Murder at the Mena House

DNF - PG 62

Why?

I was struggling with this book from the start. Something like page two is when the love interest is introduced and every time Jane is around him, any decent personality she might have dries up. She's very much of the ‘I don't want a man' type that immediately swoons when a handsome man looks at her. (I was holding out some hope that Redvers would turn out to be the victim or, failing that, the culprit, but instead I read the synopsis of later books and find out that they get engaged.)

This was awful, but I was willing to struggle past it. I even made it past her being disgusted that a man was eating (not disgustingly, I might add) in front of her, but there was one decision that I just pulled the plug for.

So, Jane is the first person to find the victim, in their room. (Through a contrivance, I must say.) While Jane is in there, she sees the room key. She pockets it with only the vague thought that she'd give it to the victim's loved one so they could get back in the room. The murder victim's room as it was obvious at just a glance that the person had been murdered.

Issue, but not insurmountable.

It was too late to give the key to [redacted] as I had planned. And now that I was a suspect, it would look suspicious if I tried to give it to [redacted]. I quickly decided the best course of action was to hide the thing - but secreting it anywhere in my room was not the wisest plan, especially if the police decided to give my rooms another go.I stared at my door for a moment, and then turned to the hallway. A potted palm sat inconspicuously halfway down the corridor. I considered it and decided it would make an excellent hiding spot for the pilfered key. I checked the corridors again - several times, in fact - and once I was sure I wouldn't be seen, I hid the key under a thin layer of dirt in a corner of the ceramic pot.

...

This is ostensibly an adult woman. Supposed to be our sleuth. If she's already making decisions like this...I just can't anymore.

I mean, it was bad enough that she mindlessly picked up the key to begin with. But now she's hiding in it a potted plant outside her room. Are we sure she's not the killer? And, of course, there's no way that that decision could come back to bite her.

Anthony Award Nominee for Best First Novel (2021), Agatha Award for Best First Novel (2021)!
I like award books and cozy mysteries and I got the best of both in this book.
Author's 1st novel and this was a good one. Great characters, location (Egypt), era (Late 1920's), lots of suspects, surprises and a very good mystery!
Author did a great job of describing a short trip to the pyramids and hotel life in Egypt.
280 Pages, I think you will like this! David N.

The mystery was good and twisty. There was some danger. Jane was brave and has a tragic back story. The side characters, her aunt and live interest, were memorable characters. Historical cozies are not my favorite, so this one didn't totally connect with me. If you like historical cozies, you would rally enjoy this one. If you don't, you still might enjoy this one.