It is great to read a novel with a character that does not always seem to have it together because does anyone really? In this thriller novel with a female sleuth, MURDER AT HOTEL 1911 written by Audrey Keown, the main character is down to earth and trying to survive panic attacks more than she would like to have. What a great start to what I hope is a series. I love how a lot of the scenes have Ivy, the main character, not only dealing with the unexpected happenings in the story but dealing with it in a real way that most of us would. It is so refreshing to see her react with emotions that are real and not to read something that shows her acting in an impracticable way. Even down to her unsureness of living with her father brings to life what most of us in her shoes would really feel.
28-year-old Ivy Nichols works behind the desk at the Hotel 1911. What no one knows is that she is kin to the family that once lived there and had this beautiful house built. She drives her bike there every day as she deals with panic attacks while also trying to keep the job that brings her close to her past. Then one of the guests dies during dinner from an allergic reaction to shellfish. George the chef, and Ivy’s dearest friend, is now accused of not handling the food carefully after getting notice of the allergy, and Ivy is trying to get to the bottom of what really happened before his career and life is totally ruined forever. Someone else has to be responsible for her murder.
There is a story here behind the story as they say. As you read you learn that Ivy is loyal to her friend but there is a story in Ivy’s own life and this book leaves enough mystery for you to want to know more. MURDER AT HOTEL 1911 is a wonderful debut and I hope there will be more. I have so many questions about Ivy and what has made her who she is today. I know I hope Audrey Keown will feed my curiosity with more to come.
If you want to spend a night amid the luxury and charm of the early 20th century, book a room at Hotel 1911. You'll find 28-year-old Ivy Nichols behind the reception desk. The hotel is Ivy's only link to the family that abandoned her when she was a small child. Now, plagued by panic attacks, she pedals her sea-green Schwinn bicycle to work every evening, hoping desperately to hold on to her job.
When wealthy, imperious Ms. Swain arrives at the hotel and belittles Ivy, the young woman seeks consolation in the welcoming kitchen of George, the hotel's chef. Despite her tormentor's barbs, she dutifully informs George that Ms. Swain has a deadly allergy to shellfish. So when Ms. Swain collapses at dinner and dies, the police suspect that the chef made a tragic, inexcusable error. Desperate to save George's career, Ivy sets out sleuthing. She learns that numerous people in and around the hotel had motives to contaminate Ms. Swain's plate. Among them are Jeffrey Swain, the victim's son and heir; painter Rose Jewett; and British expat Hemal Sandeep.
Even after the police find traces of shellfish in George's kitchen, Ivy is determined to clear her friend's name. But the stress of the investigation, in a hotel filled with suspects, threatens to precipitate another terrifying panic attack...or something more deadly.
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