4 stars for the "Hitchcock Hotel" - I've personally had mixed results with author Wrobel, but I did like this one better than her previous which I barely finished. The premise of this one is strong - 6 college "friends" with baggage reunite at an Alfred Hitchcock themed, creepy hotel owned by one of them and one of them will be murdered, of course. I found all six to be rather unlikeable, but the callbacks here to "Psycho" and other old movies were a great hook - the hotel proprietor even gives off strong. Norman Bates vibes. It's a locked-room type mystery but I felt the twist was a little weak, still I liked the execution this one a lot - so recommend to mystery-thriller fans and those who enjoy old Hitchcock films. My sincere thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the complimentary DRC - my pleasure to review it.

"The Hitchcock Hotel" by Stephanie Wrobel had me completely hooked, earning a solid four stars from me.

First off, let's talk about Alfred Smettle's passion for all things Hitchcock. I mean, a whole hotel dedicated to the Master of Suspense? It's like a dream come true for fans like me! Wrobel's portrayal of Alfred's obsession and the homage to Hitchcock throughout the story had me nodding along in excitement. Plus, diving into Wrobel's writing for the first time was a real treat – she definitely knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The pacing of this book was perfect for me. I'm a sucker for horror and thrillers that keep me glued to the pages, and "The Hitchcock Hotel" delivered on that front. The creepy atmosphere was palpable, and I found myself eagerly devouring each chapter to uncover the next twist. Admittedly, not every character felt fully fleshed out, but it didn't detract too much from the overall enjoyment of the story.

And let me tell you, once I started reading, I couldn't put it down! This book was seriously binge-worthy, and the ending? It was so satisfying to see everything come together. Whether you're a die-hard Hitchcock fan or just love a good spooky tale, "The Hitchcock Hotel" is definitely worth checking out.

Six college friends reunite at the request of Alfred, the proud owner of a Hitchcock themed hotel. Alfred had a rough go of it after college, so everyone reluctantly attends to assuage their varying degrees of guilt. Some arrive while battling demons, some just want to get home to their kids, and nearly all of them are desperate to keep their secrets hidden. Alfred, meticulous host that he is, has plans for all of them. As we learn what really happened all those years ago to set Alfred down his dark path, everyone must decide what price they are willing to pay for the truth, and just how far they are willing to go to survive. The pacing was excellent and the plotting tight. Recommended for anyone who can't be spoiled on a Hitchcock film because they have seen them all.

I just reviewed The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel. #TheHitchcockHotel #NetGalley - What a good story - Being a Hitchcock fan myself, the story resonated Hitchcock throughout. Was quick reading, kept my interest and in the end - everyone got what they deserved.

As a Hitchcock fan myself, I had a lot of fun with the premise of this book - a man gathers his old college friends for a reunion taking placed at his themed hotel, and a murder mystery ensues. The atmospheric setting and references were my favourite part of the book!
However I felt the mystery itself wasn’t that memorable and it took halfway into the book for anything to actually happen; there’s also a flashback subplot to their college years where we know ‘something happened’ that keeps being alluded to. Overall a really enjoyable and bingeable read though, would especially recommend if you’re already a fan of hitchcock.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was incredibly disappointing. I was a huge fan of Stephanie Wrobel's previous two works. They were incredibly dark and gripping. This one was a step backwards in my opinion. This book is about a group of old college "friends" who reunite at a Hitchcock-themed hotel and "secrets" come to light. If this sounds incredibly generic, it is, and it was. This one offered nothing new in an already cluttered market of similar titles.

I did not connect with any of the characters. I don't believe these people were ever friends and the secret in the past was really uninteresting.

I'm beginning to suspect that Stephanie Wrobel's books just aren't for me. I didn't enjoy Darling Rose Gold at all, but I had to give this one a shot since it sounded a little more horror-y and therefore right up my alley. And … meh. This book has its interesting moments, but there's just something about her writing style that rubs me the wrong way. I'm not even sure that I can explain exactly what it is that I don't enjoy, honestly, but I think it has to do with how her narratives are overly melodramatic and there's a whole lot of thinking and talking but not a whole lot of doing since you find out about most of the action after the fact? I dunno. It's not a terrible read and I've certainly read worse, but I didn't exactly love it either.

