At first glance the Regent Hotel seems like any other with a myriad of guests; however, something is not quite right and soon people start disappearing and then turn up murdered.

This was a 1930's story with some seriously supernatural twists. A gripping and twisted crime story that was full of creepy and twisted vibes; an original take on a crime novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

"Hokey Pokey" by Kate Mascarenhas, is actually named after the absinthe-based Hokey Pokey cocktail served at the Regent Hotel in Birmingham where the story is set. The story follows the psychoanalyst and mimic Nora Čapek as she investigates the infidelities of opera singer Berenice Oxbow while dealing with the appearance of a mirror-using, flesh-eating monster, and other strange happenings. The writing is good and the main character is interesting, but the plot took too long to get going and wasn't captivating enough for me. Still, it's a solid story.

Kate Mascarenhas does it again. Previously a psychologist, her debut novel The Psychology of Time Travel was one of my favourite reads of 2018 and a story that has stayed with me ever since. When you consume as much fiction as I do in a year, a novel staying with you for more than five years is quite rare. And yet, it looks like we have a repeat event with this year’s book Hokey Pokey. It’s a little different to Mascarenhas’ previous two novels - a thriller with a touch of horror, for one; and set back in the late 1920s.
Set primarily in Birmingham, in and around the Regent Hotel, the author sets the scene well - you almost feel as though you’re in art deco era Great Britain. It’s this well-developed setting that keeps the reader engaged for the first few chapters of the book where the characters aren’t yet developed and the story is not clear-cut. After a little while, however, the story becomes clear and thereafter the novel is consuming and very difficult to put down. While the characters never become completely likable, they are intriguing enough that the reader can connect with them regardless. Overall, Hokey Pokey is a thrilling and engaging read, and yet another testament to the writing prowess of this author.
[Review to appear in Style magazine Toowoomba, May 2023 edition]

In 'Hokey Pokey' (I'd read anything because of that title, even if I weren't a flag-flying member of the Kate Mascarenhas fan club), we have the third hair-raisingly good installment of the Mascarenhas brand of Fantasy.

As per 'The Psychology of Time Travel' and 'The Thief on the Winged Horse', we get a crime mystery cloaked in Mascarenhas's sub-genre Low Fantasy/Urban Fantasy style, where uncanny or near-Sci-Fi elements affect a juiced version of what's essentially a locked-room mystery in her debut novel, and a long-play heist in her second.

In this novel, the author gives us multiple murders and disappearances to solve, but we also have clairvoyance, cannibalism, vampirism, portals, and shape-shifters. So, come prepared, if this is your first of her novels!

How did I feel approaching a new Kate Mascarenhas? Awed and enamoured; assured there would be magnetic characters and horrifyingly fine writing; also, unguarded, because I can always be sure I'll get a fair representation of non-heterosexual women with this author.

I found that, in this third novel, it's a different voice than the involved or nigh-flirtatious voice adopted in her previous two; in this novel, Mascarenhas's voice is detached; the novel reads lightly and quickly as reportage; it is subtly voyeuristic in the authorial remove from the action. This is exquisitely done, as it makes the guts of the book all the more eerie.

Yet! It is so, so, indulgent at that. Situated in early-twentieth-century Europe and Great Britain, the setting in the dreamy Regent Hotel, the food, the drinks (the delectable titular nettle-green cocktail), the dishy guests ('the Icon' opera superstar, Berenic Oxbow); it is all monstrously glamorous (or glamorously monstrous?!).

When we get to the action, and we're in the murder-mystery stage, 'Hokey Pokey' reads like some wonderfully twisted version of Roald Dahl for adults. There are moments of ravishing tension; scenes are rapturous, scenes are raw (there is a lot of blood). I might label it the anti-Paranormal Romance.

It's hard to review 'Hokey Pokey' without spoiling Mascarenhas's finely fashioned plot. Suffice it to say, 'Hokey Pokey' flutters and throbs with life. I had a physical response to this novel; much of it made me actually quiver. I felt, as I was reading, like a cup filled up to the brim, and just a little more, till the meniscus pushes at the air above it.

Phew! What a book!

My gratitude to Kate Mascarenhas and Head of Zeus for an eARC via NetGalley.

The book is very dense with subplot within subplot. Also, the supernatural twist came as a surprise, as it is advertised as a murder mystery.
I'm not sure the characters are likeable, but I guess to many people, they are.
If one is looking for a straightforward book, then this is not for you. However, if one is comfortable with something not fitting neatly into a genre and open to something a bit extra, then this is for you!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It's unique and unlike anything I've ever read...

