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Hotel No Tell: A Novel (Zephyr Zuckerman #2)

by Daphne Uviller (Goodreads Author)

3.57 of 5 stars 3.57 · rating details · 99 ratings · 43 reviews

The smart and sassy detective Zephyr Zuckerman is now armed and undercover in a Greenwich Village hotel where mysteries—from garbage-grabbing guests to the reservation system—lurk around every corner.

Now working as a junior detective with the New York City Special Investigations Commission, Zephyr’s gone incognito as a concierge to find out who laundered a hundred grand...more

Paperback, 288 pages

Published April 26th 2011 by Bantam (first published April 20th 2011)

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Dec 08, 2011 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, favorites

This was one of those books that I sort of hesitated on, almost didn't accept for review and then decided to go for it and cannot regret it. I was unaware that Zephyr Zuckerman was a character in Uviller's previous book Super in the City, so this can easily be called the second in the "series." I was still able to pick it up and enjoy it because there was not enough connection (I think) to the first one to leave me feeling as if I was missing some information.

Zephyr Zuckerman has just gotten a...more This was one of those books that I sort of hesitated on, almost didn't accept for review and then decided to go for it and cannot regret it. I was unaware that Zephyr Zuckerman was a character in Uviller's previous book Super in the City, so this can easily be called the second in the "series." I was still able to pick it up and enjoy it because there was not enough connection (I think) to the first one to leave me feeling as if I was missing some information.

Zephyr Zuckerman has just gotten a great opportunity to go undercover as a concierge in a hotel where a hundred grand has gone missing and an attempted murder takes place. Not only is she dealing with that, but she just ended her long-term relationship, has a chance at a new love and must help her good friends as they struggle through their troubles. We are thrown in to quite a mystery and when things start to spiral out of control, Zephyr and her adventure only gets better.

Zephyr is definitely a new favorite character. She's a sassy and witty lady that I instantly liked and she had me laughing out loud with her interesting ideas. Her friends are awesome, and even though at times a bit strange, they definitely add a whole lot to the story. There is also other fun characters like her boss Pippa, her ex-boyfriend Gregory, her new guy friend Delta, and her family. I really enjoyed learning about each character and the way they were part of Zephyr's life.

I love mysteries, even though I haven't read too many, and this one kept me pretty interested the entire time. There were a few points in which I wasn't too sure what the heck Zephyr was doing, but her little adventures made the story all that better. I wasn't able to figure out the ending beforehand, and was surprised on how it ended. The ending sort of wrapped up nicely, but still left some questions that might be answered in another Zephyr Zuckerman novel.

Overall, I really enjoyed the Hotel No Tell. I found it fun and very interesting, full of humor and sometimes some quite touching moments that only made me like it more. Definitely full of some wonderful characters that I want to see more of in future books. I recommend this to everyone who would like a fun, quick mystery with a little romance and friendship thrown in. I can't wait to read the first one, Super in the City, since I've heard only good things about it as well.(less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Liviania rated it 4 of 5 stars

I didn't really know what to expect with HOTEL NO TELL. I hadn't read the first book about Zephyr Zuckerman, SUPER IN THE CITY. But the press release promised comedy and the cover struck me as a modern update on noir. I'd just seen Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, and had visions in my head of a funny update and deconstruction of noir detective tropes.

Not so much.

And yeah, I can be harsh on books when they aren't what I was expecting. But I liked HOTEL NO TELL and identified with Zephyr almost immediately....more

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May 11, 2011 Angie Holtz rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is a fun mystery! I love the character Zephyr, she has amazing friends and family but her love life is a mess. Well a mess of her own creation, as the guy in question is also wonderful. So she attracts great people, but her life is still far from perfect. She has taken until her 30s to finally settle on a career and even in that she has doubts to her ability.

