“A Pen Dipped in Poison” - J. M. Hall

(Liz, Pat, and Thelma book 2)

🖊️ Our unlikely sleuths in this cozy mystery series are retired teachers formerly employed at St. Barnabus when it was under different management. 

🖊️This is book 2 in the series which might be why it was difficult keeping everyone sorted; but Hall does jump from the POV of friend to friend from paragraph to paragraph with no transition so I often had to go back to see who was speaking.

🖊️ Thelma and Liz have flashbacks alluding to a terrible event. I never did learn what the flashbacks were about; presumably it’s a book 1 event.

🖊️ Action begins at the St. Barnabus PTA’s summer fair. Thelma stumbles upon an unusual scene in the school’s front office. Mrs. Brittain - the head of school - and the head of the PTA had come to an explosive confrontation over the use of fundraising monies; this resulted in the entire PTA walking out.  

🖊️ Liz, Pat, and Thelma refer to the head of school as “Rule Britannia”. It’s a particularly funny touch once her personality becomes apparent. 

🖊️ If you enjoy this book, I’d recommend the Dinner Lady Detectives series by Hannah Hendy.