The Mystery of Wickworth Manor

The Mystery of Wickworth Manor by Elen Caldecott
Paperback at £5.99

When Paige Owens, on first arriving for a week at Wickworth Manor with her friends, first meets a rather unhappy lonely boy, Curtis Okafor, she thinks him too posh and serious for her. However, soon the pair become friends and find themselves on the trail of a ghost, secret tunnels and hidden treasure.

If it sounds too Blytonesque, it has some fresh ideas on display. It deals with bullying and unusual friendships and racism in a subtle way and the writing makes all the characters come alive. It would be nice to think that  Paige and Curtis have more than one outing together. A good, funny adventure story with a generous helping of thoughtful realism.