Deadmistress by Carole B. Shmurak ISBN 1-56315-352-1
“Deadmistress” by Connecticut author Carole B. Shmurak is a great book about life (or rather death) in a Connecticut town. Susan Lombardi is a Professor of Education at a University and is gathering research for a paper at an elite prep school that she worked at previously. While Susan is in the midst of school politics and social engagements — the head mistress, Sabena Lazlo, of the school is murdered and due to her caustic temperment there is a list of suspects a mile long.
Because of Susan’s interest in the prep school and wanting to help friends, she is determined to “help” the police by trying to find the real murderer. Her husband, Swash, is much against her involvement initially but seems to know that with or without his approval she will investigate further. She pulls in one of her students who has had many different jobs in his past and was, most recently, a private investigator for an insurance company.
It is an excellent book — it is a very quick read. I read it in one evening, but since my kids are visiting family I had a whole evening to give it. I understand the prep school environment so maybe that connection made it “better” but I don’t think that is essential — overall I strongly recommend this book to other mystery lovers.
Product Description
This semester has been a real killer.The headmistress of a posh private school for girls has been found brutally murdered in her office. When professor and educational consultant Susan Lombardi learns that her close friend John has been accused of the crime, she wastes no time setting out to clear his name. While doing so she uncovers some troubling secrets about the school’s faculty and staff, and it soon becomes clear that John is definitely not the only one with a motive for murdering the “deadmistress”.About the Author
Carole B. Shmurak, Ph.D., received degrees from Mount Holyoke College, Harvard University and Indiana University. She is the author of the Matty Trescott series of Young Adult novels, one of which was nominated for the 2001 Agatha Award for Best YA Mystery. Dr. Shmurak’s book, Voices of Hope, was named “Critics’ Choice” by the American Educational Studies Association in 1998. A science teacher at private schools for many years, she has for the past fifteen years been a professor of Education at Central Connecticut State University.
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