We know right off the bat that Lilian Jones is going to be someone special. She needs to leave her friends behind to attend Shadowhall Academy, a boarding school that’s perpetually cold. Not only that, her single suitcase cannot hold her entire collection of perfectly organised seashells, marbles and books, so they need to remain in her bedroom.

Her attic bedroom! I spent my childhood dreaming of an attic bedroom and, had my dream become reality, you would have had to drag me from it kicking and screaming.

“She’d always wanted to go somewhere exciting and different - well, here was her chance.”

When Lilian arrives at Shadowhall, she’s greeted by wrought-iron gates, a two-headed gargoyle, Gothic turrets and Ms Strange, Shadowhall Academy’s headmistress. I don’t know about you but it’s feeling pretty ominous already…

Lilian shares a dormitory with three other girls: Marian (Maz), Serena and Angela. Let’s hope they don’t need much sleep because on the very first night, the two newbies hear tapping on the wall.

“”Probably just the pipes, or maybe a mouse or something,” Lilian said. “You know what it’s like in these old buildings.””

A likely story… Shadowhall Academy has a long history, though, and there’s every possibility that it’s haunted.

I’ve been waiting to read this book for months and it was even better than I was expecting. I loved the characters and want to spend more time with all of them, particularly Mr Bullen, who fascinated me. I enjoyed solving the mystery alongside Lilian and her new friends. I need to explore Shadowhall Academy and uncover some more of its secrets.

Phil Hickes and Keith Robinson really are the dream team. Phil introduces me to loveable characters and places them in spooky situations. Keith somehow manages to capture both the heart of the characters and the creepy of the atmosphere. My only disappointment with this book was the fact that I didn’t get the opportunity to enjoy more of Keith’s artwork.

I’m wondering why Lilian’s mother didn’t drop her off at Shadowhall with her father and younger sister. Her absence intrigued me so I’d like to learn more about her.

This is England in the 1980’s and it was refreshing to spend some time in the pre-internet world. Adult me devoured this book and cannot wait to return to Shadowhall. Kid me would have read some of it through my fingers.

I dare say this is Phil Hickes’ best book yet, but please don’t tell Aveline I said that because I adore her. Speaking of Aveline, I was puzzling over the fact that Lilian shares a surname with her. I may have let out a teensy bit of a scream when I finally connected the dots. Lilian is Aveline’s aunt!!! That has made my day! It’s also made me want to reread the Aveline Jones books.

Welcome to Shadowhall Academy. Come for the architecture and the spooky. BYO tea, biscuits and heater. I really hope we get to return there soon.