The Examiner: A Novel By Janice Hallett

In this gripping, epistolary thriller from Janice Hallett, the fate of a university professor and her art master's program hangs in the balance. Told through emails, text messages, and essays, this inventive narrative delves into the dark side of academia as Royal Hastings University’s new multimedia art program spirals dangerously out of control.

Professor Gela Nathaniel’s career depends on the success of this inaugural course. With funding on the line, she has assembled a diverse group of six students, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. The roster includes a driven sculptor, a struggling former gallery owner, a paycheck-focused single mother, a tech-challenged people pleaser, a burnt-out marketing executive, and an overqualified artist whose presence raises eyebrows.

As the academic year progresses, tensions among the students rise, and their diverse agendas clash. When the time comes for the final project, the examiner arrives to a scene of chaos. The project’s outcome is shrouded in mystery, and it quickly becomes apparent that someone in the course is either in grave danger or already dead. The examiner’s investigation into the students' coursework, message boards, and final essays reveals a tangled web of intrigue and deceit.

With each student harboring their own secrets and motives, the examiner must navigate through a maze of misdirection to uncover the truth. Nothing in this course is as it seems, and as the final project approaches, the stakes are higher than anyone could have anticipated. This cleverly crafted thriller will keep readers on edge as they unravel the mystery behind the students’ tumultuous year.