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Murder at the Hotel Orient
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1 day and 22:33:31
50 copies available
U.S. only
For fans of The Maid and The Grand Budapest Hotel comes this thrilling (and sexy) debut inspired by a real love hotel, which legend claims has existed forever, luring lovers inside for a night of debauchery…
In modern Vienna, American Sterling Lockwood is the loyal concierge at the infamous Hotel Orient, where cameras are banned, aliases are required, and every guest has something to hide. After the double murder of two guests, including a tech mogul building an Austrian surveillance state, Sterling must turn detective. But finding the truth will require breaking the Orient’s sacred code of secrecy, while keeping a few secrets of her own.
The police struggle when modern investigative technology proves useless at the old-fashioned hotel. Because clients use aliases, pay cash, and stay mere hours, all suspects have vanished. Sterling agrees to assist alongside her best friend and colleague, Fernando, if only to avoid arrest and the suspicion regarding her own movements that night. As enemies close in from all around, she risks everything to solve a case haunted by the past, in a city with a fetish for nostalgia.
Don’t be shy darling, ring the bell...
In modern Vienna, American Sterling Lockwood is the loyal concierge at the infamous Hotel Orient, where cameras are banned, aliases are required, and every guest has something to hide. After the double murder of two guests, including a tech mogul building an Austrian surveillance state, Sterling must turn detective. But finding the truth will require breaking the Orient’s sacred code of secrecy, while keeping a few secrets of her own.
The police struggle when modern investigative technology proves useless at the old-fashioned hotel. Because clients use aliases, pay cash, and stay mere hours, all suspects have vanished. Sterling agrees to assist alongside her best friend and colleague, Fernando, if only to avoid arrest and the suspicion regarding her own movements that night. As enemies close in from all around, she risks everything to solve a case haunted by the past, in a city with a fetish for nostalgia.
Don’t be shy darling, ring the bell...
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2026
About the author
Alessandra Ranelli
2 books95 followersCrime 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
October 25, 2025
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!
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!
October 25, 2025
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.
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.
October 17, 2025
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.
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.
May 10, 2026
Thank you @gallerypress and @simonaudio for the gifted print and audio copies!
In the heart of Vienna sits the Hotel Orient, a singular establishment catering to lovers of debauchery. No names. No credit cards. Anonymity is everything. Sterling Lockwood is the concierge and keeper of secrets, of which she has many. But when two guests turn up dead inside a locked room, Sterling and her bellhop Fernando must track their anonymous clientele across Vienna's most seductive and depraved corners - and find the truth before the police find them.
It has been a long time since I've read something this uniquely entertaining. Sterling Lockwood is now one of my all-time favorite book characters - morally flexible, relentlessly tenacious, and caustically hilarious. She is the beating heart of this story and I was absolutely obsessed with her from page one. What makes this book so special is how it manages to feel simultaneously modern and timeless - equal parts classic mystery outside of time and delightfully quirky contemporary romp. It will stay with me for a long time, and I am genuinely hoping - hoping - this isn't the last we see of Sterling Lockwood. She is too good to be a one-time character.
🎧 On audio: Lauryn Allman was FANTASTIC. From the specific Viennese dialect to the completely quirky dialogue, she nails every single element of this story. One note: the book includes detailed maps of the Hotel Orient that are genuinely helpful for following the mystery - so if you can, I'd recommend reading and listening simultaneously, or at least having a print copy nearby. (12 hrs 20 min)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
In the heart of Vienna sits the Hotel Orient, a singular establishment catering to lovers of debauchery. No names. No credit cards. Anonymity is everything. Sterling Lockwood is the concierge and keeper of secrets, of which she has many. But when two guests turn up dead inside a locked room, Sterling and her bellhop Fernando must track their anonymous clientele across Vienna's most seductive and depraved corners - and find the truth before the police find them.