But if we put aside my issues with Wrobel's writing, the premise for this book is outstanding. I've always loved the “old friends with dark secrets reunite for a disastrous weekend” trope, and when you add in a Hitchcock-themed hotel with a creepy proprietor? Yes, please! If Stephen King or Josh Malerman had written this book it probably would have scared the crap out of me in the best possible way, although they both write actual horror and not thrillers so maybe that's not a fair comparison.

There are really two main mysteries at play in The Hitchcock Hotel. What is Alfred's end game? And is one of his guests a killer? I mostly saw the answer to the first question coming but the build up to its reveal is fairly suspenseful – Alfred obviously has something nefarious planned but what? The answer to the second question took me completely by surprise, although it's perhaps lacking in the plausibility department. There are also several mini mysteries within the book (Who slashed the car tires? What happened to Dr. Scott? What happened to the phones?) that are solved along the way. Don't expect a particularly exciting climax to this book, however – the villain just kind of monologues it at the end. After you get over the surprise of who is doing the monologuing, there's not really much else there.

Oh, and the characters are mostly awful people. Alfred is probably the worst of the bunch, but his old friends aren't exactly saints. They're all hiding secrets and some of them are particularly heinous. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you need likeable characters this is probably not the book for you.

So, yeah. This one was just okay. It has a great premise and there's definitely some suspenseful parts, but the writing really put me off in places and the ending is lackluster. But if you're a fan of Wrobel's other books, don't let this review dissuade you from reading this one too – you'll probably enjoy it a lot more than I did.

My overall rating: 3.4 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. The expected publication date is September 24, 2024.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC of The Hitchcock Hotel in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

This was such a fun, spooky time. For fans of stories about frenemies going on a weekend trip together and hidden secrets, this is one you won’t want to miss. Be sure to watch all of your favourite Hitchcock movies before beginning this mystery.

This book was definitely a great 3 star read. It was very much a who did it type of story. Alfred runs Hitchcock theme hotel in his college town. He decides to invite his 5 former college friends who he has not seen in about 16 years. But every who done it need a body. When a body suddenly appears everyone history does as well. Can you guess who is innocent and who is guilty?

I love a good thriller, especially one where the ending is one I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the mystery behind the story and it was a well written novel. But there were things I didn’t enjoy as well. It seemed to include story lines completely unrelated to the core of the story and I found myself bored during those chapters. I always found myself disliking every single character. None of them had likable qualities and the friendships felt very forced. However, they may have been the authors intention. Enjoyable quick read overall.

I was drawn to this book by the title, and thought it was an interesting idea to combine Hitchcock into a current thriller. This was my first time reading Stephanie Wrobel’s work and I will definitely read more from her! All of the Hitchcock references made me want to go back and watch the movies. The setting and characters were interesting and detailed. The book felt a little long to me at the end, but the twist at the end made it worth it.

Thank you Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book early!

Meet Alfred Smettle. He is an INSANE Hitchcock fan! To honor his favorite director he has created The Hitchcock Hotel, a medium size boutique hotel dedicated to Hitch, complete with themed rooms, pictures and rare paraphernalia. Located near the school Alfred attended, he offers his college roommates a free weekend to reunite and catch up.

It's only been 16 years but the group has spread far and wide. Some were unsure if they wanted to attend. Others come for reasons they keep secret. There is one thing for certain, not everyone will leave alive!

Totally Unique! Fabulously constructed! A mystery that celebrates the construction of Alfred Hitchock movies through and through
Five Scary Starts!
#berkleypublishing #berkley #thehitchockhotel #stephaniewrobel

Alfred (natch) Smettle owns and operates the Hitchcock Hotel, a large Victorian manse in town in which he attended college. It’s completely dedicated to the director, with round the clock film screenings, props and memorabilia and even an aviary filled with crows.

It’s the Hotel’s first anniversary and to celebrate Alfred has invited his college roommates for a reunion. He hasn’t spoken to any of them in sixteen years, after an incident during their senior year.

