The Vulcan Academy Murders by Jean Lorrah

I can see this novel appealing most to Trekkies with an slight interest in mysteries.Before reading this, I highly recommend watching TOS episodes “Journey to Babel” and “Amok Time.” They are referenced several times in the book. The mystery is not artfully crafted like a Christie mystery the simplicity of the case may not appeal to hard-core mystery junkies. The book explored aspects of Vulcan life that are not well developed in the TV series, such as marriage, love, friendships, and family. I have long been a fan of Spock and Vulcans in general. (I was right.)This novel appealed to me with its setting on Vulcan. As for the murderer, it seemed obvious to me who it was. Many mysteries have very convoluted threads to keep track of.

The love stories tend to slow down the plot, but not to the detriment of the story. The murders and their investigation drive the plot.

Kirk, Spock, and McCoy must find the killer before Spock’s mother becomes the next victim.With the specter of a murderer in their midst, the tone is moderately dark. Vulcan, a planet without crime, has a murderer on the loose. Mechanical and computer error have been ruled out, leaving only sabotage. It isn’t long before another catastrophic failure kills Ensign Remington. One of the neural regeneration fields has failed and killed one of the patients receiving treatment. They quickly make their way to Vulcan.Not long after they arrive on Vulcan, a terrible accident occurs.

Spock informs McCoy and Kirk that there is a treatment on Vulcan in its experimental stage that might be able to help Remington-a treatment his own mother is undergoing. Although Doctor McCoy is able to stabilize the young officer, the nerve damage is too severe for Remington to recover. The Enterprise barely comes away the victor, but the young Ensign Remington (probably in a red shirt) is gravely injured. Captain Kirk becomes an “interplanetary homicide detective” after two people at the Vulcan Academy are murdered and the next target is Spock’s mother.The Enterprise is engaged in a fierce battle with a Klingon Bird-of-Prey.

The Vulcan Academy Murders by Jean Lorrah