Review: The Unchosen One by Amy Sparkes

*Written by Amy Sparkes*
*Cover illustration by Ben Mantle*
*Published by Walker Books*

The Unchosen One is a fantastically funny, fantasy adventure brimming with heart and hope, with mayhem and magic, and with courage and camaraderie … a completely captivating story.

Twelve-year-old Tassie has a ~~slight~~ definite tendency to unwittingly cause chaos wherever she goes, and to follow her own path, despite it not being towards her lessons in Ancient Gnomeology, but rather towards an adventure …

And she hopes an adventure has come calling when she falls out of a tree into a stranger’s cart. This stranger, the Wisest of the Wise, brings Tassie to her guardian, the Chief Steward, who announces that Tassie is none other than The Chosen One, fated to fulfil an ancient prophecy to protect the Isles of Peryll from the sinister Shadow, banished a thousand years ago, but strange whispers in the breeze foretell of its vengeful return …

Not the best news for the people of Peryll, I know, but at least Tassie will have an opportunity to go on a quest outside of the Citadel walls. There is only one small problem: the prophesied child is meek and calm – not attributes that Tassie can claim so she can’t possibly be the Chosen One. Nonetheless, she is prepared to overlook this – until she learns that going on an adventure is the furthest thing expected of the Chosen One! And she’s having none of that! What if she can make a much better fate for herself? What if her true destiny is to find the real Chosen One? And, it’s not Tassie’s fault that it comes with the added bonus of an adventure …

And so begins a brilliantly exciting, action-packed adventure as Tassie teams up with her loyal, but cautious, best friend and inventor, Spin, a griffin, and Darley, an elf who is somewhat of an enigma. As they travel across the Isle of Peryll on the trail of the true Chosen One, they meet a myriad of magical creatures, some friendly and some not-so-friendly, leading to some magnificently chaotic situations which brings oodles of humour and laugh-out-loud moments.

Will Tassie find the true Chosen One before time runs out for the people of the Isles of Peryll? Can this courageous, kind-hearted and daring young girl bring hope in the face of an ancient power intent on darkness and despair?

I absolutely loved the vivid world-building, the inversion of fantasy tropes and the witty sense of humour in this adventure and found myself eagerly turning pages as I followed Tassie on her rather chaotic, but courageous, quest. And what a quest she finds herself on, from taking a death-defying ride on a dragon taxi to meeting fierce fairies and ornery orcs all whilst being hunted by three wraiths intent on death and destruction – but with the most polite manners. I know I probably shouldn’t, but I adored the wraiths – the most brilliant characters!

A heart-warming, whimsical and enchanting call to adventure – a perfect choice for young readers of 8+.

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a Book Proof in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Secret of the Selkies

*Written by Laura Keohane*
*Cover illustration by Domenique Serfontem*
*Published by The O’Brien* Press

Secret of the Selkies is a wonderfully magical, heart-warming story that swept me into an exciting, action-packed adventure to discover the truth behind an incredible family secret.

Eleven-year-old Lana is spending her summer holidays with her Nan and Grandad at their coastal home, Carrig Cottage. She is expecting her summer to be lonely and full of worries about the move to secondary school. But, at least, she doesn’t have to spend it with her perfect older brother, who is on a STEM camp, and who, together with her mischievous younger sister, seem to take all her parents’ attention.

When Lana agrees to sort boxes of old books for the local charity shop, she finds herself in the attic where she is soon drawn to a book’s entry on selkies – mythological, magical seal-folk. Exploring the attic further, she locates an old trunk containing a strange coat with an intriguing luggage tag attached …

And so begins a magical, mesmerising adventure as Lana uncovers a family secret that changes her life forever – and opens her eyes and heart to a new and breath-taking world – a place where she finds a new sense of belonging and acceptance.

I absolutely loved this spellbinding, exciting adventure, steeped in Irish folklore, with a fresh, contemporary feel. I adored the vivid descriptions of the hidden world that Lana discovers, and the transformations that take place, as she learns more about her heritage. But could these new discoveries put Lana in danger from an unexpected threat? Be prepared for terrific twists and turns, unexpected revelations, and perilous quests to worlds filled with wonder and trickery – and some brilliant magical creatures.

