In the latest instalment of the PTA Mystery Series, Beth Kennedy is taking over as president of the Tarver Elementary School PTA, much to the chagrin of her archenemy Claudia, PTA vice president. The first order of business is electing a new secretary, which immediately pits Beth and Claudia against each other. Fortunately, Beth's choice (Summer) wins the seat, which Beth thinks is a good omen for the year. As the meeting progresses, she introduces a guest speaker to discuss investment options for the PTA's money. But during the meeting's short break, he is shot and killed.

Beth is one of the first people on the scene, having run toward the gunshot as soon as she heard it, much to the consternation of her friends. Fortunately, she isn't considered a suspect, as there is plenty of evidence that it would have been impossible for her to have committed the murder. However, Beth feels responsible for Dennis' death since he was only at the meeting at her request. As soon as she can, she jumps into sleuth mode, despite the pleas of the local sheriff to stay out of the investigation.

As Dennis was a financial planner, Beth finds out that there may have several people with a motive to want him dead. In the meantime, Claudia is spreading vicious gossip that the secretary is behind the murder, causing Summer to come down with a serious self-confidence crisis and making Beth look bad in the process. Now, Beth not only has to solve Dennis' murder but hope that Summer isn't the culprit!

As if trying to solve a murder wasn't enough, during all of this, Beth is trying to figure what's wrong with her son Oliver, who is suddenly acting odd, non- communicative, and jumpy. Her best friend is trying to make over her wardrobe, and the town has suddenly decided that the PTA is cursed, accounting for the sudden decline in PTA meeting attendance. And to top it all off, her daughter, Lauren chooses this time to start acting like a typical adolescent!

This is quickly becoming one of my favourite cosy series -- so much so that I recommended it to my cosy book group, who also enjoyed it. Laura Alden portrays PTA life so accurately; the politics of PTA parenting, but without it getting too overblown and exaggerated that it becomes tiresome. Beth is clearly a devoted parent who cares about her children, but Oliver and Lauren aren't the focus of the book. Beth is also a great amateur sleuth who is clever enough to solve mysteries with just a little help from the most unexpected sources. I'm definitely going to keep reading these!

Book Summary

As the new PTA president, Beth Kennedy wants to make a difference in the lives of the students and faculty at Tarver Elementary. But with a killer on the loose, staying alive is the first order of business...

With the book sales from their Story Project, the PTA has come into some money. Now they just have to decide how to spend it. With different factions vying for their own interests, Beth brings in financial consultant Dennis Halpern. But before they can come to a resolve, Dennis comes to his final end—shot to death right in the school.

With the doors to the building unlocked, virtually anyone could have done the deed. And they soon discover that Dennis had plenty of secrets. Now locals are whispering that the PTA is cursed, and it's up to Beth to catch the killer before she gets cashed out.

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