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Title: Adam and Evil: An Amanda Pepper Mystery (Anthony Award??winning Series)
ISBN: 0345429354
Author:
Gillian Roberts
Publicate Date: 2000-06-06
Publish: 2000-06-06
List Price: $6.50
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $3.33
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $6.50
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| Customer Review: |
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1: I thoroughly enjoyed this book
I might add that I listened to the book on unabridged audiotape, and it was so well read that it enhanced the book, I think.
All books in this series use as a central theme a piece of literature that detective-English teacher Amanda Pepper is using in a classroom. In this book, the central theme comes from James's "The Turn of the Screw," in which a governess ends up responsible for the death of a cihld in her care. Pepper has concerns about a student named Adam, who seems to merit "professional evaluation," that is, she thinks he's got a serious mental illness. She tries unsuccessfully to make this happen but no-one wants to believe that there's a problem.
At a class field trip to the Philadelphia library (apparently a massive collection in a very large building), their tour guide (who turns out to be a friend of Pepper's sister) winds up dead and Adam is missing -- so suddenly everyone is willing to believe that Adam is as sick as Pepper had feared. Pepper doesn't think he's responsible but she needs to find him and get him in off the streets. Along the way, she gets involved in the murder investigation, to the annoyance of her homicide detective boyfriend CK. In the meantime, Pepper is having serious problems at work, thanks in part to Adam's parents and to the "all I care about is the school's image and financial well-being" headmaster, who doesn't want to hear anything remotely negative about the school.
I am getting very good at spotting the killer early on in Pepper's series, so I would have to say that this is, for me, one of the weaker parts of the series. But I love the characters and the humor in these books (there are some great one-liners for those who appreciate a dry wit). As I said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
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2: First Amanda Pepper Book
This was the first Amanda Pepper book that I read and I have to admit I am not anxious to read another. The mystery plot was well written and had some surprises. This wasn't a page turner, sit and the edge of your seat suspense novel. It was ok for a mellow summer read.
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3: Post-Columbine Angst
Adam! Adam! Where art thou? Amanda Pepper is a high school English teacher who is especially worried about the recently bizarre behavior of one of her students, Adam Evans. Is he involved in a murder? This was my first "Amanda Pepper mystery" but it definitely won't be my last! The book is snappy, literate, and articulate without being arcane or pedantic.
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4: This Pepper needs more spice . . .
For the first 50 or so pages of this book, I kept thinking to myself, "I've read this book before!" Well, yes and no. I hadn't actually read this title before, but the previous book in this series, THE BLUEST BLOOD. I think one could be excused for this confusion when the heroine is a high-school teacher, involved with books and writing, and her live-in is a cop. And when the plot involves troubled teens, books, protesters and murder, well--confusion would seem to be a logical outcome. Once I realized I hadn't read this book before, I slogged on, but with no appreciable degree of interest, and finally gave it up. I realize the author is highly regarded--and indeed I really liked the first book, TIME AND TROUBLE, in her new series. This one, though, left me cold. Amanda Pepper definitely needs more spice in her life.
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5: The Truth about Teaching
Gillian Robert's has given the best to date! "Adam and Evil" is a thoroughly intriging and honest work. The story's theme touched the heart of this high school teacher's experience and frustration when attempting to aid a student in crisis. Along with Ms. Robert's usual gift for brilliant writing, the reader is treated to an insider's view to the struggles a teacher sometimes encounters when stonewalled by parents in denial, the administration, and the law. From the first two chapters, those who know Mandy will be desperate to get to the end to discover the changes she may or may not make in her life. Brava to Gillian Roberts and I am eager to begin her newest work, "Helen Hath No Fury".
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