Proper Molly Maid vibes. Loved this audio, fresh and canny. A really good concept. Lived the idea. Enjoyed the narrator and very be of the storytelling

This took me a minute to get into but kept me thoroughly entertained on a long drive this week. The characters were engaging and the plot developed well.. An enjoyable audiobook.

Enclosed hotel murder mystery related over dictaphone.

A first-person relating of the events leading up to and following a murder in a leafy hotel, told with careful revelation by a narrator who we aren't sure is reliable, and whose own history weaves into the tale.

Hector is 73, has been concierge at the Cavengreen for half a century, and was on duty during the wedding weekend that a guest (for much of the narrative kept undisclosed) is killed. We know from what he tells us that a court case is soon to come, and that Hector is preparing notes with a publisher friend for a book on the goings on over the four days all the staff and guests were held on site by the police. But we don't know, until Hector starts to reveal to us, exactly what happened.

And even then... is it the truth?

Hector reveals that he was a suspect, he takes us through the whereabouts and motives of everyone possibly involved, to allow 'his readers' to join in with the mystery of the case. And then he takes us along in his pocket to the trial.

I very much enjoyed this audiobook, with Hector actually narrating the book he was writing and the one I was listening to, he's not the typical storyteller with his eccentricities and unreserved personal details, his OCD tendencies and family revelations.

Kept the interest throughout, with a few twists that kept it from feeling obvious. Enjoyably different.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.

The story is told by Hector Harrow a 73yr old who is the concierge at Yorskhire’s finest 5 star hotel, the Cavengreen.

Hector tells the tail via voice notes to his stories ghost writer and friend, Helen. They are portraying the real life whodunnit of the Cavengreen.

Hector finds the body of a guest. The story is a little chaotic from here on. The Detective in charge of unearthing the murderer, DI Arjun Raj, appears to be possibly the most incompetent I have ever read or seen on screen. Lazily he accuses Hector of the murder and locks him in the shed and the rest of the hotel is placed on lockdown. This part of the story is totally shambolic.

The tale unfolds slowly and is somewhat repetitive. However, you do get to know Hector very well and he has something of a grandad like endearing charm about him. Most of the other characters were pretty wretchid, particularly DI Raj and worst of all American Dave, who it does feel was given the stereotypical loud mouth American role.

This is a relatively decent whodunnit, albeit a bit slow and annoying along the way. You are kept guessing a long the way as to who the murderer is and even when there is a confession, it was clear to me this was not the real murderer. There is a twist at the end that you are given no clues for before, so it does come a bit out of no where, at first I thought this was genius, but the more of I think of it, I am now unsure.

I am torn between giving this a 3 and 4 star, so will opt for 3.5/5 and round it up on my first instinct and cos I think I liked Hector enough to round up rather than down.

DNF. Unfortunately, the narrator for this one was rather off-putting and I couldn't get more than a few minutes in before wanting to turn it off. I also didn't particularly get on well with the style of writing, though it will definitely appeal to some people.

What a brilliant audiobook this was. An absolute joy to listen to. I really enjoyed the murder mystery set in a luxury hotel. What really stood out for me in this cozy mystery is Hector’s character. I grew so fond of him, I felt I could have listened to his story forever without getting bored. It’s a brilliant, emotive and humorous, propulsive plot, expertly narrated in an engaging manner. The ending is really clever and hugely satisfying. I feel sorry for the next audiobook I listen to, it’s going to have a lot to live up to. I am sad to leave the Concierge behind.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

‘He’ll do anything to improve your stay. Except keep your secrets’.

The Concierge by Abby Corson is a unique and intriguing debut novel.
Hector Harrow is the longtime concierge of The Cavengreen Hotel. When a grisly murder occurs, Hector is accused of being implicated and must solve the crime in order to clear his name. This is his account, dictated and transcribed with help from a friend. I really enjoyed the conversational nature of this book, it truly felt as though Hector was telling me his story, with asides and tangents and interruptions galore.
This cosy mystery is filled with a varied cast of characters (both loveable and decidedly not) and enough twists to keep the reader interested throughout. This book would appeal to fans of ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

The Audiobook was brilliantly narrated by Jonathan Keeble who really captured Hector’s spirit and made the story come to life. I would highly recommend this as an audio.

With thanks to WaveSound from W.F. Howes and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this extremely original book in exchange for an honest review

The narration was definitely unique and this aided my excitement and made me feel more immersed in the audiobook, I enjoyed it overall.

This is so good! I love the concept of the narration being transcribed and how that allows for the concierge to step outside of the narration, and the ending it so good!

This cracking cosy crime is a glorious debut penned by Abby Corson. Written in a unique style of being narrated into a dictaphone by the marvellous main character in the book, Henry Harrow, the Concierge of the fantastic five star Cavengreen Hotel set in Yorkshire. Henry is carrying out his normal everyday duties when he is asked to deliver some ice to a room one day. Upon arrival he lets himself into the room, standard practice when nobody answers the door. But upon entering he is greeted by the dreadful and horrifying sight of a dead body. A murder has occurred at Cavengreen Hotel! From the minute the police arrive to investigate this grisly going on - Henry feels he is a suspect and is certainly treated as one. He decides to record everything - all of his amateur sleuthing and his findings and how he feels aided by his friend Helen. This is a highly entertaining audiobook that is heartwarming, charming and you cannot help but route for Henry Harrow. Narrated by Jonathon Keeble who brings The Concierge to life! This is a delightful cosy mystery with a nod to Agatha Christie. I am looking forward to more adventures with this author. The audiobook is out on the 1st of February. Thanks to Netgalley and W F Howes for my copy.

Wildly entertaining, I was entranced with this listen from sentence one. I loved the characters, the setting, the style, the humour, the intrigue and the mystery.

And kudos to the narrator, who absolutely 'nailed it'