Horror Hotel by Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Imprint: Underlined
Release date: February 1, 2022
ISBN: 9780593483480
Every YouTuber dreams of making it to that one million subscriber mark, including Chase. He is the impetus for the Ghost Group, a foursome of friends who make money off of going to haunted places in and around Las Vegas and searching out paranormal activity. What makes this bunch of ghost hunters different is that they have Chrissy, who can see ghosts.
Based on the true story of Elisa Lam, a student who mysteriously disappeared from the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles, this book uses the premise of a notoriously haunted fictional hotel in Los Angeles where the teens plan to film and post videos that will get them over that million follower mark. The alternating perspectives of each character are clearly drawn, so there is no confusion while the ominous setting and true story tie-in will keep the pages turning.
Readers who rely on choosing a book by its cover will love the skeleton profile of the hotel on the front and the real-life tie-in will be an added appeal. White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson, Creep by Eireann Corrigan and There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins are the perfect spooky readalikes.
— Jessica Lorentz Smith
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