The story has a fast flow, with all the twists and turns a good mystery needs to have. And you won't know the deal until the very...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Kitty rated it 1 of 5 stars

YUCK. This book started out promising....lady detective, undercover at a hotel....and then it went horribly, horribly awry. Wah wah, she doesn’t want to be with her ridiculously hot boyfriend because SHE doesn’t want kids. So instead of immediately replacing her, which is what would happen in real life, this guy moves home to the Midwest, only to return and beg her to reconsider. Riiiiiiiigggghht. She’s not that likeable. I don’t buy it.

But what really was the finish for me was how the story com...more

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May 21, 2011 Jennie Smith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Zephyr has a lot on her mind. Her parents and ex are after her to have kids, her job is falling apart around her, her best friends have either moved, are convinced they are cursed or are trying to find balance while married to a movie star. She doesn’t know which way to turn to put out the fires that seem to surround her and seem to grow as the days go by. Yet she does find balance in all the chaos and finds out more about herself in the process. I love that she is so smart and sassy but she nev...more

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Jul 13, 2011 Sue rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: suspense-thriller-mystery

I won this novel "Hotel No tell", by Daphne Uviller through Goodreads giveaway.

Zephyr has finally landed her big break…an undercover position. Working as a concierge at a fancy hotel to find out who laundered a hundred grand off the hotel books should be easy but it is surprisingly not, and after attempted murder occurs at the hotel, Zephyr begins to see that there may be a lot more than money at stake. Will she make it out in one piece? Better yet, will she ever catch the bad guys? Moreover, wh...more

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May 04, 2011 Cheryl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Zephyr Zuckerman finally gets her big break. She is just a junior detective but she aims to prove that she can go far. It seems that someone is fudging the books at the Greenwich Village Hotel. Zephyr goes undercover as a concierge. It isn’t long before mayhem ensues at the hotel.

This book is the first of the Zephyr novels I have read. Hotel No Tell is the second Zephyr Zuckerman novel. It can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone novel. I liked the character, Zephyr. She was witty, charming, ha...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Samantha Robey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Hotel No Tell is the second book from Daphne Uviller that features Zephyr Zuckerman, after Super in the City. I always worry when I don’t read the first book, as in this case, but it was fairly easy to pick up on the story. Zephyr is working as a junior detective with the New York City Special Investigations Commission, and finally has a great case handed to her- where she gets to go undercover. Working as a hotel concierge at the Greenwich Village Hotel, trying to crack a money laundering inves...more Hotel No Tell is the second book from Daphne Uviller that features Zephyr Zuckerman, after Super in the City. I always worry when I don’t read the first book, as in this case, but it was fairly easy to pick up on the story. Zephyr is working as a junior detective with the New York City Special Investigations Commission, and finally has a great case handed to her- where she gets to go undercover. Working as a hotel concierge at the Greenwich Village Hotel, trying to crack a money laundering investigation, Zephyr finds herself a mystery inside the mystery- why was the guest in room 502 found near death? Was it suicide, or an attempted murder? What does the sweet older guest have to do with it, and could her friend Lucy be involved? Zephyr sets out to solve all the mysteries, but the toughest mystery of all is her love life. Though she is madly in love with her boyfriend, she doesn’t want kids-ever- and he does. Should she compromise for love? And how will she solve her work mysteries and finally be taken seriously as a detective?

Like I said, it was easy to fall into the character’s lives. I really enjoyed Zephyr’s friends and their problems. I thought Lucy was hilarious with her suburban mom crisis, and though Macy was a bit out there, her stories were intriguing to read about. This book is very fast-paced, almost a bit too fast for me in the beginning. I couldn’t really keep up with who was who and where they came into the story and where this plot point was taking me, etc. Maybe that has a bit to do with me not reading the first book? It through me off for awhile, but as I kept at it, I thought the book slowed to a pace that could keep my interest. Uviller has some great comedic moments throughout the story, and the descriptions of New York were a lot of fun to read about. Once the actual mystery stuff got underway, I was really into the story and trying to figure out who did what and how everyone was connected. Overall, funny and interesting read that I would recommend to chick lit fans, but not a favorite of mine.
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May 01, 2011 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

I am always up for a good, smart, and sassy detective book, and Daphne Unviller's Hotel No Tell, the second in the Zephyr Zuckerman series, fit the bill perfectly.

