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The Teddy Thurber Mysteries #1
The Ghosts of Lovely Women
Who killed Jessica Halliday? She was a nineteen-year-old college student with a bright future before her. No one at her former high school can imagine who would want to murder this charismatic young woman; but Teddy Thurber, Jessica's former teacher, thinks the answer might lie in a book that Jessica had given her months before.
Teddy begins to try to follow the trail of clues Jessica left behind in order to find the truth about her former student's death; in the process she must delve into the literature that Jessica loved best, and what she finds reveals unsavory details about other students, teachers, and even Jessica's family.
Helping Teddy is the new history and psychology teacher, Derek Jonas, who ends up having secrets of his own . . . . As her search for Jessica intensifies, she must also deal with the unwelcome advances of an old boyfriend, complicating her life even further.
Teddy's persistence puts her and the ones she loves in danger; but she can do no less than try to avenge the murder of a promising young woman whose future success had been assured.
At her side throughout this mystery is her faithful beagle, P.G.
Teddy begins to try to follow the trail of clues Jessica left behind in order to find the truth about her former student's death; in the process she must delve into the literature that Jessica loved best, and what she finds reveals unsavory details about other students, teachers, and even Jessica's family.
Helping Teddy is the new history and psychology teacher, Derek Jonas, who ends up having secrets of his own . . . . As her search for Jessica intensifies, she must also deal with the unwelcome advances of an old boyfriend, complicating her life even further.
Teddy's persistence puts her and the ones she loves in danger; but she can do no less than try to avenge the murder of a promising young woman whose future success had been assured.
At her side throughout this mystery is her faithful beagle, P.G.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2011
27 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Julia Buckley
31 books801 followersJulia Buckley is a Chicago-area writer. She has written three mystery series with Berkley Prime Crime, including the best-selling Writer's Apprentice Series, which Mystery Scene calls "engaging, enjoyable, and surprising," while Kirkus dubs it "pleasantly old-fashioned." The Library Journal called Buckley "a writer to watch."
Buckley is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Chicago Writers Association. She blogs about writing and mysteries at Mysterious Musings, where she has interviewed almost 200 other mystery writers about their work.
She teaches high school English and enjoys reading, playing Words With Friends, and spending time with her husband and two sons, along with their menagerie of animals.
Buckley is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Chicago Writers Association. She blogs about writing and mysteries at Mysterious Musings, where she has interviewed almost 200 other mystery writers about their work.
She teaches high school English and enjoys reading, playing Words With Friends, and spending time with her husband and two sons, along with their menagerie of animals.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 22, 2025
Julia Buckley is a very good author of cozy mysteries. This is a new series for me; and perhaps it us a stand-alone novel, even though it is billed as a series.
The setting is in a Illinois high school, where Teddy Thurber teaches literature. When one of her favorite former students dies, Teddy cannot stand by and have her murder go unsolved.
As the story progresses, she enlists the aid another teacher to help her. The new head of the social science department, Derek Jonas, soon develops a romantic interest in Teddy.
These are complex characters, ones with prior entanglements that threaten to burst a budding love interest.
There are enough suspects to keep the reader guessing throughout the book.
I, for one, figure out the solution more often than not. This is a not.
Bravo for the author.
The setting is in a Illinois high school, where Teddy Thurber teaches literature. When one of her favorite former students dies, Teddy cannot stand by and have her murder go unsolved.
As the story progresses, she enlists the aid another teacher to help her. The new head of the social science department, Derek Jonas, soon develops a romantic interest in Teddy.
These are complex characters, ones with prior entanglements that threaten to burst a budding love interest.
There are enough suspects to keep the reader guessing throughout the book.
I, for one, figure out the solution more often than not. This is a not.
Bravo for the author.
August 31, 2021
High school English teacher Theodora (Teddy for short) Thurber is the amateur sleuth. As the author is an English teacher, the classroom scenes are very authentic. I can easily imagine the joy of being a student in Ms. Buckley's classroom would be even more fascinating than the scenes created for Teddy.
