Customer Reviews

Final Exam

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author, himself a writer-in-residence at a small college in Ohio, has produced a highly prescient account of the politics and dynamics of small liberal arts colleges, especially the effects on long-time professors, traditional curricula, and the approach to students. But it is the murder of a controversial feminist history professor, who has had the ear of college administrators, which sets this examination in motion.

The story steadily unfolds as told from the perspectives of an observant campus security guard Billy Hoover, a dinosaur college president just hanging on, and a controversial English professor, unhappily married to the college provost. A top Ohio criminal investigator lets the investigation drag on for months, enlisting the help of Hoover, where it is revealed that many may have been sufficiently disgruntled to inflict harm on individuals or the entire college. There are those who had been forced out, denied entrance or a professorship, blackballed, or reprimanded. The story is ratcheted up a notch when two students are found shot, jeopardizing the ability of the college to remain open as a result of the massive negative publicity. As the story progresses, suspicious connections are revealed - some relevant, some not.

The murders are really a device to explore the modern trends in college education versus the traditional: issues of multiculturalism, obscure majors, easy grading, and minimal attendance against a difficult core curriculum, with strict grading and attendance required. In this instance, rather improbably, the campus crisis leads to the rejuvenation of out-of-favor professors and the old curriculum. The characters are almost secondary to this larger agenda, although they are not without their appeal, especially Hoover. An element of mystery does linger: some motivations and actions remain vague and long-term consequences and possibilities are left to ponder. Nonetheless, a very interesting look at how fault lines in individuals and institutions can expand over time to precipitate drastic, even fatal, results.

Great story, great characters (especially college security guard and investigator Billy Hoover). I really enjoyed this book. I picked this up on a whim, not knowing what to expect, and I have to say, I was really drawn into it and I would highly recommend it.

While I normally don't pick up mystery-like novels, Final Exam immediately drew me in. Kluge writes a fast-paced, exciting novel that I would recommend to everyone.

P. F. Kluge is a truly gifted story-teller, and this tale of murder, deception and guilt is no exception. From the first page to the last, you will be gripped by the plot, fascinated by the characters, and, whether you wish to be or not, educated in college politics.

The story line is fairly straightforward. A serial killer is stalking an idyllic, mid-western campus, committing murder after murder with no end in sight. When a state detective is brought in for the investigation, the college administration is dismayed to find that the DI is more interested in digging up the dirt on the college than in finding out who the killer is. What's more, it seems that the targets are not just students and faculty, but the entire college. Who could maintain this kind of deep-seated hatred? As it turns out, the list of potential "college murderers" is far longer than anyone would have suspected.

While the story was gripping, and the writing superb (Kluge really is wonderful), the resolution of the central plot line was disappointing, to say the least. The problem with the book was that Kluge was really much more interested in exposing the flaws (and strengths) of a small college than in providing a well-rounded tale. And while I enjoyed his expose, I felt somewhat cheated in the end. Readers who have not encountered Kluge before would fare better with his most recent book, Gone Tomorrow, which deftly and humorously explores the same themes (and uses some of the same characters), as well as providing a satisfying and memorable resolution.

Final Exam is a compelling mystery. It is a brilliant exploration of what drives people with the best-- and worst-- intentions.