Lana is a wonderfully likeable young girl who is naturally curious and adventurous, but also someone who doesn’t quite feels she belongs. I really liked the friendships that Lana develops with others, friendships that bring support, aid and joy. Whilst Lana initially feels invisible within her family, I enjoyed how this changes as she learns more about her heritage and gains a sense of belonging and connection. I also really enjoyed the heartfelt relationship between Lana and her Nan and Grandad, something that I think many young readers will connect with.

Slip into this wonderfully captivating story and be transported into a world of magic, folklore and adventure, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to The O’Brien Press for sending me an early copy of this book. It was my decision to read and review, and my review is my honest opinion of this book.

Review: The Thing About Giants by Christopher Galvin

*Written by Christopher Galvin*
*Cover and interior illustrations by Brie Schmida*
*Published by Walker Books*

The Thing About Giants is a completely captivating, epic fantasy adventure, brimming with danger and discoveries, with hope and heart and with friendship and family. Utterly unputdownable!

Young giant Corman and his father are on a dangerous mission from their underground home to the Upside. But, what could possibly cause danger to two giants, danger that makes them fear for their lives?

In the city of Fathach, whose walls and buildings are constructed from the bones of giants, twelve-year-old Jacq Dyer has been chosen to follow in the footsteps of her parents – and become a giant hunter, but what if she wants to choose her own path?

When Corman is separated from his father, he must find a way back home, but instead he finds a young girl who has also been separated from her father. Can the giant and the giant hunter overcome their fear and mistrust of each other and find the courage to change both their lives? What if everything you believed has been built upon the bones of lies? Will discovering the truth have the power to bring two worlds together?

Wow! What an absolutely incredible adventure. I loved the braided narrative structure that gave an insight into both the lives of giants and humans and allowed for some cliffhangers that made this a definite just-one-more-chapter read. In fact, this was a read-in-one-sitting book for me as I was completely drawn into the world and lives of Corman and Jacq and was gripped by their quest, not only to return to their families, but by the breathtaking discoveries they made that led them not only towards life-changing revelations but also towards increasing danger. I am being purposefully vague as to what happens as I really don’t want to reveal any spoilers for this gripping and epic adventure but, suffice to say, that I’m a HUGE fan of fantasy middle-grade and this is one of the best I’ve read – and will definitely be on my books of the year list.

The world-building is superb from the chapter epigraphs which give an insight into the history, politics and beliefs of both giants and those who built, and control, Fathach to the vivid and wonderful descriptions of the natural world outside the city contrasted with the eponymous city built on the bones of giants. I loved that different groups of giants – including river, forest and rock giants – were distinguished by their connection to nature and how they lived in harmony with the world around them. It made it all the more poignant that they were being persecuted by humans intent on their destruction including forcing them to leave their homes and find safe haven in other places. There are some important messages in this story about the abuse of power, manipulation and prejudice, but there is also hope that there are those who are willing to stand against these.

I absolutely adored both Corman and Jacq: kind-hearted, courageous, curious and empathetic – traits that allow them to work together to overcome fears, break down prejudices and bring hope. These are two characters, alongside Misneach (just wait to meet him!), who have found their way into my heart and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there are more adventures for this wonderful trio.

A breath-taking, gigantic treat of an adventure for readers of 9+.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Cruise Ship Kid: Kidnap at Sea written by Emma Swan and illustrated by Katie Saunders

Cruise Ship Kid: Kidnap at Sea! is the second adventure in this hilarious, heart-warming mystery series where 10 ¼-year-old Silver, once again, invites the reader to help her solve a crime – and this time, there’s been a kidnapping!

Silver and her mum are on board a new ship, the Fabula, complete with Mega Slide, following her mum’s promotion. Silver has a new mission: to convince her mum to get her a mobile phone. She is soon distracted from her mission by the arrival of The Gang, her elderly friends who need help to get into their cabins as they need to access them via a phone app! It seems everyone has a phone except Silver – but she has a plan! Can she convince social media influencer, Kindness Kay, who has come on board to promote the cruise on her channel, to help her convince her mum to get her a phone?

But, when Kay is kidnapped, Silver finds herself on an entirely different mission. Getting out her detective notepad, Silver’s ready to solve the case of the missing influencer alongside The Clotted Cream Crime Investigation Team (a.k.a The Gang) … Can they discover the culprit and rescue Kay before they arrive in the next port?

