Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve

by Richard Levangie

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. Now in it's third printing!

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2020

About the author

Richard Levangie is an award-winning journalist with three degrees — in science, journalism, and an MFA in creative nonfiction. His work has appeared in enRoute, Endless Vacation, The Globe & Mail, The Montreal Gazette, and more than a dozen magazines.

His middle grade adventure, Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve, won the Atlantic writing competition, and was published by Nevermore in December, 2020 to kind reviews.

A former karate instructor, Richard is a technical writer. He is married to Kristina, and they live in Dartmouth with their two greyhounds, Prospero and Serafina. Red Tiger, his epic adult fantasy, is currently in submission.

Reviews

[Richard Levangie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book a number of years ago, but shelved it in 2015 after three publishers brought it to their editorial boards — the final stage of a long process before acceptance — only to ultimately turn it down, with regrets (once for having a complicated plot, once for being authentically Canadian, and unlikely to sell well in the United States). And so it languished on my venerable MacBook Pro for five years before I sent it to a new Canadian publisher that was garnering a reputation for selling terrific books.

What can I say? I love Jacob's story, and I love how distinctly Canadian it is. I was trying to write a mystery for middle graders that I would have enjoyed reading at that age.

Thank you to everyone who read it and told your friends about it!

[Jane Doucet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compelling tale of family, friendship and forgiveness, 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. Kudos, Richard! 👏

[Sue Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully fun book to read!!!
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.
I am saving this one for when my son is old enough to read it and appreciate it.
The only drawback of the book was the font size of the letters.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Jove, this is one terrific book!

Jacob Jollimore is thirteen years old, an adopted Vietnamese boy who is something of a science geek (self-proclaimed), at an awkward age and time in his life. As his parents, facing financial collapse, harness all their remaining resources to renovate the crumbling Edwardian Hotel Maisonneuve, depressingly located in a less-than-stellar section of Montreal, Jacob’s summer days are dusty, sweltering, and dismal.

Plagued by a relentless bully (code named: The Neanderthal), Jacob’s life feels doomed to disaster - until one day, a terrible accident sets in motion a cataclysmic series of events, both dreadful and unexpectedly for Jacob, cheering. While doing his best to make up for painful damages unwittingly caused, Jacob opens the door on a mysterious treasure hunt, buried deep in the walls of the ruined hotel, by an unknown benefactor, more than a century ago.

As the clues are presented, and the cryptic puzzles solved, Jacob and the mysterious voice from the past, - linked by their adventure across time, a love for Sherlock Holmes, and a joie-de-vivre discovered and cemented by their evolving friendship - embark on a journey that will (by Jove!) change Jacob’s life forever.

An absolute delight, from start to finish - this middle-school reader is clever, touching, authentic, informative, and so brilliantly crafted that it had this reader spellbound, in awe.

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 succor 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.

A great big thank you to the publisher, @NeverMorePress for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

[Smokey Hertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes the reader on a summertime adventure and immerses one in the world of a young man named Jacob, his family, and his friends, both old and new. The characters are realistic and the writing is vivid and descriptive, allowing you to picture what is happening and feel like you are a part of it. There are mysteries to be solved, and you can play along and try to figure them out along with the characters. I feel like middle school children will really enjoy this book and be able to relate to it, but so will adults like me! I was taken back in time to when I was Jacob's age and how much I loved to read and find new worlds within books. This is one of those books, and it brought that old feeling back to me. I highly suggest this book for yourself or your children...maybe even reading it along with your children. There many opportunities within the book to have a discussion with your kids about some of the things going on in this young man's life. Either way whether you read it or your kids do or you all do, you will not regret it!

[Valerie Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book- it really captures the emotions of a teenaged boy and the ups and downs of his life. A great read for any age !

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey teachers and parents! Looking for a great read to kick off 2021 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 home library!

