The Teacher

By Robert Banfelder

"As a forensic psychologist specializing in psychopathy, I have been researching authors who write fiction in the field of forensic psychology. I am impressed with Banfelder's well-researched, credible, and unique plots regarding the criminal mind. The Teacher was an easy, enjoyable read. The author painted an excellent picture of a psychopath through Clarence Emery. I noticed quite a few subtleties such as his inability to be nervous, always in control, and establishing relationships only for secondary gain. Bravo. It is always nice to see the field advanced." - Dr. Jason D. Dunham, Licensed Psychologist, Fellowship Trained in Forensic Psychology The American intelligence community is retooling, and so is the way in which Suffolk County's commanding officer of homicide, Detective Lieutenant Theodore Groche, conducts day-to-day business. Earlier in time, covert operative, Justin Barnes, helped dismantle a global terrorist network and terminated its leader, serial killer Malcolm Columba. Two years have elapsed, and Columba's prot g , Clarence Emery, known as The Teacher, has surfaced in New York City. This terrifying figure, who often befriends his victims before butchering them, prefers to get up close and very personal with his quarry. Consequently, every law enforcement agency in the country is on high alert. Sanctioned by hierarchy and shrouded in secrecy, Justin Barnes' mission is to hunt down and terminate Clarence Emery. But who is hunting whom? Justin and his beautiful associate, Jacqueline Rubino, ultimately ask themselves that same question when two women are found murdered at Pipes Cove in Greenport, Long Island-crimes that unquestionably have Emery's signature. The Teacher can hardly wait to match wits with the black American maverick enforcer and Justin Barnes, in turn, obsesses on the moment when he and the madman will finally meet face-to-face. Hence, the game of cat and mouse begins.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0985948639
• ISBN13: 9780985948634
• Release Date: July 2013
• Publisher: Broadwater Books
• Length: 398 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Prepare to be captivated by the brilliant mind of The Teacher.

REVIEW OF THE TEACHER After hearing about The Teacher and this writer, I just couldn't wait to read him. Beating my husband to the novel, I recently finished the book. Before I read Banfelder's work, I thought Stuart Woods' novels were great page turners. The Teacher is next to impossible to put down once you pick it up. I loved the way the author started the story. The reader is immediately captured because you want to know why the kidnapped female prisoner was being held in the way she was, and why the arrested and imprisoned madman knew that he was simply going to walk out of Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center on Ward's Island, an island off Manhattan--a real mental institution. At once, and throughout the book, you get more than a glimpse into the mind of the serial killer, Clarence Emery. Banfelder captures your attention and never lets go. I hated for the book to end, really, but I hear there is a polished sequel, Knots, waiting for an agent/publisher to wake up. Also, I learned that a two-volume prequel, The Author, has recently been published. I'll write that review right after I finish No Stranger Than I, Banfelder's first novel. I also loved the way the author ended each chapter, leading you into the next scene. That was brilliant. This guy did a lot of research, and it shows. I was truly appreciative of how realistic the novel is and was not whitewashed with political correctness. As a reader, I like realism--good or bad. I learned a lot, too, such as how larding, referencing cooking, is used. However, the antagonist, Clarence Emery, is entertaining other things in his disturbed mind. Banfelder is brilliant; his writing is superb. I don't know how else to describe the book. Convincing as a story? To say the very least. My main man, Justin Barnes, a no-nonsense Afro-American and the story's protagonist, is a bad mother @#$%* & --shut-my-mouth! Bad when he has to be; lovable as a black lamb in a white world. White or black, you will love Justin Barnes, as he stands for a type of justice that some of us feel, at times, is sorely needed in this country. As a black American woman, I know from where I speak. When the movie comes out, I'd consider the following cast: Clarence Emery - Jack Nicholson Justin Barnes - Ving Rhames Jacqueline (Jackie) Rubino - Salma Hayek Ruth O'Connor - Rachel Ward Anthony Notaro - James Gandolfini The Teacher is a novel that really teaches as it entertains. It maintains an excellent flow and, being a very "visual" reader, I could easily see into the mind of Clarence (from the Latin word meaning "clear one") Emery. Very cleverly written. Betty B. Fitch

Watch Your Back . . .

Patti Ann Bengen, author of romantic thrillers: (www.pattiannbengen.CityMax.com) The Devil's Dance New Beginnings "Ah, the master of suspense thrillers returns with a fast-paced and terrifying story that will chill you to the bone, even on the hottest day of the year. The king of serial killer suspense, author Robert Banfelder, turns up the heat in his sequel to 'The Author'. In 'The Teacher', an evil Clarence Emery creates deadly havoc on the eastern end of Long Island, and everywhere he goes. The big questions for Justin Barnes, covert operative for Suffolk County Homicide, are how does Emery manage to elude the police, and is the killer working alone? Another haunting question is can Justin stop him? This story will bring you to your knees, and it will also give new meaning to dinner preparation . . . one you won't soon forget. Banfelder brilliantly creates each unthinkable murder scene--unsparing in details--as the serial killings continue to grow in number, making for a terrifying end for the unsuspecting and unfortunate victims. Time is running out. Barnes needs to catch up with this murdering monster and bring the killing spree to an end . . . but can Justin do it?"

Ingredients for a Nightmare

Let the Games begin! When maniac serial killer, Clarence Emery, begins his latest romp in murder and marinade, Justin Barnes is once again called upon as a behind the scenes hired gun for the Suffolk County Police Department. As gruesome as any game at the Colesseum, Emery taunts his pursuers with gleeful abandon. Clues are clever and well executed; tactics are hideous and upsetting; motivation is revengeful and twisted. A likeable, determined Barnes will stop at nothing to catch this psychopath even to convincing people he is fond of to get involved in laying his traps. While the reader gets an inside look at a criminal investigation through both the legal and illegal process, the tension mounts as the killer changes accomplices, appearance, and venue as quickly as Barnes changes his speech pattern. Plunged into a world of terror, one only hopes that several of the characters you become attached to are not next on Emery's "menu." The Teacher is not for the squeamish, but if you enjoy racing the clock to see the good guy get his man, you will keep pace with Barnes by turning the pages, analyzing the clues, and plotting Emery's just desserts.

A Psychological Thriller

The Teacher is a psychological thriller that will have you turning the pages. What goes on in a serial killer's mind? Robert Banfelder will have you guessing about Clarence Emery's intense interest in his victims. The attention to detail was riveting and his use of puns amusing. My suggestion is to read this early in the day if you want to sleep at night!

Catch Me If You Can

Justin Barnes lives life around the jagged edges. This renegade black man is neither inside the squad of "Those who protect and serve" nor outside. Instead, he tools around the seedier parts of town kicking over rocks to see what slithers out, and driving his Commanding Offficer, Theo Grochie, nuts. Justin is currently on the trail of Professor Clarence Emery, "The Teacher," who is as diabolical as he is merciless. The professor is about to teach the Suffolk County Homicide Division a lesson in "catch me if you can." Bodies expire like a two-for-one sale. The professor may be a monster of the highest order, but he's an interesting monster. We readers can't help but learn things we never thought we wanted to know: food preparation (body-marinating and larding,) fly-tying. Things we're not apt to forget any time soon. All the way though the 455 pages we know Justin is eventually going to take down The Teacher. We just want to be there when it happens. Why 4 stars? Only the Bible and Shakespeare get 5.