American/Cozy Mysteries

Even reading those last few sentences should have alarm bells going off, and Thea, a woman who neither suffers fools nor moral laxity gladly, has them clanging loudly even before she discovers that the alleged stalker is the grandson of the school's biggest donor. Meanwhile Thea gets a funny "vibe" from the whole school; the headmaster seems oddly disengaged, unworried about the female student, and prone to writing off the accused stalker's behavior as something merely imagined by Shondra. Life for Thea never takes an easy path, and this story is no exception. As Thea attempts her own investigation of the situation, which winds up as she witnesses a fistfight between the stalker and the victim's brother, the school tells her they have the situation under control - they no longer need her help. Thea gladly departs but is brought back to campus by a midnight phone call - a body has been discovered, and Shondra's brother, Jamison, is accused of the murder. The victim appears to be the stalker.

Shondra isn't given a simple characterization by Flora, she's complex and difficult - she has a huge chip on her shoulder and pushes most people away. It's almost difficult to like her - almost. It's that bit that has Thea pulling for her, as well as her desire to see the right thing done. Flora's books are always tight and suspenseful, and this one is no exception to that rule. It's very difficult to put down, and impossible not to be drawn into the story, to care about Thea and Shondra, and to hope the talented Ms. Flora has another Thea Kozak novel up her sleeve.