Murder at the Island Hotel by Helena Dixon was published by Bookouture on 4 March 2024.
A gorgeous island off the English coast, a beautiful hotel perched on the cliffs, a group of glamourous friends… and a suspicious death? Kitty Underhay’s invitation didn’t mention murder!
Spring, 1936. As the boat draws into the harbour of Bird Island, Kitty is absolutely delighted to see the stunning hotel for the first time. She and her friend Alice have been asked to join the distinguished guests before the hotel officially opens its doors, but they have barely unpacked when the owner is found dead in his own study…
Sir Norman’s death looks like suicide. But Kitty isn’t convinced – she cannot find a note, and he is left-handed but was shot on the right side of his head. Kitty tries to reach the police, but a violent storm engulfs the island and the power goes out. Kitty and Alice need to move quickly before anyone else finds death on their dinner menu!
With several old friends amongst their suspects, Kitty decides the investigation should stay secret. But it’s not until Kitty uncovers Sir Norman’s financial difficulties that she’s on the killer’s trail. Can Kitty and Alice catch the culprit in time for tea, or will they become the next guests on the murderer’s list?
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I really enjoy this series and it was a delight to be back for another adventure with Kitty in Murder at the Island Hotel. The titular island is very atmospheric and its stark nature had shades of And Then There Were None. The group of guests was a great selection of suspects and the inclement weather was perfectly pitched, with the terrible storm lashing the hotel and the island to accompany the discovery of a dead body.
I like the way that Helena Dixon uses a contemporaneous style and language for the narration which perfectly fits into the timeframe while always ensuring the narrative is clear for a modern reader. The story is in the golden age style so there’s plenty of time for tea alongside the detecting. It was enjoyable to have Alice accompanying Kitty for a change, although Matt still makes an appearance.
The mystery is solid, with plenty of clues and red herrings. I did not guess whodunit and was surprised by the ending. It was a great read and I liked checking in with familiar characters. The book can easily be read as a standalone, but I recommend the whole series for golden age cozy lovers. I will definitely be reading more from Kitty and Helena Dixon.
With huge thanks to the publisher for my copy of the book.
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