This murder mystery is set in a British boarding school that finds itself at a new stage in its illustrious history: traditionally a boys’ school, girls are now admitted into its Sixth Form. One of the new students who will make their mark on the venerable institution is Eve, the chaplain’s daughter. Also new are several teaching staff whose genuine motives and backstories are gradually revealed as you turn the pages, spellbound by the quality of Vaughan’s writing. Highly recommended!

In theory this novel should not appeal. Shallow characters lacking any real depth, barely any direct dialogue and some really odd mock-stream-of-consciousness writing .... and yet .... and yet .... I do find it strangely compelling. This could be due to my weird penchant for stories in academic settings (Evelyn Waugh's 'Brideshead Revisited', John Williams' 'Stoner' and Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History' are favourites) or the plot itself, which shows great potential. It's too bad that the writing style and inconsistency in the different POVs spoils what could be a great novel, making it a mediocre one instead. I'm glad to have read it, though.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

Well written, addictive and unpredictable. This is a book I have really enjoyed and devoured. i definitely want to read more from this author. Full Review to follow.

An outsider in her own school and an outsider at the private school where Alice lives with her chaplain dad. Two very different lifestyles. Then girls are permitted into the sixth form.
Taken under the wing of one girl or is it manipulation?
History and the present entwine in very unexpected ways.
A gripping story that will keep you guessing to the last page.

Very readable, a posh boarding school and some dark secrets make a gripping tale. The characters are not very nice and quite creepy but the pace is quick and this keeps the interest high.

The hallowed institution of the boarding school for boys, disrupted by the admission of young women into the 6th form and by staff who just are not prepared to toe the line.
The author sets the scene of privilege well with the character of Alice, who lives at school (because she is "Gods" daughter) but attends the local comprehensive school interacting at first with no-one, then gradually with 2 very different pupils at the school but always on the outside looking in.
Eve, also has a jaded view of the school and its traditions and is pleased when a new master and his wife move in and she finally has a friend.
Well paced and well told, the book is certainly well targeted to the older teen market.

Dark Academia..
Hazard Night - the one day tradition at an exclusive boarding school where rules are abandoned and pranks rule - turns brutal when a body is discovered and it becomes clear that everyone at this protected and cloistered establishment may well have something to hide. With a deftly crafted cast of credible characters and a carefully constructed plot peppered with twists the game begins. Tense and edgy with a dark thread of menace. Dark academia at its atmospheric peak.

I enjoyed reading this story, suitable for older teenagers, YA and up. A murder mystery set in a private boarding school. A school seemingly moving with the times as a senior female year is welcomed into the previously all male institution. But with the arrival of them and new teaching staff, not necessarily beholden to ‘entitled secrecy’, buried indiscretions will reach for the light or maybe just spread more darkness. Lots of twists and turns to lead you astray. Thank you to Atlantic Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

An exclusive school, feelings of isolation and the beginning of a friendship – expect these and more from Laura’s new book. Eve’s husband has been appointed housemaster at Cleeve College and she says goodbye to their London life. It’s his old boarding school so he already feels at home, but for Eve, she is lonely… until Fen, wife of the Classics teachers, sweeps in. There’s just something about her that is intoxicating, and quickly she and Eve become friends. Fen’s devil may care attitude may be what Cleeve needs – a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stuffy institution. That said, once a year the school experiences Hazard Night, a tradition that allows students to play pranks and effectively run wild. Which is all well and good until a body is found… Suddenly it’s clear how much the school keeps to itself, but the things about secrets is that they have a habit of being exposed. Cleverly written, thoroughly enjoyable.

This is highly readable, well-paced, nicely written and overall very satisfying.

It nods elegantly to multiple classic themes and genres: the British boarding school book, the outsider trope, the locked room mystery and of course today's zeitgeist: dark academia.

I enjoyed it a lot and read it very fast.

My thanks to Atlantic Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Enjoyable read. Solid plot. Did not particularly like any of the characters Alice was probably the best.
Eminently guessable but does that really matter? I don't think so. The author concentrated on her craft of story telling rather than trying to "surprise" people with "twists" which if they are rabbit out of a hat types are very irritating. The book is well written and the plot well developed and plausible
If you found this on the bookshelf at the hotel you would definitely take it to the pool and sit and read until you've finished
Several typos and a couple of grammatical errors that I'm sure will get sorted
3.5/5

I loved the style of writing in this book; it’s intriguing and clever which meant I was quickly drawn into it.
I had to keep coming back to it and found myself finishing it within a couple of days.
It’s a dark and atmospheric read that has been set in a private boarding school. There was a real vulnerability in many of the characters which kept me engaged.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

3.5 stars

I sat down to read a few pages last night, and before I knew it I was a quarter of the way through the book.
It's immensely readable.
The life of boarding schools, be it pupils or teachers is always intriguing.
Especially when there's murder.
I have to be honest, I enjoyed the first half more than the second, the setting of scenes and characters.
I finished it in two sittings, that alone is testament to it pulling me in, and keeping me there.
Very enjoyable.