**4-Star Review of *A Body at the Grand Hotel* by Sophie Johnson**

*Sophie Johnson's* *A Body at the Grand Hotel* is a delightful mystery that combines intrigue, wit, and a touch of old-school charm. The premise of a successful mystery novelist turned amateur detective, Marius Quin, and his sharp-witted partner Lady Bella Montague, sets the stage for a gripping whodunit in the quaint coastal town of Torquay. The luxurious setting of the Grand Hotel adds a touch of glamour to the unfolding drama, though it quickly becomes clear that not everything is as idyllic as it first appears.

The story kicks off with the discovery of a body in the hotel pool, and from there, things spiral into a tense and complex mystery. The duo faces not only a series of contradictory clues but also an array of difficult characters, including a stubborn police sergeant and evasive witnesses, all contributing to a web of lies and secrets. The unraveling of the mystery is both frustrating and thrilling, with each new lead only raising more questions.

Marius and Bella’s chemistry is a highlight, with their complementary personalities providing much-needed levity amidst the tension. While Marius is the more cerebral and analytical of the two, Bella's quick thinking and resourcefulness make her an invaluable asset. Their interactions are engaging, and their partnership feels genuine and well-developed.

The pacing is strong throughout, with suspense building steadily, though at times, the abundance of red herrings and conflicting evidence can feel overwhelming. The resolution, while satisfying, might leave some readers longing for a bit more clarity regarding certain twists.

Overall, *A Body at the Grand Hotel* is a solid, enjoyable mystery that will appeal to fans of classic detective fiction. Its engaging characters, atmospheric setting, and intriguing plot make it a worthwhile read, even if the occasional convoluted twist might test the patience of some. If you're in the mood for a clever, entertaining mystery, this one is certainly worth your time.

This was a very well-written and thought-out mystery. The characters were a joy to read and the story kept me guessing till the end. I look forward to reading more from this author. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

This series just keeps getting better and better.

Another gem of a book in the Marius Quin series, with a mystery that is both smart and original as well as delightful and an enjoyable ride.

I can’t say enough good things about Brown’s ability to render setting and sense of place. It’s one of the best if not the best thing about this series, and here we get a vivid portrait of the delightful Grand Hotel.

The sense of humor in these books is also tremendously good, at times laugh out loud funny and at others delightfully twee and clever. I can’t get enough of Percy, Marius’ delightful basset hound.

The author’s note at the end was such a gift. Every time I read a book in this series, I find myself in a wonderfully bizarre state of mind where I both don’t want the book to end and also can’t wait for it to end so that I can get to Brown’s always excellent comments and research

Book Review: A Body at the Grand Hotel by Benedict Brown

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I just finished A Body at the Grand Hotel, and I can't help but share my thoughts on this delightful cozy mystery! Right from the start, I was drawn into the intriguing world of Marius Quin, a mystery novelist turned private detective. When he receives an invitation from the enigmatic Mrs. Thistlethwaite to speak at a gala dinner in Torquay, I could feel his excitement for a weekend getaway on the stunning English Riviera—who wouldn’t want that?

Marius arrives at the Grand Hotel with his charming partner, Lady Bella Montague, but soon realizes that not everything is as glamorous as it seems. Mrs. Thistlethwaite quickly turns Marius's evening into a disaster, which left me scratching my head about her true motives for inviting him. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, Marius stumbles upon a body in the swimming pool—yes, you read that right! The victim is none other than the irritable host herself.

What follows is a whirlwind of mystery as Marius and Bella navigate a series of red herrings and uncooperative witnesses. The duo faces a skeptical police sergeant and what feels like a conspiracy brewing in their midst. The way the clues come together—or fall apart—kept me turning pages faster than I anticipated. The writing is sharp and witty, reminiscent of classic whodunits, and the settings are so vividly described that I felt like I was strolling through the opulent hotel alongside them.

What I really love about this series is how entertaining it is overall. The plot is well-crafted and intelligent, with twists that kept me guessing until the end. The characters are wonderfully developed, making me genuinely care about them. Plus, the historical backdrop adds an extra layer of charm that fans of Agatha Christie and similar authors will absolutely adore.

I’m already looking forward to the next installment! If you're in the mood for a cozy mystery that combines great writing, fabulous settings, and clever characterization, then A Body at the Grand Hotel should be on your reading list. Don’t miss out on this delightful adventure!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

A Body at the Grand Hotel is book four in the Marius Quin series, and this time around, Marius is invited to give a talk at the Torquay Mystery and Detection Society, which does not go as planned. When he discovers a body in the hotel's swimming pool, and it happens to be a person who was hated by many, he and Bella must solve the case.

