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The Grand Hotel: A Novel
Welcome to the hotel where nobody checks out.
When a desk clerk welcomes a group of tourists into his mysterious and crumbling hotel, the last thing he expects is that a lone girl on his tour may hold the power to unravel the hidden mystery that has lain for untold centuries within the structure’s walls.
The Grand Hotel is a horror novel by esteemed bestselling author Scott Kenemore ( Zombie, Ohio ) that takes the reader on a thrilling ride through an interconnected series of stories narrated by the desk clerk and the residents of the hotel itself. And while it is not known whether or not the desk clerk is actually the devil incarnate, it is strange that so many visitors who come for a tour of the hotel have a way of never leaving.
As the narrator takes you deeper and deeper into the heart of the hotel, secrets that have been hiding for aeons begin to show themselves. Although he is quite prepared for this experience, there is some question as to whether or not the rest of the world shares this readiness.
Kenemore’s incredible style and originality carry The Grand Hotel to places most people only see in their nightmares. And while we don’t know all of the secrets that lie within the Grand Hotel, we know that the person who does hold that knowledge puts fear into the narrator himself—a thought that ought to terrify everyone.
Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.
When a desk clerk welcomes a group of tourists into his mysterious and crumbling hotel, the last thing he expects is that a lone girl on his tour may hold the power to unravel the hidden mystery that has lain for untold centuries within the structure’s walls.
The Grand Hotel is a horror novel by esteemed bestselling author Scott Kenemore ( Zombie, Ohio ) that takes the reader on a thrilling ride through an interconnected series of stories narrated by the desk clerk and the residents of the hotel itself. And while it is not known whether or not the desk clerk is actually the devil incarnate, it is strange that so many visitors who come for a tour of the hotel have a way of never leaving.
As the narrator takes you deeper and deeper into the heart of the hotel, secrets that have been hiding for aeons begin to show themselves. Although he is quite prepared for this experience, there is some question as to whether or not the rest of the world shares this readiness.
Kenemore’s incredible style and originality carry The Grand Hotel to places most people only see in their nightmares. And while we don’t know all of the secrets that lie within the Grand Hotel, we know that the person who does hold that knowledge puts fear into the narrator himself—a thought that ought to terrify everyone.
Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2014
280 people are currently reading
2777 people want to read
About the author
Scott Kenemore
31 books135 followersScott Kenemore lives in Chicago. He attended Kenyon College and Columbia University. He is the drummer for the pop-punk band The Blissters."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 625 reviews
March 19, 2022
I tend to listen to audiobooks as I fall asleep at night. It gives me something to focus on when the rest of my world goes quiet. My brain doesn't like it, when the rest of the world goes quiet, and tries to fill the silence with way too much internal noise. The results are usually some combination of delayed sleep, restless sleep, or intensely dreamy sleep; ultimately, poor sleep. Having something external to actively focus on seems to keep my nutty bean from caroming about all over the place, and mornings become a much happier time.
The downside, of course, is that my fall-asleep choices tend to get a little less engagement from me. As such, I often choose a title that I've already listened to or, as is the case with The Grand Hotel, something that seems interesting but perhaps not terribly exciting.
The premise of The Grand Hotel is intriguing: people wander into an old interesting hotel that seems unused or derelict and find a man sitting at the front desk. He is mysteriously engaging, and soon offers a tour of the old building, which, he assures his tourists, is indeed still functional and in fact peopled with guests.
The initial feeling is of muted unease and curiosity, and pulled me in enough that I found I was very careful each night to go back to my last remembered time-stamp. It essentially presents like an anthology – as visitors are touring the hotel and learning bits of its history, they encounter guests. Each guest has a story to tell, and the reader (listener) becomes very puzzled as to how these odd tales are all going to connect together in the larger story of the hotel.
Not horror, The Grand Hotel is still really atmospheric and defies most preconceived expectations in a really clever way. Its strength is the disjointed strangeness of the stories seamed together by the hint of a grander plan.
I admit I had a few frustrations with some perceived inconsistencies in presentation, and some disappointing narrative choices, but given how I listened it does not seem fair to point them out.
