Back to School Murder

Lucy Stone #4

by Leslie Meier

It’s back to school time in the peaceful Maine town of Tinker’s Cove, and for mother-of-four Lucy Stone it isn’t a moment too soon. But trouble at the local elementary school soon has the sometime crime-solver juggling family, job, and night classes with another mystery to solve. And it starts with a bang.

A bomb goes off with the noon lunch bell, but not before all the kids are safely evacuated, and Carol Crane, the new assistant principal, is hailed as a hero. But days later, Carol is found murdered and everyone is stunned when the most popular teacher at the school is arrested for the crime. However, not everyone is buying the open-and-shut case, including Lucy Stone, who senses there’s more to things than meet the eye.

It soon becomes clear that Lucy is flirting with danger, as sizzling secrets and explosive surprises provide a primer for the most diabolical of motives. Hot on the trail of a clever killer, the dedicated mom and seasoned sleuth must harness the courage and cool aplomb to uncover a crime that just might give her an education in the fine art of murder.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Leslie Meier lives in Braintree and Harwich (Cape Cod), Massachusetts. She is the creator of 'Lucy Stone', a reporter and amateur sleuth in the fictional seaside village of Tinker's Cove, Maine.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

In BACK TO SCHOOL MURDER, Lucy Stone is juggling the demands of managing a household with four children and getting them off to a new school year, plus working her new temporary part-time job at the Pennysaver, Tinker Cove’s weekly newspaper, when a shocking announcement comes over the police scanner. Lucy rushes to the scene of a potential bombing in time to witness the action. As usual, where Lucy goes, murder follows. But can she catch the culprit before they strike again? As always, this series provides a quaint look at small-town Maine life and a spunky mom solving crime in between getting all those lasagnas in the oven because her old fashioned husband demands his dinner be on time (yes, some of the older books in this series feel a teensy bit dated, but it's still a fun read and the themes are still good.) Enjoyed the school/education theme in this one.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to School Murder is the 4th Lucy Stone Mystery written by Leslie Meier, a cozy amateur sleuth author with ~30+ books in the series. Protagonist Lucy is temporarily working at the Pennysaver when her daughter's school has a bomb threat. Thankfully no one is hurt during the mini explosion, yet it rocks the town. But what's even bigger news is when the savior who carried a kid to safety is later found strangled, the most liked teacher is accused of the crime. What's really going on? Lucy and her night instructor team up to solve the crime, though there seems to be more going on with him than Lucy expected. What would her husband Bill think? Meier includes a lot of background in these installments, focusing on married life, parent responsibilities, etc. The language feels real, meaning we see marital spats and the not-so-nice stuff which is usually avoided in books. It helps create a more well-rounded story, but it also takes a bit away from the mystery. In the end, I enjoy it... and the series is getting better. Still a few small-town mindsets and seemingly derogatory language toward more liberal, open-minded views but it's becoming more balanced. I'm curious where it will end up. Will keep reading more in the series for a while.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best Lucy Stone novel I've read. Great storyline, the cast of characters was spectacular, and it was a real mystery. I was actually stumped until the very end. Would highly recommend!

[Sharla · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started out pretty good but the prejudices and generalizations just got to be too much for me. Basically, everyone that wasn't a liberal was a complete idiot. I can't stand it when books push a certain way of thinking. Won't be picking up this author again which is too bad, because I really liked the character at first.

[Readaholic Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book but not one of my favorites in the series. I enjoyed seeing Lucy's start at the newspaper.

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks))]

DNF @17%. I can’t handle any more of her dickhead, sexist husband and her pandering to him.
((she gets a new job and he thinks it’s “unacceptable” because dinner was at 630 and not 6))

no thanks.

I think "cozy" mysteries are not for me, but we know i'll keep trying them anyway.

[Melissa (Take Joy) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only 1 star because I had to give it a rating
Lucy is enjoying herself immensely filling in for someone at the Tinker's Cove newspaper. Investigative journalism is right up her alley and it isn't long before she has something to investigate after a bomb goes off at the elementary school. The new vice principal, Carol Crane saves the day by rescuing a student still in the school and everyone hails her a hero. However there is more than meets the eye with Carol and when she is found murdered there is no shortage of suspects as she wasn't quite as heroic as one would think.

