The Creepy Teacher…For Your Own Good –Book Review

For Your Own Good is Samantha Downing’s third book. But this is the first book I have read from this author and still yet to read her debut book, My Lovely Wife. This book is going to be turned into HBO series by Robert Downey Jr. so probably looking forward to the movie as well. Let’s see what I think about this book.

SOMETIMES THE MOST UNLIKELY PEOPLE HAVE THE DARKEST SECRETS

Teddy Crutcher is a successful teacher at a top school. He’s a pillar of the community.
Only you know the truth.

He’s married to a beautiful wife – the best thing that ever happened to him.
But no-one has seen her in a while.

He’s so dedicated that even the tragic death of a school parent doesn’t distract him.
Even when the rumours start, saying it was murder.

You’re sure Teddy is hiding something about what happened.

You’re sure you can prove it.

But you didn’t stop to think that when it comes to catching a killer, there’s no place more dangerous than just one step behind . . .

Plot:- This is actually a mysterious and interesting plot with a suspense in the air. Consider the setting–a rich private school where the children end up in Ivy Leagues, a teacher working hard to maintain his position that he gets the Teacher of the Year award, another teacher who is dedicated towards her students and then the story starts with the death of a parent. The school then suddenly find itself in a turmoil and soon, with the death of another teacher, then the things started getting steamy. But the unusual part of the book is, we already know who the killer is. Teddy Crutcher, the man who got the Teacher of Year award who proudly put the plaque up in his classroom. If you are in his good side, you are safe, if not, well then don’t expect him to be nice to you. The story initially started a bit slow but soon, things started getting interesting when one of the parents dies and a student is suspected of the murder. Despite the fact that we know who the killer is, the author did a good job, confusing us reader by adding more viable suspects–like Frank Maxwell. Overall, the story became fast paced, intriguing and twisted turns that towards the end, it became quite unputdownable as you would want to know what is going to happen next. Is Teddy Crutcher going to get caught…or will he escape?

Characters:- Some of the characters are OK some are likable. Teddy Crutcher is a sort of creepy and weird teacher in my opinion that you wouldn’t really want to get the bad side of him. He also has a mysterious life and pretends that he is happily married, even though his wife had left him many years ago. Sonia Benjamin seemed to be a dedicated teacher though at times she sounds slightly snobby and self centered. Zach Ward is a dedicated and loyal friend who would do anything to save his friend, even if it involves jail time. I like Zach Ward better. Frank Maxwell seemed to be a disturbed soul and Fallon Knight is someone who lived a bad life and wants to take revenge on the person who ruined her–Crutcher.

Writing:– Downing’s writing was really good and overall, she did a good job hooking the reader into the story.

Overall:- Overall, this is actually an entertaining and fast paced thriller that will keep you up all night. I don’t remember reading lot of books based on schools in the psychological thriller genre but this book was great. I rate this book as four stars!

Trigger warning:- murder, death of parent, abuse