I loved the first book in the series Secret at St Brides, that saw Gemma joining an unusual private girls school as an English teacher.

In this second story, a larger than life American arrives at the school claiming to be a surviving ancestor of Lord Bunting, the original owner of the school.

The evidence to his claim looks irrefutable. As he begins to take over the building, ousting both the bursar and headteacher from their apartments, Gemma and her colleagues fear that this could be the end of St Brides.

Is Earl Bunting who he claims to be?

This is a brilliant follow up to the first story and I eagerly await the release of the third book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this story for me to read and review.

This second book in the St Brides series picks up after the October half term.
The staff and pupils are feeling refreshed after their break and on the countdown to Christmas. When a stranger turns up claiming to be the rightful heir to the estate the staff are in shock all except maths teacher Oriana, who immediately sets her sights on the seemingly rich American.
What will happen to them if he really is the heir, will he make sweeping changes or even close the school. Gemma, Joe, Max and Judith set about trying to discover the strangers true identity before he can ruin everything for teachers and pupils alike.
I didn’t want to put this down, it’s so easy and enjoyable to read. The characters are quirky but believable, the setting is beautiful. If you ever enjoyed Mallory Towers or similar you will enjoy these St Brides books.

When an American stranger turns up claiming to be the rightful owner of the school's magnificent country estate it could spell trouble for everyone at St Bride's . . .
No one can believe it when the headmistress, Hairnet, instantly accepts the stranger's claim, not:
* the put-upon Bursar, ousted from his cosy estate cottage by the stranger
* the enigmatic Max Security, raring to engage in a spot of espionage
* the sensible Judith Gosling, who knows more about Lord Bunting than she's letting on
* the irrepressible Gemma Lamb, determined to keep the school open

Only fickle maths teacher Oriana Bliss isn't suspicious of the stranger, after all she can just marry him and secure St Bride's future forever. That's if inventive pranks by the girls and the school cat don't drive him away first.
Who will nab the stranger first? Oriana with the parson's noose? Gemma with sinister secrets? Or could this be the end of St Bride's?
Can’t wait for book 3 this was just as good as the first book really enjoyed it totally recommend
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books
I just reviewed Sinister Stranger at St Bride's by Debbie Young. #SinisterStrangeratStBrides #NetGalley

I liked the premise, the characters, and the writing here, but I felt like it was mostly setup. I thought based on the description of the plot that there would be a murder early on and then a mystery. However, the mystery was more around the character of Earl Bunting. Less cozy mystery and more drama I'd say.

This light, often humorous cozy mystery proves you don’t always have to include murder in the plot. Teacher Gemma Lamb and her colleagues are shocked when a suspicious American comes to St. Bride’s and lays hereditary claim to the school. Staff and students alike set out to prove the man is a fraud.

cosy-mystery, contemporary, cozy-mystery, Cotswolds, control-freak, boarding-school, England, verbal-humor, situational-humor, charlatan, deception, suspense*****

St. Bride's is an anachronistic girl's boarding school in the Cotswolds. The staff are a lot of fun and (mostly) get along very well. Enter the villain who claims to be the rightful heir to the property! I really hoped this was a murder mystery because I voted for him to be murdered. Alas, no. But the staff and more all work hard to expose this rude poser and I got to laugh myself silly. Loved it!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.

Quirky characters, a believable boarding school setting and an eclectic group of amateur sleuths make this an easy-to-read cosy-style mystery set in the Cotswolds. The mystery is well-developed in this second book of the series, and the investigation has many humourous incidents to accompany the false leads.

The book has an appealing classic vibe.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Sometimes you need a cozy mystery. Debbie Young is a name to follow as she definitely knows how to build a mystery. She has given us a set of characters that we can cheer for as they work together to solve mysteries while still keeping St Bride's school open. I can easily picture these characters in this 2nd book of the series. You can easily read Sinister Stranger at St Bride's as a stand alone but the first book was very good too.

When a stranger presents himself to the school claiming St Bride's as his inheritance, the staff is equally divided on whether to believe him or not. So an investigation is started that will weave each character's findings together to present a surprising solution.

This is definitely the kind of story I look for when reaching for a cozy mystery.

Was completely and utterly hooked from the first page to the last.

I may have said book one in this series didn't really feel like a mystery, but that has certainly been rectified in this second book, as it is all one big mystery all regarding a potential claim to the St Bride's estate and school.

But is Mr Earl Bunting all he seems, well the the staff and the pupils don't really take to him hanging about, and neither do I.

I'm definitely with Gemma Lamb and the rest of the teachers in thinking something is off with him, and I was fully on her side, with all the attempts she makes try to find out the truth.

I loved catching up with all of the teachers and girls, set just after the first book ends, in the half of term that is between Halloween and Christmas, including a memorable Fireworks night too, there is a lot of touches to really get you into the autumn term feel.

And I enjoyed seeing how St. Brides celebrates Christmas and all their traditions. I also really enjoyed just seeing how more secrets of this vast school get uncovered, and also seeing a few pranks from the girls.

I am just loving this series so much and already can't wait to read the next book. I am finding these really quick to read and I do love a book I can just ignore the outside world and want to continue reading on and on - which is what this story was for me.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy of Sinister Stranger at St Bride’s, the second novel to feature English teacher, Gemma Lamb and the staff at the exclusive private boarding school St Bride’s in the Cotswolds.

American Earl Bunting arrives at St Bride’s claiming to be a direct descendant of Lord Bunting, the founder of the school, and the owner of the house and grounds. The headmistress, Miss Hartnett, affectionately known as Hairnet, accepts his claims and welcomes him to the school. Gemma and her fellow staff members, especially Max Security, the enigmatic head of security, are less sure and mount a covert investigation.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sinister Stranger at St Bride’s, which is a fun read with a bit of a mystery attached, namely who exactly Earl Bunting is, a fraud or the genuine article? I would never have guessed the answer as it’s quite clever and will, if not surprise most readers then make them admire it’s dexterity.

The novel is told entirely from Gemma’s point of view, so the reader can guess alongside her, but it is Max Security’s off piste activities that bring about the denouement. The novel runs the usual gamut of fumbled, amateur investigating, full of ah ha moments that turn out to be less so as events move on. Still, it’s an entertaining and intentionally silly novel that will keep the reader turning the pages for more.

The characters and their quirks are back in full force, but not as obviously as in the previous novel. This is more Gemma’s show with her having a more central role and the other relegated to the background.

Sinister Stranger at St Bride’s is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Boldwood Books and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Charming and delightful cozy mystery that fans of the genre will enjoy.

Sinister Stranger at St Bride's is a fabulous sequel to Dastardly Deeds, and the villain of the piece, Earl, is sure to almost rouse hatred on a scale of the evil Umbridge in the Harry Potter books.

I love the feel of this series. As someone who did indeed read all the boarding school books as a child, this is a welcome 'grown-up' tonic to those long ago days:)

The story for book 2 is, I feel, stronger than for the first book in the series. The answers aren't quite so easy to fall into the lap of Gemma Lamb, and Max Security has a bigger starring role, as do some of the girls attending the school. But don't fear, Joe and Oriana, as well as McPhee do still have important roles to play.

Looking forward to book 3 in the series.