Agatha Christie meets Malory Towers in this 1930s-set mystery, which will delight fans of boarding school stories. Debut author Robin Stevens deftly blends plenty of old-fashioned ‘jolly hockey sticks’ spirit with a contemporary sensibility that will ensure this lively romp has plenty of appeal for young readers today. Neatly plotted with plenty of surprises and an especially endearing narrator in Hazel, this is a gloriously fun first outing for schoolgirl detective duo Wells and Wong.
(Katherine Woodfine, Booktrust)