Hotel for the lost by Suzanne Young

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Simon Pulse, 2016. ISBN 9781481423014
(Age: 15+) Ghosts. Horror. Audrey Casella is on her way with her father and brother Daniel to stay with her grandmother, someone she doesn't know. Her mother has just died, and her father can't cope with his grief so he is dumping Audrey and Daniel. On the way, they make an unplanned stop at the Hotel Ruby, where Audrey meets the handsome Elias and goes uninvited to a party in the hotel's ballroom. There are strange happenings in the hotel and Audrey will have to make up her mind whether she can face a future without her mother, or remain in an in-between place that is very strange.
The author builds up mounting suspense as the reader gets a picture of the hotel, with its beautiful guests, the weird 13th floor and strange occurrences. Audrey is attempting to deal with her grief and getting together with Elias helps with that. She doesn't understand why she is the only person without an invitation to the dances in the ball room, and can't figure out the mystery behind the 13th floor.
Readers who love ghost stories, the thought of life after death and like a fabulous setting like the Hotel Ruby will enjoy this story.
Pat Pledger

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