I found The Grand Hotel engaging and clever enough that it will eventually get an awake listen, or at the very least a second run-through at some future bedtime. That's actually some pretty decent praise.
The downside, of course, is that my fall-asleep choices tend to get a little less engagement from me. As such, I often choose a title that I've already listened to or, as is the case with The Grand Hotel, something that seems interesting but perhaps not terribly exciting.
The premise of The Grand Hotel is intriguing: people wander into an old interesting hotel that seems unused or derelict and find a man sitting at the front desk. He is mysteriously engaging, and soon offers a tour of the old building, which, he assures his tourists, is indeed still functional and in fact peopled with guests.
The initial feeling is of muted unease and curiosity, and pulled me in enough that I found I was very careful each night to go back to my last remembered time-stamp. It essentially presents like an anthology – as visitors are touring the hotel and learning bits of its history, they encounter guests. Each guest has a story to tell, and the reader (listener) becomes very puzzled as to how these odd tales are all going to connect together in the larger story of the hotel.
Not horror, The Grand Hotel is still really atmospheric and defies most preconceived expectations in a really clever way. Its strength is the disjointed strangeness of the stories seamed together by the hint of a grander plan.
I admit I had a few frustrations with some perceived inconsistencies in presentation, and some disappointing narrative choices, but given how I listened it does not seem fair to point them out.
I found The Grand Hotel engaging and clever enough that it will eventually get an awake listen, or at the very least a second run-through at some future bedtime. That's actually some pretty decent praise.
April 6, 2021
4.5/5 Stars!
THE GRAND HOTEL was available free to me through the Audible Plus catalog. I am so glad I chose to give this a listen!
Basically, this is a collection of short stories, framed in the present as a tour of an old hotel. Each guest they meet shares their story and each one was unique. The framing tale ended with a very satisfying and to me, somewhat surprising denouement. I love when that happens!
I'll look for more reads or listens from this author anytime!
*I downloaded this audiobook with my Audible membership. *
THE GRAND HOTEL was available free to me through the Audible Plus catalog. I am so glad I chose to give this a listen!
Basically, this is a collection of short stories, framed in the present as a tour of an old hotel. Each guest they meet shares their story and each one was unique. The framing tale ended with a very satisfying and to me, somewhat surprising denouement. I love when that happens!
I'll look for more reads or listens from this author anytime!
*I downloaded this audiobook with my Audible membership. *
July 10, 2024
Welcome to the grand hotel, you can cheek out any time you like, but you may never leave.
That was a phenomenal read! I a sucker for the walking tour style of story. And this one did it excellently! Each stop of the tour introduced a new story that was very unique from every other story!
The other showed a wide range of storytelling abilities throat, each of the individual characters and stories. Like a collection of short stories, but written into twine with the main cast of the tour ride and those listening to the stories with an extra level of interest and death to all connection to all the stories.
This was a truly unique story. I love the ending and I want to reread it I’m sure a few things I missed, but now that I know how things and I will be able to enjoy the story in a whole new way the second time around.
That was a phenomenal read! I a sucker for the walking tour style of story. And this one did it excellently! Each stop of the tour introduced a new story that was very unique from every other story!
The other showed a wide range of storytelling abilities throat, each of the individual characters and stories. Like a collection of short stories, but written into twine with the main cast of the tour ride and those listening to the stories with an extra level of interest and death to all connection to all the stories.
This was a truly unique story. I love the ending and I want to reread it I’m sure a few things I missed, but now that I know how things and I will be able to enjoy the story in a whole new way the second time around.
December 2, 2019
Picked this up on a Kindle special and didn't expect much - I was very pleasantly surprised!
Following the form of a tour around a mysterious hotel, our narrator leads a group around to various guests, hearing their stories and slowly drawing back the curtain on this mysterious building and it's equally mysterious inhabitants.
The stories themselves are surprisingly varied - staying mostly in the mystery/horror genre, but never falling into repetition. The final story almost bumped this into the five stars, actually - I was surprisingly touched.
All around, a satisfyingly creepy and an unexpected gem.
