Lessons in Evil

by Babette Hughes

"A chilling Nazi-era crime story..."

What happens when a long-buried secret comes to light as secrets inevitably do?

Fiction author Annie Burg is tasked with writing an unauthorized biography on literary luminary, Helga Hoffman. At first, she is hesitant to take the assignment but realizes it could bolster her sagging career. This would turn out to be a writing assignment unlike any other.

With little to go on, Annie becomes a detective, snooping around the archives at the New York Public Library. Her work takes a stunning turn when she uncovers a heartless and heinous crime carried out against Jews in a hospital in Nazi Germany.

Filled with murder and intrigue, Lessons in Evil takes the reader on a dark and mysterious journey through good and evil.

Genres: Historical Fiction

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2024

About the author

Cleveland, Ohio native Babette Rosen Hughes is a bootlegger’s daughter whose father and uncle were murdered by the Mafia. Ms. Hughes is the co-author of Why College Students Fail and author of the memoir, Lost And Found.
Her published columns, articles and book reviews can be found in the Saturday Review, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland Magazine and the Cleveland Press.
Babette and her husband are parents and stepparents to eight children and now reside in Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[HAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't get the relevance of cover, an author years later and why Helga was so important. Was she wronged? Was she protecting Gary? By the fourth chapter I was struck by the mastery of Hughes' storytelling and couldn't put the story down. Then, after reading "about the author" I was deeply impressed by the ability to deliver a short story that had SO much entertainment and knowing when to stop. With only one d-- word there's no other swears, no sex but definitely high fascination factor. I gladly recommend this "mystery" for teens and adults.

[Barkley Audiffred · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay… I think there was so much potential for it to be a full length novel and not a novella.

Between the FMC falling in love, finding out and becoming part of the group that hunts the nazis, Gary could have been a stronger creeper character, the past of how some of them got to the US, soooo much potential.

I do give the author props though since she’s 101! Get it!!!

[Lori Keesey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very fast read since it’s a novelette. Loved the premise and the perspective. And the story sucked me in quickly. However, I wanted more. Given this author’s age—101–Babette Hughes is certainly rocking it.

[Teri M Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons in Evil is a novella by Babette Hughes. Babette is a 101-year-old who still finds joy in writing! And she hit her latest creation out of the park.

Annie Burg is an author who has been asked to write the unofficial biography of a very famous writer, Helga Hoffman. Annie doesn't want the assignment because of Helga's dismissive personality. Nonetheless, she takes it in hopes of restarting her career. But that is when everything turns sideways, and Annie finds herself in the middle of a Nazi-hunting investigation!
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I love Annie because I see her hang ups and all that is holding her back in life. I understand what drives her forward at the beginning of the story, but more importantly, what drives her at the end. The transformation is stunning. Add to that an antagonist you love to hate, and this novella has everything you need for a quick, satisfying read. Highly recommend!

[SUZANNE JAMISON · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reread this amazing story.It isn't easy to put the book aside once you start reading it.