The idea of the main character being a mythical being is made believable, and I loved how as a reader I kept thinking: "is this real? is she real?" which made for a very thrilling journey. Nora has had a strange childhood, and her belief that she's a 'hyring' that can mimic and eat people, while travelling through mirrors is something I was dying to see in action. I really liked how her past shaped her- she's always trying to be someone else, usually someone she meets, and tries to embody them mind and soul. Her ability to suspend herself as a whole person and think she's this cold, cunning monster really made me think whether she's a psychoanalyst or a patient, and her whole reason for being a mind doctor.

As always, I adored the writing- it was descriptive and engaging, and I loved the many different plot threads. I think the marketing for this book changes what this book is actually about. We spend more time in Nora's past and in flashbacks than at the hotel itself. I didn't mind this, and I found that this gave more depth to the story and Nora herself. The twist I honestly didn't see coming, although the clues were there. I enjoyed the raw and gory exploration into the human mind, and the selfishness of humans and monsters.

Berenice was another character that I grew to love. She's someone who doesn't want to be tied down, while Nora is the opposite. Both of them are linked by Leo, who humiliates and uses Nora, and despite this she doesn't think she needs revenge. She is infatuated with both of them and by the end thee outcomes off-page show exactly her thoughts. She embodies the monster being she has always believed herself to be, and I honestly just wanted her to be happy in her own skin.

Hokey Pokey is definitely a unique story, unlike anything I've ever read, and I'm so happy I had the opportunity to read it early! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc!

I really enjoyed reading this book.

The plot was well paced and I found that it kept me interested the whole way through.

Thank you for letting me review it.

This was not the book I was expecting by the description I was given, so I was disappointed to be honest. There is nothing wrong with the book, but it isn’t really a mystery. You cannot fault the writing, which is very good although I found the characters somewhat one dimensional. I don’t normally read fantasy/supernatural books, so this was a little out of my comfort zone. Im sure that many readers will really enjoy it, but it wasn’t for me. I thought about giving up a few times, but kept going until the end. I think the book is missing its target audience by the misleading description.

I wanted to give this book more stars, as it's well written and a compelling novel, which immerses the reader into the mysterious comings and goings of a 1920s hotel. There are some great characterisations and descriptions. But it wasn't what I was expecting and I didn't like it- I thought it would be more historical fiction/murder mystery/psychological drama and it wasn't. So it took me a while to get into the story and a feel for where it was going, which I found disquieting. I think the problem is with the book's blurb, which I had to keep checking to make sure I had the right book. Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

First impressions - the cover drew me in it screams 1920’s drama. The blurb grabbed my attention as it’s exactly my favourite genre, a murder mystery whodunnit. I love 1920’s as it’s always portrayed as an exciting fast paced era full of intrigue, partying and a lot of shenanigans so I was excited to start this book.

Was my first impression accurate? Not entirely, here is why - yes it is a murder mystery set in a 1920’s posh hotel however I was not expecting a supernatural twist so when this element suddenly appeared I was a little disappointed as it is not really something I would read. I did however continue to read and I am glad I did as I did enjoy the storyline albeit a little weird. It had enough of the murder mystery element to keep me interested and I always wanted to read just a little more to see what happens next. It was quite dark with a few rather gruesome scenes scattered throughout, horror/supernatural meets drama.

All of the characters were quirky and gave their own interesting addition to the story, the lead character, Nora, was well portrayed and the writer gave us enough about her to get a feel for her displacement in life.

Overall I’d rate this as 4 out of 5 because the supernatural element appears to be concealed and it’s not my cup of tea, however it was an intriguing read and I did enjoy it.

I’m rarely negative about the books I choose to read but I’m puzzled by this book – or should I say, by the odd marketing of this book.
The cover design and publicity blurb lead you to expect a glamorous jazz age style murder mystery – but what you actually get is a very dark and gruesome supernatural fantasy horror story.
Now there are plenty of people who like the horror and fantasy genre, so I’ve no idea why the publicists went out of their way to attract readers who prefer an Agatha Christie style romp, because like me, those readers are really unlikely to enjoy this book.
If you like supernatural stuff then I’m sure you will like this, it’s just that unless it is better marketed at the target audience, you’re unlikely to realise that’s what it is.
With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

DNF at 40%

This book just really wasn’t for me - the blurb was inaccurate, the characters didn’t feel particularly well developed and I just really struggled to figure out what the protagonists motives were in this. There were so many different things going on and unfortunately I just wasn’t interested in any of it.