I hated this book. I rarely have such strong negative words to say but I just can't hold back. Below is a partial list of some of the things that bothered me the most.

- Before I start ranting about my personal opinions I will say that this book felt greatly unfocused. Lucy would have a revelation and would seemingly forget about it until a chapter or two later. There were a few loose ends, and things that didn't always make sense. There are some spelling and grammar issues so if that is a big button for you, proceed with caution. The mystery itself is weak but one of her better ones so far. Lucy working at the newspaper does make it so the book is more about mysteries than her personal life.
- I originally started this series looking for a cozy where the sleuth is married in a good relationship. Quickly, I found this wasn't that series but still enjoyed the brief glance into Lucy and Bill's life together. This book found Lucy interested in another man and she even went as far to go to his apartment 'in the name of investigation' and kiss him, I am absolutely disgusted by her behavior. I don't care how long you are married, adultery is never OK or justifiable. On top of that she doesn't tell her husband, she just makes it right in her own twisted little mind and that seems to be enough for her. In the end of the book the man she kisses and is attracted to are together when they solve the murder thus bringing their bond closer. So she cheats on her husband with him, yes kissing is cheating! Then he is painted to be some sort of white knight. You have got to be kidding me. The author did more of a job developing the character that Lucy found sooooo attractive than she has done Lucy's husband in the past 4 books!
- I go back and forth on whether or not I like Lucy in each book, I am firmly in camp do not like her one bit in this book. She has a reliable, loving husband, 4 amazing kids, a house, and lives in a quaint town where she has lots of friends. This isn't enough for her and she whines the entire book about how no one appreciates her, how her husband doesn't tell her that she's attractive anymore- yet she doesn't express any appreciation for any of the things she has NOR does she tell her husband she still finds him attractive. She complains about having to cook for him, even going to the point of swearing up and down that she will never make any tomato sauce again because it is too much work. What is wrong with a woman who wants to be a housewife and take care of her kids? Why is it always that she has to want more? She acts like the kids are old enough to be on their own but Zoe is only two years old and she just throws her in daycare all day while she goes about her business. Her child is being raised by daycare. A drastic contrast from the last book when she couldn't stand to be apart from her 'precious'. She is selfish, spoiled, and doesn't deserve the life she has.

Tasha Tudor
“I enjoy doing housework, ironing, washing, cooking, dishwashing. Whenever I get one of those questionnaires and they ask what is your profession, I always put down housewife. It's an admirable profession, why apologize for it. You aren't stupid because you're a housewife. When you're stirring the jam you can read Shakespeare." - Tasha Tudor Amen!

- Excuse me Leslie Meier, I resent you shoving your political and religious views down my throat in your books. When I picked up your series I did not sign up to be subjected to someone using their books as a venue for their own personal agenda. Yes, I recognize that these are your books and you may write whatever you want, it is still not something I want to read about. Back to School Murder isn't the first book you did it in but this was definitely the one that I noticed it the most. In the first Lucy Stone novel, Mistletoe Murder you made it so the Reverend was the killer and in this book you made it so that the Reverend was a lech, seducing women, and cheating on his wife. On top of that he was a fanatic who acted over the top in his interpretation of the bible. You don't have to be religious or believe in God but you also don't have to depict them as horrible people in your books. Not to mention your many shots at conservatives and the fact it is made extremely clear you are a liberal. Ugh!

I had high hopes for this book after enjoying the last one more than the previous in the series but no. I have up to book ten on my Kindle and am not sure I want to read that many. In fact I will read ONE more and if there is not a significant improvement I will be leaving this series behind in search of greener pastures.

My thoughts on other books in the Lucy Stone series:
1. Mistletoe Murder Also known as Mail-Order Murder
2. Tippy Toe Murder
3. Trick or Treat Murder

[Mystereity Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the Cozy Mystery Discord server book club selection for September and the first one I've read in this series. Cute, charming and very cozy, I really enjoyed it.

Although the characters were likeable, they didn't have a lot of dimension, especially Lucy's husband and kids who weren't much more than convenient plot distractions. I don't know if that evolves as the series goes on (this one is fairly early in the series) but I felt that all the family activities bogged it down a bit in the middle, along with the constant rehashing. Still, I liked the writing style and the plot was absorbing; although there were a couple of dropped threads, I liked how Lucy set out to investigate and everything she found.

