In this riveting sequel to The Resemblance, a UGA student, Ethan Haddock, is found dead in his apartment of an apparent suicide, thrusting his German professor Verena Sobek into a Title IX investigation and onto the police’s radar as rumors swirl about a possible teacher-student affair. Disgraced former police detective Marlitt Kaplan agrees to do some sleuthing and try to clear Verena’s name, even going “undercover” and moving in with Ethan’s former roommates to try to find out what really happened.

This suspenseful slow burn is an examination of toxic aspects of academia: the pressure upon tenure track professors, the difficulty of maintaining boundaries between professors and students, student apathy, and mental health struggles with only cursory support from the university. Marlitt is a fascinating character, tenacious and driven by a desire for answers and justice, leading her to make questionable choices but also pursue leads that no one else deems important. The author skillfully weaves Marlitt’s character development through the mystery using a multiple POV, multiple timeline structure, with Marlitt in the present doggedly following clues, and perspectives titled Her and Him giving us the academic backstory.

Technically you could read The Professor as a standalone, but I think it works much better if you read The Resemblance first to get Marlitt’s full backstory and gain a fuller understanding of what drives her. I feel like (hope!) that the author left the door open a crack for future stories about Marlitt, since she’s a really appealing character and even when she makes bad decisions, you understand why she’s doing it.

I read the physical book and the audiobook simultaneously, with the audiobook enhancing my enjoyment of the written word. The audiobook is very well done with little touches like a slight German accent for Verena’s dialogue making the listening experience more immersive. Many thanks to Flatiron Books for the physical ARC and to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me an advance listening copy of this book.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into a book that perfectly aligned with my reading preferences. This sequel, although part of a series, effortlessly stood on its own, allowing me to enjoy the story without feeling lost. As I immersed myself in the pages, I found myself deeply engrossed, appreciating the unique characters and the intricately woven plot.

One of the aspects I cherish in a book is my ability to connect with the characters on a personal level. This story delivered just that. I found myself genuinely liking the characters, empathizing with their struggles, and rejoicing in their victories. This emotional depth significantly enhanced my reading experience, making the characters' journey feel incredibly real and relatable.

Moreover, the plot was tailored to my liking, incorporating twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. The seamless integration of dual timelines, a narrative technique I particularly enjoy, added an extra layer of complexity to the story. Witnessing these timelines come together in a cohesive and satisfying manner left me thoroughly impressed.

In essence, this book was a delightful read that catered to my specific preferences. It's not often that a story aligns so perfectly with my likes, and for that reason, I hold this book in high regard. If you, like me, appreciate well-developed characters, intricate plotlines, and the convergence of dual timelines, I wholeheartedly recommend this novel. It's a testament to the power of personalized storytelling and the joy of finding a book that feels tailor-made for your reading pleasure.

This book is apparently the sequel to The Resemblance. This is something I didn’t realize when I requested the book. I was a bit confused throughout the story because I didn’t know the backstory. This definitely isn’t a stand alone book. Having said that it is a good story and if you’ve read book one I’d highly recommend it.

‘The Professor’ is a gripping psychological thriller with twists that keep the reader guessing until the very last page!

Premise - A German professor is accused of Title IX offenses after her star student commits suicide.

I love the academic setting and the commentary on how cutthroat the world of academia is - as the daughter of a professor it was really interesting and relatable.

The benched detective solving the case as a a favor to her mother makes allusions to a backstory that I must assume was in the first book in the series… this is a sequel, though I haven’t read the first book and don’t think the marketing is clear about this. The book worked as a standalone, except that our hero isn’t particularly likable or well developed in this book, so that connection might have happened in book 1.

Even so, this was an absolutely unhinged psychological thriller and I could not stop reading!

I hope there will be more books in the series - I will read them if there are.

Thanks, NetGalley and Flatiron, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A suspicious death in the halls of academia in the Deep South intrigues detective turned research assistant, Marlitt Kaplan. Marlitt’s mother, a professor at the university where student Ethan Haddock died, asks for her daughter’s professional expertise when questions about his involvement with a professor arise. Dark academia, for me, is either riveting or stultifying, Nossett’s book is definitely in the first category. Highly recommended