The Hitchcock Hotel was a character in itself... famous film memorabilia, a creepy attic, a Psycho-esque Victorian farmhouse setting, and a feeling that something is going to go horribly wrong. I really liked the film references and Hitchcock quotes interspersed throughout and felt they set the right atmosphere. For me, the book started off very strong. College friends who had some sort of falling out senior year meet for an impromptu reunion at the hotel owned by one in their group. But clearly there are a lot of secrets and subplots afloat. You don't know who to trust or who to like and find yourself sympathizing with the underdogs. But then the second half of the book came to be. However, it almost felt like a different book after it switched from mood setting to college reflections. There was just too much telling and reminiscing and not enough current action for my taste. What started off as creepy and atmospheric (I was hoping for real horror) turned into (dare I say it) a cozy mystery. For me, it didn't quite pack the punch I thought I was getting. But, if you like your mysteries/trillers more off-stage, definitely check this one out.

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

The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel, The book has college friends Grace, Zoe, TJ, Julius and Serena all going back to their college town to see their old friend Alfred‘s new hotel “the Hitchcock hotel.“ they all have problems at home but thanks to Grace encouraging everyone to go they’re taking the weekend to visit the hotel despite the fact most of them wouldn’t of went otherwise. It seems the hotel is equipped with all kinds of Hitchcock memorabilia and he even has an attacking crow and a strange made to boot in Danny. Alfred has always been strange but he is also handsome he has many plans for his friends but sadly plans don’t always go the way you expect them to. I was really looking forward to this book and although it was nowhere near what I expected I still enjoyed it
I liked the story and all the information about Hitchcock but I was mostly happy to see that she wrote about Alma his wife who doesn’t get nowhere near as much attention as she should. Having said that this was a good book with a surprising ending. First of all it was surprising because as mentioned in the book even Hitchcock didn’t like a who done it but number two it was surprising because I was guessing until the end I thought I knew what happened or what was happening and on both accounts I had no clue.#NetGalley, #BerkeleyPublishing, #StephanieWrobel, #TheHitchcockHotel,

This was an excellent, twisty mystery. Every time I thought I had it figured out I would be surprised again. The final twist provided the perfect resolution in my opinion. I had so much fun reading about this weekend full of secrets and revenge.

3.5⭐️
A book for Hitchcock fans! You’ll appreciate the references.
Alfred is the owner of a hotel themed after Alfred Hitchcock. He invites his estranged college friends from film club to celebrate the year anniversary of the hotel opening for the weekend. It has been 16 years but they owe it to him to come with what they did…Things take a dark turn and someone ends up dead.
The premise was fun and the atmospheric setting was on point with being creepy and tense. I wish it went even darker and at times was a bit drawn out. But I had fun with this one and finding out all the secrets/ twists.

Being an Alfred Hitchcock fan, I couldn't resist Stephanie Wrobel's The Hitchcock Hotel, and for the most part, it delivers the goods. The plot twists, the unfolding of the backstory, the Hitchcock tie-ins... all of these make this book fun to read.

So does the cast of characters. We get to hear from them all-- Alfred, Zoe, Grace, Samira, TJ, and Julius. Even the elderly housekeeper, Danny. Each time we hear from the characters, another piece is added to the puzzle. I may not have liked any of the characters, but the story was still fun-- and I couldn't believe that I didn't figure out what was going on!

What a fun ride! The Hitchcock Hotel is a suspenseful ride, taking place in a fictional hotel dedicated to the master of suspense himself - Alfred Hitchcock. I am ashamed to admit that the only of Hitchcock’s 53 movies that I have seen is Psycho. After learning quite a bit about the man from this book, I can’t decide if I am more or less inclined to seek out more of his movies to try.

When Alfred (the fictional character, not the producer) invites a group of his college friends for a free stay at his new Hitchcock themed hotel, they all know there is something off about the invitation. Unfortunately, they all have their own motivations to attend.

What starts as a tense and awkward weekend only gets worse as the old friends realize they don’t have any common ground with each other anymore. And to make matters worse - there is a creepy housekeeper and an aviary full of angry crows.

The Hitchcock Hotel is a fun and suspenseful ride and I really enjoyed the writing and the pacing. I will be sure to catch anything else that Wrobel puts out in the future! I was drawn to this book earlier in the year when it was announced and am so thankful to have received an early copy from Berkley Pub.

