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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Fourth chronologically and third in publishing order, this Inspector Lynley detective mystery series is set in modern-day England with this particular story set in West Sussex.
My Take
The very promising future of Matthew Whately was trashed…for such stupid reasons. The bullying, the code of silence, the contradiction of the school motto and it all comes down to…basics. Lynley is especially tormented about school loyalties: he owes Corntel. How can he expect these children to make the right decisions when he himself is so tormented?
What is it with parents who believe that one's children must be men at such a young age? It's yet another argument that parents should be licensed before being allowed to have children! When you feel what Kevin and Pats Whately lost and what others threw away…it just hurts.
Lord, George just had me twisted in knots with clues leading in one direction, then haring off in a thousand others. I don't know how she kept track for Lynley and Havers!
St. James and Deborah are experiencing their own personal crises with losses that tie in with others. Then how George twists Corntel's comment about how easy everything comes to Lynley; the truth of that comment is particularly poignant at the end. And I'm curious to see how George changes Havers' life in the next book in this series, A Suitable Vengeance.
The Cover and Title
I see the bit of iron fencing on the cover as representing the guardianship of the churchyard as well as the confinement of the school. I don't like it but it does reflect the story very well.
The title is particularly apt as the old school tie rears its ugly head — there must be a middle ground, even if one is Well-Schooled in Murder!
My Take
The very promising future of Matthew Whately was trashed…for such stupid reasons. The bullying, the code of silence, the contradiction of the school motto and it all comes down to…basics. Lynley is especially tormented about school loyalties: he owes Corntel. How can he expect these children to make the right decisions when he himself is so tormented?
What is it with parents who believe that one's children must be men at such a young age? It's yet another argument that parents should be licensed before being allowed to have children! When you feel what Kevin and Pats Whately lost and what others threw away…it just hurts.
Lord, George just had me twisted in knots with clues leading in one direction, then haring off in a thousand others. I don't know how she kept track for Lynley and Havers!
St. James and Deborah are experiencing their own personal crises with losses that tie in with others. Then how George twists Corntel's comment about how easy everything comes to Lynley; the truth of that comment is particularly poignant at the end. And I'm curious to see how George changes Havers' life in the next book in this series, A Suitable Vengeance.
The Cover and Title
I see the bit of iron fencing on the cover as representing the guardianship of the churchyard as well as the confinement of the school. I don't like it but it does reflect the story very well.
The title is particularly apt as the old school tie rears its ugly head — there must be a middle ground, even if one is Well-Schooled in Murder!
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
3.0
This was good, but damn these books are dark. I do like that she keeps me guessing. I can figure out who the suspects are, but I'm never quite sure if I'm right.
carlam2190's review against another edition
1.0
Cannot handle subject matter, especially when it involves kids
terrik_409's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
rachelmfisher's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
writer595's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
juliabodson's review against another edition
5.0
This book really sucked me in. I really enjoyed it!
mechapman80's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wovenharakeke's review against another edition
1.0
This book was both frustrating and offensive AND it gave me a schoolboy rape dream.