Thank you very much for allowing me to read this wonderful book .
I must confess, I’ve not previously heard of this author but after reading this book, I will be adding them to my list of authors to watch out for in the future. It Captivated me from the first page to the last.

Every single book by Kate Mascarenhas is amazing. Her “Psychology of time travel” is probably the only one that make make me cry, and at the same time want to re-read it yet again immediately! I was delighted to see another book by the author.

And she didn’t disappoint!

Hokey Pokey is unique, weird and enchanting. It’s a book you can’t stop reading! Absolutely great story, characters, mystery. I have no idea how Kate comes up with those ideas that every book is so wonderful and I’ll definitely keep reading everything she releases.

It took me a while to get into this one, and at times it felt a bit dragged out, but the concept and narrative kept me hooked.

A dark and twisty story set in a snowed-in grand hotel, where the characters’ pasts are far more connected than they first appear.

Unique and haunting, with elements of mystery, historical fiction, horror, and the supernatural—all blending into a plot I could never predict. The characters were compelling, and overall, I had a great time with it.

This book had all the right ingredients - an atmospheric 1920s hotel, a mysterious opera star, and a snowstorm that traps everyone inside. The setting is richly described, with gorgeous, moody details that bring the Regent Hotel to life in all its glamorous, slightly sinister glory. Unfortunately, despite the promising setup, I struggled to connect with the main character, Nora, and found it hard to fully engage with the story. The plot had intriguing elements but something about it didn’t quite click for me. That said, fans would for vivid historical settings and psychological intrigue may still find this a worthwhile read.

This had so much potential but the ending really threw me off. I loved the whole murder mystery aspect of this book. The setting was great, the characters were really written and the plot had huge potential - but the ending really distorted this for me.

I’m not quite sure what I’ve read or if I enjoyed it?! I was expecting a thriller but it was quite dark at times & the supernatural elements were definitely strange. Thanks for the ARC, it’s certainly a book I won’t forget.

A completely surprising read that took me unawares. Set in 1929 in the Regent Hotel in Birmingham, we meet psychoanalyst Nora as she tracks a famous singer. I expected a Golden Age mystery, but this delves into the supernatural. I won't give any details, but it is an interesting twist, and the second half ramps up the pace to keep you reading to discover more. #hokeypokey #katemacarenhas #netgalley

I read this book courtesy of Net galley, and it was an interesting read to say the least. This book didn't leave a lasting impression unfortunately but I did finish it so it's got that going for it.

This was the first time I read a book set in the 1920s and so I had no idea if I would enjoy it or not.

But if I’m being completely honest, it wasnt actually too bad, I might have liked it if I didn’t hate the location, the MC and the plot.

I honestly can’t put my finger on the why, but I wasn’t a fan of Nora, I just found her so bloody irritating and she rubbed me the wrong way.

I did love the glitz and glamour of the roaring 20s so I think I’ll be looking up more books from this time period, but the books ultimately didn’t live up to expectations

I really enjoyed this dark and complex murder mystery. There was a distinct supernatural element which is in keeping with the author's usual work.

It was a page turner filled with weird and wonderful characters.

A strange novel, certainly - the opening reads as part literary fiction, part thrilling mystery, and I was there for it. But half-way through, supernatural elements hijack the story I thought I was being told and they feel a little like a fever dream or a concussion after a nasty bonk on the head.

I enjoyed Mascarenhas's prose, and would read more from her.

Took me a little time to get into this book but so glad I kept reading! Was well written with so many twists and turns that the reader couldn't say what the ending would be! Enjoyed it.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

"Hokey Pokey" by Kate Mascarenhas takes readers on a glamorous and thrilling journey through the Regent Hotel in Birmingham, 1929. As guests indulge in absinthe cocktails and enjoy the opulence of the hotel, psychoanalyst Nora Dickinson arrives under a pseudonym with a hidden agenda involving opera star Berenice Oxbow. When a snowstorm traps everyone inside the hotel, the atmosphere shifts from luxury to suspense, blurring the lines between nightmare and reality. Mascarenhas weaves a tale of murder, madness, and psychological intrigue that promises to captivate readers from start to finish.

So, so dark. So, so good! This book had me hooked all the way through. It was way more psychologically scary than I thought when I began it, and I absolutely loved the descriptions of the setting. Chilling! Would recommend, but with a disclaimer that it is darker than it looks going by the cover!

Hokey Pokey is set in 1929 at the Regent hotel in Birmingham where psychoanalyst Dr Nora Dickinson is spying on a former lover's wife, opera singer Berenice Oxbow. This is less of a historical mystery and more of a supernatural/horror tale. A unique and entertaining, if somewhat strange, novel.

I received an ARC of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was far from the novel I expected. I was I think misled by the cover which gives no ide of the darker narrative within. Flesh eating creatures, the ability to travel across time and place and much more.
I felt almost cheated of a mystery in a smart hotel and was led instead into a darker vampiric type tale

book with a differerence when you start reading you dont no what to expect read it and enjoyed it to a certain extent but dissapointed with ending but suppose ending was right for storyline

I was really intrigued until we got into Nora's family background, full of familiar abusive family tropes .. that are supposed to explain her hang ups .. I was intrigued until those elements were raised seeking to explain her eccentricities .. she is purported to be a psychoanalyst .. that wasn't credible .. but the narrative line until all that was engaging for sure ... in fact I couldn't finish but fine writing, and almost, almost there for me ..

DNF. This book simply didn't grip me the way I was hoping for. I usually love the author's style. The book wasn't for me. There were moments of intrigue here and there which fused out soon...

A strange and unusual story which was not really my cup of tea. Interesting mix of characters,set in Birmingham.