I happened across this book on Amazon, and debated on whether to get it for quite a while. I'm not really into non-series books, but this one kind of struck my interest - kid detectives investigating a haunted hotel, where a group of seemingly unrelated individuals are summoned by invitation. The cover art is a bit cartoonish in nature, but the concept was enough to draw me in, so when I saw the book at a local independent bookseller, I decided to take a leap of faith and buy it. While it is definitely a book for pre-teens, it was a rather enjoyable read.
Midnight at the Barclay Hotel is written by Fleur Bradley and illustrated by Xavier Bonet. I am not familiar with either of these individuals, but after reading this book, I'd say that both of them have talent in their respective fields. Bradley's story is superbly plotted, with just the right amount of clues scattered throughout the story that the reader, if following closely, can figure things out along the way. The writing itself is simple, with short sentences and clear, easy language that a youngster can follow and understand. The art consists of black-and-white line drawings, often utilizing a lot of shadows and shading to keep the mysterious tone of the story, but in a style that could easily translate to a cartoon of today's standards. The writing and art work hand-in-hand to provide readers with a fun story that's easy to read.
The author introduces each of the invited guests as they receive their invitations. Jackie Jacobson, a hard working mother who rarely had time for vacations, receives the first invitation. She doesn't want to go, but her son J.J. insists, with him tagging along. Buck Jones, a cowboy working on a large ranch outside of town is the second to receive an invitation. A weekend at a hotel could be just what he needs. Chelsea Griffin, the third to receive an invitation, is the town librarian. There's so much she wants to accomplish for children, but perhaps this weekend would offer her a bit of a respite. Frank Walker is a retired detective, and with his young granddaughter Penny visiting, he's not sure what to do with the invitation he receives. But it says there is no cell phone reception ... and a hot tub ... and Penny likes the idea of the huge library there. And last, but not least, the actress Fiona Fleming, who also dabbles in the realm of psychic readings. She nearly missed the opportunity by not reading her invitation.
And there are the five attendees - a busy CEO, a candy-loving Cowboy, a tired Librarian, a retired Detective, and a psychic Actress. Oh, and the two stragglers, J.J. and Penny. Seven guests who have no idea the weekend that is in store for them. Nor do the realize that five of the seven guests have secrets that they would rather not have revealed. Oh, and did I mention that their host, Mr. Barclay, happens to have been murdered, and they have been invited to the Barclay Hotel so that the murderer can be revealed? And that the Barclay Hotel is allegedly haunted, where the ghosts like to come out when it is ... midnight at the Barclay Hotel! (Gee, ya think that was an ominous way to fit the title of the book into this review?)
Of course, the guests aren't the only one with secrets. It is revealed pretty early on that Mr. Clark, the butler for the hotel, has a secret. As does the Chef. The adults are none too happy about the ruse to get them there, but the children, J.J. and Penny, are more than excited - J.J. has a chance to investigate for ghosts (he LOVES ghosts) and Penny has the chance to be a real-life detective. With the help of Emma, Mr. Barclay's young daughter, the two children set about to find out what really happened to Mr. Barclay (I mean, was he really poisoned by a cupcake?) and who had the means, motive, and opportunity to kill him. The author does a fantastic job with subtly planting clues throughout the story, not just about Mr. Barclay's murder, but also with respect to the secrets that so many of the characters are carrying around. But, as with any good murder mystery, the secrets all eventually come out, and after a couple of twists (that to an adult who has been reading mysteries for decades now were not really surprising, but for the age group at which this story is aimed, I'm sure they will be fun reveals), the truth comes out, and the killer's identity is revealed.
I do enjoy the way Bradley manages to throw in the ghostly elements in such a way that the reader can't really be sure whether the ghosts are real, or if there is an actual explanation for the so-called ghostly experiences (i.e., books falling of shelves, marbles rolling in from nowhere, an elevator stopping unexpectedly, something ticking a character's foot, etc.). But, by the end of the book, the reader will know for sure whether Barclay Hotel is truly haunted, or if the murder mystery that has everyone on edge simply has people imaging the ghosts!
This was a truly enjoyable read, and although Bradley's next book has different characters and a different setting, I'm likely to pick it up to see if it is as much fun as this one!
RATING: 9 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out of 10 for keeping it simple, but keeping it fun!
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