Check this one out if you enjoy horror, suspense, and Alfred Hitchcock!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for the eARC of this title and to Berkley Pub for the finished copy!**

Alfred Smettle is an Alfred Hitchcock fanatic and owner and proprietor of a hotel dedicated to Hitch's work. To celebrate the anniversary of the opening, he invites his former college friends & film club members to a free weekend at the hotel. He hasn't kept in tough and hasn't spoken to any of them in 16 years. Not after the "incident" senior year.
But the former friends are in for a surprise. Because no Hitchcock film would be complete without a murder.
I have to say, none of these characters was the least bit likeable. However, the book is very likeable because you're just waiting for something terrible to befall them. Highly entertaining!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this e-arc.*

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley, for the free copy for review.

What happens when meticulously crafted plans for revenge go spectacularly awry? Stephanie Wrobel's "The Hitchcock Hotel" is a spine-tingling thriller that draws you into the intricate world of Alfred, his eponymous hotel (a tribute to the legendary director), and his college friends, now unwitting pawns in a sinister game.

For those who relish unlikable characters in their thrillers, this book is a veritable feast. It's a haunting echo from the past, where a catastrophic event from film school days returns to torment the entire group. As these once-close friends reunite, the air crackles with tension, their differences magnified and power dynamics shifting like quicksand beneath their feet.

Alfred, our enigmatic host, is a masterclass in contradiction - charming yet unsettling, his motivations as murky as the hotel's shadowy corridors. His old friends, each carrying their own emotional baggage, are vividly drawn. Among them is Alfred's odd second-in-command, Danny, always lurking in the corners of the hotel.

The hotel itself is a character in its own right, each room a loving (and unsettling) homage to Hitchcock's films. The setting amplifies the growing sense of unease.

As past insecurities resurface and long-buried secrets claw their way to light, the narrative takes unexpected turns that leave me gasping. The twists and revelations defy my predictions, unraveling in a way that is both shocking and oddly satisfying

If you're in the mood for a mystery thriller that blends nostalgia, suspense, and a dash of cinematic flair, "The Hitchcock Hotel" is definitely worth checking into.

This book was a little slower paced than I usually like but it was all worth it for the ending. I did not see it coming at all!

If you think this is your typical story of old friends who meet up and someone dies, think again. This story leaves you second guessing what will happen chapter after chapter. If you are a fan of Hitchcock, you'll love this book even more.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
A group of friends meet up for a fun weekend reunion at the Hitchcock Hotel, which just happens to be a huge mansion that is themed after Alfred Hitchcock. The friends get into more than what they had bargained for when the weekend takes a dark and deadly turn when someone is murdered. Real life events start to mirror those of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
This book was fun with an intriguing premise. I loved the old victorian mansion atmosphere and the references to Hitchcock himself. However, this is a definite slow burn, and it really lacked the mystery and suspense that I was hoping for. I felt like this could have been so much more than what it was. Also, the characters were all so unlikeable. It was fun, and I really enjoyed the setting and the idea of it, but Wrobel could have taken this to a whole other level and made it darker and more suspenseful (which I was hoping for.)


𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
✦Alfred Hitchcock
✦ A fun, quick slow burn
✦Unlikeable characters
✦A spooky victorian mansion


𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️3/5

Thank you @berkleypub, @prhaudio & @netgalley for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this unique tale with a Hitchcock twist!

Alfred Smettle is a movie buff who especially enjoys Alfred Hitchcock’s films. So it is only fitting that he runs a hotel that is a tribute to the famous director’s work. When he invites his former college Film Club buddies to enjoy a weekend as his guest at the hotel, they reluctantly show up for reasons of their own. Something happened 16 years ago in college, and no one wants to talk about it. Then someone turns up dead and suddenly the secrets come out!

This story unfolds at a good pace, and through multiple perspectives with occasional flashbacks to the past. Each chapter begins with a quote, either by Alfred Hitchcock, or about his work. The characters are unique and well fleshed out. I especially enjoyed the references to Hitchcock films. You won’t guess the twist in this one!

Wow, what a perfect read for spooky season! Even if you aren't entirely familiar with Hitchcock, I think the book does a good job of keeping you invested and interested. I liked the mystery and found myself flying through the book. It was my first read by this author but will not be my last!

If you loved Hitchcock movies or couldn’t get enough of the ‘90s Clue mystery books, this modern-day whodunnit might be a great book to add to your TBR.
Alfred, a Hitchcock enthusiast with a hidden agenda, invites his old college friends to his hotel for a weekend getaway to celebrate its one-year anniversary. But as you might guess, not everything is as it seems...
The story kicks off as a straightforward thriller but soon tosses in some twists that breathe some life into the very simple plot. The real charm, however, lies in the complex friendships and boundaries tested throughout the narrative that dives into their complicated past. Multiple POVs offer deep dives into each character, though the POV change can be a bit confusing at times jumping between six people.
Overall, The Hitchcock Hotel feels more like a classic whodunnit than a gripping page-turner and a very simple storyline. If you’re into mysteries that focus on friend dynamics and motives, this one might be a good read to add to your tbr for an easy read. But if you’re seeking an edge-of-your-seat thriller, you might want to explore other options.

