Lesson Plan for Murder: A Master Class Mystery

It was a truth universally acknowledged: Marcia Deaver's untimely death elicited very little grief from her colleagues at Valerian Hills High School. Some staff members speculate the cause of death was a heart attack, or perhaps a suicide, but Liz Hopewell knows no self-respecting English teacher would kill herself without leaving behind a perfectly penned suicide note, complete with detailed footnotes and obscure literary references.

After the police begin investigating the death as a murder, Liz finds Marcia's mysteriously coded lesson plans. Convinced they hold the key to the killer's identity, risk-averse Liz finds herself obsessed with the crime. Against the wishes of her husband and the handsome detective assigned to the case, she embarks upon a quest that takes her down a sordid trail of infidelity, blackmail, and Shakespeare conspiracy theories.

When additional staff members are also poisoned, Liz realizes her clandestine pursuit has spooked the killer, and she is likely next on the list. Can Liz expose the murderer before she becomes the next victim?

Lori Robbins is the author of the On Pointe and Master Class mystery series. She won the Indie Award for Best Mystery and the Silver Falchion for Best Cozy Mystery. Short stories include "Leading Ladies" in Justice for All, which was cited as one of the year's best in the 2022 Best American Mystery and Suspense anthology. She also is a contributor to The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers Cookbook. A former dancer, Lori performed with a number of modern dance and classical ballet companies, including Ballet Hispanico and the St. Louis Ballet. Her commercial work included featured spots for Pavlova Perfume and Macy's. After ten very lean years onstage she became an English teacher and now writes full time. Lori's experiences as a professional dancer, English teacher, writer, and mother of six have made her an expert in the homicidal impulses everyday life inspires.