“Hello, my name is Selena. Welcome to the Flamingo Lounge. Your secrets are safe with me.”
Some of Palm Beach's most successful misfits indulge themselves at the Flamingo Lounge Speakeasy. Secluded within the prestigious Opulence Resort, old man Wilcox, Lila, Slash, Renata, and Selena become fast friends. When a patron is poisoned, will the bonds of friendship hold up under pressure in this who-dun-it mystery?
Leah Orr, a resident of Jensen Beach, Florida, is not just a mother and wife, but also a #1 best-selling Amazon children’s author and thriller novelist. Her success in the literary world is evident in her 17 published books, each one a testament to her storytelling prowess.
Leah donates the profits from her books to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Upon learning that her daughter Ashley was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (while still in the womb), Orr knew she wanted to do something special. With some input from her mother and three daughters, it was decided that she'd write books to benefit the (CF) Foundation. The Orr Family has raised over $1,400,000 over the past 22 years to help find a cure.
Leah has recently been featured on ABC’s Health Watch, NBC Today South Florida, CBS South Florida, CBS This Morning Virginia, NBC the 10! Show Philadelphia, Fox 4 News Morning Blend, National Syndicated, “The Daily Buzz”, and Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act.”
Leah has been featured in Publications such as: Forbes Magazine, Medical News Today, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel, etc. Ashley was also a recipient of Oprah’s generosity in “The Big Give”.
Books by Leah Orr include children’s books: Goodnight, Molly, Messy Tessy, It Wasn’t Me, Kyle’s First Crush, & Kyle’s First Playdate. Her thrillers include The Executive Suite, The Bartender, The Champagne Toast, and #1 Amazon Bestseller, The She Shed, and The Fruitcake. Coming soon: The Retirees
Orr and her husband were recently nominated as one of Florida’s Finest Couples by the CF Foundation and included in “IN THE SPOTLIGHT on CFF.ORG. Leah was also nominated as one of Broward County’s top 100 Outstanding Women. Orr grew up in Boston, MA, and is a graduate of the University of Miami. More information is available at www.leahorr.com
The Bartender: A Thriller Novella by Leah Orr is a sharp, fast-paced thriller set in the wild, glittery world of South Florida nightlife. It follows Selena, a bartender at the secretive Flamingo Lounge inside a luxe Palm Beach resort, whose regulars feel more like a quirky little family than customers.
I already love Leah Orr’s horror novels and her hysterically funny, offbeat stories about South Florida, so I went into this one excited, and it absolutely scratched that same itch: twisty, dark, but still full of that weird, wonderful Florida flavor she does so well.
Selena makes a great main character. As a bartender, she’s in the perfect position to see everything. Because she was a former police officer, I liked how grounded she felt—smart, observant, a little cynical, but still clearly attached to “her” people at the bar. You get the sense that she’s not easily shocked, which makes it even more fun when the story pushes her out of her comfort zone. Her voice walks a nice line between tense and slyly funny, which fits perfectly with what I already enjoy in Orr’s writing.
The supporting cast is exactly the kind of eccentric, flawed group I expect from a Leah Orr story set in South Florida. The regulars at the Flamingo Lounge—old-timers, glamorous women, edgy types, people who absolutely have something to hide—feel like they stepped right out of a real bar down here, just turned up a notch for drama. They all have their own vibes and secrets, and I liked how each of them felt distinct without needing a huge info dump.
One of the things I’ve always enjoyed in Orr’s stories is how South Florida itself becomes part of the cast, and that’s true here too. The Palm Beach resort, the hidden speakeasy lounge, the contrast between polished luxury and messy human drama—it all feels very true to the area.
Because it’s a novella, there’s no filler. The scenes feel purposeful, and every conversation might hold some little clue or red flag. At the same time, Orr still manages to weave in small character moments—snarky comments, flashes of vulnerability, bits of humor—that keep the story from feeling cold or overly grim. That mix of suspense and dark, slightly offbeat humor is exactly why I enjoy her other books, and it carries through here in a tighter, more compact way.
In terms of tone, this sits in a sweet spot between thriller and darkly comic character study. It’s serious—there’s a death, after all—but it never loses that wink toward how absurd and dramatic human behavior can be, especially in a place like a high-end Florida resort bar. If you already like her horror and her quirky South Florida stories, this feels like a bridge between those worlds: there’s danger and dread, but also that recognizable, slightly outrageous Florida energy.
I also appreciated that the ending feels satisfying without being overexplained. You get your answers, you understand what happened and why, but it doesn’t tie everything into a bow where everyone magically becomes a better person. Some of these characters are messy, and they stay messy.
