Bild © Emilia Holly, 4A, 2017
Duncan, Lois: Killing Mr. Griffin
Buchtipps | Englische Bücher
Anybody who says that this thriller is like any other hasn’t read it. It doesn’t tell you the story of the victim; the main characters are the criminals. If you prefer schmaltzy and kitschy stories, you shouldn’t start reading the book…
Mr. Griffin is a teacher, who always wants his students to work perfectly, but never compliments on them. So they are all upset by him and therefore one day Jeff, Mark, Betsy, David, and Sue decide to frighten him. Their plan is to tie him up and kidnap him.
This seems to be a good idea! But when David and Sue come to look after their teacher in the evening, they notice that something is wrong with Mr. Griffin. Nobody knows what to do. Should they go and tell the police or try to keep it secret?
This is what the book is about!
It’s great to read about how everyone reacts in his or her own way. What I liked about this book is that the characters are so different, that you change your opinion of them very often. For example you can see how the students hate Mr. Griffin, but at home he changes into a gentle man.
The biggest mystery for the reader is Mark’s character. Why can he talk people into everything and make you feel good in the worst situations? Only Sue seems to know everything about Mark. But will this knowledge kill her too?
What I really like about the book is that it is so realistic. It’s shocking, but also exciting how far a harmless joke can go. In my opinion it’s a must-read for everyone who likes thrillers. The book has 222 pages and it was made into a film in 1997.
The language isn’t very easy for 14-year-olds. There are some new words, but I didn’t have to look them up to understand the story.
It’s a page turner!
Lois Duncan: Killing Mr. Griffin
222 pages
Signatur: FE.J/DUN , Rating: ****
© Ines Blaha, 5B (Sept. 2008)
Bild © Emilia Holly, 4A, 2017