Murder at the Hotel Orient

by Alessandra Ranelli

A spicy whodunnit with Golden Age style, set in a timeless location inspired by a real Viennese no-tell love hotel.

'Sultry, sinister and smart. Sterling Lockwood is going to steal your heart - just don't trust her with it' Stuart Turton, author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

In modern Vienna, the infamous Hotel Orient glitters at the heart of the city, luring lovers inside for an evening of debauchery. Behind its velvet curtain, cameras are forbidden, aliases are required, and every guest has something to hide.

For those seeking illicit liaisons, Sterling Lockwood is the perfect concierge. Sultry and poised, she's the ultimate keeper of secrets, including her own.
But when dawn breaks and two of the anonymous guests are found dead in their suite, Sterling must break the Orient's sacred code of discretion, turning detective to find a killer and clear her own name.

Alongside Fernando, her quick-witted friend and bellhop, Sterling steps beyond the hotel's stained-glass doors, venturing from grand coffee houses where power whispers between porcelain cups, to dimly lit bars where the curious seek rapturous oblivion, and risking everything to solve an impossible case.
Check into the Hotel Orient and prepare for a thrilling case that will leave your heart pounding. Don’t be shy, darling, ring the bell . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Adult, Spicy, Mystery Thriller

Hardcover

Expected publication May 7, 2026

About the author

Crime Writer.
Storyteller.
Woman in the Red Dress.

Alessandra Ranelli is an American author living abroad in Vienna, Austria. Her work focuses on love, lust, and loss. She’s been known to kiss and tell.

Alessandra’s crime writing is influenced by her love of old Hollywood glamour and golden age crime. Her style is a cocktail made from a generous pour of bourbon, an ounce of film noir, and a dash of bawdy humor — served in a rocks glass, with red lipstick staining the rim.

As a professional storyteller she has a reputation for making audiences laugh and cry in equal measure. Alessandra is known for her New York Times Modern Love essay "Two Kisses We Never Talked About" and her debut crime novel, "Murder at the Hotel Orient"

She can be found on Instagram @alessandra_ranelli

Reviews

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gigantic thank you to John Murray Press and Alessandra Ranelli for providing me with an ARC of Murder at the Hotel Orient in return for an honest review.

Bienvenue à Vienne's most scandalous and clandestine address; the Orient Hotel, where desire collides with danger and secrets hide behind each closed door. In Murder at the Orient Hotel by Alessandra Ranelli, readers are transported into a world of velvet darkness, whispered names, and unspoken desire only to find that underlying the sensual façade is a lethal game of liars and killers.

The book is set in motion with a decadent Golden Age mystery atmosphere but laced with a sultry, modern twist. It takes place in a love hotel where cameras are forbidden and anonymity is assured which will get an instant hold of you. It's mysterious, it's glamorous, and it's perilous all at the same time. When a guest is found dead, the hotel's mysterious concierge, Sterling Lockwood, decides that she will solve the mystery herself. But with the body toll increasing, tension also increases and Sterling's wit and charm are the only things that stand between her and the killer.

The writing is crisp and cinematic by the author. The novel is as if one was sitting in a noir movie with a jazz background due to all the smoky corridors, candles that flicker, and flirtations that are perilous. Sterling is an engaging protagonist: she is smart, elegant, and refreshingly multifaceted. She’s not a traditional detective, but her sharp instincts and morally gray nature make her one of the most intriguing sleuths I’ve read in recent years. Think Phryne Fisher with a darker twist and a Viennese flair.

What really shines is the author's skill at combining Golden Age mystery conventions with a modern sensibility. The result is both nostalgic and new. There's subtle humor underlying the dialogue, erotic tension in each encounter, and an ongoing feeling that everyone including Sterling has something to conceal.

The plotting is faultless. With each chapter, another layer of the hotel's luxurious facade is stripped away, and the secrets it holds reveal themselves from illicit affairs to ancient resentments. The writer constructs her mystery like a symphony that begins slowly and beautifully and then builds to a heart-stopping climax that left me shocked and exhilarated.

