Well-heeled travelers from around the world flock to the Mena House Hotel—an exotic gem in the heart of Cairo where cocktails flow, adventure dispels the aftershocks of World War I, and deadly dangers wait in the shadows . . . Egypt, 1926.Fiercely independent American Jane Wunderly has made up her mind: she won’t be swept off her feet on a trip abroad. Despite her Aunt Millie’s best efforts, the … Aunt Millie’s best efforts, the young widow would rather gaze at the Great Pyramids of Giza than into the eyes of a dashing stranger. Yet Jane’s plans to remain cool and indifferent become ancient history in the company of Mr. Redvers, a roguish banker she can’t quite figure out . . .
While the Mena House has its share of charming guests, Anna Stainton isn’t one of them. The beautiful socialite makes it clear that she won’t share the spotlight with anyone—especially Jane. But Jane soon becomes the center of attention when she’s the one standing over her unintentional rival’s dead body. Now, with her innocence at stake in a foreign country, Jane must excavate an elusive killer before her future falls to ruin in Cairo, and the body count rises like the desert heat . . .
“Stunning revelations, romance, adventure, and intrigue abound in this multilayered, delightfully entertaining whodunit. Neubauer’s debut dazzles, with a smart plot, remarkable scenery, and skilled execution.”
—Library Journal (Starred Review)
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I absolutely loved this book!. it reminds me a bit of Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series. The book is very well written, great characters, etc. I only hope Ms Neubauer writes more.
I suppose I just have to come to terms with the fact that although I like the idea of the cosy mysteries, most cosy mysteries are not written for me.
Take this one. It is a nice read. I did read the entire book, and it was a pleasant experience. It reads very easy, it kept me good company.
I chose it because of the unusual setting, 1920s Cairo and I have to admit the author did her best to give us a glimpse of the city at the time. Though I have to say that what characterised the town felt a bit pressed onto the story. For example, there’s a chapter about an excursion at the pyramids. Though I did enjoy reading it because it gave me an impression of what the pyramids looked like almost a century ago, I don’t see what it did for the story, since there wasn’t advancement neither in the romance nor in the mystery.
My problem with cosy mysteries, I’m coming to realise, at least most of the historically set that I’ve read recently, is that they are basically romances with an attempt at some mystery.
This was the same. The romance was really the main plot of the story, and though I can hardly judge since I’m not a romance reader, it seemed a bit confused to me. I did like the two characters, they are both nice and sympathetic, there’s good chemistry between them, but it seems like the author created unlikely complications for their relationship. I mean, even I know that romances need complications, but I think that if they had been a bit more substantial, I might have sympathised with the romance a little more.
The mystery was a total mess. It was totally unlikely. There was no reason why Jane and Redverse should start investigating the murder, and the investigation was chancy at best, based on non-existent clues and deduction. I dragged in the middle, as the romance took centre stage, and the end was illogical and felt a lot like an afterthought.
But again, this is probably more my problem than the story, since I took up this cosy mystery thinking it was a ‘mystery’.
It is a nicely-written story, with spank and an intriguing cast of characters. It’s probably a good one for romance readers, but mystery readers may end up finding it not really what they expected.
Too romantic
Would like more from this author.
A great beginning to what promises to be a wonderful new series. No one is precisely who they seem to be in this delightful mystery set in Egypt in the 1920s. The unusual setting adds an atmospheric touch to what is already a solid story. I loved it.
Just enough murder, just enough romance, and just enough of ancient Egypt at the height of acheological discoveries in the roaring twenties. This book offers a peak at it all without going into depth on any one subject. It is well balanced between the characters, the mystery, and the atmosphere.
This is the first book in the proposed Jane Wunderley series and here’s hoping there are more to follow. It is engaging from the first sentence and does an excellent job of giving the reader enough information to become acquainted with the characters without bogging them down with so much history as to slow the pace of the book.
