A Midsummer Night's Death

Jonathan Meredith #2

by K.M. Peyton

Jonathan doesn't like Robin, the English master at his boarding school. It's not his inability to control his classes that he dislikes, nor even his incompetence as a teacher - it's his complete indifference to the feelings of anyone but himself. Nevertheless, Jonathan is stunned when it's announced that Robin has been found dead - drowned in the river close to the school. The coroner rules that it was suicide, but Jonathan soon comes to have reasons for doubting this . . .

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery, Childrens

304 pages, 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.