Every Trick in the Book

The body of Alex Ballantyne is found in Barnes Pond, and the police are baffled as to who could want to kill him. Investigations lead them to St. Jude's, the prestigious private school where Ballantyne taught, and to the discovery that he had been blackmailing several of his colleagues. DI Moriarty is on the case, and he soon discovers that nothing is quite as it seems. Ben Joseph, the pseudonym of Liam Allerton, a retired teacher who taught at St Mark's, a school similar to St. Jude's, is found dead in Barnes Pond, in the same way, and in the same place, as the victim in his novel. The novel contains more connections with real life, and the team wonders if the clue to the killer's identity lies in its pages.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 354 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: Muswell Press

The discovery of Alex Ballantyne's body in Barnes Pond perplexes the police, as they struggle to identify his killer. The investigations lead them to St. Jude's, a prestigious private school where Ballantyne had taught. During the course of the investigation, they uncover a shocking truth: Ballantyne had been blackmailing several of his colleagues, using their secrets to extract money and other favors. The revelations bring to light a web of deceit and corruption within the school's staff.

As the detectives delve deeper into the case, they begin to suspect that one of the St. Jude's staff members could be the killer. However, as they unravel the intricate plot, they realize that nothing is as it seems. The novel, "Schooled in Murder," written by Ben Joseph, serves as a key source of information for the detectives. Joseph, who used the pseudonym Liam Allerton, was a retired teacher who had taught at St. Mark's, a school similar to St. Jude's.

The detectives begin to examine the novel closely, searching for clues that could lead them to the killer's identity. They notice that the novel contains numerous references to real-life events and people, including Allerton's own life and the lives of those he knew. They begin to question whether the novel is a true reflection of Joseph's experiences or if it is a work of fiction that contains hidden messages and clues.

As they continue to investigate, the detectives encounter a series of unexpected twists and turns. They discover that Ballantyne's blackmail scheme was not the only secret he was keeping from his colleagues. There was a darker side to his personality that was hidden from the public eye. They also learn that there were other individuals who had a motive to kill Ballantyne, including those who were jealous of his success and those who were involved in illegal activities.

In the end, the detectives are able to piece together the clues and identify the killer. The revelation is both shocking and unexpected, as it turns out that the killer was someone who had been close to Ballantyne and had a deep-seated grudge against him. The case brings to light the dark side of human nature and the dangers of keeping secrets.

"Schooled in Murder" is a gripping crime novel that delves into the depths of human emotions and motivations. It serves as a reminder that even in the most prestigious and exclusive settings, there can be secrets and lies that are waiting to be uncovered. The novel is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to shed light on the darker aspects of human nature.

Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781739471606