A Dangerous Education

A Novel

By: Megan Chance

Narrated by: Karen Peakes

“A powerful and thought-provoking story that is impossible to put down.”—Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author of The Four Winds and The Nightingale

A reformist teacher. A dangerous student clique. A powerful novel about secrets and redemption set in the shadows of McCarthy-era America.

Rosemary Chivers is haunted by the choices she made as a teenager—and by those made for her by a controlling mother. Now, in the Cold War era of conformity and suspicion, Rosemary is a modern new teacher at a school for troubled girls, where she challenges the narrow curriculum meant to tame restless young minds. She also keeps a devastating secret. She knows one of the students is the child she gave up. But which one?

Ignoring warnings, Rosemary forms an impenetrable bond with the three girls who are the right age: shrewd runaway Maisie, alcohol-indulging Sandra, and overly flirtatious Jean. But these are no ordinary girls, and what begins as an effort to bring closure to her own rebellious youth soon spirals dangerously out of control.

Rosemary is prepared to do anything to find her daughter. What she isn’t prepared for are the deadly consequences that come with discovery—or just how wicked wayward girls can be.

©2023 Megan Chance. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Chance’s knack of introducing quiet menace into her novels pulls the story along at break-neck speed. I couldn’t let go! Highly recommended.”—Historical Novels Review

“Long-buried secrets, agonizing choices, dangerous obsessions: this thought-provoking historical mystery is destined to become a book-club favorite. Its timely emphasis on women’s autonomy (or lack thereof!), not to mention its twists and turns, will keep you reading all the way to its unpredictable, but fully earned, ending.”—Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A 1950s setting, rich with the complications of societal expectations for women and McCarthy’s communist witch hunts. A private boarding school for wealthy but wayward girls. A teacher with a storied past guiding girls in a storied present. It all makes for a page-turner of a historical mystery that rips along to an unexpected and immensely satisfying ending. This is Megan Chance at her best!”—Meg Waite Clayton, author of the international bestseller The Postmistress of Paris

Excellent!

I really enjoyed this book! The narration was fantastic as well. I loved how the author seemed to be able to tie everything together. Definitely a deviation from the same-old-same-old. I highly recommend!

A Haunting story, beautifully told

I wasn't sure about this book, as I rarely like books set in days before things like cell phones and internet...But this story was so well written, so beautifully told. In an era where women were expected to fit a very narrow definition of personhood, here is this young woman who just doesn't stay put into her box. She makes mistakes that end up compounded by others who just want to keep her safe, but actually cause more harm.

She does grow up, gets a degree in one of the safest things she can, home ec and teaching. But she constantly finds she does not fit in and ends up job hopping until her restlessness and reckless lifestyle gets her in trouble.

Set in the McCarthy era, where neighbors were told to fear neighbors and that spies were everywhere, any behavior that is not narrowly defined makes you suspect. She ends up teaching in one of the last places that will hire her, a reform school for rich girls and which happens to also be where the daughter she was forced to give up for adoption 17 years ago is supposedly attending...

I can't tell you much more without spoiling the story, but if you want to listen to a great story about women who just can't be forced into that box, who have to find a different way, then this is a good book for you

Great premise

The author has a great premise to build on, but never quite gets there. It is a great read, but not overly compelling or satisfying.

Revealing

This story aptly portrays the tragedy of McCarthyism and its effect on Americans especially women during the period of McCarthyism. a story takes place any reform school and girls reform school and addresses the issue of Education regarding women and a personal relationship between a young woman and a child she had to give up at age 17.

Couldn’t put it down

This was one of the best books I’ve listened to in a very long time.
It really captivated me.

Compelling story with excellent narration!

Megan Chance is my favorite, historical fiction writer, excellent accuracy of events and places. Her characters are as always,well developed and relatable.

Okay book

This book was okay, but a little boring. The narrator, however, was fantastic. The story was long and drawn out.

OK

Slow, disjointed… not as described in the write up. Would not recommend this author based on this book

Secrets that Lead to Tragedy

The main character in this story just never grows up. Convinced that one of her students might be the daughter she gave up at 16, Rosemary infiltrates the school's tightest clique in order to find out which girl it might be.

Unfortunately, this book is about four hours too long. It needed some serious editing to make it move along. The reiteration of themes including a lack of women's rights, Cold War politics and the consequences of poor parenting just got tiresome.

The story has potential but needs a good haircut to make it a good read. (or listen!)

A good attempt

I was excited to read this book. It is a topic that I find interesting, women in the 1950s. However, the main character was lacking a backbone and I found it very difficult to finish the story but I did with high hopes that it would get better. It did not.