From the author of The Last Chance Hotel comes
a brand new magical mystery ...

'Blending magical adventure with Golden Age crime mystery,
this delightfully atmospheric spin-off from the author of The
Last Chance Hotel confirms Thornton's place as one of the
most original children's writers around.' WATERSTONES
on book 1



Is Oakmoss Hornbeam the unluckiest boy in the world? Or
has someone cursed him?


When a black cat crosses his path, mysteriously blown in by a
storm, Oakmoss believes it’s his worst omen yet. But Nightshade,
a cat of considerable talents, knows when it’s game on
or game over.


With the help of newshound Veena Vale and magical crime investigator
Dexter Stormforce, she sets out to become a lucky charm for
one very unlucky boy ...





A magical murder mystery story perfect for fans of Robin
Stevens and Harry Potter

By the author of The Last Chance Hotel, chosen
as Waterstones Book of the Month and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie
Award

Follows on from The Howling Hag Mystery, a series
starring fan-favourite Nightshade the cat
as the star of her very own mystery!



Praise for THE LAST CHANCE HOTEL:


'A jolly, atmospheric mystery.' THE TIMES



'All kinds of fun' THE OBSERVER


'[A] mash-up of murder mystery and fantasy ... full of great
characters, plot twists and intriguing detail.' METRO



'Featuring magical antics, a talking cat and a locked-room
murder mystery, Seth's story reads like an old-school whodunnit
with added wizards and spells' BOOKTRUST