Cassie is a teacher who comes from San Diego to work at a private school in the Catskills. Once winter comes, the school is snowed in and the atmosphere is quite spooky in general. It quickly becomes more so when a teacher is found dead. Cassie's colleagues want to pass it off as a terrible accident but she believes it is far more sinister.
As she searches for the truth she is threatened. There is something sinister out there and it is up to Cassie to race against the killer to save herself.

i usually hate mixed perspective books but this was an exception!! it worked really well for the story and was executed perfectly. wish there had been more exploration of cassie’s background with witsec; it felt like there was a missed opportunity there. overall kept me hooked from beginning to end.

I was hooked on this one immediately.
Our protagonist works at a boarding school in New York. Admin and the board are up to something but she's minding her own business. The building is brand new but the teacher housing is in a dilapidated and non maintained old building. Her friend Kimi just died suddenly and she gets a letter from her that was sent hours before she died.
Now she is looped into some bad stuff. Kimi was going to resign and go home.

Also they replaced Kimi with a super hot guy who might be an issue.
And the director suddenly died at a school xmas concert, just to make things worse. I hate it when that happens.

Anyway, she has bad vibes so she decides to leave. She is going to drive across the country to California and move in with her parents.
But that day someone decides that she will not leave.

We also get Mile's perspective. He has been doing some stuff with the budget that will be a scandal when it gets out and also he will do prison time. He is trying to get his frenemy promoted so he can buy more time. It is not working though.
And his wife who just wants Miles to succeed so she can stay home and take care of their kid.
It gets a little coppish about midway through but I still like it.

Cassie Romano has left San Diego for a teaching position at a private school in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York after a painful break-up left her heart-broken and in need of a change. Now it's December, she's stranded on a mountain and a fellow teacher is dead.....

Head Case started an enjoyable slow burn and ramped up into an exciting thriller. I really warmed to Cassie and her backstory and found she was just the right amount of "spunky" to be believable. I loved the chapters from different perspectives, the twists, the isolated setting of a school in a winter storm and the wee sprinkling of romance. A decent amount of suspense, and I thought the ending wrapped everything up nicely.

A really good, believable thriller. Solid 4 stars

An excellent literary journey! Bonnie Traymore once again showcases her exceptional talents in this captivating narrative filled with intrigue and suspense. Traymore's signature slow-burn storytelling style effortlessly draws readers into her intricately crafted world, where appearances can be deceiving.

Traymore's characters come to life with authenticity, making it easy for readers to connect with their experiences and emotions. The storyline feels grounded and relatable, particularly for those who have navigated professional environments rife with gossip and the competitive pursuit of success.

The author skillfully spins a riveting tale that continues to linger in the mind long after the final page has been turned. Her narrative prowess is undeniable, and this book is a testament to her ability to keep readers enthralled from start to finish.

After a bad breakup, Cassie takes a job at a remote school in the Catskills. Things are fine until a teacher is murdered and she is stranded there during winter break with a killer.

I was missing the suspense here. I think part of it was I didn't really connect with Cassie, and then I was confused about why we had chapters from Miles' pov. It took a long time to make sense, which took me out of the story.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
This was an exciting read!
Cassie is teaching at private school. It seems the perfect place to be after her breakup.
But when a teacher is dead - she begins to worry for her life.
She decides to investigate which makes the danger escalate. Can she stay safe? Will she find out who is murdering and why? You will find yourself turning the pages in this riveting read!

I really enjoyed reading this thriller. I enjoyed the location and tense moments it kept me gripped and I didn't want to put it down.

"Head Case” unfolds a riveting tale of suspense and self-discovery, where the isolating and haunting environment of the Catskill Mountains enhances the storytelling. The protagonist, Cassie Romano, faced with a mysterious death at Falcon Ridge Academy, drawing readers into her emotionally charged journey.

The narrative balances Cassie’s character development with a well-paced plot, her own secrets adding layers to the unfolding mystery. The exploration of themes such as major life decisions and the delicate balance between self-preservation and pursuit of truth elevates the book to a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

A combination of picturesque setting, a strong protagonist, and a compelling mystery, this book is an immensely satisfying tale.

When Cassie Romano applied for the teaching job at the Falcon Ridge Academy in the Catskill Mountains, she was looking for anything that would get her out of a difficult situation in New York. Cassie hadn't really thought through the implications properly at the time - and it certainly helped that she saw the place in summer, when she went there the first time.

Six months later, things are looking decidedly different. Winter in the mountains comes with a lot of snow and a sense of isolation. Already lonely, and in need of distractions, the place doesn't have much to offer someone like Cassie.

So, she is already re-thinking the wisdom of her decision when something really terrible happens. One of the teachers is found dead. And while everyone else seems to view this as nothing more than a tragic accident, the letter that Cassie receives from the woman indicates otherwise.

The contents of the missive are somewhat mysterious, but the fact that it was written shortly before her death gives Cassie cause for concern. But she has good reasons for not wanting to get too involved. Because Cassie has her own secrets to protect...

This is an atmospheric thriller, which makes the most of its seasonal location. The characters are well-drawn and the plot is both entertaining and engaging. If you are looking for an suspenseful read for spooky season, this might well be one to check out.