This book was good but tough to get through. I enjoyed the storyline but found the characters bland. Decent read but not my favorite.

The Socialite’s Guide to Murder is the first book in the delightful new Pinnacle Hotel series that takes place in New York City in the late 1950s. I've recently come to recognize that books primarily set in hotels are like catnip for me (specific, I know - but I haven't read one I haven't loved!) - so I had high hopes, and I’m happy to say that this one didn’t disappoint!

The story follows Evelyn, daughter of an extremely rich father who supports her over-the-top, luxurious lifestyle, as she lives her life within the walls of the Pinnacle - everything she needs is there, so why ever leave? Extravagant parties are the norm in the Pinnacle, but everything changes when during one particular party, a masterpiece painting goes missing and it’s just a matter of time before a body is found. Soon Evelyn finds herself teaming up with a hotel employee (a.k.a. her secret crush) and her dog Presley to find the thief and murderer, and to make the Pinnacle feel like home again.

While I’ll admit that I was a little bit annoyed with Evelyn for the first few chapters, it didn’t take long for me to get a sense of her personality and recognize that she’s just super quirky and naïve, rather than being the completely rude person I initially took her for. She grew on me quite a bit, and soon I just couldn’t help but root for her the rest of the way through. Don’t get me wrong, she’s definitely vain and materialistic and thoroughly enjoys being rich and flaunting it, but nothing about her felt malicious.

“When I sat, the wooden chair creaked beneath me, which I found incredibly impolite of it, considering I’d eaten only half that cheeseburger.”

“It’s always important to look your best, even if you’re hoping to not be seen.”

““Detective.” I smiled at him. “This is America and I’m wealthy. I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.””

While the author did a great job at describing detailed scenes of Evelyn’s makeup routine and picking out clothes, I did wish there was a bit stronger sense of place and more imagery of the Pinnacle hotel itself. I felt like there was so much potential to get the reader even more completely immersed in the extravagance of the setting, but I just didn't quite feel it as strongly as I wanted to.

All in all, this fun, fast-paced story combined a great cast of characters with an intriguing puzzle of a plot and featured all the glitz and glamor the whole way through - I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒇𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒖𝒑𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚.”

A cozy mystery taking place in the 1950s mostly set at a hotel? YES PLEASE! The Socialite’s Guide to Murder was a fun lighthearted mystery with a loveable cast of core characters.

The narrator, Evelyn Elizabeth Tracy Murphy, is the hotel owner’s daughter; although she is spoilt, she is someone who you want to root for. She cares deeply for the people who show up for her, and shows wisdom beyond her posh upbringing, like her pact with best friend Henry to keep his secret safe for his career. People underestimate Evelyn because she is a rich socialite and admires Marilyn Monroe; they dismiss her as being unimportant and unintelligent, and she works hard to prove otherwise, reminding me a lot of a 1950s Elle Woods. I also really liked how S.K. Golden highlighted Evelyn having anxiety, something that was definitely not commonly talked about in the 1950s, alongside the trauma of discovering her mother’s body when she was six, leading to how much she values the safety of the Pinnacle Hotel. The core mystery of the theft of an art piece and the murder of the artist was intriguing and had enough red herrings to keep you guessing. I love Evelyn’s core group of friends, Mac, Poppy, and Amelia (a sweet child always ready to help). I hope that Golden adds Henry into that group; there is a lot of potential for character growth and fun as they help Evelyn with whatever adventure she stumbles upon next.

The Socialite’s Guide to Murder is a story of glamour, secrets, love, safety, and fun. It is labeled as “Pinnacle Hotel Mystery #1” which greatly excites me; I think the quirky employees, strong core friend group, and hotel setting will make for a great series. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this puzzling mystery and its quirky heroine! A great pick for fans of cozy mysteries with unique spins.

3.5 stars. I loved the premise of this novel and read it in one sitting. Definitely won't regret picking it up!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me take a peek at an early copy. My views are my own.

The hotel was her refuge, but scandal is afoot—and a killer stalks the halls in this charming series debut perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ashley Weaver.

It’s 1958 and Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy has not left the Pinnacle Hotel in fourteen months. She suffers from agoraphobia, and what’s more, it’s her father’s hotel, and everything she needs is there. Evelyn’s always been good at finding things, she discovered her mother dead in a Manhattan alleyway fifteen years earlier. Now she’s finding trouble inside her sanctuary. At a party for artist Billie Bell, his newest work is stolen, and Evelyn’s fake boyfriend (and real best friend), movie star Henry Fox, is accused of the theft. But just as Evelyn sets out to prove Henry’s innocence, she finds Billie Bell dead.

