Egypt, 1926. Traveling with her Aunt Millie means constantly fending off her well-meaning relative's attempts at matchmaking. Ensconced in the luxurious Mena House Hotel in the heart of Cairo, American Jane Wunderly would rather gaze longingly at the Great Pyramids of Giza than into the eyes of a dashing stranger. However, when she meets Mr. Redvers, her opinion slowly begins to change.
There are lots of interesting guests at the Mena House, but socialite Anna Stainton takes the cake as the most infuriating one. When Jane is found standing over Anna's dead body, she becomes the prime suspect. Jane has no time to lose; she must learn who she can trust and who had the motive to commit murder. Somewhere amongst all those staying at the Mena House is a person with too many secrets, a person willing to commit as many murders as it takes to keep them.
There is some great period detail in Murder at the Mena House that puts readers right in the middle of the action, and life without air conditioning in the desert is just one of those fascinating facts.
Jane Wunderly is a strong, interesting character with a backstory that makes it clear why she's not in the market for a husband, although I do wish she could afford to travel without the disagreeable Aunt Millie (who has her own little secrets).
How's the story? It's a good'un, with excellent misdirection and some exciting action scenes. Am I willing to take another trip with Jane? You bet! Just let me finish packing my bags.
Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer
eISBN: 9781496725875
Kensington Books © 2020
eBook, 304 pages
Historical Mystery, #1 Jane Wunderly mystery
Rating: B+
Source: Net Galley
Oh, hotels are such great settings for crime fiction, Cathy! And those luxury hotels of the 1920s are especially good for that. It sounds like this story has some interesting characters, too, which is all the better. And virtual travel, too? Gotta love it!
ReplyDeleteYes, Indeed! I'm re-bingeing on "Miss Marple," and she did appear in several hotels if memory serves.
DeleteI like the sound of this one. I love good misdirection. :)
ReplyDeleteSo do I.
DeleteI'd be tempted to compare this to the Amelia Peabody series. I am still tempted!
ReplyDeleteI really need to read some of the Amelia Peabody books!
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