Punish the Sinners

by John Saul

The plot follows Latin and psychology teacher Peter Balsam as he is hired to work at St. Francis Xavier High School in the small town of Neilsville, Washington. The principal of the school is Monsignor Peter Vernon, an old friend of his from seminary school before Balsam left to pursue an unsuccessful marriage. Soon after his arrival, Balsam's students begin to commit violent suicide, with some in the community believing that Balsam's classes are inspiring the suicides. It is up to Balsam to investigate both the suicides and the school's involvement before more students die a horrible death.