Marianne Shapiro

Higher Learning, a Novel Marianne Shapiro

In the lively tradition of Tom Wolfe's The Bonfire of the Vanities and David Lodge's Small World and Changing Places, Higher Learning sends-up sex, blackmail, theft, treachery, political correctness, murder mysteries and scholarship. Set at Ivy League "Redfern University," the story turns on the murder of a student, Selena Fenn, whose grandfather is a prominent member of the Redfern Board of Trustees. Chief suspects are assorted lunatic Redfern faculty members; Keith Chambers, the special assistant to Redfern's president, Grigol ("Chuck") Chavadze; and Selena's lesbian roommate, Hilary Slocombe.

As two harried police detectives struggle to cut through University red tape and duplicity to solve the murder, the chaos is amplified by purloined letters, incriminating papers dating back to World War II, a flourishing on-campus prostitution ring, faculty intrigue, the establishment of a politically correct curriculum and a list of Forbidden Words. At stake are millions of dollars, control of a new campus Center, and the reputations of high-powered campus movers-and-shakers.

Will scandal destroy the University? Will revelations of past indiscretions ruin careers and lives? Will the police unmask the murderer? We won't spoil the fun by telling you!