Following the form of a tour around a mysterious hotel, our narrator leads a group around to various guests, hearing their stories and slowly drawing back the curtain on this mysterious building and it's equally mysterious inhabitants.
The stories themselves are surprisingly varied - staying mostly in the mystery/horror genre, but never falling into repetition. The final story almost bumped this into the five stars, actually - I was surprisingly touched.
All around, a satisfyingly creepy and an unexpected gem.
September 2, 2022
An incomprehensible mess. 0 of 10 stars
November 6, 2014
The Grand Hotel
by Scott Kenemore
*Full disclosure: Scott Kenemore and I have been on convention panels together and he has visited my class several times to speak about his work on zombies.*
The Grand Hotel is a ghost story anthology with a wraparound tale that contextualizes the eleven stories in the context of a creepy old hotel and its unusual residents. Our narrator is a wizened desk clerk whose relationship with the hotel gets more and more complex as the story progresses. The stories told by the residents exist on a continuum between a little eerie and downright horrifying. Kenemore does a great job fashioning authentic voices for each narrator, and in bringing to life the diverse settings these stories inhabit.
A few thoughts:
- The eleven stories vary in the creepiness and terror they offer, but generally as the story goes along they get more eerie. My favorites are the tales of the Chef in the abandoned Scotch castle, the Vicar in the old English manor, and the psychiatrist narrating her patient’s case.
- As always, Kenemore’s style is light and quick, but hefty enough that it doesn’t feel superfluous. The supernatural elements in the novel are applied with a light touch, allowing the gothic atmosphere of the stories to make the scenes work, rather than just horrific narrative elements as one might find in Clive Barker short stories, for example.
- The Grand Hotel reflects a positive approach to self-discovery and growth. One of the themes throughout the novel is the value of telling stories, particularly about one’s own life, to learn and grow. As a writer, Kenemore consistently uses his fiction to “think through” cultural and social issues within the context of popular genres. The Grand Hotel advocates for a positive approach to self-discovery work, be it individual, or in a talking-therapy kind of way.
- One of Kenemore’s best attributes as a writer is the way his stories inhabit their locales so skilfully. In a novel where he has to construct a dozen locations in a hotel plus nearly another dozen locations for the stories to take place, Kenemore does a fantastic job building realistic worlds for the residents’ stories. I particularly liked the story about the space mission, which one might think shouldn’t belong in the book, but which fits in quite nicely.
- I’ve got two minor complaints about the book. First, with the exception of one character who interacts with the desk clerk, most of the tourists are necessarily abstract. This keeps the focus on the hotel’s residence, but it also makes the tour seem a bit more staged. I wonder how it would have worked if we’d known more about the members of the tour. Second, the novel too strongly telegraphs its conclusion. Kenemore certainly doesn’t intend for the end of the novel to be a surprise, but elements of the story still act like it was intended to be one. This is, however, a minor complaint in an otherwise excellent book.
Overall, The Grand Hotel is a great spooky story anthology with a solid wraparound tale that provides a unity of purpose that’s quite satisfying. It isn’t quite as satisfying, for me, as the Zombie State trilogy, but still definitely worth a read.
by Scott Kenemore
*Full disclosure: Scott Kenemore and I have been on convention panels together and he has visited my class several times to speak about his work on zombies.*
The Grand Hotel is a ghost story anthology with a wraparound tale that contextualizes the eleven stories in the context of a creepy old hotel and its unusual residents. Our narrator is a wizened desk clerk whose relationship with the hotel gets more and more complex as the story progresses. The stories told by the residents exist on a continuum between a little eerie and downright horrifying. Kenemore does a great job fashioning authentic voices for each narrator, and in bringing to life the diverse settings these stories inhabit.
A few thoughts:
- The eleven stories vary in the creepiness and terror they offer, but generally as the story goes along they get more eerie. My favorites are the tales of the Chef in the abandoned Scotch castle, the Vicar in the old English manor, and the psychiatrist narrating her patient’s case.