The murder weapon links the crime to the hotel’s chief of security. But why would he use a knife with his initials on the handle? With her beloved home in disarray, Evelyn joins up with hotel employee (and her secret crush) Mac Cooper to get to the bottom of the case.

As Mac picks locks and Evelyn snoops around the hotel, they discover the walls around them contain more secrets than they previously knew. Now, Evelyn must force herself to leave the hotel to follow the clues—but when she and Mac set off to chase a lead, their car crashes and they barely escape with their lives. Someone snipped Evelyn’s brake lines, and now the stakes have become dangerously high.

Evelyn’s knack for sleuthing—and her playful imagination—are always hard at work, and she throws an elaborate party at the hotel where every guest is a suspect. But will the killer emerge from the glamorous lineup? If not, Evelyn just might find herself…next in line for murder.

It's 1958, living comfortably in her father's hotel and struggling with agoraphobia, Evelyn finds her peace disturbed when she discovers a dead body in the hotel.

Fast paced and beautifully written, this novel will keep you hooked until its last line. If you're looking for a book you can read in one sitting, this is definitely the one you're looking for.

The author's style ins incredible, it feels like you're watching a movie. You probably know this feeling when you stop seeing words and feel confused when you start seeing them again? This is exactly how this book was.

I highly recommend this book, it's addictive and thrilling in a wonderful day.

This is a really fun read, funny and quick with some thrills and chills here and there. I'm glad I read it it cheered me up.
Thank you Crooked Lane and NetGalley for the digital review copy.

Evelyn, on paper, is the type of character I would usually be all on board for. But something between the synopsis and the pages, all the charm and sleuthing I expected, was lost. Instead, I found her to be entitled and argumentative rather than charming and quirky. I couldn't connect with the characters and didn't care about solving the art theft or the murder. I didn't find Evelyn and Mac to have chemistry, and once again, I didn't care. I give this book 2/5 stars. There is a chance that it is just personal preferences affecting my rating, so I suggest people give it a read for themselves.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Socialite's Guide to Murder by S.K. Golden. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC to review.

Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy has not left her father’s hotel, the Pinnacle, in months. After witnessing her mother’s murder, the only place Evelyn feels safe is home. Until, that is, a guest is murdered on the premises. Determined to make her home safe again, Evelyn sets out to solve the murder with the help of her crush, Mac Cooper. Things are not what they seem though, and relationships are tested on their quest for the truth.

I think the idea behind this story is really interesting, but I wish it had been executed better. The setting was also very interesting to read about. I couldn’t connect to the main character or the plot though. I think other people who prefer character driven mysteries might enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me.

Thank you so much to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Socialite's Guide to Murder is a cozy mystery set in the 50's in New York at a glamorous hotel. It starts with an art theft and results in a body being found in the hallway. This book had all the makings of a great story- a glitzy hotel, red herrings, a spunky heroine- but ultimately it felt underwritten. The characters never progressed or showed growth, the romance wasn't earned, even the mystery fell a little flat. I'm hopeful that the second in the series would help round out the characters and have a bit more backbone!
For me, it was 2.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Frothy and enjoyable, a perfect book for lounging around! The mysteries were quite easy to solve, but the twists and red herrings were still well done. Tbh, this is not something you’ll really remember in a week, but it’s light and fun and filled with fashion. This is absolutely the perfect book to read to get away from real life.

Adorably written with interesting characters and plenty of secrets. When danger lands on the doorstep of a famous hotel, it seems only fitting for the mistress of the property investigate. Join her as she weaves her way through the hotel for clues but keep your eyes open or chance missing something. If you enjoy Hercule Poirot, you will adore Evelyn Murphy with her cute shoes and a bow in her hair. I look forward to following her through the next Pinnacle Hotel Mystery.

This may be a mismatch between reader and book, but I had a lot of problems with the main character, Evelyn. She comes across as flighty and shallow-only interested in her makeup, her clothes and getting photos in the tabloid. At 15% in, I'm having a hard time figuring out why she would _care_ that someone died and, moreover, why people would think she would do it as there was no obvious reason to jump to those conclusions as soon as people made it. Moreover, she's cloyingly superior to all the people around her and seems to have no goals other than to be rich and pampered. DNF, alas. If a superficial socialite is your thing, or you want to live the life of the rich and famous, by all means take a look at this.

I admit that I was sold as soon as I saw that stunning cover and read the blurb. The promise of a 1950s cozy mystery set in a hotel was too intriguing to resist, and as a consequence The Socialite's Guide To Murder ended up hanging out on my kindle. I was really looking forward to read it, and especially after I discovered a comparison to the Hercule Poirot books. And while it didn't blow me away completely, it was still a solid enough debut for me.