And then there's Vienna. The backdrop is not just a prop; it's a participant. The author stains the city with rich, sensual description from its opulent coffee houses to its dark alleyways so that you can almost smell the espresso and touch the silk sheets with your fingertips.

If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, Stuart Turton, or Deanna Raybourn, Murder at the Hotel Orient is going to be your next obsession. It’s a delicious cocktail of mystery, glamour, and danger which is shaken, not stirred.

By the last page, I was thoroughly enthralled by Sterling Lockwood and her addictive world. I can only hope we don't see the last of her because I'm already itching to return to the Hotel Orient for a second visit.

Murder at the Hotel Orient is clever, sexy, and highly addictive. It's a mystery that crackles with charm and menace in equal proportions.

Thanks once more to John Murray Press and Alessandra Ranelli for this great read.

[katharina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll start off this review by saying that I’ve been anticipating this book for over 1 1/2 years. I’ve stumbled across a TikTok Video from the author and have been thinking about the book ever since because the overall idea that’s presented really hooked and intrigued me.

That’s why I was so disappointed once I’ve finally started reading.

Some parts, if not the entirety of this book, genuinely read like Fanfiction. For example the first interaction with the detectives: Andreas kept asking “Is this a joke to you?”, which didn’t really fit to what Sterling was actually saying. It felt like the sentence said, was just to give us a feeling of what vibe Sterling gave off without actually giving us Sterling’s vibe (if that makes sense).

The characters are unbearable, the relationships between the characters feel fake and like the reader is outside of an inside joke and 90% of the book is just talk about sex, flirting or being kinky. That’s not something I particularly enjoy.

Also, the repetition of the word “Oida” genuinely made me lose my mind, if I hear or read that word one more time I’ll actually go insane.

Nevertheless, this is the author’s debut and you can feel that she put her everything into it. I like the idea of this book and the overall concept. I’m truly devastated I didn’t get to enjoy it as much as I’d hoped.

A genuine thanks to John Murray and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Liv Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book intrigued me, I thought it would be something akin to Murder on the Orient Express..
How wrong I was! This was so much better.

I was hooked from the first few chapters. Absolutely loved it, so much that I very nearly missed my train due to being so engrossed in Sterlings story!!

The intricate weaving and webs of relationships, stories and backgrounds of the characters are expertly illustrated. There are hooks in very chapter that keeps you wanting more.

Loved the relationship between Sterling and
Fernando, and the hotel itself.
Did not expect the twists at the end.
I will.be purchasing this next year.



Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hamad Naif · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Murder at the Hotel Orient
The author's prose is precise and cinematic, evoking the atmosphere of a noir film underscored by a jazz-inflected mood. Smoke-filled corridors, flickering candlelight, and perilous flirtations create a richly immersive setting. Sterling is a great lead-smart, stylish, and nicely layered. She's not your typical detective, but her sharp instincts and morally grey edge make her genuinely interesting to follow. Think Phryne Fisher, but darker, with a distinctly Viennese twist. Highly recommended if you enjoy a twisty novel

[Emilie Castera · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat!!
Sultry, warm, kinky and witty. All the right ingredients for the perfect read.
Thank you John Murray and Alessandra for my early copy!
My only mistake was to start reading on a late Sunday night ahead of the busiest week. Was very painful not being able to read it in a day!

[Tiffany Crum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricately plotted, with surprises behind every door, Murder at the Hotel Orient is as witty as it is mysterious, with the most swoon-worthy cast of characters I’ve encountered in ages. An electric debut! Not only did I devour it, I’m Sterling Lockwood’s biggest fan!