I absolutely loved being back with Silver and The Gang in this action-packed, fun-filled adventure packed with oodles of heart-warming moments. I loved following the trail of clues as investigations led to suspicions and suspects, motives and alibis – and some fantastic red herrings along the way. I also loved that the team met in the most wonderful eateries and relaxed with activities on board which gives a great insight into time on board the cruise ship – and brought plenty of smiles and giggles!

As in the first book, I think that young readers will love the interactive, diary format of this book alongside the doodles and notes – and clues from future Silver! The short chapters, energetic and expressive illustrations, chatty and friendly style will definitely appeal to younger readers despite the longer length of the book. Children will really feel that they are part of the story as Silver invites them to help her solve the mystery – and even gives them places in the book to write their ideas and responses. Children in my class have really enjoyed reading Thief at Sea and I have no doubt they will enjoy this one just as much.

Whilst Silver’s first mission is to convince her mum to get her a mobile phone, I appreciated that the story shared some messages about the use of mobile phones, including the importance of taking breaks so as not to miss out on real life and that what is portrayed on social media is often not what real life is like.

Silver is such a positive role model for young readers – curious, determined and kind-hearted, but she’s also someone who sometimes has her confidence knocked and loses her voice – but works through this to feel proud of her achievements.

Set sail with the cruise ship kid for another fantastically fun adventure, perfect for readers of 8+.

Thank you to Usborne Books for providing me with a copy of this book. It is my decision to read and review this book and this review is my honest opinion of the book.

Review: The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away

*Written by Sophie Anderson*
*Cover illustration by Melissa Castrillon*
*Internal Illustrations by Elisa Paganelli*
*Published by Usborne Books*

The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away is the stunning sequel to The House with Chicken Legs and what an incredible, unforgettable read it proved to be. Full of heart and hope, warmth and wonder, this is a story that brought both tears and comfort.

Thirteen-year-old Marinka has a strong bond of love and friendship with her Yaga house so, when the house begins to act strangely, she is worried about it and wants to help. Hoping to heal through re-energising her beloved home and friend, she helps prepare a guiding feast where dead souls are given a party to celebrate their lives before moving through The Gate to the Stars. But rather than help her friend, something goes terribly wrong and the house tears itself apart, running away on its chicken legs, leaving Marinka behind.

Knowing that her friend is suffering, but not knowing why, Marinka races after the house followed by her friend, Benjamin and jackdaw, Jack, determined to find a way to heal her sentient home. Can she use her deep bond and connection with the house to discover the cause of its affliction? Will she be able to save the house from something that is tearing it apart – something that threatens the land of the living? And, why does she have the unsettling feeling that the house is keeping something from her?

And so begins a magical, mesmerising and momentous adventure as Marinka, Benjamin and Jack journey to save the house, a journey that takes them through incredible landscapes and magical lands – to places where danger lies, where discoveries are made and where secrets are revealed. I adored the connections between past, present and future possibilities, the healing power of memories, and the inspiration of Slavic folklore especially in the interconnectedness of the cycle of life. Whilst this is a story that brought heartache and tears, it also brought smiles of recognition, of comfort and affirmation.

Marinka is the most incredible young girl who is dealing with both grief and guilt following a heart-breaking loss. She shows incredible courage and inner strength in facing her fears as she strives to protect those she loves, but can she learn to forgive and accept herself in order to allow healing and growth? I adored the strong bond of friendship between Marinka and Benjamin, gaining strength and courage from each other, but also giving each other the freedom to follow their own paths.

This spellbinding story can be read as a standalone as the prologue will give new readers the background they need to immerse themselves in this sequel. Saying that, I have no doubt that readers who have not read The House with Chicken Legs yet will find themselves desperate to join Marinka on her first adventure. I can only, therefore, urge readers to give themselves a reading treat by enjoying the first book before the release of this sequel in April.

An enthralling and enchanting adventure, with family and friendship at its heart, perfect for readers of 9+.

My proof copy has a few of the stunning illustrations that will be part of the published book so, whilst I have been lucky enough to have read a Proof Copy of this magical story, I could not resist pre-ordering a signed copy and have taken advantage of the pre-order offer from Usborne:

Usborne are running a UK-only pre-order campaign for The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away where you can get your hands on a limited-edition badge pack and stunning artwork print, with foiled signatures from Sophie Anderson and Elisa Paganelli. All you have to do is pre-order The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away before the 8^thApril and email proof to Usborne’s marketing department (marketing@usborne.co.uk)

You can also read an extract in the free sampler available at: https://issuu.com/usbornepublishing/docs/free_sampler_the_house_with_chicken_legs_runs_awa?fr=sZTM5Mzg5Nzc4MjM

Thank you to Toppsta and Usborne for sending me a Proof Copy of this stunning book.

