I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay

 English teacher Richard Boyle will never forget the day he saw through his classroom window a former student outside the school building bundled up in sticks of dynamite and approaching the doors in I Will Ruin You, the latest thriller from author Linwood Barclay coming out May 7. While Boyle is able to secure his classroom and run to the doors to talk the man down from entering the building, Mark LeDrew trips over his shoestring as he is turning away to wait for the police to disarm him.

Before accidentally blowing himself up, Mark accuses three school employees of driving him to this point: a teacher, a school counselor, and “the lawnmower man.” In the aftermath of this tragedy, Mark’s parents are suing Boyle, claiming he is responsible for their son’s death.

Principal Trent Wakely had started carrying a gun to school a couple of years ago for just this kind of scenario. He was coming up behind Boyle, trying to set up a shot to protect the teacher and the school. Because of Boyle’s ability to connect with Mark and disarm him of his plan to blow up his enemies, Wakely is spared making that decision, which would probably have brought some backlash about having a gun inside the school.

Boyle’s brave action has put him in the news media spotlight, but unfortunately, he comes to the attention of an extortionist. A former student formulates a plan to squeeze $10,000 from the teacher, accusing Boyle of fondling him on a school bus on the way to a wrestling match some years ago.

Does Boyle need to secure a lawyer? How can he defend himself against a molestation charge? How can he raise enough funds to pay the blackmailer so he does not lose his teaching license? What resources can protect him and his family from financial ruin in a lawsuit? What will it take to keep someone from ruining him and his family?

Linwood Barclay is the bestselling author of 27 other novels. He adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the 2017 movie starring Eric Roberts. Born in the United States, his family moved to Canada when he was a toddler. Prior to writing books full-time, he was a newspaper journalist and columnist. He lives with his wife in Toronto.