Cameron Winters is a college professor and loves the written word. His past life is another story. He was a spy and his main job was to kill people that the government wanted dead. Because of his past life and his lack of remorse, he has become interested in solving crimes -- not all crimes but those that appear puzzling. He becomes interested in a local crime after reading a news article about it. Three members of a family plus their live in nanny were found in a house fire but all had been killed by gunshot before the fire was started. No one survived but a young boy who had memories that were more confusing than helpful. The local police believe that the crime was committed by the daughters boyfriend who was a scholarship student at the daughter's prestigious high school. To Cameron, the police had taken the easy way out and hadn't investigated enough. He's told by the local police in no uncertain terms to mind his own business and get out of town. Still something keeps taking him back and doing more investigating. While he is investigating he's also sharing his past with his therapist which is an interesting way of providing back story to the reader.

This was a well written mystery and I wasn't sure of the outcome until close to the end. Cameron was a well written character. He was trying to get rid of his thoughts about his past as an assassin and devote himself to teaching literature and solving a few crimes but thoughts of his past life kept coming back and he was seeing a therapist to work through it. He was an interesting character and definitely more than just an English professor! ( )

The House of Love and Death by Andrew Klavan is a very highly recommended third mystery in the Cameron Winter series. This is an absolutely excellent addition to an already exceptional series!

After reading about the murder of four people at a wealthy family's home in the Chicago suburbs, ex-spy-turned-English professor, Cameron Winter, investigates. The only survivor is a young boy, while his parents, older sister, and nanny were all killed. Winter has a "strange habit of mind" that allows him to see connections or suspect facts that have been left out or overlooked at a crime scene. He was previously a trained operative, so this extra-special understanding of human nature has been developed over time. The police are looking for the easiest, expedient solution to the crime, but Winter knows there is something more.

In-between Winter's investigation into the current case are psychotherapy sessions with his therapist Margaret Whitaker where he recaps his most troubling cases to her. This provides additional depth and development to Winter's character as he confronts his own past and failings.

The House of Love and Death is an absolutely riveting, un-put-downable mystery that only becomes more intense and complex as the narrative unfolds. In an already excellent series, this investigation of Cameron Winter is the best to date. I was totally immersed in the action. Winter may know what his "strange habit of mind" is sensing as he investigates and it is sheer pleasure in following along as he pieces the clues together. As the novel progresses, the danger to Winter increases while the suspense and tension also multiply. The House of Love and Death is completely engrossing and riveting throughout.

Cameron Winter is a fully realized, complex and developed character who will garner sympathy and compassion from readers. He is intelligent and tenacious while investigating and following what he senses is really going on. It is clear that Winter is working through the demons from his past while using his abilities to solve a current mystery.

This can be read as a stand-alone novel, but readers will likely want to read the previous Cameron Winter novels after The House of Love and Death. The complicated plot becomes increasingly sophisticated as more information is revealed and Winter uncovers or senses additional information.

I love this series and anxiously await another novel featuring Cameron Winter. (I would appreciate it if Klavan didn't leave me crying again, twice this time, over events in the narrative.)
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Mysterious Press via NetGalley.
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