I am always fascinated by the quotes selected in the author's novels and this book is no exception.
The novel is well written and a delight to read. Some scenes bring back teaching memories particularly the opening of Chapter 7 describing the cleaning of the classroom blackboard and the results that can either have chalk residue within the sponge-mark rows or boards that are clean and shiny as marble.
I highly recommend this novel particularly for those that love English literature and/or will enjoy the realistic portrayal of teachers and students.
I am always fascinated by the quotes selected in the author's novels and this book is no exception.
The novel is well written and a delight to read. Some scenes bring back teaching memories particularly the opening of Chapter 7 describing the cleaning of the classroom blackboard and the results that can either have chalk residue within the sponge-mark rows or boards that are clean and shiny as marble.
I highly recommend this novel particularly for those that love English literature and/or will enjoy the realistic portrayal of teachers and students.
April 9, 2025
My first foray into Julia Buckley's mystery novels did not disappoint! I really enjoyed the character(s) development and story line revolving around the death of a former and beloved student of the tome's protagonist Teddy ...and the ending (killer) was one I didn't suspect. Awesome!
And another aspect of enjoyment with this book? The laugh-out loud notes Teddy finds taped to the school's unpredictable/temperamental photocopiers! :-D
And another aspect of enjoyment with this book? The laugh-out loud notes Teddy finds taped to the school's unpredictable/temperamental photocopiers! :-D
March 18, 2012
i went into reading this book not expecting much, but i was pleasently surprised at what a good read it was. mystery, suspense and lot's of great references to classic literature that that we all had to read in school, which some of us actually enjoyed. this is also a great read from a feminist stand point. it makes me want to re-read some of my fave books to see if i can't glean anything extra from reading between the lines so to speak. i am adding this book to my read again pile.
September 13, 2023
I stumbled across this accidentally. I’ve read most of this author’s works and enjoyed them all, but I hadn’t known about this one.
Perhaps because it was theater and literature that kept me from running screaming away from high school. Or my English teacher sister. Or remembering what it was like as a teenager to try to understand the world, and to understand grief, and to understand all of the different kinds of relationships we develop.
Though the murder of a recent graduate of the high school is certainly important to the story, this book is so much more than that. It’s about families and colleagues and leaving the past behind while you step into your future. And enjoying discussions of some wonderful literature while you’re at it.
Thank you, Ms. Buckley.
Perhaps because it was theater and literature that kept me from running screaming away from high school. Or my English teacher sister. Or remembering what it was like as a teenager to try to understand the world, and to understand grief, and to understand all of the different kinds of relationships we develop.
Though the murder of a recent graduate of the high school is certainly important to the story, this book is so much more than that. It’s about families and colleagues and leaving the past behind while you step into your future. And enjoying discussions of some wonderful literature while you’re at it.
Thank you, Ms. Buckley.
January 8, 2021
The teacher within
Julia relies on the teacher within herself in this book. I can hear her in the classroom as her voice and Teddy's become one.
One of Teddy Thurber's former students dies and Teddy unravels the clues to discover the murderer. Along the way, she discovers one love, while finally ending another relationship. I wish there were more of this series.
Julia relies on the teacher within herself in this book. I can hear her in the classroom as her voice and Teddy's become one.
One of Teddy Thurber's former students dies and Teddy unravels the clues to discover the murderer. Along the way, she discovers one love, while finally ending another relationship. I wish there were more of this series.
July 2, 2021
I loved this book and I wish there were more Teddy Thurber mysteries.
Intelligent women who are realistically hungry and have real emotions, desires and fears are too few and far between.
Intelligent women who are realistically hungry and have real emotions, desires and fears are too few and far between.
August 26, 2013
THE GHOSTS OF ,LOVELY WOMEN August 21
The slowly developing plot in this novel was one of things I liked most about it because I had time to evaluate the clues and absorb what was happening. Whilst I thoroughly enjoy fast-paced mysteries, sometimes I miss vital bits because of the "helter-skelter" style of writing!