It has been a long time since I've read something this uniquely entertaining. Sterling Lockwood is now one of my all-time favorite book characters - morally flexible, relentlessly tenacious, and caustically hilarious. She is the beating heart of this story and I was absolutely obsessed with her from page one. What makes this book so special is how it manages to feel simultaneously modern and timeless - equal parts classic mystery outside of time and delightfully quirky contemporary romp. It will stay with me for a long time, and I am genuinely hoping - hoping - this isn't the last we see of Sterling Lockwood. She is too good to be a one-time character.
🎧 On audio: Lauryn Allman was FANTASTIC. From the specific Viennese dialect to the completely quirky dialogue, she nails every single element of this story. One note: the book includes detailed maps of the Hotel Orient that are genuinely helpful for following the mystery - so if you can, I'd recommend reading and listening simultaneously, or at least having a print copy nearby. (12 hrs 20 min)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 23, 2026
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!
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!
May 4, 2026
Whimsical. Clever. Sultry. What an absolute, refreshing delight. Murder at the Hotel Orient is the sexy, murder mystery that you need in your life.
With Vienna as our beautiful backdrop, this cozy tale follows the promiscuous and luxurious ordeals taking place at the Hotel Orient. We have our dominant, fearless concierge, Sterling, who keeps the secrets while servicing the clientele of this upscale establishment. The writing is cutting with a satirical overlay. Our feminine lead is flawlessly and unabashedly herself; I appreciate her forwardness and intention, something that other writers might shy away from in a female character. Aside from Sterling, the story is a methodical puzzle; you’ll definitely have to pay attention to keep everything straight.
I thought this was a fantastic debut by @alessandra_ranelli. I really hope I’ll get to visit the Hotel Orient again soon.. darling @sterling_lockwood_concierge. Thank you for the ARC @netgalley @gallerybooks !!!
With Vienna as our beautiful backdrop, this cozy tale follows the promiscuous and luxurious ordeals taking place at the Hotel Orient. We have our dominant, fearless concierge, Sterling, who keeps the secrets while servicing the clientele of this upscale establishment. The writing is cutting with a satirical overlay. Our feminine lead is flawlessly and unabashedly herself; I appreciate her forwardness and intention, something that other writers might shy away from in a female character. Aside from Sterling, the story is a methodical puzzle; you’ll definitely have to pay attention to keep everything straight.
I thought this was a fantastic debut by @alessandra_ranelli. I really hope I’ll get to visit the Hotel Orient again soon.. darling @sterling_lockwood_concierge. Thank you for the ARC @netgalley @gallerybooks !!!
May 3, 2026
I am obsessed with this one!!! I checked into the glamorous sophisticated Hotel Orient and found a brilliantly crafted ‘locked-room’ puzzle that was so much fun to investigate.
You can expect:
🗝️ Closed-Circle Mystery- Agatha Christie vibes
🥂 High-Society Scandal- guests at the Hotel Orient check-in with aliases and pay high prices for anonymity
🕰️ Vintage Noir Aesthetic- glitz, glam, velvet curtains, champagne, martinis, silk robes
👯♀️ A "Cast of Suspects" with hidden agendas
🏨 Grand Hotel Secrets- themed rooms, secret passageways, temperamental wiring
🔍 Fair-Play Clues
🎆Slow-burn partnership- ‘enemies to allies’ energy between hotel concierge and lead detective
Sterling Lockwood might be my absolute favorite character I’ve met in years. She serves as the Hotel Orient’s concierge, and is meticulous, observant, and full of dry, sophisticated wit. After a murder one night, she becomes the gate-keeper to the hotels secrets and access to the guests who were present that night. Sterling’s clash with the lead detective was the highlight of the read for me! He memorizes city codes and wants strict procedure while Sterling operates on vibes and gossip. But their forced partnership and tug of war clashes were so FUN as they realize each has unique skills needed to unravel this case.
Slutty yet not graphic, a lush vintage setting that feels dipped in poison, and an amateur sleuth who is a force of nature made this a five star read for me! If you enjoy mysteries with a side of five star service, check into the Hotel Orient! I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
Thanks to Gallery/Scout press books for my gifted early book copy!
