School for Murder — Robert Barnard

The Burleigh School, a private day academy for boys, has little to recommend it. Under the myopic and inept leadership of its headmaster, Edwin Crumwallis, its days may in fact be numbered. Especially when he chooses as his next headboy the particularly obsequious, calculating, and deeply evil Hillary Frome.

The spiked punch at Parents' Evening is easily dismissed as a schoolboy prank, resulting in nothing more serious than a few hangovers. But the next incident, the one with the razor blade, is clearly cause for alarm. All too soon, when the inevitable murder occurs, it is only the choice of victim that is a nasty shock to all.

This no-holds-barred satire of Britain's school traditions is perhaps Robert Barnard's most hilarious mystery. However, as he never loses sight of those who genuinely care for the products of this educational system, he imparts the extra dimension that has become characteristic of his best works.