Teddy is a delightful character - I hope the author is writing another mystery for her - with an academic and inquiring mind. Her growing attraction and deepening feelings for Derek are well presented and believable, and her penchant for passing on information to the police is a refreshing change from the myriad heroines who keep what they know to themselves, make the police look stupid and then get into peril because of their, "I can do it all myself" mantra.
The use of classical literature to drop hints at the beginning of each chapter is an interesting move, and not having read A Doll's House, I am now inspired to do so! Excerpts from The Tempest et al, are also used to illustrate the victim's intelligence - which ultimately becomes her downfall.
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel, and would like to read more of this heroine's exploits.
The slowly developing plot in this novel was one of things I liked most about it because I had time to evaluate the clues and absorb what was happening. Whilst I thoroughly enjoy fast-paced mysteries, sometimes I miss vital bits because of the "helter-skelter" style of writing!
Teddy is a delightful character - I hope the author is writing another mystery for her - with an academic and inquiring mind. Her growing attraction and deepening feelings for Derek are well presented and believable, and her penchant for passing on information to the police is a refreshing change from the myriad heroines who keep what they know to themselves, make the police look stupid and then get into peril because of their, "I can do it all myself" mantra.
The use of classical literature to drop hints at the beginning of each chapter is an interesting move, and not having read A Doll's House, I am now inspired to do so! Excerpts from The Tempest et al, are also used to illustrate the victim's intelligence - which ultimately becomes her downfall.
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel, and would like to read more of this heroine's exploits.
April 10, 2013
This book came to me serendipitously! Actually I was looking for another Julia Buckley, a lovely ghost from my past, when I found Julia and her book. The story kept me captivated. It was fiction, yet her references to women's rights, misogyny and gender issues were insightful. She framed the book with classical literature so I continued to run into to almost forgotten friends, adding depth, creative perspectives and delight. The 'ghosts' were essence and not of the haunting variety so don't expect grave yard romps! It is one of those books that you won't want to put down once you begin.
July 12, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure I would since it was one I got for free on Amazon, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The protagonist was very relatable, and I found myself rooting for her. It's a good mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. I feel like this story could have easily been a plot line for a Law and Order: SVU episode, which may have been why I enjoyed it so much! Like many other reviewers, I also enjoyed the numerous literature references. I thought this was a smart, well planned out, enjoyable read.
August 19, 2014
I LOVED this book! A riveting mystery set in a Catholic high school, with dollops of fascinating literary analysis and some sweet romance. Teddy Thurber, English teacher, solves the murder of one of her former students with the help of Ibsen's A Doll's House and Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, but don't mistake this novel for homework; Julia Buckley's third book is a fun, funny and entertaining read.
June 4, 2012
The book was enjoyable but the title never really made sense to me. I enjoyed the fact that the main character was a teacher...and I liked her romance with a new fellow teacher. The ending was a little surprising but good.
October 7, 2014
Wish I could pre-order the next one
If you're a teacher you'll recognize a kindred spirit in Teddy. This is a beautifully crafted story with characters you care about and a deftly plotted mystery. Can't wait for the next one and hope there will be many more.
If you're a teacher you'll recognize a kindred spirit in Teddy. This is a beautifully crafted story with characters you care about and a deftly plotted mystery. Can't wait for the next one and hope there will be many more.
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April 30, 2012$0.0
May 13, 2012
Wasn't sure what to expect, but it was more than I thought it would be. Good mystery read.
August 1, 2012
This was my first book by this author and I loved it. I will be adding her to my TBR list.
October 30, 2012
I loved all of the literary references.
September 8, 2016
A different perspective on the murder mystery format. Teddy Thurber is a teacher trying to understand the death of a former student. Lots of literary references.
July 6, 2013
Another hit it out of the park by the author in my opinion!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews