How many times have you heard or uttered the admonition “for your own good”? These words form the title of Samantha Downing’s latest page-turning thriller.

Located in the northeast, Belmont Academy is a private school populated by smart, rich kids who have an “attitude.” The same can be said for some of the teachers, including Teddy Crutcher. He has just won Teacher of the Year, which gives the impression that he is above average in every way. What he really believes is that he should have been given the award a long time ago. He is fond of telling anyone who will listen that his wife, Allison, is proud of him. After a while, people begin to realize that Allison has not been around for some time. Where could she be hiding?

"The twists and turns in this well-written puzzle of a thriller take readers into the hearts and minds of Downing’s well-wrought characters."

Teddy does not seem concerned about Allison’s disappearance, nor is he especially interested in the death of a student’s parent that looks more and more like murder. His main goal is to push his students to be overachievers so that their success reflects on him. He has no real interest in his fellow teachers, the annoying parents who sometimes question him about his grading system, or the students themselves. Instead, he wishes that everyone would just stay out of his way and leave him alone, except when they are singing his praises.

FOR YOUR OWN GOOD opens when Zach Ward’s father comes to the school after hours to question Teddy about why his son did not get an A on his last essay. Mr. Ward tries to push him into alternate ways to raise the grade and even proposes that Zach read another book and write a new paper. Teddy knows that he should have given his student an A for an excellent report, but he does not like him. So, with some sarcasm, he lets the man know that he is not changing the grade, nor will he give the boy an opportunity to redeem himself in any way. When Teddy finally leaves the school, he is confronted in the parking lot by Zach’s mother. This almost pushes him into a rage, but he brushes her off.

After thinking it over, Teddy does relent and gives Zach a new assignment. But the boy is also on deadline for the school newspaper. The teacher in charge of overseeing this project gives him a break so he is able to complete both tasks on time. Nevertheless, the pressure is stifling. While this is going on, one of Belmont’s favorite teachers, Sonia Benjamin, is celebrating her 10th anniversary at the school. Since she is a former student, the festivities are expansive, and Teddy is jealous. She ends up dying under mysterious circumstances.

Soon it is determined that Ingrid Ross, the first woman who died, was murdered. Her daughter Courtney, a student at the school, is the prime suspect. They had a contentious relationship, and the police arrest Courtney based on all the times she openly wished Ingrid dead. Zach is close to the young woman and bribes a guard to let him into the jail to see her. He is found out and fears that his life will be ruined.

As the narrative further unfolds, former student Fallon Knight volunteers to come to the school and take Sonia’s place for the rest of the semester. She has a host of ulterior motives for wanting to be around Teddy again.

The twists and turns in this well-written puzzle of a thriller take readers into the hearts and minds of Downing’s well-wrought characters. The interior monologues and the narrator’s clues help to ratchet up the suspense. Those who dive in will be forced to read quickly as they will be eager to turn the pages to learn what happens next and to whom leading up to the surprise ending. FOR YOUR OWN GOOD is a perfect summer read --- and you will never look at coffee pods the same way ever again.