Cruel Lessons
Randy Overbeck
Mystery/Suspense
On a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a dangerous new hallucinogen and die in a horrific accident, their deaths shattering the quiet town. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, hoping to redeem a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the district investigation of how students are getting the drugs. Almost before he begins, the cops make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real pusher is still out there, poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous threat: if he continues, those close to him will pay. Is Parks willing to risk those he loves for a chance at redemption?
Uncaged Review: This book starts out with the death of four middle grade students due to a hallucinogenic drug that comes in the form of a temporary tattoo on a sticker. Ken Parks is an assistant superintendent of the school district and is tasked to get to the bottom of the deaths to keep the school from taking a major hit.
This book is well written with many layers to this suspense and the author does a good job keeping the reader swaying one way, only to have that opinion thrown out later on with the unexpected plot twists. The story was a tad slow for me in spots but with enough suspects to keep me guessing, and at times I was way off in my guessing, which is unusual for me in a mystery. If you like good mysteries, this one will be worth a look. Reviewed by Cyrene
4 Stars
