The Board - by Katy Farber (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies, The Board is one mother's attempt to uncover the dark secrets that pervade her small New England town. Has she uncovered a criminal enterprise run by members of the school board? Or is it all in her head?

So much for fresh starts. When single mom Liv and her third-grade daughter move to a small New Hampshire town from Boston after a messy divorce and an even messier job loss, they soon find themselves dealing with major culture shock. Within days, Liv is on the "problem" list of the man who acts both as principal and superintendent in her district, and he shuts down her concerns at a school board meeting. Liv's daughter, who suffers from anxiety, struggles to adapt at a school run like an army barracks.

When Liv discovers that a former teacher was bullied, intimidated, and forced to resign by the board, she begins a quest to uncover what's really happening at the school. But as she comes into conflict with her ex-husband and the law, she begins to wonder if all of her suspicions are only in her mind. Is she only imagining things? Or will she be able to reveal the dark truth about unchecked power in this small town--before more people disappear?

Review Quotes

"The Board flows along with tight writing, believable characters, and plenty of conflicts to hold readers spellbound to a final revealing ending. The Board is a first-class thriller for anyone who wants to add a new author to their reading list."

"Vermonters are no strangers to small-town power politics, and it's easy to root for the single mom in this scenario."

"Farber nicely captures Liv's mounting anxiety and makes her amateur investigation feel high-stakes. It's a sharp exploration of parental unease."

"The novel is filled with believable, well-developed characters and picturesque descriptions of the small-town setting, while the plot twists will keep readers interested. Farber's intriguing read about a single mother taking on a corrupt school board has a movie-worthy plot."

"Small-town secrets and danger at every turn for a mother determined to defend her child against a corrupt school system make The Board a must-read! Former teacher Katy Farber has the inside scoop and isn't holding back. You will cheer for Olivia Wilcox all the way to the crazy end!"

"Katy Farber writes with verve about the Machiavellian politics of small towns, and the dark secrets they hide. Clever and propulsive, this taut mystery will keep you turning pages until the end."