You can expect:
🗝️ Closed-Circle Mystery- Agatha Christie vibes
🥂 High-Society Scandal- guests at the Hotel Orient check-in with aliases and pay high prices for anonymity
🕰️ Vintage Noir Aesthetic- glitz, glam, velvet curtains, champagne, martinis, silk robes
👯♀️ A "Cast of Suspects" with hidden agendas
🏨 Grand Hotel Secrets- themed rooms, secret passageways, temperamental wiring
🔍 Fair-Play Clues
🎆Slow-burn partnership- ‘enemies to allies’ energy between hotel concierge and lead detective
Sterling Lockwood might be my absolute favorite character I’ve met in years. She serves as the Hotel Orient’s concierge, and is meticulous, observant, and full of dry, sophisticated wit. After a murder one night, she becomes the gate-keeper to the hotels secrets and access to the guests who were present that night. Sterling’s clash with the lead detective was the highlight of the read for me! He memorizes city codes and wants strict procedure while Sterling operates on vibes and gossip. But their forced partnership and tug of war clashes were so FUN as they realize each has unique skills needed to unravel this case.
Slutty yet not graphic, a lush vintage setting that feels dipped in poison, and an amateur sleuth who is a force of nature made this a five star read for me! If you enjoy mysteries with a side of five star service, check into the Hotel Orient! I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
Thanks to Gallery/Scout press books for my gifted early book copy!
March 12, 2026
The sluttiest murder mystery I’ll read all year (complimentary).
Was close to a 4.5/5⭐️ rating but the set up for a sequel was in in equal parts exciting (yay, more Sterling Lockwood) and infuriating (let’s wrap stories up nicely as standalones plz).
Original, sexy, atmospheric & funny - big fan xoxo
Was close to a 4.5/5⭐️ rating but the set up for a sequel was in in equal parts exciting (yay, more Sterling Lockwood) and infuriating (let’s wrap stories up nicely as standalones plz).
Original, sexy, atmospheric & funny - big fan xoxo
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Baskerville for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have been sooooo excited to read this. It was all over Harrogate Crime Festival last year that I couldn't wait.
It's all very glamorous and luxurious and rich in detail and character and feeling. It's got this rich (I can't think of a better word for it), Golden Age feeling about it, even though it's set in modern time. She's got such a great sense of place and space and time and you immediately lose yourself in this world she's created.
Given the hints in the synopsis I should have known, but I didn't realise how smutty it would be. That's not a bad thing, I like a bit of smut as much as the next person, and it really adds to this sumptuious-ness.
I read a lot of thrillers and a lot of whodunnits and they can get a bit samey, so it was nice to get something that gave me everything I expected but also had something a little bit different to keep it fresh.
The writing is so crisp and professional, it's hard to believe this is her debut novel. This feels like it's been crafted from years of experience.
I'm not a huge fan of big passages of dialogue, because I'm not very good at writing it. But the dialogue in this had a magical quality about it but somehow still manages to feel natural.
The hotel, the setting - they're characters themselves, they participate in the story, they're not just props. But at the same time they don't overwhelm the "real" characters.
Concierge Sterling Lockwood is a fabulous protagonist. From page one she is a mysterious, glamorous, sultry, passionate, secretive, a powerful person and I was so ready to follow her story.
There are a lot of other characters - staff, guests, police - and some are given more airtime than others, but they're all well written and well developed, letting us in their own story as well as their parts in the overall story.
I know it isn't, but it has this feel of a fantasy novel about it, like I was expecting the hotel to be magic or for witches or fantasy creatures to appear. It's magical.
What I found different with this book is that, for me anyway, it isn't really about the murders or the investigation. It's about Sterling, it's about family and friendship and community, it's about history ad secrets and fears, and it's about the human spirit far more than it is about the whodunnit.
I won't say what, just in case it doesn't make the final copy, but at about 65% through there was a nice Easter Egg referencing three of my favourite thriller writers which made me smile.
I did NOT see the ending coming!
There's a lot going on. A lot. Lots of subplots and characters, and at times I found it to be on the verge of too much, but I think she's just about scaled it back enough to be interesting rather than overwhelming.
