Murder at the Waterfront by Jacque Rosman ~ Character Interview

Posted July 23, 2026 by karenbaron in Blog Tour, Contest - Giveaway, Spotlight / 1 Comment

Murder at the Waterfront

Series: Academic Mom Mystery #3

Author: Jacque Rosman

Genre: Traditional Mystery

Setting: Washington D.C.

Release Date: May 19, 2026, by Speaking Volumes, LLC

Pages: 230

Summary:

She’s mastered the art of work-life balance—until murder tips the scales.

Assistant professor Cara Knight juggles raising two preschoolers, teaching social work, and chasing tenure, with a dean intent on derailing her hopes. When one of her students is arrested for murdering Washington D.C.’s chief medical examiner, and Cara inserts herself into the investigation, she risks far more than her career. Convinced of her student’s innocence, Cara stumbles into a tangle of city politics, grieving families, and secrets someone would kill to keep buried.

Can she diagnose the cause of death before she too ends up in the morgue?

Murder at the Waterfront is Book Three in the Academic Mom Mysteries. If you like clever sleuths, dry humor, and twisty whodunits, then you’ll love Jacque Rosman’s well-plotted puzzle.

Interview with Cara Knight

How did you and your author meet?

When Jacque’s children were young, and she was caught up in daily caregiving, she wished for more excitement, so she amused herself by imagining a mother of preschoolers solving crimes in the nation’s capital.

Why did this writer decide to feature you in a book?

Because I’m her alter ego!

Do you have any friends or family helping you out?

My own parents are conveniently on a cruise or travel abroad whenever a mystery comes up, but my mother-in-law visits often. I keep reminding myself that the more people who love my children, the better, but boy, can she be annoying. She’s my sometimes-sidekick, though not in Murder at the Waterfront. Barbara was still exhausted from Murder off U Street and blamed me for putting her in danger. But I was the one who went through a shoot-out without a gun.

Do you have a regular job and investigate on the side or are you a full time detective?

I’m a social work academic, an assistant professor trying to get tenure at Virginia University.

What is the funniest thing that happens to you or another character in this story?

Probably when I went to lunch with Adam, director of the Northern Virginia program. I’d roped him into helping me look into campaign donations, with the promise of lunch at Capital Grille, a known hangout for D.C. politicos. Boy, did Adam take advantage: filet mignon at lunch, calamari, two sides. While Adam fed his face, I got to work on the investigation, questioning the waiter, then the manager. By the time we were done, I had a lead on a councilmember. No time like the present, right? So I dragged Adam along to follow it. He’d taken advantage. Now it was my turn.

Have you solved other cases, or is this your first one?

The first three Academic Mom Mysteries are out: Murder in Georgetown, Murder off U Street, and Murder at the Waterfront.

Do you have a gift or special talent?

My talents come from my profession. I can sniff out systemic issues, draw people out, and get them to talk. I read people well.

Who is the most important individual in your life?

My children and husband, especially at this stage, when the kids are so reliant on me.

What is your ideal vacation?

With the kids, vacations are tough; we can’t even get Noah in the minivan without a meltdown. But I loved our trip to Miami after wrapping up Murder at the Waterfront. I’d been so deep in the inner workings of the District that I was ready for higher skies, fluffier clouds, and beaches and pools for the kids.

If you could change anything about your life what would it be?

Since I’m a mother of young children working at an off-campus program with few colleagues, I’d want a more stimulating work environment. That’s part of what pushed me into crime-solving—I needed more adult contact. The preschool crowd helped, but crime-solving filled in the rest.

Thank you so much for having me!

Academic Mom Mystery Series

About the Author

Jacque Rosman writes the Academic Mom Mystery series, featuring Cara Knight, a social work professor whose research instincts keep pulling her into investigations that are decidedly off-syllabus. With wry humor, Jacque mines the absurdity of academia and motherhood for a series that’s equal parts twisty and true-to-life, set in the nation’s capital. When she’s not plotting murders, Jacque can be found juggling her own version of the academic mom life. Join the newsletter for updates on Cara’s next case and the meals that she can get all her family to eat.

Giveaway

Prize: An e-Book of Murder at the Waterfront (The Academic Mom Mysteries) by Jacque Rosman US Only

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Happy Reading!

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Murder at the Waterfront by Jacque Rosman ~ Character Interview