The Secret of Castle Dancing by Josephine M Bettany

Kasteel de Haar, the Netherlands: thanks to Getty Images

Title: The Secret of Castle Dancing 

Author: Josephine M Bettany 

Publisher: not known 

Source book: Althea Joins the Chalet School by Elinor M Brent Dyer (Chalet School #57)

Althea Joins the Chalet School is the penultimate Chalet School book, and therefore one of the least good. Which is a polite way of saying one of the worst.

The plotting is definitely substandard with great swathes of stuff about a silly feud, the sale, which doesn’t even happen until the next book, and the superhuman feat of the petite and feminine Miss Ferrars as she rolls improbably from one boat on to another… to take control of an out of control speedboat.

The first chapter opens in a promising fashion with Althea accidentally overhearing her father (whose name appears to be Bear) telling her aunt that he plans to take his wife away for a very long holiday to help her recuperate from an unspecified illness. Naturally he expects his sister to put her life on hold and take care of Althea while her parents are away. So far, so normal for a Chalet School book. Imagine his astonishment then, when the aunt says no. She has been planning to get married for some time, and the wedding is just weeks away. And no-one knew. Gasp! 

Luckily the aunt’s husband-to-be has a sister who went to a wonderful school and he is sure Althea would be happy there. No prizes for guessing it’s the Chalet School. Ten points and a gold star if you remember Claire Kennedy, not quite a member of Mary-Lou’s gang, but closely associated with them.

Along the way we discover yet another book by prolific author, and first ever Chalet School pupil, Josephine M Bettany. Jo or Joey to most Chalet School fans. 

Is there much information about The Secret of Castle Dancing? Of course not. Will every girl at the school want a copy? Of course they will. Would fans of the Chalet School books like to get hold of a copy? Very possibly. Do we want to know something about the plot? Yes please. 

Sadly there is nothing in the text about the plot of this book with such a promising title. I wish I had more to tell you.

Does it sound a bit John Buchan to you?

Carelaverock Castle, Scotland: thanks to Getty Images