George Washington High School seems like any other abandoned school building. Vandalism and riots have certainly taken their toll and it is clear that a lot of work would be needed if it were ever to be used again. As is often the case with empty schools, a number of urban legends have grown up around the building with many people claiming to hear strange sounds coming from the deserted classrooms.

So when a company decides to buy the building and turn it into an exclusive private school some of the local residents are convinced that this cannot have a positive outcome. Unless someone can discover the truth behind the noises and deaths the future pupils and staff will always be at risk.

When I first picked up this book I was a little apprehensive, as it seemed that it was going to be yet another story of a building with a dark secret - and initially this seemed to be correct. But as the story progressed it became clear that Michael Paine had written an extremely creepy and atmospheric novel that actually managed to put a chill up my spine – an trust me, this doesn't happen very often these days!

What I particularly liked was the way that Paine included a secondary storyline with a more uplifting feel – the story of a young couple falling in love and making a future together and it is this contrast that makes the darker sections even more disconcerting. You know when you start reading this that many of the characters will die – it is the nature of the genre - but at one point I actually started to wonder if anyone would actually survive!

If you used to read James Herbert and are looking for that kind of atmospheric creepy story with some graphic scenes of violence and horror then Michael Paine is an author to try. His writing style is very easy to read and quickly draws you into the middle of the story and refuses to let you out until you have finished the last word. Absolutely superb!

Synopsis
The building on Jumonville, in the heart of Pittsburgh, had stood empty for decades, unused since it was damaged in the race riots of the 1960s. Now, a private company plans to renovate and reopen it as an exclusive private school.

For D. Michael Canning, the soon-to-be principal, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. So he ignores the rumors that the building is haunted, and he literally covers-up the skeleton he finds in the sub-basement. Canning quickly discovers that his actions were a mistake with dire consequences-for him; for Matt Larrimer, the young English teacher; for Alexis and Tanner Morgan, two of the school's privileged students; and for everyone who enters the cursed building.

If the rumors hold true, Canning's new school is haunted by an angry ghost who will not be exorcised or placated until he gets revenge. THE NIGHT SCHOOL is a terrifying story of ghostly vengeance, certain to send shivers down the spines of even the bravest readers.