3.5 stars. I loved the premise of this novel and read it in one sitting. Definitely won't regret picking it up!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me take a peek at an early copy. My views are my own.

The hotel was her refuge, but scandal is afoot—and a killer stalks the halls in this charming series debut perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ashley Weaver.

It’s 1958 and Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy has not left the Pinnacle Hotel in fourteen months. She suffers from agoraphobia, and what’s more, it’s her father’s hotel, and everything she needs is there. Evelyn’s always been good at finding things, she discovered her mother dead in a Manhattan alleyway fifteen years earlier. Now she’s finding trouble inside her sanctuary. At a party for artist Billie Bell, his newest work is stolen, and Evelyn’s fake boyfriend (and real best friend), movie star Henry Fox, is accused of the theft. But just as Evelyn sets out to prove Henry’s innocence, she finds Billie Bell dead.

The murder weapon links the crime to the hotel’s chief of security. But why would he use a knife with his initials on the handle? With her beloved home in disarray, Evelyn joins up with hotel employee (and her secret crush) Mac Cooper to get to the bottom of the case.

As Mac picks locks and Evelyn snoops around the hotel, they discover the walls around them contain more secrets than they previously knew. Now, Evelyn must force herself to leave the hotel to follow the clues—but when she and Mac set off to chase a lead, their car crashes and they barely escape with their lives. Someone snipped Evelyn’s brake lines, and now the stakes have become dangerously high.

Evelyn’s knack for sleuthing—and her playful imagination—are always hard at work, and she throws an elaborate party at the hotel where every guest is a suspect. But will the killer emerge from the glamorous lineup? If not, Evelyn just might find herself…next in line for murder.

It's 1958, living comfortably in her father's hotel and struggling with agoraphobia, Evelyn finds her peace disturbed when she discovers a dead body in the hotel.

Fast paced and beautifully written, this novel will keep you hooked until its last line. If you're looking for a book you can read in one sitting, this is definitely the one you're looking for.

The author's style ins incredible, it feels like you're watching a movie. You probably know this feeling when you stop seeing words and feel confused when you start seeing them again? This is exactly how this book was.

I highly recommend this book, it's addictive and thrilling in a wonderful day.

This is a really fun read, funny and quick with some thrills and chills here and there. I'm glad I read it it cheered me up.
Thank you Crooked Lane and NetGalley for the digital review copy.

Evelyn, on paper, is the type of character I would usually be all on board for. But something between the synopsis and the pages, all the charm and sleuthing I expected, was lost. Instead, I found her to be entitled and argumentative rather than charming and quirky. I couldn't connect with the characters and didn't care about solving the art theft or the murder. I didn't find Evelyn and Mac to have chemistry, and once again, I didn't care. I give this book 2/5 stars. There is a chance that it is just personal preferences affecting my rating, so I suggest people give it a read for themselves.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Socialite's Guide to Murder by S.K. Golden. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC to review.

Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy has not left her father’s hotel, the Pinnacle, in months. After witnessing her mother’s murder, the only place Evelyn feels safe is home. Until, that is, a guest is murdered on the premises. Determined to make her home safe again, Evelyn sets out to solve the murder with the help of her crush, Mac Cooper. Things are not what they seem though, and relationships are tested on their quest for the truth.

I think the idea behind this story is really interesting, but I wish it had been executed better. The setting was also very interesting to read about. I couldn’t connect to the main character or the plot though. I think other people who prefer character driven mysteries might enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me.

Thank you so much to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Socialite's Guide to Murder is a cozy mystery set in the 50's in New York at a glamorous hotel. It starts with an art theft and results in a body being found in the hallway. This book had all the makings of a great story- a glitzy hotel, red herrings, a spunky heroine- but ultimately it felt underwritten. The characters never progressed or showed growth, the romance wasn't earned, even the mystery fell a little flat. I'm hopeful that the second in the series would help round out the characters and have a bit more backbone!
For me, it was 2.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Frothy and enjoyable, a perfect book for lounging around! The mysteries were quite easy to solve, but the twists and red herrings were still well done. Tbh, this is not something you’ll really remember in a week, but it’s light and fun and filled with fashion. This is absolutely the perfect book to read to get away from real life.