- As always, Kenemore’s style is light and quick, but hefty enough that it doesn’t feel superfluous. The supernatural elements in the novel are applied with a light touch, allowing the gothic atmosphere of the stories to make the scenes work, rather than just horrific narrative elements as one might find in Clive Barker short stories, for example.
- The Grand Hotel reflects a positive approach to self-discovery and growth. One of the themes throughout the novel is the value of telling stories, particularly about one’s own life, to learn and grow. As a writer, Kenemore consistently uses his fiction to “think through” cultural and social issues within the context of popular genres. The Grand Hotel advocates for a positive approach to self-discovery work, be it individual, or in a talking-therapy kind of way.
- One of Kenemore’s best attributes as a writer is the way his stories inhabit their locales so skilfully. In a novel where he has to construct a dozen locations in a hotel plus nearly another dozen locations for the stories to take place, Kenemore does a fantastic job building realistic worlds for the residents’ stories. I particularly liked the story about the space mission, which one might think shouldn’t belong in the book, but which fits in quite nicely.
- I’ve got two minor complaints about the book. First, with the exception of one character who interacts with the desk clerk, most of the tourists are necessarily abstract. This keeps the focus on the hotel’s residence, but it also makes the tour seem a bit more staged. I wonder how it would have worked if we’d known more about the members of the tour. Second, the novel too strongly telegraphs its conclusion. Kenemore certainly doesn’t intend for the end of the novel to be a surprise, but elements of the story still act like it was intended to be one. This is, however, a minor complaint in an otherwise excellent book.
Overall, The Grand Hotel is a great spooky story anthology with a solid wraparound tale that provides a unity of purpose that’s quite satisfying. It isn’t quite as satisfying, for me, as the Zombie State trilogy, but still definitely worth a read.
September 14, 2021
This was written Ina very fun and engaging way in a form of hotel clerk giving a tour in the hotel while telling different stories. Both spooky and a bit of horror and definitely a style I want to read from again
September 1, 2021
"I fear some riddles are unanswerable.."
How I loved this book!! Kooky, spooky and an all around fun experience!
How I loved this book!! Kooky, spooky and an all around fun experience!
October 2, 2020
I'm really puzzled why this isn't a more popular book ... why, in the 6 years since it's been published, everyone hasn't suggested it to their friends to read. Why does it only have 361 ratings and 61 reviews? Why isn't it a classic? Why isn't it on everyone's favorites list? Why has nobody on my friendslist marked it as a book they want to read? I had never heard of it until I found it in the horror section of my library's currently-available ebooks. I checked it out on a whim, and I'm glad that I did.
A group of tourists walks into the lobby of an old gothic hotel. The man at the front desk offers to give them a tour. In each room that they tour is a permanent resident of the hotel who offers them a story. They meet a lady dancing with mannequins in a ballroom, a famous Tasmanian chef who one did a ghost chef reality show, a retired detective from Chicago, a doctor, a famous violinist, a priest, and many others. The stories they tell mainly have some type of supernatural bent or trickery. They include tales of time travel, a mysteriously appearing and disappearing lady, ghosts, demons, dungeons, native spirits, and other weirdnesses. The hotel has a secret, but it is not revealed until the story on the final page. I definitely didn't figure it all out until the end reveal.
I'm not a huge fan of short stories, but these are just really all wonderful and perfectly crafted. You often read an author's collection of short stories where some shine and some fall flat, but these were all very gripping and entertaining. This author has a real gift for storytelling. This is one of the rare books I'd read again just to re-enter all the perfect little worlds created inside each story. I look forward to reading more by this author. I fell asleep last night before finishing the book and hoped I'd wake up at 3 a.m. so I could finish it. It's that type of book.
A group of tourists walks into the lobby of an old gothic hotel. The man at the front desk offers to give them a tour. In each room that they tour is a permanent resident of the hotel who offers them a story. They meet a lady dancing with mannequins in a ballroom, a famous Tasmanian chef who one did a ghost chef reality show, a retired detective from Chicago, a doctor, a famous violinist, a priest, and many others. The stories they tell mainly have some type of supernatural bent or trickery. They include tales of time travel, a mysteriously appearing and disappearing lady, ghosts, demons, dungeons, native spirits, and other weirdnesses. The hotel has a secret, but it is not revealed until the story on the final page. I definitely didn't figure it all out until the end reveal.
