Evelyn Murphy is back (and having the ginchiest time!) in S. K. Golden's The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets! There's both a murderer and a cat burglar running around the Pinnacle, and she's determined to discover the identity of both, while continuing to avoid leaving the luxury hotel that is her home - and when her mother's long lost journals turn up, Evelyn has a third mystery on her hands!!! Loved it, and I'm so glad to return to the Pinnacle! 5 stars!!!

Evelyn Murphy, the daughter of the Pinnacle Hotel's owner, is invited to join a group of women dining at the hotel.
When the leader of the group suddenly has problems breathing, medical help is summoned. When it turns out
that the woman died due to a shellfish allergy, Evelyn is convinced she was murdered as there was no seafood
on the menu. Evelyn investigates the other women in the party, as well as the dead woman's husband, convinced
that one of them is the murderer. Enjoyable cozy read.
#TheSocialitesGuidetoSleuthingandSecrets #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

In this third installment of the Pinnacle Hotel mysteries, Evelyn is as charming and sassy as ever as she looks into the son of the hotel manager and has another murder case literally drop into her lap.

A tiara, a sudden death, and stolen jewelry … Evelyn’s on it

Book 3 in the Pinnacle Hotel Mystery series picks up right where the last one left off. Evelyn is heartbroken from Mac (Malcolm Cooper) leaving after her father threatened to cut her off financially. Poppy is Evelyn’s assistant in her role as hotel event planner. Former police detective turned private investigator Hodgeson is still looking into the death of Evelyn’s mom. Unfortunately, Evelyn has taken a step back, she has not left the hotel since Mac has left, despite the urgings of her analyst.

Evelyn has a murder literally fall into her lap, how could she not investigate it? Add to the mix the Gentleman Thief, adventures abound for Evelyn with the help of Poppy, Henry (dashing movie star), and Hodgeson.

This case is quite difficult when there doesn’t seem to be a motive. As Evelyn works to convince the authorities the death was not accidental, deal with the findings in her mother’s death and get over her heartbreak, it is an emotional minefield for her. As Evelyn navigates her way through we learn more about out how she became the person we met back in Book 1, The Socialite’s Guide to Murder.

If I am not mistaken, Henry is a bit more active in this mystery. Hodgeson is … well, Hodgeson and I love it. There are new clues to some new challenges ahead for Evelyn and I can’t wait to see how she handles them. She is a young heiress barely out of her teens who lives in her father’s hotel without much experience in the real world. I cannot wait to see what happens in Book 4.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.

Happy Reading!

Soclialite Evelyn Murphy is stunned when she receives a diamond tiara from an unknown sender. However, she is soon occupied when Lois Mitchel, a costume jewelry saleswoman, chokes and dies in her lap. As the city buzzes with news of a Gentleman Thief leaving red pocket squares at his crime scenes, Evelyn takes it upon herself to unravel the mystery of Lois’s death. With suspects ranging from jewelers to Robin Hood wannabes, Evelyn navigates a web of intrigue to crack the case and uncover the truth.

It was fantastic to be back with Evelyn once again. She’s still dealing with the heartbreak of the previous book and has retreated back to the Pinnacle Hotel as her safe zone. Slowly, though, Hodgeson’s investigation into her mother’s death and her own murder investigation draw her back outside. I love how she learned more about herself and accepts advice on how to be better “finder” of things.

For the most part, the plot moved at a good pace. There were a few occasions when it felt like just another conversation, repeating things we already knew, but not enough that it became annoying. The cast of characters was fun. Even when I guessed one of the culprits, it was enjoyable to watch Evelyn get to the answer.

Fans of the series are sure to enjoy this one!

This is the third installment in this cozy mystery series. While each book technically could stand on its own, I highly recommend reading the first two to learn the characters.

In this installment, I loved seeing the main character step out of the hotel setting more. The inclusion of charming 1950s scenes—complete with dancing and dining—transport you back in time. The plot centers around the murder of an MLM leader selling costume jewelry, blending the allure of multi-level marketing with the glamour of the era. It was especially fun to explore the dynamics of MLMs within the vibrant 1950s context.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a touch of history, "The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets" is definitely worth adding to your list. It’s a cozy, enjoyable read

This is the first book in the series that I have read, I hadn’t appreciated that there were two earlier books. Although it does stand alone, I felt it would have been much better had I read the previous as there were numerous references to incidents and a background that I just didn’t know about. That said, I did really enjoy it as it stands.

I found the main character - an incredibly rich daughter of a hotel owner, and socialite - to be loveable and exactly what I expected of her - clever, beautiful, and a little bit nieve. The storyline is excellent- I had absolutely no clue who “dunnit”, and it all wrapped up beautifully. I would like to continue on with this series, an absolute tonic to the real world.

