Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest is an enchanting mystery set in a seaside boarding house in 1935. The tale of Gracie and her family as they search for clues to uncover the whereabouts of her missing Ma is a page-turning journey that captivates from the very first sentence.

The cast of characters, from the curious George to the magic-hating Phyllis, help make this novel a gripping adventure for readers. The pace and setting keeps the reader guessing with plenty of plot twists, intriguing magical mysteries and intriguing plot twists along the way.

The climactic ending will leave readers speechless and ready to read the sequel. Fans of family adventure stories are sure to love Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest.

This was so much fun to read, full of both intrigue and feel-good vibes and genuine laugh out loud moments. Gracie is a wonderful character to explore Blackpool with, alongside a cute adventure. Susan Brownrigg wrote a fantastic main protagonist in Gracie, showing the confidence she channels daily, despite being physically disabled in the 1930's.

A lovely story, with a bit of mystery, peril, daring-do, pluck and northern charm.
Gracie is a great character and I think a lot of kids would find her very relatable. I particularly liked that she had her own anxieties and fears, but faced them down and did the right thing, rather than what always felt to me like foolhardiness in stories like the Famous Five!

It provides a well-researched insight to life in a popular seaside resort, and really brings to life what most children’s holidays would have been like at the time.

I didn’t realise that this was children’s/young adult fiction when I chose it, I liked the synopsis and went with it. I loved this, it was a beautiful story, A really comfortable and easy read,
suitable for all ages.

Gracie Fairshaw is not best pleased when her mum moves them away from all of her friends to start a new life in a boarding house. She can’t imagine having to share her home with an ever changing band of strangers, people who might stare at her and make assumptions about what she could do just because of how she looks. Things become even more strained when her Ma almost faints when she recognises one of the guests, a few hours later she disappears into thin air leaving no clues of her whereabouts. Together with her brother Tom, her new friends Violet and Tom they have to discover the true identity of this mysterious guest and solve an impossible puzzle.

Capturing all the glamour and excitement of Blackpool in the 1930s, when the illuminations were a exotic novelty and the town was renowned for it’s stunning ballrooms and elaborate gardens, this is a place where something thrilling is bound to happen. Susan brilliantly transports the reader with her wonderfully descriptive writing conjuring up all the sights and sounds of the seaside. You can hear the screams on the rollercoaster, smell the sea air and taste the hot chips dancing on your tongue as the rain hits your face. The book is the perfect blend of mystery and peril with our young detectives having to use all of their skills and courage to outwit the sinister guest who is determined to commit the perfect crime whatever the cost. It’s rare to see physical disability represented in a middle grade story without it being part of the plot, for Gracie this is purely incidental to her life and she carries on regardless, refusing to accept the limited view that strangers may have of her abilities. It’s an absolute cracker of a mystery story and I absolutely raced through it. If you’re looking for something to fun and thrilling to read then look no further.

Welcome to Blackpool folks, well mid 1930’s Blackpool. I personally have only ever been there once in my life but this charming book brings back some nice memories. Although, whilst reading this I wish I had a wipe or tissue nearby because there’s a bit about eating seaside chips that made me drool everywhere. Well not really but it did make my mouth water, so keep your eyes open for that tasty description.

Anyway the story follows 14 year old Gracie Fairshaw, younger brother George and Ma who move to Blackpool. Ma has been entrusted as the new Landlady of ‘The Majestic’ – a small hotel but one of the guests is not who they say they are! Then Ma vanishes and it is up to Gracie and George to find out what has happened…

As the story unfolds Susan Brownrigg does a fantastic job of giving you a glimpse into the beauty and vision of Blackpool. The author clearly loves it there and you can tell. It’s a real testament to Blackpool.

During their investigations, Gracie and George uncover clues, make new friends Tom and Violet (who are awesome by the way) and discover the ‘League of the Shining Star’ who are “always ready to assist” and the most vile and awful villain! Gracie also finds an inner steel and determination, especially when grownups dismiss her story “Adults always believe grown-ups over children”.