[Lyn Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve” is much more than a “goodread,” and it is not just a YA novel, for this OA unabashedly loved it. It presents a wide spectrum of multi-cultural characters, and offers a surprising range of themes including architecture and renovation, food and cooking, bullying and child abuse, games and puzzles, refugee camps and history.
The story takes place in Montreal, where Jacob, adopted as a baby from Vietnam, has been uprooted from his neighbourhood and friends. He is spending a difficult summer between grades seven and eight helping his family renovate a formerly grand hotel, while also caring for an elderly, recuperating woman in her home. Discovering letters and artifacts hidden throughout the Maisonneuve by a boy his age who lived there a hundred years previously, saves him from his unhappy situation and gives him an exhilarating free-time occupation as he deciphers the boy's encrypted messages. Something extra this book offers to readers with an aptitude for puzzles is the opportunity to work through the clues and try to find their meanings before learning Jacob's solutions—I did not do this, but hope the YA reader will take time to add this dimension to the excitement of the book. “Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve” offers a full-course experience, and left me sated.
Lest it seem I praise the book too highly, I did note a typo, and was distracted by the use of the irregular past tense, “snuck.” (I realize I am an OA.) However, I do wonder how the sentence that begins, “They sat down for a meal that included his parents…”, escaped the attention of proofreaders. That noted, this is a fully entertaining and satisfying book. It is clear the first-time author, Richard Levangie, has a strong social conscience, and both values and promotes equality and justice. I expect his book to win multiple awards. --Lyn Thomson

[Eitan C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in a Little Free Library in Halifax and it's next destination will be a Little Free Library in Toronto.


This book is a lot of fun and doesn't over stay it's welcome; it's a mystery of ciphers and teasing backstories and you want that to stay exciting and fun and not drag on. I liked the pacing. I cared for the protagonist. Many supporting characters were interesting and I think it walked the line of narrative / "a bunch of cool things you should look into" smoothly. I wish the locations had been more vibrant and characters themselves. There's clearly a lot of love for the character and secrets a city and old building can house but I found myself wanting more.


>>Detailed nearing spoilers<<

I rarely felt I was with Jacob exploring a room when we has looking under floor boards and behind bricks, wasn't really feeling the texture and age and living details of Montreal, the deli, Nha Trang, the hotel. I also found a LOT of the voices seemed the wrong age. A teen calling his dad "Old man" being most noticeable. Would have liked to feel that contrast with the early 1900's versus the 2000's a little more. I also really didn't understand anyone's reaction to the frequent assaults and muggings of Jacob by this one kid. Maybe some readers would but I was just confused as this kid got robbed again and again and people were just uninterested or mad at him?

>>spoiler free<<


Still, definitely recommend. A fun read that has you rooting for people and feeling their pain.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This middle grade book was such a treat! Levangie perfectly interlaces a thrilling mystery with the coming of age story of his young protagonist, Jacob Jollimore. Seeing Jacob grow through the novel was great, and the pace was kept fun and exciting with the mysterious ancient clues he finds. Looking through my copy again, one note I keep seeing is, “fun and engaging!”. The clues allow the readers to try our own guesses in an engaging way, which I loved. The references to Harry Potter and other pop culture signifiers. I’m sure many kids we’ll feel the same. The voice of the novel really sounds like a young teen, which is so vital! It also felt distinctly Canadian, with many Canadian and Quebec references I appreciated. I really enjoyed that some of Jacob’s juvenile jabs were interlaced with some lovely imagery throughout the novel, crafting a believable and delightful narrative. I truly enjoyed this read and recommend it for any middle grade readers! (Thank you to Nevermore Press for sending me a copy of Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve!)

[Kaitlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't typically do new years resolutions. However, given the fact that my mental health hasn't been the best over the pandemic, I wanted to promise myself that I'd make a resolution to do more things that I enjoyed. So, I made a promise to myself that I would read more. My goal is 1 book per month at minimum.

The first book I picked was "Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve" by Richard Levangie. I'd started it ages ago, but then I got distracted and I didn't pick up another book for a while.

I cannot reccomend this book enough. I laughed, I cried, and I found myself smiling and curling up with it anxiously, eager to finish it. It made me think and appreciate the little things, and the familiarity of the locations in the book was also a nice touch. The writing was simple but elegant, and things were descrobed so perfectly that I could see them clear as day in my mind.

Richard, this book truly is a treasure. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and story with the world.

[Hope Dalvay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved "Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve." It had all the ingredients of what I consider to be a great middle-grade novel (or any novel, for that matter): an intriguing plot, perfect pacing (not too fast, not too slow--just right), a setting with its own unique flavour, and, most importantly, characters I actually care about. "Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve" is a real treasure (pun intended) and is a Canadian classic in the making. I think readers young and old will enjoy it.

[K.S. Covert]

A fun book with an endearing protagonist and an intriguing mystery. Puzzle lovers will enjoy it.

[Wild Willie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my full review at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgpaa...

