Review: The Winner Maker by Jeff Bond

English teacher and football Coach Bob Fiske disappears from Evanston Township High School, and a small group of former students who were “Winners” – a secret group of high-achieving students cultivated by Fiske over his career – attempts to solve the mystery in The Winner Maker by Jeff Bond.

Ten years on, jealousies, rivalries, and old feelings still rise up among Steph Reese, her husband and former quarterback Doug, computer nerd Eric Pinkersby, shy Lydia Brockert and now school counselor Becky Brindle. They all cherish their ties to Fiske, and set out to find him. As before, they don’t want to let him down.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Autumn Brockert, a current Winner and sister of Lydia, goes missing as well. Her last contacts involved Fiske. She’s also the sister of Nora Brockert, who died the night of the alumni Winners’ prom, an event from the past that continues to affect the lives of those searching for Fiske. Suffice to say, there is a lot of mystery revolving around Fiske, to the point where Autumn’s mother believes Fiske kidnapped her daughter. The story is sensationalized, pegging Fiske as a perverted old man. Now it’s not just finding Fiske that’s important, it’s finding out the truth about the mysterious, iconoclastic teacher.

Bond puts together an engaging story that reveals the true nature of the people charging ahead to solve Fiske’s mysterious disappearance, telling a larger story about the price of high achievement and how this can complicate relationships. Doubts crop up, clues rip apart old wounds, and secrets come to light. Throw in the spectacular death of a current student at the Sears Tower in Chicago, and the intrigue builds. Bond allows for doubt about each character as he deftly unveils the details of the disappearance.

As with any successful mystery, the characters are key, and Bond has created a compelling cast who are flawed and human. At times, the cast of high school characters veers towards the stereotypical – the jock, the nerd, the high-achieving pretty girl, and the brainiac – but Bond gives them enough nuances to add twists that push the plot along. Hard-charging marketing executive Steph leads the way with computer wiz Eric lending a hand. They piece clues together one by one, legally and illegally, which leads them to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A series of clues puts Eric, and then Steph, into the crosshairs of the police. The story becomes a race by all involved to save themselves, as the clues lead Steph to a shattering conclusion. Bond doesn’t let her flinch, and the reader will turn page after page to find the truth.

The Winner Maker is storytelling at its best, delivering a tight, well-crafted plot that delves into the anxieties of high school that sometimes extends into adulthood. Bond gives us a fun read with a lot of excitement, but readers will also recognize people from their own adolescence. In the end, with tense clashes among the characters, some Winners lose and others win, resulting in an immensely entertaining mystery with an exciting conclusion.