Adorably written with interesting characters and plenty of secrets. When danger lands on the doorstep of a famous hotel, it seems only fitting for the mistress of the property investigate. Join her as she weaves her way through the hotel for clues but keep your eyes open or chance missing something. If you enjoy Hercule Poirot, you will adore Evelyn Murphy with her cute shoes and a bow in her hair. I look forward to following her through the next Pinnacle Hotel Mystery.

This may be a mismatch between reader and book, but I had a lot of problems with the main character, Evelyn. She comes across as flighty and shallow-only interested in her makeup, her clothes and getting photos in the tabloid. At 15% in, I'm having a hard time figuring out why she would _care_ that someone died and, moreover, why people would think she would do it as there was no obvious reason to jump to those conclusions as soon as people made it. Moreover, she's cloyingly superior to all the people around her and seems to have no goals other than to be rich and pampered. DNF, alas. If a superficial socialite is your thing, or you want to live the life of the rich and famous, by all means take a look at this.

I admit that I was sold as soon as I saw that stunning cover and read the blurb. The promise of a 1950s cozy mystery set in a hotel was too intriguing to resist, and as a consequence The Socialite's Guide To Murder ended up hanging out on my kindle. I was really looking forward to read it, and especially after I discovered a comparison to the Hercule Poirot books. And while it didn't blow me away completely, it was still a solid enough debut for me.

I still love the premise of this story and its setting in the Pinnacle Hotel. Because main character Evelyn suffers from agoraphobia, the story is mainly set within the hotel, and it made the story feel more intimate. And there surely was a lot going on in the plot despite the limited setting! The agoraphobia was an interesting touch, although it did seem a bit convenient in parts especially with her being able to go places when needed. The plot wasn't really consistent in that way, but I guess Evelyn wouldn't have been able to discover the truth otherwise.

I wasn't that much of a fan of Evelyn to be honest; she was too spoiled, vain and obstinate for me. She did grow on me a little over time, but she was quite frustrating with her constant focus on fashion, fame and getting whatever she wants even if it means inconveniencing other people. I wasn't really a fan of Henry either (especially as I got to know him better), but I did love Mac and little Presley of course. It's always great to have a dog playing a role in the plot! I also adored little Amelia, and Poppy should have had a bigger role in the plot because she's a blast.

The writing itself was a bit simplistic for me, and a lot of the main characters came over as quite juvenile. I even started wondering if this was ment for a YA audience instead... I wasn't sure if everything was 1950s accurate either. The murder mystery itself was solid, and I never guessed the full truth about who was behind it all. The reveal was a bit too much of a copy of the Hercule Poirot books for me, and as a result a bit disappointing... But the plot twists themselves were well handled.

All in all The Socialite's Guide To Murder was a solid debut despite a few issues I had with it, and I especially loved the 1950s setting and cozy mystery vibe. It's a fun and easy to read mystery without any graphic content, and a solid choice for those who like historical mysteries where the focus isn't just on the crime committed.

This is set in 1958. This was so much fun to read and I haven't read anything like this. This is a fast-paced novel perfect for anyone.

I could say that I flew through the pages. Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy's story begin a little bit slow paced, but that is what is to be expected in a cozy mystery. It begins with a robbery of a painting and unfolds from there.

Meet Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy, aka "Evie, the Princess of Pinnacle Hotel.' Her father owns the hotel and she and her little dog reside in the penthouse. Evie fashions herself a Miss Marple and dresses like Marilyn Monroe. She's quick as a whip but does not realize how horribly spoiled she is. She also doesn't realize until a murder takes place in the hotel that she's agoraphobic and may not be able to leave her beloved home.

With her movie star friends and a cheery cast of characters Evie will do her best to solve the murder and keep her father's hotel's reputation clean. The question is, can she solve it before she or someone she loves gets hurt?

Really fun cozy mystery set in the late 50's! This novel is the first of a series and I can't wait to hear more about Evelyn's adventures. If you like Agatha Christie heroines, 1950's fun and glam or just want a new mystery series to follow, The Socialite's Guide to Murder is for you!
#TheSocialitesGuideToMurder #SKGolden #NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks

Not my usual type of book but I enjoyed it once I got into the story. The main character is a rich heiress who admittedly at the beginning seems self obsessed and rather shallow but surely the whole point of reading is the 'meet' people you usually wouldnt, and go places you never could. This was an entertaining romp in the golden age style and I would read the follow up.

The first in a new cozy mystery series that takes place in the 1950s. Evelyn is the daughter of the hotel owner and hasn’t left in years due to her agoraphobia. An art theft followed by a murder occur at the hotel and Evelyn decides to put her powers of deduction to work.

This was a fine mystery but I didn’t connect with the narrator (Evelyn) at all. The writing of her was just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Socialite's Guide to Murder.

I really wanted to like this more but it was difficult to get into the story.

It’s 1958 and Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy is a hotel heiress. Pinnacle Hotel is her home and she has not left it for nearly two years.

The hotel is her refuge but her safe place is threatened when the work of a famous artist is stolen, and later, the artist is discovered dead.

Evelyn pulls a Nancy Drew when her BFF is accused of the murder and for the first time in her life, does actual work: investigate.

It was hard to like Evelyn. I get that she's rich and entitled and was born to be a heiress, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes when she described dressing like Marilyn Monroe and trying hard to walk in stilettos.

The author gave Evelyn agoraphobia to make her more 'human' but it didn't matter to me if she could leave the hotel or not.

Not surprisingly, there's a bit of romance since Evelyn is in love with a guy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Her father is a busy man and never makes an appearance in the narrative. He's kind of like Maris in Frasier. He exists and Evelyn speaks to him on the phone but you never see him.

I didn't care much for the mystery, nor did I really care who did what.

The only thing I did like was the 1950s setting; the glitz and glamor of the hotel, and the pop culture references Evelyn makes as she dolls herself up.

I did love her dog, Presley.

Totally fun! Evelyn, our heroine, is agoraphobic and hasn't left her ritzy hotel room in months. However, a murder brings her together with her secret crush and they begin to investigate. This leads to Evelyn finally facing her fears and going outside to find the clues, investigate and solve the murder. Set in 1958, it isn't usually my favourite book timeline, but in this case it really works. A great summer afternoon read.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy. The opinion expressed here is solely my own.

Pure escapist fun! I’m not too much into cozies, but this one is so charming and addictive, that I couldn’t put it down. Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy is super-rich, lives in a hotel and does her best to look like the current famous star, Marilyn Monroe. Her bear-looking dog’s name is Presley, so this is set in 1958, way before cell phones, CCTV or DNA testing. First, a painting goes missing and the author is murdered almost in front of Evelyn. She then works with friends, frenemies, hotel staff and an impossibly handsome British bellhop to solve the crime. Whatever she wants, she gets, the setting is so glamorous and Evelyn is super-likable. Yes, it’s impossible to relate to the spoiled child of a mega-millionaire, but I still found myself worrying about her. The rest of the characters are also quirky and fun. The plot is a little predictable, but the whole novel is such a love letter to classic whodunits that it’s impossible not to love. When the detective investigating the murder calls Evelyn “Mis Marple” and she wonders who would think that that would be an insult, she won my heart. A truly enjoyable read.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Crooked Lane Books!

I just wasn't feeling this one. I loved the premise - 1958 socialite living in a posh hotel owned by her father in New York City overlooking Central Park finds a body and becomes determined to find their killer.

Unfortunately, I didn't care for the main character, Evelyn. She was a spoiled, immature version of a fancy Nancy Drew mixed with Paris Hilton and read more like a teenager than a grown woman.

I enjoyed the 1950's vibes and the setting very much. but it just wasn't enough for me.

**Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC.**