The Last Chance Hotel
By Author / Illustrator
Nicki Thornton
Genre
Adventure
Age range(s)
9+
Publisher
Chicken House Ltd
ISBN
9781911077671
Format
Paperback / softback
Published
07-06-2018
Synopsis
Harry Potter meets Robin Stevens in this bestselling magical murder mystery!Seth is the oppressed kitchen boy at the remote Last Chance Hotel, owned by the nasty Bunn family. His only friend is his black cat, Nightshade. But when a strange gathering of magicians arrives for dinner, kindly Dr Thallomius is poisoned by Seth's special dessert. A locked-room murder investigation ensues - and Seth is the main suspect. The funny thing is, he's innocent ... can he solve the mystery and clear his name, especially when magic's afoot?'This mystery is a worthy prizewinner ... a jolly, atmospheric mystery.'THE TIMES'Thornton, like [Agatha] Christie, can turn murder into a thoroughly comforting bedtime read.' THE TELEGRAPH'... all kinds of fun: a locked-room murder mystery paced breathlessly, but fruited with humour, poignancy and great character names' THE OBSERVER'[A] mash-up of murder mystery and fantasy that celebrates food and cooking, and is full of great characters, plot twists and intriguing detail.' METRO'Featuring magical antics, a talking cat and a locked-room murder mystery, Seth's story reads like an old-school whodunnit with added wizards and spells and echoes of ancient sorcery.' BOOKTRUST
Reviews
Rhiannon
An intriguing, locked-room, murder mystery with a magical twist, The Last Chance Hotel is a fun read for ages 9+. In the isolated and downright creepy Last Chance Hotel, Seth Seppi works his fingers to the bone for the horrid Bunn family. Without family or friends (besides his cat Nightshade), the only glimmer of light is Seth's amazing cooking ability and his dream of becoming a great chef like his father. However, on an evening when the remote hotel is overrun with unusual guests, the head of the group dies after eating a dessert made specially for him by Seth himself, making the poor kitchen boy suspect number one. The outlook is grim until an investigation like no other ensues. While this book is an entertaining read, I have to admit I wanted more from this award-winning novel. More character development, more detail in the plot, more of Seth's abilities and in particular, more from Nightshade the cat once it was discovered she could talk! Perhaps - this looking like a potential series - these elements will be cultivated over time. Nonetheless an enjoyable read! 328 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Rhiannon Cook, school librarian
Suggested Reading Age 9+