‘That'll Teach Her’ by Maz Evans

Published by Headline.
27 February 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-03541326-3 (HB)

A Headmistress is dead, and the circumstances are suspicious..............

This is a wonderfully original detective story told through a School Group Chat.  There are only four people involved with St Nonnatus Primary School who could possibly be suspects in the death of the reviled Head Teacher Miss Claudia Stitchwell. 

The members of the Year 6 Chat Group discuss the issues surrounding the death which the local constabulary write off as accidental death through ingesting nuts to which the victim was allergic.  But the Chat Group members are suspicious that this was a case of deliberate murder bearing in mind that several people at the school might have good reason to kill Miss Stitchwell. 

Their comments on the Chat are interspersed by requests for lost spellings, uniform and discussions about various scandals.  This is a very funny book and very well researched as any teacher/parent of a Primary Aged Child would attest. 

As the story progresses there is a further murder involving an equally detested member of staff and this involves the detective team on the Chat investigating any possible connections between the murders and suspects. 

I absolutely loved this book - funny, clever and intriguing as I certainly couldn't guess the outcome until the end.  This is a must for lovers of original detective fiction who perhaps are seeking a distraction from Nordic Noir and simply want a really good read - a triumph in my view.
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Reviewer: Toni Russell

Maz Evans writing career began in journalism as a TV critic and feature writer. She has written for many national titles and is a regular pundit on The Jeremy Vine Show. After working as a creative writing lecturer, she founded Story Stew, an anarchic creative writing programme that has visited primary schools and literary festivals around the UK, including Hay and Imagine. Maz lives in London with her husband and four children. 

Toni Russell is a retired teacher who has lived in London all her life and loves the city.  She says, ‘I enjoy museums, galleries and the theatre but probably my favourite pastime is reading.  I found myself reading detective fiction almost for the first time during lockdown and have particularly enjoyed old fashioned detective fiction rather than the nordic noir variety.  I am a member of a book club at the local library and have previously attended literature classes at our local Adult Education Centre.  I am married with three children and five grandchildren.