This was a quick read, which is great because schoolwork has been taking up a lot of time. So, I didn't feel guilty about reading this to have some escapism for a little while. The details about Notre Dame interwoven into the book are very well done, but would probably escape someone who didn't spend much time on campus. For those who did, it makes the book even more endearing. As for the mystery part, I was pleasantly stumped and surprised by the actual culprit at the end. Another nice aspect are the philosophical topics interspersed with the dialogue - never too heavy, never too much, just little light touches that make you think a little bit longer after you set the book down. ( )

The setting is an academic well-known university. Many of my friends and their children have attended Notre Dame so personally this is interesting. The books touches on the jealousies of the different departments at the university with emphasis on the history, English, and the infamous sports program. The plot moves along at a moderate pace and I can usually come to the correct conclusion as to the identification of the culprit. The author is well known for his Father Dowling mysteries. ( )