Room 13
 First edition | |
| Author | Robert Swindells |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Mark Robertson[1] |
| Genre | Gothic Horror |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
Publication date | 1989 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 347 pp |
| ISBN | 0-385-26967-6 |
Room 13 is a children's novel written by the acclaimed award winning children's author Robert Swindells. Published in 1989, and awarded the Children's Book Award, the novel centres around a group of friends, on a school trip, who stay in a creepy guest house on Whitby's West Cliff. The novel takes advantage of Whitby's sinister and Gothic ties and weaves a story of suspense that has earned its place as a firm favourite of children wanting the thrill of a little horror and suspense. Once again Whitby finds itself inextricably connected to a vampirish encounter.
Plot summary
Fliss Morgan has a nightmare on the night before her school trip to Whitby. Every night Ellie-May Sunderland is drawn to the landing, of the mysterious Room 13, which does not seem to exist during the day. Fliss and her friends attempt to unravel the mystery of the room, and determine the identity of its sinister inhabitant.
Characters
Felicity "Fliss" Morgan: The main character. Fliss begins observing strange events in the hotel at night, and becomes determined to get to the bottom of what is going on. She is intelligent, witty and has a lot of courage in her. Will Fliss get Ellie May back to school again?
Ellie May Sunderland: She gets possessed by a vampire while on the trip. She is full of herself and nobody really likes her, although it is hinted at the end that her personality is changing for the better.
Lisa Watmough: Fliss' best friend, a quiet girl who rarely gets in trouble. She helps Fliss defeat Dracula.
David "Trot" Trotter: A loudmouthed boy who eventually aids Fliss in killing Dracula as well.
Gary Bazzard: One of Trot's friends, who also proves to be a helpful hand for Fliss. He is frequently suspected of mischief by his teachers.
Mr. Hepworth: A teacher with a gift for sarcasm.
Mrs. Marriott: A teacher who will not stand for nonsense or silliness.
Sall Haggerlythe: An elderly woman who sits in the bus shelter near the children's hotel, and is widely believed to be insane. However, she proves not to be mad, as she tells Fliss the story of Dracula taking refuge in the hotel and makes her understand that she must destroy him.