My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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*Disclaimer: I had received a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 7/10 – 3,5 stars out of 5
Genre: thriller, crime, cozy mystery

A hotel with very bad luck that draws attention to Evelyn Murphy.

I didn’t know it was the third part of a saga, but it’s perfectly understandable. It’s true that there are details that remain in the air for not knowing the two previous ones, but the mystery is solved without problems and all the time you are clear about it. (Just in case someone is as clueless as I was and the same thing happens to them).

It is highly enjoyable and very entertaining, although my main problem has been the main character: at times, I empathized with her and her emotions; at others, she just seemed to me that she was repeating the same thing in a loop without any background.

I liked the story and, although it was known from the beginning who was who, it was very interesting to see how Evelyn is guided by her instinct, by her hunches, and the relationship with the rest of the characters. The references to Agatha Christie and her main investigators have enchanted me.

However, and because I also have to talk about the “buts”, I found it a little simple (perhaps not the most appropriate word): the action scenes make little sense, they seem to be finished before everything has a reason to be. It gives the sensation that the author had an idea, but she ran out of words or time or ways to express it and ended up shortening it.

The subplot of her mother calls my attention and I don’t hesitate to read the whole saga at some point.

Totally recommendable to see a different investigator to what readers of the genre are used to.





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*Aviso: Recibí un eARC gratuito a cambio de una revisión honesta.

Calificación: 7 / 10 – 3,5 estrellas de 5
Género: policiaco, crimen, misterio

Un hotel con muy mala suerte que atrae las miradas hacia Evelyn Murphy.

No sabía que se trataba de la tercera parte de una saga, pero se entiende perfectamente. Es cierto que hay detalles que quedan en el aire por no conocer los dos anteriores, pero el misterio se resuelve sin problemas y todo el rato te dejan claro lo que ha sucedido. (Por si acaso alguien es tan despistado como yo y le sucede lo mismo).

Es altamente disfrutable y muy entretenido, si bien mi problema principal ha sido el personaje principal: en ocasiones, empatizaba con ella y con sus emociones; en otras, solo me parecía que repetía lo mismo en bucle sin más trasfondo.

Me ha gustado la historia y, aunque se sabía desde el principio quién era quién, ha sido muy interesante ver cómo Evelyn se guía por su instinto, por sus corazonadas… y la relación que mantiene con el resto de personajes. Las referencias a Agatha Christie y sus investigadores principales me han encantado.

Sin embargo, y porque también tengo que hablar de los “peros”, me ha parecido un poco simple (tal vez no es la palabra más adecuada): las escenas de acción tienen poco sentido, parecen terminadas antes de que todo tenga una razón de ser… Da la sensación de que tenía una idea, pero se quedaba sin palabras o sin formas de expresarla y acabó por acortarla.

La subtrama de su madre me llama mucho la atención y no dudo leerme toda la saga en algún momento.

Totalmente recomendable para ver una investigadora diferente a lo que estamos acostumbrados los lectores del género.

“Someone at that table killer her”

“I hate doing things that are good for me”

The more I read about Evelyn trying to solve murder mysteries happening at the Pinnacle Hotel, the more intrigued with the character I get. It seems like she is the younger version of Miss Marple at the Bertram Hotel !!! I love it !!! We have a young socialite woman who’s in love with mysteries and adventure and I have such a fun time getting through them alongside her. It feels like such an entertainment. Add to that a murder at the dinner table where she is seemingly the only one who’s able to get to the bottom of the story, and you make the perfect recipe for a cozy, interesting and winter season like book which is perfect to read under a blanket. I don’t know why but I do in fact associate these books with this season and Evelyn … I don’t know why but she brings me in in a way no one else does. And her complicated relationships with the other characters especially the male ones … love it !!!! And while I was disappointed by certain turn of events on the relationship side, at the end everything ended up being as it was supposed to be and I cannot wait for the next one !!!

“Money, revenge, jealousy. Those are your three main motives”

“Would you really, darling? You’re the ginchiest” “Takes one to know one, darling”

The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets by S. K. Golden is Book 3 in the witty Pinnacle Hotel Mystery series. Set in 1958 glitzy and glamorous New York, this novel was a pleasure to get lost in. Evelyn Murphy is a bright and beautiful young lady who is also the heiress of the Pinnacle Hotel, animal lover and recipient of an intriguing bequeath years after her mother's death. She resides in the hotel and rarely enjoys the fresh outdoors. As a socialite sleuth, her attention is elsewhere, especially after a lady in a group of friends enjoying dinner around a table in the hotel restaurant slithers into Evelyn's lap and breathes her last. Evelyn is aghast but this isn't the first death in the famed hotel. There is something fishy about this one. Not only is there a murder but also theft and a love triangle for good measure.

