This is No. 2 in the Justina Jones Mysteries series. The novel recaptures the charm of Highbury House boarding school and adds a fascinating mystery to it. In this second installment, Justina returns to school after the Christmas holidays and is tasked with visiting an elderly man living in the enigmatic “Smuggler’s Den,” located on the other side of the marshes—a place shrouded in legend.
There, amid rumors of a haunted house and strange happenings at the school, Justina senses something is off: a supervisor behaving suspiciously, forbidden passageways, and secrets hidden behind an apparently peaceful façade.
The story showcases the protagonist’s perseverance, cleverness, decision-making ability, and inner strength.
It’s a fast-paced narrative filled with endearing characters, suspenseful twists, and a warm, detective-like tone.