|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thought provoking book ., 8 Sep 2000
When Graham Shipley secures a teaching position at St Monica's Preparatory School in a Cotswold village, he feels that his exile is over and that he can begin his life again.For Melissa Craig, best selling writer of crime fiction, returning from visiting friends in London, the sight of her home Hawthorne Cottage brings its usual feeling of thankfulness. Only tempered with thought's of nostalgia for the days when her friend Iris Ash lived in the adjoining cottage and would be waiting to hear her news. Since Iris had married and moved away the cottage had been let to a succession of tenants. Almost immediately she meets the new tenant Graham Shipley he makes it clear that he wishes to keep his distance. However, in a village like Upper Benbury, that is not always easy, and a reluctant Graham finds himself roped in to help with the local rounders match at a village fund raising event, where he meets the village inhabitants and many of his soon to be pupils. Some days later returning from a shopping trip Melissa Craig sees an agitated Graham Shipley. Investigating, she finds the body of one of the local school girls lying at the edge of the lake. As the Police investigate things look bleak for Graham Shipley. Melissa discovers that all is not quite what it seems on the surface and sets out to discover the truth about Graham Shipley which may have direct bearing on the death of the young girl. This is the ninth in the series featuring Melissa Craig and delves into the murky waters of student and teacher relationship. A thought provoking book dealing with the consequences to both student and teacher once accusations are made. Betty Rowlands also writes a second series featuring Sukey Reynolds, police photographer and scene of crime officer. Lizzie Hayes
|