The novel was inspired by a ‘winter’s day from Emma’s childhood’, and the vividness of the setting is built up from the very first page. This is a charming story which, despite dealing with dark themes of grief, poverty and death, remains light-hearted and hopeful. Just to give some idea about the characterisation, the main character, Tilly, is a vivacious and strong-willed girl who is easy to relate to.

This boy also appears to her in her dreams and she understands it to be the spirit of Kit Barrington who seems desperate for her to uncover the secrets behind his death.There was just the right amount of choice to suit everyone without being overwhelming and I received comments from parents and staff about the quality of books offered compared to previous sales which have always been based around current crazes and well known celebrity authors. The story is told through Tilly's voice and the author has captured this brilliantly, you completely believe in the character because she is so well written.

It is an astonishingly good book for someone's first novel but I do think you need to be about 11 to read it. My favorite character is Tilly - the main character - because she is passionate, determined and brave. It is told by Matilda (Tilly) Higgins, who, after falling in the forbidden lake at the Hall and being rescued by an angel, or a ghost, or even the watching Will Potter, loses her sister and father as they emigrate to America and then ends up as a maidservant at the Hall.I have the Audible UK version on my phone, too, and I especially enjoy re-reading (or listening to) this book every year, as winter begins to approach.