In the Best Interests
Intrigue and Payback in Papua New Guinea
by John and Elisa Mendzela
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Pub Date 14 Sep 2025 | Archive Date 18 Nov 2025
Mendhurst | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
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Description
A story for anyone who’s ever asked: what would I risk to do what’s right?
Papua New Guinea, 1980s, a fascinating and dangerous country. Idealistic, newly arrived teachers, John and Elisa Mendzela, step into a world of rich culture, eager learners—and buried secrets. When evidence of systemic sexual exploitation of students lands in their hands, they join a small group of colleagues trying to stop the abuse quietly, through official channels.
But the corrupt are protected and the whistleblowers punished. Events spiral into firings, threats of deportation, media exposés, student uprisings and armed police on campus. John and Elisa are forced into a high-stakes battle for justice that shakes a young nation still reckoning with its colonial past.
In the Best Interests is a gripping true story of courage, corruption, colonial legacy, and the cost of standing up when it’s easier to stay silent.
A Note From the Publisher
Example text
9780473748159 (EPUB)
Example text
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9780473748142 |
| PRICE | US$24.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 442 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 4 members
Featured Reviews
Kathryn M, Reviewer
This was a really well done true crime nonfiction book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed in the true crime genre. It was written well and had that information and worked in respecting the concept. John and Elisa Mendzela has a strong writing style and glad I got to read this.
Shana M, Reviewer
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an Advance Digital Copy of In the Best Interests by John and Elisa Mendzela. This is a story of 2 teachers who were teaching at a school in Papua New Guinea. They discovered corruption of the Department of Education, and became whistleblowers to the wrongs that were being commited against innocent children in their school. After reading this book, which read like a journal of their lives in 1981 and forward, it was obvious that they were fighting for what was right, no matter the cost. I never got the feeling that they struggled over the thoughts of, "do we do what is right and possibly lose our jobs and have to leave the country, or do we not say anything and have to live with the knowledge of this corruption and abuse that is happening on our campus."
This felt like a thorough telling of their fight. I would want them on my side any day!
#NetGalley #IntheBestInterests
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