"The Hotel" by Louise Mumford is a gripping and atmospheric psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With its intricate web of secrets, eerie setting, and compelling characters, this book delivers a suspenseful reading experience that will leave you guessing until the very end.

One of the standout features of "The Hotel" is the atmospheric setting. Mumford skillfully creates a sense of foreboding and claustrophobia within the confines of the hotel. The descriptions of its dark corridors, labyrinthine layout, and the lingering sense of something sinister lurking in the shadows contribute to a chilling ambiance that permeates the entire story. The author's ability to evoke a palpable sense of unease adds an extra layer of tension to the narrative.

The characters in this novel are well-drawn and complex, each harboring their own secrets and motivations. The protagonist, protagonist Kate, is a relatable and determined character whose vulnerability and determination drive the story forward. The cast of supporting characters, including the enigmatic hotel guests and staff, adds depth and intrigue to the plot. Mumford expertly weaves their stories together, creating a web of suspicion and uncertainty that keeps readers guessing.

The narrative unfolds at a brisk pace, with alternating timelines that gradually reveal the dark history of the hotel. The author's skillful use of suspense and plot twists keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, culminating in a satisfying and surprising conclusion that ties together the various threads of the plot.

Mumford's writing style is engaging and evocative, with vivid descriptions and a strong sense of atmosphere. The dialogue is well-crafted, providing insight into the characters' motivations and adding depth to their interactions. The author's ability to create a sense of unease and anticipation through her prose is commendable, further heightening the suspenseful nature of the story.

While "The Hotel" is an enthralling and well-executed thriller, it does have a few minor drawbacks. Some readers may find certain plot developments to be slightly predictable or reminiscent of other entries in the genre. Additionally, a few secondary characters could have been further developed to enhance their impact on the story.

In conclusion, "The Hotel" is a riveting psychological thriller that will keep readers captivated from beginning to end. Louise Mumford's skillful storytelling, atmospheric setting, and complex characters make for an engaging and suspenseful read. Despite a few minor shortcomings, this book is recommended for fans of the genre who are looking for a thrilling and immersive experience that will leave them questioning the nature of reality and the depths of human darkness.

This was the first thriller in a while that actually had my heart racing at some points. I enjoyed the timeline jump to give a full story of the movie without having to explain it in the present chapters. One thing that bugged me about the time line shift however, was the change in perspective. It was a bit jarring to go from third to first. While it did help reinforce that the past chapters were more in line with what happened in the movie, it took awhile to adjust to the narrative changing.

I loved how fast paced the action was written. It gave the sense of urgency needed to make the scene feel intense. As well as set the tone for each scene following, building in tension until the climax. I kept trying to guess the “who done it”, gathering clues and aha moments, only to have it all be blown away with the ending.

The characters were well written, each one dealing with their trauma in different ways. Bex wasn’t a typical plucky lead, she was snarky and blunt, as well as determined to find out what happened to Leo. She was a breath of fresh air in that sense. Was nice to have a main character with a no nonsense attitude, who wasn’t also a damsel in distress as well. She took charge in her own ways throughout the story.

Overall this was a good thriller that will get your heart racing and have you scrambling to solve the mystery before the story is over.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The book starts out as a ghostly mystery which turns out to be something far more ordinary. Really well thought out and enjoyable read

Wow, creepy heart pounding and simply brilliant I couldn't stop reading!!

It's up there with the best books of 2023 so far. This was my first one from Louise Mumford and it won't be my last.

This was one of those books that I just didn't want to put down once I started it. I really needed to know what had happened and if what I suspected was right!
This is a very atmospheric story that's quite fast paced with brief bits of respite where you can catch your breath and have a giggle. It's a kind of dual timeline book where we see what happened 10 years ago to Bex, Richard, Leo and Oscar and also what they are going through now in trying to find out the mystery of Leo's disappearance!
I had guessed part of the solution but there was so much more to it than I could have imagined which made for a really great build up and final act before those left at the end could come to terms with it and live their lives.
If filmed right, this book would make an incredibly spooky horror film that I would love to watch!

I enjoyed The Hotel by Louise Mumford, but I wasn't blown away by it, It definitely has its moments and it was interesting having a Blair witch type vibe and the way a story can go viral on the internet but I can't say I took to any of the characters they seemed two dimensional and it wasn't hard to work out who done it, but it would make a good holiday read.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ Storiesfor the ARC of this book.

Great read. Fast paced and great characters lead to an interesting and page turning read. Had no idea of the ending at all but it didn’t disappoint. Only thing I did think was that perhaps it would be better for the young adult readers.

Definitely recommend you read.

This is not the book I thought it would be. From the cover and the blurb, I assumed it was a locked-in thriller which it is not, but that said it was an interesting read. Told over two timelines it's part murder mystery, part horror, and part coming-of-age tale, as three friends return to the isolated hotel where 10 years previously four friends went on an adventure but one didn't return

A fairly tried and tested format. Four students are staying in a remote hotel on cliff tops and after some but one of them seemingly disappears, not to be seen again.
Fast forward ten years and the remaining three are reunited after years of having drifted apart and finding their own very different ways to cope with the tragedy. Once back together mysterious things start to happen again and we begin to suspect that some of them know more about what happened originally than they’re maybe letting on. As I said a fairly solid concept and story framework and this read well enough but I wasn’t quite as gripped and captivated as I could’ve been. A reasonable read nether the less and worthwhile.

Unfortunately I DNFd this book. It just wasn’t pulling me in like I wanted it to. The original event just didn’t make sense to me. He fell off a staircase at the edge of the cliff. There didn’t seem to be that many outcomes that could lead to enough mystery or doubt for there to be any question of what happened. Maybe it’s me, maybe I just don’t see it.

The Hotel is a 3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4⭐️
The book is set n Wales UK, it’s based around four eighteen year olds, Bex, Leo, Richard and Oscar. Ten years ago they went to an abandoned hotel that was said to be haunted by its owner. They filmed there time there ending with Leo disappearing. They never found out what happened but they are reuniting to film a ten year special. Bex vowed never to go back and with the three of them estranged it makes this time harder as they are all so different. A package comes for Bex and it’s contents ensures she returns.
The beginning to this book confused me, I had to reread it in case it was me but I decided it wasn’t. The book is slow at the beginning but does pick up some speed around halfway. Bex was a character I liked and if you are after something with a creepy atmosphere this is your book. I liked how the book went from ten years ago to present day, I just wish it had been faster paced all the way through.
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ, HQ Digital for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley and publicity the Arc of The Hotel by Louise Mumford.

Wow!!! The epitome of a psychological thriller right here, that will have you perched on the edge of your seat until you finish it.

Loved every page! 5/5

Wow what a book, I loved it.
Part thriller with elements of horror ( and I don't like horror) I was gripped!
The dual timeline between present and ten years ago helped to flesh out the story but never gave too much away and kept the reader guessing all along. I really had no idea how the book would end but it was all drawn to a satisfying conclusion with no loose ends.
The characters were believable and well drawn and the writing style kept the reader fully engaged.
First class!

The Hotel by Louise Mumford is a highly recommended thriller.

Ten years ago four eighteen-year-old students travel to Ravencliffe, an abandoned hotel rumored to be haunted on the Welsh coast, but only three returned. Bex, Leo, Richard, and Oscar go to the hotel and film themselves exploring the spooky setting. Something happens and Leo disappears, never to be seen again. The footage they filmed goes on to become a cult horror movie with a large fan following and an annual convention for fans, RavenCon.

Since her life-long friend Leo disappeared, Bix has hidden herself away and wants nothing openly to do with fans. However, she does attend the RavenCons just to see what is going on with the fans. It is there, on the tenth anniversary, she learns that Oscar, Richard, and, apparently, herself are going back to Ravencliffe and filming again. She doesn't want to, but a package she receives in the mail guilts her into participating and returning to the setting of her nightmares.

The narrative covers what happened ten years previously during the filming of the original Ravencliffe film that went viral and the current time period during the re-visiting of the movie sight. Mumford does an excellent job capturing the chilling terror in the original cult movie and the behavior of rabid fans, which creates the tension in the anticipation of what may happen in the re-boot. The creepy, apprehensive atmosphere will pull you into the story.

Bix is a sympathetic character and readers will like her. The pace is slow, especially at the start. It eventually picks up, but it does slow down the appreciation of the plot. Keep at it and the mystery is solved, but the writing could have been tightened up a bit the keep a faster pace. I did like the alternating between decades in the narrative to tell the story of the films in both time periods.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins via NetGalley.
The review will be published on Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Amazon.

I liked the concept of the book, and it started well, however I found it was quite slow towards the end and took me some time to finish.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

I don't read a lot of horror, but the description for this one caught my attention. I decided to give it a try, and overall, I thought it was a pretty good book. The beginning, though, was a bit confusing, even re-reading didn't really help to clarify some of the points. But as the book went on, I could get into the story line and the characters.

3 stars for "I liked it"

Four students travel to Ravencliffe, an eerie abandoned hotel perched on steep cliffs on the Welsh coast. After a series of unexplained accidents, only three of them leave. The fourth, Leo, disappears, and is never seen again.

A decade on, the friends have lost contact. Oscar is fame-hungry, making public appearances and selling his story. Richard sank into alcoholism and is only just recovering. Bex just wants to forget -- until one last opportunity to go back offers the chance to find out what really happened to Leo.

This is a well-written story with good, believable characters. Although the story flicks between the original filming and the present day it is well signposted so it's easy to keep on track. In parts, I find it a little too “spoon-fed” as I like to make my own mind up at what’s happening but on the whole, it’s a good read.

The Hotel by Louise Mumford is the story of four teenagers who take a daring trip to the mysterious Ravencliffe Hotel. Perched upon the top of a cliff, the hotel was supposed to be for the elite, however, the hotels construction was never completed and the place has been shrouded in stories of workers’ deaths. To add to the mystery, the owner is known to have shot himself in his study. The teenagers recorded footage is made into a film which has launched them into stardom.

The story is told from two timelines, one in the present day where the remaining members of the group are reunited to try to make sense of what happened during their visit, and one set ten years ago, where a series on unexplainable events result in one of the group going missing.

I feel like this one took a little while to get going but once it did the story really took off. I liked the two timelines as it helped answer present day questions and created a depth to the story. In terms of the characters, they are flawed and relatable. Their negative aspects made them feel more real. I like that I still have unanswered questions about the building and its history, as you would about most old buildings- the quirks weren’t all neatly wrapped up, but left an air of mystery.

I had one little gripe about this one in that I got a little frustrated with the amount of entrances ending in ‘...’ It felt like every sentence contained it and once I’d noticed it I was fixated. But overall I really enjoyed reading this.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. This will be published June 22nd 2023 and I can’t wait to see what you all think!

The gothic atmosphere in this novel creeps alongside you until your caught in a crescendo of tension trying to figure out what's going on.

Such great writing combined with authentic characters and a multilayered narrative that kept you turning pages. And a plot that was brilliantly unique and clever.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A fabulous psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

When 4 friends decide to make a short film of them investigating an abandoned hotel on the edge of a cliff they don’t imagine what could befall them. Cut to 10 years later and they are offered the chance of a reunion to try and resolve what happened that night, much to the delight of their cult fans.

I just could not put this book down. Read it!