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Cleopatra Fox #1
Murder at the Mayfair Hotel
It was the most fashionable place to stay in London, until murder made a reservation. Solve the puzzle in this new mystery from USA Today bestselling author of the Glass and Steele series.
December 1899. After the death of her beloved grandmother, Cleopatra Fox moves into the luxury hotel owned by her estranged uncle in the hopes of putting hardship and loneliness behind her. But the poisoning of a guest throws her new life, and the hotel, into chaos.
Cleo quickly realizes no one can be trusted, not Scotland Yard and especially not the hotel’s charming assistant manager. With the New Year’s Eve ball approaching fast and the hotel’s reputation hanging by a thread, Cleo must find the killer before the ball, and the hotel itself, are ruined. But catching a murderer proves just as difficult as navigating the hotel’s hierarchy and the peculiarities of her family.
Can Cleo find the killer before the new century begins? Or will someone get away with murder?
December 1899. After the death of her beloved grandmother, Cleopatra Fox moves into the luxury hotel owned by her estranged uncle in the hopes of putting hardship and loneliness behind her. But the poisoning of a guest throws her new life, and the hotel, into chaos.
Cleo quickly realizes no one can be trusted, not Scotland Yard and especially not the hotel’s charming assistant manager. With the New Year’s Eve ball approaching fast and the hotel’s reputation hanging by a thread, Cleo must find the killer before the ball, and the hotel itself, are ruined. But catching a murderer proves just as difficult as navigating the hotel’s hierarchy and the peculiarities of her family.
Can Cleo find the killer before the new century begins? Or will someone get away with murder?
Audible Audio
First published November 30, 2020
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About the author
C.J. Archer
99 books5,670 followersC.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.
She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
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She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcjarc...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,315 reviews
October 12, 2024
Cleopatra Fox is a poor young woman who moves into her uncle’s luxury hotel. Then a guest is poisoned on Christmas Eve and Cleopatra realizes that she needs to find the killer to save the hotel’s reputation.
The story starts out really well as the protagonist arrives at the fancy hotel. The staff look at her and think she doesn’t belong there. Even the protagonist herself admits that she isn’t so rich that she could afford to stay there if the hotel wasn’t owned by her family. But it’s subtly made clear that she’s a strong and independent person, even though she may feel weak and uncomfortable because of the whole situation. So this is a really good introduction to the protagonist as a character.
Unfortunately, it goes a bit downhill from there. The murder mystery plot never really managed to grab me. Some things felt a bit off, like the police not really being allowed to question any guests even though they’re conducting a murder investigation. Or all the other characters looking at the protagonist to solve the murder even though she’s done nothing to deserve that responsibility. And the protagonist also felt a bit too immature at times.
It’s a decent cozy historical mystery story and a solid start to a cozy mystery series with potential, but there’s definitely room for improvement.
The story starts out really well as the protagonist arrives at the fancy hotel. The staff look at her and think she doesn’t belong there. Even the protagonist herself admits that she isn’t so rich that she could afford to stay there if the hotel wasn’t owned by her family. But it’s subtly made clear that she’s a strong and independent person, even though she may feel weak and uncomfortable because of the whole situation. So this is a really good introduction to the protagonist as a character.
Unfortunately, it goes a bit downhill from there. The murder mystery plot never really managed to grab me. Some things felt a bit off, like the police not really being allowed to question any guests even though they’re conducting a murder investigation. Or all the other characters looking at the protagonist to solve the murder even though she’s done nothing to deserve that responsibility. And the protagonist also felt a bit too immature at times.
It’s a decent cozy historical mystery story and a solid start to a cozy mystery series with potential, but there’s definitely room for improvement.
July 6, 2021
This is the first in a new series about Cleopatra Fox, orphan and poor relation of the owners of the Mayfair Hotel, who is invited to live with them in their luxurious surroundings. Almost as soon as she arrives a guest in the hotel is mysteriously murdered and Cleo finds herself involved in the investigation.
I quite liked the way the story evolved but I did not like the way Cleo accused people of serious crimes based on one or two clues and her feverish imagination. I hope the author moderates her a little in future books. She does eventually discover the actual murderer and all is well.
The book is nicely written and the characters are developed well. I am looking forward to finding out more about Mr. Armitage and the new Detective Agency.
I quite liked the way the story evolved but I did not like the way Cleo accused people of serious crimes based on one or two clues and her feverish imagination. I hope the author moderates her a little in future books. She does eventually discover the actual murderer and all is well.
The book is nicely written and the characters are developed well. I am looking forward to finding out more about Mr. Armitage and the new Detective Agency.
Read
January 8, 2024DNF
Loved the premise but just didn’t keep my attention. Even after reading nearly half the book, I set it aside and never felt compelled to return.
(Reviewed 11/5/22)
Loved the premise but just didn’t keep my attention. Even after reading nearly half the book, I set it aside and never felt compelled to return.
(Reviewed 11/5/22)
January 9, 2021
This was a solid cozy mystery, and I found the historical fiction setting of a 1900s-ish London hotel to be fun, if not necessarily realistic. Of course, I liked the side characters more than the main character, who seemed like standard fare for this type of book, i.e. not wealthy, smart and wants to find something fulfilling instead of focusing on finding a marriage. How fast the main character came to conclusions and accused people in unwise fashion got a little bit on my nerves. If I read more of this series, I hope that the reader gets to learn more about the side characters. Historical fiction has never been one of my favorites, not even in cozy mysteries, but this was a pleasant diversion, and I would recommend it to others, especially those who *do* generally enjoy historical fiction.
