Cruel Lessons (Lessons in Peril #1) by Randy Overbeck | Book Review ~ Author Guest Post ~ $25 Gift Card | #AmateurSleuth #Mystery
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
My quick thoughts:
“Cruel Lessons” by Randy Overbeck is a must-read for fans of amateur sleuth mysteries. It combines a thought-provoking narrative with well-crafted characters, an engaging plot, and an underlying theme of redemption. Whether you’re a mystery aficionado or simply looking for a compelling and immersive story, this book delivers on all fronts.
Read my more in-depth thoughts below.
Book Details
Cruel Lessons by Randy Overbeck Series: Lessons in Peril Book #1
Published by Wild Rose Press on October 11, 2023
Genres: Amateur Sleuth, Mystery
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 470
Source: Goddess Fish PromotionsOn a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a dangerous new hallucinogen and die in a horrific accident, their deaths shattering the quiet town.
Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, hoping to redeem a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the district investigation of how students are getting the drugs.
Almost before he begins, the cops make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real pusher is still out there, poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous if he continues, those close to him will pay.
Is Parks willing to risk those he loves for a chance at redemption?
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Excerpt from Cruel Lessons
Struggling desperately to force her mind to think, Amanda tried to consider her options. It was all happening too quickly. The next treacherous turn came at her fast. She had no way to slow down. White knuckles gripped the steering wheel.
The bend ahead showed a hard curve to the right, not quite as tight as the last one, but steeper. And she felt the car accelerating, though she hadn’t touched the gas pedal. Right before the car hit the curve, Amanda spun the steering wheel. The car lurched around the bend. The driver side of the car lifted up. Halfway through the long bend, Amanda watched the hood tilt in the turn until it was almost vertical. No seat belt on, she was catapulted down the leather seat, crashing into the passenger door.
“Hell!” she cried, reaching to grab her bruised shoulder.
She froze as the two wheels still on the ground shuddered in the gravel, sliding off the small road. Slammed against the side door, she heard the tall weeds and low branches whip against the body. But the car didn’t slow. Blood streamed from a gash on her forehead. For an instant she lay there stretched across the passenger door, holding her breath.
Then she sensed the car teetering. The front tire bumped something hard. Amanda stared, unbelieving, as the car began to flip. As the Regal made the first revolution, she screamed.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for Cruel Lessons
Amazon – OneLink for every country
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My Thoughts on Cruel Lessons
Title: A Riveting Quest for Redemption in “Cruel Lessons” – A Gripping Mystery
“Cruel Lessons (Lessons in Peril #1)” by Randy Overbeck is a captivating journey into the heart of a quiet town shaken by tragedy. This amateur sleuth mystery, the first installment in the “Lessons in Peril” series, delves deep into the dark underbelly of a seemingly peaceful community, where fifth graders’ experimentation with a dangerous hallucinogen ends in a horrifying accident that rocks the town to its core.
Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, haunted by a past mistake, seizes the opportunity to lead the district investigation into the source of the deadly drugs that claimed the young lives. Just as he embarks on his mission, the police make a shocking arrest. However, Parks is not easily swayed and remains convinced that the true culprit is still at large, endangering more innocent children. An anonymous threat warns him that those he holds dear will suffer if he continues his relentless pursuit. The question looms large: Is Parks willing to jeopardize the safety of his loved ones for a chance at redemption?
Randy Overbeck’s “Cruel Lessons” masterfully sets the stage for a complex and atmospheric mystery within the confines of a school environment. The novel introduces us to two middle-aged protagonists, an elementary school teacher and a school administrator, who are anything but your typical heroes. Yet, it is precisely their unassuming nature that makes them relatable and compelling.
The narrative is presented from a third-person perspective, primarily following Ken Parks as he navigates the treacherous waters of this investigation. Overbeck’s writing skillfully captures the essence of his characters, making their struggles and determination palpable to the reader. As Parks relies on his gut instinct and determination to bring the drug dealer to justice, the story unfolds with an immersive plot, excellent pacing, and commendable character development.
What sets “Cruel Lessons” apart is the author’s ability to seamlessly weave a tale of crime and deceit, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, searching for answers until the very end. As secrets unravel and unexpected twists keep you guessing, the stakes couldn’t be higher, making this mystery an absolute page-turner.
In conclusion,
“Cruel Lessons” by Randy Overbeck is a must-read for fans of amateur sleuth mysteries. It combines a thought-provoking narrative with well-crafted characters, an engaging plot, and an underlying theme of redemption. Whether you’re a mystery aficionado or simply looking for a compelling and immersive story, this book delivers on all fronts.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Randy Overbeck
Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author, and speaker. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades in a range of roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent.
