Academic Curveball (Braxton Campus Mysteries #1) by James J. Cudney

Brilliantly crafted cozy mystery.

Blurb: “When Kellan Ayrwick returns home for his father’s retirement from Braxton College, he finds a dead body in Diamond Hall’s stairwell.
Unfortunately, Kellan has a connection to the victim, and so do several members of his family. Could one of them be guilty of murder? Soon after, the college's athletic program receives mysterious donations, a nasty blog denounces his father and someone attempts to change students' grades.
Someone is playing games on campus, but none of the facts add up. With the help of his eccentric and trouble-making nana, Kellan tries to stay out of the sheriff’s way. And if that wasn't enough already, his own past comes spiraling back to change his life forever.
In the debut novel in the Braxton Campus Mysteries Series, you'll discover a cozy, secluded Pennsylvania village full of quirky, sarcastic and nosy residents.”

“Academic Curveball” is the first book in the "Braxton Campus Mysteries series", which, at the moment, contains five books. The sixth one is to be released in 2020. All books in the series can be read as standalone. This is the third book I have read from this author and it is proof that I'm already a big fan.

The story is about solving a murder mystery. Kellan, the main character, returns home for his father's retirement party, where he is also supposed to meet a woman concerning his job back in Los Angeles. At the party, a dead body was found in the stairwell. Kellan's adventures start there as he is trying to reveal the truth. He is not a detective and he barely knows the victim, but there's nothing and no-one that could stop him from digging into the case. Not even the Sheriff, who is constantly stating her disapproval.

The story is really enjoyable, it has both suspense and humor. I came acquainted with Kellan, Nana D, and some other participants in this mystery while reading “Broken Heart Attack: Death At The Theater (Braxton Campus Mysteries #2)”. Well, I may not always follow the order and if you happened to have read another book from this series before reading this one, you may agree with me that it gives you a special fun but, at the same time, not a clue whatsoever to help you solve the puzzle faster.

This is not just a cozy mystery book. You get much more through the author’s skilled pen. The turn of events goes smoothly and every little aspect, being Kellan’s daughter love for animals, Nana D.’s great cooking or Myriam’s way of speaking with constant usage of Shakespeare’s quotes adds an extra something. It certainly keeps you reading until you find out the truth. The characters seem real and likable, even Kellan’s father with his short temper or the suspects and the killer/s. In my opinion, this adds to the growing mystery and the tough job of discovering who did it.

My rating: 5/5.

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