Overall, The Bartender was a really enjoyable read for me—quick, tense, and full of the kind of quirky, flawed South Florida characters I’ve come to expect from Leah Orr. If you like thrillers set in vivid locations, stories with a contained cast and a mystery at the center, or you already enjoy Orr’s horror and funny Florida tales, this one is definitely worth picking up. It has that “one sitting” readability while still giving you enough depth and personality to stick in your mind afterward.
I won this on Goodreads Giveaway. When I saw the author was female I gave it a shot. An empowered woman with the wisdom of a tough upbringing. Intelligent, beautiful, shoots pool, plays poker and can throw a good punch. That's what I was hoping for. What I got was a poorly written character with a silly plot.
Chapter 1: Selena, a police officer, responds to a domestic disturbance and kills the bad guy with one good punch,
Chapter 2: Selena calls her sister and ask her if she can get her a job at the hotel she manages. "Why? You kill someone and get fired?" "Uh, yes."
Chapter 3: Some guy gives Selena a tour of the hotel and tells her the history of the establishment.
Ok. Slow down. Life doesn't work that way. Yesterday Selena KILLED someone!
I won this copy and I started to read it when I got it in the mail. Oh my God it is so good. I am not giving any spoilers here but all I can say is it's amazingly good. Also the author is super sweet she also included a book prior to this so I received actually two books. The author is super sweet and sent a signed copy and a signed note with a very beautiful message. And in case you guys don't know our profits of the book goes to cystic fibrosis foundation which her youngest daughter has been inflicted.
I really enjoyed this short novella. Even tho it’s short the world building g aspect is really well done.
Crime/thriller troupe All characters both main and secondary are really interesting.
I was gifted an audio format to review and definitely would look into other work by this author. Narration was fantastic I really enjoyed listening to the narrator and her voice fit the story well.
This was a fantastic read! I love when you find a book that has you guessing all the wrong answers, but is also such a satisfying ending. I truly hope we see more to come in this series.
I'm also super excited to try some of the drinks from the Bartender's Bible in the back of the book. #GoodreadsGiveaway
Omg! Leah did it again! As soon as I started the first few pages I got HOOKED! Selena’s character was incredible! I absolutely love the twist at the end, I didn’t see it coming.
Selena is a police officer turned bartender who seems to find her true calling in this new occupation. Her strong character and actions serve as a great launching pad for a gripping thriller, but it does not live up to its potential.
Though the story is threaded with mysteries, the stilted dialogue detracts from the suspense. Conversations are unnatural, primarily because of expanded versus contracted phrases. I found this particularly irritating with Patrick, a 10-year-old who speaks nothing like a child, even a precocious 10-year-old.
It seems to me that the author invested time in details that added no value. Rather than inundating the reader with the ingredients of mixed drinks and card tricks, character-building would make the story more interesting. The supporting characters were shallow and came across as artificial.
Still, if you're looking for a short, cute thriller to pass the time, this book is a fun read.
The Bartender by Leah Orr is a thrilling, atmospheric who-dun-it set in the glamorous yet mysterious world of Palm Beach's Flamingo Lounge Speakeasy. The unique setting, tucked within the prestigious Opulence Resort, creates an intriguing backdrop for the story. Selena, the bartender, is the perfect host to this diverse group of misfits, and when a patron is poisoned, the bonds of friendship among the group are tested as they try to unravel the mystery.
Orr does a great job of weaving suspense and tension throughout the plot, with a mix of well-developed characters who each bring their own secrets and motives to the table. The pacing is engaging, though some of the twists are more predictable than others. Still, The Bartender is an enjoyable and fast-paced read that keeps you guessing until the end. If you're a fan of classic whodunnits with a modern twist, this book is definitely worth the read.
love this mystery thriller. I hated to put the book down when l had to do something else. Ms Orr held my attention from cover to cover. The tight circle of friends at the hotel speakeasy was one of the book's strong points. I enjoyed the interplay between them as well as the caring that was so obvious when the inevitable negatives of life visited upon them. Hubert constantly talked of the people at the hotel as family and as the book drew to its conclusion he demonstrated exactly how this was so. As astutely as l read the book the killer was a complete surprise, my mind had never drifted in that direction. Well done. I recommend this book to those how are looking for a good read on a quiet night.
I won this book...thank you! Sorry the delayed review, life and technology got away from me.
This is a quick and easy read. There is murder, mytery, and drama, all served up by Selena and her sometimes not so great choices.
When her life as a police officer takes a bad turn Selena must ask for help from her sister. She gives her a job bartending at a fancy hotel and it seems to be the perfect fit. Even when things don't go smoothly she still finds a way to make it work..,or does the mystery man do that?
Selena makes friends with her regulars as well as the sketchy manager but seems to finally find her footing again. Bartending can be a great gig when you find the right fit, glad I never had to de with murder!
