This one was a little hard for me to get into. I think it was the writing style? I wanted to love it but it just didn’t click with me!

College is a time where we transition from our carefree teenage life into adulthood. Friendships are forged from laughter, tears, and sweet memories. What about an alliance formed from something more sinister, like murder?

For the one year anniversary of it's opening, Alfred Smettle invites his college film club friends to his Hitchcock themed hotel. While friends would normally be delighted to help celebrate such a huge endeavor, these friends haven't spoke since they all graduated. Reluctantly they all agree and arrive for a weekend of reminiscing. When odd things begin happening around the hotel, old secrets get stirred up.

Overall a great read that will keep you guessing. I'm not a huge Hitchcock person otherwise I think a lot of the references would have landed better. But that didn't stop me from enjoying the plot. I always appreciate authors who use a multi-person POV with their storytelling because I feel it gives it more depth and that's exactly what Stephanie Wrobel brought forward in this book. I loved the reference to Stephen King and the hotel that gave him motivation for writing The Shining. She cultivates such a fun novel that I wish the hotel was real!

Thank you to @stephaniewrobel @berkleypub @netgalley for an advanced reader copy. This book releases on September 24, 2024.

This book kept me guessing until the end and held my interest throughout.
I appreciated that the setting (the hotel) and the multiple perspectives added to the tension in the story.
There were a few plot pieces that didn’t add to the story, but they also didn’t subtract from the story.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, the cover art, and especially the ending.

🫣 F R E A K Y F R I D A Y review 🫣 featuring “The Hitchcock Hotel” by Stephanie Wrobel!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Welcome to the Hitchcock Hotel - a secluded stay that offers its guests movie screenings, props and memorabilia of all things Alfred Hitchcock aka the Master of SUSPENSE 🔎!

The hotel is owned and managed by Alfred Smettle who purchased the creepy house on the hill to live out Hitchcock’s legacy. What better way to celebrate his hotel’s first anniversary than by inviting his old college film club for the weekend. The group have not spoken for 16 years … especially after what happened THAT night. But regardless of this, Alfred just knew that they wouldn’t turn down his invitation. Who will survive the weekend and who will not??

Thank you kindly to @stephaniewrobel @berkleypub @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on September 24, 2024 and fans of Alfred Hitchcock films will certainly enjoy it!

This book had promise, but didn't deliver. I think the author was trying to go for a suspenseful-twisty tale, but it just fell flat for me. The characters were unlikable, the "twists" were not that shocking, and the storyline felt inorganic. While the "big reveal" at the end did surprise me, it was a case of too-little too-late. I wouldn't recommend this one.

I should know better by now not to pursue any "read now" novels. My experience hasn't been the greatest. And The Hitchcock Hotel is the latest in a string of "read now" books that have failed in meeting my expectations.

For me, pacing is key and this story moves along slower than molasses. I kept waiting for that "breadcrumb" that would keep my going, but it never happened even at 33% which is when I started to get antsy.

I liked the premise of a Hitchcock themed hotel and the hope that at least a Psycho type event/events would occur. Unfortunately, most of what I read were backstories of all the characters. And I just couldn't see myself slogging through 30% more of the same to get to the exciting parts which other reviewers have mentioned.

I found the characters interesting and mysterious. They probably all had secrets from what I gathered. Too bad I could not get invested in the story enough. Though I may attempt to read it again in the future. For now, however, it's a one star DNF at 33%

I received a DRC from Berkley Publishing through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for the copy of The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel. Would you accept an invitation to a weekend party at an old college roommate’s Hitchcock-themed hotel? I would think twice after reading this book! The book was intriguing and clever. If you’re a fan of Hitchcock’s films, you will love the little trivia tidbits and hotel decor. If you’re not, you will get a feel for the movies. I liked how the characters were developed in the beginning, laying the groundwork for what was to come. While the characters weren’t likable they were so interesting it was easy to stay engaged with the story. There were plenty of reveals and some of them made me gasp. The only thing I didn’t love was how the final reveal was disclosed. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

If you're a fan of suspenseful mysteries, THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL is one to add to your TBR! Even though I'm not a Hitchcock fanatic like the character and hotel owner, Alfred, I still found myself drawn into the eerie atmosphere of this book.

One thing that made this read so captivating is that none of the characters are particularly likeable—but that only adds to the thrill. Watching them crack apart as the story unfolded was oddly satisfying. The story is told from multiple POVs, each from one of the six "friends." There's no consistent pattern to the chapters, which keeps you on your toes and leaves you with little cliffhangers that make it hard to put the book down.

With a slow-burn, character-driven plot, this one is all about the tension building up to that final twist. I didn't correctly guess the ending, and that's always a treat in a mystery!

Thank you to Netgalley for my arc - this one comes out in September (just in time for spooky season!)

I don't know if a mystery/thriller can be considered a "slow burn", but that's what this one feels like.

The pros:
✅ The locked in vibe. I love a good thriller where the group is trapped with no where to go (creepy I know).
✅ The multiple character POV's. Each character's POV helps to move the story forward. The character's also have depth.
✅ I love how much I hated some of the characters (I don't want to name drop to help avoid spoilers).
✅ I liked the ending-once again I was way off.

The cons:
❌ Not all the storylines seemed to wrap up completely--this could be intentional.
❌ There's a lot... A LOT...of description.
❌ It's slow to get going, but once it does it's worth the read!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC

The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel is an absolutely enthralling read that masterfully blends suspense and psychological intrigue. Wrobel’s skillful storytelling and richly detailed setting create a mesmerizing atmosphere that grips readers from the very first page. The book’s complex characters and unexpected twists ensure a thrilling, page-turning experience that leaves a lasting impression. This novel is a standout in the genre, offering both deep emotional resonance and spine-tingling suspense.

Since I have quite a few favorite Hitchcock movies, this title intrigued me right away and fortunately this book did not disappoint! Alfred has turned an old Victorian home into the Hitchcock Hotel, dedicated to his love for the Master of Suspense. On the hotel’s first anniversary, Alfred shuts down the hotel and invites his former best friends from college to help him celebrate. Alfred has not seen his former friends in sixteen years, not since they all betrayed him, and he has big plans for them. If the weekend should end with a dead body or two, then so be it. I loved the suspense and creativity of this story and was captivated from beginning to end.

I struggled with this one a little. It was a good book but it was slow for me to get through. The concept was good but the story line was slow.

College friends meet at the Hitchcock Hotel owned by their friend Alfred.

They haven’t seen each other for sixteen years.

Why did Alfred invite them?

They were never really close, but most have a secret from college and/or their life since college.

Will these secrets come out?

Is this going to be a friendly get together or a sinister one?

A lot of strange things begin to happen including all of their cell phones gone missing, but when a body shows up, who did it and who is it?

THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL started out to be a book I didn't think I was going to continue with but so glad I did.

The slow start had too much background, but wow did it turn out to be a good one.

Lots of secrets, untrustworthy, conniving, unlikeable characters, and a well-crafted plot. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Berkley for the gifted digital ARC.

I unfortunately decided to DNF this one about 25% in. I wasn't connecting with the characters and the story just didn't progress quickly enough for me personally.

NetGalley is the only retail site I will rate this on as I do not typically rate books I do not finish.

The Hitchcock Hotel follows the story of a man who, down on his luck after expulsion from college, works his way to a dream of owning an Alfred Hitchcock themed hotel. Can you say creative?
On the one year anniversary of the hotel’s opening, he invites his college friends to stay for a weekend reunion that ends in catastrophe. Eerie!
The characters were complex, with fleshed out personalities and deep histories both together and as individuals. The story pacing was slow but it worked with reveals being just when they needed to be.
I’m not a huge Hitchcock fan, but I loved all the references and the idea of this.
The Hitchcock Hotel builds the suspense and slowly builds up the terror. This is a good mystery novel. I enjoyed it!
Expected publication date: 9/24/24
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of The Hitchcock Hotel in exchange for an honest review.

The title and cover caught my eye and being a fan of Hitchcock, I knew I had to read this. I loved the setting in this book. I could picture the old hotel, the creaky floors, and the creepy vibe the whole place gave off. When you add in the owner, who is mysterious and a bit creepy himself, you get this suspense-filled thriller. This book is reminiscent of Hitchcock’s films. Tension that builds, characters you can’t trust and so many plot twists.

The characters each carry their own dark secrets, and they are slowly revealed throughout the story. By the end, everything is wide open, and tragedy has struck. Unfortunately, I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. It was interesting to see how all their secrets ended up connecting in some way, but I just feel like there could have been more to them. When things started falling apart for them, I didn’t really care because I felt nothing for any of them. They all seemed like phony friends. The rest was great. Wrobel did a wonderful job with the Hitchcockian vibes in the book and even mentioned a few of his movies. Despite the character issues, it was still an enjoyable read for me because I’m already a fan of Hitchcock and I can appreciate everything else the author put into this book. If I was given the chance to reserve a room at the Hitchcock Hotel, I’d be all over it!

I have been a fan of Stephanie Wrobel ever since _Darling Rose Gold_. She has a way of taking the most bizarre storylines and turning them into entertaining books that are clever and funny and truly enjoyable. For the most part, I felt exactly the same about _The Hitchcock Hotel_. As a fan of Hitchcock's films myself, I loved the whole vibe of creating a hotel as an homage to his work.

Wrobel channeled Hitchcock's storytelling style in a way that is both a tribute to the legendary filmmaker and also all her own at the same time. It was clear from the outset how carefully she was constructing this story. Alfred is downright creepy, as he's meant to be, and the other characters are obnoxious and insufferable. They slide right into the tropes that Hitchcock often gave his characters, but Wrobel also gave them depth and three-dimensional stories.

I had one major problem with the book, though, which has to do with the first major twist that comes along and concerns Alfred. Taking the whole book into account, the twist was brilliant. Again, Wrobel did exactly what Hitch would have done, and she leaves readers running to catch up.

But I feel like the twist came way, way too early. Wrobel does such a phenomenal job of setting up Alfred's character that I kept expecting him to jump out and scare the living daylights out of the other characters later. When the second twist happens -- again, brilliantly plotted -- the first twist made way more sense. It just, in my opinion, came at the wrong time.

Regardless, as I said Stephanie Wrobel is brilliant. I can't wait to read her next book. Her novels don't fall into any single neat category, and I think that's one of the things I love the most about them. This one is good all the way around.

Alfred Smettle owns and operates an inn that is completely dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock, thus dubbing it, "The Hitchcock Hotel". While it has had its share of customers, Alfred decides to host his dear friends from college, in hopes of putting the hotel on the map. Alfred invites his former friends, all of which are hesitant to visit. The group agrees to stay for a long weekend, and mysterious things begin to happen to the guests. As tensions rise and more secrets are discovered, will anyone leave alive?

The Hitchcock Hotel was a solid 4 stars from me, and I was hooked from start to finish. The pacing of the book was fun, and it easily kept me chugging along. I love a locked room-esq mystery, and this delivered the perfect setting.


Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC!

I had read “Darling Rose Gold” by this same author and enjoyed it quite a bit and was excited to try The Hitchcock Hotel.” While I didn’t enjoy as much as the previous novel, I still had a good time!

The novel held my attention and gave me a few twists I didn’t see coming, but toward the end everything seemed to get a little convoluted. The e characters also left me a little cold-I couldn’t even really picture Alfred, the main character, in my head though I’m sure a description was given somewhere that I missed. All of the characters were also sort of nasty-I had a hard time believing any of them would actually ever be friends with each other since they all seemed to secretly despise each other.

On the whole, though, the mystery kept me intrigued and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I will definitely keep reading Stephanie Wrobel!

This book was so creepy! I was sucked in from the start on what Alfred had planned for his former friends. I was intrigued by the dynamic of all of them together. There was clearly a lot of tension and issues they had with each other. Then everything did a 180 and I had no clue what to expect. The ending kept me on the edge of my seat and I never saw the final twist coming.