I'm not a huge fan of short stories, but these are just really all wonderful and perfectly crafted. You often read an author's collection of short stories where some shine and some fall flat, but these were all very gripping and entertaining. This author has a real gift for storytelling. This is one of the rare books I'd read again just to re-enter all the perfect little worlds created inside each story. I look forward to reading more by this author. I fell asleep last night before finishing the book and hoped I'd wake up at 3 a.m. so I could finish it. It's that type of book.
November 3, 2018
I very much enjoyed this collection of stories tied together by the person who oversees the Grand Hotel. The stories told by the occupants were varied and interesting and a bit scary. Satisfying ending.
July 31, 2019
1.5 / 5
Okay, so this was just not meant to be for me. It's one of those books that while you're reading it, you're imagining all of the other things you could be doing; cleaning, taking a math quiz, staring at your wall. It just plain bored the hell out of me. I made it a grand spanking 32% before deciding that if I liked my brain not having a headache, I should quit while I'm ahead.
All this being said, please don't take my word as gospel. This book could be your next favorite read, I just couldn't personally get into it. If you've read other works and liked them, or if this just sounds up your alley, I'd give it a shot.
Okay, so this was just not meant to be for me. It's one of those books that while you're reading it, you're imagining all of the other things you could be doing; cleaning, taking a math quiz, staring at your wall. It just plain bored the hell out of me. I made it a grand spanking 32% before deciding that if I liked my brain not having a headache, I should quit while I'm ahead.
All this being said, please don't take my word as gospel. This book could be your next favorite read, I just couldn't personally get into it. If you've read other works and liked them, or if this just sounds up your alley, I'd give it a shot.
February 8, 2022
Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus
- Christian Rummel's narration was great. I enjoyed it.
- It's a series of short stories that are linked together by the place and the hotel desk clerk.
Overall, it was an entertaining, but forgettable set of tales with a mild over arcing plot line to wrap it up.
No idea why Audible has this story tagged as a romance and other genres, but that little fact amused me. =D
Currently on Audible Plus
- Christian Rummel's narration was great. I enjoyed it.
- It's a series of short stories that are linked together by the place and the hotel desk clerk.
Overall, it was an entertaining, but forgettable set of tales with a mild over arcing plot line to wrap it up.
No idea why Audible has this story tagged as a romance and other genres, but that little fact amused me. =D
April 15, 2023
This book reminded me of old Hammer Horror films with Peter Cushing et al that I watched as a child - they were already very dated, but I loved them! A group is given a tour of a hotel, and meets several people along the way, each of whom relates a story. Obviously, all is not what it seems... I loved it, and was sad when it ended!
December 23, 2020
I really wanted to like this book. Honestly, I did. Even when I started falling off down the confusing and, often, frustrating ghost stories, I tried desperately to hang on because I usually love horror anthologies that have a central thread. In the end, though, this book felt more like someone throwing clunky blocks of prose at you while you cower in a corner and beg them to stop.
October 9, 2020
I listened to the audio book and was not bored with the singular narrator because the accents of the characters were varied and well done. As for the content of the book, it was not my favorite because it's essentially a collection of creepy short stories. While I personally don't enjoy short story collections, I did enjoy the creepy feeling that this book gave me...especially since Halloween will soon be here.
Here's the set up: a tour group is led to visit several permanent guests of a dilapidated, possibly haunted hotel by a creepy, mysterious desk clerk. Each hotel guest tells the creepy story of their life and a "little red-haired girl" (she's known only by that) is asked a summarizing question by the desk clerk. Why her? The desk clerk is impressed by her acumen and makes a deal with her that if she answers his question correctly, he will continue the tour for everyone. If not, the tour will end which would be to the groups' chagrin. They develop an interesting sort of friendship and the last chapter lands a BOOM surprise that is pretty cool. It MIGHT make reading the book worth the last 10 minutes.
