. It's told in third person PoV and surprisingly well written. There were some plot points on which my suspension of disbelief got stuck, however. I couldn't, for example, find any sources online where campus police ever investigate serious crimes, especially not murder. For readers who get past that hurdle, it's a readable and engaging book. The main characters are well rendered and three dimensional. Most of the secondary characters are lightly sketched in and seem to primarily be there to provide plot advancement.

I enjoyed the discussions of art and architecture and history. I get the feeling that the author has a deep and eclectic interest in the subject and she does a good job of making it accessible and interesting. Readers who are interested primarily in a murder mystery in a rarefied academic setting (Kate Fansler, Inspector Morse, Hilary Tamar) will likely be outraged and/or disappointed. Readers who are after a lightly drama filled F/F romance which is well written and smut-free will find a lot to like here.

There is no NSFW sexual content. Some of the on-page descriptions are moderately graphic (throat slashing and blunt force trauma).

Three and a half stars. It's unclear if this is a series starter.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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I found this crime story gripping, with an unexpected twist in terms of who the murderer was. A newly transferred Police Officer Clare takes time to adjust to the slower pace of being an on campus officer, until there is a murder. She meets Libby, the local architecture academic, who tries to help her solve the case by almost becoming the suspect, with her unfortunate sense of humour. Libby has an engaging group of friends and Clare builds a working relationship with her prickly partner Cappy. All the characters are well written and entertaining. I also enjoyed working out who committed the murders.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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A little different from the typical lesfic, With a Minor in Murder has mystery, romance, and intrigue - all the elements - along with the great chemistry you expect in a lesfic story. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book

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With a Minor in Murder by Karish Walsh is both a murder mystery and a lovely slow-burn romance that had me hooked from the beginning. I was enchanted with the love story, and the author kept me guessing about “whodunit” until the very end.

The setting of this novel is a major factor in the storyline. The book takes place on the campus of The University of Washington. Ms. Walsh used an ingenious way to describe the university campus. She has Libby Hart, one of the main characters, describe the area in detail all through the tale since she is a professor and an architectural historian. Libby's (and I’m assuming the author’s as well) love of the buildings comes through vividly in the descriptions.

The university is large enough to have its own police force, and Clare Sawyer, one of the main characters in the tale is starting a new job with the campus police. Clare wonders if she has made the right decision coming to work on campus, but then she meets Libby one morning on her way to work. Then the murders begin, and Libby is on the list of possible suspects.

The characters, both major and secondary are well-developed. I especially connected with Libby and Clare, but I also really liked Cappy, Clare’s partner on the force. The murder mystery is splendidly written. I was quite surprised to find out who the bad guy was. I had a great time reading this mystery/romance, and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys both genres.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

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Karis Walsh's books are either a hit or miss with me. The premise of the plot appealed to me, but in all honesty, I expected more thrill, a tad more excitement. With a Minor in Murder isn't a bad book, it is a pretty good read. Not a page-turner which I was hoping for but all in all, I did enjoy it.
How quickly the relationship between the 2 main characters, Clare and Libby seemed to happen very quickly, not much spark there, I'm not a fan of ‘quickly formed relationships
With a Minor in Murder is a good read, something to settle down with on a Sunday evening.

I've given With a Minor in Murder a 3.5 out of 5.

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A murder mystery story with a queer romance burgeoning as the MC's work together to solve the mystery, what's not to love about this book? Clare Sawyer, newly appointed officer at the Uni has a point to prove when she's given the opportunity of solving the murder of a lecturer.  Professor Libby Hart has been challenged by her friends to change up her non eventful life so when her colleague is murdered and after initially finding herself a suspect she jumps into action to assist Clare in solving the murder.  An enjoyable read.

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