[Amy McIsaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve by Richard Levangie is a real gem. Although deemed a middle-grade novel, this is a book that adults would enjoy as well. The book is centered around thirteen-year-old Jacob Jollimore, ‘Cubby’ as his family affectionately calls him. Jacob’s father has lost his job and it is the family’s hope by investing in and renovating a historic old hotel in Montreal that they will be able to sell it and find financial security once again. Jacob helps in any way possible, from running errands to hands-on construction. But it proves to be a stressful summer for Jacob. He becomes the attention of the neighborhood bully and in one of his attempts to flee, he accidentally runs into an elderly Vietnamese lady, knocking her down and causing her serious injury. He feels horrible and as restitution and his parents agree that once she is released from the hospital, he should help her while she is recovering in her home. This proves to be a challenge for him as Mrs. Nguyen does not want anything to do with Jacob and resents him even being there. It is only the discovery of a hidden puzzle box in an antique dresser that gives Jacob something to look forward to. And as Jacob learns a bit about Mrs. Nguyen’s past and the hardships she’s been through both he and Mrs. Nguyen will learn some valuable lessons about love, friendship, and the healing power of forgiveness. But ultimately it is the puzzle box and its secrets that hold the key to prosperity.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So whatever you do DON'T read this book unless you have access to delicious munchies around you. The descriptions of food and food prep make you hungry and only something delectable is going to cut it. It seems like a cute short novel, unless you try and crack the codes without reading ahead, then it takes a lot longer, or maybe that was just me. In the end I would give up and read on to see what the answer would...lol. A great middle school book.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The great strength of this book is its characters. Each begins as a near-caricature. But Levangie is only playing on tropes, and he slowly unveils details of their personalities, lives and situations that reveal them to be fascinating people. The reader awakens along with our 14-year-old hero.

See my full review at https://atlanticbooks.ca/chris-benjam...

[Erin O’Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfectly thrilling kids adventure! 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!

[Kennedy Wellwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story! I had a hard time getting into it at first but it picked up pretty quickly. I think my students will like it because of the different plot points that are happening - the hotel, Mrs N, the bully and the puzzles. There’s a lot of easy connections to the curriculum as well - not only for ELA but for social studies and French too.
This is a good novel study book!

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this novel. It was easy to read and kept my interest. I felt like I was solving the puzzles in the book along with Jacob. The puzzles were very complex, too! I think this is a fantastic novel to read for people of all ages!

[Jen Robley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book for all ages! I really enjoyed it and it’s 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 !

[Janet Gillies]

I loved this little book . Great mix of the present and past . Cleaver use of historical facts and our present multicultural society. Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt and detective work .

[Maryline · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many good things to say about this book. 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!

[Melissa Kohli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Jacob’s summer! A very fun book to read.

[Olyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really fun read!

[Riley Zwicker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Ment for kids but still fun for adults. Provides you with puzzles to solve and just may take you back to your childhood.

[Tim Covell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to pick this up, as the synopsis for this YA novel seemed too childlike to be of interest, but when I finally got around to reading it, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The opening sets a fast-paced tone that continues through the book, and opening with the protagonist responsible for accidentally injuring a woman reminded me of Fifth Business. The working class Montreal setting and some of the events were reminiscent of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. Perhaps I am not reading enough Canadian fiction, or perhaps the quality of the writing helped bring those classics to mind.

The story does a great job of mixing early-teen concerns (the local bully, the sister's questionable boyfriend, family financial challenges) with recent history (the boat people refugees, for example) and older history - events in the life of the clue writer. The story also manages to provide depth for secondary characters without ever getting bogged down in subplots, and deftly balances the main plots of solving the puzzles and caring for the neighbour.

The ending was almost too upbeat, with almost everything working out and every seemingly bad person getting sympathy, but that may be appropriate to the genre. As for the puzzles, I've no patience solving them, but enjoyed the adventure of hunting for clues in the grand old hotel - something that is fun for any age.

[Donna Alward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read middle grade fiction at this point in my life, but the author visited our book club and I was really intrigued. What a treat this is! It's a fantastic story featuring a young Vietnamese boy, Jacob, in Montreal and a really tough summer vacation where he both works his butt off helping his family refurbish the Hotel Maisonneuve and spends time with an elderly Vietnamese woman he knocks down while running from a bully. And I can't forget the mystery - secret clues left by a former boy who lived at the hotel a hundred years previous. There is not a wasted word in this book. It's delightfully multicultural and inclusive in an utterly natural way, and it has typical 13-year-old troubles without becoming trivial (Jacob doesn't like his sister's boyfriend, is being bullied, loses friends, worries about his parents' finances). The mysterious letter he finds and the ensuing treasure hunt through the hotel also proves to be important to his entire family, and the relationship he develops with Mrs. Nguyen is sweet and helps him reconnect with his own heritage. Highly recommended!