Evelyn is spoiled and outspoken but started to grow on me, showing snippets of endearing qualities. Newspaper articles add a bit of whimsy. Though the ending was predictable, it didn't matter. The setting, delicious food descriptions and varied characters grabbed me and held me captive. There is something special about the allure of the 1950s, unlike any other time. If you're looking for a light escapist read with some oomph, this series is for you.

My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this terrific novel.

I’ll admit, diving into The Socialite’s Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets without realizing it was the third book in a series had me feeling a bit like Evelyn Murphy herself—out of my depth but determined to find my footing. Thankfully, Evelyn’s world as a quirky hotel heiress turned amateur sleuth was easy to slip into, and I found myself hooked on her charm and wit.

Evelyn is a wonderfully layered character. At first glance, she might seem like just another overprivileged socialite, but Golden peels back the layers to reveal someone far more relatable. Her struggles with agoraphobia, her sharp observations, and her growth throughout the story make her feel incredibly human. This installment finds Evelyn in the middle of yet another mystery—this time involving a poisoned MLM leader in her hotel’s restaurant. The drama and intrigue escalate as Evelyn, with her unique blend of determination and quirkiness, works to uncover the truth while also fending off a journalist eager to tarnish her reputation.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the balance between lighthearted humor and deeper themes. The satirical take on MLM culture was laugh-out-loud funny at times, but Evelyn’s journey, particularly her courage in venturing outside the hotel for key meetings, added a touch of poignancy that made her story resonate even more.

While I did find myself wondering about some references to past events, it didn’t detract from the story. If anything, it made me eager to pick up the earlier books and fully immerse myself in Evelyn’s world. S. K. Golden has crafted a series that combines mystery, humor, and heart in a way that’s truly captivating. I can’t wait to see where Evelyn’s sleuthing adventures take her next—and to find out what I’ve missed in the first two installments!

S. K. Golden’s *The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets* is an absolute treat! Set in the glitzy world of 1958 New York, it’s everything I hoped for in the next chapter of Evelyn’s adventures—full of charm, intrigue, and plenty of twists.

When Evelyn unexpectedly receives a diamond tiara during lunch, things quickly spiral into a mystery involving a costume jewelry team, a Gentleman Thief, and a death that literally lands in her lap. From the moment Lois Mitchel’s tragic end is revealed, Evelyn dives headfirst into solving the case, and I couldn’t wait to see where her sleuthing would take her.

Evelyn is such a fun and fabulous character to follow. She’s sharp, resourceful, and determined to uncover the truth, even when the mystery gets more complicated than she bargained for. The cast of characters Evelyn encounters is just as entertaining—quirky, suspicious, and full of surprises. And the setting? It feels like stepping into a glamorous time machine, with all the glitz and drama you’d expect from late-’50s Manhattan.

What I love about this series—and this book in particular—is how it perfectly balances humor, suspense, and heart. Evelyn’s quick wit and bold spirit always shine through, but there’s a warmth to her that makes her relatable, too. The mystery kept me guessing the entire time, and the ending? Let’s just say I didn’t see it coming.

If you’ve been following Evelyn’s escapades, you’ll love this next installment—it’s easily one of my favorites. And if you’re new to the series, you’re in for a treat. *The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets* is clever, stylish, and just plain fun.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

I adore this series, and was so excited when this book became available for request on Netgalley. And I was charmed yet again by Evelyn Murphy and her delightful group of companions. This series, in my opinion, deserves to be as well-read as The Thursday Murder Club, The Maid, or Finlay Donovan.

While book #2 ended on a bit of a somber note, Evelyn picks herself up with her normal pluckiness when yet another murder falls into her lap (literally). As we know, nothing cheers her spirits up more than a bit of investigating! This entry into the series has it all - a charming rogue jewelry thief, commentary on multi-level marketing schemes, a love triangle, and a big surprise that I look forward to seeing addressed in the next book.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, funny characters, and a heroine that plays on her supposed ditziness in order to figure out the crime, this is your book! It's rare that a series seems to get stronger as it goes, but I have yet to be disappointed in spending time with Evelyn Murphy.

Evelyn, Evelyn, Evelyn you sure do know how to turn heads! (And hearts.) Handsome men fawn all over her but will she ever be able to get over the love of her life, Mac?