[Donna Morfett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot, and particularly a lot of crime fiction, but i have never read anything quite like this before.
I met Alessandra at a book festival before this was published, and even then her ideas to get it out to publishers was fresh and brilliant. I hoped it would work and evidentally it did.
The resulting read is gripping, beautifully written, clever, dark, moody, sexy and sultry.
It feels like a golden age mystery but with a very modern twist. It has its dark moments but nothing is particularly in your face.
Sterling is a great character, mysterious herself, clearly with a past that wasn't revealed, which hopefully means more to come.
The hotel is almost a character in itself, rooms with different themes and hidden panels, secret rooms and total anonymity for its guests. No cameras or mobile phones allowed. Id love to see this on the screen so I could see this hotel brought to life. The book is set is Austria, not somewhere I've been or know a great deal about, but really want to now. Alessendra seems to write the city like a love note to it.
There are a lot of little funny moments and light hearted interactions and this really was a brilliant read.
I know this is the authors debut, so I hope this is the first step to brilliant things.

[Laura Bux · Rating 5 out of 5]

So looking forward to reading this next year!

[Grace Belnap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vienna and murder are two of my favorite subjects, so I already know I'm going to love this. Can't wait to read it!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Hotel Orient is an irresistibly fun mystery that pulls you straight into the shadows of modern day Vienna. Alessandra Ranelli sets the story inside the infamous Hotel Orient, a place where secrecy is the only rule and every guest arrives with something to hide. Sterling Lockwood, the hotel’s concierge and unofficial keeper of secrets, makes for a compelling lead as she’s pushed into detective work after a double murder shakes the hotel. The setting is wonderfully atmospheric, and the blend of old world charm with modern espionage gives the book a fresh, intriguing edge.

What really makes the story shine is how much it'll immerse you. Between the hidden motives, the vanished suspects, and the tension of Sterling trying to protect her own secrets, I found myself losing track of time because I was so absorbed in the unfolding mystery. The character development is excellent, especially the dynamic between Sterling and her colleague Fernando, and the plot delivers plenty of twists without ever feeling overdone. With its mix of murder, mystery, and cleverly concealed truths, this book was simply a joy to read.

[Monika Caparelli-Hippert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn't that blurb sound cool? And isn't that a brilliant cover? Just the look of it makes you feel like you've checked into the Hotel Orient! I was delighted to receive one of the early review copies, and in keeping with the story, the eBook didn't arrive "just like that," but with a friendly email from the hotel reception, saying that everything was ready for my check-in :-) Very thoughtful, dear publishing concierges, and a word of praise in advance; I had a very pleasant and exciting stay with you!

Okay, we're in Vienna, here and now. The setting is the Hotel Orient, and it's more of a special relic of past centuries. To put it bluntly: a hotel by the hour. But not your average hotel. The Orient has retained the style of past centuries, and those checking in here leave their cell phones and other newfangled gadgets with Sterling, the concierge, because we're discreet and old-fashioned here, and: no pictures, please. For reasons of discretion, you only provide a self-chosen alias here and – an official exception throughout Vienna – you don't need to present any ID. Cash is, of course, the preferred means of payment.

And now the murders – yes, two of them. A double murder during one of Sterling's night shifts, during which there were strange incidents that kept both our concierge and her best buddy and assistant Fernando busy. The two therefore only discover the bodies the next morning, and the team of investigators from the Vienna Homicide Squad called in is anything but enthusiastic about the new case. No personal information, no solid leads, a notorious crime scene, and pressure from above to solve the case as quickly and discreetly as possible. And so the two detectives suddenly find themselves reunited with Sterling and Fernando in an involuntary quartet, searching for witnesses and answers to questions that the shady Viennese underworld has been preoccupied with for some time...

The cast: brilliant.
→ Sterling, an American with a dubious past, a slight nymphomaniac, with a brilliant mind reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes.
→ Fernando, her best friend, a budding acting superstar (maybe one day), also with connections to all of Vienna's shady spots.
→ Mr. K., owner of the Hotel Orient, and with more knowledge of Vienna's underworld than Sterling is good for.
→ Andreas, a grumpy Viennese detective with pickpocketing skills and a weakness for Sterling that will either send him to an early grave or help solve the case.
→ Beate, his partner, whose skills are often underestimated, and
all the other supporting actors, who also deliver Oscar-worthy performances :-)

The style: fast-paced. Action-packed.
The author describes the Austrian capital so vividly that we rush through the city with the protagonists. Truly brilliant.