I still love the premise of this story and its setting in the Pinnacle Hotel. Because main character Evelyn suffers from agoraphobia, the story is mainly set within the hotel, and it made the story feel more intimate. And there surely was a lot going on in the plot despite the limited setting! The agoraphobia was an interesting touch, although it did seem a bit convenient in parts especially with her being able to go places when needed. The plot wasn't really consistent in that way, but I guess Evelyn wouldn't have been able to discover the truth otherwise.

I wasn't that much of a fan of Evelyn to be honest; she was too spoiled, vain and obstinate for me. She did grow on me a little over time, but she was quite frustrating with her constant focus on fashion, fame and getting whatever she wants even if it means inconveniencing other people. I wasn't really a fan of Henry either (especially as I got to know him better), but I did love Mac and little Presley of course. It's always great to have a dog playing a role in the plot! I also adored little Amelia, and Poppy should have had a bigger role in the plot because she's a blast.

The writing itself was a bit simplistic for me, and a lot of the main characters came over as quite juvenile. I even started wondering if this was ment for a YA audience instead... I wasn't sure if everything was 1950s accurate either. The murder mystery itself was solid, and I never guessed the full truth about who was behind it all. The reveal was a bit too much of a copy of the Hercule Poirot books for me, and as a result a bit disappointing... But the plot twists themselves were well handled.

All in all The Socialite's Guide To Murder was a solid debut despite a few issues I had with it, and I especially loved the 1950s setting and cozy mystery vibe. It's a fun and easy to read mystery without any graphic content, and a solid choice for those who like historical mysteries where the focus isn't just on the crime committed.

This is set in 1958. This was so much fun to read and I haven't read anything like this. This is a fast-paced novel perfect for anyone.

Meet Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy, aka "Evie, the Princess of Pinnacle Hotel.' Her father owns the hotel and she and her little dog reside in the penthouse. Evie fashions herself a Miss Marple and dresses like Marilyn Monroe. She's quick as a whip but does not realize how horribly spoiled she is. She also doesn't realize until a murder takes place in the hotel that she's agoraphobic and may not be able to leave her beloved home.

With her movie star friends and a cheery cast of characters Evie will do her best to solve the murder and keep her father's hotel's reputation clean. The question is, can she solve it before she or someone she loves gets hurt?

Really fun cozy mystery set in the late 50's! This novel is the first of a series and I can't wait to hear more about Evelyn's adventures. If you like Agatha Christie heroines, 1950's fun and glam or just want a new mystery series to follow, The Socialite's Guide to Murder is for you!
#TheSocialitesGuideToMurder #SKGolden #NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks

Not my usual type of book but I enjoyed it once I got into the story. The main character is a rich heiress who admittedly at the beginning seems self obsessed and rather shallow but surely the whole point of reading is the 'meet' people you usually wouldnt, and go places you never could. This was an entertaining romp in the golden age style and I would read the follow up.

The first in a new cozy mystery series that takes place in the 1950s. Evelyn is the daughter of the hotel owner and hasn’t left in years due to her agoraphobia. An art theft followed by a murder occur at the hotel and Evelyn decides to put her powers of deduction to work.

This was a fine mystery but I didn’t connect with the narrator (Evelyn) at all. The writing of her was just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Socialite's Guide to Murder.

I really wanted to like this more but it was difficult to get into the story.

It’s 1958 and Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy is a hotel heiress. Pinnacle Hotel is her home and she has not left it for nearly two years.

The hotel is her refuge but her safe place is threatened when the work of a famous artist is stolen, and later, the artist is discovered dead.

Evelyn pulls a Nancy Drew when her BFF is accused of the murder and for the first time in her life, does actual work: investigate.

It was hard to like Evelyn. I get that she's rich and entitled and was born to be a heiress, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes when she described dressing like Marilyn Monroe and trying hard to walk in stilettos.

The author gave Evelyn agoraphobia to make her more 'human' but it didn't matter to me if she could leave the hotel or not.

Not surprisingly, there's a bit of romance since Evelyn is in love with a guy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Her father is a busy man and never makes an appearance in the narrative. He's kind of like Maris in Frasier. He exists and Evelyn speaks to him on the phone but you never see him.

I didn't care much for the mystery, nor did I really care who did what.

The only thing I did like was the 1950s setting; the glitz and glamor of the hotel, and the pop culture references Evelyn makes as she dolls herself up.

I did love her dog, Presley.