Thank you to @berkleypub for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This will be posted on September 18th, 2024

#TheHitchcockHotel #BookReview #berkley #StephanieWrobel #MysteryReads #Whodunnit #Thriller

First off a big thanks to the publisher, as well as to the author and NetGalley for the invite to read and review The Hitchcock Hotel. Because I had no idea StephWrobel was bringing out a new book , and I already knew that I loved her writing because I read her book called Darling Rose Gold so going into this one I knew or suspected that there would be some twisted and turns thought it , as well as characters I would like or not like ,and in this case there's wasn't any I liked at all but I did love the atmosphere of the story , as well as the setting and how the author used References to Hitchcock as well as the actors and his movies ( and yes even though I'm only 47 , thanks to my dad I grew up watching the Hitchcock movies ). Plus other big win for it was that it has the use of one of my all time favorite tropes which was a group of people come together in a Remote location and secrets come out , and only a few survive though out their vist.with that said this is definitely a book you should try out .

The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel is an exciting, intense suspense novel. We meet Alfred Smettle, who is the founder, and owner of The Hitchcock Hotel; a Victorian house in the White Mountains, which is also close to the college that he and his friends went to. Alfred is fanatic on anything by Alfred Hitchcock, making the hotel a masterpiece dedicated to his favorite director; with pictures, paraphernalia and special themed rooms. 16 years have passed since his college days, and Alfred decides to have a reunion at his hotel. He sends an invitation to 5 of his friends, who are now adults.

Zoe, who is a successful chef, has a problem with being sober. She also dislikes Alfred, suspecting he did something bad in the past. TJ, works as a bodyguard, having added muscle over the years, he secretly is involved with one of the females. Julius was always nasty to Alfred during their school days. Samira, is happily married with children, and runs a sex toy business. Grace is happily married with a wealthy husband, as she also holds secrets from the past. Then there is Danny, an elderly assistant to Alfred, who helps him execute his plans, as well as spy on the visitors; but she too has her own secrets.

At first, I thought the first half was a bit slow, but that did change in the second half, which turned into and exciting thriller, with some twists and surprises. On another note, I frankly did not like any of the characters, as each had their own issues, and not really likeable; but I guess we were not supposed to like them. Lol At the college, they all spent a lot of time partying, drinking and not really dependable; as there were POV’s for each of the friends, learning more about their days at the college.

What follows, especially in the second half of the book, are a number of red herrings, with twists and turns, as all of them had their own bad secrets. Alfred intended to give his old friends a taste of the past. The big surprise happens in the middle of the book, taking everyone by surprise. But the end was a shock, even though I sort of suspected who the culprit was. The Hitchcock Hotel was entertaining and intense, with by the end of the night, one doesn’t survive and the other is the murderer.

Release September 24.

THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL is a "locked-room" type of Mystery/Psychological Thriller, in the vein of Agatha Christie, updated for our contemporary culture of reliance on [obsession with] cell phones, laptops, social media. I think there is not a single character in this story who is wholly innocent nor wholly trustworthy. All harbor ugly secrets and character flaws; some harbor much worse.

Unraveling the plot line is intensive and complex, rather like unwinding a Nautilus shell, with smack-in-the-face revelations I certainly didn't expect. If you're hunting a convoluted and twisty who-dun-it with multiple unexpected layers, walk right in to the very spooky Hitchcock Hotel.

Alfred was wronged by his college friends - they owe him. They owe him big. The time to cache in is now.
After twenty years from graduation - a group of college friends are invited to their friend's Hitchcock Hotel. Always pretentious and oh so knowledgeable about "Hitch", Alfred has a cannot lose plan.
They know something is going on - yet each of them are pulled back into the game by twisting guilt.
Pretty good twists and an enjoyable read.

Albert is more than a Hitchcock fan, he has devoted his life to the director and even created a hotel to honor him and his films. To celebrate the Hitchcock Hotel’s first anniversary he invites his film club from college, except he hasn’t spoken to any of his college friends since he left and each member of the club has a dark history with Albert. Will the weekend at the hotel mirror the director’s films?

While this one started a bit slow for me, it was super twisty and fun in the end (like Hitchcock would appreciate) and what I most appreciated was that it was generally unpredictable. The theme and title certainly lived up to its name and I ended up having a really good (in a dark way) time reading it. Now I think I have some films to watch.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC to review

I loved the premise and setting of this story. The mystery was a little subpar for me but overall it was a decent book that you should check out if it sounds interesting to you.