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The Gateway #1
The Four-Fingered Man
When Amelia’s parents decide to reopen a creepy old hotel, Amelia and her new friend Charlie quickly discover that the place is much more than it seems. The Gateway is no ordinary hotel – and its guests aren’t just visiting from out of town!
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
16 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Cerberus Jones
9 books24 followersCerberus Jones is the three-headed writing team made up of Chris Morphew, Rowan McAuley and David Harding.
Chris Morphew is The Gateway’s main story architect. He weaves the team’s ideas together into awesome, page-turning story outlines. Rowan McAuley is the team’s chief writer, and she expands Chris’s outlines into fully-fledged novels. David Harding’s job is editing and continuity - he irons out all the kinks!
Chris Morphew is The Gateway’s main story architect. He weaves the team’s ideas together into awesome, page-turning story outlines. Rowan McAuley is the team’s chief writer, and she expands Chris’s outlines into fully-fledged novels. David Harding’s job is editing and continuity - he irons out all the kinks!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 24, 2025
A fast-faced story about one of my current favorite archetypes: weird houses.
July 3, 2017
Yes, I am an adult.
Yes, I read this book.
Yes, I am going to read the remaining books in the series.
It's an interesting storyline. A family moves into a hotel in the middle of nowhere. There is a guest living there that no one ever sees. Then there is Tom, a hotel employee who is just a bit bizarre. What's going on with him? How'd he lose his finger? What's happening at his house?
Definitely a fun series for kids (8-12) that enjoy the science fiction/fantasy genres.
Yes, I read this book.
Yes, I am going to read the remaining books in the series.
It's an interesting storyline. A family moves into a hotel in the middle of nowhere. There is a guest living there that no one ever sees. Then there is Tom, a hotel employee who is just a bit bizarre. What's going on with him? How'd he lose his finger? What's happening at his house?
Definitely a fun series for kids (8-12) that enjoy the science fiction/fantasy genres.
May 22, 2017
3.5 stars.
This is a cute mystery/thriller series for kids. I had thought it would be a good middle grade series, but, after reading this first book, I feel it's for a younger audience. It's a great series for Delaney's age of 9 or so. The girls really enjoyed it and both are looking forward to continuing on with the series on their own.
This is a cute mystery/thriller series for kids. I had thought it would be a good middle grade series, but, after reading this first book, I feel it's for a younger audience. It's a great series for Delaney's age of 9 or so. The girls really enjoyed it and both are looking forward to continuing on with the series on their own.
December 18, 2017
I can see why this was compared to Doctor Who, but for children. It was well-written and the pacing was consistent. As short as the book is the characters are fleshed out well. As an adult I wanted more but I think that shows how good the book is. If it wasn't good, I wouldn't care to know much about the world. I'll probably stick with this series and have my girls read it.
July 11, 2017
Because she’s been promised a puppy, Amelia is more open to her parents’ strange decision to become hotel owners, and move out to some tiny town by the seaside, leaving their jobs as astrophysicist and diplomat behind. But when they arrive the hotel is not only old, it’s positively creepy, and it comes with a grumpy old caretaker named Tom that gives Amelia the creeps. Charlie, the son of a hotel employee tells Amelia that he thinks Tom may be a pirate. But when start follow him around they discover he’s not nearly as creepy as what he has in his basement.
This is a very well written, well-illustrated, and well-designed first installment to a children’s science fiction series that opens the door to many potentially exciting adventures.
This is a very well written, well-illustrated, and well-designed first installment to a children’s science fiction series that opens the door to many potentially exciting adventures.
June 19, 2017
This was a really good book. I have read it twice now, and it was still good on the second read. The whole Gateway series is amazing, but this one tells the start of the gateway. Good book
April 28, 2022
Amelia, James and their parents have just moved to a spooky old house outside a remote Australian town, so they can clean up all the mess and operate it as a hotel. While James is just unhappy, Amelia is curious. She wonders why they had to move and how it can be true that the hotel is a step up for her parents, an astrophysicist and a diplomat. Maybe James got into some kind of trouble back in the city? Even curiouser is the behavior of the pirate-like caretaker, Tom, who's missing an eye, a finger, and a trustworthy vibe. Even Charlie, the housekeeper's son, thinks so. Together, they go on an adventure to investigate what's up with Tom, and whether (for example) he is stealing from their first guest.
