The sudden death of an unpopular schoolmaster forces a student to investigate the suspicious circumstances surrounding a drowning. Jonathan Meredith finds himself at odds with the official verdict of suicide regarding his English teacher, Robin. Driven by a sense of unease and a lack of trust in the school's administration, Jonathan begins to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy. He navigates the rigid social hierarchy of his school while attempting to uncover the truth hidden beneath the surface of his peers and faculty. The narrative follows his perspective as he confronts the logical inconsistencies of the case against the backdrop of a traditional academic environment.

Readers frequently highlight the book's ability to maintain suspense within the confines of a school setting. Discussion often centers on the protagonist's internal moral conflict and his skepticism toward authority figures. Critics note that the pacing is deliberate, allowing for character development to unfold alongside the central mystery. The atmosphere is often described as grounded and realistic, avoiding sensationalism in favor of psychological tension. Many readers appreciate how the narrative captures the specific social dynamics of an academic institution during the mid-twentieth century.