Review: Quill and the Last Generation

*Written by C.M. Lewis*
Cover illustration by Khadijah Khatib
Interior Illustrations by Marina Vidal
*Published by MacMillan Children’s Books*

Quill and the Last Generation is the first book in a stunning, epic fantasy adventure series inspired by Welsh mythology: an adventure that swept me into an unforgettable world of mythical creatures, danger and discoveries that kept me completely spellbound throughout.

Twelve-year-old Quill and his best friend, Jona, are helping to keep the bonfire alight on Beltaine night in the hope that it will bring back warmth to their world, a world that has been in a perpetual winter for the last twelve years. During these twelve years, no child has been born, making Quill part of the last generation.

The following morning, Quill is disturbed by the sound of a raven outside his window who transforms into a girl – Deryn – who tells him that he must return to the underworld with her in order to save both worlds …

And so begins the most incredible, breath-taking adventure as Quill travels in his father’s boat to the underworld, Annwfn, guided by his new friend, a world which is now ruled over solely by the King of Darkness after he killed King Hafgan, destroying the balance between light and darkness.

After a terrifying encounter with a hound in the city, Quill and Deryn escape to the protection of a castle, where Quill discovers that Deryn is not the only shapeshifter. Can Quill find the Light of the World before it is extinguished and all hope disappears with it? Can a quiet, kind-hearted boy defeat the King of Darkness and bring light and balance back to both worlds?

I was held absolutely spellbound by Quill’s journey into the underworld and was gripped by the astonishing revelations, the dangerous encounters, the poignant, tender moments, and the uncertainty of who could be trusted in this world where an arrogant, cruel ruler is determined to maintain his rule – and destroy hope.

I adore stories inspired by mythology, especially those that bring two worlds together as this one does so brilliantly. I was absolutely in awe of and, sometimes frightened by, the mythological creatures Quill meets from the shapeshifters to the dragons, hounds and water horse and really enjoyed Quill’s ability to connect with many of them – one bond in particular being incredibly heart-warming. I also loved the spirituality and appreciation of nature within the adventure: I found one aspect of this both heart-breaking and beautiful.

Quill is the most incredible young boy who finds himself at the heart of a battle to bring light and hope back to two worlds. He is raised by adoptive parents who are loving, kind and protective, attributes that they have instilled in their son, and which help him find inner strength and hope as he faces fears and challenges in a new world with courage, kindness and resilience. Will this quiet, kind-hearted boy grow into the hero that is needed?

I must admit that I love poring over a map when reading fantasy adventures and the map of Annwfn is stunning, showing the places Quill travels to, but also some places not mentioned in this story which I am very much looking forward to visiting in the next adventure, Castle of Mirrors.

The full-and-partial page illustrations throughout are absolutely gorgeous and perfectly complement the magic and danger, the bonds of friendship and the hope in the story. And, I must admit, I really want to visit the turret where stories fly!

A spellbinding fantasy adventure where danger and darkness battle light and hope, where bonds of friendship grow, and where a new hero emerges … perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to MacMillan Children’s Books for sending me a copy . It was my decision to read and review this book, and my review is my honest opinion of the book.

Review: The Moonhaven Chronicles: The Last Wolf written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph

*Published by MacMillan Children’s Books on 5th February*

The Moonhaven Chronicles: The Last Wolf is the first in what promises to be an absolutely gripping fantasy duology, shining a light on the legend of the werewolf in the most mesmerising, action-packed adventure that held me enthralled throughout.

In Moonhaven, Jax, his twin sister Jovi, and their best friends Esau and Fourth enjoy the sense of excitement and freedom they get from breaking curfew during the full moon to enjoy their own adventures with no one else around. After all, there have been no werewolf attacks for over 40 years, so the terrifying howl they have heard, which is giving Jax nightmares, couldn’t possibly have been a werewolf, could it? And, it absolutely will not stop them planning another Moonlighters adventure during the next curfew.

But when the seemingly impossible happens, and a werewolf attack occurs, the friends go on the run, fearing that they will be captured by the Nighthawks, who are responsible for enforcing the curfew, a curfew that they have broken. But, as they search for the truth behind the attack, will what they discover put the whole world in danger?