The first third of Ms. Orr's story is alive with crisp imagery, sassy prose and a fast-moving set of happenings. As more and more characters are introduced, the story gets bogged down in stilted, overwritten dialogue. Selena's edgy persona takes a back seat to the more overbearing characters. I miss the Selena of the first 50 or so pages. Ms. Orr would benefit greatly from a good editor. It would seem that given her apparent reputation as a crusader and fundraiser for CF that someone would offer their services to make her books really shine. Having said all that, I admire her dedication to the cause and to using writing as a venue.
This is a fiction thriller book that will keep you laughing. I was in stitches. As I read the jokes, I kept saying, "Oh My!" Repeatedly, I recommended the book to the people sitting near me. Laughed so loudly people around me got startled. Throughout the story the bartender is mixing various drinks and the author even lists the ingredients to these drinks.
The thriller sections will capture your interest throughout the book. As for Howard popping in and out, he gave me the chills. It was so creative how the author has written in Howard's involvement with the characters of the Hotel.
I rate this book five stars! Have fun reading this story.
I loved the setting of the speakeasy in this book. This novella is an entertaining, page turning thriller with a twist that I did not see coming. The ending took me by surprise. I loved the characters, especially Patrick, Slash, and the caretaker. A perfect read for an afternoon on the beach. This author donates the profits to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the book is a great sequel to the Executive Suite. As an added bonus there is a short story at the end of the book, and recipes to all of the cocktails the characters drank within the story.
An immersive, intriguing narrative of mystery and seduction lurks just around the corner at the push of a jukebox song selection combination. An intriguing look "behind the bar" in the multi-faceted life of an upscale bartender in an opulent speakeasy. The detailed drink descriptions are as informative as they are inviting, which aptly suits this highly entertaining story. A relatively short but immersive story in which listeners are both treated to a tale and regaled with song. I'd highly recommend it.
What a nice refreshing easy read, lots of good characters all set around a speakeasy in a high class hotel. The book starts with the end but I still did not know “who” until it happened again. Sometimes I felt as though the conversations were a bit child like so more adult themes needed but overall a good read. Will definitely keep an eye out for more from this author..
The author gives us an interesting picture of the life of a bartender in a high-end hotel, serving lots of high-end drinks to some very high-end people. Plenty of them are bad enough to be the killer, and they're interesting even when they're not. It's a good book, and I recommend it, and I commend the author for helping the cause of fighting CF.
I just couldn't get into this book. Characters were bland, and one dimensional, dialogue was unbelievable. The plot just didn't gel and I didn't care about one single character. This is written in a story 'told' kind of way, rather than experienced, which made it feel like hard-work.
I liked Leslie from the start. The Anna Nicole reference put her perfectly in context. the fact that I’m an ACAB believer made it tough for me to ever cozy to Selena even tho she’s a bartender now. and Patrick, was, well, Patrick. but I did NOT see this ending coming, good mix of music & jokes aside.
The story introduces you to Selena who used to be a police offer and took on a job as a bartender and works at Flamingo Lounge. She becomes friends with her regular customers. A murder happens at the prestigious Opulence Resort. THe Speakeasy is interesting and Hubert is an unusual character. It is a thriller and there is a lot of suspense too.
I liked this book even better that the first book in this series, the Executive Suite. I really enjoyed old man Wilcox, the caretaker, and Talia's 10 year old boy, Patrick. This was a book I could not put down, read in just 1 sitting.
The Bartender: A Thriller Novella by Leah Orr is a gripping read! I couldn’t put it down from start to finish. I found the characters really interesting and the book itself is well written. Also it has a fantastic setting. Five stars!
This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. The cocktail recipes and card tricks throughout the book were fun but I don’t think I would consider the book a thriller. I did like the description of the space and the resort.
This was a fun story. The narrator made it entertaining with her talented voice for narration and singing. The dirty jokes were funny and put in at all the right spots. She had some great drink ideas when she became a bartender.
Enjoyed this page-turner. The book starts strong and keeps the reader engaged throughout. I enjoyed the cocktail recipes that we shared throughout the story. I'll read more by this author.
Interesting story how the author put all the players in action and kept you wondering until you crept to the next page. Good story throughout and nearly tied up all the loose ends Enjoyed this bok from the author and will kook for others in her collection
I received a code for this book on Audible, to listen for free. Upon getting to the second chapter, I was already hooked and decided to grab it from Kindle Unlimited. I really enjoyed reading along, while I listened. The story took me on a journey and I loved it!!
I loved this book. I was trying to second guess, but tgen ended up laughing. Some great interactions in this book. Not giving spoilers but I am keeping this in my will read again shelf.this author clearly loves writing. I am now a fan.
A fun and twisty mystery. A fun read full of outlandish characters and lots of mystery. The characters were witty and sharp and the story popped along. Definitely a good read.