A Hole in Juan

Amanda Pepper #13

by Gillian Roberts

Book by Roberts, Gillian

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Halloween, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Humor, Cozy

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

The titular Juan is Juan Angel Reyes, the young but unbending new physics teacher at Philly Prep, the lackluster private school where Amanda Pepper teaches English. Seniors are squirrely every year, as they face the deadlines of college applications, college essays and bringing up — or maintaining grades — amidst the whirl of senior activities. But Amanda senses that this year’s group is disturbingly more keyed up. Is that related to a series of pranks that are befalling Mr. Reyes? His students don’t like him, and he lets them know the feeling is mutual. He’s working to finish his Ph.D. and get out of high-school teaching as soon as possible — and he lets them know it.

But one prank goes too far. And then Amanda gets an anonymous note saying that even worse is to come.

I loved the first 12 Amanda Pepper mysteries, but somehow I hadn’t picked one up in years. What a mistake! I loved this suspenseful read, filled with a menacing threat from an unlikely source: “good kids.” I couldn’t put it down! The ending was a total shocker! Five stars, for sure.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I too have taught English, and the protagonist's inside view of student intrigue strikes me as just about right. I liked that the mystery is compounded by a growing, gnawing sense of unease. The side character of Pip seems a bit forced, but even he gets worked into the web of events by the climax. Not a cozy per se, but not a gruesome thriller either, more a psychological mystery.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Hole in Juan by Gillian Roberts is the 13th book of the Amanda Pepper mystery series set in contemporary Philadelphia. Amanda teaches English at Philly Prep.It's a private school for non-motivated, non-academic students that do not succeed at public high schools. Teachers at Philly Prep understand their students are not serious scholars, struggle to instill gems of learning when they can, and celebrate small victories. The new science teacher is attractive but arrogant, demanding his students measure up to unrealistic expectations. The students hate him, and play pranks, such as stealing (then returning) supplies from the chemistry lab. One "prank" leads to an explosion and gravely critical injuries.

Amanda senses an unfamiliar hostility in her senior English class. Pranks begin to happen to her, too. She receives mysterious warnings about the upcoming Mischief Night party, held on the night before Halloween. There is no substantial evidence of any wrong-doing that she could report to police, but she is afraid of what may happen.

Meanwhile at home, Amanda and C.K. have a house guest: their nephew Pip. He dropped out of school, and apparently enjoys being a couch potato in their apartment every day while they work. His departure date has not been discussed, and the newlywed couple's lack of privacy is frustrating.

The book drags as Amanda constantly worries over teenage angst and her inability to ferret out what is wrong with the seniors. An interesting middle section deals with freedom of speech, and civil disobedience. Eventually Mischief Night arrives and Amanda finally discovers what violent tragic act has been planned by the seniors. An amusing note is provided by Pip's role in the story, prompted by his brand-new infatuation with a Philly Prep teen.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Halloween week at Philly Prep high school. English teacher Amanda Pepper has to deal with missing papers, mischievous acts in class, and a prank in chemistry lab where the teacher is hurt in an explosion. After many clues throughout the book, it turns out a group of seniors was responsible. Author wants to show her experiences as a real English teacher with class discussions about poetry, literature, and proper grammar which is really tiresome for readers who just want a cozy mystery. I have read 5 books in the series and this will be my last; they keep getting worse and worse.

[Tomi · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a retired English teacher, I found the entire school setting silly and unbelievable. (At least my background allowed me to get the insider jokes.) Another reviewer called the book “lame” and that’s a perfect description. The one thing that rang true was the administrator - I had one very much like that…such an idiot. (Later fired for porn on his school computer! I doubt that Havermeyer would have that much gumption!)

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one dies but there are Halloween pranks that go awry and pressure on a new teacher to quit.

Amanda is feeling that something is planned but can't get any of the seniors to admit what and who is involved. They have a nephew of Mackenzie's living with them and he gets involved and surprises Amanda with who he is seeing and what he has learned.

