A missing provost. A murdered president. A fired professor found dead. At Churchville University, the only thing deadlier than the politics... is the truth. When Isabel Helms, the ambitious new provost of a struggling liberal arts college, vanishes after a secret rendezvous, the campus reels. Days later, the university president is found savagely murdered—and a recently fired professor turns up dead in an apparent suicide. But nothing is what it seems. Enter Don Weston: a widowed former Philadelphia detective, now Chief of Police at Churchville University. He thought he'd traded high-stakes homicide for campus hijinks. Instead, he's facing a chilling investigation tangled in scandal, betrayal, and secrets buried deep in the school's leadership. With a methodical mind shaped by personal loss, Weston navigates academic rivalries, hidden affairs, and small-town suspicion. And while readers know more than he does—thanks to haunting vignettes from each victim’s final moments—the question remains: Will Weston catch the killer before the next name is crossed off the list? 🔥 Dark, cerebral, and disturbingly intimate, Final Exam delivers gut-punch twists and one unforgettable investigator.✔ For fans of Michael Connelly, Louise Penny, and Tana French. Final Exam is the prequel to Blame It on the Moon but stands alone as a complete and compelling mystery. Final Exam draws readers into a cerebral crime story that masterfully combines academic politics with classic detective work. The academic environment is portrayed with authentic detail that adds plenty of credibility to the story while providing lots of places to point out motives and suspects, keeping readers alert for new twists at every page turn. Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite This book is going to keep you guessing. The story flows seamlessly and engages from start to finish. As the tangible truths unfold, the motivations remain murky. This human factor instills a subtle complexity that elevates Final Exam above the others—an exemplary procedural crime story. Readers who appreciate their murder mysteries with a gentle touch of spice will find their fix here. This is an enjoyable read that I recommend. Reviewed by Peter Hassebroek -INDEPENDENT BOOK REVIEW Lou Pugliese does a great job of delivering a mystery with a lot of twists and plenty of suspense in Final Exam . The plot is tempered, precise, and deliberate. The writing style is straightforward with panache that comes from Pugliese's unique format of providing vignettes with a direct view of the victims in the lead-up to each tragedy so we can see what has happened. Final Exam is a prequel that makes us want to follow up with Blame it on the Moon . Very highly recommended. Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite Lou Pugliese has an engaging writing style that invites the reader in and captivates them. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of police protocol and actions. The shocking revelation toward the end of the book will surprise many readers. Final Exam is for lovers of small-town murder mysteries and thrillers involving the police. Reviewed by Stephen Christopher for Readers' Favorite An original mystery that feels both fresh and familiar. I was impressed by the use of the academic setting to bring complexity to what might otherwise be a typical police procedural. The dialogue crackles with tension and wit, while the pacing maintains suspense without sacrificing the careful attention to detail that mystery readers expect. The intricate plotting is well-timed and realistically balanced with surprises, keeping readers engaged through multiple twists and turns. I would certainly recommend Final Exam to readers who appreciate intelligent mysteries that combine traditional detective work with unique settings and complex characters. Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite The plot is well-paced, and the action is tight. The murders are vividly described and graphically detailed, their means and methods horrifically matched to the killer's opinion of his victim's guilt and misdeeds. The killer's actions are measured and meticulous in their execution and performed with the perpetrator's knowledge that he will never have to answer for what he has done. I recommend FINAL EXAM to readers of grittier mysteries and suspense and fans of the previous novel who want to know more about the main character's backstory. Loved it! 😍 Reedsy Discovery review by Karen Siddal