Unfortunately, another English faculty member at Enfield, Elliot Corbin, also has quite an interest in Poe, and is making the case that he should have access to the papers as well. Elliot is a self-proclaimed antifeminist which does not bode well for peace in the English department. Before either Karen or Elliot can really look at the wealth of information so luckily bestowed on Enfield College, Elliot is found stabbed to death in his study.

Karen’s name appears on a blood-spattered paper beside the body which immediately qualifies her as a prime suspect. When questioned by Lieutenant Piotroski, she quickly establishes a credible alibi. However, since the key to the solution to the crime involves an understanding of the pertinent literature as well as the day-to-day workings of the English faculty and staff, Piotroski solicits Karen’s expertise. Corbin, while an acknowledged expert on Poe, was not on the best of terms with his colleagues, and was known to have had numerous affairs, so there is no shortage of potential suspects.

Joanne Dobson has done a creditable job of providing her readers with two mysteries within one volume. The death of Elliot Corbin provides the main structure for the novel but, there is a mystery surrounding the death of Emmeline Foster, and her relationship with Poe. To my mind, the mystery of Emmeline Foster (who is totally a product of the author’s imagination) is the more interesting of the two. The death of Elliot Corbin involves a lot of academic rhetoric, and tangled relationships which gives it the distinct flavor of a soap opera.

In addition, the resolution of this mystery becomes way too melodramatic - complete with thunderstorm, power outage, and fights with unknown assailants in the dark. Characters appear and disappear at very appropriate moments to makes the plot work -not impossible, but highly unlikely for everything to happen just so. The mystery of Emmeline Foster with the documents telling the story is much more intriguing, and believable.

Ms. Dobson has produced some interesting characters in Karen Pelletier and Lieutenant Piotroski. Karen is a woman who has made a life for herself with very little help from others. She has had an unfortunate early marriage that caused some animosity within her blood related kin, and, except for her daughter, Amanda would probably say her early adult life was a total disaster. Because she is unforgiving of her family’s behavior, she seems more human. She has been hardened by her experiences and is bitter. She is not always a sweet pleasant person, and harbors a number of grudges. Dobson compromises her somewhat in the end through her daughter which gives her a little less substance though it does provide a happier ending.

Lieutenant Piotroski is interesting because we learn so little about him. He is secretive about his personal life and only allows glimpses into his true nature. I suspect readers will learn more about the good lieutenant in future volumes, however.

The Raven and the Nightingale marks the third appearance of Karen Pelletier after Quieter than Sleep and The Northbury Papers. Not having read the first two in the series should present no difficulty for the reader. The author presents all the background information needed for understanding, without making one feel they have had a brief synopsis of Karen’s previous exploits. This technique endears me to Ms. Dobson, and I look forward to more academic mysteries at Enfield College.

--Andy Plonka