Four sisters aged 9-23 are living in a beautiful but rundown seaside home. Their parents died in a car crash almost 2 years ago and their ghosts appear to the sisters to help guide them.

Each sister has a different and distinct personality but together they make a good team. They squabble but there's a lot of love too.

The story is an idealistic, lighthearted, Blyton-esque one, only in modern times. There's a mystery, lots of animals, a storm and a visitor in the shape of a girl home from boarding school for the holidays. There's cake baking, jam making and a men who save the day but there's also bullying, talk of periods and bra sizes, independence and bravery.

The illustrations are beautiful watercolour and inks like in children's books. They remind me of modern Shirley Hughes illustrations but with more defiance and a dash of seaside postcard.

This book was a break from the norm for me, an enjoyable one but I was disappointed that the darker themes of death, grief and ghosts were actually very light, they barely cast a shadow, but this volume focuses on Enid, the youngest sister. She is only 9 years old and would have been just 7 when her parents died. Since their ghosts are regular visitors perhaps her grief is lighter, her outlook more humorous and fun. I'll text my theory by moving into volume 2 sometime soon. If I'm right I'll be delighted and my star ratings will improve. If not, then volume 2 will be my last.