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.

Thank you NetGalley for approving me on this title. A very good book that is well worth a read. Highly recommend

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.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley.
This book didn't seem to know what it was. Horror? Fantasy? Historical fiction? Thriller? Mystery? It had elements of all, but none strong enough to be enjoyable, it was just utterly bizarre.
There is also some harmful representation of therapy & therapists, and a sapphic not-quite relationship, that was so surface level it reads like the author included it as a tokenistic gesture to include a queer theme.

I wanted to read this because I really enjoyed the psychology of time travel and I was hoping this book was going to have the same vibes!
It was definitely different to the psychology of time travel BUT I enjoyed it it equally!!
The story was really interesting, the setting was one of my favourites (a spooky, old hotel) and the characters were good. There were a few moments where I’m not going to lie, I was a bit confused but in the end everything made good sense and overall I really enjoyed this book!!

Desperate to please her ex, in the hope of rekindling their relationship, Nora trails his opera singing wife to a hotel in Birmingham. With local tales of hauntings being told, Nora is visited in the night by a monster that only she can see. Then a huge snow storm traps the guests inside the hotel, a guest disappears and other strange events occur.

Set in 1929, Hokey Pokey starts off as a creepy mystery, with Nora’s talent for mimicry being the strangest part. Her back story, especially her relationship with Leo contributes to the strangeness, but nothing prepares for the ending. I didn’t realise it was a supernatural thriller and so the whole hyring storyline was an unexpected twist which I didn’t enjoy.

Fat too gory and unbelievable for me, sorry.

"Hokey Pokey" by Kate Mascarenhas is an enthralling journey into the glamorous yet deceptive world of the Regent Hotel in Birmingham, February 1929. The novel weaves a captivating tale of murder, madness, and the intricacies of the human mind.

Mascarenhas skillfully paints the Regent Hotel as a luxurious backdrop where guests indulge in absinthe cocktails on plush banquettes, and the red-jacketed staff ensure impeccable service in its lavish corridors. The atmosphere of deception and glamour is set against the tumultuous backdrop of a snowstorm that isolates the hotel and its guests from the outside world.

The protagonist, Nora Dickinson, a psychoanalyst checking in under a pseudonym, brings a layer of mystery to the narrative. Young, diligent, and ambitious, Nora's hidden agenda adds depth to the storyline. Her pursuit of the famous opera singer, Berenice Oxbow, unfolds against the backdrop of the snowstorm, blurring the lines between nightmare and reality.

Mascarenhas's writing effortlessly transports readers to a bygone era, immersing them in the opulence of the Regent Hotel and the intrigue surrounding its guests. The novel's exploration of the darkest recesses of the mind adds a psychological dimension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

In "Hokey Pokey," Kate Mascarenhas delivers a thrilling and glamorous ride, expertly blending elements of mystery, deception, and psychological suspense. The result is a compelling narrative that captures the imagination and leaves readers eagerly turning the pages to uncover the secrets hidden within the Regent Hotel's six-storeyed façade.

As many others have noted, this book’s cover and blurb present it as a Golden Age mystery, with Christie-esque characters gathered in an isolated hotel setting, and the opening chapters of the book seem to bear that out, but it is actually a far more surprising and unusual read than it first appears.

The reader quickly finds themselves facing legendary monsters, childhood trauma and possible mental illness, obsession and identity issues. It is a lot to process, especially through the narrative perspective of the traumatised and disturbed main character, who quickly loses herself in the darkness of her past and the claustrophobic confusion of current events.

I found the hyring mythology absolutely fascinating and utterly convincing – gory and haunting, like all of the best old-fashioned fairytales – and the book made for a good fantasy read on the strength of that world-building and Nora’s personal history with it. The mystery aspect of the plot is slightly less important and soon lost among the dark exploration of mental illness, individual identity issues and the dangers of basing how we think of ourselves on others’ perceptions.

A disturbing, enjoyable read, that took completely unexpected turns and left lingering traces in my psyche long afterwards.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.