Murder at the Hotel

Rina Martin #10

by Jane A. Adams

Meet Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving.

She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real.

A body in the library — and a killer caught red-handed at the scene?

Hammy acting, lazy scripting and dastardly suspects — Rina’s not one for murder mystery weekends. But when she’s invited to an exclusive event at the grand old Palisades Hotel, she can hardly say no.

After check-in, the guests race to the cavernous library, where the game’s about to begin — and William Toons, playing the wicked Lord Thursby, should already have met his fate.

But when the door swings open, they’re in for the shock of their lives.

William is very much alive. And covered in blood that’s anything but fake. All eyes are on the real-life corpse at his feet. ‘I didn’t do it!’ he cries.

But if not Will, then who . . . ?

The clock is ticking for Rina to find out before the final curtain!

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2024

About the author

Some of her early books were published under the name of Jane Adams. This should not be confused with this Jane Adams who is a different author.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Murder at the Hotel, by Jane Adams, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book ten of ten in The Rina Martin Murder Mystery series. Rina was once an actress who solved crimes, now she has to do it in real life, without the help of writers. Rina is invited to a murder mystery weekend, where of course a real murder occurs. Im not sure if I want to go to a murder mystery weekend, especially after reading this book, even though it was a nice read.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I did not realize that this was the tenth and, possibly?, final book in a long-standing murder mystery series. I only saw the title "Murder at the Hotel" on NetGalley and was intrigued by the description. A retired television actress attends a murder mystery weekend at a hotel and a body is found in the library. Sign me up! First the pros: I really enjoyed the characters, particularly those surrounding Rina, who is the main character. She has built up quite the sweet found family in her little corner of England and I was very interested in all of the side characters. And I am certain that for long time readers of the series, it was very satisfying to get to see little check-ins with this very large cast of characters who are all a great help to Rina. Even though I am new to the series, I did not find it too difficult to follow this cast of characters, even though there are quite a lot of them. Rina is a fun character, but I do think I liked Mac and some of the others more.

While I did finish the story and was interested in seeing how everything would wrap up, there were a couple of tropes (that I have read before) that I am not really a fan of, and did not know they would be part of this story. My two largest issues are sort of spoilers so warnings for the context of the rest of this review, but my first issue happens in the prologue, so I am hard pressed to really believe that this is a spoiler. The reader knows who commits the murder the entire book, from the start of the prologue. That is not something we the reader are trying to figure out. This brings me to my second issue, one of my least favorite plot points in general is blackmail. I tend to not find it that interesting or compelling, mostly because I want to read about sympathetic characters. I want to read about people, for the most part, that I would want to spend time with. Typically (although not always) if a character can be blackmailed, then they probably did something pretty bad. The majority of this plot is figuring out who is being blackmailed, who is doing the blackmailing, why, etc. I don't like this angle and this is not what I hope for in a cozy mystery.

Finally, the ending is incredibly abrupt. It's like the author ran out of interest in the characters, in the plot, and just wanted everything to be over. Everything was resolved, which I do appreciate, but I was so surprised when the end of the book just seemed to pop up. I assumed there'd be another chapter or so settling everything, but nope. It just ends. Otherwise I do think this was well-written and the fact that I cared about side characters that have clearly been introduced over 9 books was very well-done. I felt compelled to finish, to see how everything would wrap up, but I don't think I would search out the first book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for a free copy of this eARC in return for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fun, exciting and unpredictable cosy mystery to read in one go, look no further than Jane Adams’ fabulous new crime novel, Murder at the Hotel, featuring retired actress Rina Martin.

Having played a sleuth on TV for years, Rina usually steers clear of murder mystery weekends. Throughout the course of her career, she has seen her fair share of hammy acting, overwrought emotion and lazy scripts. However, when she’s invited to an exclusive event at the grand Palisades Hotel, Rina finds herself unable to say no. What’s the worse that can happen? Quite a lot, as she soon discovers…

As soon as the guests check in, they all head to the library ready for the fun and games to begin. Only what they find is more shocking than either one of them could imagine. The actor William Toons was meant to play the dastardly Lord Thursby, who should have already met his fate. But what the guests find is William covered in blood with a dead body at his feet. William swears he didn’t do it, even if the evidence is pointing squarely in his direction!

Everyone might be convinced that William Toons is a murderer, but Rina Martin is not convinced. Will she manage to find out who the real killer is? Or will this dangerous murderer strike again before curtain call?

