Before and After

Dexter Cornell, a cynical and burnt-out English professor, finds his mundane academic life shattered by a terrifying discovery: he has been poisoned with a lethal, slow-acting toxin. With only 48 hours left to live, Dexter is thrust into a desperate race against time to uncover the identity of his killer and the motive behind his impending death. As Dexter navigates the final hours of his life, he is shadowed by Sydney Fuller, a student with an unsettling obsession. Their investigation pulls them into a web of academic jealousy, hidden pasts, and the cutthroat pursuit of literary success. The stakes escalate as they encounter the wealthy and enigmatic Mrs. Fitzwaring, whose own dark family secrets threaten to further complicate an already volatile situation. Set against the backdrop of a prestigious college, *Before and After* is a gripping exploration of professional envy and the hollowness of academic prestige. As Dexter grapples with his mortality, he must untangle a complex conspiracy where genuine creative passion clashes with a destructive, desperate desire for recognition. In this high-stakes thriller, the line between mentor and rival blurs, and every interaction could be the professor's last. Will Dexter find the truth before his time runs out, or will the secrets buried within the halls of academia remain hidden forever?