Overall, I enjoyed this one and I'll be reading the other books in the series as I can get to them.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up
Enjoy the characters. Story was all right. I've read a few books in the series, but not in order

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really have to confess, although I like the series, this particular one was very off-putting for me. As much as I tried to ignore it and concentrate on the story itself, the author's choice of bias in some situations became glaringly obvious. I don't want to scream "liberal" or "feminist" but it was there in big bold descriptions. The main character, Lucy, is working full time at the local paper temporarily. As do most working mothers she struggles to balance work, home and childcare. Fine. I don't mind the author outlining that part of Lucy's experience within the mystery. But, she also deals with a husband who expects his dinner on the table immediately when he comes home, a clean house and quiet obedient children or he sulks. Lucy bends over backwards to accommodate him. Now the author can't have it both ways. Is Lucy an independent woman (feminist) or is she a parody of a Donna Reed housewife? The other thing that stuck out was when Lucy went to the Republican candidate's coffee (making great pains to let us know she's a Democrat!). The author describes the women as Stepford-type wives. They wear pastel dresses ("Lucy had not seen so much pastel since her last roll of Necco wafers") and sit up straighter, acting excited when the MEN come in. Throughout the book the words "Christian values" seem to be an anathema which also irritated me. Yes, the character of the preacher wasn't the best but not all Christians are like that and not all Christian preachers are insincere or hypocritical. But, apparently, the oh so accommodating Congregational Church, which Lucy only attends infrequently, is so much better. Bah. I won't even begin to tackle the diatribe the author includes from the mouth of the elementary school principle that makes it seem as if questioning the competence of teachers or curricula by parents is a worse sin than murder! No, it is a wholly unappealing list of opinions I abhor wrapped in a lukewarm mystery.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Stone is filling in at the newspaper and glad that school is back in session. She decides to take a college class so she can get her teaching certificate. The first day of school there is a bomb threat and a bomb goes off at the grade school. The town is shaken up and the principal blames the science teacher, she also fires the janitor, a well loved man. The principal is held up as a hero because she recused a little handicapped boy who had been locked in a closet. While Lucy is investigating she finds that the principal has had other rescues and thinks it was staged. A very conservative minister is trying to get it passed that teachers have to send a note to the parents before they talk about anything that is offensive to him. Lucy’s husband is out of work and owed a large sum of money so the stress is on. I didn’t like the part of the story where the college professor hit on Lucy and she almost has an affair with him. It seemed too out there to be part of the story. Since the book was written in 1997 parts did seem dated. 0p

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a very successful mystery. The twists didn't ring true, and I was maddened by the character's relationship (which takes up a good part of the story). I kept flipping back to see if perhaps I had missed something, and the book was actually set in the 60s. (Main personal conflict is that she wants to go to work, and the husband expects her to be at home cooking his dinner and taking care of the kids--though the husband, when he gets home early, sits around drinking beer and feeling sorry for himself and wondering where his dinner might be.)

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 1997, but the issues Ms Meier addressed are still in the headlines today - sexual harassment and the Christian coalition interfering in school matters. I guess we’ll never learn. Hats off to the author.

This is Book #4 in the series and Zoe is only two. Lucy finally joins Ted on a part time basis. Bill is a total jerk. I’d like to smash the meatloaf and potatoes into his misogynistic face. He’d never get another meal out of me. Why is Lucy such a doormat? The kids were just as bad young as they are as adults.

I’m almost finished with this series. It’s fun to read the older ones because I have read all the newest ones, too.

This took me forever to finish because it’s in paperback format and I can only read that tiny print a few chapters at a time!! Read a few others in between.

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understanding the vagaries of a book is tricky. Both this book and Trick or Treat Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #3) have weak villains. But herein the guilty party's entrance, speech and threat dug him his own grave, both figuratively and prosaically. In the third book, the invisible arsonist drew alarm and concern from the reader. Here's not the case.

