The Hotel Westend

by Ashley Lynch-Harris

When the timid yet curious Elsie Maitland stumbles upon a small, seaside town, she takes a room in the lone hotel on top of the cliffs--but something's amiss. A curious group of guests has been assembled by an unknown host, but what's even more puzzling is that not even the guests seem to know why. What they do know, however, is that they were all suspects in an unsolved murder twenty years earlier, a murder that took place at this very hotel. History soon repeats itself when an unassuming reverend is bludgeoned to death and the hotel's maid is poisoned, leaving the guests to wonder, who's next?

Genres: Mystery

206 pages, Paperback

Published March 23, 2016

About the author

Ashley Lynch-Harris, author of The Hotel Westend, writes present-day mysteries that are reminiscent of the Golden Age of detective fiction. Publishers Weekly has described her work as “a charming homage to the classic mystery…” Her short stories have been published in the Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine and Black Cat Mystery Magazine. When she’s not writing, Ashley enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching I Love Lucy, and studying God’s Word. Ashley is a member of the International Association of Crime Writers (North American branch) and an honors graduate of the University of South Florida. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Writing and lives in Tampa with her husband, Alex, and dog, Jo Jo.

For more information, please visit AshleyLynchHarris.com.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Easiest 5 stars I've given in a while. This is an old fashioned mystery, and I mean that in the best way. Highly reminiscent of Agatha Christie, which is one of the highest compliments that exists within the mystery genre. Many mysteries start with an intriguing premise and either flame out at the end or quickly fall apart. The author builds on the premise and delivers a brilliant solution that has multiple layers. I can't wait to see where this author goes with the Maitland Sisters next.

[Ian Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with a number of people getting invitations to go to the Hotel Westend, although it is not clear why. Anyway, they turn up, and find they are connected one way or another to a murder twenty years before. Then there is something of an apparent repeat, and another murder, then another, and . . . This is a mystery in he classic style, where one of the guests decides to become an amateur sleuth. There is a slight weakness in the style, in that the book starts with the "Eye of God" approach, then it eventually lands more or less on the point of view of our sleuth, but it is not so clear, at least to me, what the sleuth ought to know about the beginning. It is much easier if we just follow the sleuth, the style adopted by Conan Doyle, and many others. The writing is easy to follow, there are a great number of irrelevancies and the odd red herring, and all in all it makes quite an enjoyable read. Difficult to grade, and because of the defects I gave it 4.5, but that is not allowed and as encouragement, the five.

[Mary A Moloney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't waste your time

Amateur author needs a serious editor and some constructive criticism. Best wishes for a better effort next time. Good luck

[Filipa de Oliveira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The maid was drugged with sleeping pills, the child crawled to the cliffs and the father died of a heart-attack, all in the same night. There’s a suspicion of murder, but the crime is never solved. Twenty years later, all the people present during that incident are summoned to the place where the death occurred: the Hotel Westend. Elsie, on the other hand, stumbled upon the hotel when her sister Francis suggested that she should try rock-climbing. Needless to say that Francis is the adventurous author while Elsie is the timid bookshop-owner, but when Francis becomes homebound due to a jet-skiing accident, Elsie’s turn to be daring suddenly sprouts. But can she handle this group of quirky and somewhat dangerous guests?

“The Hotel Westend”, written by Ashley Lynch-Harris is a fun, contemporary mystery book with a story full of twists. Curious and cunning, Elsie will aid the police in solving these murders with the help of local gossip and her sister’s letters, which are certainly key to unknot this mess of crimes. You certainly won’t guess who the murderer is, but the truth is that it couldn’t make more sense – all the pieces fit together perfectly in the end.

On the downside, there were many words written in italics, especially in dialogue, which was completely unnecessary as there are other ways of showing that a character is emphasizing. I believe that it creates a visual overload that degrades the reading experience and the text would certainly have worked as well without it. The descriptions are vivid - although a slightly overuse of adverbs made the writing drag on sometimes – but I thought that the characters could have been more developed. I was interested in knowing their backstory, how they had met before the events of twenty-years ago, what had they been doing meanwhile, etc. However, I also understand that withholding information is necessary to create more suspense.

Despite these few issues, “The Hotel Westend” is a complex crime story, very similar to Agatha Christie’s works – I also noticed several references to the “Miss Marple” books and “And Then There Were None”. This book is an easy, quick read that will keep you gripped from the start and will surely get your little grey cells working. I would definitely enjoy reading the next books in the “Maitland Sisters” mystery series.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story and the characters. A lot of characters and they were called both by their first names and last names throughout. So I found it a little disconcerting. Says much more about me than the book though. I did not figure out whodunit before it was revealed. As soon as it was I thought I should have gotten that one. An enjoyable read and I look forward to more.

[Harriet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could give this a better review, but the plotting is both overly complicated and unfinished, the characters are cartoonish, and the writing is often weak. I knew in the first page or two--so many adverbs!--but I kept reading anyway because I wanted it to be good. That says something, I suppose. As other reviewers have noted a good editor could have helped here a lot.

[Bree Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very childish writing, I was surprised by this as I had read about how great it was on a popular book site. It seemed like short story you’d write in 9th grade. Skip

[Janice Hom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well crafted and all pieces all fit together well, with a nod to Miss Marple.

