DEATH DROP

by B.M. Gill ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1980

When twelve-year-old David Fleming dies from a fall while on an English private-school trip to a maritime museum, the official story is accidental death. But David's dour, widowered father John arrivès at the school intent on finding someone to blame--and at first it seems that David (mysteriously blindfolded when he fell) was indeed showing signs of emotional distress (expressed in a regressive art-class drawing) that went ignored, even by nice matron Jenny. However, as Fleming roams about questioning and glowering (despite tender advances from Jenny), the suicide theory is displaced by other clues--mostly involving homosexual goings-on around the campus. And eventually a psychotic student comes more and more into the open, with a finale in which the suicidal murderer and Fleming have a violent psycho-duel of wills. Passable plot--and some of the supporting characters are neatly drawn. But Fleming is a tiresome hero/sleuth, and Gill's clumping pyschological approach (""His own id protected him from what he couldn't take"") reduces most of this little book to a dreary drone.

Pub Date: July 1, 1980

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1980

Categories: FICTION