At first glance the book started mildly. The story unfolded, taking its own time, narrating a story that in lesser hands would be over in 200 pages. There were attempts at the endless debate of secularism versus religion. Those themes are not dominant throughout the book. For those who want to look in the right places, they will find what they want to. Some other people will dig, not necessarily deeper, but will find other things. E.g the role of the working mum, the role of the housewife, the status of women in and out of marriage. Honesty and clairvoyance. There's plenty that occupied my mind reading this nice, good book.

The kids in this book speak at their very age. There's no nonsense like in Joanne Fluke's books - I've forgotten that brat's name. The numerous activities of the Stone family aren't eccentric. The family is pretty normal. What this book does is give you the feeling of immersion in these folk, making you believe that you know all about them; then they'll surprise you with something (E.g the asthma attack of Lizzie, and the lovemaking of Mr and Mrs Stone). You also feel that every single thing has been reported to you in the book. It's only an illusion. There are still many books left in this collection. I'm looking forward to every single one of them.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good addition to an okay series so far, Back to School Murder was an engrossing book that I devoured.

As I've stated before I absolutely love Lucy. She's strong, independent, funny, and yet she's not so perfect that it's unrealistic. Sue reappeared in this book, however she took a lesser role, which I was slightly disappointed about, but it worked out. Ted, the newspaper editor, also reappeared in this book, but he played a bigger role and he was hilarious.

However, Bill was back to his egotistical, annoying self, but maybe it's because of his egotistical annoying self that I found that he is actually a really interesting character. I rolled my eyes through most of the scenes he was in, but he was a good dad. I just wish he would've shown more of that side of him, versus the egomaniac side.

The setting was wonderful as always. The mystery was good. I did not see that killer until it was revealed, and I was extremely surprised. It still was on the far side of cozy mystery, but it was fine.

Overall a good book, not quite as good as the last one, but better than the one before that. This was a perfect quick read that would be perfect for a day at the beach, a day by the pool, or a day stuck inside. I will be reading the next one.

[Karol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series, despite Lucy's rather unlovable mate. I wonder where this relationship will go as I read further into the series? Lucy herself is likable, and this mystery was interesting. So far I have found the books in this series to be fun, quick reads.

[Maria Vargas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite so far, Lucy should have her own column in the newspaper! Ted, we need to talk because you must keep Lucy even if she is part-time to get the next scoop.

Lucy keeps proving her magnet for trouble but also makes me laugh how she says, 'I'm not going to get involved this time' and that's exactly what she ends up doing. Again, there's a couple of mysteries happening at the same time, but the school bomb freaked me out. This in specific it was easy to figure out even with the little hints and comments Lucy kept saying. The other one was hard to figure out before we got the answer.

Bill went back to his annoying sexist self, making roll my eyes and wanting to slap him. But then the kids were hilarious as always. It's funny how some days they will do everything mom says but other days they are causing mayhem. Even telling each kid they are her favorite they know she tells the same to all of them.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Lucy Stone re-read for me, and I had forgotten the ending so that was a plus! Excellent story with a clever mystery. A+

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really loving this cozy mystery series! I am getting to know the usual characters very well and am enjoying the relationships immensely. The mystery story had multiple suspects, and relationships were revealed as the story progressed. I will definitely read the next book in the series soon!

[Sunshine✰✰✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. Lucy is trying to branch out into the world to be something more than a stay-at-home mom. She has been working as a temp at the local newspaper office and I think it suits her perfectly. She has also been going back to school to get her teaching degree. This leads to trouble as the professor is a gorgeous man who finds her attractive. I disagree with some reviews that Bill is an ass. He just has a hard time with change and adjusting to his wife wanting a job after being a stay-at-home mom for their 4 children for well over a decade. By the end he seems to be coming around.

I think Lucy being out of the house as a professional snoop instead of just a snoop is really going to make this series more interesting.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book is twenty-five years old, there are parts of it that ring remarkably and unfortunately true. There is a school board in the grips of some ultra conservatives. There are the willfully ignorant parents who hate anyone and anything different. Lucy, while she slowly comes around does more times than I'm comfortable with, parrot the bigotry of those around her.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2022/comm...

A lot of this book felt dated — and would have felt dated even if I'd read it new.