I'm not sure what I was actually expecting but it did surprise me at times, but it was thoroughly enjoyable and naughty and engrossing. A very promising debut indeed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Baskerville for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have been sooooo excited to read this. It was all over Harrogate Crime Festival last year that I couldn't wait.
It's all very glamorous and luxurious and rich in detail and character and feeling. It's got this rich (I can't think of a better word for it), Golden Age feeling about it, even though it's set in modern time. She's got such a great sense of place and space and time and you immediately lose yourself in this world she's created.
Given the hints in the synopsis I should have known, but I didn't realise how smutty it would be. That's not a bad thing, I like a bit of smut as much as the next person, and it really adds to this sumptuious-ness.
I read a lot of thrillers and a lot of whodunnits and they can get a bit samey, so it was nice to get something that gave me everything I expected but also had something a little bit different to keep it fresh.
The writing is so crisp and professional, it's hard to believe this is her debut novel. This feels like it's been crafted from years of experience.
I'm not a huge fan of big passages of dialogue, because I'm not very good at writing it. But the dialogue in this had a magical quality about it but somehow still manages to feel natural.
The hotel, the setting - they're characters themselves, they participate in the story, they're not just props. But at the same time they don't overwhelm the "real" characters.
Concierge Sterling Lockwood is a fabulous protagonist. From page one she is a mysterious, glamorous, sultry, passionate, secretive, a powerful person and I was so ready to follow her story.
There are a lot of other characters - staff, guests, police - and some are given more airtime than others, but they're all well written and well developed, letting us in their own story as well as their parts in the overall story.
I know it isn't, but it has this feel of a fantasy novel about it, like I was expecting the hotel to be magic or for witches or fantasy creatures to appear. It's magical.
What I found different with this book is that, for me anyway, it isn't really about the murders or the investigation. It's about Sterling, it's about family and friendship and community, it's about history ad secrets and fears, and it's about the human spirit far more than it is about the whodunnit.
I won't say what, just in case it doesn't make the final copy, but at about 65% through there was a nice Easter Egg referencing three of my favourite thriller writers which made me smile.
I did NOT see the ending coming!
There's a lot going on. A lot. Lots of subplots and characters, and at times I found it to be on the verge of too much, but I think she's just about scaled it back enough to be interesting rather than overwhelming.
I'm not sure what I was actually expecting but it did surprise me at times, but it was thoroughly enjoyable and naughty and engrossing. A very promising debut indeed.
November 11, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
January 29, 2026
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!
May 6, 2026
IMMEDIATE five star read!! Literally just finished this and had to come and dump my thoughts in a review while I was still buzzing! The scene is set so beautifully from page one, I want everything to be set in Austria from now on thank you, as if I could reach out and touch the hotel and the city. Sterling is a fantastic protagonist, especially as the reader is unravelling the plot and the characters WHILST trying to uncover her secrets too - which may have been jarring but all feels like part of the magic and mystery. She's feisty and salacious but with a huge heart and true care for her friends and loved ones, which raises the whole story out of the underground and into something much bigger and more beautiful. There's a feeling of not really ever being sure what point in time you're existing in, set in the modern day with mobile phones and the internet in the periphery but bedded down in the classic old school Hollywood noir glamour of the private, behind a curtain hotel itself.
I'm not someone who every really sees plot twists or big reveals coming which makes life that bit more exciting, but I REALLY didn't see the twists and turns that come one after another in the third act... Alessandra Ranelli has smashed it out of the park I can't wait to read more from her
(was already a 10/10 as soon as there was a passing Fräulein Maria reference)
I'm not someone who every really sees plot twists or big reveals coming which makes life that bit more exciting, but I REALLY didn't see the twists and turns that come one after another in the third act... Alessandra Ranelli has smashed it out of the park I can't wait to read more from her
(was already a 10/10 as soon as there was a passing Fräulein Maria reference)
Did Not Finish
May 10, 2026DNF at 25%
I'm really sorry when an ARC and also a debut doesn't catch my interest, but I'm not invested in the story. I couldn't connect or care about the characters, or even about who was the murderer. The author cared about the ambience and making the setting interesting, she really did her research, and I enjoyed this, but this wasn't enough for me to keep reading. The characters felt flat, and their relationships, fake. If I knew why Sterling cared about Hedi, I could be invested in their story, and in knowing who was the murder. However, the murder mystery wasn't strong enough for me to care about finishing the book.
