It is a cosy crime book. I found it quite slowpaced and wasn't gripping enough for me. I didn't finish the book.

My first review by this author and I really liked the sound of it when I read the blurb. We find ourselves at a private school where the headmaster has just been found dead in his office. Was it an accident, natural causes or murder? The story begins well and I liked meeting Asha and her son, Cass who have gone to the school's open day for the freebies that were on offer! The storyline does swap and change throughout the chapters from before the headmaster's death to after from the perspectives of different characters, and we also have whatsapp messages from the parents group. There are a lot of characters within the story, which I have to admit I did find difficult to remember who was who. The storyline did bounce around a little as well thanks to the timeline changes and this took a bit to get used to. I found it well paced at the beginning, but it did slow up as the plot moved on, and along with having to concentrate on what was happening I did find myself not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. However, the premise of it was good and the beginning and the end of the story was most enjoyable for me. It would appeal to those who like a slower paced cosy crime.

An enjoyable murder mystery - leaning towards a cosy mystery. A headteacher in a private school is murdered and the story is told through multiple perspectives and times. I liked the school mum angle - especially the group chats on WhatsApp. This added some humour as well. The twist was a little predictable but a good read overall.

This is the first novel I’ve read by the author, i was drawn to it by the cover and the synopsis which sounded intriguing.
It’s a cosy crime novel, set in a private school which uses a similar format of writing to Janice Hallett novels but for me, is not as clever, either in its plotting or writing.
It’s a fairly enjoyable slow paced read that didn’t particularly grip me and I found it confusing to keep up with the cast of characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

An entertaining read set among the staff, pupils and parents of a private school in the south of England. The head teacher of a boys school is murdered, and there are plenty of suspects. As someone who works in a private school I found it very realistic in its depiction of the staff, parents, and pupils, in fact outwith the murder it could have been set in my school.

This is a great fun twisty read for anyone looking for some light-hearted but well written crime. The school looms as character in its own right, the old building and grounds filled with rumours and traditions. The parents as much part of the school as the children, probably even more so when it comes to the hierarchies and relationships between them all. Central to the story (besides a little bit of murder of course) is the story of a mum, her son and about fitting in or not.
As we follow a brilliant cast of characters as they discover the who, what, where and why, we are lead to uncover secrets and a lurking tension behind the grand facades. And I can't not give a shout out to the mum's WhatsApp group, a fun a light hearted addition that I am so pleased made the final cut.

So, an interesting one here, sort of in the vein of Janice Hallett’s style rather than the cosy style you might be expecting. There are time jumps, police interview testimony, WhatsApp chats and sections from the point of view of the majority of the main characters.
This all felt quite close to home, as I’m a teacher in such a school – not an isolated posh one like Aberfal, I should say – but some of the themes I have seen in previous schools that I’ve worked in. I did find myself invested in the fates of a number of the lead characters, especially Asha, a parent who doesn’t think she really fits in with her fellow mothers, and Katy, the ambitious deputy head. The story twists and turns as it heads towards the revelation of the murderer but there are plenty of other bits and pieces being revealed and resolved along the way.
Not convinced that it’s a particularly clued mystery, and ultimately given a relatively small group of suspects (which I always find odd in school mysteries because schools are massive), I didn’t find the final reveal particularly surprising. It didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the story – which was always leading to that resolution – and if there is more shenanigans to come at the school, I look forward to reading about them.

This book is written in several time zones, in the lead up to a cricket match, during the cricket match and in the aftermath when the school’s well regarded headmaster is murdered. We meet many mother and son pairings including a lady called Asher whose son Cass starts the prestigious independent school when he is signed up after he and his mum shelter there from the rain one day. In a drive to promote inclusivity he is given a 90% scholarship but feels he doesn’t quite fit in. Meanwhile, Pippa is afraid her sons will have to leave the school due to financial problems despite her husband and the headmaster seeming to be close friends.the book centres around relationships between the mothers, children, the deputy headmistress and headmaster, with everyone’s secrets coming out over the course of the book. A good strong recommended read.

Asha Demetriou had no intention of enrolling her son Cassius in Aberfal Boys High School when she gatecrashed the open day. People with Asha’s background don’t belong in the privileged world of private schools. But Jerry Newhall, the headmaster can be persuasive and almost against her better judgement, Asha finds herself accepting a bursary for Cass and as a result, entering a world she doesn’t think she belongs to.

Initially, Asha is in awe of the school, the people who work there, and the other mothers she interacts with but it isn’t long before she notices that the school isn’t as shiny as it appeared at first glance. And when her son is the subject of bullying, Asha springs into action. But it isn’t until the day of a cricket match when Jerry Newhall is found dead in his office that things at Aberfal Boys High School come to a head.

While it’s clear that somebody murdered Jerry, nobody has seen the perpetrator and since his personal assistant states that she didn’t leave her post outside Jerry’s office all afternoon and didn’t see anybody enter, it appears we’re dealing with an impossible crime. Except that just as the school isn’t what it appears to be, neither are the circumstances of Jerry’s death. Everybody has secrets and nobody is telling the (full) truth.

The story in this book isn’t told in a linear way. The narrative jumps backward and forwards in time, but chapter headings make sure the reader doesn’t get confused. Witness statements are interspersed throughout the story. Those statements are a one-sided affair in that the reader only sees the answers given by the various characters and not the questions posed by the investigating police officer. In fact, Detective Mullins doesn’t make an appearance until the very end of the story. All the reader learns about the investigation comes from those statements and the (online) conversations between the mothers of the pupils.

The author hit the nail on the head with the dynamics between the various players in the story. The interactions between the mothers both in the WhatsApp group and face to face are recognisable for anybody who has ever been part of such a group. Everybody appears to have an assigned position in their social circle until the murder and the subsequent unravelling of secrets upsets the apple cart. Everybody has something to hide or is pretending to be something other than who and what they are. It isn’t until the extravagant end-of-term summer ball that things come to a head and Detective Mullins makes his appearance to arrest the murderer.

But remember even when the story appears to be over: “You really never can tell which one’s the bad apple.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing is smooth, and the story captured my attention from the start. The characters in this book were recognisable as were the interactions between them. At times reading the book was a little like watching a car crash in slow motion as slowly but steadily relationships and reputations unravel. All of it kept me captivated from the opening paragraphs until the surprising and unconventional ending.

What a cracking book! I had an absolute blast reading it :)
Set in a posher than posh private boys school, we follow the build up and aftermath of the murder of the headmaster, found dead in his study on the day of the last cricket match of the season. It's told in the past, the present, and with additional sections taken from the mum's whatsapp group, along with several "witness statements" all perfectly positioned to cast suspicion, point fingers, and impart the necessary knowledge to keep me guessing all the way through. As well as progressing the main story very well indeed.
Oh what a tangled web this book uncovered. So many secrets, lies, dysfunctional behaviour, and a few illicit affairs thrown into the mix. With a veritable cast of nefarious characters all of whom shone in their own ways, all of whom played their parts with aplomb. And a storyline that, at its heart seems simple enough, but when all the rest of the shenanigans going on are slowly uncovered, turns out to be far from it. And all deliciously devious to boot. And no, I'm not explaining that for you! Suffice to say I was floundering, going round in circles, rooting for one person, pointing fingers at another, until, all change and, well, I just gave in completely and sat back and enjoyed the ride.
And the ending, when it eventually came, sublime... brilliant! Didn't see that coming at all, and I read so many of this genre book that I probably ought to have. But yeah, well done to the author for a great job done! I'm up to date with this author's rather impressive back catalogue so all that's left is to wonder what she will serve up for me for next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Aberfal High is a private school for boys and known for its academic and sporting achievements. That is until the headteacher is murdered. The police investigation reveals long hidden secrets. Is it really as excellent as it makes out?

I felt like reading a cosy crime novel and like those set around academia, so thought this would be something I enjoyed. The story jumps around a lot which sometimes made it confusing but it was a quick, simple read with a clear cut mystery to solve. There was a small amount of humour within the story and a large bunch characters, some were interesting while others came across stereotypical.

I found that although this was written well, the pacing was a bit off for me. I also found that it seems more suited to the young adult reader. If you enjoy the YA genre and slow burn, cosy mysteries with secrets to unfold, you will enjoy this. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

One Bad Apple was a juicy and riveting mystery unravelling the secrets hidden in the hallowed halls of Aberfal Boys High School.

I am a sucker for mysteries and thrillers that play with different narrative styles, often combining various points of view with media excerpts i.e. podcast transcripts, interview clips and text messages. Jakeman delivers these with aplomb, letting the reader have an eagle eye of the police interview, individual perspectives both leading up to and following on from that fateful day and most excitingly, the classic WhatsApp group. This just gives such an insight into the group dynamics from just a few texts, as well as adding layers to both the characters and the overall mystery. It is a showboating competition hidden behind smiles and forced serenity. Everything is about status with a distinct emphasis on class. Jakeman just nails that school parent competition dynamic and how covert yet deeply unsubtle it is. The tension is high and the paranoia is tantamount. Rumours are flying and fire is spreading, letting you get caught up in the minutiae of everything unfolding.

It is such a well-paced and compelling mystery. The suspense is great and the stakes are growing higher by the page, particularly as you get more involved with these characters and come to care about their lives. Of course, the added dynamic is the fascination with the idea of elite private schools. For many of us, they just seem otherworldly and the peek behind the curtain is fascinating. The popularity of media like Succession and Saltburn shows that desire to unpick the secrets of the elite and I think this is magnified in a British context, as class colours everything in our culture. It insidiously twists everything, often in unexpected or unspoken ways. Of course, nothing is as picture-perfect as it seems here with a myriad of secrets to discover. It is just so humanly messy in the way these different relationships are all entangled.

One Bad Apple keeps the surprises coming, building masterfully to an excellent denouement that is shocking and satisfying at the same time.

I loved this mystery, it was very captivating with dashes of danger and excitement, great read overall.