If you enjoy short story collections and a slight creepy tone, you will like this.
Here's the set up: a tour group is led to visit several permanent guests of a dilapidated, possibly haunted hotel by a creepy, mysterious desk clerk. Each hotel guest tells the creepy story of their life and a "little red-haired girl" (she's known only by that) is asked a summarizing question by the desk clerk. Why her? The desk clerk is impressed by her acumen and makes a deal with her that if she answers his question correctly, he will continue the tour for everyone. If not, the tour will end which would be to the groups' chagrin. They develop an interesting sort of friendship and the last chapter lands a BOOM surprise that is pretty cool. It MIGHT make reading the book worth the last 10 minutes.
If you enjoy short story collections and a slight creepy tone, you will like this.
September 2, 2022
This was an interesting one! Told in a series of short stories with an overarching plot that was less sinister than I anticipated!
This reminded me of listening to a season of the No Sleep podcast all the way through, no stops. Most of the stories were about ghosts in the traditional sense with some leaning toward the bizarre all told by long term residents of the grand hotel (think Cecil Hotel.) The conclusion was interesting but left me wanting more!
The story telling aspect may not be for everyone, but I thought it was a fun read with interesting characters and an absolutely fantastic narrator! Plus, it’s free if you are a subscriber of Audible plus. Can’t go wrong if you are in the mood for something different.
This reminded me of listening to a season of the No Sleep podcast all the way through, no stops. Most of the stories were about ghosts in the traditional sense with some leaning toward the bizarre all told by long term residents of the grand hotel (think Cecil Hotel.) The conclusion was interesting but left me wanting more!
The story telling aspect may not be for everyone, but I thought it was a fun read with interesting characters and an absolutely fantastic narrator! Plus, it’s free if you are a subscriber of Audible plus. Can’t go wrong if you are in the mood for something different.
September 15, 2021
Right up my alley for what I was in the mood for apparently. Like a collection of twilight zone or night gallery episodes, with a fun framework and legitimately excellent voice acting. Pulpy, fun, morbid, and sometimes surprising. Thoroughly enjoyable.
April 4, 2022
Such a fun read! It was so inviting and got right into the story very quickly. It was amazing how each guest had such a beautiful and Intriguing story. Would definitely recommend this book.
August 30, 2022
Скот Кенемор е популярен с хумористично-хоръристичните си книги за зомбита и пределено не очаквах от него толкова вдъхновяващо добър сборник призрачни истории.
Гранд хотел отдавна е преживял най-добрите си дни. На външен вид даже можеш да се усъмниш, че работи. Поне докато не попаднеш на симпатичния рецепционист и не те поведе на обиколка сред странните му обитатели и завладяващите им истории.
Сборникът съдържа единадесет разказа обхванати в обща рамка. Историите са призрачни, но не в стила на романтизма, а по скоро онази типична за По микстура от криминално, макабрено и рационално. Самият Кенемор добавя лекия си стил на писане, лишен от отежняващи подробности и обяснеия, и успява да придаде индивидуален глас на всеки един от разказвачите.
Стара къща пълна с духове на чикагски гагстери, музикални инструменти от дървета със сърца, готварско риалити с демон, детски лагер с индианско проклятие, кладенец водещ назад във времето, пътуване от Марс до Земята с труп за спътник - само няколко от историите в книгата.
В послеслова става ясно коя книга е виновна за авторовото вдъхновение и веднага влиза в шорт листата ми за четене.
Гранд хотел отдавна е преживял най-добрите си дни. На външен вид даже можеш да се усъмниш, че работи. Поне докато не попаднеш на симпатичния рецепционист и не те поведе на обиколка сред странните му обитатели и завладяващите им истории.
Сборникът съдържа единадесет разказа обхванати в обща рамка. Историите са призрачни, но не в стила на романтизма, а по скоро онази типична за По микстура от криминално, макабрено и рационално. Самият Кенемор добавя лекия си стил на писане, лишен от отежняващи подробности и обяснеия, и успява да придаде индивидуален глас на всеки един от разказвачите.