Despise my DNF, I still recommend for people who enjoy a murder mystery to at least try this one. My reading experience is mine, others will have a different one. I will read another book by the author in the future, as she clearly cares about her craft.
I'm really sorry when an ARC and also a debut doesn't catch my interest, but I'm not invested in the story. I couldn't connect or care about the characters, or even about who was the murderer. The author cared about the ambience and making the setting interesting, she really did her research, and I enjoyed this, but this wasn't enough for me to keep reading. The characters felt flat, and their relationships, fake. If I knew why Sterling cared about Hedi, I could be invested in their story, and in knowing who was the murder. However, the murder mystery wasn't strong enough for me to care about finishing the book.
Despise my DNF, I still recommend for people who enjoy a murder mystery to at least try this one. My reading experience is mine, others will have a different one. I will read another book by the author in the future, as she clearly cares about her craft.
March 14, 2026
A huge thank you to Alessandra Ranelli, Scout Press, and Goodreads for my free copy of this book!
I don’t know that I have the words to accurately describe this masterpiece of a book - I’m not sure I’ve ever read another book quite like it. A “whodunnit” murder mystery-type book that was funny, clever, and completely consuming. I finished this within 24 hours, but I’m sure I’ll be thinking about its’ characters for a while. I neeeeeed this to be made into a tv show or a movie! In the meantime, I’ll re-read my copy 😊
I don’t know that I have the words to accurately describe this masterpiece of a book - I’m not sure I’ve ever read another book quite like it. A “whodunnit” murder mystery-type book that was funny, clever, and completely consuming. I finished this within 24 hours, but I’m sure I’ll be thinking about its’ characters for a while. I neeeeeed this to be made into a tv show or a movie! In the meantime, I’ll re-read my copy 😊
May 16, 2026
4.5 rounded up
April 30, 2026
I received an ARC from the publisher and had so much fun with this book! Absolutely delightful prose, great characters, and some really fun twists!
December 27, 2025
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.
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.
January 13, 2026
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!
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!
May 1, 2026
MURDER AT THE HOTEL ORIENT by Alessandra Ranelli
Published: May 2026 by Scout Press / Simon & Schuster
Graded: B+
A deliciously decadent noir debut mystery novel that exudes wit, charm and a touch of sauciness. The main protagonist is Sterling Lockwood, the alluring concierge of the famous Vienese love hotel, the Hotel Orient … where illicit affairs occur on a daily basis. The rules are simple. No cameras, no surveillance, pay in cash, use an alias and secrets are sacred. The dark alleys and romantic streets of Vienna provide the mysterious backdrop for the salacious entanglements that pervade the workings of the clandestine and labyrinthine corridors of this luxurious hotel. Sterling’s job is to protect the secrets of the hotel and its guests, while assuring its flawless flow of efficient management. Her status quo is abruptly brought to a halt, when two bodies are found in a locked room. One of the victims is even one of her many ex’s… that she still cherished. Trapped between her loyalty to the hotel and desire to know the truth she must become a sleuth. Eventually she even agrees to help Detectives Beate and the beguiling Andreas in their ongoing investigation. The other victim is a high tech mogul on the precise of implementing a city wide surveillance system. She aids in constructing a list of suspects by wading through facts attributed to the aliases of the guests and their possible interconnections. She proves to be a natural sleuth.
Ranelli masterfully weaves together the complexities of the subtle clues with a cinematic noir type of prose…. enhanced with wit and innuendo. This addictive mystery is not only moody and atmospheric, but adds a new dimension to the “locked-room” mystery. The hotel and city of Vienna are as much a character, as Sterling and her detective counterparts. I sincerely hope this is not the last we read of Sterling Lockwood. .. to be published at Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine...