Zephyr has finally landed her big break…an undercover position. Working as a concierge at a fancy hotel to find out who laundered a hundred grand off the hotel books should be easy but it is surprisingly not, and after attempted murder occurs at the hotel, Zephyr begins to see that there may be a lot more than money at stake. Fielding...more I am always up for a good, smart, and sassy detective book, and Daphne Unviller's Hotel No Tell, the second in the Zephyr Zuckerman series, fit the bill perfectly.

Zephyr has finally landed her big break…an undercover position. Working as a concierge at a fancy hotel to find out who laundered a hundred grand off the hotel books should be easy but it is surprisingly not, and after attempted murder occurs at the hotel, Zephyr begins to see that there may be a lot more than money at stake. Fielding crazy old women, a bad break-up, and the chance of new love, Zephyr’s month promises to be anything but hectic. Will she make it out in one piece? Better yet, will she ever catch the bad guys? Moreover, what about her ex- will they kiss and make up? Only time and more pages will tell in this exciting new mystery that is sure to have nearly any reader wondering, “Who did it?”

When I first started Hotel No Tell, I was not sure what to expect exactly, as I had not read the first one. Thankfully, I had no problem falling easily into the story for a variety of reasons.

For one, the characters were fantastic. Zephyr was a great main character, and there was not a time when I was not laughing out loud at her antics, or rooting for her in the many problems that arouse. In addition, I adored not only seeing her working undercover but in regular day-to-day life, because it managed to bring such a warm and funny cast of characters right along with it. From Zephyr’s friends (Macy in particular as her backstory was so original!), to her family, to Gregory, her ex-boyfriend, and her potential suitor, every one brought such a great addition to the story!

The one thing that always makes or breaks mystery novels for me is the mystery at hand. There is nothing better than a mystery I cannot figure out fully, and if that does not happen, I am always at least a little disappointed. Thankfully, the former occurred with Hotel No Tell. The mystery involving the laundered money brought many twists and turns to the situation, so many in fact, that I never exactly knew how it would end, and I have to say I adored that aspect! The side plots involving Zephyr’s relationships and friends were also decent, and I loved how everything was mostly wrapped up nicely in the end.

Finally, Daphne Uviller’s writing and world building were nothing short of fabulous. From setting to plot to main characters, there was not a time where everything wasn’t fully developed.

Full of wit and zeal, Hotel No Tell is a refreshing and charming read that I can’t help but suggest.

All I can say is there better be some more Zephyr books and soon hopefully.

Grade: B+ (less)

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Jul 30, 2011 Carol MacInnis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Zephyr Zuckerman, works for the Special Investigations Commission's office and is given her first undercover job as concierge at the Greenwich Village Hotel. Owner, Ballard McKenzie has noticed a $100,000.00 discrepancy in the books and has his suspicions of his own son, Hutchinson, scimming. While Zephyr begins her 'role', she is alerted to Room 502 where Jeremy Wedge, the owner's nephew, has been posioned.

Once I feel that Zephyr is hot on the trail and I am eager to see what transpires, the st...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a sequel to Super in the City, which I really liked. Unfortunately, this isn't up to par. I enjoyed it, but am left unsatisfied that Zephyr and her cronies couldn't reach the same zany heights again.

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Feb 29, 2012 Christina Priest rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this after having read the previous book by Uviller, Super In the City. Super in the City was a typical chick-lit romance novel that I found prettty enjoyable. Hotel No Tell, on the other hand, is more focused on the progagonist, Zephyr's, mystery-solving activities. It's a little difficult to categorize this book. Chick-lit romance/mystery? New Yorkers will either enjoy or be wildly irritated by the numerous references to NYC institutions (She eats Beard Papas? I love Beard Papas! And Za...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Jay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Hotel No Tell picks up 2 years or so where Super in the City left off, but can easily be read as a stand alone novel. Zephyr is now a junior detective at the Special Investigations Commission and she’s got her first undercover assignment: get to the bottom of a money laundering scheme at a hotel in the village by posing as a concierge.

Hotel No Tell was a lot of fun just as Super in the City was. Of course, Zephyr is the star of the show and the plot at times takes a back seat to Zephyr’s antics...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Romancing the Book rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, reading-challenge

Reviewed by JoAnne
Borrowed from library for BookSparks PR Summer Reading Challenge

This book is a contemporary novel that could be labeled a mystery due to Zephyr Zuckerman, an undercover agent. I enjoyed it - there was some mystery, intrigue, and laughter, but it was by far not a favorite of mine. It was interesting to reconnect with characters from Uviller's first book, Super in the City, which I did not enjoy because it was so disjointed.

I would give Uviller another chance if she continued to...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Terri Armstrong rated it 5 of 5 stars

“Hotel no Tell” by Daphne Uviller

Zephyr Zuckerman has a lot to contend with, the least of which is her family and group of girl friends better known as The Sterling Girls, all with issues and all in need of her help at one time or another. Zephyr has her own life plan: she wants to become a full-fledged private investigator.
Commissioner Pippa Flatland is her boss and a woman who cuts right to the chase of her need and enjoys using the Staten Island Ferry as her office, at least the part where sh...more “Hotel no Tell” by Daphne Uviller

Zephyr Zuckerman has a lot to contend with, the least of which is her family and group of girl friends better known as The Sterling Girls, all with issues and all in need of her help at one time or another. Zephyr has her own life plan: she wants to become a full-fledged private investigator.
Commissioner Pippa Flatland is her boss and a woman who cuts right to the chase of her need and enjoys using the Staten Island Ferry as her office, at least the part where she holds private meetings with her detectives. As they talk on the ferry, Pippa informs Zephyr her next assignment is The Greenwich Village Motel. She was contacted by owner Ballard McKenzie because he’s worried his son, Hutchinson is doing something fishy with the books to the tune of a hundred grand and he needs to find out for sure.
Pippa sets her up with Ballard to be the new concierge at the hotel. Zephyr has some personal baggage of her own that promises to get in the way. Ollie her father who happens to be the ADA, her mother Bella, the founder of a financial seminar franchise, her brother who she fears will use any and all of her “life issues” for the meat in his screenplays, ex-boyfriend Gregory Samson and her best gal pal, Macy St. John. They enjoy meeting at the Leroy Street dog run—even though neither one of them owns a dog—for their favorite beverage, Roasting Plant coffee.
Zephyr meets more than her fair share of colorful characters and situations: a Korean woman who is absolutely out of place, a nursing home, poisoning, lies, humor, even nail-biting, this novel has it all! Hutchinson is less than impressed and more than a little insulted that his father has brought in someone new to “work with him.” Thank god for Asa, the man who covers the front desk and Zephyr’s backside whenever she needs it, which is often.
If Zephyr can ever decide whether or not she’ll give Gregory the children he wants—and she doesn’t—and she can get her license, all will be right in her world. Fun! Fast! Overall, a great read!

Reviewed by Terri Ann Armstrong, author of “How to Plant a Body”
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Nov 10, 2011 cheeseblab rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ah, the further fun misadventures of the delightful Zephyr Zuckerman, now a neophyte quasi-cop, still romantically and reproductively unsettled (and while the author is not old enough to know the show except in reruns, let's hope she's aware what happened to the appeal of another nice Jewish girl living too close to her parents [after moving back to her native Bronx from Minneapolis] once she found Mr. Right).

Where was I? Oh: I happen to know, via the mutual friend network, that Julianne Moore i...more

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May 12, 2011 Alyssa Goodnight rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

Like Super in the City, the first in the quirky-girl detective Zephyr Zuckerman series, this book (the second) just had a lot going on. I lot of funny commentary, a lot of personal and professional hijinks, and a lot of fun.

