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Mave Michael #1
The Hitman’s Daughter
The Château du Ciel was once the destination for the rich and famous to play, drink and ski—complete with a luxurious railway to shuttle those desiring extra privacy. Now, however, the guests are few and far between. The New Year's Eve party was supposed to hoist the rundown hotel back to its former status, until a massive blizzard hits, trapping the guests who've come to celebrate the grand hotel's last hurrah. The circumstances might even be romantic, if the Château wasn't reputed to be haunted.
When hotel employee Mave Michael finds the resident artist dead, and shortly thereafter security finds Mave alone with the body, the reputation that Mave has fought long and hard to outrun comes back to haunt her: Her father is a notorious hitman serving multiple-life sentences in prison. She has changed her name and location dozens of times, but he somehow manages to track her down—even sending her a postcard on the eve of her birthday, January 1st. She's the perfect choice to frame for murder, and now the number one suspect. Mave can no longer deny the lessons in survival her father taught her, or her uncanny sixth-sense in “finding” lost objects. To save herself, she not only has to stop running from her own past, she must unearth the history of the hotel, its elite guests and buried secrets—one deadly sin at a time.
When hotel employee Mave Michael finds the resident artist dead, and shortly thereafter security finds Mave alone with the body, the reputation that Mave has fought long and hard to outrun comes back to haunt her: Her father is a notorious hitman serving multiple-life sentences in prison. She has changed her name and location dozens of times, but he somehow manages to track her down—even sending her a postcard on the eve of her birthday, January 1st. She's the perfect choice to frame for murder, and now the number one suspect. Mave can no longer deny the lessons in survival her father taught her, or her uncanny sixth-sense in “finding” lost objects. To save herself, she not only has to stop running from her own past, she must unearth the history of the hotel, its elite guests and buried secrets—one deadly sin at a time.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published February 22, 2022
About the author
Carolyne Topdjian
2 books50 followersCarolyne Topdjian is the author of The Hitman’s Daughter, coming in February 2022 from Agora/Polis Books. She has published in PRISM International, Dreamers Magazine and Firewords Quarterly and is a professor in the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts at Humber College in Toronto. A two-time Pitch Wars mentor, she lives in a 113-year-old haunted house. You can connect with her on Twitter, @TopdjianC, or at www.carolynetopdjian.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 19, 2022
Thank you, Polis Books, for the advance reading copy.
First, the writing. It's good. Fast-paced and well planned. The only thing that matters the most when it comes to books like this.
The rest just kept me hooked on what the book had to offer. And I am really glad I got the chance to read this book early.
I love how easy it is to read and follow the plot and the characters. Usually detective stories tend to turn away rather easily from the main plot and the characters which make them focus on the personal lives of the characters too much at some point that it's just another average story.
But. Yes, I am happy with this book as it's plot centered and involves the characters in such a way that the story flows in perfect rhythm giving you a chance to take hint of the clues and keep on guessing.
A page turner. You will love the characters especially our main female character. The ending is so satisfying!
A onesitting read because it's that thrilling!
First, the writing. It's good. Fast-paced and well planned. The only thing that matters the most when it comes to books like this.
The rest just kept me hooked on what the book had to offer. And I am really glad I got the chance to read this book early.
I love how easy it is to read and follow the plot and the characters. Usually detective stories tend to turn away rather easily from the main plot and the characters which make them focus on the personal lives of the characters too much at some point that it's just another average story.
But. Yes, I am happy with this book as it's plot centered and involves the characters in such a way that the story flows in perfect rhythm giving you a chance to take hint of the clues and keep on guessing.
A page turner. You will love the characters especially our main female character. The ending is so satisfying!
A onesitting read because it's that thrilling!
March 13, 2022
Wow! Wow! WOW! This is one hell of a debut!! Honestly, you had me at Gothic Thriller 🙌 Haunted hotel anybody?
First off, the writing is excellent! I was hardly even into the story and had a strong feeling this was going to be a great book. I'm so glad I was right! This was an easy 5 stars. The storyline is fast paced, and I found the majority of the twists very unpredictable, which I love! There's even a little bit of romance thrown in there ... can Holden be my book boyfriend? Hehe! And of course we have our leading lady, Mave Michael who I LOVED! She's the daughter of a notorious hitman serving multiple life sentences in prison...
I highly recommend The Hitman's Daughter if you're a fan of paranormal activity, murder mysteries, and family drama!
Carolyne Topdijan, I will read anything you write! I look forward to what's next from you.
Thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours for having me along on this tour!!
First off, the writing is excellent! I was hardly even into the story and had a strong feeling this was going to be a great book. I'm so glad I was right! This was an easy 5 stars. The storyline is fast paced, and I found the majority of the twists very unpredictable, which I love! There's even a little bit of romance thrown in there ... can Holden be my book boyfriend? Hehe! And of course we have our leading lady, Mave Michael who I LOVED! She's the daughter of a notorious hitman serving multiple life sentences in prison...
I highly recommend The Hitman's Daughter if you're a fan of paranormal activity, murder mysteries, and family drama!
Carolyne Topdijan, I will read anything you write! I look forward to what's next from you.
Thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours for having me along on this tour!!
January 18, 2022
“Two types of people in the world,” Cain recited, “the type who think police will help them, and the type who think police will get them. Now listen good, M&M: which group you belong to had nothing to do with guilt.”
Carolyne Topdjian’s debut is a nail-biting mystery expertly fused with a haunting ghost story! It’s set during New Year’s Eve in a haunted and dilapidated Grand Trunk Railway hotel during a snowstorm. Don’t let the word ‘debut’ cause any hesitation, Topdjian knows ‘haunted.’ After all, she lives in a 113-year old haunted house and worked in the hotel mentioned when she was younger. It’s here where she learned of the hotel’s boarded up train line and where her fascination and determination to write gothic suspense and mystery began.
