WHY ISN'T BECKY TWITCHELL DEAD?

by Mark Richard Zubro ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 22, 1990

When Jeff Trask, a remedial student at the Grover Cleveland High School in Chicago, is arrested for the murder of his girlfriend Susan, teacher-narrator Tom Mason snoops around and discovers that Susan was the least likely victim. Bossy Becky Twitchell, however, was the odds-on favorites: everyone hated her. With the loving cooperation of his companion, baseball hero Scott Carpenter, Tom sets out to prove that Jeff is innocent, and in doing so antagonizes two of his fellow teachers while finding a way to breach the stonewalling imposed on all of Susan's friends by the very malicious young Becky. Eventually it becomes clear that at Grover Cleveland, they have yet to learn to ""Just Say No."" The teachers were dealing, as were the students. Tom and Scott tail some of the pushers/suppliers to a remote farmhouse, where all is made clear regarding the drug operations. But yet to come is an explanation of who killed Susan, which comes clear only when the coach's star athlete makes a confession. Overchatty, and Tom and Scott seem more than ever like a gay version of Mr. and Mrs. North. Like its predecessor, A Simple Suburban Murder, too derivative (cf. Joseph Hansen and others) and far too cutesy.

Pub Date: March 22, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1990

Categories: FICTION