Review of Cruel Lessons

[Amy Luman]

This series so typical with organizations trying to place blame anywhere but on themselves, all the while looking like they’re doing something but avoiding the issue. Congratulations on BOTD!

[Abhishek3m4]

Fantastic review! The suspenseful plot and well-developed characters sound captivating. I appreciate your emphasis on the important themes of drug use and the impact on families and schools. Your recommendation and note on the heavy topics provide a considerate heads-up for readers.

[Amit Kumar Sharma 1]

Cruel Lessons is a book by Randy Overbeck that follows the tragic deaths of four young boys during a school camping trip. The police discover the boys used a new tattoo drug, and Assistant Superintendent Ken Park investigates the issue. The book explores drug use in schools.

[Chi Chiu Michael Mak]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Cruel Lessons" by Randy Overbeck.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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In Cruel Lessons, four young boys tragically die in a car accident on a school camping trip. During the investigation, the police discover the kids had used a new drug: a tattoo that sticks to your skin and gives you a high. Due to the deaths occurring during a school trip, the school district is determined to find out how the drugs are getting into the hands of kids, but more importantly, how to keep the school district from being held responsible. The Board tasks Assistant Superintendent Ken Park to find out where the kids got the drugs and how they are getting into the school. It is not long before the Board and local police blame Jennifer, a compassionate teacher who showed special interest in helping the deceased boys. After her arrest, Ken works to free her as they have a history, and he is convinced she is innocent. Is she part of a drug operation targeting kids or is she a scapegoat for something bigger?

This book deals with difficult but important topics. Drug use in schools continues to be a problem in the US and this story shows the effects it can have on families, schools, and children. I only hope school districts are less concerned about their reputation and more concerned about helping the school children.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book had a simple plot, but it was suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. There were many suspects, and it was not clear until the end who was making and supplying the drugs. Just when I thought I had figured out who the bad guys were, the plot turned, and I was back to square one. I also enjoyed the thorough backstories of the characters that tied into the story’s main plot points. The author developed thorough past experiences that added to the story. Every time the author discussed the past, it was thorough without insignificant filler.

I would recommend this book to adults interested in a crime mystery, with the caveat that there are some heavy topics including abuse and death of children.

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Cruel Lessons
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Basically, it's a campus drug crime/mystery except the drug is a tattoo. I haven't read a lot of crime stories for a while. It's time to pick up a new one. The topic of drug abuse isn't as hot as 20 years ago, but a concerning issue nonetheless. Congratulations on winning Book of the Day!

[Amit Kumar Sharma 1]

Cruel Lessons is a book by Randy Overbeck that follows the tragic deaths of four young boys during a school camping trip. The story explores drug use in schools, its impact on families, and the mystery of a teacher, Jennifer, being suspected.

[williams Emerald]

Your recommendation with the caveat about heavy themes shows your consideration for potential readers. It’s valuable to note such content warnings while still recognizing the book’s strengths in storytelling and thematic exploration.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

"Cruel Lessons" is a gripping crime mystery about drug use in schools, tragic loss, and a wrongful accusation. Perfect for fans of suspenseful reads with strong character backstories. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Amit Kumar Sharma 1]

**Book Review: "Cruel Lessons" by Randy Overbeck**

Randy Overbeck’s "Cruel Lessons" is a riveting mystery that tackles pressing issues within the school system, weaving together suspense, emotion, and thought-provoking themes. The story begins with a tragic car accident that claims the lives of four boys during a school camping trip. The investigation reveals they had used a new, dangerous drug in the form of a skin tattoo, thrusting the school district into a desperate quest to uncover the source and protect their reputation.

Assistant Superintendent Ken Park is tasked with finding out how the drugs infiltrated the school and who is responsible. The investigation quickly points to Jennifer, a compassionate teacher who had been helping the deceased boys. Despite her arrest and the Board’s and police’s quick judgment, Ken believes in her innocence and works tirelessly to prove it, delving deeper into a complex web of deceit and danger.

Overbeck’s narrative is both compelling and poignant, shedding light on the dark realities of drug use in schools and its devastating impact on families, students, and educators. The book’s pacing is impeccable, maintaining a high level of suspense that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, with rich backstories that add depth and complexity to the plot.

One of the strengths of "Cruel Lessons" is its ability to keep readers guessing. Just when you think you have identified the culprit, Overbeck introduces new twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. The resolution is both surprising and satisfying, tying together the various threads of the story in a way that feels both realistic and impactful.

However, due to the heavy themes of child abuse and death, this book may not be suitable for all readers. Despite this, "Cruel Lessons" is a powerful and thought-provoking read that offers a gripping look at the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets.

**Rating: 4/5**

[Tomi Ahmed]

This review offers a compelling summary of "Cruel Lessons," highlighting its engagement with significant issues like drug use in schools and its impact on families and communities. The mention of the suspenseful plot and well-developed character backstories suggests that the book is both thrilling and thoughtfully constructed. The reviewer's hope that real school districts focus more on student welfare than reputation underscores the book's critical social message. Overall, the 4-star rating reflects a positive reception, recommending the book to crime mystery enthusiasts while acknowledging its mature themes.

[Isaac Ozo-okafor]

The lesson is indeed cruel according to the name, death by accident influenced by the use of drugs is saddening.

[Shiru Elizabeth]

A book about drugs, sign me up please. This is a topic I feel people ignore these days but the use of drugs is becoming one of the main killers today. Seems like a really interesting read, I'll definitely check it out. Nice review btw

[Amarachi Stephanie Ejike]

"Cruel Lessons" by Randy Overbeck sounds interesting.
The novel delves into Drug use and substance abuse, leading to the death of 4 teenage boys. Though always viewed from the negative, drug abuse has remained a controversial issue in our society. I'm wholly against it, especially where minors are concerned. Nothing good comes of it but a life of addiction and crime. I sure hope the author resolved the mystery of the peddler and the perpetrators.

[NetMassimo]

This is a well-constructed thriller that starts with the death of some young boys and then is developed with suspense to deal with some important issues connected to drug (ab)use. Thank you for your great review!

[Rose Nafula Oketch]

Drugs are very dangerous to the lives of young kids, and anyone found selling them to children should be heavily punished. I am wondering how the school district would be more concerned about their reputation than helping the schoolchildren. I like crime mystery novels, and I would love to know how the mystery unfolds in the book. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Gifty Aikins]

The use of drugs by young children in schools is an issue of great concern. We must all come together and tackle it with some sense of urgency. Else, our future will be endangered. Congratulations on BOTD