Review: The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean by Tara Lain

Title: The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean

Series: The Middlemark Mysteries: Book One

Author: Tara Lain

Length: 204 Pages

Category: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense

At a Glance: I think with the subject matter and solid characters Tara Lain has created, this is a new series with great potential. I, for one, am curious to see what other mysteries will entice Llewellyn and Blaise.

Reviewed By: Maryann

Blurb: Dr. Llewellyn Lewis leads a double life, as both an awkward but distinguished history professor and the more flamboyant Ramon Rondell, infamous writer of sensational historical theories. It’s Ramon who first sets eyes on a gorgeous young man dancing in a club, but Llewellyn who meets teaching assistant Blaise Arthur formally at an event held for wealthy socialite Anne de Vere, descendant of Edward de Vere, seventeenth Earl of Oxford—who some believe was the real Shakespeare. Anne wants Llewellyn to prove that claim, even though many have tried and failed. And she’s willing to offer a hefty donation to the university if he succeeds.

It also means a chance for Llewellyn to get to know Blaise much better.

Not everyone thinks Llewellyn should take the case—or the money. Between feuding siblings, rival patrons, jealous colleagues, and greedy administrators, almost anyone could be trying to thwart his work… and one of them is willing to kill to do it.

When Anne de Vere turns up dead, the police believe Blaise is the murderer. Only the shy, stuttering professor who has won his heart can prove otherwise….

Review: Dr. Llewellyn Lewis is a history professor at Middlemark University. He has a hard time socializing due to shyness and doesn’t have much confidence; he has a bad stutter and is teased often. Every once in a while, though, his alter ego comes out to play. In a way, Dr. Lewis and this alter ego compete as great historians and researchers of the bizarre. Llewellyn does miss having someone of his own to come home to, but for now he’s content with his furry trio, Marie Antoinette, Emily Dickinson, and Julius.

Blaise Arthur is a new teaching assistant at Middlemark. He meets Llewellyn at a dinner, along with a variety of university donors. To Llewellyn, Blaise is a confident and gorgeous man, and Llewellyn cannot see Blaise having any interest in him at all. But, as the evening goes on, Blaise has certainly caused a blaze in Llewellyn. Or, is Blaise just playing a game?

It seems that Llewellyn’s expertise in history and research attracts different types of people who are willing to pay him and make generous donations to the university. And, he also has to be careful because his alter ego attracts dangerous characters. Even as Llewellyn starts to feel a growing relationship with Blaise, he’s not sure if he can trust him. And when five million dollars is at stake, everyone becomes a suspect of murder.

When I first started to read The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean, I wasn’t sure if it was going to hold my interest, but as the storyline gets more involved with its Shakespearean writings, a murder mystery and odd suspects, it really pulled me in. I found it to be well written, with humorous moments and suspense, and I really liked the aspect of taking historical facts and seeing how the odd theories developed. I found it interesting how this took a little twist: even though Llewellyn already knows proving someone else wrote the Shakespearean works is impossible, he’s still willing to take it on. Then, with Blaise getting deep into trouble, Llewellyn becomes a sleuth in solving a murder mystery.

I think with the subject matter and solid characters Tara Lain has created, this is a new series with great potential. I, for one, am curious to see what other mysteries will entice Llewellyn and Blaise. And, will the elusive Ramon Rondell come back into the scheme of things?

You can buy The Case of the Sexy Shakespearean here:
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