Kathleen Bacus, Calamity Jayne Goes to College

Calamity Jayne Goes to College

Kathleen Bacus

Love Spell, Apr 2007, $6.99

ISBN: 0505527014

Gazette editor Stan Rodgers offers cub reporter Tressa "Calamity" Jayne Turner a raise if she takes college-level journalism courses in which the newspaper would split the costs down the middle with her. Seeing a chance to make some extra money, Tressa enrolls at Carson College in nearby Des Moines. Though this is Tressa's fourth attempt at higher learning, she still assumes she can snooze through her six credits, Basic Reporting Principles and Investigative Journalism, as she is the ace cub reporter at the Gazette; of course she is the only cub reporter on staff.

Four proves not the charm for Tressa as she is distracted by the hunks in her life, especially Ranger Rick, the professor, her editor, and a guy named Joe; and of course Gram and finally to a lesser degree her job. However, what truly catches her attention is when she realizes the campus is a hotbed of criminal activity perpetrated by a serial killer providing lessons in life and death. Unable to mind her business, Tressa investigates, seeking an A with the case though her efforts may lead to her dropping out of school as the culprit plans to teach her firsthand what happens to nosy coeds.

The fourth Calamity chick lit whodunit is once again a lighthearted, fun investigative tale as CJ bounces from one mistake to another while working to uncover the identity of the serial killer who is personally insuring no kid is left behind alive. Jayne is her usual self-deprecating self as she courageously attends class, which is more dangerous to her psyche than seeking out a killer. Fans of the series will enjoy the serial dropout's latest escapades as she matches havoc-for-havoc against someone majoring in homicide.

Harriet Klausner