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Amanda Pepper #13
A Hole in Juan
No matter the season, the Philadelphia private school where Amanda Pepper teaches English is never a center of tranquility. But with Halloween and the annual Mischief Night party only days away, the hope is that nothing more than old-fashioned vandalism and pranks will take place.
No such luck. Trouble erupts long before the witching hour, as the school is plagued by a series of mishaps ranging from the trivial to the potentially deadly–and most of which seem to center on a group of popular seniors.
A fire alarm rings during a test; all the orange and black paint is stolen from the art room; the mustard packets are taken from the cafeteria. Perhaps more serious: chemicals and equipment disappear from the science lab, as does one of Amanda’s exams and her attendance book. And the dapper new science instructor, Juan Reyes, receives a threatening message recalling that a teacher was once flayed to death by his students.
As Amanda juggles teaching, moonlighting as a private investigator with her husband, C. K. Mackenzie, and coping with C.K.’s visiting sixteen-year-old high school-dropout nephew, she tries to find out what, or who, is behind the ominous events.
Before she can unmask the tricksters, the turmoil in the school increases when students rise up against the administration’s censuring (and censoring) of a campus poet. Then unrest escalates into a lethally explosive menace, and Amanda receives a warning that there is more–and far worse–to come.
No such luck. Trouble erupts long before the witching hour, as the school is plagued by a series of mishaps ranging from the trivial to the potentially deadly–and most of which seem to center on a group of popular seniors.
A fire alarm rings during a test; all the orange and black paint is stolen from the art room; the mustard packets are taken from the cafeteria. Perhaps more serious: chemicals and equipment disappear from the science lab, as does one of Amanda’s exams and her attendance book. And the dapper new science instructor, Juan Reyes, receives a threatening message recalling that a teacher was once flayed to death by his students.
As Amanda juggles teaching, moonlighting as a private investigator with her husband, C. K. Mackenzie, and coping with C.K.’s visiting sixteen-year-old high school-dropout nephew, she tries to find out what, or who, is behind the ominous events.
Before she can unmask the tricksters, the turmoil in the school increases when students rise up against the administration’s censuring (and censoring) of a campus poet. Then unrest escalates into a lethally explosive menace, and Amanda receives a warning that there is more–and far worse–to come.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 25, 2022
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.
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.
October 28, 2013
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.
June 14, 2019
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.
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.
November 7, 2025
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.
July 4, 2022
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!)
June 19, 2020
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.
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.
March 2, 2018
Expected more out of this book. Felt very let down.
June 29, 2022
I liked this book, but it got a little involved for a cozy mystery.
August 18, 2023
Ms. Roberts has done a wonderful job discussing hard subjects in an entertaining and thought provoking manner. Great series!
November 3, 2010
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.
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.
October 6, 2015
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.
July 14, 2014
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.
June 5, 2010
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.
September 7, 2010
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
May 4, 2011
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.
June 23, 2014
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.
October 13, 2008
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.
The plot was simplistic and the protagonist was self involved and critical of everyone in her life.
April 24, 2012
Easy read about a highschool teacher who teaches and moonlights as a private investigator!
October 24, 2013
Put it down after 100 pages.
September 4, 2015
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.
August 9, 2015
it's possible this is the last one of the series – philly mysteries. Cozies, but good.
June 14, 2016
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.
October 22, 2014
Lame - she's written better mysteries.
April 11, 2017
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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews