Fun read for middle graders who like a mysterious, slightly scary story. ( )

I received a copy from the LibraryThing free book giveaway for an honest review. I had great expectations for this book and although it started off very interesting, I think that mid-way it lost its steam. The characters didn't seem to be as developed as I would have liked to have read as I think more time should have been spent on James' past/parents to set up the story. Although it is said that his parents disappeared early on, we only get to understand a bit of his upbringing by chapter 4. I think it would have been better to set it all up in the first chapter. Overall, a nice read but I think it would have been a bit better if it was a longer story and even more on James. ( )

A great read for young adults with plenty of entertaining characters, a hotel that is more than it seems for the location, and stories to enjoy. ( )

I received this ebook free from the publisher through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this story. A 12-year-old boy, James, works as a bellhop at a very unusual hotel, McGrave's, which caters to supernatural beings as well as "normal" guests. His parents are spies and disappeared a year ago. James is determined to find out what happened to his parents, protect his hotel's guests from a predatory Broadway star (and protect the star from predatory guests), solve the mystery of the stolen mummy, find out what Frau Grimm is up to and win the heart of Death's daughter. All in a night's work at McGrave's Hotel!

This book is a winner because the story is unique, the characters are interesting, and the writing is good. You feel drawn into the story from page one, and want to know more after finishing the book. I would definitely be interested in a sequel! ( )

This in one of the most enjoyable adventures I have had the pleasure to enjoy in a long time. It's full of little bits of fun monsters from film history and the look on death's daughter is a fun twist. The story is about a boy who is a Hellboy in a 1930's odd hotel where anything can happen and does. McGrave's is a multi floored hotel with some odd floors which caters to the unusual guests they seem to draw. You will enjoy this book fully and have a hard time putting it down. ( )