Their snooping just gets the kids in trouble, of course, when the lady catches them in her room. Worse, whatever she keeps in her handbag has cast a spell over the kids and Tom as well, leading them to discover a secret all the grown-ups are already in on, but it was hoped they wouldn't pick up on – namely, that the Gateway Hotel takes its name from a cave beneath Tom's cottage where wormholes bring visitors from all over the universe, and that certain guests – like the lady with the handbag full of "jewels" – only look human because of hologram technology. Now that Amelia and Charlie know, the family business is in danger of ending just as it's getting started. But even if it doesn't (end, that is), they already have signs of weird adventures to come, including the creepy feeling that comes over Amelia at the mention of the name Krskn.
This is the first book in "The Gateway" series, although as luck would have it, it was the sixth that I read. So, I had to pretend not to know all the stuff the main characters found out in it, before they did. Talk about suspending disbelief! Whatever it says about the fact that I couldn't wait until all the books I'd ordered in the series came in, one or two at a time, before reading each one, let it be said. For those of you joining the program late and reading these reviews in canon order, I'll repeat (once again) that Cerberus Jones is an Australian author made up of three (or, later, two) people: Chris Morphew, Rowan McAuley and (for six books) David Harding.
Also, watch out for price gouging by online booksellers. Amazon, at the time I made the link above, wanted an incredible $17.10 for a copy of this book, which says $5.99 (slightly higher in Canada) on the back cover. I scored a copy for $4.79 at Thriftbooks. But that's nothing; there's actually one book in the series (#7, The Lost Home World) that I won't be reading for the foresseable future because copies of it are running upwards of $45 everywhere I look. So, maybe you should check your local library for copies before you go wild. If you get too hooked to help it, don't blame me. I tried to warn you.
Their snooping just gets the kids in trouble, of course, when the lady catches them in her room. Worse, whatever she keeps in her handbag has cast a spell over the kids and Tom as well, leading them to discover a secret all the grown-ups are already in on, but it was hoped they wouldn't pick up on – namely, that the Gateway Hotel takes its name from a cave beneath Tom's cottage where wormholes bring visitors from all over the universe, and that certain guests – like the lady with the handbag full of "jewels" – only look human because of hologram technology. Now that Amelia and Charlie know, the family business is in danger of ending just as it's getting started. But even if it doesn't (end, that is), they already have signs of weird adventures to come, including the creepy feeling that comes over Amelia at the mention of the name Krskn.
This is the first book in "The Gateway" series, although as luck would have it, it was the sixth that I read. So, I had to pretend not to know all the stuff the main characters found out in it, before they did. Talk about suspending disbelief! Whatever it says about the fact that I couldn't wait until all the books I'd ordered in the series came in, one or two at a time, before reading each one, let it be said. For those of you joining the program late and reading these reviews in canon order, I'll repeat (once again) that Cerberus Jones is an Australian author made up of three (or, later, two) people: Chris Morphew, Rowan McAuley and (for six books) David Harding.
Also, watch out for price gouging by online booksellers. Amazon, at the time I made the link above, wanted an incredible $17.10 for a copy of this book, which says $5.99 (slightly higher in Canada) on the back cover. I scored a copy for $4.79 at Thriftbooks. But that's nothing; there's actually one book in the series (#7, The Lost Home World) that I won't be reading for the foresseable future because copies of it are running upwards of $45 everywhere I look. So, maybe you should check your local library for copies before you go wild. If you get too hooked to help it, don't blame me. I tried to warn you.