August 26, 2021
This was a very simple cozy that didn’t have much wit or character development. I didn’t find the lead consist - she’s supposed to be exceptionally smart (she was going to Cambridge lectures prior to moving to the hotel?), but leaps to foolish conclusions that ruin lives. I don’t really care to see what happens in the next book.
November 22, 2024
Not sure where I stumbled across this one, but at the time, I thought the FMC, Cleo, sounded a little like the FMC of one of my fave historical cozy mystery series, the Veronica Speedwell series. While Cleo Fox is certainly no Veronica Speedwell, she could be in a few years once she actually becomes the independent woman, she claims she wants to be. At 23, Cleo is a little younger than the 30yr old Veronica, and Cleo has nowhere near the maturity, confidence, snarky sense of humor or worldly and romantic experience that Veronica has (in spades). All of that is certainly a part of Veronica’s charm and appeal, as well as Cleo’s lack thereof. Not sure what to make of Cleo other than to say, “she’s young”, and one hopes that Archer spent a considerable amount of time, in later installments, developing Cleo’s character to something more likeable and interesting.
Anyway, the book summary lays out the primary storyline of a murder of a guest at the Mayfair on Christmas Eve, shortly after Cleo arrives. Cleo is an estranged and poor relation of the Mayfair owners, Ronald & Lillian Bainbridge, Cleo’s uncle and aunt. Cleo’s mother, Lillian’s sister, was disowned when she married Cleo’s dad against her wealthy parents’ wishes. Shortly after arriving, Cleo learns that her uncle never liked the fact that Cleo’s mother was disowned and had been providing Cleo’s parents, and later grandparents, with an allowance for Cleo. Cleo’s parents died when she was 10, and her grandparents raised and supported her until their own deaths. None of this is a spoiler since it’s how the story started.
Most of the story revolves around investigating who the killer is. A bored Cleo immediately decides to insert herself into the investigation of Scotland Yard Officer Hobart. A secondary storyline revolves around Cleo getting to know her relatives, including her cousins, Flossy and Floyd, as well as the hotel staff and finding a purpose for herself, whether it be in the hotel business or something else. In other words, Cleo needs to get a life and find something productive to do with her time. Based on the ending, it appears that Archer is moving in the right direction with that development.
The character development of Cleo and a couple of other characters was ok. Would have liked to know more about the Bainbridges. The pacing was kind of slow, which is on par with a lot of cozies. The storylines were ok and the writing was also kind of typical for a cozy mystery. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.5 and I’m not really feeling compelled to round up to a 4star review. I haven’t decided whether or not I will continue with the series. I am reminded that some of my fave series haven’t always started off really well and that sometimes a series can take more than one installment to find its desired audience. JMHO
Anyway, the book summary lays out the primary storyline of a murder of a guest at the Mayfair on Christmas Eve, shortly after Cleo arrives. Cleo is an estranged and poor relation of the Mayfair owners, Ronald & Lillian Bainbridge, Cleo’s uncle and aunt. Cleo’s mother, Lillian’s sister, was disowned when she married Cleo’s dad against her wealthy parents’ wishes. Shortly after arriving, Cleo learns that her uncle never liked the fact that Cleo’s mother was disowned and had been providing Cleo’s parents, and later grandparents, with an allowance for Cleo. Cleo’s parents died when she was 10, and her grandparents raised and supported her until their own deaths. None of this is a spoiler since it’s how the story started.
Most of the story revolves around investigating who the killer is. A bored Cleo immediately decides to insert herself into the investigation of Scotland Yard Officer Hobart. A secondary storyline revolves around Cleo getting to know her relatives, including her cousins, Flossy and Floyd, as well as the hotel staff and finding a purpose for herself, whether it be in the hotel business or something else. In other words, Cleo needs to get a life and find something productive to do with her time. Based on the ending, it appears that Archer is moving in the right direction with that development.
The character development of Cleo and a couple of other characters was ok. Would have liked to know more about the Bainbridges. The pacing was kind of slow, which is on par with a lot of cozies. The storylines were ok and the writing was also kind of typical for a cozy mystery. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.5 and I’m not really feeling compelled to round up to a 4star review. I haven’t decided whether or not I will continue with the series. I am reminded that some of my fave series haven’t always started off really well and that sometimes a series can take more than one installment to find its desired audience. JMHO
February 11, 2021
A very fun audiobook. Looking forward to the next book. Cute cozy mystery set at the turn of the century in London.
May 6, 2021
I’m sure this was at some point marketed as a “cozy mystery” but nothing felt cozy about it. I chose it at random because it was a quick borrow from my local library—-audiobook at that. 11...17...no 14hrs? Either way it was TOO long. Not intriguing, full of unnecessary fluff. The intro of characters of the hotel make up 45% of the beginning, before were introduced to “murder” or some other form of crime. —
Snore.
Then the murder is as vague as it comes. Kind of backseatsd. While our protag spends not once—not twice but three times she jumps to the wrong conclusion and has two people lose their jobs. I lose interest fast when MC’s do dumb things and become annoying.
