I liked this, but not enough to buy the second book. I will be librarying it, thank you, mostly because there are a couple of elements I’m curious to see how they play out. It’s really a classic case of had a good time while reading it, but wouldn’t be upset if I couldn’t ever read another in the series.
This takes place in 1958 in NYC at the fictional Pinnacle Hotel, where our main character Evelyn has lived since the age of six, when her mother was murdered. (This is obviously a set up for future books, and one of the reason I’m curious to continue.) The hotel is owned by her father, and he is pretty much an absentee father, leaving Evelyn to be raised by a nanny . . . who the book only ever calls Nanny. Rude. Evelyn is in denial about it, but she has agoraphobia due to her past trauma (she found her mother’s body), and she hasn’t left the hotel in fourteen months. When a painting is stolen, and then later the painter himself murdered, Evelyn cannot resist snooping for clues (she loves Agatha Christie) with the help of her dog-walker (slash bellhop) and friend, Mac Cooper. The prime suspect turning out to be her fake boyfriend the movie star (he’s gay) and best friend, Henry, only adds more motivation.
As stated above, this was a fun read and I found Evelyn to be a charming and likable main character, but nothing really about this book moved me to extremes. It was just a pretty good time. The best part of the book is that when Evelyn reveals the murderer, she officially invites everyone to a party so she can do a Hercule Poirot Reveals All moment, which I found endearing and extra at the same time. Also, I did end up googling lots of pictures of Pomeranian mixes, because Evelyn has one called Presley and I am susceptible to a dog, fictional or not.
[3.5 stars]
“The ____’s Guide to _____ a/and ______” Accountability Rating: I have decided to start holding books accountable for frivolously using the extremely overused title construction this book also uses. This book gets a 3/10. It’s vibes only. There are no guides in the book, and the heroine is by no means an expert in murder, or in solving a murder. It’s just meant to cash in on a trend and therefore I am annoyed. Authors, don’t let your marketing departments or editors talk you into this.
Alternate Titles for This Book: The Fashionable Recluse and the Case of the Perished Painter; The Hotel Heiress Solves a Murder; Hufflepuffs Are Particularly Good Finders*
*I am immediately sorry for that last one for multiple reasons, but I couldn’t not. It is so accurate if you have read the book.