It's time for another new protagonist! For technical reasons, the series featuring vicar's wife Jodie Welsh has been suspended, so I'm introducing another woman to Kentish village life. Jane Cowan - not her real name - has been physically and mentally abused by her husband, who at last is doing a long stretch in Durham Gaol for the harm he did her.
Determined to rebuild her life, she has accepted a headship of a small village school in Wrayford. Although she wants to regard herself as a survivor, not a victim, it seems that even the weather is out to take away her new-found independence. Then strange and increasingly unpleasant events occur at the school.
As I looked for a new heroine, the news media were covering stories about a teacher who turned out to be a sexual pervert. You will look for him in vain in Head Start, but I will admit that I wouldn't want all Jane's colleagues on my staff if I were a head. Or some of her pupils and their parents in my care, for that matter.
Since I'm in the middle of the next novel in the series, it's clear that Jane survives - but at what cost?
Allison & Busby
20 October 2016
Interesting and enjoyable… highly recommended
Literary Review
This is another thoroughly enjoyable mystery from one of my favorite writers, Judith Cutler... Head Start is a fast-paced, first-rate puzzle of a mystery with an appealing heroine. I hope to read more books featuring Jane Cowan.
Kittling Books