For me, as a native German speaker, the book also had an unexpected, super-funny bonus. Of course, the American author wrote in English, but for the sake of atmosphere, a few Viennese dialect expressions were included, and I really shook myself when Andreas cursed again: "Alter Schwede" (literally: Old suede. Means: Holy shit.) So brilliant, we say that in Germany too, and I had the tone of voice completely in my head. And that typical Viennese Oida—anyone who knows that will have a grin on their face while reading. Oi—fucking—da —honestly, I can't take it anymore :-)
The chapters are numbered consecutively, in German. As I said, it had a certain charm for me.

Apart from that: a gripping case. Really well done. It grabbed me. Lots of dialogue, all very lively and exciting.

I was thoroughly entertained. Many thanks to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for the advance reading copy. My stay at the Hotel Orient was a pleasure; I'll leave a 5-star guest review and would love to come back!

[Douglas Schlesser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be sent an advance copy of Murder at the Hotel Orient by the publisher, and I am delighted to write this review. Murder at the Hotel Orient follows the escapades of concierge Sterling Lockwood as she works to solve the murder of of two hotel guests who, like all guests at the Hotel Orient, has checked in under a pseudonym. The Hotel Orient, an actual love hotel in Vienna, takes the anonymity of their clientele seriously, so Detective Andreas Wolke has no choice but to rely on Sterling's knowledge of the hotel and its guests to help solve the crime. Murder at the Hotel Orient is perfect for fans of noir while adding a healthy dose of spice. Imagine if the femme fatales of old took the reins away from Marlowe, Spade, and the like and told it like it was.


This locked room mystery places a very modern protagonist in the classic setting of the Hotel Orient, home of rotary phones and temperamental elevators. It manages at once to feel familiar and fresh. Sterling, who rarely goes a moment without an innuendo coming to mind, works well with the stilted Wolke, who does his best to resist her charms while fantasizing about the endless pleasure of completing paperwork. Sterling takes Wolke into a Vienna that she knows inside and out where we meet prostitutes, bartenders, expats, lounge singers, madames and more. With each interview, Sterling peels back a layer that not only brings them closer to solving the murders, but also calls into question truths she’s always known about herself and the people who populate her life.

In addition to being a great mystery, Murder at the Hotel Orient is laugh out loud funny. Sterling is unabashedly forthright, and often it’s not just her thoughts that are on full display. This type of sex-forward protagonist might be off-putting to some, but Ranelli has crafted a world in which Sterling fits perfectly, as does her flamboyant partner-in-crime, and fellow concierge, Fernando and the rest of the characters who live their lives after dark and on the fringe of society. We get to make our own assumptions about Sterling, but we also get to see her world explored through Wolke. Sure, he’s a detective and has seen his share of the underbelly of Vienna, but he’s never quite seen characters as distinct as those that populate Sterling’s world.

The payoff of the novel is cleverly hidden throughout, and I kicked myself for not having seen it sooner. Hats off to Ms. Ranelli for the orchestration of an ending with many moving parts that slide into place with precision. Readers will find some truly beautiful passages here, too, about love, loss, family, and grief, all punctuated by the ba-dum-tiss of Sterling’s personality to bring us back to the problem at hand: Who killed Hedy Delacroix and [redacted]?

Pick this one up if you like: travel-through-literature, locked room mysteries, fresh takes on classic settings, kink-friendly spice, and filling out forms in triplicate

[Tzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hotel Orient. Vienna's best loved den of iniquity - a no-tell hotel where couples, lovers, and hired professionals go to conduct their illicit pursuits and indulge their desires. Anonymity and discretion assured...until a cold night in January when two of the hotel guests are found murdered. In order to keep herself out of jail, Sterling - the Hotel's Concierge and Keeper of Secrets - must work with the police to find the killer while still keeping the secrets of the city's most influential people.

