{"product_id":"murder-at-the-hotel-orient","title":"Murder at the Hotel Orient","description":"\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"productDetailSmallElements\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\" \n\u003ci\u003eMurder At The Hotel Orient\u003c\/i\u003e is a sassy, sexy celebration of old school mysteries with a brash, unapologetic sensual twist. I loved it!\" \n\u003cb\u003e--S.A. Cosby, New York Times bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eKing of Ashes\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"The most fun reading experience I've had in ages. Transportive, clever and gloriously slutty. The perfect tonic for troubled times.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Holly Seddon, internationally bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eTry Not to Breathe\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003e59 Minutes\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Transports the reader to a time and place with details so vividly portrayed that you can taste them.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Christopher Moore, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Serpent of Venice and Fool\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \" \n\u003ci\u003eMurder at the Hotel Orient\u003c\/i\u003e is a sharply plotted nod to the Golden Age classics but with a fresh, modern edge. Our protagonist Sterling crackles with intelligence, wit and untamed sexuality as she races to clear her name whilst unravelling the mystery of the elegant, menacing hotel itself. Smart, suspenseful and a little bit naughty, Alessandra Ranelli is an author to watch. Highly recommended.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--M.W. Craven, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Final Vow \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Ranelli spins storytelling magic out of Vienna's shadowy, fantasy-laden subcultures.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A clever and satisfying thriller in a wonderfully decadent setting. Sterling Lockwood is an unforgettable heroine.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Elly Griffiths, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Frozen People\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \" \n\u003ci\u003eMurder at the Hotel Orient\u003c\/i\u003e is both cozy and hot! This spicy who-dunnit is filled with lovable characters, witty dialogue, and clever twists. It's a joy to read.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Natalie Marlow, author of \u003ci\u003eNeedless Alley \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A delightful treat of a novel, imaginative, classy, and utterly seductive. Concierge Sterling Lockwood is a total heartbreaker, and the timeless Vienna she inhabits is a masterclass in noir that Ranelli teases to life with consummate style and humour. A stunning and highly original debut from a talented author to watch.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Gilly Macmillan, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Burning Library\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \" \n\u003ci\u003eMurder at the Hotel Orient\u003c\/i\u003e is a heady cocktail of a book - sexy, intriguing and laugh-out-loud funny - like a naughtier version of the film Clue. This mystery is full of satisfying twists and turns, the setting is evocative and vividly realised, and in Sterling Lockwood, it features probably one of the most fabulous protagonists ever to sashay across the pages of a novel. A supremely entertaining piece of escapism!\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Gareth Brown, internationally bestselling Author of \u003ci\u003eThe Book of Doors\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Sultry concierge Sterling Lockwood investigates the inevitable murders, in a book that combines first-class Christie-esque plotting with sensual scenes that would make Monsieur Poirot blush to the ends of his moustache.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eThe Telegraph\u003c\/i\u003e (UK)\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"The most fun you can have with your clothes on! A truly original and winning debut. I'm already itching to return to the Hotel for the next instalment.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Bonnie Burke-Patel, author of \u003ci\u003eI Died at Fallow Hall\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eDead as Gold\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Sultry, sinister and smart. Sterling Lockwood is going to steal your heart - just don't trust her with it.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Stuart Turton, internationally bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Last Murder at the End of the World \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \" \n\u003ci\u003eMurder at the Hotel Orient\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the most assured and original debuts I've read in some time. If Natasha Lyonne did \n\u003ci\u003eOnly Murders in the Building\u003c\/i\u003e it might look something like this. Sterling Lockwood is a wonderfully refreshing investigator, and I look forward to seeing where her next case takes her.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Tariq Ashkanani, author of\u003ci\u003e The Midnight King\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \" \n\u003ci\u003eMurder at the Hotel Orient i\u003c\/i\u003es a scintillating and sexy murder mystery set in a real life Viennese love hotel, with a fantastic protagonist in the unstoppable Sterling Lockwood. Twisting and turning through velvet-curtained rooms, dark streets and the grandeur of Austria's capital, this novel made me laugh and gasp in equal measure. So check in and meet the Concierge - you won't regret it, as long as you can stay alive.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--David Goodman, author of \u003ci\u003eA Reluctant Spy\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"A striking debut, part classic murder mystery and part erotic tale, from a writer of exceptional promise.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/i\u003e (UK)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlessandra Ranelli is a queer American writer living in Vienna, Austria. \n\u003ci\u003eMurder at the Orient Hotel\u003c\/i\u003e is her first crime novel. She has the full support of the real Hotel Orient, and has been allowed access to all its rooms, even the secret ones. As part of her extensive book research, she left her career as a pastry chef and became a hotel receptionist. She is currently writing her second novel. Alessandra is known for her \n\u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003eModern Love essay \"Two Kisses We Never Talked About.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher Marketing\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTHE NATIONAL BESTSELLER\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFor fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Maid\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Grand Budapest Hotel \u003c\/i\u003ecomes this thrilling (and sexy) debut inspired by a real love hotel, which legend claims has existed forever, luring lovers inside for a night of debauchery.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn modern Vienna, American ex-pat Sterling Lockwood is the loyal concierge at the infamously secretive Hotel Orient, where cameras are banned, aliases are required, and every guest has something to hide. After the double murder of two guests, including a tech mogul building an Austrian surveillance state, Sterling must turn detective. But finding the truth will require breaking the Orient's sacred code of secrecy while keeping a few secrets of her own. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The police struggle when modern investigative technology proves useless at the old-fashioned hotel. Because clients use aliases, pay cash, and stay mere hours, all suspects have vanished. Sterling agrees to assist alongside her best friend and colleague, Fernando, if only to avoid arrest and the suspicion regarding her own movements that night. As enemies close in from all around, she risks everything to solve a case haunted by the past, in a city with a fetish for nostalgia. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Don't be shy darling, ring the bell...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/span\u003e 03\/01\/2026 pg. 87 (EAN 9781668089255, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/span\u003e 03\/09\/2026 (EAN 9781668089255, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributor Bio:\u003c\/strong\u003eRanelli, Alessandra\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlessandra Ranelli is a queer American writer living in Vienna, Austria. \n\u003ci\u003eMurder at the Hotel\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eOrient \u003c\/i\u003eis her first crime novel. She has the full support of the real Hotel Orient, and has been allowed access to all its rooms, even the secret ones. As part of her extensive book research, she left her career as a pastry chef and became a hotel receptionist. She is currently writing her second novel. Alessandra is known for her \n\u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003eModern Love essay \"Two Kisses We Never Talked About.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"Gallery\/Scout Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51496193098006,"sku":"9781668089255","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0857\/9910\/8886\/files\/9781668089255.jpg?v=1783057215","url":"https:\/\/lusper.myshopify.com\/products\/murder-at-the-hotel-orient","provider":"Lusperbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}