Published: May 2026 by Scout Press / Simon & Schuster
Graded: B+
A deliciously decadent noir debut mystery novel that exudes wit, charm and a touch of sauciness. The main protagonist is Sterling Lockwood, the alluring concierge of the famous Vienese love hotel, the Hotel Orient … where illicit affairs occur on a daily basis. The rules are simple. No cameras, no surveillance, pay in cash, use an alias and secrets are sacred. The dark alleys and romantic streets of Vienna provide the mysterious backdrop for the salacious entanglements that pervade the workings of the clandestine and labyrinthine corridors of this luxurious hotel. Sterling’s job is to protect the secrets of the hotel and its guests, while assuring its flawless flow of efficient management. Her status quo is abruptly brought to a halt, when two bodies are found in a locked room. One of the victims is even one of her many ex’s… that she still cherished. Trapped between her loyalty to the hotel and desire to know the truth she must become a sleuth. Eventually she even agrees to help Detectives Beate and the beguiling Andreas in their ongoing investigation. The other victim is a high tech mogul on the precise of implementing a city wide surveillance system. She aids in constructing a list of suspects by wading through facts attributed to the aliases of the guests and their possible interconnections. She proves to be a natural sleuth.
Ranelli masterfully weaves together the complexities of the subtle clues with a cinematic noir type of prose…. enhanced with wit and innuendo. This addictive mystery is not only moody and atmospheric, but adds a new dimension to the “locked-room” mystery. The hotel and city of Vienna are as much a character, as Sterling and her detective counterparts. I sincerely hope this is not the last we read of Sterling Lockwood. .. to be published at Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine...
April 10, 2026
This book is such an unexpected gem! I thought I was getting Agatha Christie, but this was SO much more! Witty, sensual, funny and with so much heart, this book was a joy to read. I was sorry to see it end, but fortunately book two is in the works!
This was absolute escapist fiction that was made so much more clever by the real places it is based on. The Hotel Orient is a real no-tell-hotel in Vienna, a city that is a well known den of international spies. The main character is Sterling Lockwood, hotel concierge and Keeper of Secrets. When a murder is committed in the hotel, Sterling must stay one step ahead of the investigation to avoid becoming a suspect herself and having her own secrets revealed.
With witty banter, jaw dropping quotes, and classic comedic moments, this book was highly entertaining. The fact that this was far outside what I usually read made it extremely engaging. I hope book two comes out soon. There are many more questions to be answered, and who knows what antics will occur at the hotel next!
Thank you to Scout Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This was absolute escapist fiction that was made so much more clever by the real places it is based on. The Hotel Orient is a real no-tell-hotel in Vienna, a city that is a well known den of international spies. The main character is Sterling Lockwood, hotel concierge and Keeper of Secrets. When a murder is committed in the hotel, Sterling must stay one step ahead of the investigation to avoid becoming a suspect herself and having her own secrets revealed.
With witty banter, jaw dropping quotes, and classic comedic moments, this book was highly entertaining. The fact that this was far outside what I usually read made it extremely engaging. I hope book two comes out soon. There are many more questions to be answered, and who knows what antics will occur at the hotel next!
Thank you to Scout Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
May 16, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and author for this eARC.
I'll just make it simple.
Murder mystery ✅
Sexy and intelligent concierge ✅
Vienna city as the background ✅
(Fun fact: hotel Orient is a real hotel in Vienna)
Espionage✅
Dark secret✅
I enjoyed this book, especially Sterling and Fernando relationship. Not a romantic one, but truly best friend that can trust each other. It's funny to see their banter.
And I have to say that the author did a great job in making Sterling charming, confident and scandalous at the same time.
The plot is full of twists. I had a couple of both correct and wrong guesses.
The ending for the murder mystery is satisfying.
But I still have one question. Who is actually Sterling?
I'll just make it simple.
