For Your Own Good

This one is whip-smart and fast paced. I read it in two days, and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters -of which there are many – teachers, students, over bearing ruthless parents. I had no difficulty keeping them straight in my head. Having raised teenagers and managed the stressors of college applications/admissions, plus having worked in a private school- the dialogue, internal narratives, and characterizations all feel authentic. Definitely recommend

This was a fun, fast paced dark thriller. Set in the private school of Belmont, the story follows the current teacher of the year recipient Mr Crutcher. On the surface he seems like a successful teacher who is respected at the school and has a nice family life with his wife. But we learn his wife left him...why? and he keeps finding ways to exercise revenge on colleagues and staff who start getting under his skin. This book was a solid thriller that had many distasteful and nasty characters, not just Mr Crutcher. It was fun to dislike the characters and enjoy the at times absurdity of the murders and hijinks that ensue at the school. But a rip roaring read that you will race through!

Thanks to the publisher Michael Joseph, the author Samantha Downing and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a fun read. I found myself easily putting it down at times and other times saying “just one more chapter” until I basically read half of the book. #1 positive thing I noticed about this book: SHORT CHAPTERS!

I'll start with the characters. They are unlikable. They are morally all over the place (some gray, some straight black, some all over the place). Even the likeable ones are a bit off. Yet you don't really hate them, but you don't really like them. The book is written from multiple POV's and I think this aids in the characters (even the worse ones) aren't completely hateable. I like when characters have layers and keep you guessing if this is someone that you would be friends with IRL. Or if you they were a friend and you found out their deep, dark secrets, would you still remain their friend?

Next; the setting. This is set in a private school that children of the wealthy attend. These students are on track to go to Ivy League schools and their parents demand it. This level of stress is not at all schools. These specific private schools breed this stress. And also some of the best students in the country. This setting is perfect to set the mood for teachers who believe that they are incredibly special. The students AND the teachers all have egos to deal with. This sets up the plot perfectly!

Finally; the plot. The characters and the setting set up for the plot nicely. And it gets wild. At times a bit crazy and I felt that some things were a bit far fetched but had fun with the different characters I didn't even mind. There are a few side plots that get thrown in that aid the main plot that comes in at different times with no notice. and the ending was good enough for me.

Overall, I thought this was a fun read and a wild ride. I'd recommend for people that like thrillers, murder mysteries, true crime, and the like.