Jane Adams’ Rina Martin mysteries are an absolute delight and Murder at the Hotel is a witty, enjoyable and compulsively readable page-turner that kept me engrossed and guessing until the final unpredictable twist. With Rina Martin at the top of her game, Murder at the Hotel is a terrific crime novel from Jane Adams that has me wondering why this fantastic series of cosy mysteries hasn’t been adapted for TV yet!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[TheLisaD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Adams delivers a classic whodunit with a modern twist in Murder at the Hotel, a gripping murder mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. When a man is found dead in a seemingly quiet hotel, the story takes a turn as every guest and staff member becomes a suspect. What follows is a masterfully constructed investigation filled with twists, red herrings, and complex character dynamics.

Adams excels in creating a rich tapestry of intertwined characters, each with their own secrets and motives. The interplay between these characters adds depth to the narrative, making every interaction a potential clue. The author’s skillful character development ensures that no one feels like mere filler—everyone plays a role in building the suspense and keeping the reader engaged.

The pacing is perfect, with each revelation adding new layers to the mystery. Adams keeps the tension high by strategically dropping clues and misdirections, challenging the reader to piece together the truth alongside the investigators. The hotel setting adds to the intrigue, providing a contained environment where secrets and lies are inevitably brought to light.

What truly sets Murder at the Hotel apart is Adams’ ability to balance complexity with clarity. Despite the numerous twists and turns, the story never feels convoluted. The final reveal is both surprising and satisfying, tying together all the threads in a way that feels earned and logical.

Overall, Murder at the Hotel is a thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for fans of traditional murder mysteries with a contemporary edge. Jane Adams has crafted a compelling, twisty tale that will keep readers hooked from the first page to the last.

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was supposed to be a murder mystery weekend with the mystery provided by the Cameron Players. The acts leading up to the murders provided the clues leading up to a body in the library. When the library doors are opened, however, the actor who was to play the body is found standing over a real body with blood on his hands. The guest of honor is Rina Martin, who plays a Miss Marple-like character on television. Having been involved in actual investigations, she takes quick action to secure the scene and ask for the police to be called. Everyone denies knowing who the victim is, but William Toon, the lead actor, and Fliss Cameron, the event’s organizer were both being blackmailed by him. His death does not end the blackmail. When Toon receives a letter with further demands he turns to Rina for help and advice. Having worked with the police in the past, she finds herself in the middle of another investigation filled with twists.

Rina Martin is surrounded by a number of friends who are all introduced as Jane Adams sets the scene of her story, making the opening a bit slow. Once Rina passes Toon’s story over to the police they take over the investigation, with Rina making occasional appearances as she digs for information on the people involved. Fans of Murder, She Wrote and Agatha Christie’s Marple will enjoy Rina Martin’s adventures. I would like to thank Joffe Books for providing this book.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rena Martin Murder Mysteries #10

Meet Rena Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening, and crime-solving. She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real. A grand hotel on a lonely cliffside. A murder mystery event like no other. A killer who is playing a game of their own. Ham acting, lazy scriptwriters, and dastardly suspects - Rena's not one for murder mystery weekends. But when she's invited for twenties-themed hi-jinks up at the luxury Palisades Hotel, she can hardly say no. A handful of guests gather for the exclusive event. They race to the library, where they're in for a shock. William Toons, playing the wicked Lord Thursby, should have already met his fate. Except William is very much alive, and covered in blood that's anything but fake. All eyes are on the real-life corpse at his feet.

This is a well-written, cosy murder mystery. The main character, Rena Martin, reminds me a little of Miss Marple. Rena had been invited along to a murder mystery weekend, but they weren't expecting to find a real dead body and the person that was supposed to be acting dead, standing over the body covered in blood. This twisted, quick read had me intrigued. The characters are well-developed and likeable. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Published 25th July 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #JaneAdams for my ARC of #MurderAtTheHotel in exchange for an honest review.

[Misfits farm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rina Martin is attending a murder mystery weekend as part of her old persona where she played a TV detective, thankfully this time she is a guest and not performing. When a body is found for real and one of the actors who was playing the victim is standing over it, her curiosity piques and she is head first in a real life murder mystery. She feels that the actor knows the victim but is not letting on and that he was checking the man really was dead. Her old friend Mac is heading up the police team and Rina is on hand to see and hear things the police may not. Who did this, why, and why bring the body to the hotel in the middle of the mystery weekend?

