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Murder at the Dolphin Hotel

Book 1 in the series:Miss Underhay Mystery

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Set in the 1930s, "Murder at the Dolphin Hotel" follows Kitty Underhay, a sensible and brave hotelier turned budding detective, as she navigates a thrilling murder mystery involving a missing jewel and missing people. Alongside ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, Kitty attempts to solve the murder and unravel the mystery of the missing treasure while running the hotel—a charming cozy mystery with engaging characters and an interesting, transporting setting. The story unfolds in a period setting filled with mystery, intrigue, charm, and elegance, set off the English coast, making it a delightful read for fans of historical British mysteries.

The book introduces readers to Kitty Underhay, raised by her grandmother at the Dolphin Hotel after her mother's mysterious disappearance. As her grandmother leaves for Scotland, Kitty is left to oversee the hotel amidst a dangerous time marked by threatening messages, a recovered dead body, and subsequent murders. With a mix of unique characters, engaging plotlines, and a touch of romance, this cozy mystery series promises a delightful blend of historical charm and intriguing mysteries.

Characters:

The characters are well-drawn, particularly the protagonists, with relatable complexities, though the secondary characters lack depth.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and atmospheric, effectively weaving together the mystery and character-driven elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a historic hotel, intertwined with a mystery of a missing jewel and a murder, set against the backdrop of Kitty's responsibilities and her budding relationship with Matthew.

Setting:

The setting in a historic 1930s hotel in England is both charming and significant, contributing to the story's realism and atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and maintains a thrilling momentum throughout the narrative.

Notes:

The main character, Kitty Underhay, is complex and relatable, balancing vulnerability with bravery.
Kitty runs the Dolphin Hotel, adding depth to her character as she manages hotel responsibilities while solving mysteries.
The story is set in the early 1930s, shortly after WWI, which influences the characters' backgrounds.
Matthew Bryant, another protagonist, has a mysterious past linked to his participation in WWI.
The book takes place mostly inside a historic hotel, offering a unique perspective compared to typical cozy mysteries.
The plot involves a murder and a missing jewel, creating intrigue and excitement.
Readers have compared this book favorably to Agatha Christie's mysteries.
Despite some secondary characters being underdeveloped, the main characters are engaging.
Descriptive settings enhance the atmosphere and make the story immersive.
There’s a hint of romance combined with mystery, appealing to fans of these genres.

Has Romance?

There is a developing romantic subplot between Kitty and Matthew, which adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.

From The Publisher:

A room with a view… to murder June 1933. Independent young Kitty Underhay has been left in charge of her family's hotel, The Dolphin, on the tranquil English coast. She's expecting her days at the bustling resort to be filled with comfortable chatter with chambermaids as they polish the mahogany desk and glittering candelabras of the elegant foyer. Everything must be perfect for the arrival of a glamourous jazz singer from Chicago and a masked ball that will be the cultural highlight of the season. But when several rooms are broken into and searched, including Kitty's own, she quickly realises that something out of the ordinary is afoot at the hotel. Soon rumours are flying in the cozy town that someone is on the hunt for a stolen ruby. A ruby that Kitty's mother may well have possessed when she herself went missing during the Great War. And when the break-ins are followed by a series of attacks and murders, including of the town's former mayoress, it seems the perpetrator will stop at nothing to find it.Aided by ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, the Dolphin's new security officer, Kitty is determined to decipher this mystery and preserve not only the reputation of her hotel, but also the lives of her guests . Is there a cold-blooded killer under her own roof? And what connects the missing jewel to the mystery from Kitty's own past? A classic page-turning murder mystery! Fans of Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Edmondson and T.E. Kinsey will love this unputdownable whodunnit.

Readers love Murder at the Dolphin Hotel! ' Gripping from the very first page . It was difficult to put the book down as I wanted to know more about the story and the characters… Very deserving of 5 stars and more.' NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars' Fantastic … well-paced. I'll look forward to the next book in the series!' Goodreads reviewer'From the first page you can dive deep into the storyline… keeps the tension until the end .' NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars'Smoothly paced with quite a few twists, several suspects and a diverse cast of characters … The finale was intense and… I look forward to more books in this series.' Goodreads reviewer

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