The author had always wanted to write a crime novel featuring a female detective à la Miss Marple. Without further ado, she invented Libby Andersch, who actually shares many of Miss Marple's idiosyncrasies.
The Grand Hotel Matterhorn has seen better days. In any case, it could be described as a sham: there has never been a sun terrace with a panoramic view; to catch a glimpse of Europe's most famous mountain, to which it owes its name, guests have to take a chairlift up the mountain – and hope for good weather. The sprightly pensioner Libby Andersch and her eleven-year-old neighbour Noah have ended up here rather involuntarily. They actually want to travel to Zermatt on the Glacier Express, but a snowstorm prevents them from continuing their journey. Stranded with them is a film crew, who quickly change their plans and shoot in the disused mountain hotel instead of an exquisite Belle Époque house. Until the leading actress Gwendolin is found lying in the foyer with a broken neck. Since the hotel is completely snowed in and cut off from the outside world, those present have little choice but to suspect each other. Libby Andersch's investigative skills are called for!
It was an amusing read, but I still felt it lacked a little substance. In any case, I will read the next volume in this series, which has just been published.
(3½)