I have read most of Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway series and really enjoyed it, so when I saw this stand-alone I decided to pick it up.  Clare Cassidy is a single mother, who teaches high school English, in a school building with a rather gothic history of madness and death.  Clare’s colleague in the English department is murdered and as the case is investigated, Clare is dragged further and further into the mystery. 

DS Harbinder Kaur and DS Neil Winston are the detectives on the case.  Harbinder is the lead detective, she, Clare and Clare’s daughter Georgia are the main characters the reader gets to know through their thoughts and diary entries.  I really liked Harbinder and her backstory, she is a really well drawn character.  I did guess who the culprit was pretty early on, but still enjoyed the read.  A mystery for those who enjoy gothic-style mystery reads.