She will stop at nothing to protect her family and even as she understands the possible peril that awaits her Ma, she shields it from brother George, nurtures him just as a parent would to protect him. Gracie was also born without the lower part of her left arm but it is not her defining characteristic. All of this makes her such a great lead character.

This heartwarming and gripping northern mystery is a summer must-read for both children and adults.

I love a Middle Grade mystery, so when I found out about Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest, I knew I had to read it! I was very much looking forward to reading this and finding out about Gracie and the mysterious guest, and well, as you will find out I was pleasantly surprised by it.

Gracie Fairshaw and her Ma, and little brother George have moved into The Majestic, a boarding house in Blackpool. They’ve hardly had time to unpack when Ma mysteriously disappears. It’s up to Gracie, along with George, siblings Violet and Tom and maid, Phyllis to solve the mystery and find Ma before the 1935 Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On.

This was such an exciting read that reminded me of The Famous Five and Nancy Drew books which I devoured when I was in Primary School. From the moment I started reading, I was thrust into Gracie’s world and if I’m being honest, there were moments where I didn’t want to put the book down. Plot-wise, it is paced well and you are given little twists and turns throughout, and nothing is as it seems. You do feel like you are solving the mystery alongside Gracie, George, Violet, Tom and Phyllis, but if I’m being totally honest I don’t think my detective skills are as good as theirs! I would love to see more books written where they try to solve more mysteries!

The setting of Blackpool in the 1930s was incredible, and as someone who has been to Blackpool a few times, it did bring back some of those precious memories. I particularly liked the scenes in the Pleasure Beach, as when I went I loved it, and it’s made me want to visit again. Also, having the story set in 1935 made me realise how different Blackpool, and any other seaside town was back then, and I did find it fascinating. A lot of research must have been done to make the plot and setting as accurate as possible, so I do commend Brownrigg for this. Without the right research, the story wouldn’t have been portrayed as minutely, and wouldn’t have had the same feel.

The disability rep in this book was also great! Gracie was born with part of her arm missing, and although she does get stared at and slightly discriminated against, she ultimately doesn’t let it stand in her way. She is a strong-willed character with lots of determination and Gracie goes to show that you shouldn’t let anything get in the way of what you want to achieve. We need more representation like this in middle grade, and I am in admiration of Brownrigg for creating a character like Gracie, for children with disabilities to look up too.

Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest was an epic, exhilarating, delightful read that I couldn’t get enough of. Everything from the plot to the setting to the amusing characters had me wanting to read more and I do hope we get to see more of these characters and their adventures in the future.

Gracie Fairshaw And The Mysterious Guest by Susan Brownrigg is an exciting children’s historical mystery. It is just perfect for ages eight and above. Those considerably older like me will love it too.
The novel is set in Blackpool in 1935. It is at the height of seaside holidays and day trips. Blackpool drew people in from all over. My Dad and his family who lived in Birmingham had holidays in Blackpool in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The book awakens an era long gone and a feeling of nostalgia in the reader for simpler times.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Blackpool, particularly the Pleasure Beach and Fun House as my Dad took us on a day trip there in 1975. I ‘walked’ through the action, fully participating rather than just reading a book, as I was familiar with the locations.
The book was an exciting read. I became caught up in events, along with the children, as I too, tried to solve the mystery.
As well as exciting action, there is a moral to the story.
The characters were all well drawn and realistic. It was refreshing to have a lead character with a disability that did not hold her back. Other people’s reactions were uncomfortable and very telling of their character make up.
Gracie Fairshaw And The Mysterious Guest is a fabulous adventure that children and adults alike will love. I hope there are many more Gracie Fairshaw novels.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

It’s great to read a story where the protagonist is “disabled” - I write it that way, because I’m pretty sure Gracie doesn’t view herself as disabled - but is just a normal person. So many books are written as either disabled = woe is me, or the main character overcomes huge difficulties to become a hero, or do some amazing feat of sport. Whilst there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, it’s lovely to read a book where a disability (or overcoming one) is not the defining characteristic of the main character.

The plot itself is a great mystery. Gracie and her family move into a boarding house, and their mother promptly disappears. The children then (with the help of new friends) dash around Blackpool solving the mystery and saving the day. All great fun, not too stressful, but still exciting. I hope there will be a sequel (or several), as I’d enjoy reading more about these characters.

This was a fun and entertaining mystery suitable for adults and children alike. The historical setting is interesting too, as are the author’s notes at the back.

I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced 'Emil and the Detectives'-style mystery adventure. The lively cast of young characters carry the story brilliantly and the 1930s Blackpool setting is beautifully realised. I hope it's the first of many.

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.

What a fabulous story. A lot of my childhood holidays were spent in Blackpool, and I have very fond memories of it, and of course the illuminations...always in the rain of course..

It’s a short book at around 2 hours, but it packs a lot in and I just loved all of the characters. I found the story just absolutely wonderful and fun to read.

A strong recommendation from me!

My thanks to Netgalley and UCLan Publishing for the advance copy.

I enjoyed this, it's a cute middle grade book set in Blackpool in the 1930s and has a cute mystery at its core. I would read another in the series.

This was a fun and exciting little mystery. The two main children were interesting and the drama and action was done well. I liked the mystery element and thought that it was believable and well thought out.

When Gracie and her family move to Blackpool to run a guest house, she knows that she's going to get lots of looks and comments on her arm. It's one reason why she isn't looking forward to it. The people in Milltown all know her, she has friends at school who know the real Gracie, but now she'll have to start again. Not only that but within a couple of days her Ma disappears - why, how? And can Gracie and her little brother George find her?

A lovely book. I enjoyed it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read an advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Social and historical details combine to paint an affectionate picture of Blackpool in 1935, where Gracie’s mum has just taken on a new guesthouse, with a few end of season guests remaining for the switching on of the illuminations. When Ma mysteriously goes missing, Gracie, along with her younger brother and some new friends, desperately tries to find her. The only clue is Ma’s reaction on seeing one of the guests – but which one?
The story is an intriguing and swift moving adventure, but the main draw of the book is the cast of warm, accepting and good-natured characters who work together to find Ma and foil the plot of the one ill-intentioned villain. It’s a great insight into 1930’s Lancashire life and a celebration of the generous heart of a community.

I absolutely loved this new mystery with its excellent heroine Gracie. Set in the mid 1920s it gives a real flavour of life at the time and you get a true feel for the buzz around the switching on of the illuminations. Definitely a book to recommend and I look forward to more adventures for Gracie in the future.

Fun read full of mystery, intriguing characters which makes you yearn to visit Blackpool. Extremely engaging read that will captivate readers old and young.

Gracie, George and their Mum, Annie, move to Blackpool after they buy a boarding house. With plenty to learn about sharing their home with guests, getting breakfasts cooked and exploring Blackpool, the family are set for a new life.
It is expected to lose items during ones time at a boarding house, however Gracie feels it is too much to lose her Mother. While serving breakfast their first morning, Annie drops some plates in shock. A hint at a face from the past is the only clue given. When Annie goes to find her glasses before their first excursion to the sea front, Gracie and George wait but time goes on and on. Going back to find her, they find her gone.
Gracie and George make some new friends on their hunt for Mum. The foursome quickly begin sleuthing around the town and boarding houses, trying to find clues and traces. Tom and Violet are both quick and clever and have some great ideas and skills to help. As the mystery unravels, Gracie and George find themselves in danger and they must act quickly to save Mum and save the town from a conman planning a theft during the historical switch on at the sea front.
With great characters, a super mystery and a gang of kids in a club willing to protect each other, there is plenty of action and adventure.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Blackpool and never having actually been there, the descriptions were wonderful and I could feel the atmosphere and excitement surrounding the switch on.

Brilliant and perfect for mystery fans!