Penn State-Inspired Thriller ‘Murder at University Park’ Explores the Dark Side of Academia
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Asia Tabb
aired; July 24, 2026
What happens when academic ambition, misconduct and murder collide on a college campus?
On The Spark, Hershey author Dr. Cheryl Dellasega discussed her debut thriller, Murder at University Park, a suspense novel inspired by her decades-long career in higher education. Dellasega spent most of her professional life teaching humanities and research in Penn State’s College of Medicine before retiring in 2024.
Set in 1998, the novel follows Dr. Lacey Redd, a professor nearing tenure who begins investigating allegations that her department chair has falsified research. As she uncovers evidence of academic misconduct and abuse of power, a colleague is murdered, turning her search for the truth into a fight for survival.
Drawing from firsthand experience navigating university culture, Dellasega said the novel explores the pressures of academia, ethical dilemmas, workplace politics and the consequences of speaking out against those in positions of authority. While the story is fictional, it reflects the complex dynamics that can exist within higher education.
Murder at University Park will be released on August 4, 2026. Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.