I absolutely loved following these four friends on their mission to discover what lies behind the werewolf attack and found myself gasping out loud at what they track down. Be prepared for plenty of dangerous situations, breathtaking revelations and edge-of-your-seat shocks. I really enjoyed the short chapters which made this a real-page turner and a one-sitting read as I just had to find out what happened next and, after that ending, I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

The short, action-packed chapters, coupled with the many stunning full page and partial-page illustrations, makes this an incredibly appealing read for children who I have no doubt will devour this story – and be eager for more.

The Moonlighters are a wonderful group of friends who I found incredibly likeable. Despite some friction and uncertainty between them (which made them feel like genuine friends),they use their different strengths, from tech genius to empathetic interactions, to work together and prove supportive and caring friends. They face their fears and show real courage and determination when seeking the truth and standing up for themselves and others.

One of the things I really like about reading fantasy adventures is their ability to reflect reality and this one does so brilliantly, opening up opportunities for some deep discussions with readers. This pertinent story includes themes such as abuse of power, the ethics of genetic engineering and the treatment of those who are perceived as ‘different’.

A howlingly gripping adventure, with family and friendship at its heart, perfect for adventure-seekers of 9+.

Thank you to MacMillan Children’s Books for sending me an early copy. My review is my honest opinion of the book.

Review: Murder at the Ivy Hotel

Written by Emily Hourican
Illustrated by Paola Escobar
*Published by Scholasti*c *on 12th February 2026*

Murder at the Ivy Hotel is a cosy whodunnit, brimming with charm, intrigue and danger, that kept me utterly entranced throughout.

Meredith and her younger sister, Macy, live in an apartment in the grand Ivy Hotel in Dublin where their mother is the General Manager. Changes are afoot at the hotel as it faces a change of ownership, something that is causing their mum stress as the new owners are more interested in profit than retaining the cosy and friendly character of the beloved hotel where long-term residents and staff feel more like family than guests. When it seems that the new owners are keen to find reasons to dismiss their mum, there is a real possibility that Meredith and Macy may lose their home, something they are determined to fight against.

But then something happens that may well ruin the reputation of the hotel: the suspicious death of a guest. Could a murder have taken place and, if so, can the sisters discover the culprit and save the their home?

And so begins a terrifically twisty, intriguing mystery as the sisters and their new friend, Colin, work together to solve a puzzling crime. I loved the blend of cosy mystery, intrigue and danger that had me eagerly turning pages as I followed this sleuthing trio as they worked together to piece together the clues to discover the culprit behind this crime. I really enjoyed the sense of urgency as the mystery unfolds over the course of a week, the increasing level of peril and the red herrings all of which made this an exciting and fast-paced read which I have no doubt its young readers will adore – just as I did! I can also imagine many young readers wanting to keep their own notes – just as Colin does – as the mystery unfolds.

The tenacious trio of children in this whodunnit are incredibly likeable and together bring different qualities to form a perfect sleuthing team. Twelve-year-old Meredith has an intuitive and sensible nature whereas her ten-year-old sister Macy is more impulsive and practical. Their new friend Colin, who lives at the hotel, is meticulous and keeps notes as they investigate the crime. I also really enjoyed the feeling of family within the hotel as the children have close and trusting bonds with both employees and long-term guests who clearly care for them.

A delightfully charming and cosy mystery, with friendship and family at its heart, perfect for young sleuths of 9+.

Thank you to Scholastic for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Magpie Girl by Rowan Foxwood

Written by Rowan Foxwood
Cover Illustration by Crystal Kung
Internal Illustrations by Tim Banks
*Published by Usborne Publishing Limited*

Magpie Girl is an utterly enchanting story, a story of belief and connection, of family and friendship, that completely captured me and swept me into the most magical adventure.

Thirteen-year-old Lavender Wild, the magpie girl, talks to birds, has a talent for finding lost things and even grows magpie feathers and has flying dreams as she sleeps. Whilst Lavender longs for adventure beyond her village of Maidswell, her father is reluctant to let her out of his sight as she had gone missing for four months five years before. So it is that Lavender finds herself accompanying her father to the home of Lord and Lady Noble to make a delivery, hoping to avoid a meeting with their son, Kit, who had been her best friend before she disappeared but who now seems to despise her even though she does not understand the cause for his dislike.

