TEACH HER A LESSON by Kate Flora; Encircle Publications, 2023; 352 pages, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-64599-438-1.

TEACH HER A LESSON

Alexis Jordan loves being a high school English teacher, but a psychotic teenage boy, delusional and obsessed, will turn her life into a nightmare of fear and helplessness.

“Teach Her a Lesson” is a very scary psychological thriller by award-winning author Kate Flora, a masterful writer of mysteries and true crime. This story is disturbing, not only because Flora tells it so well, but because it plays out every day in American high schools: arrogant, demanding parents; cowardly, meek administrators; and aggressive, entitled students versus dedicated teachers who are outnumbered and unsupported. Flora makes a bold statement with this story.

Alexis is shocked when 16-year-old Evan Palmer sexually assaults her at school, convinced she’s led him on, fantasizing about possessing her. Her rejection merely fuels his obsession, and infuriates and humiliates him in front of other students. He vows revenge and embarks on a carefully thought-out plan to destroy her career and her life.

Flora brilliantly portray’s Alexis’ frightening dilemma: false accusations of a sexual relationship with a student, school and union officials who are dismissive and later hostile, police who are convinced she’s guilty, shunned by friends and colleagues, and pilloried in the media by an amoral tabloid hack. And there’s no help or comfort at home.

Alexis’ few trusted supporters include a very savvy lawyer, a clever and resourceful private detective, a former boyfriend, and a pal with a helpful birthday gift. Assaults, arson, stalking, burglary, theft and trouble at home nearly drive Alexis mad, but Evan’s fury inspires her to fight back against overwhelming odds to prove her innocence.

Alexis learns a hard lesson: “People are far more ready to think the worst of you than the best.” And sadly, as Flora make clear, that’s all too true.

IRISH COFFEE MURDER by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross; Kensington Publishing, 2023; 330 pages, $27; ISBN 978-1-4967-4029-8.

IRISH COFFEE MURDER by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross; Kensington Publishing, 2023; 330 pages, $27; ISBN 978-1-4967-4029-8.

A wise pundit once said, “Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.” He did not consider murder as an ingredient, but these three mystery writers certainly did.

“Irish Coffee Murder” is another entertaining holiday collection of three mystery novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross, featuring the signature characters from their own separate mystery series. Each novella is about 100 pages long, showcasing the authors’ skills with clever plots, colorful characters, suspense, clues, misdirection and smart plot twists.

The title story by Leslie Meier finds local reporter Lucy Stone covering an Irish step-dancing competition, not realizing that four high-school girl dancers and their stage mothers are not the close friends everyone thinks.  Cutthroat competition and bitter rivalries reveal much more than just step dancing drama. Murder will take center stage.

“Death of an Irish Coffee Drinker” by Lee Hollis is a tasty mystery for Bar Harbor restaurant owner Hayley Powell to solve, especially when an A-list comedian drops dead at a party after he had performed at the local theater.  It is a party she catered at her brother’s bar, and the victim had just gulped an Irish coffee in a toast to the town. Suspects and motives are everywhere, and everybody is lying about something — even the shamrock tattoo.

Finally, “Perked Up” by Barbara Ross is a complex, creepy ghost story told on St. Patrick’s night during a bitterly cold snowstorm (the power is out), with Julia Snowden and friends sitting in the dark, drinking too many Irish coffees while working to solve a cold murder case from 1867. Ross gets tricky here, so pay attention.

Bill Bushnell lives and writes in Harpswell.