Middle School
History Teacher Steve Asher is forcibly removed from his role of
helping young people when he is charged with the murder of a student's
sister. Asher is counseling a troubled boy, Petey Oliver, whose
dysfunctional family is represented by Susan Oliver, a young
attractive woman trying hard to keep her bright but disturbed brother
out of trouble. Asher meets Susan over coffee to discuss ways they can
help Petey, but when we see them together again he is fishing her body
out of Walden Pond. Asher becomes a prime suspect in the murder after
Susan's diary is turned over to a hungry reporter naming Steve as her
lover. In order to clear his name and regain his reputation, Asher is
torn from his academic tower and forced into a quest to find Susan's
real murderer. The key to the crime hinges on a runaway boy and a
politician running for governor. Asher's quest leads back to Walden
Pond where Asher comes face to face with a murderer.
"Murder at
Walden Pond is "A smart and funny mystery novel I couldn't put down."
Dane Vannatter, recipient of
New York Music Critics' 2000 Backstage "Bistro Award" for Outstanding
male vocalist CD.
"Al
Blanchard's numerous short stories are consistently clever and
well-crafted, and now, with Murder At Walden Pond, he has
proven that his storytelling talents translate equally well to the
novel length yarn. It's both a puzzling mystery and an insightful
commentary on human nature."
William G.
Tapply, author of Muscle Memory and Scar Tissue.
