ARC Review: The Inn Between by Marina Cohen

The Inn Between
Author: Marina Cohen
Publication: Roaring Brook Press (March 22, 2016)

Description: The Shining meets "Hotel California" in this supremely creepy middle grade novel about the bizarre things that happen to two girls stranded at a desert inn.

Eleven-year-old Quinn has had some bad experiences lately. She was caught cheating in school, and then one day, her little sister Emma disappeared while walking home from school. She never returned.

When Quinn's best friend Kara has to move away, she goes on one last trip with Kara and her family. They stop over at the first hotel they see, a Victorian inn that instantly gives Quinn the creeps, and she begins to notice strange things happening around them. When Kara's parents and then brother disappear without a trace, the girls are stranded in a hotel full of strange guests, hallways that twist back in on themselves, and a particularly nasty surprise lurking beneath the floorboards. Will the girls be able to solve the mystery of what happened to Kara's family before it's too late?

My Thoughts: THE INN BETWEEN was a very creepy middle grade book. Quinn is taking one last trip with her friend Kara before her family moves from Denver to Santa Barbara. Quinn has been having a hard time. Her little sister Emma disappeared while walking home from school one day and Emma is holding onto a lot of guilt because she had to stay after school, was embarrassed about it, and guilted her little sister into walking home alone. Now she is losing her best friend.

Since it is getting late, Kara's dad decides that they should spend the night at a motel but instead they find themselves at the Inn Between which is a spooky old Victorian with a really creepy staff. It doesn't take long before the parents disappear and soon after Kara's older brother Josh disappears. Now the two girls are left to discover the many secrets of the Inn Between.

The story is filled with spooky situations. It was also filled with the deep friendship between Quinn and Kara. I found it scary and wonder how middle grade students will react to it.

Favorite Quote:

The little girl eyed Quinn and Kara. In the glow of her candle, she smiled a wide smile, and for the first time Quinn could see her little teeth were yellow and razor-sharp and her lips and tongue were black as night. She giggled. It was the most chilling sound Quinn had ever heard.

I got this ARC from Macmillan. You can buy your copy here.