Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve
Adopted into a mixed family, thirteen-year-old Jacob Jollimore is having the worst summer of his life helping to care for an elderly Vietnamese woman that he ran into and injured while trying to escape a bully. But a hundred-year old letter hidden in a bureau in the Edwardian hotel his parents are renovating sends him on a treasure hunt that will require him to think like Sherlock Holmes and just may prove to be everyone’s salvation. Read the first chapter.
By Richard Levangie
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2020 | ISBN 978-1-7753717-9-3 • FICTION / MIDDLE GRADE / COVER ART BY LUKE PAINTER • 224 PAGES / 5.35 × 8 IN / SOFTCOVER
EXCERPT
“You coming with grandmère, kid?” asked the French guy, jerking his head towards the open ambulance doors.
The assumption was reasonable. Jacob was a thin, thirteen- year-old teenager who had been adopted from Vietnam as a baby. He might have been born in the same city as the old lady. They might even be related!
“He is not my grandson!” the old woman snapped in that strong voice.
The French guy looked at Mrs. Nguyen, then back at Jacob, his eyebrows raised. Mr. Weinstein smoothed things over. “The kid isn’t her relative,” he said, lowering his voice. “He accidentally knocked her down.”
The paramedic’s face went hard. “You stay here.”
REVIEW(S)
-
Rich with warm and wonderful characters, magical developing relationships, Vietnamese cooking lessons – as well as insights into the horrors of abuse, discrimination, the safety and succour provided by a loving family (Jacob’s family just may be the best ever captured on paper) and the life-altering glow of empathy, discovered – this book also provides a compelling and fascinating look at historical events, including life in Montreal in the time leading up to WW1, the Vietnam War, and the fall of Saigon.
I loved this book – finding myself tearing up in places and smiling with delight in others – hard-pressed to remember a more rewarding middle-grade reading experience.
TERRI, BOOKLY MATTERS
-
Jacob discovers the importance of learning from his mistakes, and demonstrates his compassion and determination throughout. The riddles and puzzles in the book proved to be fun for all ages, an added bonus. I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for your child’s next book, or a light read for yourself!
ERIN O, GOODREADS
-
Although deemed a middle-grade novel, this is a book that adults would enjoy as well.
AMY M, GOODREADS
-
Levangie weaves a complex and revealing tale, fully satisfying to the young reader hungry for mystery and adventure, but equally rewarding for wisdom-seeking adults. Kudos to Levangie for not dumbing his story down in an ill-advised effort to pander to simplicity for simplicity’s sake. He gives his young readers the credit they deserve for being able to take in the contradictions of fully developed characters, and a story told in fully developed sentences. A story that reminds us that we all carry baggage, and that overcoming life’s challenges requires equal measures of courage and empathy.
-
I really enjoyed it and its characters , in particular Mrs N. I loved how the relationship with her and Jacob evolved. The description of the hotel painted a perfect picture in my head and the mystery surrounding it was the icing on the cake! A great read!
Jen Robley, Goodreads
-
The plot is interesting and full of fun historical details. Within the pages are intriguing puzzles that one tries to solve. As I read through the chapters I found myself wondering where and when the next puzzle would be uncovered. The best part of the novel is the heart-warming journey of a young boy. Richard Levangie develops his main character, Jacob, beautifully. Teachers and homeschooling parents should take note of this Canadian gem. This novel provides an opportunity for excellent discussions about doing the right thing in difficult situations, the benefits of hard work and pulling together, the importance of family connections, celebrating ones culture and respect for others. I hope that one day Richard writes a sequel to this tale, I can't wait to learn more about the past all the while seeing what's in store for Jacob's future. Well done!
GOODREADS
-
for your middle schoolers (or yourself!), Richard Levangie’s debut novel couldn’t be a more perfect choice. Set in Montreal, this is a wonderfully written book that is sure to have them turning the pages in anticipation of what’s to come. With plenty of intriguing plot twists and characters, it engages the reader right from the first sentence. As a teacher, I found myself constantly imagining the wonderful classroom discussions that would naturally happen around themes such as bullying, accepting personal responsibility, cross-cultural understanding — to name just a few. Beyond all this, the book is just plain fun to read. Had I not retired, I would be definitely reading this book aloud to my class. Excellent addition to any classroom or library!
S. BOYLAN, AMAZON
-
Many books for younger readers leave me saying “I would have loved that story when I was younger”, but without fully embracing it as an adult. Not this time: this has been one of my most satisfying reads in 2020!
GOODREADS
-
The characters were very well developed and colourful. I just loved the Dragon Lady and can visualize her various facial expressions throughout the story. The storyline was extremely entertaining, intriguing, and suspenseful—with a quite bit of history thrown in without it being a history lesson.
GOODREADS
-
The author has told this story with empathy and a keen sense of what drives a character to act as they do… It was sensitive and enlightening and easy for a young reader to understand… As a reader I think the best thing you can say about a book is that you wish it didn't have to end. That is how I felt about “Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve.”
LANA SHUPE, ATLANTIC BOOK REVIEWS
-
with a mystery to solve thrown in for good measure. It's technically for young adults, but I'm middle-aged and I enjoyed it—a good story is a good story.
GOODREADS
-
it is the relationship between Jacob and Mrs. Nguyen that really makes this novel shine. Watching their relationship evolve from one of disdain to one of friendship was not only realistic but totally heartwarming.
TERESA IAIZZO, CANADIAN REVIEW OF MATERIALS