Murder at the Waterfront blends academic pressure, family chaos, and a twist‑filled investigation into a mystery that feels both grounded and engaging. Cara Knight’s juggling act — professor, mom, wife, and reluctant sleuth — adds humor, tension, and heart as she fights to clear her student’s name and keep her own life from unraveling.
About the Book: Murder at the Waterfront
Assistant professor Cara Knight is doing her best to balance teaching social work, raising two preschoolers, and chasing tenure, until a murder investigation knocks everything off balance. When one of her students is arrested for killing Washington D.C.’s chief medical examiner, Cara is convinced he’s being framed. Her search for the truth pulls her into political tangles, grieving families, and secrets someone is desperate to keep buried.
As the stakes rise, Cara risks her career, her safety, and the future she’s fighting to build. Can she uncover the real killer before she becomes the next victim?
BookHookup Review: Murder at the Waterfront
Murder at the Waterfront is a traditional mystery with a cozy‑leaning heart, full of twists, dry humor, and the relatable chaos of academic life colliding with motherhood.
Told from Cara Knight’s point of view, the story captures her emotional ups and downs with authenticity. Her children’s misbehavior occasionally grated on me, but in a way that felt real and purposeful. Their presence adds tension, humor, and moments of vulnerability, especially when Cara fears she might be framed and lose her chance to see them again. Her self‑doubt as a parent, her determination as a professor, and her instinct for digging into the truth make her a compelling sleuth.
The mystery itself unfolds with steady pacing. It took a few chapters to fully hook me, but once the investigation gained momentum, I was immersed. The clues line up well, offering both satisfying reveals and unpredictable turns, especially as the dual pressures of college bureaucracy and the murder case converge. Seth and the kids serve as meaningful secondary characters, adding warmth and grounding to Cara’s increasingly dangerous search for answers.
Washington D.C. provides a unique backdrop, blending political tension with academic stress and family life. The “academic mom” angle brings charm and humor to the story, making Cara’s juggling act feel both relatable and engaging.
This was my first book by Jacque Rosman, and I never felt lost. Book Three stands alone beautifully while still inviting readers to explore the rest of the series.
King Sumo Giveaway for this tour.
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An e-Book of Murder at the Waterfront (The Academic Mom Mysteries) by Jacque Rosman US Only
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BookHookup Content Note
This is a clean traditional mystery with a cozy feel. No graphic violence, sexual content, or profanity. The tension centers on academic pressure, family stress, and the dangers of a murder investigation, but all intense moments are handled with restraint. Themes include parenting challenges, political maneuvering, and the emotional weight of being falsely accused, making it suitable for readers who prefer suspense without explicit content.
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I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours with no compensation, and all opinions are my own. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
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About Jacque Rosman
Jacque Rosman writes the Academic Mom Mystery series, featuring Cara Knight, a social work professor whose research instincts keep pulling her into investigations that are decidedly off-
syllabus. With wry humor, Jacque mines the absurdity of academia and motherhood for a series that’s equal parts twisty and true-to-life, set in the nation’s capital. When she’s not plotting murders, Jacque can be found juggling her own version of the academic mom life. Join the
newsletter for updates on Cara’s next case and the meals that she can get all her family to eat.
Author Links
Website http://www.JacquelineCorcoran.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JacquelineCorcoranAuthor/
GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/?ref=nav_home
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-corcoran-362b5124/
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