Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector by Bryony Allen

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A teacher’s creation! This is a highly enjoyable witty fictional book centred around school life and the dreaded Ofsted Inspection. The fictional Beaver's Brook Primary School had received a justifiably scathing report . . . The fragile lives of the teachers are held open to scrutiny and ridicule. Their hopes and aspirations crumble beneath a diatribe of no-holds-barred mockery, in which love, ambition, jealousy, passion, guilt and innocence collide - with disastrous consequences.


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Find out more: Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector

Comments

  1. cataninetails23 December 2009 at 10:17

    I saw the link to this from a twitter post by Pneuma Springs so here's my comment for this one.

    I purchased this book about a year and a half ago and since I have read a few others published by Pneuma Springs. I couldn't resist the plot since it implicated an Ofsted inspector (not that we hate them or anything ;-)). I also happen to be a teacher too for my sins!
    I was pleasantly surprised by this read and found the balance of humour to be spot on, it was certainly well written and the mix of the two made an entertaining novel.

    It would be nice to see more from this author in the future and it's nice to see refreshing books from other non-mainstream publishers delivering the goods.

    Cheers
    Johnathan Wilkes

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steve Morris3 January 2010 at 21:33

    Yes, I've got this on my reading list. I can empathise. Chris Woodhead's agenda behind OFSTED was not a healthy one in my opinion.
    The staffroom comparison of inspectors with plastic surgeons who "tuck up features" was unfortunately all too ironic.
    I look forward to reading Bryony Allen's book.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12 January 2010 at 13:16

    Steve,
    I think until someone has actually gone through an Ofsted Inspection you can't really appreciate the stress it sometimes causes. In respect of Chris Woodhead's agenda, it was never going to be great.
    For someone to state that 15,000 teachers were not fit for purpose and should be fired was a great insult to the very many hard working professional teachers who strive to do the best for their students. By making such a comment he was almost painting everyone with the same brush. I don't think he really thought that one through enough to be honest. As in any profession you will get people playing the system until they are caught, however this is usually always a small minority.
    Great to see you have my book on your reading list. Please do let me know what you thought on the blog or via my web site.

    Best Regards
    Bryony

    ReplyDelete
  4. Steve Morris12 January 2010 at 13:34

    Absolutely Bryony,
    For some (possibly personal) reason Woodhead had, in my opinion, made his mind up to "weed out" a large quota of "incompetent" teachers. I sometimes come across sets of parents who are very belligerent toward their children's teachers for no reason from the outset, probably due to issues dating back to their own schooldays.
    Yes, I'll be reading your book very soon, although seriously I have been putting it off as I don't want it to bring back memories for me. I can never watch TV classroom documentaries for the same reasons!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Published bestsellers3 March 2010 at 19:26

    A frank independednt review by Beth's Book Review Blog

    http://bethsbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/review-mystery-deceit-and-school.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bryony Allen19 March 2010 at 10:37

    At last there is some transatlantic movement for my title. I have also had some other very good review on Completely Novel for this from another American. It seems they do get and like British humour. So much for the UK reputation of "stiff upper lip" :-). Thanks to everyone for the kind comments.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown15 July 2010 at 11:50

    Thanks for sharing

    Reviews Writing | Theses

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bryony Allen10 October 2010 at 14:13

    Hi all,

    Here's a link to the newly created Facebook page for Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector. Please do visit and leave comment and also share with any you feel may be interested.

    Mystery, Deceit and a
    School Inspector on Facebook

    Best regards

    Bryony

    ReplyDelete
  9. Steve Morris10 October 2010 at 15:57

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Steve Morris10 October 2010 at 16:38

    Hi Bryony,
    I've added my name (and comment)to "Mystery's..." Facebook page!

    Here's my Facebook book page:
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Morris/211211261851

    What's next in the pipeline for you?

    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bryony Allen10 October 2010 at 21:34

    Hi Steve
    Thanks for following the 'Mystery...' page. How is the writing life treating you at the moment?
    I have switched my creative track to teen fiction at the moment. I have a fully completed book called 'OTOLI' waiting to be discovered, and have just done a first draft of 'The Assembly Room', which is based on the Suffolk witchcraft trials of 1645.
    I have discovered quite a dark side to my mind, which disturbs the family at times!
    I'll be sure to follow your Facebook page.
    Keep in touch.

    Bryony

    ReplyDelete
  12. Steve Morris10 October 2010 at 22:09

    Thanks Bryony.
    Yes, I've noticed OTOLI.
    "The Assembly Room" sounds attractive for this time of year, as do all darker tales.
    Speaking of which, today is the 50th anniversary of Cheshire author Alan Garner's Wierdstone of Brisingamen.

    Well, I'm looking forward to "Jumble Tales" being released through Pneuma Springs at the end of the month.
    I'd dearly love to get on with a novel now but I'm waist-deep in teaching and examining this year.

    I'll be keeping an eye on "The Assembly Room", however. Life is very good but I fancy reading something darker for a change!

    ReplyDelete

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