The School Inspector Calls by Gervase Phinn Review

Reviewed by Meresa Bergin

I was thrilled to be picked to review The School Inspector Calls, I have always been intrigued by small villages and schools, I would spend my summer with my uncle who lived on a farm in Derbyshire and attended the local small primary school in the village as a child, and I loved to hear about it. How all the children would be taught together and the experiences he had.

The book arrived quickly and well packaged, and I was eager to begin. I hadn’t read any of Gervase Phinn’s other little village books so was a slightly unsure who the characters were and I felt this might set me back but I soon got to grips with the storyline and the people.

I soon felt part of the book and storyline, drawn in by Elisabeth Devine’s character love of her school and the students, her desire to be there for them and improve their lives whilst also struggling with her personal life and her upcoming wedding. Her life becomes more of a struggle when it is decided her little school should merge with another school, something the staff and students are against and then to top it off the School Inspector decides to pay a visit!!

It is also lovely to know the author used some of his own experiences as a School Inspector in the book; it helps the book come to life and feel more solid.

The book is a charming read about a Head Teachers fight to give her children the best chances and experiences, dealing with all the drama her role throws at her whilst trying to remain true to herself. It also shows the real life essence of trying to remain present in a relationship; it is heart-warming and funny at times as Elisabeth plans her wedding Dr Stirling and run her school.

All in all this book was a wonderful, heart-warming read that lets you slip away from your own worries and pressures for a short while. Whilst I had no problem reading the book without reading the ones before, it might help to have read them.

Rating: 5/5

Available to buy from Amazon here.