A Midsummer Night's Death

Jonathan Meredith #2

by K.M. Peyton

Jonathan Meredith doesn't like Robin, the English master at his school. It's not his inability to control his classes that he dislikes, nor even his incompetence as an instructor, but rather his indifference to the feelings of anybody but himself. Nevertheless, he's stunned by news of Robin's death - drowned in the river close to the school. Suicide was the coroner's verdict, but Jonathan soon comes to have reasons for doubting this ... This exciting thriller is being reissued as part of the Oxford Children's Modern Classics series.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Kathleen Wendy Herald Peyton MBE, who wrote primarily as K. M. Peyton, was a British author of fiction for children and young adults

Reviews

[Tria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoyed this book. It's a 4.5-star rounded up. I couldn't take the half star off for the unhappiness I sometimes feel when reading it, because that is due to how well it's written; the author causes me sharp pangs of loss for things I can no longer manage. Meredith is a rock-climbing enthusiast, and once upon a time, so was I. The story is short - partly from its being YA - but the prose doesn't skimp, and it's beautiful in places, particularly those where it can be. First GR read November 2013, second December 2015.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspense builds deliciously, along with the innocuous crush Jonathon has on the teacher and the way both of them wish it wasn't the case. Rare from a book of that era to address and tastefully done.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the characters and the setting. I found this to be quite a page turner. I liked that Jonathan seemed to be a thoughtful and caring person. But I had some trouble believing some of his choices. Surprising ending to me.

[Yellowoasis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book many decades ago and enjoyed reading it again.