I Am Reading: Hotel Grimm by Mike Nicholson
Hotel Grimm by Mike Nicholson 👉
| Illustrated by: | Jen Chennell |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Hoodwink Books |
| Publish date: | 1 June 2026 |
If you spend a night at Hotel Grimm, it might be your last…
Everyone knows that Hotel Grimm, at the top of the hill that looms over Aberfintry, accessed only by a terrifying cable car, is a blight on the town. Anyone who has ever stayed, worked or just visited there has been hit by its Grimm curse. But Rory McKenna, a young PR genius who came up with award-winning slogan for Zizz cola, is told that he will be helping Hotel Grimm improve its image – and refusal isn't an option…
This is a clever, funny tale about how we know what's true in a world of misinformation. Mike Nicholson takes his original book (Grimm, from publisher Kelpies in 2008) and revamps it in a shorter, snappier version that flies along. The Hotel is gloriously creepy and weird at first, but slowly Rory realises how much of his perception is coming from the stories in the local newspaper. Is something else going on?
(The news stories themselves are brilliant, by the way – classic examples of how good or neutral news could be told in the most damning way while not technically lying. Who can tell where Mike Nicholson got his ideas…)
This refreshed version is fast-paced, funny, clever and easy to read. The characters are great and the underlying message would be ideal for classes. Great stuff!