His thriller, Leave No Child Behind (2012) and his recent mysteries, the Amazon No. 1 Best Seller, Blood on the Chesapeake and Crimson at Cape May have earned five-star reviews and garnered national awards including “Thriller of the Year--ReadersFavorite.com, “Gold Award”—Literary Titan, “Mystery of the Year”—ReadersView.com and “Crowned Heart of Excellence”—InD’Tale Magazine.
As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers, and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville, and the Midwest Writers Workshop.
When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things Still Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses), and seven wonderful grandchildren.
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Guest Post from the Author of Cruel Lessons
“Sooner or later, everything old is new again.”
This quote from Stephen King came to mind when I thought about my newest work. In
October, the Wild Rose Press will release my newest fiction, CRUEL LESSONS, an atmospheric
amateur sleuth mystery and the first in a new series called “Lessons in Peril” stories set in
schools.
The novel features a pair of middle age protagonists who are, you guessed it, educators,
in fact, an elementary school teacher and a school administrator. Hardly your normal heroes. In
the story, fifth graders get hold of a dangerous hallucinogenic, steal a car and die in a horrific
crash. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks and teacher Stacy Turner struggle to uncover who is
peddling the deadly drugs before more kids die.
What brought King’s words to mind is that, while the novel is my newest work, it is also
my oldest. I’ve been at this writing thing for a while now. Cruel Lessons will be my fifth
published work in the past decade or so. But like most writers I think, I’ve been inventing stories,
imagining characters and conjuring up plots and crimes for quite a while. One of my earliest
fictional inventions was this story—or at least a very early version of the narrative and
characters.
This manuscript has lain in the virtual drawer for twenty years—the first attempt at
the tale written long hand on legal pads—waiting for me to mature and improve as a writer and
storyteller. Even though the current published version of Cruel Lessons has been through too
many revisions, re-writings and editings to count, the skeleton of the narrative is much the same
as envisioned so many years ago. So, like King wrote, what’s old is new again, though this was
probably not King’s intent for the saying.
Cruel Lesson is an atmospheric, amateur sleuth mystery, the first in a new series set in
schools called “Lessons in Peril.” The story involves a rogue, hallucinogenic drug being pushed
in a middle school and, after it results in the death of four students, the rush to stop the drug
pusher before more children die.
I think you’re going to like the final rendering of the tale. The early reviewers certainly
do. Literary Titan wrote that the novel was “masterfully written. Each new revelation adds to
the suspense and keeps the reader on edge, eagerly anticipating what further secrets the story
holds…… a gripping crime thriller and amateur sleuth mystery.”
The folks at ReaderViews called it “a thrilling murder mystery…with an immersive plot,
steady pace and stellar character development…one of the best mysteries of 2023.”
And the reviewers at N N Light Bookheaven thought CRUEL LESSONS was“brilliant
from start to finish…Impressive storytelling left me with a racing heart and shivers. One of the
best thrillers I’ve ever read.”
Interested yet?
Be among the first.
The official release date of CRUEL LESSONS is scheduled for October 11 but it is
available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes and Noble now. Check the links in this review post to
preorder or simply go to my website www.authorrandyoverbeck.com.
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Purchase Cruel Lessons online from a local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
Cruel Lessons (Lessons in P...Shop on Amazon
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Giveaway!
During the tour, Randy Overbeck will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Cruel Lessons
Full Tour Schedule:
September 25: Hope. Dreams. Life… Love
September 25: Literary Gold
September 26: Westveil Publishing
September 27: Kit ‘n Kabookle
September 27: Readers Roost
September 28: Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
September 29: Read Your Writes Book Reviews
October 2: Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books! – promo
October 3: The Mystery Section
October 4: Gina Rae Mitchell – review
October 5: Fabulous and Brunette
October 6: Two Ends of the Pen
October 9: travel the ages
October 10: It’s Raining Books
October 11: The Avid Reader – review only
October 12: Our Town Book Reviews – review only
October 13: Novels Alive – review only
October 13: Sandra’s Book Club – review only
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Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour Host
I am excited to read ‘Cruel Lessons’. The title alone is intriguing.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Cruel Lessons, this sounds like an excellent read and I am looking forward to it
This looks like a great read.
Thanks for your kudos. Hope you like it.
What is your favorite childhood book?
I have several though probably stories by Edgar Allen Poe and Sherlock Holmes mysteries were among my favorite.
Thank you so much for featuring this guest blog and for reviewing the book.
[…] Gina Rae Mitchell […]