A FUN MURDER MYSTERY

Murder, Mayhem and PTA

Creating havoc and controversy seems to be what Parker Monroe does. Fanfare, chaos and overuse of expletives to express herself in just about every situation. When investigating a United States Senator and hoping to bring him dine, her source disappears, the documents needed she cannot present, and she’s fired from her job. Moving with her three kids and as you experience the ride, you’ll get to know each one of them and realize that parenting skills are needed in her case as she bribes, argues and debates each child along the way. Moving into the town where she grew up, we meet Valerie her mother whose take on her daughter is quite honest and at times revealing.

Entering this town they are about to real O’Shea like a dangerous storm or tornado as she settles for a while had to take her children to school and her actions are brontosaurus the attention of Vice Principal Heller who threatens to suspend her youngest child even before he meets his teacher. Playing gun fighting is inappropriate but she finds it funny no one else does especially Heller until an odd encounter with the new Principal who seems cold and disconnected but puts aside and overturns what Heller said.

Things get worse when she overhears the gossip mongers talking about her and the insults don’t miss a beat. They even have different titles for each group of parents and even the PTA has its own rules and regulations.

Maddy her oldest child is arrogant, shows her disrespect and does not like the fact that Parker often is late to pick her up and one time literally was so involved in her job the police we’re going to be called if she did not finally arrive. Things get more tense when Maddy demands piano lessons and Parker must search for a new teacher. Added in she parked in the Vice Principal’s spot and her car was towed. This did not put her in good stead with anyone in the school. Next learning that Mr. Bernstein the music teacher was fired, instruments were stolen, and budget cuts warranted his dismissal she asks for his contact information and that creates another speech from Heller.

The Sheriff becomes involved in helping her retrieve her car and she overhears the gym teacher and Heller arguing.

Parker is brash, brazen and often oversteps boundaries and has decided to make it her mission to create a fundraiser to help reinstate the music program in Oak Creek Elementary School.

Meeting these parents, she needed a ride share to take her to get her car and she meets Glory as well as befriending Julie one of the parents that she encountered. In order to be allowed to create the fundraiser she must join the PTA , deal with Holly the President, rules and regulations of the school and PTA and pay 100 dollars to join and volunteer to work for them too .

Things at home get more tense, Mr. .Bernstein agreed to teach Maddy but Parker seems to think she’s missing something after Heller joins her and the Principal who requires her decision as to whether to allow her to present her case to the parents and will she support her.

The meeting happens but the unexpected twists are there as Heller votes against the music program and the vote is deadlocked at 11-11 until someone comes forward in her favor and breaks the tie.

Things get tense at home and in school when Parker receives text messages that she thinks are sent by Heller and her husband receives them too. I’ll and can hardly get out of bed her husband learns she never arrived in school that day and a cat and mouse text message chase follow until the reader learns her fate. For some reason Parker is questioned and thought as a suspect but Heller’s husband an odd request when they learn she is murdered. Why ask her to read the eulogy at the funeral and why does she agree!

More odd things happen as she meets with the principal and the air is cold but the information, she gets is shocking.

The author created a character that is impulsive, compelled to learn the truth behind Heller’s death and the startling revelations he reveals as her husband has secrets, the PTA president had her own and money and blackmail and possible fraud come into the equation. But someone wants to silence her and Bernstein why and who? Plus, a link to a missing teen at the start of the story leads to another revelation by Sheriff Bill.

Events turn in many directions as Parker realizes that the wrong person has been arrested for Karen’s murder and her new ally , Maddy made a discovery that changed her thinking and enlightened her perspective. A music teacher that had a secret that would destroy more than just the music program. A gym teacher with a secret that would cost him his job and a revelation that would shake the community. Who killed Karen and why? What information did she uncover about certain people that cost her , her life? When Parker cones face to face with the real killer and uncovers a human trafficking ring right in her own community will she survive the threat? What about Principal Mendez what’s her story and why so distant and cold? Parker Malone just might turn out to be the best law enforcement officer or investigator yet for Oak Creek that’s if the author brings her back. An ending that’s sad and yet something positive comes out of it as Maddy finds her voice and learns the true meaning of parental love.

Fran Lewis just reviews