This series is wonderful, and I enjoyed
this book very much. As always, things are not as they seem. The writing is witty and fun, and I'm looking forward to the
next installment!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Love the banter between Marius and Bella. It works well and relatable. Enjoy the era and can see the influences of Gatsby throughout. The twists were fun, but not entirely unexpected. Less that 48 hours murder mystery resolution is a bit silly. Overall enjoyed to the storyline.

How do you write a toxic fan narrative set in the 1920's? In this case you have what seems to be a mystery and detection fanclub invite authors and detectives down, only to then belittle them about how unrealistic their books are, or how bumbling their casework is. This is the fourth book in the Marius Quin detective series, and Quin in this case is a writer who moonlights and then becomes a detective, writing up his casework. Its a bit of a clunky fit, and whilst it makes a vague degree of sense that his co-conspirator, detective sidekick, unrequited love interest Lady Bella Montague has come with him to Torquay to be celebrated then roasted, the presence of their police inside man is less convincing (he might be their mate but on this showing they only discover his name which is more than a bit rude). Nevertheless, this is light sub-Christie stuff played with an eye for the occasional joke, though the audience is firmly cosy period mystery which it delivers. Even if its "locked swimming pool" mystery does evaporate pretty quickly, its always nice to see the toxic fan get offed.

Mystery novelist and budding detective Marius Quin, along with his sleuthing partner Lady Bella Montague, accepts an invitation to go to Torquay’s Grand Hotel for a weekend with the Mystery and Detection Society, only to find themselves drawn into a chilling case. Their investigation is thwarted by conflicting evidence, uncooperative witnesses, and a hostile police sergeant. To unravel the truth behind the murder, Marius and Bella must rely on their wits and determination to expose a dangerous conspiracy.

This was my first time reading this author and series, and I was delighted by it! Marius is a fun character. I enjoyed watching him navigate his own personal situation and the tangled mystery he is presented with. He and the supporting cast made the entire book a fun one. Even coming into the series on book four, there was enough context that I wasn’t left feeling confused or out of the loop, as it were.

Overall, it was a well-written and enjoyable read. I would recommend it to readers looking for a cozy, historical mystery series.

England, 1920s: Marius Quin has been invited to speak to the Mystery and Detection Society. He’s both a writer and a private detective and is looking forward to a short holiday on the coast. Naturally, he’s there with several family and friends, including Lady Bella Montague, his partner in crime (but not romance, although it feels like Marius would like it if she was?). Soon after they arrive, they realize that it’s a bit of a set up: he’s invited to speak in front of a hostile crowd, one that wants to prove him wrong, that his stories wouldn’t work in the real world. When the head of the Society is found dead, Marius gets a chance to prove to the Society that even if his skills as an author might be lacking, his PI skills aren’t.

I enjoyed this book. I like historical mysteries in general, and this one was entertaining. When I picked it up, I didn’t realize that it was part of a series; I think this book works as a standalone but would be richer if the previous books had been read. And the ending left me looking forward to the next book in the series.

Recommended. I received a copy of this from netGalley.com that I voluntarily reviewed.

Truthfully this book was boring for me and I ended up DNFing, I will try again next year and maybe I can’t get out of the slump of reading this one

Marius has been invited by a Torquay book society to give an address to its members. He is looking forward to the event and makes a family trip of it along with Lady Isabella, who is part time detective with Marius.

At Torquay when the address finished, and when the audience questions started, Marius realises that the members are hostile and antagonistic and not like any book loving public he has met before. Openly critical of the methods used in his detective novels, they seem to want to humiliate him as much as possible. Marius begins to wonder why he was invited in the first place.

The patron Mrs Thistlewaite seems to control the entire society, which includes the hotel manager and even the local constable. When her body is discovered seemingly drowned, Marius and Isabella starts their enquiry along with their Inspector friend to search for the truth, because there are secrets galore and half truths abound. There are many suspects and many who are evasive and some who are downright crooked.

The setting of Torquay is picturesque and Marius himself is clever as a detective along with Isabella but hopeless as a wannabe partner! You really want him to have a bit of spunk and not be so gentlemanly but this was a very orthodox England.

Marius and company head to the Grand Hotel in Torquay in his fourth cozy mystery. An excellent tie-in with the Lord Edgington series, and even a guess appearance from several characters! Fast, fun, and fabulous - Benedict Brown's A Body at the Grand Hotel was a delight to read and listen to - 5 stars!!!

***p.s. - What a cliffhanger!!!***

Mr Brown has spun a tale worthy of a weekend retreat at the seashore. I love the depth of friendship that is between Marius and Bella, how he is the perfect gentleman at all times, respecting her choice of fiance, even if he doesn't agree.

I loved that this story was set in Dame Agatha's old stomping grounds and the elegance of Torquay and its surrounds as described sound absolutely marvelous, making me want to travel there for a visit some day.

The layers keep piling up, much like a petit-four and are obscured, much like a scone covered in cream and jam.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

Marius Quinn, a very successful mystery writer and part time detective, is invited to give a speech at the Grand Hotel in Torquay. All he has to do is to give a speech to the Mystery and Detection Society and answer a few questions. The Mystery and Detection Society is a very enthusiastic group run my Mrs. Angelica Thistlewaite and they are eager to hear Marius give his speech, however things don’t turn out the way Marius or Mrs. Thistlewaite thought they would. After the group tries to destroy Marius’ skills as a mystery writer and detective, Mrs. Thistlewaite turns up dead at the hotels’ swimming pool and all goes left after that. With the help of his friend Lady Bella and Inspector Lovebrook, Marius sets out to find who amongst all the people that hated Mrs. A Thistlewaite would be capable of killing her. There are several suspects but only one was capable of murdering Mrs. Thistlewaite.

The book starts with Marius Quinn, renowned author, being invited to be an honorary member of the Torquay Mystery and Detection Agency (TMDA) and to attend a gala in his honour. This invite drags him away from pondering his father’s mysterious disappearance and, against his better judgment he invites his family, who he describes as his ‘favourite loons and meddlers’. Thereby setting the scene for an amusing and engaging series of events and propelling Marius into another challenging murder mystery.

Marius’s family and close friends are an eclectic mix of characters and provide a comic counterpoint to the main story. The storyline is strong and engaging from the start. There are some nice twists and some lovely elements of humour. The story ends with a tantalising glimpse of Marius’s next murder mystery and I am really looking forward to the next instalment in this series.

I also particularly like that at the end of the book there are some interesting sections explaining the context, historical research and definitions of some of the more unusual words and references.

I wanted so much to really like this book. But it was so slow without much of a plot. Thanks to #NetGalley and #ABodyAtTheGrandHotel for advanced copy.

Mystery in Torquay,,
A grand hotel on the English riviera, a gala dinner and a very dead body. Mystery novelist turned sleuth Marius Quin along with partner Bella arrive at the Grand Hotel, Torquay in fine form - Marius is to give a speech at the opening of the gala dinner - but they soon realise that not everything is as it seems. When the host is discovered dead in the hotel pool, the duo commence their own investigation. A cosy historical mystery, much in traditional vein, with a host of eclectic and eccentric characters and a pacy plot. Most enjoyable.

This author is an ace with historical mysteries and this one is part of the newest series.

Author of mysteries and detective on the side, Marius Quinn finds himself in the middle of a murder while visiting the Grand Hotel to give a speech.

With Bella they try to solve what is going on, but every turn puts them at another clue and all seems rather wrapped up!!'

If you love mysteries, start at the beginning and don't miss even one in this series

Another great instalment (number 4) in this cosy mystery series. The story is set in this instance in the picturesque seaside town of Torquay. All the usual character's appear as Marius's whole family Inspector Lovegood and Lady Isabelle of course join him in Torquay where he is to give a talk. As is usually the case nothing is quite as it appears making for an intricate mystery with unexpected twists and lots of red herrings. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Marius Quinn's fourth adventure takes place on the English Riviera, Torquay. A guest of a mystery society, he is to spend the weekend at a top hotel, accompanied by his sleuthing partner Bella and his family. He finds that it is different from what he expected. His encounter with the mystery society is perturbing, as is his discovery in the hotel swimming pool. The complex investigation that follows is captivating and full of clues, suspects and twists that keep you reading. Complex characters and believable dynamics make this engaging. The mystery is twisty, and the final reveal is a cliffhanger that makes reading the next book a certainty for me. I also listened to the audiobook format of this story, and it works well. The narrator is excellent at bringing each character to life through Marius' viewpoint.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher but also purchased an audio copy.