This is the fourth title in the series about a gothic boarding school - its pupils, teachers and weird happenings.

While Tom, Miles and Susan return to Burlap Hall for another summer term, headmaster Mr Fox's problems have already begun with the news that the school caretaker has had a heart-attack.

His replacement is the sinister Ron Grunt. Unshaven, pot-bellied and aggressive, with obscene tattoos and a menacing dog, the new caretaker is hardly an encouraging sight for the returning pupils.

What's more, as soon as Grunt arrives, everything starts to fall apart: windows smash, doors break and inanimate objects take on a life of their own.

Once again it's up to the intrepid trio of friends to get to the bottom of the mystery - and solve a murder at the same time.

The previous books in "Burlap Hall" series are "Vampire Master", "Spaceboy at Burlap Hall" and "Phantom of Burlap Hall".

Virginia Ironside has also written "Roseanne and the Magic Mirror" and "The Human Zoo".