Evelyn tasks herself with not one but two mysteries. A woman out to lunch with three of her colleagues, if you can call them that, ends up deathly in Evelyn’s lap. “It’s always the husband” is what everyone keeps repeating to Evelyn but is that true in this case or is there a “friend” who sees her as competition?

Next, the Gentleman’s thief is targeting the wealthy, including hotel guests. Who is this man (or woman) and why are they leaving a red pocket square on the scene of the robberies? Has Evelyn stumbled across a sinister plot or is the answer much more obvious?

Evelyn with her wit is one of my favorite literary characters. This series continues to get better and better and I suspect book #4 will be coming soon!

I recieved an ARC of this novel from NetGalley. Following is my honest review.

I wasn't aware this was the third novel in a series, but my introduction to Evelyn Murphy's quirky world as a hotel heiress and her sleuthing was a fun journey. Evelyn is a well-crafted character whose quirks allow readers to understand her as more than her overprivileged initial impression casts her as.

In this installment of the series, Evelyn finds herself among women selling jewelry in a multi-level marketing company when the leader is poisoned in the hotel restaurant of the hotel Evelyn resides in. So, she embarks on a quest to uncover the murderer while a nemesis in the form of a journalist attempts to paint Evelyn as out-of-touch and possibly in kahoots with the murderer because of a slew of deaths (and other crimes) that have recently happened on the premises. Evelyn herself makes great growth strides in dealing with her agoraphobia by venturing out of the hotel for two important meetings in her attempt to discover the murderer.

There is silliness and seriousness in equal measure in this novel and more than once I wondered what had happened in previous novels that was alluded to in this novel. I'm looking forward to digging more deeply into the world Golden has created for Evelyn.

New York in 1958 is a fun place to be, especially if you live in one of the best hotels in the city, which also happens to belong to your father! Evelyn Murphy is in that position, but her life is lived in a golden cage of anxiety since the unexplained death of her mother and abandonment by her boyfriend. Inside the Pinnacle Hotel, she is absolutely fine devoting herself to being the company's Party Planner alongside investigating the various mysteries that seem to unfold in front of her!

Dining in the Gold Room, she is invited to join a group of ladies at a nearby table where one of them collapses into her lap. Determined to discover what happened as well as identifying a gentleman thief who has been targeting the hotel Evelyn finds herself in a position none of her upbringing or anxiety could every have imagined with no one to but herself to rely on.

The third book in this series is another enchanting trip into a luxurious lifestyle, which only enhances the mystery elements of the stories so far. Evelyn and her friends are great main protagonists, all different and unique. My favourite characters apart from Evelyn are Henry Fox, the famous film star and ex-detective Hodgson who now works at the Pinnacle. Her insecurities are realistically and sympathetically drawn and only add to the storyline.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I loved this, and the cliffhanger at the end means I am already waiting for the next instalment of this feel-good series.

I was so excited to see that advance copies were available that even though I'd done the first two volumes in audio-books I figured I'd bite the bullet & deal with having to read a physical copy for volume three. The audio's of the first two volumes are fabulous-BTW!

This book had everything I hope for in a good cozy series. A main character I love spending time with as I adore Evelyn Murphy & love seeing her grow over each volume, even when she has setbacks. I love all of the side characters that I hope will be included in the next installments & their interactions with Evelyn. I love seeing what each new mystery will be & how the author will work with our main character's agoraphobia & still manage to solve our mystery & also work towards helping Evelyn get past her fears. I'm excited knowing there's a next volume coming in the future to look forward to & more of this world to explore.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Evelyn continues to be an enjoyable main character, more complex than you give her credit for at first but still witty and charming. I love the hotel setting and the mysteries are keeping my attention. Missed Mac in this one and hope the next has more of her mother’s mystery on page.

This third book of the series has the high level of vibrancy and anticipation as the first.
Evelyn is struggling with the loss of her emotional support beau Mac so she buries herself in another murder case.
With its sartorial descriptions, dashing friends and new quirky characters, The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets is another hit for author S.K. Golden.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

I think this was my favorite book so far in the series. I wasn’t sure I would like Evelyn as a character in the first book because she felt so spoiled. She still is but I like that her arc has her working now and doing a good job at it. I love her relationship with Poppy and am glad she stuck around despite the hard feelings for her brother. It was interesting to hear about Evelyn’s conflicted feelings for various potential beaus and comparing them to Mac. I felt like there were a few too many “ginchiest” comments; it felt overused. With a couple of mysteries intertwined, I wasn’t sure who the murderer would be but I figured out the thief early on. I can’t say I was happy with the cliffhanger but I do want to find out what Evelyn decides to do. I will definitely read the next book when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.