I’m very impressed with JoJo Winternitz’s debut young adult novel, The Polly Watson Mysteries. The novel is intelligent and beautifully written, the characters are vividly drawn and, most importantly, it’s a cracking read.

Based on the author’s own experiences at boarding school, the novel follows the adventures of Polly Watson, who is entering her third year as a boarder at Atherton Castle. One bleak winter night, she awakes to hear piano music playing near her dormitory; when she goes to investigate, the piano player has vanished…

While there will inevitably be comparisons to Enid Blyton’s boarding school novels, this is where any similarities end. Unlike the more romanticised world of Blyton’s fiction, The Polly Watson Mysteries explores the contemporary realities of young adults navigating loneliness, social hierarchies, identity and sexual dynamics.

I was particularly impressed by the way the novel captures the nuances of bullying without resorting to stereotypical villains or victims. Once I started reading, I found it very difficult to put down. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.