When invitations are sent out to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Chateau du Ciel, Mave Michael’s name is on the list. The hotel was once a luxury tourist attraction and hosted the ‘who’s who’ of society, unfortunately, it’s become run down and there are reports of hauntings. When Mave checks in just ahead of a sudden snowstorm, readers know that things are going to get exciting.
I don’t want to give too much away so I’ll just say that when the hotel loses power in the storm and Birdie Everhart, the resident artist who lives in the hotel is found dead, Mave is framed for the murder. This gothic whodunnit is a worthy read.
I pushed myself out of my comfort zone for this one and was so glad I took a chance. I was swept away by Topdjian’s sense of place. Her atmospheric setting and prior knowledge of the hotel added to this book’s success.
How refreshing to have a feminine slant on crime fiction. It’s rare in this dark genre to feature a strong female protagonist, one trained in martial arts, who comes across as likeable, kind and in command of her own fate. Cheers to a protagonist, who, because she’s NOT a damsel in distress, chooses to rely on lessons learned from her father to get her out of a predicament rather than to use violence. Mave works out her next move verbally and her thought processes are recorded, including those pieces of advice from her father - a notorious hitman serving time in prison. I loved seeing her work her way through the mystery. You’ll read about this courageous woman who crawls through labyrinth tunnels, hides in long-sealed vents and takes advantage of a resident ghost offering help. Topdjian will force readers to ditch preconceived stereotypes while leaving an open mind for ‘other powers’ to share part of the action. The ‘buck stops here’ with Topdjian; no more victimization of women in crime fiction on this author’s horizon. I must say, I loved Holden and the passages where he featured were the best in the book!
You’ll be compelled to read this gothic mystery because it’s unpredictable and twisty. The characters will delight you and the mystery will stump you. It will resonate with you for a long time. This Armenian-Canadian author, a rising star with an amazing trajectory, is definitely one to watch.
I was gifted this advance copy by Carolyne Topdjian, Polis Books, Agora Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Carolyne Topdjian’s debut is a nail-biting mystery expertly fused with a haunting ghost story! It’s set during New Year’s Eve in a haunted and dilapidated Grand Trunk Railway hotel during a snowstorm. Don’t let the word ‘debut’ cause any hesitation, Topdjian knows ‘haunted.’ After all, she lives in a 113-year old haunted house and worked in the hotel mentioned when she was younger. It’s here where she learned of the hotel’s boarded up train line and where her fascination and determination to write gothic suspense and mystery began.
When invitations are sent out to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Chateau du Ciel, Mave Michael’s name is on the list. The hotel was once a luxury tourist attraction and hosted the ‘who’s who’ of society, unfortunately, it’s become run down and there are reports of hauntings. When Mave checks in just ahead of a sudden snowstorm, readers know that things are going to get exciting.
I don’t want to give too much away so I’ll just say that when the hotel loses power in the storm and Birdie Everhart, the resident artist who lives in the hotel is found dead, Mave is framed for the murder. This gothic whodunnit is a worthy read.
I pushed myself out of my comfort zone for this one and was so glad I took a chance. I was swept away by Topdjian’s sense of place. Her atmospheric setting and prior knowledge of the hotel added to this book’s success.
How refreshing to have a feminine slant on crime fiction. It’s rare in this dark genre to feature a strong female protagonist, one trained in martial arts, who comes across as likeable, kind and in command of her own fate. Cheers to a protagonist, who, because she’s NOT a damsel in distress, chooses to rely on lessons learned from her father to get her out of a predicament rather than to use violence. Mave works out her next move verbally and her thought processes are recorded, including those pieces of advice from her father - a notorious hitman serving time in prison. I loved seeing her work her way through the mystery. You’ll read about this courageous woman who crawls through labyrinth tunnels, hides in long-sealed vents and takes advantage of a resident ghost offering help. Topdjian will force readers to ditch preconceived stereotypes while leaving an open mind for ‘other powers’ to share part of the action. The ‘buck stops here’ with Topdjian; no more victimization of women in crime fiction on this author’s horizon. I must say, I loved Holden and the passages where he featured were the best in the book!
You’ll be compelled to read this gothic mystery because it’s unpredictable and twisty. The characters will delight you and the mystery will stump you. It will resonate with you for a long time. This Armenian-Canadian author, a rising star with an amazing trajectory, is definitely one to watch.
I was gifted this advance copy by Carolyne Topdjian, Polis Books, Agora Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 2, 2022
3.75 stars
A woman with a special talent for finding things gets a job at a historic and prominent hotel in Colorado, but her past is permanently looming over her. She tries to outrun it, but everything always catches up, and her past is brought out from the dark when she is found over a dead body covered in the victim’s blood. She has to work to exonerate herself, but must contend with the snow storm that’s trapped them all inside until further notice, everyone believing she’s committed the crime, and her father serving several life sentences for his crimes as a hitman and the reputation that brings her.
I enjoyed this gothic thriller. It has several twists, was fast paced, and kept me reading to find out what happened. I think the dramatic, and sometimes goofy elements of a gothic story were played up too much because at times it was too much and bordered on too cheesy. The romance storyline between Mave and Holden especially was dramatic and a little too silly at times. It wasn’t necessary to the plot in my opinion. I did like both the characters, though. Mave was a good main and I enjoyed reading through her POV, but she did do several not so smart things throughout the book; especially for a character that spent her whole life learning how to survive these types of situations. The thing that really kept me reading the book was the mystery. That part was really well written, and well done. The mystery was so atmospheric and gothic, but updated to a more modern version. Overall an enjoyable read.
