Blog Tour: Artful Antics at St Bride’s – Debbie Young

When English teacher Gemma Lamb’s school flat is wrecked by storms, maverick headmistress Hairnet insists the girls must fund its repair by setting up their own businesses – the start of a series of hilarious unintended consequences.
Meanwhile Gemma’s worries are compounded by the arrival of bossy new girl Frieda Ehrlich, sponsored by a mysterious local tycoon whose wealth is of dubious origins. Fearful for the school’s
reputation, Gemma recruits an old friend to help investigate the tycoon’s credentials, jeopardising her romance with sports teacher Joe Spryke.
What is Frieda hiding? Why is her sponsor living in a derelict manor house? Why is his chauffeur such a crazed driver? And what has become of McPhee, Hairnet’s precious black cat? With a little help
from her friends, Gemma is determined to solve these mysteries, restore her flat and save the school.
For anyone who loved St Trinian’s – old or new – or read Malory Towers as a kid. St Brides is the perfect read for you!
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Debbie Young is the much-loved author of the Sophie Sayers and St Brides cosy crime mysteries. She lives in a Cotswold village where she runs the local literary festival, and has worked at Westonbirt School, both of which provide inspiration for her writing. She is bringing both her series to Boldwood in a 13-book contract. They will be publishing several new titles in each series and republishing the backlist, starting in September 2022.

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My thoughts: this series continues to be utterly delightful, with more mysterious goings on and one day maybe we’ll learn the truth about Max Security’s past! Turns out, he speaks German, so that’s something Gemma can add to her information about him.

This term at St Bride’s the roof has finally given up the ghost and now Gemma and Oriana are having to stay in the old servants quarters, not as nice as their flats at all, but better than wet walls! Time to get making some money and the eccentric headmistress has decided that the girls should start their own businesses to raise the cash. Cue pet detectives, cake bakers, an art show and all sorts of hijinks.

There’s also a strange new student in the Sixth Form, she’s a bit off as far as Gemma can tell, and she’s determined to figure her out. Her dad works for a new local businessman, except he doesn’t seem to have a business. Very odd. Are these new faces a risk to St Bride’s? Gemma’s on the case.

Lots of fun, intrigue and whizzing around the local lanes in fast cars ensues. It’s all highly enjoyable and entertaining. There’s little real jeopardy, although McPhee has disappeared and without their mascot, the headmistress is in a bit of a tizz.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.