Synopsis

The students of Royal Hastings University’s new Multimedia Art course have been trouble from day one. Acclaimed artist Alyson wants the department to revolve around her. Ludya struggles to balance her family and the workload. Jonathan has management experience but zero talent for art. Lovely Patrick can barely operate his mobile phone, let alone professional design software. Meanwhile blustering Cameron tries to juggle the course with his job in the City and does neither very well. Then there’s Jem. A gifted young sculptor, she’s a promising student… but cross her at your peril.

The year-long course is blighted by accusations of theft, students setting fire to one another’s artwork, a rumoured extra-marital affair and a disastrous road trip. But finally they are given their last assignment: to build an interactive art installation for a local manufacturer. With six students who have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong?

The answer is: murder. When the external examiner arrives to assess the students’ essays and coursework, he becomes convinced that a student was killed on the course and that the others covered it up. But is he right? And if so, who is dead, why were they killed, and who is the murderer? Only a close examination of the evidence will reveal the truth. Your time starts now…

Review

Another twisty turny murder mystery from the queen of mixed media crime writing.

This time set in a university (definitely inspired by RHUL), a group of mature students take on a project with deadly consequences…

As usual, Janice manages to bring her characters to life, despite everything being via email and chat. We learn about everyone’s personality through their tone, style and things that are unsaid like when and why people ‘leave the chat’.

We also have more information than the characters, with the exception of one specific trait that is cleverly done but feels a little misleading in terms of the story.

Although enjoyable, The Examiner doesn’t quite live up to the previous three books and is not entirely believable. It also feels very similar in style to The Twyford Code, which is a shame as all the others are unique in their structure and concept. The environmental elements are interesting but the motive and build-up fall a little flat.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s still very good, but not quite a five star read this time.

Thanks to Viper Books for my proof. Opinions my own.

Other books by Janice Hallet

The Mystery of the Alperton Angels