Murder at the Grand Hotel

Lady Caroline Murder Mysteries #1

by Isabella Bassett

The French Riviera, 1925

Disgraced society “it” girl, Lady Caroline, has been shipped off to the French Riviera to spend remedial time with gout-impaired Uncle Albert. Her crime? An ill-advised scavenger hunt through London, with social-status-ruinous consequences.

Now, instead of pinching police helmets, this Bright Young Thing is pursuing her uncle’s latest hobby along the rocky cliffs of the Cote d’Azur.

But all is not misery in Lady Caroline’s life. Murder brightens up what could otherwise be a terribly dull existence. First, a well-connected seductress is poisoned at the roulette table, then the Riviera’s preeminent villa architect slips off the bluffs into the turquoise Mediterranean Sea idling below.

As the bodies mount, the local police suspect someone is boosting their way up the social ladder through nefarious means.

Lady Caroline has a different idea. Always up for a good scavenger hunt, she can’t resist following the trail of clues to the killer.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2022

Reviews

[Lady Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Rating: 2.7 / 5

Okay, so my second read-around of this was...good, but not great.

I'm afraid that I still just can't get behind this book, however much I might try.

I don't know what it is--maybe the writing style? It's harmless as writing goes, but not particularly crafty or witty or clever or...anything memorable.

Or...maybe it's the mystery itself, and how Caroline herself has absolutely NO STAKES in figuring out the murder, so why is she even bothering to "investigate"? I mean, okay, at one point she and her uncle are considered suspects, but this is for such a brief period of time that, honestly, I couldn't take it seriously, and it's a weak case at most even when they ARE accused.

Is it Caroline herself, maybe? I mean, for all that she's professed to be "scandalous" and "unmarriageable" despite her large fortune and whatnot, she's not really anything special, although I'm not sure that I want to give up on her as a heroine just yet.

Maybe the fact that, romance-wise, I still don't get any sense of a spark of romance between her and James? (Like, ZERO chemistry, amigos.) Er...holding off judgement on that as well.

All in all, I'd say that a lot about this was tolerable, but ultimately lackluster, and so colour me underwhelmed. I WILL be giving the second book a chance to redeem the serious in mine eyes--mostly because, I will admit, I absolutely LOVE the covers--but all I can say is that I had better see a marked improvement!

First Rating: *yawns* / 5

Unfortunately, this has failed to capture my interest.

.............................

*pause*

.............................

That's it.

[Elizabeth Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I read the line ‘a woman in possession of a good fortune would be ill advised to share it with a man’, I knew I’d love this book. It’s a comforting cosy 1920s mystery set in the French Riviera. The mystery was very well plotted and written. For me, the characters lacked chemistry (not just romantically, but in general). I’d still recommend it to anyone who loves a cosy mystery!

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light hearted mystery set on the French Riviera in the 1920s. Lady Caroline has come to France to act as secretary to an elderly uncle after a scandal in London. Shortly after her arrival, a hotel safe is broken into but all that is taken is a letter. As Caroline tries to work out what is going on, a mysterious death occurs and she finds herself suspected by the police investigator.

The plot for this is quite weak, and the suspects ruled out a little too quickly to keep the reader guessing. Although it takes place in the 1920s, this is much lighter and more flippant in tone than a traditional Golden Age mystery, but it is entertaining and enjoyable. Caroline is a likeable and unconventional protagonist, and the dynamic with her friend Poppy is delightful.

This was an undemanding read, but enjoyable enough for me to continue with the series.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has so much of what I’ve been craving lately. It’s a cozy (more or less) historical mystery set in a luxurious and exotic locale (Côte d'Azur) with a touch of romance…too bad it’s a bad mystery. Luckily, it was also really short.

[Laurel]

Did not finish.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Caroline is how I would imagine I would be in that time: falling just short of what society expects, smarter than the average debutante, and looking for a little bit more in life that parties and social affairs. This story was so much fun! I loved the setting and the premise of Lady Caroline having to find a job after being disgraced. I also love that she realizes that the full consequences of her actions, including having her brother’s friend lose his job because of her. The mystery was well-plotted with plenty to keep me guessing until the very end. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been on a 1920s mysteries kick lately, so thought I'd give this book a shot. I must have read a different book than most of the reviewers here on GR, because I do not understand all the four-star (or higher!) ratings.

