I really enjoyed this clever and knowing Gothic-and-supernatural tale. Travel to the small English town of Rotherweird, where no one is allowed to know the town's history or ask about the origins of its inhabitants. There you'll find scheming villains, society snobs, a nocturnal acrobat, a man with a mysterious past, and a newly-arrived teacher for the local school, who, with a little help from his predecessor, sets into motion a fun and quirky ride into another dimension, a vast catalogue of secrets, and a little romance.

If you are a fan of the Umbrella Academy and Harry Potter, but also like historical fantasy/fiction, this is the book for you. Set in the past, this cast of quirky, nagaical, and sometimes sinister characters will keep you reading and reading.