This is a very enjoyable series - this happily stands alone. Rina is a very likeable, well rounded, no nonsense character who is well situated to observe. It’s almost a cozy crime type read as all the guests were together in the hotel and the actors with them, but someone somewhere knows more. A twisty plot, cleverly presented kept the pages turning at a pace. A more than thoroughly enjoyable read.
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter (X) @nickisbookblog
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[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rina finds herself invited to a murder mystery weekend at the local Palisades Hotel. She is the guest of honour as a celebrated TV Sleuth in a long running series.
This time around she is only a guest or so she thinks.
Things of course go awry very quickly when the library doors are opened and the actor Will Toons who is supposed to be playing the victim is standing over a body with blood on his hands.
" I didn't do it !" he cried.
The question is, if not Will then who ….?
Rina instantly steps into her old role and takes charge securing the scene and having the police called.
Well she can`t just sit back when it becomes clear some people are lying about not knowing the dead man and so sets about discovering the truth.
A really enjoyable read to add to a very good series filled with appealing characters interesting plots and lots of twists and turns.
Looking forward to the next Rina Martin outing.
Many thanks to Joffe books for a copy of this in return for me honest review.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rina Martin is a retired actress, having played a sleuth on TV in the past she is something of an amateur one in her own time too.
Now she has to put her tv detective skills to the test when she is confronted with the classic "body in the library" when she takes part in a local murder mystery weekend at the Palisades hotel.
A somewhat disgraced TV actor is taking part in the mystery shenanigans and he is the one who finds the body.
But in a hammy turn of events even though caught as they say "red handed" he swears blind he didn't do it.
Rina is inclined to believe him but both he and a few of the other guests seem to share fleeting glances, causing Rina to think they aren't being exactly upfront and somehow they know this real, surprise corpse...
This was brilliant, never read this author before and I love the kind of modern Christie style twist.
Really liked Rina and also Mac.
Having read this one I would definitely read more by the author again.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rina Martin, along with her co-stars on her television show and members of her little "family" are taking part in a murder mystery weekend at the Palisades Hotel where Tim works as a magician. Other guests include people who have won a contest to meet Rina as well as having the opportunity to figure out who the pretend murderer is. But when the door to the murder scene is opened, they are shocked to discover a real dead body, with an actor whose hands are bloodied saying "I didn't kill him".
This book started out slow. Rina admits she really doesn't want to be at the hotel. She just wrapped up filming the television series and would rather be sitting comfortably at home. That mood carried over to me. It took a while for the action to begin. The story line was just okay. This was my least favorite book in what had been a very good series up to now.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving is attending a murder mystery weekend. A body is found and William Toons, the actor who was playing the victim is caught standing over the body
The tenth outing for Rina & friends & it’s easily read on its own. A well written cosy mystery with strong characters & whilst most of the book flowed well I thought it lagged in a couple of places. There are twists & turns & I came no where near working out the reasons for the murder. Not my favourite of the series but still a thoroughly enjoyable read & I still look forward to more in the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The body was in the library but the murder scene was a mystery in itself.
Rina Martin plays a sleuth and has the nosiness to make her useful to DI MacGregor. That's especially true in this case where there is an acting troupe of people she knows working at this murder mystery weekend. We hear how the investigation goes from her point of view and also how things spiral out of control from the point of view of the murderer who is also one of the blackmail victims. There are some truly astonishing plot twists as well as the kinds of misdirections that made me groan. Another winner in this series.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected proof e-copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Nice Cosy Read

Rena Martin used to play the part of a TV sleuth but although she has now retired it seems she is now playing the part again for real. Reluctantly Rena is attending a murder mystery weekend at a grand hotel but before proceedings can even begin a real body is found in the library. Rena is well known to the local police (in a good way) and her help proves invaluable to most officers although a few remain sceptical. I haven’t read all the books in the series but it is quite easy to pick up the background as you get into the book. I particularly enjoy Rena’s liking for tea and cake. A woman after my own heart!

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Rina Martin Mysteries are always enjoyable, and this one doesn't disappoint.
Although part of a series, and in the previous books, you see the characters develop, this book can be read as a standalone.
It's a well written, enjoyable, gripping storyline and plot with a lovely flow of writing. It has great characters, some revelations, and plenty of twists.
Once I start a book, I like to read without interruptions and just lay the book down when I want to.
I was disturbed a number of times while reading this book. It was nice to be able to pick it up and fall straight back into the story, as if I'd never put the book down.
It's a most enjoyable book , my thanks to Joffe books.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rina Martin, a retired actress who played a sleuth on television, joins her friends for a murder mystery weekend at the grand old Palisades Hotel. Before the “fake” murder can occur, a real murder happens in the library, where Rina finds one of the actors standing over the body with blood on his hands. While he swears he is innocent of the murder, it is obvious he knows something and Rina is going to do her best to find out what it is. This was my first time reading a book in this series and I enjoyed this story immensely. The pacing was good as were the surprises in this well written mystery. I thank Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Avril Hemingway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read other books in this series although not all. It was nice to spend time with Rina and her somewhat eccentric friends/family. However this one wasn't as good for me as the others have been. I think it's because the book starts off with the murder so we know who did it which I dislike. The biggest mystery is really how it came to be where it was found. I just wasn't as enthralled this time it felt a little flat and not a great deal of investigating seemed to be being done. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing style is a bit clunky. There's no need to worry about picking up this series out of order, because there's an avalanche of exposition. Don't worry about cliff hangers or loose ends, because every last little detail is exhaustively explained. Theres not much of a mystery anyway because you're told exactly what's happening the entire time. The only time I was ever in danger of not knowing what was going on was when I was trying to keep straight the 50 some odd characters.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is very entertaining and I'm always glad to catch with Rina, her friends, and investigate with them.
This is the 10th instalment and it's better to read the books in series even if it can be appreciated with a stand-alone.
A murder weekend that turn into a week end with a real murder, a lot of twists and surprises.
It's the perfect Christmas in July read, a good and solid mystery, an entertaining novel.
I can't wait to read the next one as I had fun.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Joffe Books and Books 'n' Promotions for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