I didn't care for or about most of the characters, including Caroline, the MC. Due to a scandal in London - which wasn't very scandalous, imo - she's been sent to be her uncle's secretary. She doesn't think about the person whose job she's taking, or what the job might involve, but that doesn't matter because she's too busy swanning around doing everything *but what he's tasked her to do. She's quick to jump to conclusions, concocting elaborate scenarios to support those conclusions, even though she has no evidence to back them up. She has no call whatsoever to get involved in the murder investigation, but she does so anyhow, and actually does turn up a few clues along the way. Is it any wonder she was surprised by the killer and unprepared to deal with the confrontation?

I did have the culprit near the top of my list of suspects, but not for the actual motive. Something about the character seemed 'off' enough to make me suspicious, and I was pleasantly surprised that I was right :)

Since I rarely write off an entire series after just one book, I will read the next in this series and hope things improve.

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in the Lady Caroline historical mystery series set in the 1920s. Lady Caroline is an independent woman from an excellent family (after all, she is a "Lady") who mother is distraught over some of Caroline's actions. Caroline has no intention of getting married to some suitable, boring man in need of money and status. Instead, she's active in the social scene, has an amazing amount of physical skills (thanks to a former boarding school headmistress), and has recently finished a stint at typing school.

As the book begins, Lady Caroline is on her way to Nice to serve -- at her mother's orders -- as her Uncle Albert's secretary. Caroline envisions hours of boring correspondence. Instead, her uncle sends her off in search of a rare flower. The other residents at the Grand Hotel are an international mix of interesting characters, and soon, someone is murdered.

I found the mystery interesting, liked Lady Caroline, and look forward to reading more about her, as it appears her next adventure will be set in Italy.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet cozy mystery, snd the first in a series. Absolutely stellar very plummy English upper class names! Similar to Miss Fisher in terms of setting and characters. Got it on a kindle sale for $2, and now I think I’ll read the rest in the series. Super easy read.

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good- not great.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It was told in first person, which doesn't normally bother me. But Caroline's voice is somewhat annoying. Also, I don't know why the author was so attached to super long names, but it felt like every other character had a name of either 5 syllables or was hyphenated. The murder mystery and the search for the orchid were somewhat entertaining, but I felt like the story was trying too hard to be charming or to be what was cool in the 1920s. I've read many stories set in that time period, and this one just felt flat. While it wasn't a terrible read and wasn't long and drawn out, I'm not really interested in reading any of the other books in this series. Which is sad, because I was hoping this would be a new series for me to read all the way through.

[Dew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Depressingly dull

I couldn’t get into it. The characters were flat and the mystery was uninspired. I can only guess that the Monte Carlo setting was supposed to imbue the book with a certain je ne said quois, but I just couldn’t get past the pointlessness of it all.

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Breezy, readable historical cozy featuring a semi-disgraced aristo in the 20s who dabbles in crime solving. This has become almost a genre of its own, the British post World War I cozy featuring Lady whoever. But it was a quick entertaining light read.

[Watergirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has a potential to grow on me but not right now. There was too much introspection and guesses. The murders happening outside the book also took away from the urgency that could have been created. Hope it improves.

[Ана Хелс · Rating 5 out of 5]

Разкриването на престъпления никога не е било толкова лежерно занимание, както в света на Изабела Басет с лейди Каролайн, странният чичо Албърт и верният му консиерж. Това е ултимативно забавната криминална поредица, пълна с абсурдни образи, странни престъпления, и толкова загубени лошковци, че на моменти ти се иска да им сипеш чаша чай с парче торта, вместо да ги отведеш в затвора. Но естествено най-важна е справедливостта… както и партитата, пиенето и обикалянето по света в търсене на специални бръмбари, китки или особено грозни животинчета, които еволюцията е подминала немилостиво.

Всяка книга от това приключение забърква устата млада британска лейди Каролайн в поредната криминална драма от Италия, през Франция, Египет, Швейцария, та чак до добрата стара Англия. С нея се мъкне престарелия ѝ и доста ексцентричен чичо с верния му слуга, плюс цялото британско общество на дъртите газоотделящи богаташи с интерес към флората, фауната и всичко, което не включва задушаващо дамско присъствие. На нашата лейди никак няма да ѝ лесни в това общество на класически застаряващи нърдове, които трябва да навигира като същинска Пени и да ги пази от разни млади, екстровертни златотърсачки с тайни гаджета – убийци. А това, че на всеки ъгъл умира по някой неподготвен свидетел на нечие злодеяние никак не ѝ улеснява работата.

Типичен представител на дамската криминална литература, Изабела Басет вкарва много от всичко, което би ви привлякло в жанра – пътешествия, богатство, разкош, хумор, нежна романтика, смразяващи убийства, напрегнати преследвания и гениални умозаключения на декадентския фон на златните междувоенни години. Леки, разтоварващи и хващащи вниманието четива, без претенции, но с много симпатични герои, които оставят удивително приятното чувство за добре прекарано време с книжни приятели в приключения и авантюри по целия свят. Чудесен старт за новаците в жанра, който със сигурност ще ви влюби в уютните исторически мистерии с повече от щипка чувство за хумор за разкош.

[G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall: C

Meh

"Murder At The Grand Hotel" is what I call a "most unorthodox!" book. A most unorthodox book usually takes place in Britain (sometimes Europe)- around the Victorian to 1920s (but can go back even farther). The protagonist is usually a woman in the upper crust who acts in a manner "most unbecoming" at the time. They can actually be any age but usually the girl is in the 20s-30s range. People around her either find her charming or alarming (usually women her age or older). The alarmed characters are usually tut-tutting her behavior which leads me to imaging them always saying "Why, this is most unorthodox"! The "forward-thinking" protagonist is usually the one solving the mystery to the amazement of everyone.

This is one of those stories but the setting is the roaring 20s with a British debutante visiting a French resort. It is told from the first person POV of the lead, Lady Caroline. As an amateur detective, she does a LOT of speculation that ends up being boring after a while. In fact, she's just boring. Her "romance" with James is lackluster. Honestly, I forgot he existed at some points. Most characters were colorful but one dimensional. I did like Poppy (though she is another "most unorthodox" character. The narrator, Sandra Churchill, did a good job of keeping me engaged.

The story is okay but the stakes never get high. At one point, Lady Caroline was in danger but I never felt like she was in danger. Obviously she wouldn't have died since this is a series but during that entire scene, I didn't feel anything. No worry or fear or suspense...nothing. The story was easy to follow even with all the characters that come and go. It's a decent time-killing cozy mystery if you want to just listen to something without racking your brain.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This year, my book group are trying out a few modern mysteries, set in the Golden Age. This is the first in the Lady Caroline series, who is sent to the French Riviera in 1925 to act as her uncle's secretary after being (slightly) disgraced in London. A member of the bright young things, she took part in many of the parties and treasure hunts, but it was doing a secretarial course which seemed to be least acceptable.

Now, Lady Morton, hoping she can find a wealthy bride for her son, is delivering her to the hotel where she finds her late brother's friend, James, was previously secretary to her uncle but has been sacked so she could take the position. Her uncle turns to our to be a member of the Royal Society for Natural History Appreciation and are in search of a rare orchid, in order to win the Golden Platypus. However, this task is soon made my exciting by murder in a somewhat convoluted and confusing plot involving missing formulas, Russians and fake identities.

This is a pleasant enough outing, but it is, unfortunately, one of those that I feel will be fairly forgettable. However, we are reading the first two books in six series, so I will give it at least one more go this year.

[Lee Rozinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very ho-hum. After reading several other series in this genre, I was looking forward to this. It did not come up to the standards. Lady Caroline has been banished to serve as secretary to an eccentric uncle after making a spectacle of herself in a treasure hunt (we never found out what she really did) and taking secretarial training (which is NOT done by women in her class). I expected much more interaction with Uncle Albert than what there was. When Caroline arrives, she meets the former secretary, James, who was Caroline's brother's friend. James is the 4th son of an Earl so he must work to survive. Caroline runs into Poppy a former schoolmate who was described as a bully and not very likeable. Then they immediately become bosom buddies, which I didn't understand.

There is a break-in to the hotel safe, but only a letter is taken from a young woman (former dancer) who is subsequently murdered. Eventually, the case is solved.

The story did not have the suspense and twists and turns I have come to expect. I will try another just to see if there is more character development.

[Nordiana Baruzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful start to a new (to me) series and a worthy addition to the genre.

To avoid an unwanted marrige with a boring candidate, Ladt Xaroline joins Uncle Albert chase for an elusive orchid on the French Riviera. She fears her stay's going to be a bore, but thanks to her school pal Poppy she manages to have some fun. Until an unusual theft occurs (come on, who cracks a hotel safe to steal a letter and leaves all the jewels?), and then a line dancer dies, then an architect...

The character in this book are well depicted. Lady Caroline is a very modern 1920's woman, self assured, unwilling to accept societal diktats. Uncle Albert is the archetypal absent-minded scholar (I kept seeing Einstein face every time he came up on page), Poppy aerves as Caroline counterbalance, as the rich woman focused on finding a good husband for herself. James is a bit of a let down, I hope he redeems himself in the next installments.

The story is brought to an end in a very satisfactory way.

I highly recommend this series to all lovers of historical cozy mysteries set in the 1920.

[Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story, but there were a few times that the main character just seemed so... overwhelmingly stupid despite her self-proclaimed knowledge. For example, she signs up to be the secretary to her uncle, and then proceeds on her first day at work to ignore his task that he gave her and go play on the beach with her friend even though she's there to be his secretary, not to be on vacation.

The mystery felt second hand to Caroline's seeking fun and relaxation instead of doing work she stole from another character due to family connections. However, when the mystery does take focus, it was good and had quite a few twists that I didn't expect.

[Timstandish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light fun

Lady Caroline is a delightful young woman who wants more out of life than marriage and children. So breaking with conventional norms of titled English aristocracy she becomes a secretary. Albeit it with her uncle, but it's still a job. Even better is knowing that it bothers her mother. During a night out at the casino she becomes involved in a murder. Light and fast moving the story rolls along. Delightful fun.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The initial description of Lady Caroline seemed interesting and she might not be a typical ’Bright Young Thing’, unfortunately this turned out not to be the case and Lady Caroline wasn’t as interesting as I hoped. As for the story, it was typical of the genre and on the whole fairly boring.
If possible I would have given 1.5 stars.

[Gary and Sandra Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

If you want a cozy reading experience this is the book for you. Very enjoyable story that takes you to the South of France in 1925 amount the rich society of the day. Lady Caroline is a delightful addition to the many ladies solving mysteries in print. Ms. Bassett has created delightful characters to go along with her imaginative stories.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my fav. Prob won’t be jumping to read the next one in the series. The fact that she’s letting some dude hold her by her ankles upside down in the 1920’s and consistently referring to herself as a bright young thing just wasn’t my cup of tea. I listened and honestly just didn’t care what happened to anyone and barely will remember it by tomorrow 🤷‍♀️

[Lisa T. Ungerer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Satire?

If this book is meant to satirize the genre, it is a passing effort. If, on the other hand, it is meant to be read straight, it is marred by anachronisms, weak characters, and a weaker plot.

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Caroline wants to be that modern, strong woman emerging in the 20s, but she falls short having to keep up with the manners of the time. A good mystery in first person, though too much landscape descriptions.

[Stephanie Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I loved everything about this book. The writing is superb. Lady Caroline is funny and intelligent. A great mystery with lots of red herrings made it hard for me to put down!

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by yet another "new to me" author and I liked the story very much. The characters were interesting, the story telling style is easy going and concise, and the plot is easily followed throughout. I liked what I read and look forward to the next three books in the series.

[Christine's Account · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable easy read

I was glad to find this series available to begin reading, and found the writing to be well done and thoughtful, with a lighthearted atmosphere yet clever mystery. I am looking forward to continuing the series!

[Dianne O'Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely.

A lovely, fun, light read. Clever plot, well written, interesting characters and the atmosphere of the 1920s is very real. No blood or gore. I recommend this book to all those who enjoy a clever, entertaining mystery.