Back to School Special: Teachers as Sleuth in Mystery Series

For those readers who are headed back to school here are a few mystery series with teachers as sleuth to help you mentally prepare yourself for the new school year. We all know that “the roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” (Aristotle).

1st Grade Teacher - Miss Dimple Kilpatrick Series by Mignon F. Ballard

The first book “Miss Dimple Disappears” is set in 1942. The citizens of Elderberry, GA, are expecting the arrival of a train that will deliver soldiers to celebrate Halloween with them. Meanwhile, Miss Dimple Kilpatrick, the long-time first grade teacher at the local elementary school, has disappeared after the school custodian is found dead. Everyone thinks she skipped town, but Charlie Carr, a former student of Miss Dimple and now a teacher, decides to investigate with her best friend, Annie. - Library Journal

Math Teacher - Brodie Farrell Mystery Series by Jo Bannister

This series stars Brodie Farrell, a finder of things and people in Dimmock, England. In the first book “Echoes of Lies” she locates a man in a photograph but discovers later that her client had the man tortured, shot, and left for dead. Feeling horribly guilty about her role in causing his pain, Brodie bonds with the victim, uncovers a kidnapping involving a moneyed but ruthless family, and helps solve the case. - Library Journal

English Professor - Murder 101 Mystery Series by Maggie Barbieri

English professor Alison Bergeron gets a lesson in murder from handsome NYPD detective Bobby Crawford when one of her students is found dead in the trunk of her car in “Murder 101”. Debut novelist Barbieri is being likened to Harley Jane Kozak and Sarah Strohmeyer. - Library Journal

Reading Specialist - Ashton Corners Book Club Mystery Series by Erika Chase

When the first meeting of the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society results in murder, Lizzie Turner, reading specialist and mystery book lover, teams up with the police chief to catch the killer in the first book “A Killer Read”. - Novelist

Philosophy Professor - Notre Dame Mysteries by Ralph McInerny

The first mystery “On this Rockne” introduces the Knight Brothers--Philip, a P.I., and Roger, the philosophy professor--in their first case, which involves ten million dollars, a dead trustee, and the great coach Knute Rockne.-Novelist

Anthropology Professor - Gideon Oliver mysteries by Aaron J. Elkins

“Fellowship of Fear” is the first in a series of books featuring Professor Gideon Oliver, a physical anthropologist who gets involved in solving crimes by piecing together evidence from bone fragments... In this story, Oliver sets out to teach some anthropology courses at a series of military bases in Europe -- a nice break from his normal teaching routine, as well as an opportunity to travel around some interesting places. However, as soon as he arrives in Germany, his hotel room is searched and he is physically attacked. This is just the start of his troubles…”

Retired Teacher - Fresh-Baked Mystery Series by Livia J. Washburn

“Rich in the colourful and sometimes deadly details of small-town life, this series feature not only intriguing mystery plots and likable characters but also delicious recipes for a variety of baked goods. In the first book, “A Peach of a Murder”, retired schoolteacher Phyllis Newsom, who is on a personal mission to win the blue ribbon for the best peach pie at the Peach Festival, finds herself accused of murder when her spicy entry kills a judge.” - Novelist

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. - Nelson Mandela