Стара къща пълна с духове на чикагски гагстери, музикални инструменти от дървета със сърца, готварско риалити с демон, детски лагер с индианско проклятие, кладенец водещ назад във времето, пътуване от Марс до Земята с труп за спътник - само няколко от историите в книгата.
В послеслова става ясно коя книга е виновна за авторовото вдъхновение и веднага влиза в шорт листата ми за четене.
July 18, 2023
Did not finish at 25%. I mean it's ok, but I just couldn't go through the rest.
November 12, 2021
Don't give up on this. I almost stopped this after a chapter or two. I went back to it and enjoyed it. It's like a bunch of separate stories compiled into one with a dash of mystery. I figured out part of it but...not all...lol
October 9, 2021
Beth rates 4/5 stars
A collection of spooky stories which all lead to the main event. Enjoyable, but had a hard time trying to figure out how some of the stories were relevant.
But, again, not totally predictable, but a few too many side characters who aren't of much consequence
A collection of spooky stories which all lead to the main event. Enjoyable, but had a hard time trying to figure out how some of the stories were relevant.
But, again, not totally predictable, but a few too many side characters who aren't of much consequence
September 29, 2022
Scott Kenemore's The Grand Hotel takes us on a tour that leads us from one tragic tale of horror to another, each with its nuanced cast of characters and captivating narrative. As the sinister desk clerk guides the tour group through the halls of the hotel, he also nudges us from one long-term guest's fantastic and unbelievable story to another. Reminiscent of Tales from the Crypt, if the Cryptkeeper were more somber and the crypt was a massive antiquated hotel, there's a hidden truth embedded within each new story.
When the tour group finds their way into the seemingly abandoned hotel, they're shocked to be greeted by a peculiar and chilling night clerk welcoming them to The Grand Hotel. More shocking is the tour of the ancient building, the introduction to various residents and employees, and the stories he prompts them to share with the unwitting guests.
Kenemore's gradual revelation of the truth behind the hotel and its temperamental host is delivered smoothly, without coming across as forced or spoon-fed to the reader. Each of the individual tales incorporated into the overall narrative is distinctly voiced and unique from the others, making it feel all the more authentic. With the tour group, we get to experience tales of police detectives tormented by a haunted house, the tragic first manned mission to Mars, a naive dance student's first experience with love and betrayal, and so much more.
Christian Rummel's narration perfectly suits the voice of our host while also conveying the necessary separation for the other characters in the book. Upon completion, I'm not sure I could imagine a different voice for Vic.
When the tour group finds their way into the seemingly abandoned hotel, they're shocked to be greeted by a peculiar and chilling night clerk welcoming them to The Grand Hotel. More shocking is the tour of the ancient building, the introduction to various residents and employees, and the stories he prompts them to share with the unwitting guests.
Kenemore's gradual revelation of the truth behind the hotel and its temperamental host is delivered smoothly, without coming across as forced or spoon-fed to the reader. Each of the individual tales incorporated into the overall narrative is distinctly voiced and unique from the others, making it feel all the more authentic. With the tour group, we get to experience tales of police detectives tormented by a haunted house, the tragic first manned mission to Mars, a naive dance student's first experience with love and betrayal, and so much more.
Christian Rummel's narration perfectly suits the voice of our host while also conveying the necessary separation for the other characters in the book. Upon completion, I'm not sure I could imagine a different voice for Vic.
August 17, 2021
Fancy a Tour round?
The hotel looks a mite run down, and the desk clerk is creepy, but hey... it's a free guided tour round the place...what is there to lose?
You follow him round as he introduces you to various tenants in their rooms, and listen to their fascinating stories, one after the other, but some of the tales have strange endings, or no endings, and you're left to mull over the meaning of it all.
Fascinating.
And, of course, there's one smart young red-headed 12 year old girl, who has somehow tagged along on her own, asking questions after every tale, as she engages with the desk clerk/tour guide, all of which adds to the creepiness of it all.
Yes, the book was a tad expensive, but the unique creepy atmosphere was worth the price.
Fancy going on that tour?
