Crime• Thriller

Audiobook: Deadly Lessons by Paige Black

July 1, 2026

Synopsis:

When a staff member is found dead at the secretive Cascade Residential Academy deep in the Oregon woods, Eden and her loyal K-9 partner, Shadow, are thrust into a dark world of troubled teens and sinister secrets.

As Eden investigates, she uncovers a web of abuse, manipulation, and corruption hidden behind the academy’s façade of reform. The disappearance of a student, Zoe Bennett, raises the stakes, forcing Eden to confront her own painful past as she races to find the missing girl.

With each revelation, the danger mounts. Eden must navigate treacherous waters as she confronts the academy’s intimidating director, uncooperative staff, and a maze of lies. The discovery of a potential serial killer in their midst turns the case on its head, leaving Eden to question whom she can trust.

As time runs out for Zoe, Eden must use all her skills and instincts to unravel the truth before another life is lost. But in doing so, she risks becoming entangled in a conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything she’s worked for.

Review:

I was really looking forward to the second book in the series after enjoying the first one so much.
This time, Eden and her partner are called to an academy to investigate the mysterious death of one of the staff members at a school, when a bomb threat initially halts the investigation initially. We quickly learn that something is different about this school when we meet Zoe a few years in the past, after her parents send her there upon finding out that she has a girlfriend.

With the concept of Eden slowly uncovering what happened in the present, alongside a parallel storyline from a main character’s POV in the past, I felt very confident that I would enjoy this one as well. It was something I already liked in the first book, and I appreciated that it was done in a similar way here. It felt like it gave me a head start on some of the events leading up to the present, while Eden slowly pieces together the puzzle.
Focusing on one of these schools—where teenagers are sent when their parents consider them “not acting normal” or simply don’t want to deal with them—felt like a heavy topic. What Zoe had to endure was heartbreaking, especially seeing her adapt to such a harsh environment.

Overall, I really enjoyed the second book, especially listening to it as an audiobook. What I can confidently say now is that I’m glad there are many more books already available, and I look forward to continuing the series.

🌙 Recension: Deadly Lessons (Eden Mercer K-9 Mystery Thriller #2) by Paige Black
📚 Genre: Thriller, Crime
📅 Release Date: May 21, 2026 (Audiobook)
📖 Publisher: Charmed Pages Publishing
👤 Narrator: Hannah Somerville
📗 available in various formats – included in Kindle Unlimited | Audible
📱 Read as: Audiobook
💸 I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages / Listening Length: 8h 44min
⭐️ 4/5