Cruel Lessons
by Randy Overbeck
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GENRE: Amateur sleuth mystery
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BLURB:
On 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 threat: 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
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.
A Word With the Author
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. The narrative takes place in a small Midwest town during October, 1994. All of these literary choices—the year at the height of the “Just Say No” Anti-Drug campaign and right in the middle of time for the D.A.R.E. program, the anonymous Midwest setting and the school as the battle ground—are deliberate and carefully chosen.
This novel is a work of honor and recognition as well as a work of art. As a long-time educator, I saw the ravages of student drug abuse and addiction up close. Over more than three decades as a teacher and school leader, I witnessed kids’ lives shattered and ended from their abuse of drugs, both legal and illegal. I crafted this story—while completely fictional and about an imaginary drug—as an homage to those educators who battle this very real problem everyday in our schools. Though set in the recent past, the scourge of student drug abuse today is frighteningly similar to my tale, only with a new generation and new drugs. In addition to being a pulse-pounding thriller, I wanted the narrative to honor the children we’ve lost to drugs in the almost thirty years as well as those educators committed to doing everything they can to rescue kids at risk.
I don’t want to give the wrong impression. This novel is hardly didactic. According to early reviews, Cruel Lessons is “Brilliant from start to finish…Impressive storytelling left me with a racing heart and shivers. One of the best thrillers I’ve ever read.” ★★★★★+++—N.N. Light’s Bookheaven. ReaderViews called the novel “a thrilling murder mystery…with an immersive plot, steady pace and stellar character development…one of the best mysteries of 2023.” ★★★★★ Literary Titan wrote “Cruel Lessons is “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.”
Wow! I am thrilled and humbled by these incredible reviews. Still, I hope the message about saving children will come through loud and clear. Check out Cruel Lessons yourself and let me know what you think.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Dr. Randy Overbeck is a best-selling author of the award-winning series, The Haunted Shores Mysteries, the three entries earning such national awards as the Gold Award from Literary Titan, Mystery of the Year from ReaderViews, Best Book from Chanticleer and Crowned Heart of Excellence from InD’tale Magazine. He hosts a new podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which reveals the unusual backstories of famous authors, directors and poets. He is also a speaker in much demand, sharing his multi-media presentations, “Thanks Still Go Bump in the Night” and “A Few Favorite Haunts” with audiences all over the country. More info about his novels, programs and podcast can be found at his website www.authorrandyoverbeck.com .
randyoverbeck@authorrandyoverbeck.com
513-633-2838
SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorrandyoverbeck
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OverbeckRandy/media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorrandyoverbeck/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/randy-overbeck
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Randy-Overbeck/e/B07QQHW7DM
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4825632.Randy_Overbeck
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1924616/10983135
SERIES PURCHASE LINKS
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B5TGPX9
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Randy%20Overbeck
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Randy Overbeck will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you so much for featuring this book and author today.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the splash on my new novel, Cruel Lessons. I'm truly excited by the book's early reception.
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt and giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. Wait until you read the entire novel
DeleteWho influenced you to be a writer!
ReplyDeleteI've been a writer one way or the other most of my life. I been a fan of several mystery authors before I started my paranormal mysteries include Robert Parker, William Kent Krueger and C J Box.
ReplyDeleteDid you read a lot when you were a child?
ReplyDeleteI was told I was an early reader, at age three. I read a good bit both in school and out.
DeleteI'm excited to read this book!
ReplyDeleteI'll be anxious to hear what you think. All my info is in the back of the novel
DeleteGreat title - have to buy this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The book is on pre-order.
DeleteDo you remember the first story you ever wrote?
ReplyDeleteNot sure. Perhaps a story about a man in prison I wrote in high school, but what did I know?
ReplyDeleteIf you could spend a day with another popular author , whom would you choose?
ReplyDeleteWhat comes first the plot or characters?
ReplyDeleteAs to an author, it would probably be William Kent Krueger, Edgar winning author of the bestselling Cork O Connor series. I've attended several sessions with him at conferences and have always learned much. As to plot or characters, I usually start with characters as most of mine have been inspired by real people I worked with and knew.
ReplyDelete