A Lesson Plan for Murder: A Louis Searing and Margaret McMillan Mystery

Searing/McMillan #1

by Richard L. Baldwin

Soon after the Newberry, MI, school board lays off a special education teacher and two others, its chairman dies of a much-anticipated heart attack. A gossipy old woman's nosiness leads to a murder investigation by local police, a retired state director of special education who writes mysteries, and a wheelchair-bound insurance claims detective. The laid-off teacher and affected parents, meanwhile, enlist the aid of a lawyer (who happens to know the mystery writer).

Genres: Fiction

253 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

A resident of Haslett, MI - Rich Baldwin has published more than 20 books, including two children’s books, a set of religious vignettes, several skits and the "AARP Magazine - Swim Suit Edition", under his own company – Buttonwood Press.

He is also a public speaker, addressing groups on the topic of “"How to Self Publish Your Own Book"” Prior to becoming a published author, he enjoyed a long and exciting career in special education, serving as a teacher, college professor and spending 20 years at the Michigan Department of Education where he was a consultant, supervisor and State Director of Special Education from 1990-97.

Rich was born in Kalamazoo,MI; raised in Grand Haven, MI; and has graduate and post graduate degrees from Western Michigan University as well as a doctorate from Kansas University.

Rich loves to spend time with his fans, and likes nothing better than meeting people when he is at book-signings and making appearances on promotional tours.

Reviews

[James Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wiring style was perfect for me, and it was folksy and comfortable. Not a great whodunit, but the procedure allowed out to play out. I liked the characters, even though they weren't amazing developed, and the settings which were real and felt real. I'm interested in reading some more of Richard L. Baldwins, especially as a teacher myself.

[Connie Achtenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I really enjoyed it was set in the Upper Peninsula and was actually there when I read it. There were a few typos and editing errors but it was a fun Michigan mystery to read!

[CM Vician · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a Northern MI author, I wanted to like it. It's ok and I enjoy reading about recognizable areas of Northern Michigan. I didn't like the characters enough or the storyline.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book “A lesson plan for Murder” by Richard L. Baldwin starts of on a school day. 3:15, and all the children are out except a few staff members and teachers finishing their work. A man by the name of Bill Blakeley burst into the school complex with his high powered hunting rifle and walks angrily looking for the principal who has cut down his debt. The police have been called and already have been waiting outside. As the ferocious man walks down a man yells at him named Frank and persuades him to give him the hunting rifle. Succeeded in saving the principles life and many others, the man removes the shell from the gun and heads outside while the police restrain Frank and Bill. And that's how far I am in this wonderful book. This book is actually really mysterious because you don’t know what is gonna happen next. What I like about it is that it doesn’t give away any detail about what's gonna happen next.
One reason why I would recommend this book to friends is because this is a book for people who like killings and murders that happen. Another reason is because this is a book that has a bit of mystery in it that the author makes you put together yourself before giving you the answer. One more reason why I’ll recommend this book is because this book isn't boring, This book is packed with action and has quite of pages in it so the reader will be reading for awhile figuring out what’s gonna happen next. This book is quite the thriller and is open to anyone who wants a good time and wants there back chillen as what they find out hidden through the book called "A lesson plan for murder"

[Gaston G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, I believe was Richard Baldwin's firast book. It is a very good story line. However, he could have used some good editing.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. Stilted dialogue. Unbelievable this ever got published.