Book Review: A Hole in Juan

Reviewed By: Shirley - RAM

A Hole in Juan     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Gillian Roberts
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Amanda Pepper # 13

Amanda Pepper is a teacher at Philly Prep and newly married to long time love Mackenzie. He has left his job as a homicide detective to work on a Ph.D. in criminology while working as a PI. Mackenzie's sixteen year old nephew from Iowa is visiting.

This starts out as a deceptively mild story about classroom disruptions and school kid pranks until a teacher gets seriously hurt. Amanda is sure something is very wrong with the seniors in her class but they are stonewalling any attempts at discussion. As the school prepares for Mischief Night a worried Amanda tries to make sense of bits of clues and odd behavior.

Roberts writes a profound tale of teenagers today, contrasting glimpses of brave and brilliant behavior with a dark side that can be truly frightening. This thoughtful tale is appropriate at a time when troubled teens can bring danger to themselves or others.

Shirley - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Shirley - RAM