I hate to be so negative but I reeeeeeally didn’t enjoy this book at all.

Firstly and most importantly (and probably the reason why I didn’t get on with it) is because the blurb is so far from the what the majority of the actual story is about. If it had actually been described as what it was, then I might of enjoyed it more, but I feel like the blurb made it out to be kind of like historical fiction/crime thriller, and it wasn’t really any of those it was just more like a supernatural horror vibe. I was so close to DNFing this after the first few chapters because I was like hold on have I got the right book?

I didn’t like any of the characters at all, so I didn’t really care what happened to them. The setting is cool and that’s what attracted me (working in Birmingham, I thought I might enjoy reading about the city, and I find it’s not represented in that many books) but Birmingham isn’t actually the main setting of the book, a lot is set in flashbacks in Zurich.

There are SO many plots and subplots going on, yeah they do kind of weave together in the end but it is so hard to keep track. Particularly when the elements are supernatural and leave you completely bewildered. I was just so so shocked that it was a supernatural/horror story when the intro was giving me more 1920s plush art deco hotel mystery.

When the truth of the mystery is uncovered I just felt like it was wrapped up so quickly at the end and that 75% of the story was flashbacks, backstory etc that could’ve been really condensed. And the mystery doesn’t seem to impact anyone emotionally in any way at all, which is just bizarre.

If I would’ve known what the story really was I wouldn’t have read this book as I just don’t like horror/supernatural. If that’s your thing then you might really like this. But pleeeeeease can the publisher/editor change the blurb pre-publication??? SO many reviews say the same thing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Not my type of book. Gruesome in parts but I never got on with the mythical elements. Probably shouldn’t have downloaded it

Hokey Pokey wasn't what the cover or indeed the blurb suggested and it certainly isn't my usual genre but I am glad I had the chance to read it. It's not for the faint hearted and you 'll have to suspend your disbelief but it's most definitely a truly unique story.

Agatha Christie meets horror in the twenties. The book takes place at The Regent Hotel in Birmingham in February, 1929. Behind its six-storeyed façade, you're being transported to the glamour of the twenties. During a snowstorm everybody gets stuck in the hotel: an opera-star, a psychoanalist, a guy who lives at the hotel, the staff... The perfect setting for a something that's not right...

Psycholanalist Nora followed the famous opera singer, Berenice Oxbow from Switserland to Birmingham, to spy upon her. A request from her 'friend' Leo, Berenice's husband. Berenice has visions, one even about Nora's tattoo, which Nora tries to hide.

Then a first person disappears. What happens from then on bring back surpressed memories from the past for many guests. Reality and horror start to blend. The supernatural is never far away, yet it doesn't take the plot over entirely, which is something I loved!

The fast pace and the athmosphere of this book are great. If you like a good murder mystery that is skirting on the edges of the surreal, this book is definitely for you. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Wow what a great read I enjoy this style of writing had me gripped it was not what I thought I was thinking it a murder mystery read but it not more supernatural we I loved it good keeps you hook the cover I have to say drawed me into the book I loved it a very good book I not want to keep any plot away but want to read more

It's going to be difficult to review this book without giving away major plot points. In fact I think the major issue about this book is that it's advertised in a very misleading way.

I had previously read and enjoyed "The psychology of time travel", I love time travel stories and it was a little bit gay, so it got 5 stars from me. But this one was very different.
You have a main character who can perfectly mimic anyone else's voice which is already a very odd quality requiring suspension of disbelief. As the book progresses we learn exactly where this ability comes from. Along the way, there is some murder and some cannibalism!
The pace is also very slow for the first half, which made me contemplate not finishing it at all. It only really picks up from the moment we see a flashback into the MC's childhood.

Overall, although well written it was a disappointment and I can't help but wonder who exactly this was for? I can't imagine any subset of the audience who'd find meaning in this kind of story. I think it needs better marketing and perhaps transparency around which genre it actually sits in.

The blurb for this book leads you to believe that it is a glamorous 1920’s locked room mystery. The beautiful cover supports this view. The story starts well but rapidly descends into a supernatural/gothic horror story which I would never have chosen to read. Although this is a well written book I feel that the marketing may prevent it from reaching a more appreciative audience. Not for me but I’m sure it will be enjoyed by others.

This was such a good book. I love historical fiction, especially when it is about eras/ situations that I previously knew nothing about and this was definitely one of those books. It was so well researched and so compelling in its narrative that not only did I love reading it but I felt that I learned too. A really enjoyable read and perfect for any fans of historical fiction. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.