Cruel Lessons
by Randy Overbeck
GENRE: Amateur Sleuth Mystery
BLURB:
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?
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Excerpt:
Struggling desperately to force her mind to think, Amanda tried to consider her options. It was all happening too quickly. The next treacherous turn came at her fast. She had no way to slow down. White knuckles gripped the steering wheel.
The bend ahead showed a hard curve to the right, not quite as tight as the last one, but steeper. And she felt the car accelerating, though she hadn’t touched the gas pedal. Right before the car hit the curve, Amanda spun the steering wheel. The car lurched around the bend. The driver side of the car lifted up. Halfway through the long bend, Amanda watched the hood tilt in the turn until it was almost vertical. No seat belt on, she was catapulted down the leather seat, crashing into the passenger door.
“Hell!” she cried, reaching to grab her bruised shoulder.
She froze as the two wheels still on the ground shuddered in the gravel, sliding off the small road. Slammed against the side door, she heard the tall weeds and low branches whip against the body. But the car didn’t slow. Blood streamed from a gash on her forehead. For an instant she lay there stretched across the passenger door, holding her breath.
Then she sensed the car teetering. The front tire bumped something hard. Amanda stared, unbelieving, as the car began to flip. As the Regal made the first revolution, she screamed.
My Review:
Cruel Lessons had my attention from the very beginning. I was hooked before the first chapter was ended. I was drawn into Cruel Lessons after reading about four fifth graders on a trip with the science club from their school when they steal a car in the middle of the night and take it for a joy ride.
One of the boys has this drug that he sort of talks the other boys into taking causing the boys to hallucinate and run off the road. Neither boy survives. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks can’t get the boys off his mind so he decides to investigate. He wants to know where the boys got the drugs. Did they get the drugs at school or somewhere else?
Cruel Lessons is full of mystery and suspense that kept me hanging on page after page racing to the end to see how it all would turn out. It kept me in suspense wondering where the drugs came from. The more I read the more I wanted to read. I mean I couldn’t stop reading. Cruel Lessons is a sad story that had me in tears at times.
Oh, and let me tell you it likes to hang on to its secrets revealing them slowly, so slowly I was chopping at the bit. I wanted to know what was happening now. When I did find out I was shocked by it all. Cruel Lessons kept me on the edge of my seat time and again with all of its many twists.
I highly recommend Cruel Lessons to anyone who loves a good mystery thriller. Grab a copy of Cruel Lessons today!
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Dr. Randy Overbeck is a best-selling author of the award-winning series, The Haunted Shores Mysteries, the three entries earning such national awards as the Gold Award from Literary Titan, Mystery of the Year from ReaderViews, Best Book from Chanticleer and Crowned Heart of Excellence from InD’tale Magazine. He hosts a new podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which reveals the unusual backstories of famous authors, directors and poets. He is also a speaker in much demand, sharing his multi-media presentations, “Thanks Still Go Bump in the Night” and “A Few Favorite Haunts” with audiences all over the country. More info about his novels, programs and podcast can be found on his website
Connect with Randy Overbeck
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5 comments:
Thank you so much for reviewing this book today!
The review sounds good. Thanks for sharing. I like the cover.
I am humbled and thrilled ny the incredible review. So glad you loved the book. Randy Overbeck
This sounds like a good book
I look forward to reading what you think of my newest work.--Randy Overbeck
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