A mystery of amphibian proportions by Phaze publisher Kathryn Lively! Biology teacher Andy Farmer is suspected in the murder of his principal, but can Andy convince the real killer to turn himself in before his "piths" off somebody else?

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Product Description

Pith, a transitive verb meaning "to destroy the spinal cord or central nervous system of (as a frog) usually by passing a wire or needle up and down the vertebral canal." (Source: Merriam-Webster)

He pissed me off, Andy...he pissed me off for the last time, so I pithed him.

Biology teacher Andy Farmer only wishes his friend Chuck was lisping on that fateful morning, but when he arrives at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings High to find the building wrapped in crime scene tape, he fears the worst. With the principal dead and Chuck missing, Andy agonizes over possible accessory charges as he plays coy with Detective French, all the while encouraging Chuck to own up for what others believe he has done. Andy feels a sense of urgency, though, when French's investigation reveals Andy himself is a more likely suspect in Principal Horace Shelton's murder! It's enough Andy has to deal with his bum hip and fading hearing, he doesn't want to do it in prison. Besides, who would feed the dog that Andy's son brought home from Tallahassee?

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #927474 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Review
A "can't put this book down" novel. You want to keep reading to find out what happens next. -- Mysteries Galore

PITHED is a charming mystery novel so realistic you could almost imagine hearing about it on the nightly news. -- Round Table Reviews

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Customer Reviews

A great little mystery novella
Pithed is a good read: a fast-paced mystery novel that keeps you turning the pages. Ms. Lively writes with a caustic wit that keeps you chuckling while you indulge yourself in the story. The climax is both unexpected and satisfying, and the side plot involving the loveable pooch Steely Dan makes for entertaining comic relief. This is a novella that is definitely worth picking up.

Mystery Reader's delight
"He pissed me off for the last time, so I pithed him."

It is 4:12 in the morning, and before high school biology teacher, Andy Farmer, can make much sense of the strange words his friend and fellow teacher has hung up the phone.
But, when Andy arrives at the school it all becomes shockingly clear. Horace Shelton the unpopular principal of Rawlings High is dead, apparently murdered, and the weapon and method soon puts Andy on the suspect list. But how can Andy tell the police, when his friend did it for him. Or did he?

Chuck is on the run, Andy is in the hot seat, and it is going to get hotter as the plot thickens.

And the plot does thicken this 128 pages into a full-fledged mystery readers delight. Author Kathryn Lively quickly established a direct connection with her main character. I read the confession, knew who and how, didn't I? I was pulled right in to Andy Farmers moral and ethical dilemma of loyalties and friendship, trapped in his confusion with each rise, dip, twist, and turn of this well crafted, fast moving, roller coaster adventure, expertly jolted from my conclusions and left looking for new answers. And, all the while, I was thoroughly entertained. "Pithed" is a page turner. Andy is a new favorite. And, Kathryn Lively is a new author to watch.

A great little mystery!
Kathryn Lively lives up to her name, with expertise in many areas: writing, book reviewing, webmistressing, editing, music, and reading. She is a graduate of Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, her home of origin. She gained acclaim with her first novel, LITTLE FLOWERS between 2001 to 2003. She also contributed chapters to SAINTS OF THE JUBILEE by Timothy Drake. She has been nominated for an Eppie, and has also published SAINTS PRESERVE US as a novel and DANGEROUS WORDS, an electronic book novella. Kathryn sounds like a fun girl to this reviewer!

Andy Farmer received an unnerving phone call from his fellow biology teacher, Chuck Cleveland, one fateful morning. Chuck insisted he had "pithed" Principal Horace Shelton, which is biology speak for stabbing him in the spinal cord. Indeed, Andy arrives at school to find the police and news of Shelton's demise:

"'Shelton. He was murdered this morning. Slumped over his desk with a knife in his back. Corrine found him.' This from Lucy Wilde, sophomore World History Standard, junior faculty, at times senior pain in the ass (according to others, anyway; what reason have I to risk a harassment suit?). I don't mind her, but I don't get her type at all - the batik skirts and ropes of beaded costume jewelry, spelling 'women' with a 'y' and two 'm's' and for all I know, a silent 'q' for good measure."

School mysteries are usually such fun because of the potential for a character driven plot, and Kathryn Lively plays it to the max. Poor Andy Farmer finds himself as one of the prime suspects in the murder of a vile man who had the power and loved to destroy careers. His fellow teachers all have their coping mechanisms for dealing with such machinations, but Andy's best friend Chuck has the most to hide and believes he committed the murder in a moment of loyalty to Andy. As if Andy didn't have enough to feel guilty about! Enough said...this is a cozy mystery written by a woman with wisdom far beyond her years. She understands the desperation of baby boomers nearing retirement and spins a darn good yard around that idea. Kathryn Lively is definitely an up and comer, and PITHED is a great little mystery!

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer