What do you think?
Rate this book
Fethering #5
The Hanging in the Hotel
The Hopwicke Country House Hotel, owned by Jude`s glamorous friend Suzy Longthorne, is to host an event for the all-male society, The Pillars of Sussex. On the night, Jude helps Suzy serve dinner, and in the early hours of the morning they watch with relief as the guests drag themselves to their beds. The next morning, one young solicitor does not come down for breakfast. Jude heads for Nigel Ackford’s room, presuming he is feeling the effects of the night before. It soon becomes apparent, however, that Nigel has been spared his hangover. For Jude finds him hanging from the beams of his four-poster bed... Convinced it was not suicide, Carole and Jude must now find out the truth behind an elaborate attempt to cover up a simple, cold-blooded murder... ‘Simon Brett is one of British crime`s most assured craftsmen’ GUARDIAN `Deftly contrived, light-hearted mysteries’ THE TIMES `A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans` P. D. JAMES
Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
179 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Simon Brett
330 books536 followersSimon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
December 25, 2018
An up and coming solicitor dies by hanging, and the police and everyone else are saying suicide, except Jude. She had tucked the very inebriated young man into bed, whence he mumbled how his fortunes had changed and he would marry his girlfriend.
As Jude, aided by Carole, tries to find the truth, one plausible scenario after another is presented. Jude and Carole, however, simply become more convinced that murder has been committed, and then a second death occurs.
The ending is depressingly realistic, so the book is not for those for whom justice--on earth, in addition to heaven--is a prerequisite.
As Jude, aided by Carole, tries to find the truth, one plausible scenario after another is presented. Jude and Carole, however, simply become more convinced that murder has been committed, and then a second death occurs.
The ending is depressingly realistic, so the book is not for those for whom justice--on earth, in addition to heaven--is a prerequisite.
December 26, 2010
I love these books. Even though my two major beefs with this particular book in the series are that a) it's a little unbelievable how Jude and Carole are taken so seriously by all the suspects and b) the ending is a little confusing, these books are still amusing and quaint. I get more from the relationship between the two women than any thrill from the mystery. I have the next one all lined up to read next!
May 22, 2014
Bah. Humbug. I am giving up on this series. Initially I thought that the priggishness of the main character was going to soften up a bit, and while it has waxed and waned, I just find her such an unpleasant person that unless someone removes the stick from her arse, I'm not reading further in the series. The secondary characters are also very much caricatures and stereotypes rather than 'real people.'
August 27, 2011
The more of Mr. Brett's book (that) I read, the more I come to appreciate his humor. My God, the guy is funny. This book had several little asides that had me laughing and saying, "He didn't write that!" Way to go Mr. Brett for creating such pithy dialogue and such memorable characters.
October 22, 2012
I'm a huge fan of the Feathering Mystery Series by Simon Brett. The nosy neighbors Jude and Carol love playing detective and I love following their antics as they solve crimes that the local police usually don't even recognize as murder. The Hanging in the Hotel is a wonderful addition; highly recommended.
October 2, 2019
A light read, very similar to the other Feathering books in this series. I have one objection. Women who think they are plain are not jealous of other women. Not in my experience anyway.
August 2, 2022
I as usual liked the main characters, Carole and Jude, the Fethering English seaside setting and was intrigued by one of the secondary characters who seems, to me, to be modeled after 60s model Jean Shrimpton and the country house hotel she managed (manages?) in Penzance called The Abbey.
However, this plot was super slow: Jude finds the body of a young solicitor hanging in a guest room in the aforementioned country house hotel. Everyone, including the police, is convinced it was suicide but Jude, because she spoke to the young man that evening and he seemed upbeat about his future, isn't sure. And of course she convinces her next door neighbor, Carole, that they should investigate the suicide and the rather repellent old boys' club The Pillars of Sussex. It's very slow going and in the process a lot of stereotypes are employed: the lecher who wants to have an affair with very staid Carole, the over imbibing of white wine, nubile teenager, cantankerous chef, investigative reporter.... But none of them seemed to gel for me in this book. I felt it wandered too much and, enjoyable as it was to wander in an English cozy, 326 pages of wandering was about 100 pages too much. And the ending is quite frankly depressing. For everyone concerned except the old boys' network.
Still, after five books in the series, I am curious to see how Carole and Jude bounce back in the next one as characters and themes are often carried from one book to another. Rather like one of the British TV series where a character may get away with something in one series but in the next they finally get their due. One can hope!
However, this plot was super slow: Jude finds the body of a young solicitor hanging in a guest room in the aforementioned country house hotel. Everyone, including the police, is convinced it was suicide but Jude, because she spoke to the young man that evening and he seemed upbeat about his future, isn't sure. And of course she convinces her next door neighbor, Carole, that they should investigate the suicide and the rather repellent old boys' club The Pillars of Sussex. It's very slow going and in the process a lot of stereotypes are employed: the lecher who wants to have an affair with very staid Carole, the over imbibing of white wine, nubile teenager, cantankerous chef, investigative reporter.... But none of them seemed to gel for me in this book. I felt it wandered too much and, enjoyable as it was to wander in an English cozy, 326 pages of wandering was about 100 pages too much. And the ending is quite frankly depressing. For everyone concerned except the old boys' network.
Still, after five books in the series, I am curious to see how Carole and Jude bounce back in the next one as characters and themes are often carried from one book to another. Rather like one of the British TV series where a character may get away with something in one series but in the next they finally get their due. One can hope!
January 14, 2024
Carole and Jude were very boring in this episode. Really dragged their feet. Very repetitious. It picked up at the end, but not enough to merit another star.
The conclusion left me cold - as if the weather doesn’t already have me freezing, even in Florida. Bob was a total creep. Who would paw their stepdaughter, set her up in an apartment of her own and enjoy drinking whiskey with her? She is 15!, he should have gone to jail or been killed. Why didn’t her mother step in?
The author knocks Starbucks, the Labour Party and American Idol. He always seems to have a gripe.
SPOILER *****SPOILER*****SPOILER*****
Why would Geoff murder two people unless Bob told him to. He didn’t even know them or have a motive. How Bob pulled that off is beyond me. Bribes. Anyway an unsatisfactory ending. Justice did not prevail.
The conclusion left me cold - as if the weather doesn’t already have me freezing, even in Florida. Bob was a total creep. Who would paw their stepdaughter, set her up in an apartment of her own and enjoy drinking whiskey with her? She is 15!, he should have gone to jail or been killed. Why didn’t her mother step in?
The author knocks Starbucks, the Labour Party and American Idol. He always seems to have a gripe.
SPOILER *****SPOILER*****SPOILER*****
Why would Geoff murder two people unless Bob told him to. He didn’t even know them or have a motive. How Bob pulled that off is beyond me. Bribes. Anyway an unsatisfactory ending. Justice did not prevail.
March 19, 2016
What a weird experience! The writing was so-so , but the story sort of kept me guessing and reading... And in the very quick denouement, it all comes to an end. The murderer is known as well as all guilty-by-association (in this denouement), but the one accused is one of the lesser accomplices. Everyone else goes along freely with their crummy lives. Maybe it reflects what happens in life but it was , on the whole , a disappointing read.
January 27, 2021
The Hanging in the Hotel (Fethering, #5) by Simon Brett.
This is an earlier book in the Fethering series which I missed and have rewarded myself by finally reading it. The duo of Carole and Jude neighbors in the Fethering community are complete opposites an yet compliment each other in their sleuthing.
Jude's long time friend Suzy Longthorne runs the Hopwicke Country House Hotel. Her background is that of a successful and beautiful former model. although no longer in her youth, she has retained the beauty. Suzy is in dire straits for assistance at the Hotel and rings Jude. Jude jumps at the chance to contribute support to her friend by lending a hand at the Hotel.
The service needed was for the elite Pillars of Sussex a group of businessmen from the local area. That dinner proved to be a tediously boring event although the catering part of it kept Suzy and Jude on their heels. Towards the end of the gathering Jude comes across Nigel Ackford, one of the youngest participants, completely incapacitated due to overindulging in spirits. She helps him to bed as he reports to her of his bright future including the possibility of marriage.
The next morning Jude finds him hanging from the four poster bed in the same room she had previously left him. Suicide or murder?
Jude decides it must be murder and explains the details to Carole. Thus begins the array of possible suspects all with a parade of alibis.
This author never fails to bring me into a story with full dimensional characters. Wonderful series.
This is an earlier book in the Fethering series which I missed and have rewarded myself by finally reading it. The duo of Carole and Jude neighbors in the Fethering community are complete opposites an yet compliment each other in their sleuthing.
Jude's long time friend Suzy Longthorne runs the Hopwicke Country House Hotel. Her background is that of a successful and beautiful former model. although no longer in her youth, she has retained the beauty. Suzy is in dire straits for assistance at the Hotel and rings Jude. Jude jumps at the chance to contribute support to her friend by lending a hand at the Hotel.
The service needed was for the elite Pillars of Sussex a group of businessmen from the local area. That dinner proved to be a tediously boring event although the catering part of it kept Suzy and Jude on their heels. Towards the end of the gathering Jude comes across Nigel Ackford, one of the youngest participants, completely incapacitated due to overindulging in spirits. She helps him to bed as he reports to her of his bright future including the possibility of marriage.
The next morning Jude finds him hanging from the four poster bed in the same room she had previously left him. Suicide or murder?
Jude decides it must be murder and explains the details to Carole. Thus begins the array of possible suspects all with a parade of alibis.
This author never fails to bring me into a story with full dimensional characters. Wonderful series.
June 9, 2021
The fifth installment of Simon Brett's Fethering series finds amateur sleuths Carole and Jude investigating an apparent suicide at the upscale Hopwicke Country House Hotel. Jude does not believe it was suicide, and enlists her neighbor Carole to help. They are stymied by nearly everyone involved.
The Fethering mysteries are quite solidly cozy mysteries, as the murders are set dressing for the antics of the lead characters, who are the classic odd couple. Carole is orderly, reserved and somewhat staid, while Jude is carefree, disorganized and very New Age. The combination works, because friendships are often enriched by differences when there is a commonality at the core. It also affords the reader two choices to align with (I tend to side with Carole).
This would have been a four-star rating if the "why" in this mystery had been a bit more revelatory. I found it rather basic and something of a letdown. However, the book was worth it to visit Fethering again and see some more developments in the lives of its lead characters.
The Fethering mysteries are quite solidly cozy mysteries, as the murders are set dressing for the antics of the lead characters, who are the classic odd couple. Carole is orderly, reserved and somewhat staid, while Jude is carefree, disorganized and very New Age. The combination works, because friendships are often enriched by differences when there is a commonality at the core. It also affords the reader two choices to align with (I tend to side with Carole).
This would have been a four-star rating if the "why" in this mystery had been a bit more revelatory. I found it rather basic and something of a letdown. However, the book was worth it to visit Fethering again and see some more developments in the lives of its lead characters.
November 21, 2017
A good mystery. The plot is well constructed, developed nicely, and the denouement is satisfactory, if not fulfilling. As with all the books in this series, Carole Seddon, the ostensible protagonist, is a rather repellant personality, and really her sidekick Jude is much more empathetic and interesting. I’ve been hoping that their respective “pecking order” would be reversed, but not yet. Well, as the series now runs to a dozen or more entries, I’ll keep hope alive...
June 24, 2020
Maybe I would love any book read by Geoffery Howard. He definitely brings all the characters to life. However there is more here than just a good reader. Jude speaks with a young man not long before he has been found dead of an apparent suicide. Of course Jude suspects murder and, along with her friend Carole, can't let it drop despite the chorus of seeming unrelated people who try to convince them to.
February 9, 2016
I continue to read these hoping that they will get more realistic and interesting but so far that isn't the case. The characters have such potential to really draw you in and yet I'm always left feeling like they are not intrinsic to the plot.
February 2, 2021
I enjoy this series and am now filling in the gaps by reading those I have not been able to get hold of previously. This one about bribery and corruption in the fictional Fethering continues to entertain.
June 15, 2023
Nice to listen to when drifting of. The ladies are investigating once again, Carole’s son has updates in his life and murder pays a visit. The ladies are back on track and their friendship is weathering all the changes, conflicts, and murders.
Read
April 18, 2017This is one of the novels in Simon Brett's series with two middle aged women who chase down the villains when the police seem not able to.
This time Jude is convinced that the suicide is actually murder and she persuades Carole to take part in hunting down the murderer.
Well written, light-hearted fun with a lot of Simon Brett's dry humour poking fun at politics and institutions. A pleasant cozy read to while away a wet afternoon.
This time Jude is convinced that the suicide is actually murder and she persuades Carole to take part in hunting down the murderer.
Well written, light-hearted fun with a lot of Simon Brett's dry humour poking fun at politics and institutions. A pleasant cozy read to while away a wet afternoon.
December 15, 2017
Listened to this through Overdrive. Outstanding narrator. Enjoy the series.
November 30, 2020
Brett, Simon. The Hanging in the Hotel. Featherstone No. 5. Pan, 2004.
Simon Brett has the knack of writing Cosy mysteries with a noir edge. The Hanging in the Hotel is so noir that until I looked at the publication date, I could have sworn it was a commentary on Trumpian culture. Jude and Carol, his two middle-aged amateur sleuths, solve mysteries, it seems, just to give their lives some meaning. This time they investigate an apparent suicide in a local posh but declining hotel. In the process, we get to know the whole business world of this beach community, and let’s just say, none of them have much of a moral compass. Imagine Jessica Fletcher as a depressive and Cabot Cove as an English town with a particularly venal Rotary Club in charge.
Simon Brett has the knack of writing Cosy mysteries with a noir edge. The Hanging in the Hotel is so noir that until I looked at the publication date, I could have sworn it was a commentary on Trumpian culture. Jude and Carol, his two middle-aged amateur sleuths, solve mysteries, it seems, just to give their lives some meaning. This time they investigate an apparent suicide in a local posh but declining hotel. In the process, we get to know the whole business world of this beach community, and let’s just say, none of them have much of a moral compass. Imagine Jessica Fletcher as a depressive and Cabot Cove as an English town with a particularly venal Rotary Club in charge.
July 5, 2017
Simon Brett, I'm so proud of you. Finally, for your 5th installment you were able to come up with an ending original from the prior 4 in the series. I don't know why I keep going with these. Honestly, it's because I want something to listen to at the grocery store, mopping, or at the gym and these are always "Available Now" to borrow.
The mystery was good, the ending was refreshing. We've made NO PROGRESS whatsoever with the characters. They haven't developed at all since Book 1. Seriously, why am I doing this to myself?
The mystery was good, the ending was refreshing. We've made NO PROGRESS whatsoever with the characters. They haven't developed at all since Book 1. Seriously, why am I doing this to myself?
July 15, 2020
Two murders, one supposedly a suicide and one an accident. Both were solicitors and one a member of a secret businessmen's club.
All this was orchestrated by the head honcho in order to cover up his less than stellar business practices. His chauffeur was the culprit, tho he said he was acting at the behest of his boss.
All the people that would have exposed him were bribed to keep quiet and were happy to do so.
Jude and Carole remained focused on the truth, but in the end, knowing the truth was all they received. Not justice.
All this was orchestrated by the head honcho in order to cover up his less than stellar business practices. His chauffeur was the culprit, tho he said he was acting at the behest of his boss.
All the people that would have exposed him were bribed to keep quiet and were happy to do so.
Jude and Carole remained focused on the truth, but in the end, knowing the truth was all they received. Not justice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2018
I mostly listen to this series because Ralph Cosham narrates, and he’s a favorite. The book is fine, but I always get the feeling that Simon Brett would write a conversation between characters and put his work down for a while. When he picked it back up, he couldn’t remember what the characters already covered, so when the same characters had another dialogue he felt he needed to reiterate the main points. So much repetition.
April 6, 2018
I liked the realistic exposition of shady business dealings. Although not the most exciting in the series, the real social threats were interesting to read and contemplate. And I’m glad that Carole is finally opening up more to a deeper relationship with her son!
September 8, 2022
The book started on a positive note. However, it slowed down to a deadly boring rate, repeating the same idea on and on,finally ending in an unjust way,placing it outside the cozy mystery genre for me.
August 18, 2018
There are some (intentional) loose ends, and the villain goes unpunished, which is not what I'm personally looking for in a cozy mystery.
Read
October 26, 2020Not as compelling as I would have liked. I do love a good British mystery, but this was a slow.
November 20, 2024
Not my favourite of the series so far; but a decent read. A bit more of a "corporate" setting than I personally like for a murder mystery.
I suppose it's a Cozy, but devoid of any coziness.
I suppose it's a Cozy, but devoid of any coziness.
December 1, 2022
Was not my favorite Feathering mystery. Story became a little outrageous
April 14, 2023
"His eyes wobbled like frogspawn in a jar..." - love it
April 23, 2023
Housework be hanged -- I am escaping to the countryside coast
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews