Canon John Tallis is a major character in the young adult novels of Madeleine L'Engle, appearing in four books. The character is based on L'Engle's real-life spiritual advisor, Canon Edward Nason West of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
The character died in the first book it appeared in
The character was in 4 of the books so he couldnt have died in the first. I think the syste found it difficult because it was worded differently than the context