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Winterhouse

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Winterhouse

By: Ben Guterson
Narrated by: Sophie Amoss
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About this listen

"Narrator Sophie Amoss makes Elizabeth an empathetic and appealing character as she becomes more and more determined to solve the book’s puzzle." (AudioFile Magazine)

Recommended by Parents' Choice

Winterhouse by Ben Guterson is an enchanting urban fantasy middle-grade debut - the first audiobook in a trilogy - set in a magical hotel full of secrets.

Orphan Elizabeth Somers’s malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls. Upon arrival, Elizabeth quickly discovers that Winterhouse has many charms - most notably its massive library. It’s not long before she locates a magical book of puzzles that will unlock a mystery involving Norbridge and his sinister family.

But the deeper she delves into the hotel’s secrets, the more Elizabeth starts to realize that she is somehow connected to Winterhouse. As fate would have it, Elizabeth is the only person who can break the hotel’s curse and solve the mystery.

But will it be at the cost of losing the people she has come to care for, and even Winterhouse itself? Mystery, adventure, and beautiful writing combine in this exciting debut audiobook richly set in a hotel full of secrets.

A Christy Ottaviano Book

©2018 Ben Guterson, illustrations copyright 2018 Chloe Bristol (P)2018 Macmillan Audio Education & Learning Fantasy Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Mysteries Mystery & Suspense Science Fiction & Fantasy Magic Feel-Good Middle Grade
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The oft-used protagonist of the orphan again comes into play here, as Elizabeth Somers', who lives with her neglectful aunt and uncle, is unexpectedly sent to a hotel for Christmas. Finding a delightful library she can revel in, and meeting a like-minded cruciverbalist (puzzle enthusiast), finding the Winterhouse Hotel a fascinating and mysterious place, they stumble across a mystery with clues to unlock... Though some other residents seem determined to dislike and even hinder her.

The draw for me was the constant referral to word puzzles, the games Elizabeth and Freddy compete in, and the use of such puzzles in the clues they find to try and solve the mystery.

It's fresh and different, as well as an unusual setting for a children's book - I've recently enjoyed other hotel-set novels for adults (A Gentleman in Moscow, Hotel Alpha) and found this the same. Lovely to see puzzles feature so strongly and positively.

A fine audio read as well, easy to listen to, and enthusiastically read. A book to recommend to ages 9-13 in particular.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

Hotel-set mystery for kids, word puzzle focus

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I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. You are quickly drawn into Elizabeth's intriguing story and you just have to keep on reading to find out what's coming next. The narrator does an excellent job bringing the story and the characters to life, and the codes and word puzzles throughout the story are brilliant. An absolute must-read - for anyone! (Passing it on to my kids next!)
I can see this making an excellent film. Well done Mr Guterson. I will be reading the next two books for certain. Clap, clap, clap!

A gripping, haunting read!

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