[☺Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining introduction to the Maitland Sisters cozy mystery series by Ashley Lynch-Harris.

[Jae Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since Elsie Maitland's sister cannot have adventures due to a jet skiing accident, she sends Elsie off on her own. Elsie stumbles upon the Hotel Westend and decides to stay for a bit. And then, adventure just happens to find her. In the form of a murder or two, plus an interesting situation where most of the guests at the hotel just happened to be guests when another murder took place twenty years ago.
Elsie and the local busybodies try to figure out exactly what is going on, while Sergeant Wilcox investigates the deaths of Reverend Pennington and the maid, Norma Kemper. Through many twists and turns and pill bottles in the garden they chase the clues. Throughout the tale, Elsie sends and receives letters from her sister discussing the case as it unfolds.
Elsie eventually figures it all out, even the 20 year old murder. I'll not spoil the book for anyone, I'll just say this book was one of those that make you smile and take you back in time to when you first read an Agatha Christie book and loved how Hercule or Miss Marple solved the case with their unique personalities. Elsie is a well written character who is an excellent sleuth, and I'd recommend this book to all readers.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great new entry in the cozy mystery genre! Elsie and Frances Maitland are sisters who love to solve puzzles. Frances is the adventurous one who likes to take chances, while Elsie is usually reserved and lets her sister take the lead. Prior to the start of the story, Frances is in a jet-ski accident which leaves her disabled. She also makes her living writing mystery stories. As the story opens, Elsie has decided to go rock-climbing in her sister’s place, but when she takes a wrong turn she ends up at the Hotel Westend. Several other guests are arriving on the same day, all of whom were staying there 20 years ago when a murder was committed. In the middle of the night, all the guests are awakened by the sound of a crying baby. When the dust settles, two people are dead and everyone is a suspect.

I loved the tone of this mystery which is reminiscent of Agatha Christie. The author has assembled and engaging cast of characters, from the elderly priest to the town gossip, and everything in between. Elsie is adorable as the reluctant yet persistent investigator. There are hints of more great things to come from the Maitland sisters and I look forward to seeing more from this author. This is a great book for lovers of cozy, Christie-style mysteries.

[Rachel Horon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever, fun, and terrific

This is an enjoyable murder mystery, reminiscent to classic mysteries like Agatha Christie. It is less gore and more clever sleuthing to figure out "whodunnit ". Elsie Maitland is not a regular mystery writer like her sister Frances, but she sure knows how to be in the right place at the right time. She is also approachable in which people can open up about their version of the story. When she has to spend a few days at the Hotel Westend in a quiet village, she had no idea that she would be in the middle of a double homicide during an unusual 20-year reunion. The characters are very well-developed and bring their own personal touch to the reader's inquiry as they try to find the murderer as well. And with any good mystery, the reader can suspect they know what is going on, but it is not until the final chapter when it all comes together in a satisfying conclusion. This is only the beginning of a series, but if the next mysteries are anything like this one, they will be just as well received.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short novel,and I must say having read this little cosy delight,I would like to have a longer one next time .I read this is a couple of days,yes its very Agatha Christie though with may be a bit more humour an tounge in cheek meaning
The characters enjoyable and mysterious, at first , one is like its not as clever as Agatha and no maybe its not but it has the potential to be and maybe in the future this authors confidence will grow and she will venture in to a more intricate plot and have many more layers
I really enjoyed it, you know what you are getting, mysterious group of strangers meeting up with secrets ,poisons and an age old murder mystery to solve amongst many others!
not bad at all

[Tasha Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley Lynch-Harris has succeeded in her ambitious goal of writing a modern-day mystery in the style of a classic Agatha Christie. There is a murder, of course, but it is not too grisly, and it occurs off-stage. As the body count accumulates, there is a surfeit of suspects, and echoes of a murder decades ago. Purely delicious and fun, with the expected mix of family squabbles, nosy neighbors, and the local constabulary whose investigative techniques require the assistance of an amateur sleuth to close the case. This is an auspicious debut - a masterful accomplishment that leaves this reader eager for the next installment.

[Lauren Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hotel Westend drew me in from the first few pages and kept my curiosity throughout. I really enjoyed the classic mystery novel style coupled with a contemporary, relateable main character--it's the best of both worlds! The characters were fantastic, the plot was largely unpredictable and the book was well written. I tried my best to figure out what the "real" clues were and where they were leading...and it was tougher than I thought. An excellent read! I highly recommend this book and eagerly await more from this up and coming author! You will not be disappointed.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great debut novel by Ashley Lynch-Harris. It kept me in suspense till the end. I can see the influence of Agatha Christie & I love it. Can't wait to read more from this great new author.

[Janel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. The story is interesting, witty, and clever. I didn't guess the murderer--which I am usually able to do. I would highly recommend.

[Susan Rigby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally enjoyable

I loved this sleuth mystery book. Characters were well defined. I look forward to reading more in this series. Highly recommend

[Sheila Kimball]

I like finding new authors I love mystery's hope there will be more books from this author I would tell my friends about this book

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.