Didn’t expect the ending because I didn’t care.
Everyone can’t do mystery and I guess that’s that.
Snore.
Then the murder is as vague as it comes. Kind of backseatsd. While our protag spends not once—not twice but three times she jumps to the wrong conclusion and has two people lose their jobs. I lose interest fast when MC’s do dumb things and become annoying.
Didn’t expect the ending because I didn’t care.
Everyone can’t do mystery and I guess that’s that.
March 20, 2022
I hung on with this audiobook for longer than I should have, but I bought it and felt the investment deserved a really good attempt to like it. In the end, I had to give up.
Cleo is likable as a main character, but as described - being sheltered for most of her life before suddenly landing in London to live with estranged distant relatives - it was just beyond belief (well, beyond MY belief anyway) that she would suddenly be capable of the types of pushy and "outside her station" behaviours Cleo engages in to try investigating the murder at her family's hotel. I read a lot of books set in London in this time-period, and the way people respond to Cleo's busy-body activities is just not believable.
Then there are the other characters. In particular every member of Cleo's new family at the hotel. I disliked every one of them and found myself annoyed every time Cleo was conversing with any of them.
This just wasn't a great book for me. I will be moving on to something else.
Cleo is likable as a main character, but as described - being sheltered for most of her life before suddenly landing in London to live with estranged distant relatives - it was just beyond belief (well, beyond MY belief anyway) that she would suddenly be capable of the types of pushy and "outside her station" behaviours Cleo engages in to try investigating the murder at her family's hotel. I read a lot of books set in London in this time-period, and the way people respond to Cleo's busy-body activities is just not believable.
Then there are the other characters. In particular every member of Cleo's new family at the hotel. I disliked every one of them and found myself annoyed every time Cleo was conversing with any of them.
This just wasn't a great book for me. I will be moving on to something else.
June 27, 2025
3.75 🌟
I struggled to get into invested this book. However, I enjoyed the heroine. She is the right kind of flawed. The characters were decently engaging as well.
The ending gets points for being creative but overall this was just okay for me. I haven’t found myself reaching for the sequels at all though.
I struggled to get into invested this book. However, I enjoyed the heroine. She is the right kind of flawed. The characters were decently engaging as well.
The ending gets points for being creative but overall this was just okay for me. I haven’t found myself reaching for the sequels at all though.
March 21, 2023
4⭐️
Cleopatra, a young, orphaned heiress is taken in by her hotel tycoon uncle. As Cleo gets to know her family and the hotel staff, a murdered guest is discovered.
Theories abound amongst the staff and law enforcement, but the answer may not be as clear as it seems.
Language: 2 d, 3 abuses of God’s name
MM romance briefly discussed
Cleopatra, a young, orphaned heiress is taken in by her hotel tycoon uncle. As Cleo gets to know her family and the hotel staff, a murdered guest is discovered.
Theories abound amongst the staff and law enforcement, but the answer may not be as clear as it seems.
Language: 2 d, 3 abuses of God’s name
MM romance briefly discussed
January 25, 2022
Not a big fan of cosy mysteries, but if anyone can make one enjoyable, it’s C J Archer!
September 28, 2025
So much fun!! love the characters, setting, spot of romance and perfect balance of mystery/character.
January 18, 2021
3.75 stars
Cleopatra Fox, Cleo to her friends, has recently lost her beloved grandmother who raised Cleo since Cleo's parents died in a carriage accident when she was only 10. As Cleo's grandfather left behind numerous debts, Cleo had no choice but to sell their home and move to the grand Mayfair Hotel, owned by her estranged maternal relations. Cleo is determined not to be a bother and make her own way in the world. While Sir Ronald Bainbridge treats Leo like a daughter, she's bored and doesn't fit in with her cousin Flossie's high society life. When a guest is murdered in her bed and the Detective Inspector seems to want to pin it on one of the staff, Cleo is pressed into action by her maid, Harmony, to solve the murder and clear the staff. Cleo's uncle wants the problem solved ASAP before his hotel and good name are ruined, and before the big New Year's Eve ball!
I really enjoyed the mystery. It was tight and full of clues I never picked up on. The plot kept me reading late at night and skimming the last page before I closed my eyes to sleep. I HAD to know! While I guessed one big thing, I never guessed what actually happened. That was a huge shock. I was a bit saddened by the revelation actually. I especially liked the hotel setting and enjoyed the first few chapters where Cleo gets to know the hotel and the staff. My complaint about the hotel setting though is that London doesn't come through enough. I kept thinking it was New York until something specific was mentioned. The story really could take place in New York if a few details were changed. Even the staff sound the same as the family and it was hard to tell who was speaking. I'd like a little more differentiation as in grammar and word choices. A staff member is more likely to use colloquialisms/slang and speak with an accent. That's easier in an audio book and on TV but I've seen it done in print too.
I really like Cleo. She's independent and bored with doing nothing. Cleo is largely intelligent but I liked her better before she started investigating. She broke the law, risked her life and others' lives and jobs, blundered VERY badly and ruined someone else's life. I didn't like that but she learns from her mistake and is more careful next time. She does get herself into danger but it doesn't happen because she was snooping around somewhere on her own. I appreciated that. Cleo is someone I want to be friends with! We can use our brains together.
