THE FIFTH STUDENT

Cheating on college exams has become frightfully easy and sophisticated, and five pre-med students at Maine State University think they have the perfect system for acing an important test; that is, until one of them makes a subtle adjustment to an answer sheet, the cheating is discovered and murder is the result.

“The Fifth Student” by Ogunquit medical-thriller author Geoffrey Cooper is the sixth book in his excellent, award-winning mystery series featuring Dr. Brad Parker and FBI Special Agent Karen Richmond. This is a fast-paced mystery, a careful blend of criminal conspiracy, cover-up, double-cross, frame-up, lies, misdirection and multiple murders.

Parker is a research scientist, director of a research institution in Maine, and guest lecturer at the university. One of his lab interns is a bright young woman, now in academic trouble because the school thinks she is one of the five cheating students (she is one of five students who had perfect scores on the exam). He cannot believe she is involved, and his offer to defend her quickly goes from a cheating allegation to burglary and theft to death, and he needs Richmond’s FBI expertise to figure it all out.

The investigation reveals evidence of a university cover-up and bribery, and then two unrelated deaths initially thought to be accidents are really linked homicides. Now Parker and his student intern are in great danger, but he cannot understand why.

A suspiciously generous financial benefactor may have the answer, but it will take Parker’s courage, Richmond’s dogged determination, and bold action by the state police and marine patrol to save Parker’s bacon. This story is intricate, timely and exciting, with an edge-of-your-seat conclusion that is sure to please.

Richmond may lose her job, but who cares?  This is a great mystery read.

OUR MAINE: EXPLORING ITS RICH NATURAL HERITAGE

Maine is our home and we should learn as much as possible about the natural history of this magnificent state. This book, “Our Maine,” helps us do just that in fine style. Fortunately, not everyone feels like pundit Will Durst: “I hate the outdoors. To me the outdoors is where the car is.”

The book’s three editors and one photographer are all Mainers, experts in their fields of science, ecology, biodiversity, history and photography, combining their considerable talents to produce a collection of 39 entertaining and educational essays coupled with hundreds of beautiful color photographs.

Thirty-three essay contributors write lucidly about Maine’s natural history, ecology, geology, topography, hydrology, climate, forests, wildlife and resources, as well as focused topics like the state’s alpine summits, sea farms and species extinction.

This is a large book, packed with fascinating information. Essays cover observations about freshwater wetlands, the geology of estuaries, the wide variety of soils, water chemistry and the seasons, along with unique fish, animals, birds and insects. Sidebars, charts and illustrations cover orbital weather cycles, lake classifications and changing seascapes.

Other intriguing essays are about sea urchins and an introduction to “food webs” (who eats what at each level), the Common Green Darner Dragonfly, the snapping turtle, alewives and the Black Fly “Defender of the Wilderness.” One of the best sections is about freshwater wetlands, vernal pools, peatlands and hillside seeps, and the critters who live there like the wood frog and the wily beaver.

Learn why “algae are Maine’s fastest growing marine resource”; which tree is call the “Tree of Life”; how many varieties of blueberries grow in Maine; and about the nasty vinegar fly. The book also provides an extensive list of books, guides, websites and organizations to assist with further reading and research.

Bill Bushnell lives and writes in Harpswell.

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