Inspector Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) returns to his old school to investigate the murder of a young boy and finds out the place is "Well Schooled for Murder," the second entry of this long-running series.
A young boy named Matthew is found murdered at Lynley's old school, and he and Havers go to investigate. The school is teeming with secrets, they soon learn. First of all, how did this young man die? It appears to be strangulation; then the coroner declares it death by asphyxiation. After talking with his classmates, the boy's closest friend says that Matthew kept a diary, but not a written one, a taped one. But he didn't keep the tapes at the school. What made Matthew dangerous? And to whom? Amidst innuendo about homosexuality, cocaine addiction, drug dealing, blackmail, and a deep, dark secret, the detectives attempt to ferret out the truth.
As usual, the Inspector and his associate Havers (Sharon Small) are dealing with personal problems. Havers' father is dying, though they were never close, and she cares for her demented mother who really doesn't understand where her husband went.
Lynley has a dear friend at the school and has to ask uncomfortable questions, which injures the relationship.
I liked this story; I like the Inspector Lynley mysteries and the relationship between upper class Lynley and his lower-class partner. This wasn't the best of the lot, but it's good, with some fine acting not only from the leads, but John Sessions as Lynley's old friend, Martin Jarvis as a teacher and friend of Matthew's family, William Mannering as Clive Pritchard and Joe Sowerbutts as two high profile boys at school.
I recommend the whole series.