If you have ever had the least little, teeny tiniest, itty bittiest smidgen of interest in what academic types do during their off hours - Read This Book! This book will answer all of your questions and even those you didn't know you had. This lighthearted look at academia covers the politics and behind-the-scenes machinations that keep the wheels greased and the motors of these huge organizations running. This slim little volume includes modern day pirates (Arrgg!), blackmail, arson, community economics, murder (of course),female relationships, and marriages as it follows the vane (haha) attempt of Professor Shandy at nailing the nabbers of the precious antique weather vanes. A great fun, fast read - I plan on ordering more of this series. The style is light and doesn't take itself too seriously, keeping the story/plot flowing smoothly yet hooking your interest in how it all resolves itself. A satisfying read.

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A dastardly gang of rogues sneaking around Balaclava country, snatching priceless antique Praxitceles Lumpkin weather vanes. Before they disappear entirely. Helen Shandy decides to photograph several of them for the Balaclava historical society files.
A good thing, too Helen gets a shot of the vane atop the Lumpkin Soap Factory only hours before the thieves set the building ablaze- the fatal fire having begun as the result of the misfiring of a nearby Civil War cannon.
After this castatrophe, Helen travels to Maine to photograph one of the last vanes standing in its natural habitat. Relaxing with a bit of whale-watching, her boat is immediately shanghaied by the vane-snatching gang.

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