Neil Peel. What the hell? snarled Ottilie. Of all the sad sacks in this school, I get stuck sitting at a desk next to the saddest of them all...again Neil Peel is about to start his first year at Titfield School, and this is his welcome. Best friends Stephen and Grub will be at his sides as he faces bullies, takes part in a football match for the uncoordinated, tries to survive a visit from a devilish cousin who's determined to ruin his Christmas, and even faces a brush with crime. At least Neil's evil genius older sister Lemony is on hand to trip him up and kick him when he's down. Approaching adolescence is not easy for anyone, but life can be even harder when you always tell the truth. At least everybody knows where they stand with Neil, but will his honesty turn out to be a blessing or a curse?

Neil. If you ever leave Lower Piercing, then we'll have to advertise for a new village idiot, and I doubt anyone could do that job as well as you.

His older sister, Lemony, may be as despicable as ever, but Neil Peel is back and living his best life; he won't let her spoil his fun.

He's about to have a double birthday celebration before heading off on holiday to Majorca with his family and best friend, Stephen. Even with odious Ottilie Plank and demonic little cousin Nicolae around, what could possibly go wrong?

Stephen and Lemony both starting holiday romances, however, was not in Neil's plan, and now he's feeling left out. Not only that, he's deeply suspicious that Lemony's new boyfriend is up to no good.

A missing key, an unwanted visit to the Sugar Tots club, and a holiday mystery to solve are among the misadventures of Neil Peel, the boy who always tells the truth.