Another enjoyable book from Jo Jakeman.
Attending Abefal Boys High School. an elite boys school was an amazing chance for young Cass whose mum accepts a bursary to let him start. She workd 2 jobs to pay towards his remaining fees but knows she will never fit in. All isn't as it seems at this classy establishment...

Loved the Mummy Whatsapp group chats some very laugh out loud moments from the comments.

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK, Jo Jakeman and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

One Bad Apple indeed. What a fantastic book! I’m so glad this was my first book by Jo Jakeman. I cannot wait to read more.

I’m not normally one for a slow build, but it worked perfectly in this book. It allowed me to get to know the characters individuals, get a glimpse into their lives, and learn all of their many, many flaws.

Once the plot started moving though, it moved swiftly and I was caught up in the mystery, trying to figure out who had committed the murder.

The addition of message style text gave a humorous insight to school WhatsApp groups and the amusing challenges parents face navigating it.

The plot twist at the end was spectacular, and I wish I could say I saw it coming, but I didn’t. Amazing book from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back from the grisly, gruesome crime fiction and indulge in a little light-hearted, cosy murder mystery and that is exactly what One Bad Apple was for me.

Set in a Cornish village, One Bad Apple centres around Aberfal Boys High School, a private school known for it’s academic and sporting excellence. The parents are all “yummy mummies”, who pride themselves on being part of this elite, affluent and influential school.

When Asha Demetriou moves into this cliquey village with her son Cass, having had to flee her home for reasons unknown, she has no intention of enrolling her son at this overly privileged and expensive school. However the headteacher Jerry Newhall can be very persuasive and against her gut feelings she accepts a bursary for Cass which propels both mother and son into an exclusive and entitled world she doesn’t understand.

Obviously with any cosy murder we have to have a victim, and headteacher Jerry Newhall is our man. He is found dead in his office during an important cricket match with his head bashed in. Who would want this much loved headteacher dead? How could he have been killed when no-one was seen near his office and what secrets are the parents covering?

At first I was concerned that this book has a huge cast of characters and I would struggle to keep up with who was who, but within a few chapters this really wasn’t an issue at all. I absolutely devoured this book, I loved all the characters, the secrets, the back stories, the humour, the relationships, the WhatsApp messages between the parents and most of all I loved Asha.

This is an easy 5 star for me and I was delighted to see that Jo Jakeman, who is a new author to me, has 5 other books which I shall be buying now.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Secrets and Suspects..
Aberfal Boys High School, an elite independent academy in the South West, prides itself on many things - that is, it does until the murder in the study. Now, with a murdered headmaster and a school bubbling over with likely suspects, a parents WhatsApp group working double time and a police investigation that uncovers more secrets, suspects and subterfuge than solid results, it would appear that this exclusive school is far from what it first appears. With an eclectic and well crafted cast of characters, a swiftly moving plot and a narrative laced with humour this is an enjoyable, engaging and entertaining mystery which may well keep the reader guessing to the end.

One Bad Apple read a lot like a YA book and was quite a slow-burner overall, but I rather enjoyed this book. I'm not usually a fan of slow-paced stories, but I think it worked really well for this one. It was steadily-paced, smoothly writing, and had my attention from the start. The added WhatsApp messages also gave me a little chuckle here and there.

There were several characters in the mix, but it was fairly easy to keep track of who was who. I wouldn't say I particularly liked any of the characters. Everyone had something to hide in one way or another, and this added to the suspense/mystery of the book.

The ending wasn't something I saw coming... and please tell me there's a second book... I want the goss about the new headteacher?!

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome to Aberfal Boys High School. Independent jewel of academic and sporting excellence in the South-west until the headmaster is murdered in his study. And now the year seven mums' WhatsApp group really do have something to talk about. As the resulting police investigation reveals more and more of Aberfal's long-hidden secrets, the list of suspects who wanted the headmaster dead grows by the day. And from being a glittering jewel of exclusively, tit would appear Aberfal Boys High School is rotten to the core.

Set in one of Cornwall's elite boys schools. It tells us of the bullying and family rivalry in private schools. Some parts are quite predictable, and it reads a lot like a YA book, but it's still an enjoyable, fast-paced read. The timeline jumps back and forth, and it's told from multiple points of view. Who had killed the headmaster? There are a lot of characters to keep up with in this well-written book.

Published 19th September 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #LittleBrownBookGroup and the author #JoJakeman for my ARC of #OneBadApple in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining black comedy murder mystery set in an elite Cornish school - most of the parents are affluent upper class people who expect the best things in life and pride themselves on choosing an outstanding exclusive school for their precious sons. The book moves across multiple timelines and different voices, from Katy the deputy headteacher who wants nothing more than to be Head and mix things up, to some of the parents themselves as well as some very entertaining parents' WhatsApp groups that reveal more about the relationships in school and out of it.

When the headmaster is found dead in his office just after the end of term cricket match, suspicions fly about who might be responsible and what the motives are.

I enjoyed the story though got a little lost in the cast of characters sometimes - there were a lot of parents and pupils to keep track of.