Murder at Hotel Marvelo

LoveReading4Kids Says

Melding magic and mystery with a luxury hotel setting, Ruth Lauren’s Murder at Hotel Marvelo is a marvel of middle grade fiction. Excellently-pitched for 7+-year-olds who love magic, and readers who relish the challenge of figuring out clues alongside characters, themes of courage, trust, teamwork and sibling solidarity play out through a twisting plot, with Federica Frenna’s illustrations enhancing the story’s page-turning appeal, especially the clever Cluedo-esque plans of the hotel.  

“Leave your spell book at home and relax at Hotel Marvelo”. Such is the tempting motto of a splendid establishment that’s been run by the Marvelo family for generations. “Renowned for providing a temporary escape from the magical world”, and for offering the likes of wizards, witches and water sprites the “chance to relax and detox”, magic is banned within the hotel’s handsome walls.

As a result, big questions are raised when a wizard is found murdered “by diabolical and magical means” in the hotel’s spa. It’s not long before Detective Bianco comes to the conclusion that the hotel’s proprietors are responsible for this dreadful deed, and so it falls to Finnian Marvelo and his two siblings to find the real killer so their parents can be freed.  

While the novel’s fast-paced, clue-strewn plot and fun sense of magical mayhem amounts to a thrilling detective adventure, Murder at Hotel Marvelo is also notable for its representation of family dynamics, neurodiversity, and teamwork, and comes especially recommended for confident readers who love playing a part in character-driven mysteries.

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen is a writer, reviewer and workshop presenter whose lifelong love of books began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
More reviews by Joanne Owen

About Murder at Hotel Marvelo

Welcome to Hotel Marvelo - a luxury retreat for magic-makers!

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