Murder at Hotel Marvelo
A magical mystery adventure for young readers
Ruth Lauren author Federica Frenna illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bonnier Books Ltd
Published:12th Mar '26
Should be back in stock very soon

A MURDER MYSTERY WITH A MAGICAL TWIST, PERFECT FOR READERS AGED 9 AND UP!
Hotel Marvelo is famous for allowing all magical beings a place to relax, rest and recover in safety. Until, that is, the wizard Henry Gravelaxe, is discovered dead in the spa. But who is the murderer?
A FANTASTICAL AND FUN MURDER MYSTERY FOR CHILDREN, PERFECT FOR FANS OF ROBIN STEVENS AND LEMONY SNICKET.
'The most bewitching murder mystery I've ever read!' SOPHIE ANDERSON, author of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS
Welcome to Hotel Marvelo - a luxury retreat for magic-makers!
Hotel Marvelo is famous for allowing all magical beings a place to relax, rest and recover in safety. Until, that is, the wizard Henry Gravelaxe, is discovered dead in the spa. But who is the murderer?
As soon as his parents are blamed, Finnian Marvelo knows that he must do everything he can to clear their names. Together with his siblings Juniper and Teddy, Finnian sets about using his exhaustive knowledge of the hotel to interview the guests and hunt for clues to reveal the truth.
But it soon becomes clear that not even Finnian knew everything there is to know about the hotel - and more than one of their guests is hiding something.
Could the murderer be:
Miss Romunculus, the alchemist?
Gruffydd, the water sprite?
Cornelius Ashwand, the sorceror?
To make matters even harder, their new guardian Mrs Weatherly, is determined that they should stop investigating and focus on their studies. But with the clock ticking, the pressure is on to solve the murder before time runs out!
The most bewitching murder mystery I've ever read! * Sophie Anderson, author of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS *
themes of blended family coming together and being true to yourself, even when you're not like everyone else, make this story extra special * Teach Primary *
What a magically delightful book - warm, witty and wonderful! I was absolutely charmed by Hotel Marvelo; I'd gladly check in anytime! I have no doubt that Hotel Marvelo will capture young readers in its spell. * Sophie Kirtley, author of THE WILD WAY HOME *
This book is a modern magical tale of wizardry and mayhem. . . featuring positive incidental representations of neurodiversity within the characterisation, with themes of family, perseverance, and of course fun, this book is easy to follow and enjoyable. This book is filled with magic and will appeal to readers who are interested in sorcery, as along the way we meet a selection of interesting characters such as an alchemist, a water sprite and a sorcerer. This book is beautifully illustrated by Frederica Frenna whose imagery add depth to the story and help readers envision the magical happenings. Frederica is especially interested in illustrating childrens books on nature, adventure and magic and you can see from the detail here her passion for illustrating shines through. This bewitching book is a delight to read and sure to appeal to primary school-aged readers. -- Bernadette Doyle * Children's Books Ireland *
Embracing both diversity and neurodiversity, the blended Marvelo family is truly inclusive and highlights the value of alternative skills and different perspectives when tackling problems. A unique and engaging whodunnit. * BookTrust *
[A] clever mystery. . . Griffins, witches and other mythical residents create a richly imaginative backdrop for a classic locked-room investigation reminiscent of traditional detective fiction. Lauren's plotting keeps the clues cleverly unfolding while Frenna's illustrations add character and charm. Parents will enjoy the satisfying puzzle and positive family dynamics, and children will eagerly follow every twist in this magical whodunnit. * Preneur World *
A fun read, with three main protagonists who complement each other and a cast of magical creatures who are one of the highlights of this book. It also has engaging illustrations throughout, which definitely enhance the reading experience. * The School Reading List *
A magical murder mystery. * Armadillo *
ISBN: 9781835870440
Dimensions: 200mm x 130mm x 17mm
Weight: 188g
272 pages