"The Encyclopaedia of Girls' School Stories" describes Clare Mallory as 'one of the best exponents of the classical school story'(p. 211) She doesn't break new ground but rather stays true to the traditional elements of the genre, populating her stories with tall, authoritative Head Girls, forceful Games Captains, respected albeit distant Head Mistresses and a cast of likeable juniors of assorted ages. If there is a recurring theme to her stories it is the importance of belonging. This possibly relates to Mallory's own life. She lost both her parents while a teenager and completed her schooling while living in lodgings. Mallory's heroes relish the ties that bind. Merry is 'second generation Tremaynes', Juliet travels 12,000 miles to attend the school her grandfather helped found, Leith thinks she is looking for a particular friend but discovers instead the value of belonging to a community. For Mallory the School or more specifically in several books, the House, represents a place where one can belong.