But when an earthquake occurs and Kit’s father goes missing on his annual pilgrimage to the Cries, a dormant volcano in the Ironridge Mountains, these two former friends find themselves setting out together on a perilous rescue mission. And so begins a truly magical adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed these two courageous and determined children on their dangerous, heart-pounding quest. A quest where family secrets are revealed, where a fractured friendship begins to heal and where a fabled firebird rises … Can these two work together to defeat the firebird before their village faces its flames?

I love stories which are inspired by folklore and mythology and these are seamlessly woven into this magical adventure as Lavender and Kit meet deities, daemons and witches as well as the firebird, some of whom prove allies but others frightening foes, one in particular that sent a shiver down my spine. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but I really enjoyed discovering the breath-taking connections within the story as well as the re-connections that are made.

This captivating adventure is set in the same world as the spellbinding Heartseer, with some familiar characters, but can easily be read as a stand-alone although I have no doubt readers who have not already read Heartseer will want to seek it out after reading this story.

I absolutely adored both Lavender and Kit and loved following them, not only on their quest to save Kit’s father, but also on their journey towards self-belief and re-connection as their friendship heals and trust returns. Whilst Kit is cautious and careful, Lavender is torn between her happiness to have returned home and her longing for adventure. Their quest proves transformational for both, bringing hope of new beginnings, freedom to be themselves and an inner strength gained from being true to themselves.

The full-page illustrations are absolutely stunning and capture the magic, warmth and adventure perfectly.

A mesmerising, magical adventure, glowing with the warmth of family and friendship, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Usborne for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: A Sycamore Hill Mystery: The Vanished Girl by Natasha Mac a’Bháird

Written by Natasha Mac a’Bháird
Cover Illustration by Lauren O’Neill
Published by The O’Brien Press

The Vanished Girl is the second book in the A Sycamore Hill Mystery series, set in 1960s Donegal – and what a wonderfully exciting return to the Sycamore Hill Boarding School this proved to be as friends Clare, Rose and Molly find themselves immersed in another mystery, a mystery brimming with danger and intrigue that completely captured me from start to finish.

Following a long weekend away from Sycamore Hill to attend her aunt’s wedding, Clare returns eager to tell her friends all the details. However, her news is somewhat overshadowed by the announcement that a new girl is starting mid-term, and one of the girls from St Anne’s dormitory will need to move out to allow room for her. Clare is immediately curious as to why a new girl would be starting part way through the term: could this be a new mystery for the sleuthing trio to solve?

When the girls meet their new dorm mate, Amy, she shares that she has started to board as her dad has a new job and the family are in the process of moving house. Despite Clare having some doubts about the truth of this information, it is not long before the three friends are welcoming Amy into their group, especially as she appears just as keen as they are to take part in the upcoming school musical and to get a place on the hockey team alongside Clare.

After a brilliant audition by Amy, Clare can’t help but wonder if she’s a film star. So why then does the new nun, Sister Eva, who has come to help out with staging the musical, deny such a talent from taking part in the performance? Why do the teaching staff not allow Amy to leave the school grounds or take part in any activities that would bring attention to her presence at the school?

Clare and her friends decide to, once again, become a sleuthing trio to reveal the secrets that Amy is hiding from them. But could her secrets be more dangerous than they first suspected? Could Sister Eva be spying on Amy and, if so, are her intentions to keep her safe, or to harm her?

I absolutely loved being back at Sycamore Hill Boarding School with Clare and her friends as they work together to solve a mystery brimming with intrigue and danger. I was never quite sure who the girls could trust and really enjoyed following them as they determinedly uncovered clues. I couldn’t stop turning pages as the danger increased and the courageous sleuthing trio took more risks to help their new friend even when this put them in increasing peril.

The friendship between Clare, Rose and Molly is such a wonderful part of this story, feeling really genuine and supportive as they look out for each other and take Amy into their group.

I love that this story is set in an isolated boarding school which I think is a perfect setting for a mystery as there is such scope for the friends to go sneaking around to discover clues but also opening themselves to the possibility of getting caught which increases the tension.

An absolutely gripping and fantastically exciting return to Sycamore Hill for another mesmerising mystery brimming with secrets and danger, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to The O’Brien Press for sending me a copy of this book. It was my decision to read and review the book any my review is my honest opinion of the book.