Alice-Miranda is awfully excited to be back at school. On an afternoon ride with Bony the pony, Alice-Miranda happens upon a dilapidated mansion and spies a sad, veiled figure inside. Could this be the 'witch in the woods' that Millie and Jacinta were gossiping about? Jacinta thinks there's more than one witch about. Her room mate is new girl Sloane Sykes and the pair clash right from the start. Sloane's brother Septimus has started at the neighbouring boys' school, Fayle. The boys of Fayle and the girls of Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale are putting on a play and Alice-Miranda has won the lead role. Sloane's all set to star too, to the delight of her pushy mother, September. The school play isn't the only cause of drama and intrigue. September Sykes has a terrible plan to win her family the fortune she's sure it deserves. When Alice-Miranda learns of the plot, she knows just how to ensure both schools remain as happy as they were last term.

alice miranda takes the lead! wow! this sounds like such an amazing book!