Frankie Banister lives in the famous Nothing to See Here Hotel in Brighton, where guests are anything but normal and excitement is the theme. Frankie’s parents own the famous hotel where many magical creatures visit, while others have made it their permanent home. Frankie loves being part of life at the hotel, often taking the dinner trolley to different rooms and sneaking down the back stairs while straddling the trolley for a bit of a wild ride, encouraged by his friend and partner in crime, Princess Viscera Von Tangle or Piskie for short.

One evening they are finishing their rounds and as Frankie folds the trolley up, popping it into his pocket, he is ambushed, rendered mute and kidnapped by the sneaky goblins, Lickspittle and Flott. They take him to a hidden office underneath Brighton Pier then through the sewers to Gradibash, the city of Goblins. Although his voice has been restored, he is still unable to find out why he has been kidnapped and now he is on his way to meet the autocratic Queen Latrina of Gradibash. She arrives atop a very mean and fearsome looking crocodile named Doris into the huge circular Sewer where she addresses her subjects. Upon learning his fate, he is shocked and saddened. How will he ever survive?

Accolades must be given to author Steven Butler for his wonderfully whimsical words. The dialogue at times is hilarious, especially when Queen Latrina has anything to say and Steven Lenton’s illustrations add to the fun.

Reviewed by Cathy d’Apice
Age Guide 7+