Told in emails, text messages, and essays, this innovative page-turner follows a group of students in an art master’s program that goes dangerously awry, from the internationally bestselling “new queen of crime” (Electric Literature) Janice Hallett.Gela Nathaniel, head of Royal Hastings University’s new Multimedia Art course, must find six students from all walks of life across the United Kingdom for her new master’s program before the university cuts her funding. The students are nothing but trouble from day one. There’s Jem, a talented sculptor recently graduated from her university program and eager to make her mark as an artist at any cost. Jonathan, who has little experience in art practice aside from running his family’s gallery. Patrick runs an art supply store, but can barely operate his phone, much less design software. Ludya is a single mother and graphic designer more interested in a paycheck than homework. Cameron is a marketing executive in search of a hobby or a career change. And Alyson, already a successful artist, seems to be overqualified. Finally, there is the examiner, the man hired to grade students’ final works—an art installation for a local cloud-based solutions company that may have an ulterior agenda—and who, in sifting through final essays, texts, and message boards, warns that someone is in danger…or already dead. And nothing about this course has been left up to chance. With her trademark “unique and exhilarating” (Megan Collins, author of The Family Plot) voice, Janice Hallett weaves a fresh and mind-bending mystery that will keep you guessing until the final page.
This was interesting -- I usually really like epistolary novels and this one purporting to solve a murder mystery was unique. I found it pretty long and there is something about reading endless emails and text messages as opposed to reading a novel that was fast at times and slow at other times. I don't necessarily think I would describe this as having a big plot twists but there were some things I wasn't expecting. If you like Agatha Christie, et al, this may be right up your alley!!
Dear reader,I need to oversee the final grades for a master's degree at a prestigious university. Despite access to all the documents I require and some I wouldn't normally expect to see, I find myself unable to grade the submissions. In fact I can't quite work out what happened on that course at all. It was either something so disturbing I can't even bring myself to write it down; or, as the police seem to think, it was nothing.I'd appreciate your help. Please read the enclosed and let me know.For context, it includes an academic year calendar marked with key dates, the official guidelines that govern our marking process and my correspondence with the college admins.Be aware that if my worst fears are true, then one of the students on this course is dead.Thank you,The Examiner
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