Hello everyone! Today sees the publication of Susan Brownrigg’s 9-12 mystery Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy (arc) from NetGalley, in return for my honest review, so here goes 🙂
It’s 1935 and the Fairshaws have just moved to Blackpool where Gracie’s Ma has taken ownership of The Majestic, a boarding house in the seaside town. Gracie is nervous and misses her old home terribly but suddenly her Ma mysteriously goes missing and Gracie suspects kidnap. She must use all her wits and courage to rescue her Ma before it’s too late. Gracie, her brother George, and their new friends Violet, Tom and Phyllis search Blackpool, tracking down a suspicious conjurer, who is staying at The Majestic. But as the famous switch on approaches, it seems there is more than Gracie’s Ma at stake… can they work together to save the day?
I found Gracie a really inspirational character showing bravery, independence and strength; she doesn’t let her disability hold her back. I also loved the historical setting of 1930’s Blackpool – the pier, the Town Hall, the beach and Pleasure Gardens all act as windows on the past. The descriptions were immersive and sensory with great links to real people, events and items from historic Blackpool. The plot centres around the switch on event of Blackpool Illuminations and adds a fantastic backdrop of suspense and drama.
Happy reading!
Meg Readz xx
Thank you to NetGalley, UCLan Publishing and Susan Brownrigg for my copy of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Meg Readz 