Zephyr is a junior investigator with the NYC Special Investigations Commission and undercover on assignment, working as the concierge at the Greenwich Village Hotel, while searching for clues to support her embezzlement case assignment. She's also trying to be supportive of t...more

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Nov 18, 2011 CoffeeTimeRomance andMore rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, mystery

A peculiar, amusing read is what you will find in Hotel No Tell. Crazy eccentric people accompanied by a mystery and a bit of romance all tied into one book. Although at times the story seems to drag, overall I enjoyed the misadventures of Zephyr and her friends. If humor and mystery is your thing, go grab a copy today.

Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

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Jul 28, 2011 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoy the Zephyr Zuckerman series (this is the second installation) and hope that Uviller will produce more. Uviller does a nice job of infusing her heroine with a fine balance of smarts, wit, gumption, and regular ol' hang-ups. I just wish reviewers would stop referring to this type of writing as "chick-lit" - which seems insulting to both the author and reader. Yes, the main character of the series is a woman and yes, she spends a lot of time with her (female) friends contemplating th...more

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May 12, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

An exceptionally witty and fresh mystery. I look forward to the next book in the series. My full review may be read on my book review blog Rundpinne.

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Mar 17, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, new-york, humor

Light and funny, chick-lit meets cozy police procedural. The plot was really kind of silly, but the funny scenes made up for it. Kinda nice to read a novel set in New York that could not be described with the adjectives "gritty" or "edgy."

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Oct 03, 2011 Leslie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Zephyr Zuckerman returns, having shed her job as super of her parents' building and followed her nose to become a detective with the special investigations unit of New York City. Unfortunately, she's also shed the supposed love of her life and is now adjusting back to singleton status while her fellow Sterling Girls have all marched down the aisle.

But working undercover to solve an embezzlement issue in a local hotel not only provides welcome distraction from her love life, it also introduces he...more

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Jul 20, 2011 Lucia Csaszar rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy Daphne's style of writing! It is easy to relate to her characters at different times throughout the book. They do and say things that I would never, but wish that I could! Entertaining!

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Aug 12, 2012 Seletta Raven added it

A fun little read, blew through it pretty quickly. Funny how the heroine is called zaftig about halfway through because you don't get a sense of that. Quirky-ish with an interesting supporting cast. Would read other books by this author.

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May 06, 2011 Sheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Love it! This isn't rocket science, but not chicklit drivel either. Intelligent and fun to read. Ms. Uviller is a must for anyone who knows and loves Greenwich Village!

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May 26, 2011 Kathleen Crowell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Funny! Zephyr and her friends at it again. Like the new character Macy and Mrs. Kimoko Hodges. Could've done without out all the mommy angst and debate though.

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Jul 29, 2011 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found that the main character was believable. The thought of an undercover detective is usually far fetched as they always seem to know everything at any given time. Zypher was normal, she made mistakes and she didn't know everything about the case at all times. This made it funny to read and easy to relate to. I loved the plot line with its twists and turns. This was a mystery that kept me guessing right till the end. I enjoyed this more than I expected and recommend this if you love a good m...more

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Jun 19, 2011 Sandee Levine rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a great summer read. Fun and easy with a fantastic lead character.

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Apr 30, 2011 Alicia rated it 5 of 5 stars

http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2011/04...

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Jun 01, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-book-challenge

loved the book - i cant wait until book 3 to see what else goes on in Zephyr life next. se is definately a chaacter i can relate to

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About Daphne Uviller

Daphne is pleased to announce the April 2011 release of Hotel No Tell, featuring the return of Super in the City 's hapless, lovable heroine, Zephyr Zuckerman.

Publishers Weekly has already called it a "refreshing, smart caper novel [that] will appeal to anyone who loves well-plotted mysteries and funny, off-the-wall characters” while Booklist says it's "an "irrepressible sequel...Snappy crime fict...more

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Hotel No Tell: A Novel (Zephyr Zuckerman #2)

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