Murder mystery ✅
Sexy and intelligent concierge ✅
Vienna city as the background ✅
(Fun fact: hotel Orient is a real hotel in Vienna)
Espionage✅
Dark secret✅
I enjoyed this book, especially Sterling and Fernando relationship. Not a romantic one, but truly best friend that can trust each other. It's funny to see their banter.
And I have to say that the author did a great job in making Sterling charming, confident and scandalous at the same time.
The plot is full of twists. I had a couple of both correct and wrong guesses.
The ending for the murder mystery is satisfying.
But I still have one question. Who is actually Sterling?
April 13, 2026
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway and am so thrilled I did. Alessandra Ranelli’s story telling is truly spectacular. A classic story of “who did it”, sprinkled with witty banter and tastefully spicy scenes truly made this story hard to put down.
While I don’t typically love mysteries, this story truly checked off every box. Twists and turns left me wanting more. The book ended perfectly, almost all questions answered. The only unanswered question plays so well into the theme of the Hotel Orient and the secrets that are woven into each page.
Kudos to you Alessandra!
While I don’t typically love mysteries, this story truly checked off every box. Twists and turns left me wanting more. The book ended perfectly, almost all questions answered. The only unanswered question plays so well into the theme of the Hotel Orient and the secrets that are woven into each page.
Kudos to you Alessandra!
May 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted eARC!
This book sadly fell very short of my expectations. I absolutely loved the premise but I really couldn’t stand the characters, and the “sexiness” of the story completely overshadowed the plot. The characters just felt like caricatures to me and I honestly didn’t know if I should be taking them seriously or not, and the tone of the story in general was really hard to pin down. I do think the author has some great ideas and a lot of talent in weaving together a twisty mystery, but the overall execution just wasn’t for me.
This book sadly fell very short of my expectations. I absolutely loved the premise but I really couldn’t stand the characters, and the “sexiness” of the story completely overshadowed the plot. The characters just felt like caricatures to me and I honestly didn’t know if I should be taking them seriously or not, and the tone of the story in general was really hard to pin down. I do think the author has some great ideas and a lot of talent in weaving together a twisty mystery, but the overall execution just wasn’t for me.
April 30, 2026
What a fun book! A little murder mystery in an old hotel, with quirky characters. I absolutely adore Sterling and her witty humor. Fernando was the perfect companion/partner in crime to match Sterling’s antics. It’s described as a slutty little “whodunnit”, and I couldn’t agree more. I was craving something different, and this was that and more.
Thank you to the author and Gallery Books for sending me an early copy ❤️
Thank you to the author and Gallery Books for sending me an early copy ❤️
May 15, 2026
(4.25) Really loved this one!
I’m a big murder mystery fan and this one blew me away. It both feels like a traditional murder mystery whilst having a wholly unique and fun take.
Set in one of Viennas infamous love hotels, the setting is a character in itself. I’m not sure whether I love Sterling or whether I want to be her. A sassy, sexy, wonderful FMC, I love that she doesn’t just sit back, she drives the plot forward and has a lot of sexy hijinks along the way.
The mystery was fantastic and all the characters were so richly written.
I can’t to read more of this series!
I’m a big murder mystery fan and this one blew me away. It both feels like a traditional murder mystery whilst having a wholly unique and fun take.
Set in one of Viennas infamous love hotels, the setting is a character in itself. I’m not sure whether I love Sterling or whether I want to be her. A sassy, sexy, wonderful FMC, I love that she doesn’t just sit back, she drives the plot forward and has a lot of sexy hijinks along the way.
The mystery was fantastic and all the characters were so richly written.
I can’t to read more of this series!
May 8, 2026
I love crime stories especially when they have Vienna as setting. The book captivated me to find out all the details about a deadly night at the famous establishment. The receptionist, working as detective to hide her own secrets, guides you through the path of finding witnesses. And everyone has a little secret.
March 23, 2025
So looking forward to reading this next year!
April 29, 2026
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.
I enjoyed this book and it’s a Thiller
I enjoyed this book and it’s a Thiller
March 22, 2025
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!!!
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