Welcome to the School by the Sea: The First School by the Sea Novel

One of the reviews printed on the cover of this book describes it as 'Malory Towers for grown-ups' which really sums up the appeal of this book for me. I was a huge fan of Enid Blyton's (and other writers) boarding school books growing up so was thrilled to discover this book which is set in a boarding school very reminiscent of Enid Blyton's St Clares or Malory Towers but in the present day. The other main difference is that the story is told from the point of view of characters such as the scholarship student, Simone, and a teacher, Maggie, who comes from a housing estate in Glasgow. In this way, the novel is able to explore a lot of the class issues that are only really hinted out in Blyton's novels for children. It is also a very entertaining read with the usual boarding school hi-jinks as well as romance, clashes and secrets uncovered (including a secret in the Principal's past). It is apparently intended as the first in a series and I, for one, can't wait for the next installment.