FOR YOUR OWN GOOD

5 stars out of 5

When I reviewed another of this author's wonderful books last year, I said I wish I had a mind half as creative as hers. Well, folks, she just left me in the dust with this one. The official book description calls it a "sneaky thriller," and, with the possible addition of "wicked," I honestly can't come up with anything more appropriate and accurate. What an absolute delight from start to finish!

The story centers on Theodore (Teddy) Crutcher, an English teacher at a hoity-toity private high school - an "academy," don't you know. He loves teaching, with the goal of turning the self-centered, pampered kids who feel the world owes them a living because their parents have a ton of money into "better people" - all, of course, for their own good. Among his primary targets is Zach, whose father pitches a hissy fit when Teddy gives a B- to one of his son's reports.

Despite being disliked by most of his students and not being a graduate of the academy himself as many other beloved teachers are, Teddy has just won Teacher of the Year. He's elated (if disappointed that he's not getting more attention as a result) and looking forward to his presentation ceremony. But first, another teacher, Sonia, is being honored for 10 years of teaching. Teddy is resentful; he'd turn to his nurse-wife Allison for solace, but she's not around anymore. So, he takes matters into his own extremely capable but devious hands, with an unfortunate result: at Sonia's party, one of the school's staff members becomes ill and later dies.

In fact, it's not the first school-related death; the first headmaster committed suicide, and a memorial is held each year in remembrance (yet another thorn that threatens to prick the air out of Teddy's super-sized ego). As for the newest victim, the police identify a suspect - a student - who is subsequently arrested for the murder.

Teddy knows better. But now Sonia and other school personnel will be asked to testify against the young murderer; no one is happy about that, but it all becomes moot when yet another victim is murdered. And then another. After that, one of Teddy's former students is brought in to replace one of them - a woman who hates Teddy because he effectively killed her college and career plans years earlier. If anything, the intervening years have worsened the already strained relationship between the two, but now they must work together. Oh my, whatever will Teddy do now?

There's no shortage of other characters in play here, and the unbelievably complex and intricate balance among them is what makes this story so entertaining. Who will get accused of what, and who really did it? Who will go to jail, who will go free, and who will go dead? Readers will find out, all in good time.

The bottom line? Don't miss this one. I cannot thank the publisher, via NetGalley, enough for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Cue my thunderous applause!

For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing (Berkley, July 2021); 379 pp.