Cleo's family is nothing like I expected. Like Cleo, I expected very grand people looking down their noses at her. Her aunt can't be bothered to meet her or remember the correct day Cleo is arriving. Her uncle will be upset the proper protocols for greeting family weren't followed. This does not bode well. I expected Cleo's aunt to be a dragon of a woman. When they said she has a headache, I expected her to be using her "headache" as an excuse to avoid and control Cleo. I thought "headaches" were the Victorian version of Regency nerves. I could not have been more wrong. Lady Bainbridge is kind but vague. I wondered if she has mental health problems or is what they would call a trifle "simple." I wondered if her parents left her all their money because they knew she'd need it to find someone to take care of her. Some of this is answered. Cleo's uncle Ronald is exceptionally kind and treats Cleo like a daughter BUT he's controlling. He doesn't understand Cleo's need for independence and expects her to be like her cousin Florence who will marry well one day. Sir Ronald is also a dangerous man to cross. He's proud and has a nasty temper. He refuses to admit he was wrong, he has no compassion and doesn't give second chances. I expect it won't be long before he's ready to kick Cleo out. Florence, aka Flossie, is like a meringue. She's fluffy and sweet but there's nothing inside her head except shopping. Flossie shows a few signs of her father's stubbornness though. She does know which suitors she likes and doesn't like. I say, the Egyptian archeologist chap sounds interesting. I wonder if he knows Professor Radcliffe Emerson? He does have the potential to be boring though if he talks all the time and doesn't listen. Too bad Flossie is too young to really have a conversation with. She's no different from any other society girl. Floyd, Flossie's brother, is one of those young men who is supposed to be the heir learning the ropes but he goes out every night partying with his buddies. Probably slumming it or gambling all night long or both. I sense he's a ne'er do well who will disappoint his father.
There were way too many secondary characters to keep track of. Mrs. Warrick from room 324 is the victim. She was not a nice lady and came across as snobby and mean. Still, she didn't deserve to be murdered. I'm sure someone will mourn her loss. The chief suspect, Danny, is accused because he brought Mrs. Warrick her nightly cup of hot chocolate which she claimed was an hour late. He doesn't have a solid alibi and it's convenient to bring him in for questioning before the investigation gets underway. Danny seems nervous and I think he's the type to do what he's told without questioning and take Mrs. Warrick's abuse without complaint. In short, he's totally innocent.
Harry Armitage, assistant manager, shows many faces to Cleo. To the guests he is charming and even a bit flirtatious. He turns sneering and rude towards Cleo, is very proud and has a chip on his shoulder because of his background. Like Cleo, he jumps to conclusions without evidence. While he was given loving care by DI Hobart and Mrs. Hobart, they aren't his birth parents and Harry's background makes him a prime suspect in Cleo's murder case. She worries Detective Inspector Hobart won't be fair and impartial if his son is a murderer. DI Hobart seems fair minded and is willing to conduct a thorough investigation and not be browbeaten by Cleo's uncle into arresting the wrong person. However, I agree with Cleo that perhaps the inspector wouldn't be so fair if it was his own son.
Mr. Hobart, the manager of the hotel and Harry's uncle, is very kind. He's the father figure to everyone in the hotel, very efficient and excellent at managing the staff and guests. Mrs. Kettering, head of housekeeping, is the opposite. She's a dragon to the staff and not very nice to Cleo either. Mrs. Kettering is unnecessarily unkind and even threatens Cleo. She's seen where she shouldn't be and I think she's up to no good. Peter, the clerk, is friendly and fun. He's helpful but also cautious because he wants to keep his job. Edith is a very nervous young maid. She can't hold her head up with Mrs. Kettering's constant harangues. She's shy, timid and traumatized by finding the body. I like her a lot. I think she's sweet. Harmony, Cleo's maid, is outspoken and bold. She talks a lot and puts a lot of trust in someone she only just met. Frank, the doorman is a bit cranky and rude. He's snobby because he has to be. He's the face of the hotel, the first person anyone sees as they arrive and needs to keep the riff-raff out. He gets off on the wrong foot with Cleo. Gilbert aka Goliath is a porter and bodyguard. He's cheeky and friendly. Goliath enjoys teasing Frank and playing bodyguard tossing out unwanted visitors like the press. Victor, a junior cook, is scary. I would suspect HIM of murder if it wasn't a poisoning. He loves knives and enjoys freaking people out by playing with them. He has at least one suspicious skill and I suspect if Sir Ronald knew Victor, Victor would get the sack.
Besides Harry, Cleo's two other main suspects are Mr. Hookly, lately of South Africa. He's wealthy, nice, and fun to hang out with. The local merchants enjoy his spending sprees. Mr. Duffield, the second son of a second son of an Earl is not fun. He's slimy, asking Cleo to dinner before they even meet and is snobby. Cleo suspects he has a secret and that could have led to murder.
Whodunit?
I enjoyed this book enough to want to read the next one if Hoopla has it.
Cleopatra Fox, Cleo to her friends, has recently lost her beloved grandmother who raised Cleo since Cleo's parents died in a carriage accident when she was only 10. As Cleo's grandfather left behind numerous debts, Cleo had no choice but to sell their home and move to the grand Mayfair Hotel, owned by her estranged maternal relations. Cleo is determined not to be a bother and make her own way in the world. While Sir Ronald Bainbridge treats Leo like a daughter, she's bored and doesn't fit in with her cousin Flossie's high society life. When a guest is murdered in her bed and the Detective Inspector seems to want to pin it on one of the staff, Cleo is pressed into action by her maid, Harmony, to solve the murder and clear the staff. Cleo's uncle wants the problem solved ASAP before his hotel and good name are ruined, and before the big New Year's Eve ball!