The hotel looks a mite run down, and the desk clerk is creepy, but hey... it's a free guided tour round the place...what is there to lose?
You follow him round as he introduces you to various tenants in their rooms, and listen to their fascinating stories, one after the other, but some of the tales have strange endings, or no endings, and you're left to mull over the meaning of it all.
Fascinating.
And, of course, there's one smart young red-headed 12 year old girl, who has somehow tagged along on her own, asking questions after every tale, as she engages with the desk clerk/tour guide, all of which adds to the creepiness of it all.
Yes, the book was a tad expensive, but the unique creepy atmosphere was worth the price.
Fancy going on that tour?
May 7, 2016
Dnf at pg. 98
Here is what I learned: the author doesn't understand the basic concept of show don't tell. If you have to keep emphasizing in every other page that the protagonist is not a nice guy, buddy, you're not cut out for this.
The book was uneventful. Great concept, not a good execution. A tour of the hotel and stories told by the residents there. Not the worst concept, but makes for a very boring book. The twelve year old girl was not a convincing twelve year old. Also, there is nothing scary about this. We do get horror movie clichés, though: glowing red eyes and black holes for eyes. *eye roll*
This book blows, and I'm not surprised at the rating it has. On to the next book.
Here is what I learned: the author doesn't understand the basic concept of show don't tell. If you have to keep emphasizing in every other page that the protagonist is not a nice guy, buddy, you're not cut out for this.
The book was uneventful. Great concept, not a good execution. A tour of the hotel and stories told by the residents there. Not the worst concept, but makes for a very boring book. The twelve year old girl was not a convincing twelve year old. Also, there is nothing scary about this. We do get horror movie clichés, though: glowing red eyes and black holes for eyes. *eye roll*
This book blows, and I'm not surprised at the rating it has. On to the next book.
March 2, 2021
I found this to be a clever way to present a book of short stories. The story is presented by the front desk clerk who is giving a tour of the Grand Hotel to a small group of tourists. The majority of the stories are told by the guests that the group encounters along the tour. The final story is told by the front desk clerk himself with a final reveal that is unexpected.
For me, this was a 4.5 Star
For me, this was a 4.5 Star
August 14, 2022
This one was hard to get through. Extremely slow. I understand the concept but the execution was missing. Far too many “side” stories that really don’t have anything to do with well… anything.
The ending was pretty good but not as exciting as I would like. A bit anticlimactic.
Perhaps if the stories were woven together to create an entire world instead of being stand alone. Swing and a miss for me.
The ending was pretty good but not as exciting as I would like. A bit anticlimactic.
Perhaps if the stories were woven together to create an entire world instead of being stand alone. Swing and a miss for me.
November 20, 2024
This was a very interesting story overall with a compilation of strange tales told from various characters throughout the story. Each story was leading up to the last story and ultimately the strange paranormal twist at the end.
This was a very unique and intriguing experience! I’ve honestly never read or listened to a book like this one before. I very much enjoyed the multiple short stories with weird paranormal elements to them through out this overall weird and paranormal story in itself!
This was a very unique and intriguing experience! I’ve honestly never read or listened to a book like this one before. I very much enjoyed the multiple short stories with weird paranormal elements to them through out this overall weird and paranormal story in itself!
November 1, 2021
*Audiobook*
loved this one!! At times creepy, weird, touching and surprising!! I found the various stories to be unique and all of them seamlessly lead to the unexpected conclusion!
There is a bit of reader’s interpretation required at the end, but I enjoyed that, too!! Surprisingly touching moment at the conclusion that I found so satisfying!!
4.5 stars!
loved this one!! At times creepy, weird, touching and surprising!! I found the various stories to be unique and all of them seamlessly lead to the unexpected conclusion!
There is a bit of reader’s interpretation required at the end, but I enjoyed that, too!! Surprisingly touching moment at the conclusion that I found so satisfying!!
4.5 stars!
July 4, 2021
A collection of short stories framed around a haunted hotel tour for a theme. It worked fairly well. Of course, in any collection of stories, some will be stronger than others. For the most part, I enjoyed it.
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