[Andrea Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leslie Meier knows how to write an entertaining and intelligent cozy mystery. She deals sensitively with modern day concerns and social issues. Lucy Stone amateur sleuth and mother of four is facing her own challenges in her various roles as wife, mother, an evening class student and a temporary job at the newspaper. All that and an investigation too! Once again she is bound and determined to solve the case. I am looking forward to more of this series.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s back to school time in the peaceful Maine town of Tinker’s Cove, and for mother-of-four Lucy Stone it isn’t a moment too soon. But trouble at the local elementary school soon has the sometime crime-solver juggling family, job, and night classes with another mystery to solve.
Re-reading the Lucy Stone series, and enjoying them - I have number 5 to read next.

[Brandi Moriarty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dreadful!

Clearly, the author hates teachers and public schools. The main character judges everyone, and when I read "those types of girls have it coming " *or something like that, I knew this book was going to be dreadful! Wow! I'm sad I finished it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again another great mystery!

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these Lucy Stone mysteries

[Dakota Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was starting to be my favorite Lucy stone book but once she had an affair she lost my support:( other than that it was so good. ( 👂🏻 📖)

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I was really enjoying this book at first but then it got really unfocused with too many subplots and I got distracted and uninterested.
In this one, there is a bombing at the local elementary school. It ends up not being a very big one but the new asst principal becomes a town hero for going into the building and saving a young disabled boy who had gotten trapped. Then the principal winds up murdered and the story is trying to figure out whodunnit.
The other major plot line is Lucy’s marriage and attempt at self discovery. She’s got a temp job at the newspaper and she loves it but her husband is mad she doesn’t have dinner on the table at 6pm every night so he wants her to quit. He’s so chauvinistic and archaic in his beliefs. Lucy does what he wants but complains about it and even starts to have an affair. At one point in this book I was confused- she’s still married, right? She also taking a night class about literature because its something she loves, but it's also a way to introduce one of our suspects.
The suspects are Lucy's professor who used to work at the university Carol Crane (the dead asst principal went to) because he had an affair with her and she was threatening to expose it, the reverend because he was super weird and Carol had naked pics of him that she threatened to expose, and the guy they arrested- beloved teacher Josh Cunningham, because he was from the same small town and carol hated him therefore framed him. In the last 10% of the book, Carols estranged husband comes back and I guess it was him that did it and he raped her first. Why is that a necessary part of the story?
I didn’t like how the author demonized the reverend and the Christian faith. Yes, this man has very conservative views, but I felt very much like Meier is not a Christian and was making a statement about people of faith.
Overall I don’t really like this series and won’t be continuing.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to School Murder by Leslie Meier is the 4th book in the Lucy Stone Mystery series. Lucy Stone has taken a temporary job at the Local Penny Saver newspaper filling in while the usual writer is caring for a sick mother, when a report of a bomb at the elementary school comes in. Rushing to the scene, she witnesses the new assistant principal Carol Crane rescuing a disabled student just in the nick of time, but everything seems unbelievable and staged to Lucy and when Carol is murdered shortly afterwards and a well liked and respected teacher is arrested, Lucy investigates further. I loved this book. Lucy has her hands full with looking after her family of four children while juggling her temporary job and also starting a course in Victorian literature. It would be nicer if her husband Bill was a bit more supportive of her choices. The mystery was interesting with plenty of suspects and Lucy falls into her new role as an investigative journalist quite naturally and the role suits her perfectly. I feel this is a series that is best read in order as we get to see Lucy develop her sleuthing skills. A fun and entertaining cozy mystery that I enjoyed very much.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Stone was filling in at the local newspaper when Lucy hears on the radio that there was a bomb at the school. Rushing over to the school Lucy realizes that all the kids are all out of the school but when she sees Carol (the new vice-principal) rushing in and as she is running out of the school she has one of the kids in her arm then the bomb goes off. While Carol is praised as the savior of the school, and the principal is expecting her to go after her job. However, just days later Carol is found dead in her apartment. While the community is convinced that they have found the killer a new coach that the preacher is convinced this new coach is bad news. Lucy however is not convinced that the coach is guilty. However, the deeper Lucy gets into the story she realizes that she is playing with fire. Carol is not the savior that the people thought, and it seems that her past has caught up with her, and Lucy Stone is right in the middle of everything. If you love cozy mysteries with a great few twists then you will love this one!