It took me a little bit to warm up to the characters, especially in the current US political climate, but I did eventually.

About the Book

Hotel heiress Evelyn Murphy is on the hunt for a cunning killer and a mysterious thief in the Pinnacle Hotel mystery, perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ashley Weaver.

New York, 1958. When Evelyn’s mail is delivered during a luncheon in the Gold Room, she’s surprised to find she has received a diamond tiara, which catches the attention of a costume jewelry sales team lunching nearby. Their leader, Lois Mitchel, is especially interested, but by the end of the lunch, Lois has choked and fallen into Evelyn’s lap—and by the end of the day, she’s dead.

The papers report on the death the next day while also spreading news of a Gentleman Thief who’s been leaving behind a red pocket square after robbing the city’s wealthiest. Determined to figure out what happened to Lois, Evelyn devotes herself to the investigation.

The truth is as rare as a diamond and just as hard to crack, and Evelyn swiftly discovers that this particular mystery is multifaceted, too. From costume jewelry hawkers to wannabe Robin Hoods and a detective in residence at the Pinnacle, nothing is simple. But neither is Evelyn—and this case is hers to solve.

My Thoughts

The MC, Evelyn, was super cute and relatable – in her special uber-rich way. Like all cozy mystery greats, she was a delightful, even eccentric heroine with very little logical reason for solving crimes who kept having them thrust upon her in the most absurd ways.

It wouldn’t be 2025, apparently, if this weren’t book three in a series, and I had not read the first two. It’s the theme for this year, apparently. With that, I’m getting better at judging if the books stand up by themselves. This one is actually pretty good if you accidentally come in on book three, like me. You can tell you’ve missed some things, but it’s ok. It’s like you’re meeting new friends, and you don’t feel that you’re super left out.

The mystery was well laid out, and there were a few good side stories that kept the story moving. I really enjoyed Evelyn’s friendships, quirks, and character development. My favorite secondary character is Poppy, Evelyn’s assistant and best friend, though that does get into some questionable HR areas.

The cliffhanger of an ending ensured I’d be coming back for the next one. And, of course, I’ll be adding the first few to my ever-burgeoning TBR list. I can’t wait to read more, and I’m so thankful to the author and LBT for including me in this tour.

Who’s It For?

If you love a good, cozy mystery and a good historical fiction novel, this is the absolute perfect blend of both worlds for you. This is not the world most of us know, and a hard-nosed journalist rightfully points out that Evelyn is disconnected from the real world. However, she is Charming and will win your heart -especially if you love a good cozy crime story.

Content Warnings: This book discusses content that may be disturbing to some readers, including, but not limited to, murder, medical emergencies, infidelity, sexism, classism, egregious wealth, adult situations, adult language, violence, burglary, and more.

About the Author

Sarah K Golden is the author of the cozy mystery The Socialite’s Guide to Murder. Born and raised in the Florida Keys, she married a commercial fisherman. The two of them still live on the islands with their five kids (one boy, four girls — including identical twins!), two cats, and a corgi named Goku. She graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Administration and has put it to good use approximately zero times. She’s worked as a bank teller, a pharmacy technician, and an executive assistant at her father’s church. Sarah is delighted to be doing none of those things now.

Links

Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Socialites-Sleuthing-Secrets-Pinnacle-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D6V3Q3JL/ref=sr_1_1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Socialites-Sleuthing-Secrets-Pinnacle-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D6V3Q3JL/ref=sr_1_1
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9798892420266
Bookshop UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-socialite-s-guide-to-sleuthing-and-secrets-s-k-golden/7773818?ean=9798892420266
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214540649-the-socialite-s-guide-to-sleuthing-and-secrets
Author’s Website: www.skgoldenwrites.com

As a Bookshop.org (US) Affiliate, I may earn on qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org purchases support local, independent bookshops. My chosen affiliate bookshop is Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Bookshop, a local, queer-owned bookshop in New Orleans.