Release date: Feb 22, 2022
*thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
A woman with a special talent for finding things gets a job at a historic and prominent hotel in Colorado, but her past is permanently looming over her. She tries to outrun it, but everything always catches up, and her past is brought out from the dark when she is found over a dead body covered in the victim’s blood. She has to work to exonerate herself, but must contend with the snow storm that’s trapped them all inside until further notice, everyone believing she’s committed the crime, and her father serving several life sentences for his crimes as a hitman and the reputation that brings her.
I enjoyed this gothic thriller. It has several twists, was fast paced, and kept me reading to find out what happened. I think the dramatic, and sometimes goofy elements of a gothic story were played up too much because at times it was too much and bordered on too cheesy. The romance storyline between Mave and Holden especially was dramatic and a little too silly at times. It wasn’t necessary to the plot in my opinion. I did like both the characters, though. Mave was a good main and I enjoyed reading through her POV, but she did do several not so smart things throughout the book; especially for a character that spent her whole life learning how to survive these types of situations. The thing that really kept me reading the book was the mystery. That part was really well written, and well done. The mystery was so atmospheric and gothic, but updated to a more modern version. Overall an enjoyable read.
Release date: Feb 22, 2022
*thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
January 19, 2022
The Hitman's Daughter is a suspenseful thriller with many unexpected turns. You may believe you know who did it, but chances are you are mistaken.
Mave Michaels Francis did not grow up in a typical household. Her father, Cain Francis, is a hitman serving a sentence for his crimes, and she was raised and taught by him. Even though he's been incarcerated, he has a method of tracking down Mave. Every time, Mave moves in the hopes of losing him.
Mave is now employed at the Château du Ciel, which was constructed in the 1920s and was a popular attraction at the time. However, on August 4, 1991, everything went wrong for Château du Ciel. That night, everything changed. And on New Year's Eve, things are set to change even more.
On New Year's Eve, Mave receives a note from Elizabeth "Birdie" Everhart, the hotel's resident artist for nearly forty years, asking her to visit her in her suite so she can create a portrait of her. Unfortunately, after she discovers Birdie dead, everything starts to go wrong for her. She becomes the top suspect right away, and the security guards want her detained immediately.
The police will be unable to arrive due to the storm outside. Mave quickly realizes that the guards are aware of her father's identity and are attempting to frame her for the murder. However, Mave did not commit the crime, and it will be difficult to accept that the daughter of a convicted hitman is innocent.
As a result, she decides to seek answers in order to clear her name. She is forced to go into hiding. As she tries to find the real killer, her family’s past catches up with her in an unimaginable way. Everything isn't always what it appears to be. . .
This book is jam-packed with mysteries, shocking twists and turns, and long-forgotten truths that only the dead can reveal. The Château de Ciel is a haunted hotel that has kept its mysteries hidden since August 4, 1991. These secrets are about to be revealed.
*thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for the honest review*
Mave Michaels Francis did not grow up in a typical household. Her father, Cain Francis, is a hitman serving a sentence for his crimes, and she was raised and taught by him. Even though he's been incarcerated, he has a method of tracking down Mave. Every time, Mave moves in the hopes of losing him.
Mave is now employed at the Château du Ciel, which was constructed in the 1920s and was a popular attraction at the time. However, on August 4, 1991, everything went wrong for Château du Ciel. That night, everything changed. And on New Year's Eve, things are set to change even more.
On New Year's Eve, Mave receives a note from Elizabeth "Birdie" Everhart, the hotel's resident artist for nearly forty years, asking her to visit her in her suite so she can create a portrait of her. Unfortunately, after she discovers Birdie dead, everything starts to go wrong for her. She becomes the top suspect right away, and the security guards want her detained immediately.
The police will be unable to arrive due to the storm outside. Mave quickly realizes that the guards are aware of her father's identity and are attempting to frame her for the murder. However, Mave did not commit the crime, and it will be difficult to accept that the daughter of a convicted hitman is innocent.
As a result, she decides to seek answers in order to clear her name. She is forced to go into hiding. As she tries to find the real killer, her family’s past catches up with her in an unimaginable way. Everything isn't always what it appears to be. . .
This book is jam-packed with mysteries, shocking twists and turns, and long-forgotten truths that only the dead can reveal. The Château de Ciel is a haunted hotel that has kept its mysteries hidden since August 4, 1991. These secrets are about to be revealed.
*thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for the honest review*
April 17, 2021
A fancy soiree at a historic hotel, a debilitating snowstorm, a haunted library, and a gruesome murder--and Mave is the prime suspect. With no chance to flee the snow-stranded hotel, Mave must solve the crime before she can be arrested. But as the mystery unravels, so does Mave's unknown past. Knowing who to trust may be her only chance to escape the hotel alive.
This absolutely delicious caper is a classic mystery lover's delight. A hint of the supernatural, a dash of romance, and a boat-load of secrets will keep readers on their toes.
I'm so excited for this debut! Carolyne Topdjian is a rising author to watch! Grab a cozy blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and be prepared to squeal with delight even as the hair rises on the back of your neck.
This absolutely delicious caper is a classic mystery lover's delight. A hint of the supernatural, a dash of romance, and a boat-load of secrets will keep readers on their toes.
I'm so excited for this debut! Carolyne Topdjian is a rising author to watch! Grab a cozy blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and be prepared to squeal with delight even as the hair rises on the back of your neck.
January 31, 2022
I love almost all genres of fiction, but I do not easily dip my toe into gothic thrillers. Once I start, I cannot stop until I get to the end and this is not good when you start each day at the crack of dawn so thank you very much, Ms. Topdjian, for the bags under my eyes.
We have all the elements of a classic thriller here. We’ve got a haunted luxury hotel, a fancy New Year’s Eve party, a beautiful young woman on the run and a murder.
But folks, there’s more.
There are secret babies, a hitman, a ghost, the dark web, and then there is Mave Michael, our heroine. She has an uncanny ability to find lost objects and some pretty impressive survival skills. It sounds over the top, but the author has made this all remain believable and at the same time so fascinating it is unputdownable (I know that is not a word leave me be.)
The story is wild and fast paced but very skillfully wrought. Topdjian does an excellent job of balancing the gothic horror piece with the thriller with her terrific sense of pacing contributing to this balancing act. She even delivers a little bit of romance – just what I always want in a novel.
I am terrible at summarizing suspense plots without giving anything away so I’m not going to do that here. What I will say is that the heroine is well-developed and very compelling and the story works on multiple levels.
If you love thrillers that keep you up all night - and make you keep the light on afterwards - this book is for you!
We have all the elements of a classic thriller here. We’ve got a haunted luxury hotel, a fancy New Year’s Eve party, a beautiful young woman on the run and a murder.
But folks, there’s more.
There are secret babies, a hitman, a ghost, the dark web, and then there is Mave Michael, our heroine. She has an uncanny ability to find lost objects and some pretty impressive survival skills. It sounds over the top, but the author has made this all remain believable and at the same time so fascinating it is unputdownable (I know that is not a word leave me be.)
The story is wild and fast paced but very skillfully wrought. Topdjian does an excellent job of balancing the gothic horror piece with the thriller with her terrific sense of pacing contributing to this balancing act. She even delivers a little bit of romance – just what I always want in a novel.
I am terrible at summarizing suspense plots without giving anything away so I’m not going to do that here. What I will say is that the heroine is well-developed and very compelling and the story works on multiple levels.
If you love thrillers that keep you up all night - and make you keep the light on afterwards - this book is for you!
July 6, 2022
You know that feeling when you binge watch a terrific new series on Netflix? And you say, “just one more episode” and then, ten hours later, you finally stumble off to bed, drunk on story? THE HITMAN’S DAUGHTER is that kind of can’t-put-it-down, just-one-more-chapter book that will have you turning pages as fast as you can.
Part mystery, part thriller, part romance, THE HITMAN’S DAUGHTER is a masterclass in plotting and pacing, with nail-biting cliffhangers galore. Amazing gothic atmosphere, a cunning and resourceful heroine with a tragic past, and clever twists I never saw coming. I cannot wait for the next book!
Part mystery, part thriller, part romance, THE HITMAN’S DAUGHTER is a masterclass in plotting and pacing, with nail-biting cliffhangers galore. Amazing gothic atmosphere, a cunning and resourceful heroine with a tragic past, and clever twists I never saw coming. I cannot wait for the next book!
March 20, 2022
“Though the hotel was constructed in 1921, the haunting didn’t occur until seventy years later.”
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 is gothic murder mystery set at the Château du Ciel, a rundown, creepy, and haunted hotel. It quickly pulls you in when the resident artist is found dead with all evidence pointing to one suspect. Mave may be the hitman’s daughter but she didn’t kill Birdie. With her father’s wisdom engrained in her, she needs to find out who did in order to clear herself.
Once I figured all the characters and their relationship to each other, it was a wild ride. This one is definitely a fast-paced read with non-stop action, plenty of secrets, paranormal activity, and oddly-enough an unexpected side of romance! A little bit for everyone.
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours for including me on this tour and sending me an advanced digital copy.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 is gothic murder mystery set at the Château du Ciel, a rundown, creepy, and haunted hotel. It quickly pulls you in when the resident artist is found dead with all evidence pointing to one suspect. Mave may be the hitman’s daughter but she didn’t kill Birdie. With her father’s wisdom engrained in her, she needs to find out who did in order to clear herself.
Once I figured all the characters and their relationship to each other, it was a wild ride. This one is definitely a fast-paced read with non-stop action, plenty of secrets, paranormal activity, and oddly-enough an unexpected side of romance! A little bit for everyone.
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours for including me on this tour and sending me an advanced digital copy.
May 4, 2022
This debut is stunning! I love the setting in an old, creepy hotel and Topdjian keeps the reader on their toes throughout the entire story. Beautiful prose is a bonus!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2022
Mave Michael has been hiding from her hitman father for years. But when she's falsely accused of murder, she'll have to use the skills he taught her to stay a step ahead of her pursuers. The Hitman's Daughter is a fantastic debut by Topdjiian--a genre mash-up that's compulsively readable all the way through to the end. Loved it and can't wait for more!
March 26, 2022
Locked room mystery, anyone? This one hit the ground running and didn't stop. Very atmospheric with its haunted hotel setting. Perfect mix of paranormal and thriller. Told in present tense with a dual timeline via old letters. It kind of reminded me of the Saw movies! Not the blood and gore, but how everyone is connected in some way. Absolutely love this book!
May 8, 2022
Twists and turns galore - kept me turning the pages and wanting to know more. Not generally a mystery reader but this one had me hooked! Hope she writes a sequel!
February 17, 2022
The Hitman’s daughter is a gothic thriller, and true to its genre, very atmospheric–with many twists and turns.
The tale is set in the languishing Château du Ciel, an erstwhile watering hole for the rich and famous, amid a snowstorm. A murder occurs, and everyone’s a suspect, but none more so than the protagonist, who has been trying to escape her legacy as a hitman’s daughter, and the inexplicable ability to find lost objects. Mave Michael is a smart, sympathetic, ninja heroine who uses all her faculties, from this world and another, in order to solve the mystery, ferret out various unsavory secrets, and clear her name in the process.
This is a great escape read, and I enjoyed it immensely. I expected to read it a few pages at a time, but gobbled it up in two sittings!
I’m looking forward to Topdjian next, and hope it will be here soon.
The tale is set in the languishing Château du Ciel, an erstwhile watering hole for the rich and famous, amid a snowstorm. A murder occurs, and everyone’s a suspect, but none more so than the protagonist, who has been trying to escape her legacy as a hitman’s daughter, and the inexplicable ability to find lost objects. Mave Michael is a smart, sympathetic, ninja heroine who uses all her faculties, from this world and another, in order to solve the mystery, ferret out various unsavory secrets, and clear her name in the process.
This is a great escape read, and I enjoyed it immensely. I expected to read it a few pages at a time, but gobbled it up in two sittings!
I’m looking forward to Topdjian next, and hope it will be here soon.
February 7, 2022
Full thoughts: https://fictionmajorette.blogspot.com...
This book felt like 3 different books all smushed together and each part is handled to different levels of success. It is an isolated murder mystery, a gothic haunted house horror, and an action movie all rolled up together. Each of these parts had their own moment to shine in the book, but overall I thought they made the book feel really scattered and inconsistent.
With a title like 'The Hitman's Daughter' and the line in the description about how her father trained her in survival tactics made me think this would be similar to the movie You're Next where the protagonist has a secret past that makes her way more of a threat than the bad guys initially thought. However, that was not the case. I just think for the hitman part to be so central to the plot and the title of the book, I wanted it to be much more integral.
I did really enjoy the gothic horror aspects we got but, again, they were way under utilized until the ending. I wanted this hotel to be full-on haunted with the cold spots and the weird sounds and the whole floor being closed off because of some mysterious issue with the electricity.
Where this book did shine, for me, was with the murder mystery. It had a very Knives Out feeling to it where all of these eccentric rich people are together and they all have their own secrets that may or may not be related to the murder that happened.
This read like a very plot-forward book, so the character development was a bit lacking for my personal preferences. There is a pretty wide cast of characters but they can really all be summed up by their titles (the maid, the concierge, the son in law, etc) and they just didn't have much depth to them at all. Even Mave was a bit bland mostly because of the conflicting backstory/actions that I've already touched on.
Overall, this was a pretty solid isolated murder mystery but there was too much other stuff going on that really detracted from my enjoyment. I think each plot branch was interesting at times but it was just too much all at once for me. However, like I mentioned in the beginning, other early reviews are overwhelmingly positive so this might just be a me-issue.
Thanks NetGalley and Polis Books for the ARC
Expected publication is February 22, 2022
This book felt like 3 different books all smushed together and each part is handled to different levels of success. It is an isolated murder mystery, a gothic haunted house horror, and an action movie all rolled up together. Each of these parts had their own moment to shine in the book, but overall I thought they made the book feel really scattered and inconsistent.
With a title like 'The Hitman's Daughter' and the line in the description about how her father trained her in survival tactics made me think this would be similar to the movie You're Next where the protagonist has a secret past that makes her way more of a threat than the bad guys initially thought. However, that was not the case. I just think for the hitman part to be so central to the plot and the title of the book, I wanted it to be much more integral.
I did really enjoy the gothic horror aspects we got but, again, they were way under utilized until the ending. I wanted this hotel to be full-on haunted with the cold spots and the weird sounds and the whole floor being closed off because of some mysterious issue with the electricity.
Where this book did shine, for me, was with the murder mystery. It had a very Knives Out feeling to it where all of these eccentric rich people are together and they all have their own secrets that may or may not be related to the murder that happened.
This read like a very plot-forward book, so the character development was a bit lacking for my personal preferences. There is a pretty wide cast of characters but they can really all be summed up by their titles (the maid, the concierge, the son in law, etc) and they just didn't have much depth to them at all. Even Mave was a bit bland mostly because of the conflicting backstory/actions that I've already touched on.
Overall, this was a pretty solid isolated murder mystery but there was too much other stuff going on that really detracted from my enjoyment. I think each plot branch was interesting at times but it was just too much all at once for me. However, like I mentioned in the beginning, other early reviews are overwhelmingly positive so this might just be a me-issue.
Thanks NetGalley and Polis Books for the ARC
Expected publication is February 22, 2022
February 16, 2022
What a wild ride! There was a lot packed into a relatively short book. The writing was great and very fast paced. It kept me hooked from the very beginning. It's definitely quite plot centered which was fun though I often prefer more character development.
Very unpredictable with twists every step of the way! Very enjoyable read.
Thank you netgalley and suzy approved tours for this earc in exchange for an honest review.
Very unpredictable with twists every step of the way! Very enjoyable read.
Thank you netgalley and suzy approved tours for this earc in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2022
The Hitman’s Daughter by Carolyne Topdjian
Intense twisted tale filled with secrets, lies and treachery…great story!
What I liked:
* The present-past in diary format of the story…not one I normally enjoy and It wasn’t easy till I got into the rhythm of it but…it really worked well in this book
* Mave: Young woman running from her past, daughter of a criminal, stumbles into more than she thought she would when she went to sit for a portrait on New Year’s Eve.
* Holden: Intriguing character that at first made me think of the Phantom of the Opera (underground lair) but later just intrigued me…he made an impression
* Cain: Mave’s father and the teachings he gave her that saw her through the book
* Finding out who the women in the diary were
* The paranormal aspect of “finding lost items” and ghostly sightings
* The way I was drawn into the story and cared about the outcome
* Wondering if this is a one and done or if there will be a sequel…wouldn’t mind hearing what happens next
* The setting…though in Colorado, I thought of the Hotel Coronado in Southern California as I was reading
* The red herrings…there were quite a few
* The surprises…
* finding out the motivation of the characters and what happened to them
* That the ghost played a big part in the story…and did get justice of sorts in the end
* All of it except…
What I didn’t like:
* The people and actions of those people that I was meant not to like
* Knowing that there are people in the words who are just as cruel and crazy as some in this book
* Not really knowing what happened to one of the characters…and the character will appear in the future
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Polis-Agora Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Intense twisted tale filled with secrets, lies and treachery…great story!