[Keli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Expected more out of this book. Felt very let down.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it got a little involved for a cozy mystery.

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Roberts has done a wonderful job discussing hard subjects in an entertaining and thought provoking manner. Great series!

[Priscilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book. Any cozy set at Halloween is my idea of the perfect read. Unfortunately this one did not have as much halloween festivities as I expected. The main character is a school teacher, who notices a lot of pranks around school, a teacher gets hurt and more pranks are thrown in. Add a lot of classroom disscussions and a lot of literature and that pretty sums up the main bulk of the book.
I was dissapointed,I expected better pranks and more suspense,which the book just didnt have. I also found it a difficult read, I dont think this authors writing style is for me.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery that takes place the week of Halloween at a Philadelphia prep school. There are some strange happenings going on and everything is pointing to the Mischief Night party on Friday. Cute, pretty much typical high school themes and characters, at times a little too many references and comparisons to English teacher and sleuth Miss Pepper’s coursework. I would consider reading more of this series. Good story for the Halloween season.

[Fmorlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Pepper now has a spouse C. K. and his nephew Pip. So life is interesting. And she is dealing with seniors who have issues. But when a teacher is hurt, she gets notes pointing her towards more problems. This was a good installment for Amanda Pepper no deaths and it dealt with issues that occur in schools today. I enjoyed this.

[Sharon Mensing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a particularly good one in the series. I enjoyed the sense that something was going on behind the scenes (appropriate because of the teenage characters involved). The ends tied up rather too neatly, but otherwise this was an enjoyable, humorous, mystery.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery book with a different kind of investigator: an English teacher! I was kept guessing until the end and I always enjoy that in a story. Also all the talk of poems and literature made me want to take a literature class. :p

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light, entertaining easy read: Amanda Pepper, high school English teacher at a third rate Philadelphia prep school, is forever running into murders which her (now) husband CK Mackenzie helps solve. Teen and teacher/administrator behavior is amusing though the plot is a little tired.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read other books in this series and forgot that I don't like them very well. The book does prove that one evil act often leads to many more and worse acts. Oh well, maybe Amanda will someday get her head together but she will have to do it on her own, I'll not be reading another one.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for a book club and did not enjoy it.
The plot was simplistic and the protagonist was self involved and critical of everyone in her life.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read about a highschool teacher who teaches and moonlights as a private investigator!

[Barbara M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Put it down after 100 pages.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are such easy, friendly reads, hanging out with neurotic Amanda and her students and family. The mysteries get progressively less mysterious, but it's like visiting friends.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's possible this is the last one of the series – philly mysteries. Cozies, but good.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery, but it lacked a bit of the spark her earlier books had OR maybe it was because I just didn't get into it as much. Plenty of humor and great remarks though.

[Paulette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lame - she's written better mysteries.

[Laurie Hoppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a way, Gillian Roberts channels her inner Hitchcock with this one. She creates a lot of tension, a genuine sense of dread, in a most mundane place: a high school. The whole story takes place in the week leading up to Halloween. Teacher Amanda Pepper is aware that her seniors are keyed up, their energy is different, their pranks take on a darker and more dangerous hue. Is it the excitement that just naturally accompanies the Halloween dance (called "Mischief Night")? Or is it something more, something worse?

As always in the Amanda Pepper books, the story is about more than the mystery. This time she takes a closer look at the passions and emotional confusion that fueled all of us when we were that age, when we were on the precipice of adulthood, when everything was too important. It's no accident that her class is reading A Separate Peace, and this makes me want to pick that classic up again.

OK, so if I liked so much, why only ***? Because the very end is a mess. It's too abrupt, and the denouement is very unsatisfying. Amanda Pepper's world -- her classroom, her students, the teacher's lounge and office, the streets she walks, the loft she lives in -- became very real to me and then POOF! Done. Over.

Her characters deserve better.