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A haunting dual-timeline mystery that lingers long after the last page.

The Guest in Room 120 is the perfect blend of historical intrigue, modern suspense, and eerie atmosphere. Anchored in the real-life mystery of Jane Stanford’s death, this novel is immersive, chilling, and unexpectedly emotional.

From the lush setting of early 1900s Honolulu to the present-day halls of the Moana hotel, the story moves between timelines with elegance and intensity. Jane Stanford is a force of nature, ‘Iliahi is quietly heroic, and Zoe’s unraveling connection to the past gives the entire novel a haunting resonance. The pacing is tight, the characters are beautifully drawn, and the sense of place—both in time and location—is stunning.

If you love historical fiction with a paranormal edge, layered female perspectives, and a true crime twist that still echoes today, this is absolutely a must-read.

Like all of Sara Ackerman’d books, you are immediately transported to lush tropical Hawaii. This story differs because it’s told through 3 interwoven storylines rather than her normal 2. Each characters perspective is vital to bringing this story of murder, romance and friendship to life.

I loved learning about Gilded Age Hawaii through the chapters told from ‘Ili’s perspective and the culture that the US Government tried so hard to suppress.

Zoe’s chapters felt relatable as she is an almost 30 year old just trying to find her place in the world while also being handed a tragic mystery to solve and share with her readers.

Jane Stanfords chapters were fascinating while also sad as you go into the book knowing her fate. Until this story I knew nothing about the founding family of Stanford University. After finishing this book I want to learn even more.

I highly recommend this book for lovers of mysteries, HBOs The Gilded Age and anyone looking for a tropical escape!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

One of my fav authors has written a splendid dual timeline histfic mystery based on the unsolved death of Stanford University co-founder Jane Stanford. I could not put this one down and you won't be able to either. Brava, Sara!

Absolutely amazing. Easiest 5 stars given to a fantastic book! Excited to read more by this author! Will be sharing with my Facebook group.

Elegant, charming, and immersive, THE GUEST IN ROOM 120 is another winning novel from Sara Ackerman. The author really does a wonderful job of weaving an entertaining story while making sure the reader feels present in each scene. She includes just the right amount of sensory details. My one minor complaint is that the pacing drags a tiny bit. The story could have been tighter/shorter. But the dual timeline works well and the mystery is interesting with some unexpected twists. This historical fiction/mystery mash-up should appeal to a wide variety of readers.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

One of my very favorite authors has done it again! Her books feel so immersive, while also being such easy, enjoyable reading! As a wannabe island girl, this makes me miss my “home” so much, as she’s always able to do. She brings Hawaii to life so beautifully. I had no idea about the mysterious death of Jane Stanford, what a story! I often find myself drawn to one timeline more than the other, but I enjoyed both of these so much!
Sara is such a great author who is always answering my messages and participating in conversations about her books and indulging my silly IG messages while I read. (At the mention of Poland Springs water I just had to tell her I enjoyed that as a Mainer 😂).

Part historical fiction, part modern mystery, The Guest in Room 120 is an atmospheric dual-timeline novel inspired by the real-life death of Jane Stanford. The story transports readers between 1905 and 2005, centered around the luxurious Moana Hotel in Honolulu.

In 1905, Jane Stanford, co-founder of Stanford University, flees San Francisco for Hawaii after a suspicious incident. At the Moana, she forms an unexpected bond with ‘Iliahi Baldwin, a young Hawaiian hotel worker still grieving a recent loss. When tragedy strikes again, ‘Ili is left with dangerous secrets and a heavy burden.

A century later, bestselling author Zoe Finch checks into the same hotel, hoping to escape her writer’s block. Under an alias and amid a brewing storm, she begins experiencing vivid nightmares that connect her to Jane’s long-buried mystery. With the help of fellow writer Dylan Winters, Zoe dives into the past, determined to uncover what really happened in Room 120.

Sara Ackerman beautifully blends historical detail with a compelling modern narrative. The pacing builds slowly but pays off with suspense, emotion, and a satisfying unraveling of secrets. Though some twists were predictable, the rich setting and powerful female voices kept me engaged throughout. A solid, haunting read perfect for fans of dual-timeline historical mysteries.