[Rob White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book from Net Galley in return for a review.

A little disappointed with this one, it started off strong with a good premise, a real dead body turns up at a murder mystery weekend, then it felt as if lost a little of its momentum in the final third. Rina Martin is a likeable character, a modern day Miss Marple, but it felt as though she was on the sidelines a bit too much as the book went on, I would have preferred her to be more active in the later stages.

[Sally Winsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book number 10 of the Rina Martin Murder Mysteries is another great read. When a real body turns up at a murder mystery weekend attended by Rina and her Peverill Lodge family, a whole can of worms is opened up involving blackmail and murder. Rina’s friend Mac (DI MacGregor) takes on the case and with Rina’s help gets to work unraveling the tangled mess. If you have never met Rina and her gang before (and even if you have) I recommend this wonderful cosy murder mystery.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, can be read as standalone or enjoyed as the latest in the series of Rina Martin mysteries. Well written and with several unexpected turns, it has everything, blackmail, murder and intrigue.
Rina Martin, semi retired actress and amateur sleuth attends a murder mystery weekend at a nearby hotel when the staged murder turns into a real one. Although the police are investigating Rina can’t help but get involved.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was only when I saw that this was book 10 in the series, that I realised that I had missed reading a few, however it reads well as a standalone too. Murder and mayhem seem to follow Rina and when asked to help at a murder/mystery weekend at a local hotel, you know that trouble will follow! Lots of twists and turns and misdirection to keep the reader guessing throughout.

Thanks to Joffe books for the ARC to review

[Noémi Hanus · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder at the Hotel" by Jane Adams is a superb murder mystery. Rina Martin, a retired actress turned real-life sleuth, is a brilliantly crafted character. The setting at the grand Palisades Hotel adds an atmospheric touch, perfect for a thrilling twenties-themed murder mystery event. The plot twists and engaging storyline kept me hooked till the very end. Highly recommended for fans of classic whodunnits.

[Angela Britnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, reminiscent of Agatha Christie with the setting in a grand hotel and interesting cast of characters, very much. The only down side was that I got this as an ARC from the publisher and didn't realise it was the latest in a long-running series so found it slightly hard to pick up who everyone was and what had gone on before. That just means I need to go back and start the series at the beginning which won't be a hardship at all!

[Sarah Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Rina Martin book yet ! I absolutely love the way Rina and her cast of characters have developed over the years, until you really feel that you know them almost like family! This book has a terrific plot, and there’s always that twist at the end to keep you on edge. Already looking forward to the next episode. Jane Adams is such a great writer, don't miss out on this!

[Regina Ulmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story; a bit unusual because you know who the murderer is from the beginning, but I enjoyed finding out what led to the murder.

I’ve not read anything by this author before now, but based on this solid tale, I would definitely read some of her other books.

I want to thank Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Liz Krummell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the series but Book 10 was not my favorite. Usually the characters from Rina's house are more involved and Mac and Miriam are more involved. There seemed to be more about the characters in the hotel. Nice description on how the suspect just could not take it anymore Surprised on the girlfriend being involved though clues nicely

[jane a shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books

I enjoyed the characters . They were realistic and good people. Rena was a great help to Mac. The people in her home were interesting and sweet. You felt at home with them. It is a great family they all pitched in to help each other. It's the way all families should be.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this crime drama where a murder mystery weekend turns too real. I loved Rina and her companions, which made all these stories particularly great.

This was well-written with complex and well-developed characters and some twists and mystery.

I don't know if there will be any further books in this series...hope so.

Engaging and entertaining.

Recommended.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series and this is another good read. What starts out as a murder weekend in the local hotel ends up with a real life murder. It is clear some people are also lying when they deny knowing who the dead man is but Rina of course is determined to get to the truth.

I liked how it was clear who the killer was but also that nothing was as it seems and it was only at the end when things came together. Overall it was a pleasant easy read.

My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.