Thanks so much to Pam Norfolk for this lovely review.
Ellie Labbett Just Imagine Story Centre Ltd
If you loved the previous books by this author, starting with the Last Chance Hotel, then you are going to be right at home with this. Raven Charming knows that she is from a family of witches, but that is meant to be a great secret. However, when a new boy in the village, Morti Scratch, starts talking about someone called the Howling Hag, she starts to get worried. As far as she knows this is just the name of the pub where Morti now lives, but is there more to the story? When strange things start happening at school and it looks as if Raven’s sister, Rookery might get the blame, then it is time to do something. At this point we are introduced to a familiar face; Nightshade, the talking cat from the previous books, is staying in the village and decides to take a hand in solving the mystery. The story is full of inter school rivalry, theft, a nasty headteacher and of course the Howling Hag themself. Can the friends solve the mysteries and bring peace back to the village?
This is a brilliant, funny and fast paced adventure story that children will love. The bits of magic, mixed in with the realities of school and peer groups make it an exciting read that a wide range of readers. The story is told from the viewpoint of both Raven and Nightshade, so that you build up a varying perspective. Nightshade is a wonderfully ‘snarky’ individual, who definitely thinks some humans are rather inferior to cats. However, she finds that with this investigation she finds out more about her own history, and how she is able to talk. There are strong themes of family and friendship as well as not judging people on first appearances. Nicki Thornton has given us a series of stories that are fast becoming modern classics and this story makes a great addition to the series.
"Nicki Thornton has given us a series of stories that are
fast becoming modern classics and this story makes a great addition to the
series." says Books for Keeps.
Some lovely shares on social media as well - this from one of the #BookNookReviewCrew at legendary children's bookshop, The Book Nook in Hove. Aysha, your review - and lovely artwork - really made my day!
Golden Books Girl is one of my favourite MG reviewers, and has been a fan of my books since the start of the journey with Seth and Nightshade. So I was really thrilled with her review of The Howling Hag Mystery which was truly joyful!
Reviews of The Last Chance Hotel
I was really thrilled just to see this review 'An Agatha Christie-worthy closed-door murder mystery for Gen Z' in the South China Morning Post.
Thank you to one of the best and most popular blogs of recommended reads, the reader teacher:
Thank you to the super Sarah Withers blogs for a super review.
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And thank you to Just Imagine for their lovely thoughts and recommendations.
Such a wonderful review of the whole series so far from Margaret's reading shelf.
Thank you to the My Shelves Are Full blog for saying how much she enjoyed the twists, intrigue and the huge and dangerous adventure.
Thank you so much to Read-it Daddy (and his daughter) for choosing this as a 'Chapter Book of the Week'
Nicki instantly weaves another amazing bookworld filled with atmosphere, adventure and excitement, and a fair amount of soul-searching from Seth as he sometimes looks for easy (and sometimes quite dark) solutions to his problems, steered back on the moral path by his trusty best buddy Nightshade.
More reviews
Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Evening Post (June 12)
Emily Bearn, The Daily Telegraph (Saturday 2 June)
Storgykids (full review here)
The Last Chance Hotel is a delightful page turner, I challenge anyone who reads it not to fall under Thornton’s spell. The book reads as a simple who done it novel but the beauty of this book is the shear brilliance of its plot and the characters that are held within its pages. A remarkable book with so much to offer young readers.
Book Mumuration
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(read the full review here)
'Books for Topics (full review here)
Miss Cleveland is Reading
Read it Daddy book of the week
'C is really enjoying how the murder mystery is told from the point of view of the accused which is a neat and original twist.'
Golden Books Girl (full review here)
'I was rooting so much for Seth, who was so loveable I dare anyone to read this and not adore him, to clear his name. His rather critical, gloriously funny cat Nightshade was definitely my favourite though; she was a phenomenal animal companion. The magic system was really unique and clever too.'
Sue & Pakka’s Blog
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‘This is a book to savour. To enjoy sitting with your cat beside you in peace – for once not climbing bookcases or disappearing into the backs of open drawers. It is marvellous with many different elements, or, if I may, flavours.’ (full review here)
Parents in Touch
‘There are plenty of clues in this atmospheric book which will have you gripped throughout as you root for Seth.’ (full review here - you'll need to scroll down the page!)
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You can listen to when I was a guest on Fun Kids Radio (26th June 2018)
The lovely Lilley Mitchell from BBC Radio Oxford was kind enough to invite me onto her show. If you want to hear our chat about The Last Chance Hotel and get my amazing writing tips, then you can listen here. I arrive at 2 hrs 8 mins (between Prince and David Bowie no less).
and even more kind readers who have taken the trouble to read and review over at Good Reads.
I love talking to children about books and reading. If you would like to invite me to an event, I've put up a page with all the details of what you need to do here.