February 14, 2018
I got this for my 2nd grade daughter because she reads at a fifth grade level and I wanted a challenge for her. I read it first to make sure it was appropriate and it is and it’s great. I am a big Doctor Who fan and my kids are knowledgeable of the show and watched the Sarah Jane Adventures. Thought this was right up her alley because she’s obsessed with space. I think I’ll end up reading the whole series as we collect them because they are good little reads.
September 2, 2017
I was prereading this book for my 9 year old daughter. I thought the content was good for her age (8-11) depending on reading levels. A little mysterious, but not spooky enough to cause trouble sleeping! I do think it will be a quick read for her so am glad I have the rest of the series ready and waiting!
November 3, 2018
Part 1 of a childrens book series and I absolutely loved it!! I have the next 4 ready to read and looking into the following 3.
The typical story of a family moving to a new area because of the dads job but with a scifi twist. Written brilliantly and very easy to immerse yourself in the story. Highly recommend for children of all ages... even the big kids!!
The typical story of a family moving to a new area because of the dads job but with a scifi twist. Written brilliantly and very easy to immerse yourself in the story. Highly recommend for children of all ages... even the big kids!!
February 12, 2020
This was a cute book and did have me in suspense. My 14 year old daughter read some of it and said it seemed interesting. There was a typo in a quote so I don’t know if that is the way the character spoke or not. They didn’t seem to do that throughout the book so I’m leaning towards a typo. Overall, seems like it would be a fun series.
September 2, 2021
This book was recommended to me by an elementary school boy. It is a quick read and actually enjoyable. I figured out various pieces of the plot quickly. The only downside is that it is the first book in an 8 book series. I'm not sure if I want to go on or not.
I'll also add that it really reminded me of Clifford Simak's Way Station.
I'll also add that it really reminded me of Clifford Simak's Way Station.
August 10, 2017
Entertaining read for students who are eager to leap into chapter books. Many hints of alien mystery and kids whom you care about quickly. And what child wouldn't love a tale where their parents are interacting with aliens?
August 30, 2018
The idea is interesting but the execution falls a bit flat, it feels like it was an idea that then was produced into a book by a committee rather than someone who wanted to write the story. Some good ideas and parts in it but overall fairly average and a little flat.
November 2, 2020
A good choice for an introduction for fantasy/science fiction for a young reader. Not really scary but mysterious and slightly creepy. I would say its around a guided reading level M-O, and would be a good fit for 2nd-5th grade.
November 2, 2022
This is the first book of the series. I like that is was a simple short fiction story. It was a bit spooky as the children explore there new home. I enjoy this book as a start to reading science fiction. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
October 20, 2023
Great short read for 2nd, 3rd or 4th graders. Amelia and Charlie can't help but find out what the strange people are really doing at Amelia's new home. What makes it worse is that they can't believe their parents are part of the mystery.
July 13, 2017
Middle grade sci-fi mystery. My 10 year old loves this series and I can definitely understand why. It is a slightly creepy page turner with occasional illustrations. Bonus: the cover is beautiful.
August 7, 2017
My 10 year old son and I read this. He has finished the series already. I enjoyed this enough to finish it at some point in the future.
(Gateway series)
(Gateway series)
December 6, 2017
This was a fun book. I believe it is the start of a series. I hope it is. I would like to read more of the story.
January 3, 2018
I think that this book was very mysterious and was kind of crazy because the man had only four fingers.
February 2, 2018
Abandon
July 5, 2018
Good for 4/5th grade reluctant readers
July 22, 2018
I throughly enjoyed this middle grade book. I will be checking out the rest of the series.
August 1, 2018
I devoured this book in 3 hours. I cannot wait to share it with my middle school kids (and read the rest of the collection!!)
September 30, 2018
Great sci-fi novel for young readers.
April 6, 2019
This is a great start to a series! I think it is perfect for my nephew in the 10-year old range. I look forward to reading the rest!!!
May 2, 2019
loved really all these books
August 9, 2019
It was a little scary for younger kids, but if you are right years old, you can handle it. --Lucy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews