Blog Tour: The Tower Ghost by Natasha Mac a’Bháird

The Tower Ghost is a brilliantly spooky, gripping mystery set in a 1960s Irish Boarding School where danger lurks, friendships grow and truths unfold … perfect for readers of 9+ who are sure to be enthralled by this intriguing story.

Twelve-year-old Clare O’Neill’s dream of attending Sycamore Hill Boarding School has come true after being awarded a scholarship there.  Whilst trying on her new uniform, she meets Rose Carlisle who is two things she is not:  confident and well-off.  When she arrives at Sycamore Hill, Clare again meets Rose and both girls are excited to be sharing a dorm.

That evening, Clare is awoken by the sound of someone sobbing.  Thinking it is new girl, Molly, she goes to sympathise with her as she is also feeling homesick, but discovers that Molly is asleep.  Could she have been imagining the sound, or is there a mystery to solve?

When Clare sees a girl looking out of the window of the out-of-bounds tower and hears tapping and crying from her dorm at night, she discovers that a girl has died there, in mysterious circumstances, years ago.  Could the school have its own ghost who is haunting the tower?

The friends are determined to find out who the girl in the tower is and so begin their own investigation, but could they be drawing the attention of a killer with their actions?

I absolutely loved this spine-tingling, atmospheric mystery which had me on the edge-of-my-seat as I followed its unravelling by three daring and determined young sleuths. I loved the twists and turns, the secrets and revelations, and was never sure of the culprit. I could really feel the growing sense of danger as the girls move ever closer to revealing the truth, delving into the past and revealing truths that others would prefer to remain hidden.

The setting of an isolated boarding school, complete with towers and a graveyard, on a clifftop overlooking the ocean, with an out-of-bounds forest at the edge of the school grounds, is the perfect setting for an intriguing, intricate mystery.  It provides a brilliant opportunity for sneaking around at night, entering forbidden places and the tension of being caught by those in authority. On a personal note, I loved that it was set in County Donegal as this was where I was born and raised.

I really enjoyed the friendship which develops between Clare, Rose and Molly which feels really genuine as they become wonderfully close and supportive of each other, opening up about their lives and feelings, and seeking to right a past wrong. They show great courage, resourcefulness and resilience as they seek the truth which sometimes leads them to taking risks and facing real danger.    

An absorbing, atmospheric boarding school mystery, and the start of what promises to be a fantastic new series.

Thank you to The O’Brien Press for inviting me to me part of the Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of The Tower Ghost in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour: