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Audiobooks > Mystery & Detective >  Women Sleuths > The Crazy School: A Madeline Dare Mystery
The Crazy School: A Madeline Dare Mystery Audiobook, by Cornelia Read Play Audiobook Sample

Download The Crazy School: A Madeline Dare Mystery Audiobook

3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 (3.00) - 1,004 customer ratings
The Crazy School: A Madeline Dare Mystery Audiobook, by Cornelia Read Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Cornelia Read Narrator: Hillary Huber Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Audio Length: Series:The Madeline Dare Mysteries Release Date: January 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781481566117
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Publisher Description

Madeline Dare has traded in the drudgery of living in backwoods Syracuse, New York, to work as a teacher at Santangelo Academy, a boarding school for emotionally disturbed teenagers in the Berkshires. Behind the ornate gates of the academy, she finds a disturbing realm where students and teachers must follow the dean’s bizarre therapies. From her first day, Madeline doubts Dr. Santangelo’s credibility, and she’s not afraid to voice her concerns. But she quickly discovers that many of her colleagues are devout followers of the dean. When a chilling event confirms Madeline’s suspicions, she feels trapped within a school full of lunatics. Shut off from the outside world, Maddie forms an unlikely alliance with a small group of rebellious students whose constant resistance to authority may be her only salvation.

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Quotes

  • “It’s the unflinching drama and sharply drawn characters that make this book, and both are ably realized by Hilary Huber…She perfectly evokes Madeline with a mix of tart cynicism and warm compassion.”

    - Publishers Weekly

  • “Read’s novel is fast-paced; once the action starts, don’t even think about putting it down. The motives behind the murders are complex, and the ultimate heroes and bad guys are a total surprise. Strongly recommended.”

    - Library Journal (starred review)

  • “The memorable characters include argyle-clad WASPs, slackers, rebels, and prudes, and Huber captures them all through her wry reading, easily reflecting Madeline’s clever banter and barbs. Huber’s reading is dripping with irony, well suited to this deliciously twisted, witty narrative.”

    - Booklist

  • “Another swiftly plotted mystery peppered with wonderful one-liners…The series belongs on the must-read list of anyone who enjoys mystery mixed with comedy.”

    - Booklist 

  • “Hillary Huber effectively conveys Madeline’s frustration, empathy, and fear. She also does a great job with the teens….her tight pacing keeps the listener’s interest even past the climax.”

    - Kliatt

  • “Madeline’s deadpan voice, acid wit and psychological depth are the perfect counterpoint to the novel’s positively Gothic plot…Caustic, gripping and distinctive—intelligent entertainment.”

    - Kirkus Reviews

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting mystery set at an alternative boarding school. Satisfying. "

    - Mary, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was so compelling, I read it twice - not something I typically do with a mystery, but it was separated by years, so that helped. It was a page turner, both times! I definitely recommend it. "

    - Jonna, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This sequel was even stranger than the first book. My jury is still out. "

    - Mallory, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I wasn't a fan of Cornelia Read's style of writing, but I did enjoy reading about the therapies of the 1960's and 1970's that we now know were not empirically valid and sound so useless in hindsight. She had very vivid descriptions of random situations, such as the way she drove her car (that I found boring) and the sensations associated with the flu (which I could relate to, since I recently had the flu-- and her description was spot on). The plot was interesting, if unlikely. I knew one character's suspected guilt was a read herring and I would have liked to explore the characters like Tim and Mindy more, but overall I'd recommend it to readers that like mysteries set in a boarding school or school for troubled youth. "

    - Celeste, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Woman protagonist, with supportive caring husband. Dealing with normal problems like looking for work. A touch of Bless the Beasts and the Children. "

    - Patty, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A real treat for DeSisto alums/survivors. "

    - Dana, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Only took me a day to read it! Kept my attention. I couldn't put it down! Good book! "

