Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers at Berkley for providing this free digital ARC in return for an honest review. My opinion of the book and the content of my review were not altered by my receiving this edition.

Hitchcock is a very polarizing subject. I enjoy some of the classic films as well as the newer Bates Motel show very much, and I think a thriller set within a super-fan’s version of the universe is a new and overall interesting concept.

Alfred morphs a love for Hitchcock into a multi-story hotel, welcoming a group of college friends for a weekend of reminiscing and catching up. However, there are dark undertones behind everyone’s interactions, things that are maybe not all the way in the past and forgotten. Alfred has a motivation that we as the reader can only guess at, but revenge seems at play.

The friend group and their shared history reminded me of The Secret History and If We Were Villains.

This was a masterfully layered read full of suspense - Hitchcock would be proud. The twists and turns as the end approaches were not angles I could have predicted. I tore through this book in less than the span of a day - I needed to reach the reveals and understand the motives.

Thank you to @BerkleyPub and @netgalley for this e-arc copy. All thoughts are my own.

Alfred is the owner of the Hitchcock hotel which offers a unique Alfred Hitchcock experience.

To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, he invites his former best friends from his college Film Club for a reunion. He hasn’t spoken to them since that night sixteen years ago…

Now that they’re all together, they can help him finish his creation. After all, no Hitchcock set is complete without a body.



I loved a lot of things about this book! I particularly enjoyed how the flashbacks were done. They were seamless and well crafted. They took me back while knowing I was in the past, and all without clear chapter markers. This is a huge thing for me because normally I need the chapter markers to help, but in this case the writing was so seamless it just worked. This book is quite the slow burn with no real action taking place until about the 50% mark, then it is still a little slow to build momentum. I really did enjoy the twists this book presented. There were some great red herrings and had me thinking one way, then bam another thing happened, it was great. I don’t agree that this book is really horror, though maybe gothic horror but only really because of the pacing and Hitchcock references. I wasn’t even creeped out like I would have expected to be.

For me this book had some really awesome points, but some not so awesome points. However, I think those looking for an atmospheric yet slower read light on the horror but some thought provoking twists, will enjoy.

Thank you for this ARC to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing.

If you are a fan of Hitchcock, this book is for you. The references from iconic movies, the props.

None of the characters are lovable, all of them have a secret. I actually thought I had found out what had happened, but I was wrong.
I could easily see this book into a movie.

I really enjoyed it. Thank you again NetGalley and Berkley Publishing.

The Hitchcock Hotel By: Stephanie Wrobel.
3.75 Stars!

I was thrilled to receive this ARC, as I previously read "Darling Rose Gold" by this author, and loved it.

The Hitchcock Hotel lived up the the hype, and I thoroughly enjoyed Stephanie Wrobel's writing style. The book ended up in a COMPLETELY different place than I anticipated, and I did NOT see that twist coming.
The book gave me a whodunit vibe, and I spent the last 25% of the book theorizing about the ending, and suspecting someone different every few pages.
Overall an excellent read, although I'd put it more into the "mystery" "thriller" categories than Horror.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.

Once again, I’ve gotten the pleasure of getting to read an ARC of a book-
and I gotta say, this one is a page turner!
Fast paced, short chapters that keep you engaged and wanting to read more.
I stayed up late a few too many nights reading this creepy locked-in mystery.
The whole time I was reading I found myself asking, “WHAT DID HE DO?!”

The twists and turns will keep you guessing up until the very end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I know a lot of you will as well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Coming to bookshelves near you
September 24, 2024

Once again I just want to thank @netgalley and the author @stephaniewrobel for giving me the opportunity to read this book a little early. This is my first book by the writer and I can’t wait to read more!

What can I say about this book? I was very by the cover and the synopsis and couldn’t wait to start reading. Unfortunately for me, it just fell a little flat. While I enjoyed the description of the Hitchcock hotel Alfred had created, I just didn’t find the characters to be likable or even really care much about any of them. It was definitely a slow burn for me and I checked multiple times to see how far along I was in the book, waiting for something to happen. It took a long time to pick up and when it did, it had a few decent twists and turns.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher for a chance to review this book. Let me start off with the cover. The cover is amazing. It screams read me!!! The title also just drags you in. If your a fan of horror, or even just Hitchcock, you know you're in for a wonderful ride. This novel is full of fun Hitchcock references. It's a wonderful novel of suspense. I didn't want to put it down. I highly suggest you pick this up for a read. Sit by the fire, or anywhere cozy, and read a nice cozy mystery thriller. I wasn't able to do this, but it would be even better I'm sure at a hotel. So curl up, turn on some Hitchcock Presents, and have this book by your side. You'll be happy you read it.

Okay I loved it. I don't give out 5 stars often but it was so earned it. I love Alfred Hitchcock and this gave psycho and Scooby Doo vibes. Another book to add to my spooky season collection

This is a very well written book with some great plot twists but there is an awful lot of time spent on college flashbacks which I was not expecting. It really negated the suspense, as the flashbacks felt more like padding (though they did tie in to the main plot). All the stuff about college life and young friendships might be more interesting to younger readers. Yet, the whole idea of Hitchcock and old mysteries appeals more to an older audience. So... I'm nut sure who this book is for. Great idea, though... I'd like to see it as a streaming series.

I was attached to this novel by the description. I like Hitchcock's movies for both in mystery and the I know what is going on but the characters do not yet know. It is the pull of both of those situations that keep me engages and wanting to keep watching / reading. I was hoping for a more "Hitchcockian" hook. It was there in some places, but was not really the core that held the novel together. I see the author's attempts. Unfortunately they did not fully flourish. At the end it all did come together but while reading I was wondering where is this going? Where is the Hitchcock catch or gotcha? I missed the little "breadcrumbs" that would have have lead to bringing it all together and would have caught me. I did enjoy the read, most of the time. All of the bones were there, but only modestly executed. Maybe reordering the way the details were laid out would have better served the purpose and given me the novel i was hoping for.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I had to read this one when I began to consider the concept of a Hitchcock themed hotel! It seems perfect for somewhere like Universal Studios too, but the story description intrigued me too! Being a Hitchcock fan, I had to find out more about this story. It is a good concept & a good story. Inviting past quasi-friends to his hotel, Alfred has a chance to show off his (sort of) successful hotel, but he also might have other plans in mind. Just like a Hitchcock film, there are twists and plenty of time to ponder about what may lurk around the corner or who might become a victim.

Description
A Hitchcock fanatic with an agenda invites old friends for a weekend stay at his secluded themed hotel in this fiendishly clever, suspenseful new novel from the international bestselling author of Darling Rose Gold.

Alfred Smettle is not your average Hitchcock fan. He is the founder, owner, and manager of The Hitchcock Hotel, a sprawling Victorian house in the White Mountains dedicated to the Master of Suspense. There, Alfred offers his guests round-the-clock film screenings, movie props and memorabilia in every room, plus an aviary with fifty crows.

To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, he invites his former best friends from his college Film Club for a reunion. He hasn’t spoken to any of them in sixteen years, not after what happened.

But who better than them to appreciate Alfred’s creation? And to help him finish it.

After all, no Hitchcock set is complete without a body.

2.5 stars

I was excited for this one, as the concept sounded fresh and interesting, but I felt the execution left a lot to be desired. I was expecting more mystery and suspense, given the Hitchcock theme. The characters also weren’t memorable or unique, but unlikeable and annoying. The twist at the end did take me by surprise, but it couldn't make up for the generic/formulaic nature of the rest of the story.

This was really an incredible story that kept me engaged the entire time. I'm a huge Hitchcock fan and I loved all the references and themes. I didn't figure out the twists and found the characters so interesting

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. The Hitchcock Hotel is located in a small college town called Reville and is owned by Alfred Smettle. Alfred (a huge Hitchcock fan) moves back to his college town and opens the Hitchcock Hotel. On the hotel's first anniversary, Alfred invites his five colleagues back to celebrate his hotel. The five college friends bonded over film class at Reville College taught by Professor Scott.. Alfred wants to reunite his friends for a Hitchcock-filled weekend but does he have other motives?
Hitchcock Hotel is a locked room mystery, light on the horror and slow burn as puzzle pieces are slowly revealed. My Hitchcock background knowledge is pretty lacking. While the book did increase my Hitchcock movie knowledge, I am sure I missed some of the references. I did not guess the twists. Hitchcock Hotel would make a good spooky season read.

What a miss, other than the gorgeous, perfect cover I didn’t find a lot to love inside. 2024 continues to be a year of clunkers for me. This is really a campus mystery, set in a hotel for really not much of a reason. The setting is mostly lost in endless backstory, as is most everything else. After three nights of reading waiting for something to kick in to gear, I looked down at my reader and I was 60% through the book.

There’s lots of unnecessary description like, she sat down at the dark oak table, set with red linen napkins and gold plates…etc etc. early on there’s a ton of odd brand name dropping as well for absolutely no reason. “He put on his Nike t-shirt” “she used a CVS receipt as a bookmark” . There are also a lot of Hitchcock tidbits tossed in, but they also mostly don’t figure into the plot.

The dialogue and character’s behavior stretch any sort of believability as well. As we move along very slowly the book morphs from a thriller to a fairly straightforward procedural. By the time the ending came around I was feeling more Lifetime TV Mystery than Hitchcock film.

Brilliant concept with underwhelming execution, as someone who has always been deeply interested in Alfred Hitchcock's filmography, the title (and the premise) of The Hitchcock Hotel immediately has my attention. Unfortunately, I find its incorporation of the cinematic elements, while cheeky and on-the-nose, is primarily surface level, and the character/plot fails to provide the engagement and suspense I'm anticipating.

The main issue for me lies with the stereotypical depiction of its cast, the absence of emotional depth and memorable personality makes keeping tabs on the interwoven web of grudge/secret a boring, emotionally-uninvolving chore, instead resulting in me being more aware of moments when characters behave illogically for the sake of plot (it is never convincingly explained why no one attempt to leave the hotel when the situation becomes dire). I also find the choice of its ultimate culprit to be very conventional and anticlimactic, which in itself is a bit of a bait-and-switch when the novel is paying homage to the master of suspense.

Overall, I think I have too high of an expectation for The Hitchcock Hotel, because other than some Hitchcockian name drops, at its core this novel is a typical murder mystery following the template to a T. Passable for as a breezy distraction, but nothing more.

Absolutely loved this one!! The friendships, dynamics, character building - *chefs kiss*

Alfred Smettle has always shown a liking to old movies, particularly those from his namesake, Alfred Hitchcock.
His admiration led him to opening the Hitchcock Hotel filled with all things Hitchcock providing a full experience. In celebration of the hotel's one year anniversary, Alfred invites 5 of his friends from college to spend a weekend at his hotel.
The friends reunite and secrets both new and old unfold.

The character drama between old college friends was so intriguing. Learning each of their back stories and what part each plays in the story gave off Lucy Foley vibes and I LOVED that! There were a few twists that had me at the edge of my seat for the last 20% of the book. All of the Hitchcock references throughout brought me back to my childhood sneaking in to watch Alfred Hitchcock presents with my parents. Such a fun modern spin on a classic.

I loved the plot line of this themed hotel, Hitchcock would be proud! Stephanie Wrobel has written a page turning thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I'm a big Hitchcock fan, so the blurb sold me on it. And the cover is fantastic! A Hitchcock fanatic with an agenda, a locked room mystery, a reunion gone wrong? Count me in!

The first act opens with a crow and comes to a full circle with a murder of crows. Alfred Smettle, the creepy owner of a Hitchcock-themed hotel, invites his five estranged college friends for a weekend stay to celebrate the anniversary of his hotel. The hotel is in the White Mountains, near Reville, the university they all attended, and gives off "Shining" and "Psycho" vibes. The hotel is full of memorabilia plus an aviary with fifty crows no less!

We meet Danny, Alfred's creepy middle-aged housekeeper, Zoe - an alcoholic chef, TJ, a bodyguard, Julius - a rich man and the clown of the group, Samira - who is married and runs a successful sex toy business, and Grace - a successful hedge fund manager. Alfred plans to right old wrongs when inviting his friends over, but as the saying goes, "Man Plans, and God Laughs". Odd occurrences occur, and pretty soon, there is a body as appropriate to a Hitchcock set.

I loved the book, the setting, the Hitchcock references, the foreshadowing, and the slowly built suspense. The crows and the Hitchcock-esque vibes added to the creepy atmosphere. The book is organized like a movie script, and I liked the Hitchcock quotes inserted between the acts. Wrobel paints the Hitchcock Hotel with vivid strokes, making it a place readers will yearn to visit on one hand, and a place they should stay clear of on the other hand.

The book alternates between Alfred's first-person POV (I loved the Norman Bates vibes), and the guests' third-person POV, including flashbacks to their college days. The cast is well-drawn, and each character has his or her style. All have secrets, some more serious than others, and none of them are likable.

The book was well-written, cleverly plotted, and full of twists and turns. The pacing is slow in the beginning but gains momentum as the plot unfolds. This lets the reader get familiar with the setting and the backstories of the characters and allows the suspense to build up into the action. The book is not overwhelmingly scary, but then scary is overrated.

While I did suspect the identity of the perpetrator, I didn't guess the motive, and I didn't see some of the twists coming. I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend the book to fans of the genre who don't mind flawed and unlikable protagonists and like their revenge served cold.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this slow build, Hitchcock influenced suspense! I found some of the twists predictable and some not as much so, but this locked room mystery was a wild ride regardless! None of the characters were particularly “likable” but I liked all the possible motives present that keep the reader guessing.