I really enjoyed this thriller. This was my first book from Bonnie Traymore but I really liked the way she wrote this. It is told from multiple POVs which I really liked because it gave a full perspective of each characters motives. The ending felt like it was wrapped up nicely although it was pretty anticlimactic. I appreciated the epilogue a lot but wish we had gotten Miles' perspective a year later. This wasn't very fast paced but did keep me entertained the entire time. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't put this book down it had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through! A most enjoyable read!!!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a very quick fast paced read. The story and characters were well done. Twists and turns throughout made this an enjoyable read.

Quick and easy, no muss no fuss thriller. I enjoyed this, I would recommend it. It was good and the setting was provactive

A really good suspenseful thriller that ticked all the boxes! I love dark academia and this was a good example of that. This is also an author new to me.

A nice read, nothing too exciting or sad but a easy read with a romance thrown in to the already corrupt mix

Head Case was a very suspenseful thriller. Cassie, the main character, moves to the Catskills to work at a very remote private school. Bonnie Traymore builds up the suspense very well as winter comes and everyone is stranded at the school. I really enjoyed the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this ARC. The review is my personal opinion.

Pathways publishing thank you for the ARC.

Book was very interesting opening. Very easy read and easy to get into. Great back story of main character along with supporting characters. I liked the ending as it left you hanging a bit, but not in a way that the story wasn't wrapped up.
First time reading author and look forward to reading more

This is a gripping narrative that unfolds against the icy backdrop of the Catskill Mountains. Cassie Romano, seeking a fresh start after a painful breakup, finds herself entangled in a deadly workplace rivalry at Falcon Ridge Academy, a private school where a fellow teacher's mysterious death sets off a chain of unsettling events.

The novel cleverly explores the consequences of major life decisions made in the wake of emotional turmoil, as Cassie navigates the isolation of the snowy mountainous landscape. The atmospheric setting adds a layer of tension to the story, emphasizing Cassie's loneliness and boredom as the winter months unfold.

The narrative unfolds with a sense of urgency, keeping us on the edge of our seats as Cassie's investigation reveals a web of secrets and potential danger. The consequences of her choices loom large, adding a layer of psychological tension to the overall suspense.

This is a fast-paced and engaging thriller that combines elements of mystery, psychological suspense, and a chilling winter setting. It's a compelling tale that explores the delicate balance between self-preservation and the pursuit of justice. If you enjoy atmospheric mysteries with well-developed characters and a sense of impending danger, this novel is a must-read, showcasing the author's ability to create a suspenseful and immersive narrative.

Thank you NetGalley and Bonnie Traymore for the ARC!

My first read of 2024! While I did enjoy this book, the pacing of it is what threw it off the most for me. I felt like the first 75% of the book was pretty slow and then the “big event” happens so suddenly and occurs in like 3 minutes of reading time. I felt like there could’ve been more build up or more suspense.

*spoilers*

I really didn’t feel like I was on the edge of my seat. I wish I had more background on Madeline and how she essentially knows hitmen and how she got involved in the whole financial scheme. I also didn’t feel like it added anything to the story to end up killing her off in the epilogue. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s. That may have been one of my favorite elements of the book.

Overall it was a decent read. On the fence if I would recommend to others.

3.5 rounded up.
Very atmospheric. Easy to read, hood characters and mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

I loved this book. I selected it because I am interested in dark academia and psychological thrillers, and the story provided all that. I am interested in learning more about this author. The plot kept me interested and turning pages to the end. The characters were complex, and the setting created an exciting atmosphere.

Princess Fuzzypants here: After a painful breakup, Cassie impulsively takes a teaching job in a remote school in The Catskills. The California girl is having problems with the cold and the isolation but it is nothing to compare with what happens after one of the other teachers is murdered. The woman had reached out to Cassie beforehand and she feels obligated to see she receives justice. But there are weird things afoot in the school. Normal competition and rivalries aside, there is something decidedly wrong going on and it appears to involves some of the movers and shakers at the school. Exactly what is uncertain but there are some shady characters.

Cassie, herself, has lots of secrets. Secrets that could doom her and her family. It is the one thing that jars a bit when she decides to investigate. She soon discovers she has unexpected allies but where the story really takes a big turn is when the reader twigs to the fact that the real monster in all of this is hiding in plain sight. It was a delightful twist that adds greatly to the overall enjoyment of the book.

Four purrs and two paws up.

Give me all the private school thrillers! Murder, awesome setting in a private school in the snowy woods. Cassie come to the academy to change her life and all kinds of unexpected twists and turns ensue! I liked it!

Welcome to Falcon Ridge Academy where 2 faculty members are dead. Was it calculated murders or 2 unrelated incidents? Protagonist Cassie plays detective to find out what truly happened to her colleagues.

#netgalley #headcase

Cassie leaves San Diego after a bad break-up. She is taking a teaching job in upstate New York. Cassie is enjoying the summer/fall there, but when she is on the mountain top burried in snow and ice she feels lonelier then she has ever felt.

Cassiess friend and co-worker is found dead and Cassie receives a strange letter from her shortly after her death. Should Cassie try to leave or should she stay and try to help figure out what is happening at the Falcon Ridge Academy. If she stays what will it cost her.

Cassie has moved across the country from California to New York, and accepted a job as an English teacher. Falcon Ridge Academy is in the Catskill Mountains, and as winter approaches, Cassie starts wondering if she made a mistake. First, there’s the issue of having no time to go to the city. Secondly, a major winter storm has her feeling claustrophobic. Lastly, a coworker is found dead. Was it an accident, or murder?

That’s about it; this book felt a little bland to me. The story is any murder mystery, with a few variables like people in witness protection and a potential romance. We get to hear from several people involved with the academy, and then the ending gives you the answer to the mystery.

Overall, I thought this was well-written, but I could have used a bit more thrill and suspense.

This was a really suspenseful and intriguing thriller! The isolated setting added a strong sense of suspense! Quite a few twists although the end did sort of seem to peter out after the main reveals. Overall, I really liked this one & would love to read more by this author!

This is the first time I’ve read any of Traymore’s books. I liked the Cassie, who is a strong character. I couldn’t put it down. The author did an excellent job developing the story and building the suspense and intrigue. I like the way the story unfolds.