Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

What a joy to pick up a book by a writer who really knows his craft! Daniel Side is that writer, and A Lesson in Revenge is a perfect example of the art of writing. While the genre of A Lesson in Revenge is thriller fiction, the story does a lot more than send chills down your spine and keep you holding your breath as you turn the pages. It deals with some powerful and current social issues, like children who grow up without love and self-esteem and turn to drugs to feel good about themselves, or who ease their sexual tensions through pyromania. It touches on the long-term effects of being raised in heavily religious communities and rejecting the disciplinary confines of such an upbringing. A Lesson in Revenge also investigates the very sensitive, uncomfortable area of teachers becoming sexually involved with their students. And last, but far from least, it probes the psyches and motivations behind people falling in love, failing in love, and being afraid to try again. Yes, you get all of that in this powder-keg fiction thriller, along with realistic characters, a well-developed plot, fast-paced dialogue and action, a surprise twist at the end, and a most satisfying read.

So what's the story all about? Well, there's David, the cocaine-addicted pyromaniac whose mind is so addled he confuses a beautiful English teacher, Julie, with a teacher he knew as a student. He is positive they are one and the same...and for good reason...but to tell you that reason would be to spoil your enjoyment. Julie is working with another teacher, Robert, in putting on the school's stage production, and though both Julie and Robert are avoiding the truth, they are falling in love with each other. When David starts stalking Julie and sees her with Robert, he is incensed. Determined to wipe out his competitor, Robert, and take back the teacher he loved and believes still loves him, he launches a nefarious and incendiary scheme. His violence escalates, people die in various ways, and the reader can't turn the pages fast enough to see how it all turns out. If your taste in reading is psychological thrillers, you will love A Lesson in Revenge by Daniel Side. Add it to your reading list today. Daniel has written several books and has more under way. I can't wait to read another Daniel Side book!