Jane is a delightful somewhat complex character who hints at a tragic history without giving it all away in the first chapter. She is joined in this book by her irascible Aunt Millie, a tart tongued woman who is paying Jane to be her companion on this trip and by Redvers, the inevitable “handsome stranger who manages to be captivating and entertaining none-the-less. If the series continues, one can only hope we will see and learn more about these three.
In this novel, Jane meets the very epitome of the old fashioned British Colonel, Colonel Stainton, his daughter, the ravishing Anna Stainton and several other characters often found in cozy mystery novels. To her credit, Erica Ruth Neubauer, author, writes them with such good prose and freshness that they feel unique and entertaining.
The conclusion of the book was not a surprise to me, nor were the several reveals throughout the book. I suspect that will be the case for most experienced cozy readers. That in no way spoiled the enjoyment of the book. It is an excellent way to escape to another era, another continent, and engage in a little armchair sleuthing just for the fun of it. Easy to read, it would make great entertainment for a rainy day or a vacation read. I hope there is a second in the series and look forward to the opportunity to read it. My thanks to Kensington Books Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer is the debut of A Jane Wunderly Mystery series. This historical cozy mystery takes us back in time to 1926 (the Roaring Twenties) where prohibition is in full swing in the United States, dress lengths are shorter than ever, and women are bobbing their hair. Jane Wunderly is traveling with her Aunt Millie to Egypt where Jane cannot wait to visit the pyramids. They are staying at Mena House which has a golf course and a pool along with a variety of intriguing guests. Aunt Millie is quick to send an eligible bachelor in Jane’s direction the first evening (much to Jane’s annoyance). Jane was widowed at age twenty-two when her husband died in the Great War. She is not interested in finding a new husband after her experience with the first one. Jane must admit, though, that Mr. Redvers is enigmatic and dashing. Alcohol flows freely in Egypt much to Aunt Millie’s delight. Anna Stainton, a female guest, takes a dislike to Jane and is quick to cause discord between them. When Anna is found shot in her room, Jane becomes Inspector Hamadi’s top suspect. Jane sets out to prove her innocence and gets assistance from Redvers. There are a variety of suspects in Anna’s death. Jane follows each lead searching for the guilty party. It depends on your sleuthing level whether you find this mystery a cinch or perplexing. I liked that there was more than one mystery to solve. I was unable to get into Murder at the Mena House. I believe part of the problem was the first-person narrative. Jane’s descriptions of her facial expressions were awkward, and I was unsure why she would describe her own expressions in the first place. The author is a detail-oriented writer which does allow a reader to visualize the character and scenes, but it also slows down the pace of the story. I did enjoy the descriptions of the clothing and Egyptian sites. I thought the author captured the time period especially with the attitudes and manners (an example is “I should have had security tackle her on the way out, but it seemed improper.”) I wanted the book to have more action and a peppier pace. I did like Jane Wunderly with her natural curiosity, the mysterious Redvers and the gregarious Aunt Millie. Who knows where their adventures will take them next time! Murder at the Mena House has murder, mystery and mayhem in Egypt.
I know I have read a five star book when, as I finish the last sentence, I am eager for the next book. That’s how much I enjoyed Murder at the Mena House. It got my attention from the title and the setting, 1926 in Cairo, Egypt. The first page sucked me in and never let go.
Jane Wunderly is an American abroad, traveling with her Aunt Millie. While dear Aunt Millie continues her hunt for a suitable man to put another wedding band on widow Jane’s ring finger, Jane is having none of it. As a young war widow (with secrets of her own about her husband) Jane just wants to enjoy the pyramids and watch camels and such. Not fend off strange men her aunt sends her way. Well, that may be Jane’s intention but things don’t go her way. Day one and Jane is parched and enjoying her Gin Rickey at the bar, her mind having a pleasant wander as she checks out her surroundings. Breaking into her musings is a man’s voice calling her name. Oh dear, Aunt Millie has struck again and pointed her out to a man. A very handsome and mysterious man who only gives his name as Redvers, just Redvers. Jane may have sworn off men and embraced her widowhood but she might have to rethink that soon. Redvers is a knockout and he attracts the attention of another hotel guest who wants him for her own and sees Jane as her competition. She hates Jane from the get go. When a killer strikes, Jane becomes the prime suspect. She is found standing over the woman’s corpse and Jane’s missing scarab is found in the woman’s room.
