ARC Review: The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor by Lucy Connelly

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor
Author: Lucy Connelly
Publication: Cooked Lane Books (February 24, 2026)

Description: A new job can be killer in this series debut mystery set in Wales, perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly and Paige Shelton.

After crossing the pond, Dr. Gwen Griffith finds herself in the quirky place she fell in love with, Dillynaidd, Wales. A former managing editor for a Texan newspaper, Gwen is ready for the next stage in her life as the head of the journalism department at the local university in town. With her best friend, Carolyn Sparks–who is also the university’s dean–at her side, Dillynaidd feels like a dream, until murder comes knocking at her doorstep.

Gwen had only just met the victim, Dr. Alice Rice, at a faculty party, but that doesn't stop police detective Gareth Jones from suspecting her of foul play–after all, the victim was found on her doorstep. With her journalism background, Gwen decides that it’s up to her to clear her own name. But she’ll need all the help she can get when her idyllic small-town life is turned upside down in order to stay one step ahead of the killer.

This brand-new series by Lucy Connelly, author of the Scottish Isle mysteries, will charm cozy mystery readers everywhere.

My Thoughts: Gwen Griffith, after an early retirement as a newspaper editor, has accepted a new job as a professor in the journalism department at the college where she took her undergraduate degree. Her best friend is the university's dean and put her on to the job. Gwen is eager to get to know the people working for her and gladly accepts her friend's invitation to a gathering to meet them. Dr. Alice Rice is the only one Gwen has trouble with. Alice resents the newcomer Gwen has been given the post she wanted so badly. She makes all sorts of rude remarks at the party.

Later that evening, when Gwen has returned to her new flat, Alice comes to her door, makes a cryptic remark, and falls dead into Gwen's arms. Gwen's curiosity is aroused. She wants to learn more about the woman no one from faculty to students liked. And when the verdict of murder by poison is given, she is even more curious. 

Gwen teams up with her new assistant who is also headed for a career as an investigative journalist to learn more about Alice and about who might want her dead. Somehow, Gwen finds herself on the killer's radar. Anonymous notes, a stalker, and a near miss hit-and-run indicate that someone believes Gwen is getting too near to solving the case. 

I enjoyed this first in a new series title. I liked the setting and characters. I liked Gwen's young assistant and can see the local detective as a possible love interest for Gwen in future stories. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.