This book started so strong and the character of Roy Straightly is just wonderful (same doesn't go for the other protagonist "Julian Pinchbeck"). I loved the catty gossip and reflections on both the administration and staff of the school. The book is well written, good, funny dialogue and some keen observations. I was fairly intriqued wondering who/how/what in regards to the mystery, but how it all "comes together" is absolutely ridiculous and unbelievable. It took such quanum leaps of faith, plus would have to rendered most of the (rather astute) characters dumb, deaf AND blind. In fact, when the big twist was revealed, I actually groaned. Ah well, what can you do. Goofy ending, but sort of entertaining most of the way. ( )

I absolutely loved it. ( )

I really enjoyed this one. It moved seamlessly from character to charater, past to present. I kept trying to figure out the twists but was completely surprised in the end. Great great book! ( )

St. Oswald's Grammer School for Boys has stood for generations. Students and teachers have come and gone. There have been a few scandals but the school has survived. Now the institution is under attack from the inside. Things have gone missing, property has been vandalized, and teachers have been accused of incompetence and inappropriate behavior. Could the occurences have something to do with a tragedy that happened fifteen years before?

The story is told by two characters; Roy Straitley, the classics teacher who has been at the school for more than thrity years and the person who is causing the troubles. Roy is loved by his students because they can tell how much he cares. The reader discovers what happened in the past through the memories of the person who is creating the mayhem. This indivual is obviously mentally ill.

What I found interesting about this book, besides the well written story, was the great similarities between the British and American education systems. Some of the problems the teachers had with incompetent administation, changes in curriculum and overly protective parents are the same challenges faced by many educators in America. My edition of the novel contains an essay at the end on education by the author who was a teacher for twelve years. ( )

Excellent. Had me going to the end. ( )