This mystery has a bit of everything I enjoy – a well crafted puzzle, an interesting and colorful cast of suspects, a strong female character, a lush foreign setting, a period setting and a touch of romance. The writing style flows smoothly and I was sorry to reach the conclusion and have to bid adieu to Jane and company until I can join her in her next mystery.
What a refreshing surprise to be back on the Nile in this confident and accomplished debut. Neubauer pays proper homage to the Golden Age, but her crisp style and witty heroine ensure that Murder at the Mena House zips along in a thoroughly modern manner. I hope plucky Jane Wunderly has a long sleuthing future ahead; I, for one, am already looking forward to her next adventure.
An exotic trip back in time to 1920s Egypt, with a cast of winning characters right out of the Golden Age of crime fiction. Murder at the Mena House is a charming adventure cum murder mystery set in a luxury hotel at the foot of the great pyramids. Gigolos, card sharps, smugglers, rich aunts, and one achingly handsome romantic interest surround our plucky, irresistible, complex heroine, the young widow Mrs. Jane Wunderly. An auspicious start to what promises to be an exciting and compelling series.
Murder at the Mena House is impossible to put down. A pitch-perfect mystery, with an exotic locale, and an unforgettable main character I hope to encounter again in future books. Erica Neubauer has created one of the most impressive debut novels I’ve read.
Jane Wunderfly, a war widow, is accompanying her aunt Millie on a trip to Egypt in 1926. She has always dreamed to seeing the Great Pyramids, so this trip is a dream come true. The only hiccup might be her aunt’s not so subtle attempts at matchmaking. That is, until she has some run ins with Anna Stainton, a beautiful socialite who has decided Jane is a rival. When Jane finds Anna’s dead body, the local police think Jane has a good motive for murder. Reluctantly teaming up with the mysterious Mr. Redvers, Jane begins to hunt for the real killer. Can she figure out what happened?
This book is fun, and it captured me from the first couple of sentences. Jane, Redvers, and the rest are a delight to spend time around. I definitely laughed at some of Jane and Redvers’s scenes together. Yet the characters do have layers, and I enjoyed seeing those emerge as the book progressed. I was having so much fun, it took me a while to see the plot was a little weak. While there are clues and twists, it felt like we could have used a few more of them. Still, the writing kept the pages turning, and the climax was suspenseful. I enjoyed this debut, and I’m very curious to find out where Jane goes next.
MURDER AT THE MENA HOUSE by Erica Ruth Neubauer
The First Jane Wunderly Mystery
In 1926 Cairo Jane Wunderly is looking forward to the prospect of visiting the pyramids and enjoying a cocktail or two with her aunt. But her aunt is acting oddly, drinking even more than usual and spending time with two young women, leaving her niece to fend for herself. With a hotel full of guests, Jane is not alone for long. Although she has no time for good looking men, a disastrous marriage cured her of any romantic notions, Jane can’t help but be intrigued by the enigmatic Brit, Redvers. The brash young socialite Anna Stainton does have eyes for him though, as well as all of the other handsome fellows in the vicinity, and takes an instant dislike to Jane, causing more than one scene. Thus when Anna is murdered, police immediately see Jane as the prime suspect. With other hotel guests acting suspiciously, and in order to save her own neck, Jane is determined to discover the truth, wherever it leads!
I knew from the first sentence that I’d love this book, and love it I do! Jane is charming and someone I’d like to call a friend. A nightmare of a marriage has left residual effects, but has not dampened her spirit or outlook on life. Redvers is a perfect mysterious man, charming, but possibly dangerous. Is he too good to be true? Several subplots gave me plenty of suspicions about what was going on, most of which were proved wrong, thereby creating a complex and intriguing mystery.
MURDER AT THE MENA HOUSE is imbued with plenty of charm, a dash of romance, and historical detail set in an exotic local. Along with a cerebral puzzle, there are plenty of laughs as well as a pulse pounding, adrenaline fueled climax!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
A new historical cozy series, “A Jane Wunderly Mystery,” published by Kensington Books from Erica Ruth Neubauer, Murder At The Mena House, will have readers begging for more, falling in love with traveling through the past, and Egypt.
I love Egypt and anything to do with Egypt. A historical cozy series set in this beautiful country makes me happy. Placing this mystery within view of the pyramids and visiting the Cairo museum makes this book very special. Add in wonderful storytelling and you have the makings of a hit series readers will crave for years to come.
The characters in this new historical cozy series are very memorable. Jane is someone most modern women can empathize with, while older women recognize the insecurities and cruelties from their own life or that of their mothers. This story is set in a time when women were still considered possessions when they were treated as stupid, incapable of understanding anything more than cooking, cleaning, raising children, and doing what men told them to do. I like aunt, Millie, and understand why she is always acting tough; it isn’t an act, she has to be hard on those she loves. Redvers is a character that make’s the reader’s heart flutter and long for the days of foreign travel and romantic adventures.
The victim(s) in Murder At The Mena House are not surprising; may even have deserved to be murdered. A young woman who is selfish and obviously conceited may not deserve to be killed, or so you might think, but there are secrets to be revealed. Not everyone is who they seem to be, even when they are dead. When the killer is revealed, readers may be more than a bit surprised. Suspects are plentiful, the action subtle but towards the end more upfront. The description of the location, namely Mena House and the surrounding famous sites, make this historical cozy worth the read. Readers will get a real sense of being back in the ’20s in Egypt.
Readers of historical cozy books will enjoy this new series, and I am thrilled to have read it and happy to recommend it to all readers. Ms. Neubauer brings the characters and the era to life. This book is an adventure into the past and a land that even today holds its mysteries close.
It’s 1926, and American Jane Wunderly is vacationing with her aunt at Mena House, a luxurious Egyptian hotel overlooking the pyramids. When Anna Stainton, a hotel guest who dislikes Jane, is found murdered, and Jane’s missing Scarab is discovered in her room, she immediately becomes a suspect in Anna’s death. Jane is determined to prove her innocence and teams up with another guest, the handsome and mysterious, Mr. Redvers, to find the culprit.
Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer is a great start to a new series. This is a fun and delightful historical cozy mystery, with interesting characters and a puzzling mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story is well-paced, and the author does a wonderful job with the setting. Her descriptions make it very easy to feel like you are right there with Jane, looking at the gorgeous views surrounding the Mena House, visiting the museums and the pyramids, enjoying the camel races and you could almost feel the heat on your skin. Jane is a likable and relatable character and you can’t help but cheer her on and admire her determination to not let the past stop her from enjoying life to the fullest.
I enjoyed my time with this book and look forward to solving more mysteries with Jane.
I received an ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
historical-fiction, historical-research, historical-setting, amateur-sleuth, Egypt, murder-investigation, theft, extortion
At a luxury hotel near the pyramids Jane Wunderly encounters theft, blackmail, murder and attempted murder while trying to evade her aunt’s matchmaking (her first marriage was a nightmare that mercifully ended during the Great War) and clear herself of suspicion of murder. The local law seems convinced without proof that she is guilty but there’s this alleged bank employee with interesting skills who seems to believe her. Good sleuthing!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
What a delightful book. This novel is so perfect, it’s hard to believe it’s a debut. Jane Wunderly is a protagonist any woman can relate to and cheer for. She’s dogged, brilliant, and oh so human. Set in a destination hotel in 1920’s Egypt, you can feel the desert heat, smell the camels, taste the cocktails, and see the beads sparkling on the gowns. The romantic subplot is perfectly balanced. (I’m definitely in love with Redvers.)
I can’t wait for the second book in the series!