I loved this story, but, it has a few things, I'm not a fan of. (CYN)
Favorite Character? Mark???? I know the main character only interacts with him twice.... But the salad joke.
I would hesitate to read this one first. I saw a couple of reviews say it works as a stand alone, but they talk about what happened in the first one.
( )

History professor Press Barclay and former Wiccan Mara Thorn are back to investigate in the second book in the Preston Barclay Mystery series by Donn Taylor. In Murder Mezzo Forte, the two are on the verge of losing everything — their jobs, their reputations and their lives — as they try to find out who killed friend and colleague Mitra Fortier. This professor seems to have known too much and that’s what got her killed.

Taylor brings back old characters and introduces new in his college community based novel. He does a good job of covering back stories from the previous book, so this one can easily be read as a standalone. It has all the classic elements of a cozy mystery — quirky characters, humor, and intrepid amateur sleuths. But Taylor adds a bit extra as he explores the roles of reality and fantasy in our lives. Many of the characters indulge in the fantastical, making up scenarios that just don’t fit the facts. As Press gets further into his investigation, he recognizes his own lapses as well. Both Press and Mara struggle with faith issues as they deny their growing attraction. In the end, the two make a good team, a fact I hope is explored in future books.

A good choice for fans of cozies, Murder Mezzo Forte combines a puzzling mystery with deeper issues to think about. I’m looking forward to more in the series.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Title: Murder, Mezzo, Forte (A Preston Barclay Mystery #2)
Author: Donn Taylor
Pages: 298
Year: 2016
Publisher: Lamplighter Mysteries
My rating is 4 stars.
This Preston Barclay novel focuses on the man who teaches history at a university and recently solved a murder at the school. Now, after a reception for the staff, trustees and other administrators, Preston and another professor, Mara Torn, find another dead body. Preston knew this female professor because she was a friend of his late wife. Were Professor Preston & Mara set up by some unknown assailant to discover the body and thereby be under suspicion for the murder?
There were a lot of one-liners throughout the novel that made me laugh out loud. The main male character of Preston has a dry wit and sometimes speaks his one-liners at imperfect moments. Mara and Preston became friends as they solved the prior murder on campus. Mara though has kept her heart guarded due to a prior bad marriage.
Throughout the novel there were many references to a variety of music pieces, some classical while others were of other genres. I thought the reference to the murder victim’s name was brilliant as well as the reason behind her nickname. What sometimes disrupted the flow of the story was the amount of musical pieces referenced, even though I understood it was playing inside the head of Preston. The reason the music was playing was to help Preston deal with life as some of the pieces were played when his wife was alive.
The ending was left at a place that leaves me to think the author might be bringing out another novel with the main characters of Preston and Mara. I hope so as I enjoyed watching a possible romance and future with these two characters blossom the further the plot developed. This is a good story that kept me guessing; there were just too many musical pieces referenced for me.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

Somehow I've missed out on opportunities to read former books by Donn Taylor and much to my disappointment. He writes with a high level of intelligent sarcasm, great wit, and skill that one rarely encounters. His talent at wordsmithing is excellent. With a PhD in Literature, University teaching experience, and utilizing his varied life experiences, he has penned a delightful read.

The main protagonist, Preston Barclay, is a professor of history at Overton College, now Overton University. The world of academia is unsettled by the newly discovered death of a professor. And who discovers the body? Professor Preston Barclay and his side-kick, Professor Mara Thorn, of course. They who in the previous book had locked minds to find another killer on Overton's campus.

The story is a lot of fun to read and the characters well developed. The mystery's solution was kept pretty much under wraps until the last bit of the book. And then it all fell in place.

I think the biggest hit of the book, for me, was the sense of humor Preston Barclay has and how he is twisting words and rattling off puns right and left. Of course, it is all due to the wonderful talent the author, Donn Taylor has as he unleashes his bright mind and shapes the 26 letters of the alphabet into a smattering of words that delight the reader.

I received a complimentary copy from a publicist on behalf of the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are just mine, alone, and without compensation. ( )

We are back with Professor Preston Barclay and his accomplice Mara Thorn, and they are back in the wrong place at the right time, or something like that, as they do find bodies, and they are not alive.
This time the go to meet another member of the faculty at Overton College, make that University, and discover Professor Mitra Fortier’s body. Now what, and as you probably know these two know to get as far as they can from the deceased and any hint that they are involved. There are shady police around, and one has a particular dislike of Pres dating back to their military service time.
What is going on, and who is following them, and when you can’t trust the police, whom can you turn to. This page-turner will answers your questions, and the reasons why the murder has happened.
If you enjoy mysteries, this one will not disappoint. Enjoy!
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )