The Hitchcock Hotel

by Stephanie Wrobel

A Hitchcock fanatic with an agenda invites old friends for a weekend stay at his secluded themed hotel in this fiendishly clever, suspenseful new novel from the international bestselling author of Darling Rose Gold.

Alfred Smettle is not your average Hitchcock fan. He is the founder, owner, and manager of The Hitchcock Hotel, a sprawling Victorian house in the White Mountains dedicated to the Master of Suspense. There, Alfred offers his guests round-the-clock film screenings, movie props and memorabilia in every room, plus an aviary with fifty crows.

To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, he invites his former best friends from his college Film Club for a reunion. He hasn’t spoken to any of them in sixteen years, not after what happened.

But who better than them to appreciate Alfred’s creation? And to help him finish it.

After all, no Hitchcock set is complete without a body.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense

400 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2024

About the author

Stephanie Wrobel is the internationally bestselling author of The Hitchcock Hotel, This Might Hurt and Darling Rose Gold, which sold in twenty-one countries and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. She lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm beginning to suspect that Stephanie Wrobel's books just aren't for me. I didn't enjoy Darling Rose Gold at all, but I had to give this one a shot since it sounded a little more horror-y and therefore right up my alley. And … meh. This book has its interesting moments, but there's just something about her writing style that rubs me the wrong way. I'm not even sure that I can explain exactly what it is that I don't enjoy, honestly, but I think it has to do with how her narratives are overly melodramatic and there's a whole lot of thinking and talking but not a whole lot of doing since you find out about most of the action after the fact? I dunno. It's not a terrible read and I've certainly read worse, but I didn't exactly love it either.

But if we put aside my issues with Wrobel's writing, the premise for this book is outstanding. I've always loved the “old friends with dark secrets reunite for a disastrous weekend” trope, and when you add in a Hitchcock-themed hotel with a creepy proprietor? Yes, please! If Stephen King or Josh Malerman had written this book it probably would have scared the crap out of me in the best possible way, although they both write actual horror and not thrillers so maybe that's not a fair comparison.

There are really two main mysteries at play in The Hitchcock Hotel. What is Alfred's end game? And is one of his guests a killer? I mostly saw the answer to the first question coming but the build up to its reveal is fairly suspenseful – Alfred obviously has something nefarious planned but what? The answer to the second question took me completely by surprise, although it's perhaps lacking in the plausibility department. There are also several mini mysteries within the book (Who slashed the car tires? What happened to Dr. Scott? What happened to the phones?) that are solved along the way. Don't expect a particularly exciting climax to this book, however – the villain just kind of monologues it at the end. After you get over the surprise of who is doing the monologuing, there's not really much else there.

Oh, and the characters are mostly awful people. Alfred is probably the worst of the bunch, but his old friends aren't exactly saints. They're all hiding secrets and some of them are particularly heinous. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you need likeable characters this is probably not the book for you.

So, yeah. This one was just okay. It has a great premise and there's definitely some suspenseful parts, but the writing really put me off in places and the ending is lackluster. But if you're a fan of Wrobel's other books, don't let this review dissuade you from reading this one too – you'll probably enjoy it a lot more than I did.

My overall rating: 3.4 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 24, 2024.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this book stirs up conflicting feelings in my mind. As a devoted Hitchcock fan (although I must confess I've never been a great fan of his movie "Rope"), I found great involvement in the book. I'm mostly a "Shadow of a Doubt" and "Rebecca" lover, but I understand why the author, Stephanie Wrobel, chose to reference "Psycho" and "Rope" storylines for the location and crowded characters' similarities.

I truly enjoyed the Hitchcock movie references in this book. If somebody were to open a place like the one depicted here—a venue featuring Hitchcock movie props, screenings, and even a locked room mystery event in a hotel—in real life, I would make a reservation without a second thought. (I even attempted to stay at the real-life Shining's "Overlook Hotel," but rooms were already sold out! I was too late!) So, as a plot idea, the Hitchcock Hotel excited me a lot, and I initially thought I would give this book five stars. However, some aspects held me back and made me roll my eyes.

I found myself disliking the entire cast of characters in this book. None of the narrators are engaging, and each of them keeps secrets. Some of these secrets are life-threatening, while others are more mundane but still deeply personal. I didn’t find the friendship among the six people believable; they seem to have nothing in common besides attending a cinema class in college, partying, drinking, and complaining. None of them is trustworthy or dependable, not even Samira, who seems less dislikable with her empathic act, but ultimately, it's still an act. She, like her friends, puts herself first and is ready to backstab each other when faced with conflict.

Let's delve into the plot: it revolves around six old college friends, now adults, dealing with their own demons. Alfred, who gives off Norman Bates vibes from the beginning, becomes the founder of the "Hitchcock Hotel" with mysterious funds, despite being known as a low-paid worker in La Quinta hotels. Years have passed since a tragic event in college, and now he decides to organize a reunion at his hotel with a hidden agenda: a revenge scheme to showcase his hotel's success to his five college friends. They will stay at his place for free, and he will orchestrate a bizarre event that may end in tragedy, potentially attracting new customers to his hotel. He knows that tragedies can attract a lot of attention, and if everything goes according to plan, he will also achieve his long-awaited revenge.

Danny, his creepy middle-aged assistant, is his co-conspirator, helping him execute his plan by acting as his eyes and ears, spying on his friends.

Finally, the five friends arrive at Hitchcock Hotel, including Zoe, who insults Alfred from the moment she sets foot in the hotel. She struggles to stay sober, already on the brink of losing her profession as a chef, and harboring hatred toward Alfred for something she witnessed in the past. The other four have their own issues: TJ, who seems to have transformed himself by gaining 50 pounds of muscle and working as a bodyguard, acting agitated at each time he gets a phone call from unknown number, Julius: a spoiled rich boy who likes to verbally abuse Alfred, acting like something really bothers him, Samira, happily married with children and running a successful sex toy business, but hiding a big secret that gives her headaches, and Grace, a wealthy, successful, happily married queen bee who seems to have it all but strangely acts afraid of Alfred. What hold does he have over her? Could he be blackmailing her?

Alfred's plan is to make his friends taste their own poison, but by the end of the night, one of them doesn't make it, and one of them is the perpetrator! But who, and why? With each of them having motives, it's hard to determine who could be the cold-blooded criminal.

Overall, I loved the locked room mystery and twisty whodunit execution, as well as the references to my favorite Hitchcock movies and the author's tribute to Alma Hitchcock. However, I found the identity of the killer a little predictable, and I guessed the twist earlier than expected. Additionally, I couldn't relate to the characters enough to care about which one of them would die or who the perpetrator was. Nevertheless, I'm rounding up my rating from 3.5 stars to 4 due to my love of Hitchcock thrillers and the author's smart execution in paying tribute to his remarkable contributions to the movie industry.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

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[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of all things Hitchcock, then this is the perfect read for you!

It’s been nearly fifteen years since a tight-knit group of six friends left college and went their separate ways. They never expected an occasion where they’d get back together. But there’s unfinished business between these so-called friends.

And as it turns out, it’s much safer to get together than to ignore the invitation.

I tend to avoid storylines where college friends reunite and rehash secrets of the past. But this read intrigued me with the Hitchcock references, along with knowing how much I’ve enjoyed this author in the past.

The storyline is told from multiple POV’s in both the present and past. All characters were distinctly developed making it easy to differentiate. The storyline itself held my interest throughout.

But the ending? Frankly, just a bit too tame. I was hoping for more, (don’t I always though.😂) I was actually surprised when I turned (clicked on) the page and it was over. Hmmm…

This is the third book I’ve read by Stephanie Wrobel and while not necessarily a favorite, still a solid four star read!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing via NetGalley.

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfred Smettle is the proud founder, owner and manager of The Hitchcock Hotel, an Alfred Hitchcock-themed hotel settled amongst the rugged landscape of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. It's beautiful, yet secluded.



The Hotel has been a labor of love for Alfred, a life-long Hitchcock fan. With the 1-year anniversary of the hotel's founding approaching, Alfred decides it would be a great time to invite his best friends from college for a reunion.

Of course, he hasn't really spoken to any of them in 16-years, but that doesn't stop him from reaching out and extending the invitations.



For their part, the five invitees, once all members of the Film Club at their college, are surprised to get the invitations. It just seems strange after all this time, but curiosity gets the best of them and they all accept.

Zoe, Samira, Grace, TJ and Julius arrive one-by-one at the hotel and the strange weekend begins. As the Reader you get to know each of these characters. The story jumps around between perspectives, as well as past-and-present timelines.

It is a fully unlikable cast with a ton of interpersonal drama and secrets among them. Personally, I enjoy that kind of set-up, but if you are someone who needs to like your characters, you may not. There's not much to like here.



This is in part a murder mystery, although it does take some time to get there. You know pretty early on that not all is going to go right with this weekend.

Even though I knew someone was bound to die, I still didn't see it coming. Not the person, not the circumstance. Every single one of the remaining people had a motive, which did successfully keep me guessing.



I'll be honest though, after the first few chapters, I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but IMO, Wrobel pulled it off in the end. There were some fun twists and reveals.

It may have helped that I am a big Hitchcock fan, so have watched all the movies mentioned and understood the many references. I'm not sure I would have had quite the same experience with it if I didn't have that background.



At the end of the day, I feel like this is a solid showing for Wrobel. I would recommend it to people who enjoy secluded locations with set cast of characters. I also, of course, would recommend it to any other Alfred Hitchcock fans.

Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm interested to see what Wrobel delivers us next. All her books have been quite distinct from one another, but I like her in this Murder Mystery space.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book, I thought the premise sounded so fun, and I loved Darling Rose Gold by this author. Sadly, I thought this book was just okay. I LOVED the prologue, told from the POV of a crow. I thought that was so unique and fun, and I loved all the nods to Hitchcock in this book. The first 50% of the book is sooooo slow and not much happens, lots of flashbacks of everyone in this group of friends and how they got to know each other. The last 50% picked up and got more fast paced and interesting, but I wasn’t as invested in the mystery as I wanted to be. And the last 10% felt kind of cheesy to me. 😭 It was just okay, I expected more.

[JaymeO · Rating 3 out of 5]

“What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out” - Alfred Hitchcock

I had high hopes for The Hitchcock Hotel as I had enjoyed Wrobel’s debut Darling Rose Gold and was intrigued by this plot and creepy book cover. What transpired was a a slog of a read until the halfway mark. Wrobel should have paid more attention to Hitchcock’s writing methods because the dull bits needed to be cut out.

I don’t particularly enjoy books about college age protagonists, and the first half the book was spent introducing the six main characters ad nauseum. None of them are very sympathetic so I didn’t really have anyone to get behind. While some of this explanation is necessary for the plot, the long flashbacks and passive action didn’t work, causing me to contemplate not finishing the book.

However, I persevered and was pleasantly surprised with the second half of the book. The mystery was clever, included many red herrings, and twists and turns. I did guess the big twist, but maybe that is because I read a lot of books in this genre. I give the first half 2.5 stars and the second half 3.75 stars.

Warning: This book includes spoilers for many of Hitchcock’s films!

3.25/5 stars rounded down

Expected publication date: 9/24/24

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of The Hitchcock Hotel in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle]

I'm officially checking out of The Hitchcock Hotel @ 20%. No rating.

I have never been so bored. All these characters are terrible people and I couldn't care less about their past or whether or not they live to see a future.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hitchcock Hotel is open and ready for business!!

Alfred Smettle is a HUGE Alfred Hitchcock fan! So much so that he is now the owner of a Victorian Hotel he calls The Hitchcock Hotel. Check in and you can enjoy Hitchcock's movies, film memorabilia, movie props and of course crows! It was a work of love and Alfred celebrates the one-year anniversary of his hotel being open by inviting his friends from his college movie club to come and stay for the weekend. Will it be the blast from the past he is hoping for? It's been 16 years since they have all been together. They were once close knit, but now......

I enjoyed the POV's of various characters and the way the book was told giving glimpses into the past as the characters experience the Hitchcock Hotel in the present day. There was a nice amount of tension, atmosphere, and secrets to keep me fully invested. I also enjoyed the interactions between the characters. These are not a bunch of bosom buddies!

I enjoyed the mystery and the twists and turns in this book. I also enjoyed the mentions and references to Hitchcock's movies. Heck, this book even has me wanting to re-watch some of his work. I found this book to be well thought out and dramatic - just like a Hitchcock film. The reveal was a shocker as well. Many may have seen that coming but I did not.

I had the e-book and also listened to the audiobook which made for a wonderful reading experience. The audiobook was fabulous and I enjoyed the narrators who did a tremendous job bringing the characters and the story to life.

Wonderfully written, gripping, well thought out, clever, and with a killer twist!


Thank you to Berkley and Goodreads who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Justin Chen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Brilliant concept with underwhelming execution, as someone who has always been deeply interested in Alfred Hitchcock's filmography, the title (and the premise) of The Hitchcock Hotel immediately has my attention. Unfortunately, I find its incorporation of the cinematic elements, while cheeky and on-the-nose, is primarily surface level, and the character/plot fails to provide the engagement and suspense I'm anticipating.

The main issue for me lies with the stereotypical depiction of its cast, the absence of depth and memorable personality makes keeping tabs on the interwoven web of grudge/secret a boring, emotionally-uninvolving chore, instead resulting in me being more aware of moments when characters behave illogically for the sake of plot (it is never convincingly explained why no one attempt to leave the hotel when the situation becomes dire). I also find the choice of its ultimate culprit to be very conventional and anticlimactic, which in itself is a bit of a bait-and-switch when the novel is paying homage to the master of suspense.

Overall, I think I have too high of an expectation for The Hitchcock Hotel, because other than some Hitchcockian name drops, at its core this novel is a typical murder mystery following the template to a T. Passable as a breezy distraction, but nothing more.

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**

[inciminci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfred Smettle made his lifelong dream come true when he bought a building in the middle of nowhere to turn it into a themed hotel, named after his namesake and biggest idol - Alfred Hitchcock, with crows and a hotel cinema playing his movies 24/7 and a bird room and other references to the suspense master's work.

Another lifelong dream of his is revenge. Because a wrong has been done to him in the past, and it's finally time for him to tie loose ends. He and his loyal assistant Danny immaculately plan and prepare a weekend getaway for five of his closes college friends, cold revenge included.

Listen, the setting, the idea, (I mean, a fricking Hitchcock themed hotel? Yes, please, get me there now!), a locked room murder, all the little references and hints to big H, the voyeurism, the glass of milk on the table - all of this great. I even felt kind of protective of the main character and was ready to turn a blind eye on his shortcomings. But the way this case turns out, the resolution, the very hate-able guests for the weekend, and that ending... were just nope.

[Rachel Hanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another one of those books that when I first started reading this, I thought for sure it was going to be a full five star read for me. It had our awkward owner of the Hitchcock Hotel, Alfred. Then we bring in Alfred’s former friends from college who all seemed to be less than perfect themselves (even if their outward appearance said otherwise). However, after about halfway through it started to get a little redundant and I felt the story could have easily been trimmed up by at least fifty pages. Had that happened, and our reveal been sped up a bit- then this book would have been a complete winner for me.

In this story, Alfred Smettle is the owner of an old three story Victorian home in which he has turned into The Hitchcock Hotel. Nobody is a bigger fan of Alfred Hitchcock and his films, other than Alfred Smettle himself. The Hitchcock Hotel is filled with Hitchcock film paraphernalia and many references to the Hitchcock films 🎥

Alfred decides to invite his friends from college to his Hotel for a free weekend. These old friends of Alfred’s were once his closest friends, and they all took film class together. Problem is, Alfred hasn’t spoken to them in over ten years and he would really like for them to see how well he is finally doing. Or is he? To help Alfred plan the perfect weekend is his housekeeper, Danny. Can Danny keep the guests pleased and entertained as planned?

The friends that arrive for the weekend visit at The Hitchcock Hotel are Zoe, Samira, TJ, Julius, and Grace. We get a lengthy description of each character, and we also get alternating POV’s from each character throughout the story. At first I enjoyed all the different characters and backstories, but then it became too much. Through this we also find that Alfred was always a bit of an outcast within the group, and didn’t necessarily leave college on good terms with these friends. So why would they after all this time come to stay at his Hotel for the weekend?

If you love Alfred Hitchcock, suspense, and pages that keep you guessing- then you will love The Hitchcock Hotel! 🎥🐦‍⬛ As I mentioned above, my only gripe is that it seemed a bit too lengthy. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this story.

[Will Byrnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let us begin with an establishing shot. A three-story Victorian house stands alone on a hill in the White Mountains. The house boasts a wraparound porch, mansard roof, and bay windows. Despite the building’s age, her shingles gleam, shutters sparkle. In other words, she is beloved.
We swoop in through an open window on the third floor to reveal a handsome hotel room. A woman with a face of cracked earth leans against the four-poster bed, watching a man in his thirties survey himself in a pedestal floor mirror.
I twist away from the mirror to face my housekeeper.
“How do I look?”
Danny takes her time considering me. “Like Norman Bates,” she jokes.

--------------------------------------

What if I had never met this group at all? On one hand, they were the cause of my eventual ruin. On the other, these people were fundamental to the man I’ve become. For four years we were family. They shaped my beliefs and sense of humor. They cheered me on. They accepted me. Right up until they didn’t.

A locked room mystery in which the sins of the past are brought into the present, threatening the future. There will be blood. There will be suspense. There will be twists. There will be irony. There will be readerly fun.


Stephanie Wrobel - image from Festival of Authors

It was my mother who introduced my very young self (I was four when the show premiered) to Alfred Hitchcock, not so much through his films, which I would get to eventually, but through his TV series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Each episode featured Alfie offering often macabre intros, a la Rod Serling, but with considerable tongue-in-cheek humor. As for his films, Psycho remains one of my all-time favorites, as do many others. Consider me a fan, although, like the author, I have seen only a portion of Hitchcock’s 53-feature-film oeuvre.

“I was introduced to Hitchcock via North by Northwest during a film studies course in college. (If you’ve read my book, this will sound familiar.) I’ve been a big fan ever since. What surprised me most as I rewatched some films and watched others for the first time was how much they hold up in 2024—especially the humor. Hitchcock is known as the Master of Suspense, and he is, but I would argue he was just as much a master of comedy. I still can’t believe how funny his movies are. I don’t think humor is something my generation associates with Hitchcock unless you’re a big fan.” - from The Big Thrill interview

Like my mom, Alfred Smettle’s mother was a big fan as well, a gift she passed on to her only child. He carried that interest into college where he became a central figure in a class on film taught by a gifted teacher. (Wrobel had a Dr. Scott as an inspirational teacher in college, and honors him with the naming here.) He even started a film club to take his interest further, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with others. These included a band of five fellow students. Alfred was never one of the popular kids, but he found acceptance in the Blue House that they shared. Well, until something went very wrong. There are hints about a debacle in senior year, but we are not let in on what happened until the back end of the book.


Edward Hopper’s House by the Railroad - image from Wikipedia

The friends parted after college, but Alfred retained his fascination with Hitchcock, and now, sixteen years later, he has opened a Hitchcock-themed hotel (a B&B really) not far from the New Hampshire college they had attended. It features lots of memorabilia, many filmic artifacts, and considerable atmosphere. It is an old Victorian Alfred had done over. One might be reminded of a Hopper painting, and the infamous house it inspired. He invites them all to a free weekend there, hoping, among other things, to get the place some ta-die-faw publicity. Business needs a boost.


The Bates Motel House at Universal Studios - image from Paul Van Sprundel at Wordpress

The group (the five guests plus Alfred and his housekeeper, Danny) is made up of the guilt-ridden, the vengeful, the desperate and the forlorn. In The Readers Couch interview, Wrobel talks about aligning her seven main characters with the seven deadly sins. (pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth) It kind of works out, but there is plenty of overlap and double dipping, with one character seeming not to fit very well to any of these human proclivities. Grace is a hedge fund manager; Zoe is a chef who drank her way to a furlough; Julius was born to great wealth and little direction; Samira, newly divorced mom, had started a personal device business that had caught on; TJ is a security specialist who appears to be in some sort of trouble.


A bird attacking – from the Birds - image from TCM

If you are looking for Hallmark likeability, I can recommend about a thousand films and a gazillion books that will take care of that for you. None of these characters is entirely ok. The closest, I guess is Samira, who seems most eager for everyone to just get along. Alfred is definitely an odd duck, just a weeeee bit obsessive, but is he dangerous? (I am sure he “wouldn’t hurt a fly.”) Grace certainly has some hard edges, and a seeming disregard for others. TJ seems somewhat ok, but is sleeping with a married woman, and who knows what he might do given the external pressure he is under? Zoe has a serious alcohol issue. It has already cost her her job. What is fueling it, and might it lead her to dire blackout behavior? And what’s up with Danny, the housekeeper, who seems maybe a bit too fond of Alfred?


From Vertigo - image from The New Yorker

References to Hitchcock films abound throughout the book, beyond the Bates Motel House exterior and screenplay-like opening. Avian life puts in an appearance or two, (The Birds) As do a suspicious glass of milk (Suspicion), high places (Vertigo), voyeurism (Rear Window), rope (Rope) and others. Part of the fun of this read is identifying as many of these as possible, making it a bit of a treasure hunt.


Jimmy Stewart as L.B. Jefferies, having a peek in Rear Window - image from TCM

There is an abundance of non-Hitchcockian reference as well, TV and film mostly, from Dracula to Parks and Recreation. Not that these are all key to the plot, but they are fun markers nonetheless.


From the film Rope (1948) - image from The Movie Screen Scene

Major twists will keep you off-balance, as the game continues of trying to figure out whodunit, how and why. The Hitchcock Hotel offers a page-turning bit of suspense with a considerable payload of Hitchcockian homage. There may be death in store by the end of this novel, but one thing is for sure. With Stephanie Wrobel’s able assistance, Alfred Hitchcock lives.

What conclusion can a young man draw when he’s the only one who has a hard time making friendships that last? Maybe they stay away for a reason. Maybe his core is rotten. Maybe they all know something he keeps hidden from himself.

Review posted - 12/27/24

Publication date – 9/24/24

I received an ARE of The Hitchcock Hotel from Berkley in return for a fair review, and a few drops of my personal poison stash. Thanks, folks, and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating.



This review is cross-posted on my site, Coot’s Reviews. Stop by and say Hi!

=============================EXTRA STUFF

Links to Wrobel’s personal,FB, Instagram, and Goodreads pages

Profile – from her site

Stephanie Wrobel is the author of This Might Hurt and Darling Rose Gold, an international bestseller that has sold in twenty-one countries and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Her third book, The Hitchcock Hotel, is a USA Today bestseller that published in Fall 2024. She lives in New York City.

Interviews
-----The Big Thrill - PAYING HOMAGE TO THE MASTER OF SUSPENSE AND PAYING IT FORWARD by R. J. Belsky
-----BiffBamPop! - my link text by Andy Burns
-----How Do You Write - Ep. 358: POV Hack: Using Method Acting with Olesya Salnikova Gilmore - with Rachel Herron – video – 31:09
-----The Reader’s Couch - Ep. 234 The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel - audio - with Victoria – 22:00

Items of Interest from the author
-----How to Tackle Editorial Feedback - very informative item for writers – there are many excellent pieces for writers on her site
-----CrimeReads - HOW TO WRITE PERFECT TWIST ENDINGS (THAT WILL SHOCK AND DELIGHT EVEN JADED SUSPENSE READERS)

Hitchcockian Wicki-ons
-----1940 - Rebecca
-----1941 - Suspicion
-----1948 - Rope
-----1954 - Rear Window
-----1955-1965 - Alfred Hitchcock Presents
-----1963 - The Birds
-----1958 - Vertigo
-----1960 - Psycho

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ stars!

Pure entertainment!

Alfred hasn’t seen his college friends in well over a decade. He invites them for a weekend stay at his Hitchcock-themed hotel to reconnect.

I loved this locked room mystery from start to finish! There is a thick, foreboding sense of tension that made me uneasy but also had me glued to the pages. The characters were great - unique and well developed. The main character was stand out for me. He was dark, creepy, snarky and sneaky yet vulnerable. The writing was excellent. It flowed smoothly and wasted no words.

While Hitchcock is a central theme to the story, the reader does not need to be a Hitchcock expert to enjoy this novel. I know the very basics about Hitchcock and was able to feel fully immersed within this mysterious story.

The ending had some unrealistic elements but I was so wrapped up in the story that I didn’t care. I loved the whole vibe of this novel.

I have read and loved all of this authors work. She writes unique, well-researched stories that always create an unforgettable reading experience. I really click with her writing and highly recommend all of her books!

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!

[Dee (Hiatus through mid-Sept.!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars, as this one did keep my interest even when it was a bit too long. I also appreciated the "Hitch" references in this, the movie call-backs felt appropriate & not too overdone. Pretty much ALL of the characters were super unlikeable & several very annoying AF, but the story of what went down with this college friend group was interesting & I personally did like the resolution & ending. The creepy vibe of the Inn was just right for heading into Spooky Season! 👻🎃

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, let's talk about Alfred Smettle's passion for all things Hitchcock. I mean, a whole hotel dedicated to the Master of Suspense? It's like a dream come true for fans like me! Wrobel's portrayal of Alfred's obsession and the homage to Hitchcock throughout the story had me nodding along in excitement. Plus, diving into Wrobel's writing for the first time was a real treat – she definitely knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The pacing of this book was perfect for me. I'm a sucker for horror and thrillers that keep me glued to the pages, and "The Hitchcock Hotel" delivered on that front. The creepy atmosphere was palpable, and I found myself eagerly devouring each chapter to uncover the next twist. Admittedly, not every character felt fully fleshed out, but it didn't detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the story.

And let me tell you, once I started reading, I couldn't put it down! This book was seriously binge-worthy, and the ending? It was so satisfying to see everything come together. Whether you're a die-hard Hitchcock fan or just love a good spooky tale, "The Hitchcock Hotel" is definitely worth checking out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start strong finish!

[NILTON TEIXEIRA · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Hitchcock Hotel”, by Stephanie Wrobel

Generous 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my second book by this author, after “Darling Gold Rose”, which I rated 3 stars.

I do give 5 stars for the concept of this book. And as I’m a big fan of the works by Hitchcock I did love the references to his movies and I think that I will be revisiting/playing some from my DVD collection.

The writing was quite good but the storytelling was not that gripping.

This book is divided into 3 acts and a total of 59 chapters. The first act was slow and its structure didn’t work so well for me (the characters were in constant flashbacks). Things got more interesting after half way through the second act. And the third act was quite surprising or better saying jaw-dropping (as said by the writer Riley Sager), hence my ratings.

No characters are likable, which is not a problem for me, but I was completely disconnected from them.

I couldn’t comprehend how such a group of friends could have managed to engage with each other, especially after 16 years of silence. But all made sense with the brilliant conclusion.

Anyways… the development of the storyline could have been a lot more interesting and fun, even with not so lovable characters.
But I do see great potential for the future works by this author.

And I think that a good screenwriter would turn this book into a very compelling tv series.

Paperback (Simon & Schuster, Canada): 340 pages

e-book (Kobo): 352 pages (default), 93k words

[Jan Agaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAVORITE THRILLER OF THE YEAR. the hitchcock facts make me want to watch his entire filmography. the dark academia layers mixed into the main storyline were so well done, & although the killer was pretty predictable & there was a villain monologue, it made me realize I don't mind it if said monologue is in the character's head vs out loud, which tends to be cringey. I'm buying a copy for my personal library asap.

[Norma ~ The Sisters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful, sinister, & irresistibly clever!

THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL by Stephanie Wrobel is an immersive, tension-filled, and delightfully dark thriller that completely consumed me from the very first page. It’s a masterful homage to Alfred Hitchcock that felt as gripping as one of his iconic films—utterly unputdownable.

Stephanie Wrobel delivers a vivid, atmospheric, and twisty tale that I found absolutely enthralling. Her writing is sharp, cinematic, and brimming with dark humor, making every scene feel as though it were playing out on a big screen. I was captivated by the unique setting of the Hitchcock-themed hotel—its eerie rooms, ominous aviary of crows, and secrets lurking around every corner.

The characters were so compelling, especially Alfred Smettle, our eccentric and unsettling host. His obsession with Hitchcock created a fascinating dynamic that had me questioning his motives at every turn. The group of former friends invited to the hotel was equally intriguing, each of them bringing layers of history and tension to the plot.

The storyline is brilliantly constructed, pulling you deeper into its web of suspense with every twist and turn. I was constantly on edge, trying to piece together the truth as the tension escalated to an unforgettable climax. The ending was as satisfying as it was surprising—delivering a final twist that was chilling, clever, and pure Hitchcock.

Norma’s Stats:

Cover: Chilling, atmospheric, and utterly captivating! The dark design, featuring the clawfoot bathtub and the ominous crow, immediately caught my eye and was the main reason I picked this book up—it was calling my name in the bookstore. The cover perfectly reflects the sinister and suspenseful Hitchcockian vibe of the story.
Title: Suspenseful, clever, and a perfect encapsulation of the story’s themes.
Writing/Prose: Cinematic, atmospheric, engaging, and brilliantly crafted. Wrobel’s writing is a true standout here!
Plot: Clever, sinister, suspenseful, gripping, absorbing, and thoroughly entertaining. It’s a perfectly paced thriller with twists I didn’t see coming.
Ending: Chilling, satisfying, and full of surprises—just what I hoped for!
Overall: A phenomenal, nail-biting read that had me hooked from start to finish. Fans of psychological thrillers and Hitchcockian suspense will absolutely love this book. Highly recommend!

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect wrap up to October!! I absolutely love a creepy locked 🔒 room mystery.. and this one was perfection!! 👏 This is my first @stephaniewrobel book and I loved it. I preordered this because… I mean LOOK 👀 at this cover!! 😍

So your college buddy… who really isn’t your buddy 😬invites you to his new hotel. A themed hotel..after Hitchcock’s movies…🎥… See Alfred… yes his name really is Alfred.. is OBSESSED with Hitchcock. Be afraid people.. be very afraid. 😳

Okay so this started out like most 🔒 locked room thrillers.. a slow burn 🔥 that built up the tension and atmosphere for a perfectly creepy mystery. Halfway through.. a twist that will make you gasp. 😳… then things got REALLY interesting. I wondered 🤔was this part of the plan?? The ending was … perfect!! 👏 I never saw that coming!! I will definitely be adding the her backlist!! 😍

So grab your popcorn 🍿 and dive in!! I have only seen one Hitchcock movie.. The 🦅 Birds… and I can officially thank him for my lifelong fear of birds.😂 Thanks Hitch.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, let’s all take a moment to appreciate the utter perfection that is the cover of The Hitchcock Hotel. Flawless, immaculate, no notes.

What’s inside that cover, however, turned out to be a mixed bag for me. The plot of this novel spoke to me in a major way: A man invites his five college friends to the Alfred Hitchcock-themed hotel he owns in the Vermont mountains. And this man, also named Alfred, may be seeking something more nefarious than a reunion among friends. Doesn’t that just sound so…I don’t know…Hitchcockian? I’d hoped The Hitchcock Hotel would be steeped in Gothic atmosphere and have intense noir vibes, but the execution was disappointing.

I really enjoyed the portrayal of Alfred’s character; he was so strange and intense and shifty and obsessive, with motivations that I couldn’t figure out, and at first I was riveted to the page to see how everything unfolded. But I didn’t find the supporting characters equally as interesting, unfortunately, so the chapters from their perspectives dragged for me. Although I was happy there wasn’t a straightforward past and present format (a method of storytelling I’ve grown weary of), the sections of the book focused on backstory slowed the narrative down. These sections were important, but a lot of the backstory wasn’t very interesting, especially since I didn’t feel that connection to the characters. The mystery and the motives behind it were well-thought-out (if not quite as dark and seedy as this reader wanted), and it all unfolded in a very Hitchcockian way. It just didn’t hold my attention as much as I’d hoped it would, and I think this is partly due to the fact that the writing is all telling and not a lot of showing. The reveals didn’t seem like they happened organically; everything felt laid out like a list of bullet points.

The highlights for me were the nods to Hitchcock – the descriptions of the hotel, the callbacks to his work. It’s such an engaging concept, even if it's not utilized to its fullest potential, and I think The Hitchcock Hotel will appeal to lots of readers who enjoy revenge plots and locked room mysteries. Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the early reading opportunity.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Stephanie Wrobel and Berkley Publishing for this gifted copy! The story centers on a reunion weekend at the Hitchcock Hotel, a Victorian mansion themed after Alfred Hitchcock, complete with movie props, screenings, and an aviary full of crows. Alfred, the hotel’s owner and a former member of the Film Club, invites his old friends for the hotel’s first anniversary, despite years of estrangement. As expected, the weekend takes a dark turn, culminating in a murder, just like a classic Hitchcock film.

The book’s premise is intriguing, especially for Hitchcock fans. The hotel’s atmosphere and the numerous Hitchcock references were highlights that added to the story's charm. However, the mystery itself was somewhat underwhelming, with a slow burn delivery. The characters, including Alfred, were difficult for me to love or love to hate.

Despite these flaws, the book was still an enjoyable read, particularly for fans of Hitchcock and Stephanie Wrobel's work. The setting and concept made it engaging, even if the mystery didn't fully deliver. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys revenge-driven murder mysteries in a suspenseful, isolated setting—just keep in mind there are spoilers for a few Hitchcock films.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was fun! I am not a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock, but I have seen quite a few of his films over the years. I loved all the small details, and the big ones, in homage to the great director.

This is a locked room mystery, with 6 college friends and a housekeeper in a hotel. It has been quite a while since some of these friends have seen each other, and there is certainly no love lost here. As always with a going of old friends, there are deep dark secrets from the past, and hidden agendas all round. What could possibly go wrong?!

I am not going to tell you anything else, you just need to read this fun mystery and enjoy it. I learn a few things about Hitchcock along the way. It was cleverly written, and kept me guessing. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters but that made it all the more fun.

Thanks so much to Simon and Schuster Canada for the advanced copy to read. Publishes on September 24th.

[Chelsea | thrillerbookbabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Stephanie Wrobel and Berkley Publishing for my copy of this book! It was about a group of friends all meeting for a reunion weekend at a hotel that one of them recently opened. Alfred is the founder, owner, and manager of the Hitchcock hotel, a victorian mansion dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock himself. There are movie props, constant movie showings, and even an aviary full of crows.

To celebrate the first anniversary of the hotel, Alfred invites his former friends from Film Club for a reunion. Even though he hasn’t spoken tot hem in sixteen years, he knows they will come. How could they not after what the did to him? And Alfred isn’t one to forgive or forget. The weekend will end as any good Hickcock film does, with a dead body.

Thoughts: The premise of this book was so much fun. I’m not a huge Hitchcock fan,but I loved all the references and the idea of this hotel. Alfred is horrible, as well as all the other characters actually were. It’s hard to root for any of them, especially once you learn about each of their pasts. They are all so self-righteous, and there are no characters you want to escape unscathed.

The concept and plot of this book are amazing, however the story was very underwhelming. I wanted her to go much darker, but it was all very Scooby Doo and surface level. The reveal was so obvious and there were far too many things that just seemed to fall into place. 3-stars for this one.

[Deanna Loves to Read!!:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Alfred Smettle is the owner of the Hitchcock Hotel. He is an avid Hitchcock fan, and has “themed” the hotel after the many movies of the famous director. Alfred has invited his former college friends for the weekend, but he has a secret motive for this reunion. The only staff staying to help him is the housekeeper.
The friend group were very tight in college, and were in the Film Club. There were many entanglements and drama the last year of college for the friends, and after graduation the all drifted their separate ways. But…. Something big happened, thus the reason for Alfred’s invite.

If you are a Hitchcock film fan, you will enjoy the many references and clues woven into the frame of the story. Alfred is creepy as all get- think Norman Bates! The others aren’t really likable, and all have secrets- including the housekeeper. The mystery is good, and it kept me reading.
However, I felt the Hitchcock references and characterization of Alfred was a bit much. I realize the story plot relies heavily on the Hitchcock elements, but by the end I just wanted the straightforward mystery!
Overall it was entertaining. I like the films, and in the beginning liked figuring out the movie references!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Ghoul Von Horror · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW/CW: Language, drinking, death by suicide, death of parent, smoking, alcoholism, bullying, cheating, voyeurism, cancer, blackmail, depression, anxiety, toxic family relationships, toxic friendships, dementia, classism, revenge, jealousy

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Alfred Smettle is not your average Hitchcock fan. He is the founder, owner, and manager of The Hitchcock Hotel, a sprawling Victorian house in the White Mountains dedicated to the Master of Suspense. There, Alfred offers his guests round-the-clock film screenings, movie props and memorabilia in every room, plus an aviary with fifty crows.To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, he invites his former best friends from his college Film Club for a reunion. He hasn’t spoken to any of them in sixteen years, not after what happened.But who better than them to appreciate Alfred’s creation? And to help him finish it.After all, no Hitchcock set is complete without a body.
Release Date: September 24th, 2024
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 352
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

What I Liked:
1. Loved the writing style
2. Suspense was interesting
3. Hooked on the story

What I Didn't Like:
1. Lots of spelling errors and incorrect word placement
2. Danny is annoying
3. Book a little too long

Overall Thoughts:
{{DISCLAIMER: I write my review as I read}}

"Hitch without the cock."



!!!THIS BOOK STARTS ON MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Alfred's mother was a huge Hitchcock fan but she wanted to try and change his mind because she wasn't a blonde, why wouldn't she have just bleached her hair if it was that important to her to work with him? Bleach did exist back then.

Oh my gosh so interest in the hotel has weaned over the last few months and Alfred is decided that he's going to make a murder mystery and use his friends so he can get business back. That's why he gave the staff the weekend off because he needed time to set this up and to be alone.

Tj and Grace sleeping together is something I didn't see that coming. Plus Alfred has a spot where he can spy on the "guests" to see what they are doing.

Now I feel pretentious like Alfred. He's collecting phones to watch a movie like their old professor. I once made a guy turn off his phone, mine included just so we could watch The Crow and live in the moment of 1994.

Alfred taking the phones to another room - there has to be a reason for that. I wonder if someone will be going through them.

Look at that the phones are missing. And Alfred was gone for an extra 20 minutes after the phones were put in there. [Yeah, he took them and blackmailed Grace into giving him TJ's password, which seemed too convenient that she knew it & it was her birthday]

Julius makes a suggestion that they should go see if Alfred's car is in the parking lot and everyone shoots the idea down saying that they don't know what he drives, but wouldn't it be simple to deduct whose car is whose? If all the staff is off for that day and you already know each other's cars there would be only two options.

Alfred and Danny are missing. Their phones are missing. They've had weird stuff happen at night. Zoe being poisoned. But they stop to make breakfast rather than leave. Zoe even washes the dishes. This baffles me. Alfred can't get into their phones but they're waiting to get the phones back and endangering their life over these. It feels like a weird cheap reasoning to keep the characters in the hotel.

Team Julius right now because he's the only one who wants to get out and leave. He even offered to buy everybody new phones if they could go, but he's being the best friend because he's following them around trying to be supportive. And then we find out that he has testicular cancer.

"Every privilege can find a disadvantage"
So very true.

Did you find Alfred's phone once they get into his room and Grace is being very protective of the phone. She ends up handing it over to TJ and of course TJ finds the voice message of them talking about not telling Rob about their affair. TJ almost deletes it and that moment but decides to email it to himself because he wants to break up their marriage. Then he deletes it. It's actually pretty smart because she's already heard this message so she would assume that it was Alfred who sent it to Rob.

Apparently they're searching for the phones and they eventually come across Alfred who somehow fell down the ladder in the closet. Magically out of the dark comes Danny who has been missing this whole time to confront each one of them and put doubt in their minds that maybe one of them did it. They start seeing that Julius is the one that said they had to make it look like an accident if they were to murder someone so of course Danny saying it might be him. Clearly it can't be the actual Alfred that is "dead" and must be a prop that he made, but can a prop be that life like that it could actually trick people into believing it's a real body?

All the tires have been slashed on the vehicles. It's not like they're isolated though they still have Alfred's phone to call out with if they need to call or somebody to come pick them up. It can't be crazy that people picked up people at hotels.

I have to laugh because when Alfred was alive they despised him and did not consider him like a friend. This second he dies they reference him as a friend constantly.

Okay so now we're getting a different POV of Alfred. Alfred told Julius' Dad that he was selling cocaine on the side to which Julius' dad ignored him for months and told him he would cut him off if he didn't stop. Alfred really trying to act like the victim always. And he did all this just because Julius had made fun of Alfred in front of a woman. I'd say that's way over the top. You almost feels like Alfred is actually jealous of Julius having money. In the end though Julius ends up seeking Revenge and ratting him out to Dr Scott with his essay business. I don't blame him I would have done the same thing. What did Alfred expect?

Got to be honest this whole looking for a phone thing is just knocking the momentum down of the book. It's like a hundred pages of looking for these phones. We get it the phones are missing can we move on?

Oh my God thank God we found the phones because I just couldn't take anymore. Samira supposedly had the phones in her room but this was after she found Alfred that she saw them there and she got sick so she forgot to tell everyone. I guess that's a reason I mean they've only been harping about these phones all day. It would be convenient for her to forget these phones, Zoe is right she was with them the whole time when they went outside. She kept saying I got to go and I want to leave but she never actually left, and Julius is the only one who really did leave cuz he was going to go outside to get some fresh air but he was the one to find the cars outside. All the characters were counted for when they went outside including Danny, leaving only the "dead" Alfred behind.

I'm really starting to question how much Grace is a part of all this. Everything she says what contradict itself later in the book. Like Zoe says Grace said her phone was practically dead and her battery is still going when they pull him out of the bag.

Oh my gosh it's raining when the detectives show up. Every good mystery has a rain going when they're being investigated. So exciting.

I don't even think these detectives or cops are real or we're paid off. I think Alfred set this up. There have been no ambulances that have shown up to even try to attempt to resuscitate him or pronounce him dead. I understand it's a small town but geez I live in a town of like 500 and we even have an ambulance.

Tj slashed the tires
Samisa pushed Alfred in the attic and he fell
Someone told Grace about the affair

We find out that TJ slashed the tires to keep Julius there longer. What a ridiculous thing to do. Julius agrees that he will help out out TJ but he has to come and live with him as a roommate.

So Alfred really is dead and there's a root mark on his neck so they think that Samisa didn't kill him after she just pushed him. Don't understand how they would come to this conclusion since they literally picked the body up and they wouldn't have an idea yet of what caused the death.

We find out in the past that Grace slept with Alfred in an effort to find out what he knew and if he was going to say something about her helping him.

Despite Dr Scott having terminal cancer he fell from a building six stories. The police investigate all the students of his class because they think foul play, but wouldn't most people think that maybe he had just ended it since he knew he was going to die? In the end though so happens to catch Alfred running out of the building making her think that he's the one who pushed the professor.

We finally get to figure out what it is that Alfred had over Grace. He tricked her into thinking that Dr Scott was looking into her for the cheating scandal so he convinced her to help him murder Dr Scott so that she wouldn't get in trouble, but if we remember Julius said that he knew Grace was a part of it but he wouldn't turn her in, just Alfred. In the end though praise decides that she's going to be the one that pushes Dr Scott off the roof because Alfred freaks out and can't do it. This was a bold move that I did not see coming.

It's so ridiculous to think that Alfred could hold a pair of eyeglasses over Grace. This many years later and she's still looking for thrm and he's still blackmailing her with them. It's so ridiculous. Like the police are going to be like oh man this pair of glasses were left at the top of where he fell not that they picked it up when he went down. So ridiculous like how would they even match it to him other than the prescription but to open a case based on just eyeglasses you would have to have way more to go on.

Ahhh I knew that he made it up!

Omg Danny is Dr Scott's wife!!! I did not see that happening...How did she get a job with him if she has the same last name?

I'm supposed to believe that an almost 80 year old lady climbed a ladder with a glass of milk to put it in Alfred's attic area. Even a younger person would struggle.

Everyone minus Grace just walks away and Danny sells the hotel.

Final Thoughts:
Reading this book there is a lot of spoilers to Hitchcock movies, so if you haven't seen a lot of these movies they will be spoiled for you.

There is a part in the book where Zoe asks Alfred about all Hitchcock's behaviors and how he can still like him so much. It brings up the conversation of can you separate the artist from the art. I thought this was a good part of the book that added something that made you question on how far you should stop supporting an artist before it's too much. Should we stop supporting artists that do bad stuff within our lifetime or should we not support them overall even in the past?

At the end of the day though I think it was weak to try to get the characters to stay in the hotel just so they could get their phones back. Using this plot device kind of felt like it cheapened their experiences that they were going through. No one would stay through all this and deal with all this craziness for a phone. Maybe a few people would hold back looking for their phones but I find it hard to believe that five characters would be so dead set on finding their phones that they would go through everything the characters have went through to get them back.

There were plot holes to the story. If Samira pushed Alfred out of the attic down the ladder why would nobody have heard it? She makes a comment about how even through the vent she could hear people snoring so I doubt they could not hear the altercation between Alfred and her with a knife. They just all slept through this.

IG | Blog

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a miss, other than the gorgeous, perfect cover I didn’t find a lot to love inside. 2024 continues to be a year of clunkers for me. This is really a campus mystery, set in a hotel for really not much of a reason. The setting is mostly lost in endless backstory, as is most everything else. After three nights of reading waiting for something to kick in to gear, I looked down at my reader and I was 60% through the book.

There’s lots of unnecessary description like, she sat down at the dark oak table, set with red linen napkins and gold plates…etc etc. early on there’s a ton of odd brand name dropping as well for absolutely no reason. “He put on his Nike t-shirt” “she used a CVS receipt as a bookmark” . There are also a lot of Hitchcock tidbits tossed in, but they also mostly don’t figure into the plot.

The dialogue and character’s behavior stretch any sort of believability as well. As we move along very slowly the book morphs from a thriller to a fairly straightforward procedural. By the time the ending came around I was feeling more Lifetime TV Mystery than Hitchcock film.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy all things Hitchcock and all things Stephanie Wrobel and this book is no exception.

Alfred Smettle is not just your average Hitchcock fan. He’s opened a hotel with Hitchcock memorabilia in every room, where he plays the movies 🍿 in a theatre room and has an aviary with 50 crows 🐦‍⬛

He has a carnival horse used in, “Strangers on a Train” and the phone 📞 used in, “Dial M for Murder.”

He has unfinished business with a group of college roommates who have been invited to enjoy a stay at his hotel.

If your a Hitchcock fan, this book is written for you! 🔪

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hitchcock Hotel pays the ultimate homage to Alfred Hitchcock. Although I haven't seen all of his movies, I'm pretty familiar with his biggest works.

The audio production on this one is superb, the voice of Alfred is so perfect and the rest of the narrators are so good! I am loving the multi narrator ensemble which includes Michael Crouch, Gail Shalan, Helen Lloyd.

I enjoyed this one, it's a good locked room mystery with lots of surprises along the way.

[Lisa Lynch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ooof, this one was unpleasant and hard to finish. The only thing I liked about Stephanie Wrobel's The Hitchcock Hotel was the references to Alfred Hitchcock and his movies, but please don't pick this up just for that.

A warning: it's not worth it!

The first problem here is with how BORING this book is. The plot doesn't really kick in until around page 200, so until then we spend a bunch of time with these flat, uninteresting characters doing not a damn thing.

I think a good 100 pages of this book could have been clipped out if Wrobel had been able to tell this story more competently. We spend a ton of time doing what I call "circling the drain" where we just go around and around and around.

There are a lot of characters here and we spend a lot of time getting to know them and their history, relationships, and connections with each other. It's honestly painful. I hate stories that revolve around the social relationships of their characters when all they are about is who's sleeping with who and/or who's secretly in love with who and/or who's cheating on who and/or who lied to/betrayed who. Ugh.

I just have, like, ZERO interest in that kind of thing.

Another warning: the murder happens in the fourth quarter.

Which brings me to my second problem with The Hitchcock Hotel. The end of this book is stupid and not worth climbing a mountain of social-relationship drama to get to. Like I said, the murder happens late in this narrative.

At that point, we've been going back and forth between the past when these dingbats were in college to the present when these dingbats are reunited for the first time in years at The Hitchcock Hotel. And the characters are just so unlikable, I really struggled to continue reading because I didn't care enough about any of it to even be interested in solving the murder.

Also, this book feels painfully YA. I actually didn't realize that the past versions of the main characters were in college for an embarrassing amount of time because they all acted like high schoolers.  So when they were talking about semesters and classes and writing papers, I just assumed they were in high school.

But let me get back to the end of this book being stupid. I promise I won't spoil it.

Final warning: this book closes with an over-expository villain monologue.

And, if you've watched any of Hitchcock's movies, you'll be able to spot that villain a mile away. Yeah, the narrative tries to throw you off with a wanna-be intricate web of social drama, but I guessed the "bad guy" the second they came on page.

And I'm not happy about it. I've been looking forward to this book for months. I mean, look at that cover! But also, don't let it fool you.

I rated Stephanie Wrobel's The Hitchcock Hotel 2 out of 5 stars.