The Curse of Jonathan Matthew

Darleen R. Golke is a high-school teacher-librarian in Winnipeg,
Manitoba.

Veronica’s architect mother, Marion Shaw, accepts a summer assignment
to supervise the restoration of an 800-year-old village church in
Warlingham, Surrey. Mrs. Shaw arranges for two of Veronica’s friends,
Ben and Eddy, to accompany them to England. The children’s excitement
escalates when they find out about the ancient curse connected with the
church. In 1194 the villagers whispered about the baker’s boy,
Jonathan Matthew, whose hacked-up body had been stolen from the altar
before he could receive a proper burial. Some 800 years later villagers
still whisper about the ghost of poor murdered Jonathan. As the children
work to solve the mystery of Jonathan’s death, a menacing

stranger hovers in the background. Making

periodic appearances is the ghost of Jonathan himself.

The story opens with realistic and energetic dialogue and the promise
of well-developed characters. Unfortunately, the characters that the
children encounter in England are essentially stereotypes. Nevertheless,
the story moves along nicely to a satisfactory conclusion and should
prove entertaining to young readers. Recommended.