Review: Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest

Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest by Susan Brownrigg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s great to read a story where the protagonist is “disabled” - I write it that way, because I’m pretty sure Gracie doesn’t view herself as disabled - but is just a normal person. So many books are written as either disabled = woe is me, or the main character overcomes huge difficulties to become a hero, or do some amazing feat of sport. Whilst there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, it’s lovely to read a book where a disability (or overcoming one) is not the defining characteristic of the main character.

The plot itself is a great mystery. Gracie and her family move into a boarding house, and their mother promptly disappears. The children then (with the help of new friends) dash around Blackpool solving the mystery and saving the day. All great fun, not too stressful, but still exciting. I hope there will be a sequel (or several), as I’d enjoy reading more about these characters.

This was a fun and entertaining mystery suitable for adults and children alike. The historical setting is interesting too, as are the author’s notes at the back.

I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

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