I really enjoyed the mystery. It was tight and full of clues I never picked up on. The plot kept me reading late at night and skimming the last page before I closed my eyes to sleep. I HAD to know! While I guessed one big thing, I never guessed what actually happened. That was a huge shock. I was a bit saddened by the revelation actually. I especially liked the hotel setting and enjoyed the first few chapters where Cleo gets to know the hotel and the staff. My complaint about the hotel setting though is that London doesn't come through enough. I kept thinking it was New York until something specific was mentioned. The story really could take place in New York if a few details were changed. Even the staff sound the same as the family and it was hard to tell who was speaking. I'd like a little more differentiation as in grammar and word choices. A staff member is more likely to use colloquialisms/slang and speak with an accent. That's easier in an audio book and on TV but I've seen it done in print too.
I really like Cleo. She's independent and bored with doing nothing. Cleo is largely intelligent but I liked her better before she started investigating. She broke the law, risked her life and others' lives and jobs, blundered VERY badly and ruined someone else's life. I didn't like that but she learns from her mistake and is more careful next time. She does get herself into danger but it doesn't happen because she was snooping around somewhere on her own. I appreciated that. Cleo is someone I want to be friends with! We can use our brains together.
Cleo's family is nothing like I expected. Like Cleo, I expected very grand people looking down their noses at her. Her aunt can't be bothered to meet her or remember the correct day Cleo is arriving. Her uncle will be upset the proper protocols for greeting family weren't followed. This does not bode well. I expected Cleo's aunt to be a dragon of a woman. When they said she has a headache, I expected her to be using her "headache" as an excuse to avoid and control Cleo. I thought "headaches" were the Victorian version of Regency nerves. I could not have been more wrong. Lady Bainbridge is kind but vague. I wondered if she has mental health problems or is what they would call a trifle "simple." I wondered if her parents left her all their money because they knew she'd need it to find someone to take care of her. Some of this is answered. Cleo's uncle Ronald is exceptionally kind and treats Cleo like a daughter BUT he's controlling. He doesn't understand Cleo's need for independence and expects her to be like her cousin Florence who will marry well one day. Sir Ronald is also a dangerous man to cross. He's proud and has a nasty temper. He refuses to admit he was wrong, he has no compassion and doesn't give second chances. I expect it won't be long before he's ready to kick Cleo out. Florence, aka Flossie, is like a meringue. She's fluffy and sweet but there's nothing inside her head except shopping. Flossie shows a few signs of her father's stubbornness though. She does know which suitors she likes and doesn't like. I say, the Egyptian archeologist chap sounds interesting. I wonder if he knows Professor Radcliffe Emerson? He does have the potential to be boring though if he talks all the time and doesn't listen. Too bad Flossie is too young to really have a conversation with. She's no different from any other society girl. Floyd, Flossie's brother, is one of those young men who is supposed to be the heir learning the ropes but he goes out every night partying with his buddies. Probably slumming it or gambling all night long or both. I sense he's a ne'er do well who will disappoint his father.
There were way too many secondary characters to keep track of. Mrs. Warrick from room 324 is the victim. She was not a nice lady and came across as snobby and mean. Still, she didn't deserve to be murdered. I'm sure someone will mourn her loss. The chief suspect, Danny, is accused because he brought Mrs. Warrick her nightly cup of hot chocolate which she claimed was an hour late. He doesn't have a solid alibi and it's convenient to bring him in for questioning before the investigation gets underway. Danny seems nervous and I think he's the type to do what he's told without questioning and take Mrs. Warrick's abuse without complaint. In short, he's totally innocent.
Harry Armitage, assistant manager, shows many faces to Cleo. To the guests he is charming and even a bit flirtatious. He turns sneering and rude towards Cleo, is very proud and has a chip on his shoulder because of his background. Like Cleo, he jumps to conclusions without evidence. While he was given loving care by DI Hobart and Mrs. Hobart, they aren't his birth parents and Harry's background makes him a prime suspect in Cleo's murder case. She worries Detective Inspector Hobart won't be fair and impartial if his son is a murderer. DI Hobart seems fair minded and is willing to conduct a thorough investigation and not be browbeaten by Cleo's uncle into arresting the wrong person. However, I agree with Cleo that perhaps the inspector wouldn't be so fair if it was his own son.
Mr. Hobart, the manager of the hotel and Harry's uncle, is very kind. He's the father figure to everyone in the hotel, very efficient and excellent at managing the staff and guests. Mrs. Kettering, head of housekeeping, is the opposite. She's a dragon to the staff and not very nice to Cleo either. Mrs. Kettering is unnecessarily unkind and even threatens Cleo. She's seen where she shouldn't be and I think she's up to no good. Peter, the clerk, is friendly and fun. He's helpful but also cautious because he wants to keep his job. Edith is a very nervous young maid. She can't hold her head up with Mrs. Kettering's constant harangues. She's shy, timid and traumatized by finding the body. I like her a lot. I think she's sweet. Harmony, Cleo's maid, is outspoken and bold. She talks a lot and puts a lot of trust in someone she only just met. Frank, the doorman is a bit cranky and rude. He's snobby because he has to be. He's the face of the hotel, the first person anyone sees as they arrive and needs to keep the riff-raff out. He gets off on the wrong foot with Cleo. Gilbert aka Goliath is a porter and bodyguard. He's cheeky and friendly. Goliath enjoys teasing Frank and playing bodyguard tossing out unwanted visitors like the press. Victor, a junior cook, is scary. I would suspect HIM of murder if it wasn't a poisoning. He loves knives and enjoys freaking people out by playing with them. He has at least one suspicious skill and I suspect if Sir Ronald knew Victor, Victor would get the sack.
Besides Harry, Cleo's two other main suspects are Mr. Hookly, lately of South Africa. He's wealthy, nice, and fun to hang out with. The local merchants enjoy his spending sprees. Mr. Duffield, the second son of a second son of an Earl is not fun. He's slimy, asking Cleo to dinner before they even meet and is snobby. Cleo suspects he has a secret and that could have led to murder.
Whodunit?
I enjoyed this book enough to want to read the next one if Hoopla has it.
June 30, 2021
I love mystery stories, especially ones of the “whodunnit” thread. One aspect of mysteries I enjoy (Sherlock Holmes topping the list) is the feeling that the setting is a character important to the story. I never felt the elegant Mayfair Hotel played this role. I also never connected with any of the characters. I found Cleo Fox to be haphazardly drawn without strong yet believable personality traits. Many of the other characters acted in pairs that “grayed them on the page”, leaving them tough to stand out (Frank/Goliath; Mr. Armitage/Mr. Hobart; Floyd/Flossie; much of the hotel staff in general). The plot was very slow and offered very little for this reader to find interesting early on; I cared more about simply finishing the book than finding out more about the story or characters. There was very little suspense until the final two chapters, but even that was hardly believable. Eh, I didn’t find these characters believable and I don’t care to find out what happens next in the second book in this series.
January 1, 2022
Couldn't stand the main character. In my eyes her own actions were unforgiveable. Would rather have had this story written in Armitage's point of view. He was the only character worth investing in. All the others, flat.
Why was the hotel not a character in here? If it was it certainly didn't read that way. Nor did London. I kept thinking they were in New York city.
Why was the hotel not a character in here? If it was it certainly didn't read that way. Nor did London. I kept thinking they were in New York city.
March 4, 2021
This should be a lesson for me to try and shake off a disappointing read with a lackluster book...if only I had psychic abilities and could ward them off.
I made it just over halfway in the book and I really shouldn’t have given it even that. I was so unimpressed from the get go. I was a little surprised that we got the stabby stabby, pew-pew (in this case poison) at the end of the second chapter—so surprised I didn’t even know who the person was who’d died. I want to be slightly more invested in the dead person and feel something about them having died. As it was, I felt meh.
And because I felt meh, I wasn’t interested in the mystery. I can’t honestly say whether I would’ve discovered this whodunnit or not. I was so meh and annoyed by the yoyo-ing emotions of the MC’s love interest that I just threw out a name and said I didn’t care if it was them or not. I DNF’d the book, but I skimmed ahead and wasn’t shocked mypoison in a cup stab in the dark was incorrect. I just honestly didn’t care.
I think the author was trying to add conflict into a relationship that didn’t need the conflict. Authors, please stop doing this! It is not fun to read. It is just annoying. I don’t want every male lead to be bipolar or every female lead to “assert her independence” in the most obnoxious way and expect to be rewarded for her bad behavior. Because it is bad behavior. She made suffragettes (this book takes place at the turn of the 20th century) look very, very bad.
I give the book 1 star and I’m not sure it even deserves that. I can’t recommend the book, but if you take a stab at this one, be very weary.
Vocabulary sin: unknown - I didn’t keep track
Vocabulary halo: unknown
I made it just over halfway in the book and I really shouldn’t have given it even that. I was so unimpressed from the get go. I was a little surprised that we got the stabby stabby, pew-pew (in this case poison) at the end of the second chapter—so surprised I didn’t even know who the person was who’d died. I want to be slightly more invested in the dead person and feel something about them having died. As it was, I felt meh.
And because I felt meh, I wasn’t interested in the mystery. I can’t honestly say whether I would’ve discovered this whodunnit or not. I was so meh and annoyed by the yoyo-ing emotions of the MC’s love interest that I just threw out a name and said I didn’t care if it was them or not. I DNF’d the book, but I skimmed ahead and wasn’t shocked my
I think the author was trying to add conflict into a relationship that didn’t need the conflict. Authors, please stop doing this! It is not fun to read. It is just annoying. I don’t want every male lead to be bipolar or every female lead to “assert her independence” in the most obnoxious way and expect to be rewarded for her bad behavior. Because it is bad behavior. She made suffragettes (this book takes place at the turn of the 20th century) look very, very bad.
I give the book 1 star and I’m not sure it even deserves that. I can’t recommend the book, but if you take a stab at this one, be very weary.
Vocabulary sin: unknown - I didn’t keep track
Vocabulary halo: unknown
November 28, 2021
Rating: 5 / 5
Wow, maybe I'm just really into cozy mystery reads at the moment, but this looks like it'll be the second series that I must keep up with moving forward!
Cleopatra Fox is, simply put, delightful. Now without family as her parents and grandparents have passed away, Cleo is invited to live with her uncle's family at their home in the Mayfair Hotel. Unlike the Fox family though, the Bainbridge family that cast her mother aside (in disapproval after she married Cleo's father, of course), is very well off and is looking forward to their annual New Year's Eve ball, where many of London's elite will be attending. Cleo's nervous entering the scene though, and at the same time also doesn't want to be living on charity, so she looks for something to do.
What that "something" turns out to be is involving herself in solving the murder that happens at the hotel right when she arrives there, and then Cleo's asked for help by one of the maids when a footman is accused. Cleo's curiosity (and natural nosiness) get the better of her and so she starts compiling a list of suspects and getting some key questions in order. This does not escape the notice of Mr. Harry Armitage, the assistant manager, who in himself is quite a puzzle to figure out as well.
In terms of the pacing of this, I'd say that it was perfect in that, even though it was technically quite slow, it made sense for it to linger over details we're not just introduced to the characters, but the entire environment of the Mayfair Hotel and the interactions therein. Cleo is experiencing everything for the first time, and we, as the readers, experience everything alongside her. The world-building was so compelling that, for me at least, I didn't even mind that technically not all that much happens. It's enough just to meet the characters and interact with them, really.
In terms of where the story goes next, there are several things that of course I'd love to read more about:
+ what happens next for Cleo and Armitage (whether romantically or otherwise, though nothing was blatantly romantic in this, as it's just the first book in the series and all)
+ MORE about the hotel life, because the setting is just so lovely, reminds me of what I read in The Maid a short while ago, so of course I'm very much into it
+ More about Victor and Harmony, and of course Goliath and Peter. These four were the epitome of interesting for me in terms of side characters, and to learn more about all of them, especially Victor, would be awesome!
+ to get some more 1900s-specific complications for Cleo, like her cousins trying to marry her off or her having to fight the gender stereotypes of the age--in a respectful and non-frustrating way, of course
And, naturally, we'll need more murders to keep us engaged, won't we?
Consider this another series that I'll be keeping my eye on, in any case.
Wow, maybe I'm just really into cozy mystery reads at the moment, but this looks like it'll be the second series that I must keep up with moving forward!
Cleopatra Fox is, simply put, delightful. Now without family as her parents and grandparents have passed away, Cleo is invited to live with her uncle's family at their home in the Mayfair Hotel. Unlike the Fox family though, the Bainbridge family that cast her mother aside (in disapproval after she married Cleo's father, of course), is very well off and is looking forward to their annual New Year's Eve ball, where many of London's elite will be attending. Cleo's nervous entering the scene though, and at the same time also doesn't want to be living on charity, so she looks for something to do.
What that "something" turns out to be is involving herself in solving the murder that happens at the hotel right when she arrives there, and then Cleo's asked for help by one of the maids when a footman is accused. Cleo's curiosity (and natural nosiness) get the better of her and so she starts compiling a list of suspects and getting some key questions in order. This does not escape the notice of Mr. Harry Armitage, the assistant manager, who in himself is quite a puzzle to figure out as well.
In terms of the pacing of this, I'd say that it was perfect in that, even though it was technically quite slow, it made sense for it to linger over details we're not just introduced to the characters, but the entire environment of the Mayfair Hotel and the interactions therein. Cleo is experiencing everything for the first time, and we, as the readers, experience everything alongside her. The world-building was so compelling that, for me at least, I didn't even mind that technically not all that much happens. It's enough just to meet the characters and interact with them, really.
In terms of where the story goes next, there are several things that of course I'd love to read more about:
+ what happens next for Cleo and Armitage (whether romantically or otherwise, though nothing was blatantly romantic in this, as it's just the first book in the series and all)
+ MORE about the hotel life, because the setting is just so lovely, reminds me of what I read in The Maid a short while ago, so of course I'm very much into it
+ More about Victor and Harmony, and of course Goliath and Peter. These four were the epitome of interesting for me in terms of side characters, and to learn more about all of them, especially Victor, would be awesome!
+ to get some more 1900s-specific complications for Cleo, like her cousins trying to marry her off or her having to fight the gender stereotypes of the age--in a respectful and non-frustrating way, of course
And, naturally, we'll need more murders to keep us engaged, won't we?
Consider this another series that I'll be keeping my eye on, in any case.
June 30, 2024
Divertido, entretenido
Cleo acaba de sufrir la muerte de la última persona de su familia que quería, y descubre que sus tíos quieren que se vaya a vivir con ellos en el hotel Mayfair en Londres. Allí Cleo se ve interesa en otro ambiente diferente e intenta sentirse útil. Así que cuando uno de los huéspedes es asesinado, Cleo decide que debe investigar y así evitar un escándalo en el hotel. Pero será realmente capaz de encontrar al asesino? Cómo logrará hacerlo?
Realmente este fue un libro de lo más entretenido, y para ser introductorio de una serie, te deja con ganas de seguir leyendo sus aventuras.
Me gustaron todos los personajes, incluso, aquellos que resultaron con mal carácter.
También me gustó bastante como se desarrollo la trama con el misterio y la forma como todo se develo al final.
Es seguro que seguiré leyendo otros libros de esta serie.
Cleo acaba de sufrir la muerte de la última persona de su familia que quería, y descubre que sus tíos quieren que se vaya a vivir con ellos en el hotel Mayfair en Londres. Allí Cleo se ve interesa en otro ambiente diferente e intenta sentirse útil. Así que cuando uno de los huéspedes es asesinado, Cleo decide que debe investigar y así evitar un escándalo en el hotel. Pero será realmente capaz de encontrar al asesino? Cómo logrará hacerlo?
Realmente este fue un libro de lo más entretenido, y para ser introductorio de una serie, te deja con ganas de seguir leyendo sus aventuras.
Me gustaron todos los personajes, incluso, aquellos que resultaron con mal carácter.
También me gustó bastante como se desarrollo la trama con el misterio y la forma como todo se develo al final.
Es seguro que seguiré leyendo otros libros de esta serie.
February 28, 2021
The main character is a bit high handed. It’s a modern lady trying to be in a historical mystery novel. It was awkward.
April 22, 2021
This is the first installment in a seemingly new, fun mystery series. Looking forward to the other books in the series.
February 27, 2022
A very long story where we don't get to know anything about the MC as a person other than she sucks at being a detective and is very immature. I was hoping with a name like Cleopatra Fox we would get some humor, but mostly we get Fox being self-centered (see: when she keeps forcing herself on Armitage even when everyone is telling her not to bother him). We could have saved at least 100 pages if the "Im giving up, please someone come tell me how brilliant I am so that I can have an excuse to be ineffectively nosy again". I have enjoyed this author before so I'm going give this series another try in hopes that Cleo becomes less annoying and more useful.
August 18, 2022
Quick and enjoyable read. I liked getting to know Cleopatra Fox and her need to find a way to fit into her new life. The mystery was well paced and it was interesting to learn more about the hotel business at the turn of the century. I look forward to reading more in the series.
March 8, 2021
YA fiction
This feels like it was written by a teenager. It lacks character depth and struggles to remain true to any genre or period.
This feels like it was written by a teenager. It lacks character depth and struggles to remain true to any genre or period.
April 20, 2022
The more I read, the more I realized I simply didn't care. So I stopped. It slowly dawned on me that I really was indifferent to Cleo, our protagonist. Her family were all superficial and unlikeable. The hotel staff were all a little intrusive and prone to assumptions. The managers were rather judgmental and stand-offish. But then I suppose that would be normal since all of the action takes place over a week or less. It all just felt a bit contrived.
Then when Cleo does make her grand pronouncement of guilt and it turns out she's wrong because she based her accusation on 2 small pieces of circumstantial evidence, then she completely reverses course, follows the poor man around forcing him to listen to how miserable and sorry she is after she's ruined his life. Why is he not entitled to his anger? Why does she think it's his job to make her feel better about her burden of guilt? I absolutely HATE it when characters are so shallow and childish as to engage in this type of behavior. It was at this point that I realized that Cleo and I have turned a corner and frankly I didn't care what happened to her anymore. Find the killer, don't find the killer, whatever!
Then when Cleo does make her grand pronouncement of guilt and it turns out she's wrong because she based her accusation on 2 small pieces of circumstantial evidence, then she completely reverses course, follows the poor man around forcing him to listen to how miserable and sorry she is after she's ruined his life. Why is he not entitled to his anger? Why does she think it's his job to make her feel better about her burden of guilt? I absolutely HATE it when characters are so shallow and childish as to engage in this type of behavior. It was at this point that I realized that Cleo and I have turned a corner and frankly I didn't care what happened to her anymore. Find the killer, don't find the killer, whatever!
July 3, 2024
3.5
It took a while for me to get into the book. But based on the strength of her other books, I kept at it, and I ended up being very happy by the end. In fact, I’ve already started the second book in the series. Hopefully, the second will be even better and this series hold me over until India and Matt come home or until Sylvia and Gabe stumble across another magical mystery.
It took a while for me to get into the book. But based on the strength of her other books, I kept at it, and I ended up being very happy by the end. In fact, I’ve already started the second book in the series. Hopefully, the second will be even better and this series hold me over until India and Matt come home or until Sylvia and Gabe stumble across another magical mystery.
May 20, 2021
It started out as a charming cozy mystery. Then it went downhill. It felt like conflict was added with the soul purpose to add to the word count . It was unneeded and killed the story. The protagonist went from heroine to just drab.
August 11, 2021
Often felt cheesy and that the main character was a childish, inexperienced amateur on a goose chase to solve a crime that wasn't her business.
September 14, 2024
~3.5 stars
The writing was really enjoyable, but all the names were in the beginning a bit much which caused me not to really get the plot!
The writing was really enjoyable, but all the names were in the beginning a bit much which caused me not to really get the plot!
November 7, 2023
After the death of her grandmother, Cleo has come to live at the Mayfair Hotel owned and operated by her aunt and uncle.
On Christmas Eve one of the guests is found murdered. At loose ends and upset at the arrest of one of the staff, Cleo decides to do a little sleuthing on her own.
This was a fun read and the first in a new series. I will look for the next book in the series.
On Christmas Eve one of the guests is found murdered. At loose ends and upset at the arrest of one of the staff, Cleo decides to do a little sleuthing on her own.
This was a fun read and the first in a new series. I will look for the next book in the series.
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