Hot Wired: A Bel Barrett Mystery

With a great job as a community college professor, some peace and quiet now that the kids are out of the house, and a loving new husband, it would seem Bel Barrett finally has a chance to kick back and enjoy life. But just when things seem too good to be true, trouble rears its ugly head again--this time in the form of a hateful rap that's circulating on a popular college website. In the old days, the bathroom wall was the place to air grievances for a bad grade or a pop quiz. But now Bel's learning that the internet is a lot more effective at ruining a reputation--students across the country think she's a racist and a sexist, all thanks to a vengeful rap posted on pickurprofs.com. With a little sleuthing, Bel realizes that a former student, who dropped out, joined the army, and lost his arm fighting in Iraq, is taking out his frustrations at her expense. The wannabe rapper wants to make sure someone pays for his misfortune, and with the administration breathing down her neck, and her job in jeopardy, Bel may very well be the one. And while she's concentrating on keeping her job, and keeping her life in order, the rapping avenger turns up dead on the subway track, and all signs point to Bel as the most likely suspect. Now a middle-aged, law-abiding college professor has to find the evidence to prove she's innocent, before the decision to give one bad grade lands her in jail for a long, long time.