Lying deep in the remote woods of New Hampshire, the crumbling gothic facade of Bishop's Hill Academy hides dark secrets.
Jim Hawthorne, the new head of this failing school for troubled teenagers, is determined to save it from closure. Partly because he believes in it - despite his friends' warnings. And partly to exorcize his guilt from a terrible tragedy in his past. But he finds his problems are far greater than controlling disruptive pupils. The staff are secretive, watchful - as if they are frightened of something. He becomes the victim of malicious rumours and cruel, increasingly macabre practical jokes. And then a young boy is found dead, floating face down in the swimming pool.
(from back cover).
Reviews include the statement "Stephen King with a Ph.D."
I read this a while ago, but remember it as a very worthwhile thriller. I enjoy stories set in schools, anyway, and this one was a good one.

Swapped one of my best-loved Inspector Zen books for this one at the extraordinary meetup in St. Regent's Park this afternoon - thanks loopy1!
I look forward to making a proper entry once I've read it :-)

I read "The Church of Dead Girls" by the same author, and was hoping in something just as well written.
Unfortunately, 80 pages into the book and still waiting for the wow effect.
I shall free this book and hopefully a more appreciative reader will find it.

Outside the main entrance, on a bench.