    - Jillian, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " As a whole, this book was a bit lacking in forming a smooth, continuous storyline. I feel like some of the conclusions found by Madeleine were pushed and unnatural. I did enjoy some of the characters in the book. I was disappointed when the story turned away from Madeleine's interaction with the students and concentrated on her adult relationships as I thoroughly enjoyed Read's troubled teens. Madeleine's lawyer was a breath of fresh air once the teens were basically removed from the story for a time. The ending, basically how everything is wrapped up and explained, was so out of left field that it pulled me out of the story to have a WTF moment. The Jonestown explanation of Dhumavati's insanity did not seem to really fit the story at all. Even when Madeleine and Lulu go through the entire mystery step by step, I still feel cheated from a satisfactory ending. I did enjoy the first half of the book which it why it gets 3 stars. I feel as though the Dhumavati storyline actually removed the fourth star that I was planning on awarding the novel. "

    - Brandi, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Tries way too hard to be hip. "

    - Christy, 1/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " this book was great. it makes u wonder though if there r really places out there that r like this. what i think i liked the most was how much the teachers cared about the kids or some of them did. "

    - Tamiya, 12/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I dont usually read mysteries but this was an enjoyable story... "

    - Denidevine, 12/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 3.5-ish. Maybe 4. I love the voice of the protagonist and the setting of western Mass. A little weaker than her first in the series in terms of thrill/suspense. "

    - Jessie, 12/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this book more than A Field of Darkness by the same author. If I hadn't read this book than I might not have checked out any other books after reading A Field of Darkness. "

    - Cheryl, 10/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The first 50% of this book was boring. I almost quit reading. The second half was better, yet still I would say it was just "okay." "

    - Cherrybomb, 6/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a light read, but I felt like I was missing some things throughout the book. Probably should have started with number one in the series instead of number two! "

    - Katy, 5/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting read. A bit of bad language, which I typically don't enjoy, but really didn't seem as out of place in this book as it has in some others. I enjoyed the storyline and most of the characters. "

    - Jaimie, 4/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a mystery book that I randomly picked up at Okolona. The mystery part didn't exactly take off until cd 5 of 7. All in all, it was an interesting read. "

    - Cat, 12/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Such a trippy ride through the life of a teacher working at a 70s school for "challenged" kids that turns into a murder mystery. Trippy and well crafted. "

    - Tina, 9/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Such a good book. I loved her first one so as soon as I found out she had a second I had to read it. The story I enjoyed but I liked the story and background in A Field of Darkness better. The characters were amazing and I loved being inside the head of the main character. "

    - Ashley, 6/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It took me awhile to get into this book. I was about 100 pages in and I almost picked out something else to read but decided to keep going. It ended up being a good book but I'm not sure I would recommend it since it was hard to get into. "

    - Carol, 5/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book was good and was very interesting to read. The plot was hard to follow on the wrap up of the book. You have to read carefully. Overall not the best book in the world, but not the worst either. "

    - Jackie, 10/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The idea of the story held promise, but the liberal use of vulgar language did nothing to advance any the characters or the storyline. "

    - Katy, 6/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Sort of reminded me of "The Grounding of Group 6", but with annoying touchy-feely bullshit. Might try the previous book with this protagonist and see if I like her better with a bit more background. "

    - Stef, 6/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm reading this Cornelia read/Madeline dare books backwards. I really like the wit and the writing style, and the stories are decent. "

    - Jody, 6/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Awesome book. Blew me away, kept me up nights reading, wanting to get to the next chapter. Interesting, complex characters. I recommend it! "

    - Ally, 6/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book was really slow to get started. My interest wasn't peaked until half way through and then it was all over. The ending or at least who did it was also very predictable although the motive was interesting. "

    - Pam, 5/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The first 50% of this book was boring. I almost quit reading. The second half was better, yet still I would say it was just "okay." "

    - Cherrybomb, 3/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " An enjoyable mystery set in NW MA. "

    - Enzo, 12/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is categorized as a mystery, but the mystery didn't start until halfway through the book. That was fine though because the story was really good and well written. I liked it enough to get the author's first book. "

    - Donna, 11/18/2010

About the Author

Cornelia Read is the author of Valley of Ashes, Invisible Boy, and The Crazy School. Read’s first novel, A Field of Darkness, was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel. She lives in Berkeley, California.

About the Narrator

Hillary Huber, a Los Angeles–based voice talent with hundreds of commercials and promos under her belt, was bitten by the audiobook bug in 2005. She now records books on a regular basis and has been nominated for several Audie Awards and won numerous Earphones Awards.