The Last Chance Hotel

Seth Seppi works as a kitchen boy at the remote Last Chance Hotel, where he endures constant criticism from the owner and dreams of becoming a chef. His mundane life changes when a group of mysterious magicians arrives at the hotel for a secret meeting. When one of the guests dies under suspicious circumstances, Seth becomes the prime suspect. He must clear his name while uncovering the truth about magic, which he discovers is real and exists alongside the ordinary world. The story follows Seth's investigation through the hotel's shadowy corridors and hidden spaces as he encounters deception, danger, and unexpected allies. His knowledge of food and cooking becomes instrumental as he works to solve the mystery. This middle-grade novel combines elements of classic murder mysteries with magical fantasy, exploring themes of self-discovery and the power of believing in one's abilities.

Readers describe this middle-grade mystery as a Harry Potter-like story that combines magic with classic whodunit elements. Many found the protagonist Seth relatable as an underdog kitchen boy pursuing his cooking dreams. Positives from reviews: - Strong world-building and atmospheric setting - Complex mystery with satisfying clues and resolution - Character development, especially Seth's growth - Incorporation of magical recipes and cooking elements Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Some found magical elements predictable - A few readers wanted more development of side characters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (50+ ratings) "Perfect blend of magic and mystery" appears frequently in positive reviews. Multiple readers noted it works well as both a standalone and series starter. Several teachers praised its appeal to reluctant readers aged 9-12. Critical reviews often mention "takes too long to get going" as main drawback.

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🔮 Author Nicki Thornton worked as a bookseller before becoming a writer, and won the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition with The Last Chance Hotel. 🧪 The book combines elements of classic murder mysteries with magical fantasy, creating a unique genre blend that's been described as "Agatha Christie meets Harry Potter." 🏰 The story's setting, the Last Chance Hotel, was inspired by real-life Victorian buildings and the author's fascination with old, mysterious houses that seem to have secrets of their own. 🐈 The main character Seth's relationship with his cat, Nightshade, was based on Thornton's observations of how cats often seem to understand more than humans give them credit for. 🎭 The book launched a series called "Seth Seppi Mysteries," with subsequent titles including "The Bad Luck Lighthouse" and "The Cut-Throat Café," all featuring magical crimes and mysterious puzzles.