Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris
Title: Gentlemen & Players
Author: Joanne Harris
Genre: Fiction
Summary: St. Oswald's is under attack by a former student and imposter. Roy Straitley has spent 33 years teaching and knows that the school is impervious to attack. It's reputation simply won't stand for it.
The Take-Away: Roy Straitley has seen it all. Nothing about teaching surprises him. But the latest trend of pranks seems to have a malicious bend that goes beyond the normal disgruntled student. He can't place it exactly, but suspects something more sinister than rambuctious students.
The story is told in first person by Roy Straitley and the attacker (I promise to not spoil the plot.) At times it was somewhat confusing as to who was telling the new section, but usually by the second paragraph, it was clear. As Roy Straightley bumbles his way through an unintentional investigation (really, he's just wants to stop the troublemaker so the term goes smoothly,) the reader is also fed information by the attacker. This "behind the scenes" look keeps the reader guessing as to who is behind the attacks as well as showing that Straightley has it wrong, even when his instincts are on track.
The characters are delightful. I really enjoyed seeing Straightley's personality developed from his own actions, told both by himself and the attacker.
Recommendation: Read it. And check out the back list.
Bonus Review: Review by Word Nerd
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