This is one of the best books I've read so far this year. I knew about Leland Stanford but not any thing about his wife Jane. Powerful women in 1905 were not well accepted by powerful men at that time. She was strong and not always likeable to those around her, but she didn't deserve to be poisoned. Even worse, the crime was covered up and really never been solved. The characters were well-developed and the plot fast-paced. I couldn't put it down. It was both an enjoyable and informative read.

Sara Ackerman’s The Guest in Room 120 is a duel timeline historical fiction novel, that is based on the suspicious death of a real person. It has three narrators, two in the early timeline, Ili’ahi Baldwin and Jane Stanford, and Zoe Finch in the more current timeline. To me, Ili’ahi is the most interesting and likable character, so it’s a little bit disappointing that her part of the story is told purely through journal entries. It takes a while into the book for the connections to click into place. Ili’ahi lives in Hawaii, and takes a job at a new hotel called Moana, which is where Jane ends up after it’s confirmed that she was poisoned back in the Bay Area.

Years later, Zoe ends up in the same hotel room that Jane stayed in when she comes to Hawaii for a writer’s conference to try and cure her writer’s block and in memory of the trip she never made with her friend Ginger, who she suspects was murdered.

In some regards I like Jane, because she feels like things are happening at Stanford that are in direct contradiction to the intent she and her husband founded it for, and she continues to fight for what she believes in against a group of men in 1905, after her husband’s death. But she’s also an entitled and demanding rich person who cares little for the wants and needs of most people around her.

Zoe I don’t dislike, but there’s nothing about her that connected with me on a deep level. She’s attending the conference under a pseudonym, and crosses paths with an author whose first book she wrote a critical review of. She doesn’t get around to telling him this, while they fall for each other, which is likely to blow up in her face. Until later in the book a lot of this timeline is just her and Dylan circling each other and Zoe participating in the conference. When spooky things start happening in her hotel room and she begins investigating it is when this storyline finally feels like it has some meat to it.

I also felt like this storyline left the reader hanging, because it starts with Zoe being motivated to go to Hawaii because of Ginger’s suspicious death, and yet something Ginger gives to Zoe that connects to the past storyline and if her death really was murder seem to fade into the background. I kept waiting for a clever hook that tied the item and the two deaths together and it doesn’t happen.

The murderer in the early time period was obvious to me from the very beginning, it was more a matter of if anyone in the story actually figured it out and justice was served that was the question. That felt kind of underwhelming to me, but I won’t give it away.

I really loved the setting of Hawaii, the incorporation of a native Hawaiian into the story and the discrimination they were likely to face as their islands were overrun by white people, and the unique historical events that Ackerman made the focal point of the story. It was good, but I felt like it had the potential to be even better than it was. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I want to thank Harper Collin’s and Sara Ackerman for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. I was already looking forward to reading a new book by Ms Ackerman but this book exceeded my expectation. The character development was beautiful and made me feel like I was right there with these three women during the span of all time periods. Each of them had such realistic backgrounds and personalities. They felt like friends to me and I didn’t want the book to end. The plot was executed in a fashion that I’m not sure anyone else could have pulled off. I now want to look and read more about Ms. Jane Stanford with everything brought to light in this book. I am so glad I was on this journey and was able to be taken elsewhere for a while. This book is by far my favorite read of this year and favorite of Ms.Ackerman.

The Guest in Room 120 raises !much suspicion as to what possibly could have happened to Jane back in the days when disappearance of women was not highly investigated. This book shines a wonderful light on the crime of poisoning especially by a likely suspect. Enjoyed the novel.

Sara Ackerman wrote a historical fiction with an eerie mystery vibe and I am so here for it!! I have loved every book I’ve read of hers and this was no different. Inspired by the mysterious death of Jane Stanford, this follows a dual timeline between 1905 and 2005. We get flashbacks to Jane’s story, journal entries from Ili, a hotel employee during the time of Jane’s story, and then the more current timeline following Zoe who’s an author attending a writers conference in Hawaii 100 years later. It ends up that Zoe stays in the room in which Jane Stanford died, and she starts experiencing strange dreams regarding this past, so there’s a touch of a paranormal aspect to this which was so fun. I love anything paranormal so it made me love the book even more. Zoe then decides to explore Jane Stanford’s unsolved death with the help of the journal entries, and it inspires her next novel.

This book came together so well for me. While the first 30% or so was a little slower start and lots of back and forth between timelines without much connecting right away, I knew eventually the connections would be made and when they were I was hooked! I loved how much depth there was to the characters, particularly how Ili and her journals played a role. Every character seemed to have their own troubles and afflictions they were dealing with in their lives and it was easy to connect with them emotionally.

One of my favorite things about Sara’s books are how they transport you to the setting. I always feel like I’m there in Hawaii when reading them. Not to mention for historical fiction novels, these are more like “feel-good” stories. When I want a story that will make me feel warm inside but I’m craving some history, Sara Ackerman books are a go-to!

If you want a mix of unique historical fiction, with a hint of mystery and a touch of romance, definitely add this to your TBR!

What an entertaining and informative book this was. Told from three different points of view that come together at the end, readers get to learn about the death of Jane Stanford--yes, of the university. This was complete news to me, and fascinating. But that isn't all readers get to learn about. We learn about what a writers' workshop is like, Hawaii at the turn of the 20th century, and on top of it all, we get a love story. This novel has a lot going on, but the author handles it all with care and professionalism, so it's a joy to read. In addition, it includes all the wonderful descriptions of Hawaii that readers have come to love from Sara Ackerman. Really, really fun book.

Wow! While reading this book, I was reflecting on how it is that when you're reading historical fiction, and know the outcome, a book can still be so engaging and keep you turning the pages wondering what happens next. This is just such a book. The author blends two timelines and three perspectives brilliantly. I found myself really caring for each of the main characters, even the not-so-likeable Jane Stanford. We get to see her pink little underbelly hidden under a life of station and privilege, and wish she could have had a better outcome. I give this book a rousing 5-stars, and will definitely suggest it to my book club.

The Guest in Room 120 is a richly layered historical mystery that masterfully intertwines past and present. Sarah Ackerman creates a compelling narrative set against the lush, yet sometimes shadowed, backdrop of the Moana Hotel in Honolulu. The characters—Jane Stanford and the resilient ‘Iliahi Baldwin in. 1905, and then Zoe Finch in 2005—are vividly drawn, each carrying their own secrets and hardships. The author expertly builds suspense as the stories gradually reveal long-buried truths about betrayal, loss, and hidden histories. I particularly enjoyed the atmospheric setting and the way the story delves into the mysterious death linked to the hotel’s past. While the pacing occasionally slows during the more introspective moments, it ultimately adds depth to the characters’ journeys. This novel is an engaging blend of historical intrigue and modern suspense, keeping readers eager to uncover what happened in Room 120 almost a century ago. Overall, a captivating read that offers both mystery and emotional resonance. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with a touch of ghostly allure!

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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.