This is the fourth title in the series about a gothic boarding school - its pupils, teachers and weird happenings. While Tom, Miles and Susan return to Burlap Hall for another summer term, headmaster Mr Fox's problems have already begun with the news that the school caretaker has had a heart-attack. His replacement is the sinister Ron Grunt. Unshaven, pot-bellied and aggressive, with obscene tattoos and a menacing dog, the new caretaker is hardly an encouraging sight for the returning pupils. What's more, as soon as Grunt arrives, everything starts to fall windows smash, doors break and inanimate objects take on a life of their own. Once again it's up to the intrepid trio of friends to get to the bottom of the mystery - and solve a murder at the same time.
Virginia Ironside is best known as one of Britain's leading agony aunts. She started on Woman magazine before moving to The Sunday Mirror and Today newspapers. She now writes a weekly column for The Independant. She also appears regularly on radio and television on such programmes as Radio 4's 'Woman's Hour'. Her many books include self-help titles on subjects such as bereavement, as well as the children's spooky adventure series Burlap Hall.