Audrey and Ivy are now firm friends at Illumen Hall, even sharing a room as boarding school pupils. The contrast of backgrounds remains however with Ivy working hard at her studies and extra-curriculars to ensure she is captures a good university in her future. Audrey continues to cruise with her studies, but is accepted in Ivy’s group of friends and is also well liked among her English classmates.

Together Audrey and Ivy are determined to find out more about their beloved classmate Lola’s death. Did she jump? They have a culprit in their sights but according to the police they have an alibi.

They are also learning more about the behind-the-scenes group that have been a huge part of Illumen Hall’s history – The Magpie Society. It seemed that this society had all but disappeared until invitations to join appear, seemingly out of nowhere. The Magpie Society isn’t the only secret within Illumen Hall. There are more tunnels and secret rooms than they could have imagined, and as they try to pull the clues together for Lola’s death, another student vanishes.

The biggest secret of all turns Ivy against Audrey, shutting her out completely. Audrey isn’t in the UK for schooling after all – she is in Illumen Hall while her family plan something huge with her head mistress.

A concert evening is coming up and all are caught up in it. Audrey tries to help as much as she can with choreography and costume, while Ivy prepares for the performance of her life. But a full school performance evening is the perfect distraction for other plans afoot. Who is Lola’s killer? Will Ivy forgive Audrey for her family secret, and who is the new Magpie Society?

Just like One for Sorrow, the first in The Magpie Society duology, Two for Joy is incredibly readable. The story flows easily, even as mystery after mystery compound during the story. Girls are vanishing from Illumen Hall and friends Ivy and Audrey are determined to discover why.

There is a lot going on as rivalries, friendships and relationships fracture and mend along the way as truths are revealed. Again, just as the ending of One for Sorrow was gripping, the end of Two for Joy will knock you sideways.

Authors – Zoe Sugg & Amy McCulloch

Age – 12+ (Strong Language present)

Read a Review for One for Sorrow (Click on the Cover)

(2021, Penguin, Murder, Mystery, Crime, Romance, Obsession, Secrets, Past, Death, Boarding School, Room mate, School, Friendship, Rivalry, Teachers, Escape, Series, Duology, Kidnap, Lies, Magpies, Secret Halls)