Clearly heavily influenced by film noir and the golden age of Hollywood, this is a moody and sultry book. There are shady characters everywhere you look, back alley meetings, secrets around every corner and any number of suspects and motives. I touch I thought was lovely and original was the fact that Sterling has to track down the suspects without knowing their names, because all hotel guests only use aliases. I also loved that the hotel had its own character throughout - I've always felt like that is the case in real life with any old building! The whodunnit itself is well plotted with a couple of lovely twists, and I enjoyed the fact that most characters are pretty morally grey at best.

I would have liked more background on Sterling, much was made of her hiding from her past but we're given no information on it in the end. The character arc of Andreas didn't really seem to fit with who he was and there were definitely times when the book relied too heavily on flirtation and kink rather than plotline.

I had a good time with this, though it's a hard book to describe. It's sort of trying to be sexy, comedic, dark and a cozy mystery all in one. In some ways it manages that tightrope and in some it doesn't manage to definitively be any of them. Well worth picking up if you're looking for a slightly different approach to a murder mystery.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me the ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Thomas Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often that I take the time to sink into a book and enjoy every moment of it. It seems like there's just too many books to read, vying for my attention. And so, more and more, it takes something special to come along and grab that attention and hold it—but also to hold it in such a way that I'm not desperately scrambling through it, but am determined to enjoy every single moment of it.

That's absolutely how I felt about Murder at the Hotel Orient. Part of that is that essential ingredient: the characters, from the hotel itself to Sterling Lockwood, the adorable Fernando, conflicted Detective Andreas and every other single member of this incredible cast. It's an ensemble I want to hang out with and soak in their company. Partly, it was the prose. *Oida*, Alessandra Ranelli can write. Never in such a way as to hijack your attention and pull you out of the story, but in that subtle way that makes you nod and smile and highlight it to come back to and appreciate later, like a work of art you just hung on your walls.

And then there's the plot.

Now, I write from time to time, and know a thing or two about complex plots (I reject the term convoluted as sounding too negative), and I'm a huge fan of books where you're uncovering reveal after reveal, with both twists AND turns, double-twists, threads linking back and forth, back and forth ... It's fun. The final culprit surprised me—how refreshing is that?

And then there's the deeper stuff. We don't find that in every whodunnit, but this book left me thinking long into the night about truth and secrets and power.

All in all, I was sad to put it down and say goodbye to these characters—for a bit. I'll certainly be rereading and, in the meantime, will be poking and prodding Alessandra until she coughs up a second masterpiece.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the modern day this delightfully quirky love hotel harks back to the Golden Age of movies, a place where cameras are forbidden, identities are hidden with pseudonyms, and anonymity is assured. Working the night shift is the hotel's concierge, Sterling Lockwood and bellhop, Fernando. As the hotel itself, creaks and groans, so do a couple of the patrons, who are discovered dead in the early morning. The police are called and reluctantly allowed into the hotel. Finding she is their chief suspect, Sterling has to work hard to clear her name, or she risks either being locked up or thrown out of Austria since her papers have long since expired.
The author wraps this mystery up in a large does of glamour and sex, and as each chapter peels away a layer of secrets we are left with longstanding resentments and dislikes, the fires of which still burn deep within the players.
The plotting is good, the pacing excellent and the characters are well drawn. I liked Sterling who is witty, charming, determined and loyal. She enjoys intense relationships with many of the other characters. The city of Vienna makes an excellent backdrop, renown as it is as a city of spies with its position between east and west, the building of the United Nations and its unsettling weather and historical buildings. Then there is the Hotel Orient, itself, not a backdrop, but a main player in this story with its nervous lift, troublesome lighting, difficult music, secret passages and fulsome effort to protect its secrets.
I very much enjoyed this, especially the timeless feel of the novel. With thanks to the author, John Murray Press and Netgalley for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

[Kena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Hotel Orient by Alessandra Ranelli is a fun read and a brilliant debut!

It centres on the Hotel Orient in Vienna. I didn’t realise, but it’s not fictional, it’s an actual love hotel. Google the hotel and see the rooms featured in the book!