And what’s a Hitchcock tale without a body.

I loved the concept of this book and the description of the hotel, but the rest seemed like a missed opportunity, as the mystery was a bit dull and unsatisfying. I wish there had been more to it. But I would love to stay in the Hotel, if it existed.

Thrilling and suspenseful. I always love some good Alfred Hitchcock and this was a good ode to Hitchcock. This is a first I've read by this author I look forward to reading more!

I love Alfred Hitchcock movies. I also love the “we were friends in college but haven’t seen each other in years (oh btw there’s a nasty secret involved)” thrillers. So I had to give this one a go. Pretty good story, solid twists, one that came out of left field. There were a lot of character jumps and I always have struggles with that. All in all; solid thriller

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC! This book will be out this September!

Thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie Wrobel & Berkley for a digital ARC of The Hitchcock Hotel in exchange for an honest review.

I’m going to be honest – I’ve not previously been a huge fan of this author, but I was too intrigued by the synopsis of The Hitchcock Hotel to pass on this one. I am so happy I didn’t pass because I actually loved this one!

Alfred Smettle is a diehard Hitchcock fan – like the REAL DEAL. He created, owns & manages The Hitchcock Hotel located remotely in the mountains (totally catching The Shining vibes). Alfred has Hitchcock movies playing 24/7 and has decked out the Victorian hotel in real movie memorabilia and other Hitchcock décor. He even has a creepy aviary with 50 crows. After not seeing his high school Film Club friends for 16 years, due to “what happened,” he invites them to the 1-year anniversary of the hotel. And let’s just say, not everything at the Hitchcock Hotel will be stages & props once they arrive!

I enjoyed the quick pacing. I love my horror/thrillers to move quickly. There were definitely all of the creepy vibes you want out of this genre. I didn’t love all of the characters. There was something lacking with the complete character development but it wasn’t enough to make it a problem. The plot & the twists were great.

This was a 4/5 Stars for me & a book I will gladly recommend. It’s a great “Spooky Season” book.

Alfred Smeetle owns the Hitchcock Hotel in Reville. After being open one year, he invites his five college roommates to come and stay for the weekend as his guests. They had all been members of a film club at school and Alfred was especially fond of Hitchcock movies and had bought much memorabilia and spread it around the building. The five friends were not very happy to be brought back together but had been encouraged to attend by Grace, the leader of the group. Something had happened in their fourth year that split the group apart, and Alfred had been expelled from college. Slowly we learn the history of their college years and why there is animosity between the former friends. Then a shocking death occurs.

There's really not too much about Hitchcock movies in this book. The only movie they watch is Rope. A lot of slow building tension in this book, but the solution is pretty good. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.

3 stars

It’s a pretty good book. I love everything Hitchcock so all the references were great! It was a bit predictable, but still made for an easy fun read.

A neurotic fan opens his own Alfred Hitchcock themed hotel after buying an old victorian house on a hill in the small town where he went to college. On the one year anniversary of opening, he invites his old college friends for a free weekend stay with dark intentions and even darker motives.

I was very conflicted about my rating. I enjoyed this. The story was good, and I flew through it, with each event being unpredictable. However, it felt like something was missing. The characters weren't exactly one-dimensional, but they were lacking complete depth. The backstory was there, but the connection was not. The setting itself was perfect, playing homage to all things Hitchcock. Overall, this was still well worth the read, and I give it three and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for this ARC.

I am 0 for 2 with this author and I think that is curtains for me, unfortunately…

I can see why this author would appeal to people. I can see the issue I have is a personal preference, and can objectively see why people enjoy Wrobel’s books. Will I write this author off forever? Maybe not… but for now, this will be the last I read.

There isn’t anything inherently BAD about the author and the writing, but it just isn’t for me. I love books with unlikable characters!! I love books where people do bad things… I didn’t love this one because there wasn’t anything at all redeemable (imo), giving me nothing to grasp onto.

I loved the Hitchcock references and the overall vibe to the book. The writing flows really well. I was definitely invested. But there is just SOMETHING, that didn’t work for me.