Reviews of The Floating Witch Mystery
"A trail of intriguing clues that will keep young readers guessing right through to the last pages. Cosy, fun and threaded through with humour but still alluringly edgy, this fabulous blend of mayhem, magic and mystery is a winner all the way!"
Thanks so much to Pam Norfolk for this lovely review.
What people are saying about the The Poisoned Pie Mystery
'With the young sorcerer’s life in constant danger, Oakmoss must now begin to explore magical side of himself. Supported by a gang of sleuths'
Ellie Labbett Just Imagine Story Centre Ltd
What people are saying about the The Howling Hag Mystery
The Howling Hag Mystery is the first in my series of Nightshade Mysteries - set in a magical world where sorcerers often go bad. And if young people are troubled by magic going wrong or causing problems in their lives - a black cat called Nightshade sometimes senses just the right time to appear to start to set things right.
Readers, booksellers, book bloggers, reviewers, teachers...thanks to everyone who has been kind enough to share some wonderful reviews of The Howling Hag Mystery. Here are some of my favourites to share with you.
Waterstones - and their booksellers - have always been a fantastic supporter of all my books and I was thrilled to be a made a Waterstones best book of July as well as being one of their Best Books of the Year for 9-11 year olds.
"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.
Pam Norfolk in the Lancashire Post produced a stunning review - along with a collection of other great books published this Summer. Thoroughly recommend you take a look through everything she recommends!
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!
Scott Evans is The Reader Teacher, and I am in awe of how many books he reads and reviews every month. Fast forward to 5 minutes and 10 seconds to see his review. "The perfect mix of Poirot and Potter" - thanks Scott! ❤️
I've had lovely reviews from some favourite book bloggers too! Hetty, I'm so glad you like hearing the story from Nightshade's point of view (she always has a lot of opinions about, well, everything!):
And some lovely shares and reviews on social media. Thank you!
Keep those reviews coming in and let me know if I've missed one to add to this page!
Reviews of The Last Chance Hotel
A huge thank you to everyone who has read my debut book. An even bigger thank you to anyone who has taken the trouble to share their thoughts. Readers are everything!
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.
I did have a particularly lovely write-up when Waterstones chose it as their children's book of the month. This review so captured everything I was really trying to do.
I was also so thrilled to see it in The Guardian 'the best recent fiction for children'. The Times Book of the Week. The Week Junior Book of the Week and the Phoenix Comic book club pick.
Reviews of The Bad Luck Lighthouse
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.
And thank you to Just Imagine for their lovely thoughts and recommendations.
Reviews of The Cut-Throat Cafe
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'
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 the super Sarah Withers blogs for a super review.
I was thrilled that the Bad Luck Lighthouse was selected as a Waterstones recommended holiday read 
Thank you also to Pam Norfolk for this great review in the Lancashire Post:
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'
I think that this is my favourite book that Nicki has written so far.
It is a truly wonderful story with so many unexpected twists and turns. This book is even more misleading than the ones before it but my favourite thing about it are the names, how DOES Nicki think them up (I love the name Tendril Vetch!)
It has so many relatable characters and many more mind-boggling mysteries to solve.
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
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
A lovely review from the wonderful Pam Norfolk at the Lancashire Post. Thank you.
Thank you to Matthew Simpson for his review in the Maidenhead Advertiser (Jun 28) ‘I could not put The Last Chance Hotel down when I started. It was a thrill ride from start to finish. I loved the characters and the constant air of mystery they added.’
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
(read the full review here)
'Books for Topics (full review here)
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
(read the full review here)
- The Bookettes on Instagram
'Books for Topics (full review here)
This is the kind of story that keeps you guessing through its twists and turns and a few delightfully impish red herrings thrown in for good measure . . . What follows is a fast-paced investigation as Seth desperately attempts to clear his name and solve the mystery. At the same time, Seth discovers more about the existence of magic and finds himself increasingly captivated by the wonderful magical objects and secret histories he unearths.'
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
‘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!)
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.
---Miss Cleveland is Reading
‘Hercule Poirot meets Harry Potter in this mind-bending, magical, murder mystery. With plot-twists aplenty, a well-crafted world, and an eclectic cast, I was gripped from beginning to end, and desperately want to know what happens next.’ (such a lovely review! Read the whole thing here)
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
‘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!)
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.