Sterling Lockwood, the concierge and keeper of the hotel’s secrets, and her trusted bellhop Fernando discover two bodies in a bedroom at the end of their shift. The police are called and start investigating. Sterling and Fernando are under pressure by Mr K, the hotel’s owner, to find the murderer before the police so normal business can resume. It’s also in their best interest to beat the police in solving the case as Sterling has secrets of her own.

This book is fun with Sterling and Fernando investigating the murders working with and against the police officers Beate and Andreas. The book moves along at a good pace with twists and turns. The relationship and banter between Sterling and Fernando is great. It’s also sprinkled with humour and the odd German phrase.

I hope that there will be more adventures for Sterling in Fernando in subsequent books!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, John Murray Press | Baskerville, for making this e-ARC available to me read in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Sara Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

💬 My Bookish Thought
What a fab mystery this turned out to be! The premise of a dead body found in an infamous real-life love hotel piqued my attention, and when I learned it was set in Vienna with Golden Age style, I was salivating! The cover paints the perfect picture of what’s inside.

I had a fabulous time with Sterling, the hotel’s smart, sultry, and efficient concierge, and her witty, adorable best buddy Fernando as they tried to uncover the murder on her watch.

The hotel itself is decadent and swoonworthy — a den of sophistication with an underbelly of secrets and saucy goings-on, which the team are experts at making disappear without a trace.

I found the characters beguiling, the story evocative, addictive, lascivious, glamorous, heaps of fun, and the author kept me guessing right up to the end. Oh, and Andreas, the police officer in charge, is hot! Not to mention Mr K.

I can’t wait for more from the Hotel Orient — tell me there will be more 🙏🏼

This fantastic debut would make a perfect future gift for mystery lovers who want something sultry, sinister, and smart.

✨ Three words:
Decadent 💎 Mysterious 🕵🏼‍♀️ Addictive 🔥

🙏🏼 Huge thanks to @netgalley, @johnmurraypress, @AlessandraRanelli for the gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hotel Orient is a sultry, stylish mystery that oozes charm and danger in equal measure. Set in Vienna’s most infamous love hotel—where anonymity is sacred and secrets are currency—the story introduces Sterling Lockwood, a concierge with razor-sharp wit and a flair for navigating the shadows.

When a guest’s night of pleasure turns deadly, Sterling finds herself at the heart of a twisted whodunnit, surrounded by masked motives and hidden identities. The hotel itself is a character—opulent, decadent, and brimming with intrigue. With Golden Age flair and contemporary spice, the narrative dances between flirtation and fatality, keeping readers deliciously off-balance.

Sterling is a standout lead: glamorous, clever, and just dangerous enough to make you wonder whose side she’s really on. The prose is crisp, the pacing electric, and the atmosphere thick with velvet and vice.

Perfect for fans of Stuart Turton and lovers of noir with a modern twist, Hotel Orient is a seductive mystery that invites you in with a wink—and leaves you breathless.

With thanks to Alessandra Ranelli, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER AT THE HOTEL ORIENT is a scintillating and sexy murder mystery set in a real life Viennese love hotel, with a fantastic protagonist in the unstoppable Sterling Lockwood. Twisting and turning through velvet-curtained rooms, dark streets and the grandeur of Austria's capital, this novel made me laugh and gasp in equal measure. So check in and meet the Concierge - you won't regret it, as long as you can stay alive.

Okay - that's the blurb, what's the detail?

I was lucky enough to read this book as a beta reader and it was the perfect balance of compelling, funny, twisty and exciting. Sterling is a fantastic character who I hope we'll see much more of, and Vienna is a character in itself, as is the real-life Hotel Orient. This novel has an incredibly vivid sense of place and transported me back to the city. And the core murder mystery is both complex, satisfying and multi-threaded. By the time I got to the end I was astonished at the balancing act of plot, character and impeccable vibes.

Bravo - get this on your TBR.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the author says in the dedication, the book is extremely "slutty", but not graphic. The novel has a slow start and a very odd sense of humour.

The Hotel Orient in Vienna is renowned for its anonymity where guests use aliases, but at the beginning of the story two guests are found murdered. Sterling, the concierge, with her warped sense of humour, is tasked to work closely with the local police inspector to uncover the mystery.

