Murder at the Mayfair Hotel

I'll admit, this is, I believe, my first ever cosy mystery book! I also admit that I only read this book because it had a purple cover and that was part of a story graph challenge. Honestly, I did not expect it to be a 5 star read at all, so I'm pleasantly surprised and really glad I stumbled across this book!

I generally avoid detective style books (if I see D.C or D.I on the back of a book, it goes back on the shelf immediately), probably because they take themselves too seriously, the storylines are too samey and they just seem boring to me - I'd much rather read a book about true crime than read about a fictional detective solving a fictional (and probably outlandish) murder! That's why I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as show more I did.

Maybe because I took this story at face value and didn't go into it with a critical eye, that is why I don't really follow the criticisms shared in other reviews. One mentioned that Cleo is Cambridge educated, yet acts naïve and jumps to conclusions, but this is mentioned only a couple of times. Just because someone is well-educated, doesn't mean they can't make mistakes or be naïve to things. I didn't see Cleo as naïve, only passionate about figuring out the mystery.

I loved the tension and banter between Cleo and Harry and I hope it expands in later books. I was hoping something would happen at the end with them, but even though that didn't happen, it was still a satisfying ending that leads into the next book. All the characters felt so real and alive; they all had their own personalities and I could imagine how they behaved so easily. Archer gives little snippets of information which allows your mind to wander and imagine - nothing's bogged down by too much description which I'm all for!

The book was so easy to read, everything flowed so well into another. Although the book is 350+ pages, it didn't feel that way at all. Something was always happening and there was never a lull in the story where I felt I was losing interest. It felt almost fast paced, yet because of the length, it could probably still be deemed medium paced.

I can't think of any moment where I thought, 'that's cringe/weird/doesn't sound right'. It was just a pleasant read from start to finish. No writing/spelling errors either. I can't think of a negative part of the book which is why I had to give it 5 stars! show less

When her grandmother dies, Cleopatra (Cleo) Fox is invited to live at the Mayfair Hotel in London by her uncle, Sir Ronald Bainbridge, the owner of the hotel. Cleo’s extended family is very rich, but her mother had been disowned by that family when she chose to marry for love. Although not poor, Cleo was raised in genteel circumstances, and being middle-class equates as poor to her Bainbridge relatives. They therefore don’t understand her wish to be useful in the hotel (Bainbridges don’t *work* you know!) or her friendliness with the hotel staff ranging from Harmony the maid to Mr. Armitage and Mr. Hobart, the assistant manager and manager respectively. But when a hotel guest is murdered, poisoned in her own bed, Cleo enlists the show more support of hotel staff to investigate, to the displeasure of many…. This is the first in a new series from Ms. Archer, set in turn of the 20th Century London and featuring the sleuthing team of Cleo and Mr. Armitage who, in the tradition of such partners, initially get along, then don’t, then do, then maybe. I liked Cleo a lot; she seems quite the independent spirit at a time when such women were frowned upon, and I liked the setting of a luxurious hotel where the rooms have recently been electrified but most rooms still have a “speaking tube” to order from the kitchens rather than a new-fangled telephone. Nothing earth-shattering here, but good cozy fun, especially comforting in such a bleak winter as we’ve all had this year; mildly recommended. show less

Starts slow, gains speed. Interesting plot and entertaining narration. Clean and (am) glad of it. Hints at end of romance to come.

This is the second book by c. J. Archer. Again I finished this audiobook book I almost a day, I enjoyed this book so much and just like the first series of her's I read in excited to read the additional books in the series.

Its a turn of the century murder mystery with our female main character trying to figure out who murdered one of the guest of the hotel she's just moved into, all while befriending some of the staff

Character relationships were hard to believe at times. The ending seemed rushed. Heroine and romantic interest relationship was not well developed or believable. An okay cozy, but not likely to be a favorite.

1899, new-series, London, hospitality-industry, hotel, theft, murder, murder-investigation, family-drama, family-business, family-dynamics, falsely accused, false-information, false-identities, orphaned, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, gossip, staff, historical-novel, historical-research*****

Recently orphaned Cleo Fox is reduced to calling upon the uncle who had been shunned by her impoverished parents and grandmother. The uncle owns and operates a high-end hotel in London, has a sickly wife, spendthrift daughter, and typical son. But he wants Cleo to be a part of the family. Shortly after her arrival a guest is found dead in bed and the police (and coroner) determine that it is murder. Let the sleuthing begin! Great start to a new show more series!
Marian Hussey is the voice actress who easily differentiates characters and animates the story. show less

Cute. Not the best but cute.