What I liked:
* The present-past in diary format of the story…not one I normally enjoy and It wasn’t easy till I got into the rhythm of it but…it really worked well in this book
* Mave: Young woman running from her past, daughter of a criminal, stumbles into more than she thought she would when she went to sit for a portrait on New Year’s Eve.
* Holden: Intriguing character that at first made me think of the Phantom of the Opera (underground lair) but later just intrigued me…he made an impression
* Cain: Mave’s father and the teachings he gave her that saw her through the book
* Finding out who the women in the diary were
* The paranormal aspect of “finding lost items” and ghostly sightings
* The way I was drawn into the story and cared about the outcome
* Wondering if this is a one and done or if there will be a sequel…wouldn’t mind hearing what happens next
* The setting…though in Colorado, I thought of the Hotel Coronado in Southern California as I was reading
* The red herrings…there were quite a few
* The surprises…
* finding out the motivation of the characters and what happened to them
* That the ghost played a big part in the story…and did get justice of sorts in the end
* All of it except…
What I didn’t like:
* The people and actions of those people that I was meant not to like
* Knowing that there are people in the words who are just as cruel and crazy as some in this book
* Not really knowing what happened to one of the characters…and the character will appear in the future
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Polis-Agora Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
January 2, 2022
A deliciously sinister setting and high stakes make this a highly entertaining read. Mave is happy to work a low stress job in a gift shop of the Chateau du Ciel in Colorado. The hotel is old, mysterious, and labyrinthine, and quite possibly haunted. For Mave, whose hitman father is serving time, it’s a perfect place to be—away from her father’s notoriety.
But being raised by a hitman has its perks, and Mave is exceptionally well trained in all sorts of useful skills. Additionally, she has a knack for finding lost things.
When a wealthy patron is stabbed while Mave is in her apartment, suspicion falls on Mave as the obvious culprit, and she must evade capture while trying to find the actual murderer. An epic snowstorm hinders both the men searching for her and her own efforts, but that’s more than half the fun.
With lots of twists and unexpected details, this is a perfect book for a snowy day. Or any day.
But being raised by a hitman has its perks, and Mave is exceptionally well trained in all sorts of useful skills. Additionally, she has a knack for finding lost things.
When a wealthy patron is stabbed while Mave is in her apartment, suspicion falls on Mave as the obvious culprit, and she must evade capture while trying to find the actual murderer. An epic snowstorm hinders both the men searching for her and her own efforts, but that’s more than half the fun.
With lots of twists and unexpected details, this is a perfect book for a snowy day. Or any day.
November 25, 2021
Suspenseful, haunting, and intricate, THE HITMAN'S DAUGHTER will have you holding your breath as you rapidly turn pages late into the night. Mave, the daughter of a convicted hitman, begins working at an old, secluded chateau in Colorado, hoping to leave notoriety behind. But when Mave finds an important hotel guest dead on a snowy New Year's Eve, she becomes the prime suspect, and suddenly her family's past catches up with her in unimaginable ways. This riveting novel is full of mystery, unexpected twists and turns, and long-buried secrets that sometimes only magic can unearth. Topdjian masterfully delivers in this atmospheric debut that will have you on the edge of your seat. I'll be eagerly awaiting her next one!
September 20, 2022
Totally riveting read. Couldn't put it down!
February 26, 2022
This was a great and intriguing story. We are following a young woman desperate to live a life where her father can’t find her. When she gets a job at a hotel (that’s haunted) she is soon framed for murder and has no where to go. She needs to find out who framed her while also getting sucked into the past of the ghosts haunting this place. I enjoyed reading this story but was expecting it to be a standalone. It could’ve been but the ending leaves with a big cliffhanger so I’m assuming it’s the first in a series. One I’ll be looking forward to reading.
September 6, 2022
Loved this. Can't wait to read more in this series.
February 28, 2022
Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.
The Chateau du Ciel was once a grand hotel that attracted the well-to-do for vacations and romantic getaways. Now it stands in shambles, with few guests and a haunted reputation. The manager decides to throw a fancy New Year’s Eve party to resurrect the Chateau’s luxurious past. It almost works, but then a blizzard descends and traps the guests in the hotel for the night. Mave Michael hasn’t been working at the Chateau du Ciel long, but her psychic ability to find lost objects is well known among staff. What her coworkers don’t know about Mave is that she is also the daughter of a notorious hitman. When Mave finds the resident artist dead and is discovered alone with the body moments later, she knows her secret has come back to haunt her. Topdjian’s debut thriller is intense with foreboding and an eerie sense of place. The past and present perspectives captivate the reader and connect brilliantly to reveal a shocking conclusion. Fans of Jen Williams, Karin Slaughter, and Alex North will enjoy this one!
The Chateau du Ciel was once a grand hotel that attracted the well-to-do for vacations and romantic getaways. Now it stands in shambles, with few guests and a haunted reputation. The manager decides to throw a fancy New Year’s Eve party to resurrect the Chateau’s luxurious past. It almost works, but then a blizzard descends and traps the guests in the hotel for the night. Mave Michael hasn’t been working at the Chateau du Ciel long, but her psychic ability to find lost objects is well known among staff. What her coworkers don’t know about Mave is that she is also the daughter of a notorious hitman. When Mave finds the resident artist dead and is discovered alone with the body moments later, she knows her secret has come back to haunt her. Topdjian’s debut thriller is intense with foreboding and an eerie sense of place. The past and present perspectives captivate the reader and connect brilliantly to reveal a shocking conclusion. Fans of Jen Williams, Karin Slaughter, and Alex North will enjoy this one!
Read
February 3, 2022Mave, reluctant daughter of a convicted hit man, is trying to make a lawful, even normal life for herself when she gets a job working at a palatial but crumbling and haunted hotel not too close to town and becomes the protege of a difficult elderly artist resident there. Things rapidly go to hell in a handbasket for Mave when she discovers Birdie, the artist, murdered on New Year's Eve and realizes that someone is framing her for the killing. Mave spends most of the book on the run within the passages and tunnels of the hotel, desperately trying to figure out what's going on and avoid being arrested or killed as everything gets decidedly very creepy.
If you love spooky, twisty plots with lots of anxiety and death, this could be the book for you!
Many thanks to the author, my fellow 2022 Debut novelist, for the advance reader copy. I wish you many enthralled readers.
(I don't do stars, just reviews.)
If you love spooky, twisty plots with lots of anxiety and death, this could be the book for you!
Many thanks to the author, my fellow 2022 Debut novelist, for the advance reader copy. I wish you many enthralled readers.
(I don't do stars, just reviews.)
May 12, 2022
From the opening paragraph to the very last sentence this author had me in the palm of her hand. Her story infected my dreams and had me wondering all day WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?
Pick it up and read it, too!
Pick it up and read it, too!
February 10, 2022
*I received a copy of this from NetGalley* **Possible spoilers ahead**
This is not my usual selection. I'll be honest, the cover drew me in first, and the title was just intriguing enough for me to check out the summary. I figured it was going to be something very pulpy, but the description promised something more akin to gothic, which I love. Of course, it also promised murder and mayhem, and sometimes a girl just needs a little of both. If you're looking for strong female protagonists, a bit of murder and mayhem, and a gothic setting complete with abandoned underground tunnels, check this out.
While there are some pacing issues and maybe one too many plot twists/extensions, and while there is a very obvious little romance brewing in the midst of trying to clear one's name from murder, there's also a very cool atmosphere. And for me, that atmosphere, coupled with a very capable female protagonist, rises this book above mere pulp fiction for me.
The hotel that the novel is set is brings the dilapidated charm. There is a haunted quality to the setting, not only because it is, in fact, actually haunted. I also appreciate that Topdjian went for it and included an actual ghost. I think many authors toy with the idea but don't go far enough. This setting and this premise was the perfect excuse to really go for it. And the ghost in THD added to the mystery of the plot.
The plot, while at times paced poorly, also sped along in just the right places. I found myself reading longer and later because of how Topdjian pulls the reader along, dropping just enough at the end of this chapter to make you want to read on to the next to see where that hint or clue is going. I think some of the plot points could have been cleaned up a bit, or explained a bit more, or simply not been alluded to being important for the sake of the story. I'm still unclear where Holden and the whole ghost of dead poets and his underground lair fit in. Maybe thats the point. Is there a sequel planned? maybe thats why. But his whole subplot, existence, romance with Mave, disappearing, appearing, and disappearing again, made less and less sense as the story went on. The reveal that he was working with Mave's incarcerated father actually underscored this. Maybe Topdjian liked what she started with Holden and then didn't know where to go with that thread. Whatever the reason, we're left with more questions than answers on that front.
I also enjoyed that Mave, while extremely resourceful, was fallible. She made many mistakes and I'm glad for that. She's set up as a very capable, very independent person who has a hitman for a father and teacher and she could have very easily worn that all as plot armor. But she didn't. And i love that choice.
My only other gripe is with the dialogue. Dialogue is difficult to write, but in some places it felt... not juvenile, but not polished. Lots of starts and stops and mid-sentence sighs and it was just a bit of a peeve of mine, but it does little to hinder the story. Just wish it had been a little more polished. It could also be a result of the uncorrected eGalley i read.
This is not my usual selection. I'll be honest, the cover drew me in first, and the title was just intriguing enough for me to check out the summary. I figured it was going to be something very pulpy, but the description promised something more akin to gothic, which I love. Of course, it also promised murder and mayhem, and sometimes a girl just needs a little of both. If you're looking for strong female protagonists, a bit of murder and mayhem, and a gothic setting complete with abandoned underground tunnels, check this out.
While there are some pacing issues and maybe one too many plot twists/extensions, and while there is a very obvious little romance brewing in the midst of trying to clear one's name from murder, there's also a very cool atmosphere. And for me, that atmosphere, coupled with a very capable female protagonist, rises this book above mere pulp fiction for me.
The hotel that the novel is set is brings the dilapidated charm. There is a haunted quality to the setting, not only because it is, in fact, actually haunted. I also appreciate that Topdjian went for it and included an actual ghost. I think many authors toy with the idea but don't go far enough. This setting and this premise was the perfect excuse to really go for it. And the ghost in THD added to the mystery of the plot.
The plot, while at times paced poorly, also sped along in just the right places. I found myself reading longer and later because of how Topdjian pulls the reader along, dropping just enough at the end of this chapter to make you want to read on to the next to see where that hint or clue is going. I think some of the plot points could have been cleaned up a bit, or explained a bit more, or simply not been alluded to being important for the sake of the story. I'm still unclear where Holden and the whole ghost of dead poets and his underground lair fit in. Maybe thats the point. Is there a sequel planned? maybe thats why. But his whole subplot, existence, romance with Mave, disappearing, appearing, and disappearing again, made less and less sense as the story went on. The reveal that he was working with Mave's incarcerated father actually underscored this. Maybe Topdjian liked what she started with Holden and then didn't know where to go with that thread. Whatever the reason, we're left with more questions than answers on that front.
I also enjoyed that Mave, while extremely resourceful, was fallible. She made many mistakes and I'm glad for that. She's set up as a very capable, very independent person who has a hitman for a father and teacher and she could have very easily worn that all as plot armor. But she didn't. And i love that choice.
My only other gripe is with the dialogue. Dialogue is difficult to write, but in some places it felt... not juvenile, but not polished. Lots of starts and stops and mid-sentence sighs and it was just a bit of a peeve of mine, but it does little to hinder the story. Just wish it had been a little more polished. It could also be a result of the uncorrected eGalley i read.
February 25, 2022
This book was the best kind of mash up for me. It has an old hotel, a haunting, a locked room mystery, a masked man that lives in the tunnels under the hotel, and a protagonist who is a convicted hitman’s daughter.
The plot takes place in the present (2021) but also tells the story though letters written in 1991. The author does a wonderful job of connecting not only these two timelines but also having a complex cast of characters that intertwine in both timelines.
My favorite part about the book were the details in both plot and characterizations that made everything such an atmospheric read.
Mave is the main character. She seems pretty timid, but thanks to her Dad’s training she can take down and outsmart most folks. But Mave is trying to remain under the radar of her true identity by working in a gift shop in an old hotel in Colorado.
Mave is framed for a murder that happens while everyone is snowed in the hotel over New Years Eve. While trying to clear her name she meets a man, Holden, that lives in the tunnels underneath the hotel. She is not sure whether he is friend or foe in a place where everyone is ready to believe she is guilty.
While trying to clear her name, she finds some startling discoveries about the people in the hotel and how they are connected to her.
Let me also mention that there is a ghost that Mave can see who is connected to everything happening.
Mysteries, the paranormal, romance, secrets, and action. This book had me flipping pages from start to finish!
The plot takes place in the present (2021) but also tells the story though letters written in 1991. The author does a wonderful job of connecting not only these two timelines but also having a complex cast of characters that intertwine in both timelines.
My favorite part about the book were the details in both plot and characterizations that made everything such an atmospheric read.
Mave is the main character. She seems pretty timid, but thanks to her Dad’s training she can take down and outsmart most folks. But Mave is trying to remain under the radar of her true identity by working in a gift shop in an old hotel in Colorado.
Mave is framed for a murder that happens while everyone is snowed in the hotel over New Years Eve. While trying to clear her name she meets a man, Holden, that lives in the tunnels underneath the hotel. She is not sure whether he is friend or foe in a place where everyone is ready to believe she is guilty.
While trying to clear her name, she finds some startling discoveries about the people in the hotel and how they are connected to her.
Let me also mention that there is a ghost that Mave can see who is connected to everything happening.
Mysteries, the paranormal, romance, secrets, and action. This book had me flipping pages from start to finish!
October 3, 2022
The Hitman's Daughter is a debut novel and it's amazing and the perfect read for the current season. Thriller and Ghost lovers this book is for you! Oh and the author lives in a 114 year old haunted house herself. What?! 😱
I grabbed this off my library's new books shelf a few weeks ago and knew I wanted to read it in October.
Y'all I finished it in one day! It was that good!
Mave Michael is the daughter of an infamous hitman. She purposefully has been trying to stay on the down low the past few years when she takes the job at an old Chateau in Colorado that's been shut up since 1991. The current owners are throwing a New Year's Eve party to try and bring it back to life, only the events that happened there that year are currently haunting the place. A murder is committed and Mave finds herself the number one suspect and is racing against time to prove her innocence, but in doing so digs up so many secrets that someone had worked hard to keep buried including the last murder that occurred on the property and might be the reason for the hauntings.
Read this if you enjoyed The Hacienda or The Paris Apartment
I grabbed this off my library's new books shelf a few weeks ago and knew I wanted to read it in October.
Y'all I finished it in one day! It was that good!
Mave Michael is the daughter of an infamous hitman. She purposefully has been trying to stay on the down low the past few years when she takes the job at an old Chateau in Colorado that's been shut up since 1991. The current owners are throwing a New Year's Eve party to try and bring it back to life, only the events that happened there that year are currently haunting the place. A murder is committed and Mave finds herself the number one suspect and is racing against time to prove her innocence, but in doing so digs up so many secrets that someone had worked hard to keep buried including the last murder that occurred on the property and might be the reason for the hauntings.
Read this if you enjoyed The Hacienda or The Paris Apartment
December 13, 2021
THE HITMAN’S DAUGHTER is a tense and atmospheric gothic mystery with lots of unexpected twists. Mave Michael Francis had an unconventional upbringing: she was raised and trained by her father, a hitman now serving time for his crimes. Now twenty-five, she works at the Chateau du Ciel, a once-great hotel from the 1920s, and has tried to put her past behind her. But her secret comes out when she discovers a wealthy patron stabbed to death in her suite, and Mave must find the true killer before she herself is arrested. This means digging into the hotel’s secrets—and there are plenty. Topdijan brings the Chateau du Ciel to life, with its haunted library, the twisting labyrinth of tunnels beneath it, and the suspicious cast of residents and guests whose pasts are intertwined with the hotel’s dark history.
February 28, 2022
Mave Michaels, the hitmans daughter, is invited to work at the Chateau du Ciel. She runs the gift shop in the declining hotel. This year the chateau is hosting a New Year's Eve party to try to bring guests back to the hotel again. Mave has been invited by the resident artist, Birdie, to pose for her. She arrives to the 23rd floor and find the body of the artist and has seen someone in the room. Only she has been blamed for the murder since she was found in the room over the body and covered in blood.
While trying to avoid being caught, Mave runs through the hotel and ends up in the basement level where she has found the tracks from the days that trains brought people to the hotel. She also finds someone living down there. Is this who the hotel claims is the ghost that haunts the library?
I like how the book switches between now and 1991. It explains so much about why things are happening now.
This book has mystery, paranormal and light romance. I love it and I hope that the author continues this story.
While trying to avoid being caught, Mave runs through the hotel and ends up in the basement level where she has found the tracks from the days that trains brought people to the hotel. She also finds someone living down there. Is this who the hotel claims is the ghost that haunts the library?
I like how the book switches between now and 1991. It explains so much about why things are happening now.
This book has mystery, paranormal and light romance. I love it and I hope that the author continues this story.
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