The characters are intolerable and 90% of the book is just talk about sex, flirting or being kinky. However if these aspects could be addressed it might make for an enjoyable read as the overall concept is okay. It would have helped to have the Viennese Dialect Guide at the start of the book, especially for e-book readers. Two stars for the author’s efforts.

My thanks to John Murray and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Sandy Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pay by the hour (or perhaps a bit longer), hotel in Vienna, but upmarket, don’t give your real name, and be assured that any details you give will be destroyed. But when two bodies are found in one of the hotel rooms how are the police going to solve the crime with so little background information available? Hotel concierge Stirling has her own secrets to keep, and this means that she’ll have to help the police but not necessarily tell them the truth. A potentially good story, but I’m not sure that all the references to erotic fantasies moved the story on or improved it. My thanks to Net Galley and the author for an ARC.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was solidly ok. The characters are a bit ridiculous- the FMC is not just sexy, she’s *~the sexiest~* and the cop is not just meticulous, he actually enjoys obscure paperwork! The gay best friend is the gayest and the best!!!!! Friend!!!! It was eye-rolly like this for about the first quarter, and then the story really unfolded. Then the mystery was solved, and I never could have guessed the murder. But then something else happened. And the murderer was actually someone else! Except, it also wasn’t? It was the first murderer. I’m pretty sure. Anyway, decent read if you can get through the first bit.

[Danny Schnitzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book - could not put it down! I loved all the characters, their nuances and complexities, and I was gripped by the plot. I don't have much experience reading murder mysteries, but this one ticked all the boxes for me! The serpentine journey this book took me on was deeply enjoyable - from the plot twists to the descriptions of Vienna, so detailed that I felt like I was back at home, walking around the city I grew up in. In fact, the author flawlessly captured the vibe of the city and the peculiarites of the Viennese. I can't wait for book 2!

[Debbie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the dedication the author apologises to her English teacher for her first book being a bit smutty. She was right it is smutty and kinky, somewhat morally ambiguous and also a great crime story. Certainly not cosy crime and not a police procedural but a bit like a 1950s American gumshoe, all dark and mysterious. Perfect for a winters evening with the fire on let the corrupt City of Vienna enter your soul .

[Cat Treadwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly this was a DNF for me. I couldn't engage with the writing style, which was a bit too gonzo-spicy to seem natural.

The atmosphere and setup of the hotel was fun - think American Horror Story with extra focus on the smut! - and I'm sure it'll appeal to those who can click with the writing. Just not for me.

I was kindly provided with an early copy of this book by the publisher but the above opinions are entirely my own.

[Payal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this delightful romp of a whodunit, and a fervent hope that this will be series. I'm taking away a star for the slow beginning. The humour was delectable most of the time, but sometimes grating—there is such a curse as too much of a good thing! As the author says in the dedication, the book is extremely "slutty", but not graphic.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

[Susan Care · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unusual read and not for the prudish! Sterling Lockwood, concierge at the Hotel Orient, a pay by the hour establishment where discretion is key, must solve the murder of her one time lover and a mysterious client without compromising her clients or the hotel. It is well written and keeps you guessing even when you think it is all over.

[Chris Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camp, sultry, thrilling and razor-sharp. This book is everything. It's film noir meets golden age crime meets queer joy. I loved every word of this riotous caper. Ranelli can really write and there's some killer sentences here along with evocative settings that you want to sink into.

[Beachcomber · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - this is a fun read. Quirky and sassy characters, decent mystery and a clear love of Vienna and her character. Fair warning for anyone looking for a cosy mystery - this has a lot of spice and smut, there are many references to her corset, various sexual acts, etc. It’s part and parcel of the hotel, city and characters, but might take you by surprise if you don’t typically read books containing that kind of thing!

I’d happily read more at the Hotel Orient though, and I loved the potential romance between the inspector and Sterling, and the friendship between Sterling and Fernando.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

[Anne Farquharson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the premise… murder in a luxury hotel in Vienna. Sounds like a modern day Agatha Christie and I can’t wait to read it.