The Hotel Westend is a murder mystery novel written by Ashley Lynch-Harris. Elsie Maitland is not terribly keen on forcing her under powered car up the steep drive to the Hotel Westend. She was really supposed to be investigating Eagle’s Point for a bit of rock climbing and had gotten lost, ending up in a nearby small town. The hotel did have impressive views as it was lodged high up over the water, and her room had marvelous views, but something odd was going on, at least as far as the young bookstore owner was concerned. Her sister, Frances, a renowned mystery writer, might have been more suited for this trip except for her jet skiing injuries which were keeping her home for now. The two sisters had begun writing each other letters instead of using the telephone for a while now as Elsie traveled about. It was an oddly satisfying exercise, and Elsie made sure to give Frances all the information she had gathered about the Hotel Westend and its strange assortment of guests. It seems that a number of the guests knew each other and had been guests twenty years ago when the hotel was a private residence. The owner, Edward McCray, was discovered in his bedroom dead of an apparent heart attack during the hue and cry over the disappearance of his young child. There was also the matter of a nanny who had unknowingly taken sleeping pills which led to the child’s wandering, but any notion of wrongdoing in McCray’s death was quickly dismissed by the Chief of Police. Someone, however, now seems determined to get to the truth of the matter. While Frances is thrilled to hear of the mystery her sister seems to have dropped herself into, Elsie is not at all sure she should stay around to find out.

I must admit I was just a tiny bit skeptical when I began reading Ashley Lynch-Harris’s traditional drawing room murder mystery, The Hotel Westend. The author’s love of and roots in the works of Agatha Christie and other classic mystery writers was clearly apparent, but I did wonder if she would be able to pull off a mystery novel so steeped in that tradition and have it be both original and unpredictable at the same time. My concerns, I’m thrilled to announce, ended up being all for naught. Lynch-Harris’ murder mystery is cunning and intricately plotted, with scads of red herrings draped all over the storyline, which are bound to confuse the most careful of mystery readers. Her sleuths, the bookseller, Elsie, and her mystery author sister, Frances, are a joy to follow as they discuss clues, suspicions and findings via the letters they dash out to each other throughout the story. This solidly plotted and oh so smoothly written story kept me glued to the pages until I finally reached the very satisfying solution to the mystery. I’m looking forward to further traditional mysteries by Lynch-Harris, and hope to witness more of Elsie and Frances’ masterful sleuthing. The Hotel Westend is most highly recommended.

Ashley Lynch-Harris pens a murder mystery novel written in the fashion of a detective show. The characters are introduced in the beginning where it seems the majority of them knew each other from a twenty-year-old murder. These characters are drawn together back to the scene of the crime through various invitations. Only Elise Maitland has come due to chance. Elise Maitland, a bookstore owner, is on an adventure for her injured sister and is visiting Eagle's Point when she gets lost and ends up staying at Hotel Westend. Upon arriving, she meets Elbert Turnbull, James Rennick, Richard and Olivia Welling, Iradene and Marian Hartwell, Dennis Needling, Paul Hulling, Reverend Pennington and Norma Kemper. Stuck for the night in Westend Bay, Elise decides to make the most of it, see the town and write back home to her sister. Upon nightfall in the sleepy little town, old ghosts have stirred and history has repeated itself, leaving someone murdered at Hotel Westend. Can you solve the case before someone else is murdered? Or will the murderer strike again, leaving victims in their wake?

Reading Ashley Lynch-Harris's book reminded me of watching one of my favorite anime (animation) shows, Detective Conan (Case Closed). They both start off with everyday occurrences happening while at the same time introducing the characters that will be involved in the murder. As the book progresses, more is revealed and the characters' secrets come to light. Through the adventure of trying to solve the murder, the reader is pulled into the story, desperately searching the book for past clues and hidden meanings, trying to see if they can outwit the author and figure out who the true criminal is before the big reveal at the end. This book will have you turning the page, hoping for more clues and a delay in the big reveal to see if the answer was given to you. Good luck in solving the mystery. As they say in Detective Conan, "One truth prevails."

Charming and delightful. Perfect reading for a rainy day with a cup of tea.

Great debut novel by Ashley Lynch-Harris. It kept me in suspense till the end. I can see the influence of Agatha Christie & I love it. Can't wait to read more from this great new author.