There’s nothing like a classic locked-room mystery, especially when it takes place in a glamorous, isolated location. When I heard that contemporary thriller queen Lucy Foley was stepping into Agatha Christie’s famous shoes to write a brand new Miss Marple novel, I knew I had to drop everything and read it. Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel. This is exactly the kind of atmospheric, high-stakes mystery you want to solve on a chilly evening.
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A cool and luxurious setting
Let’s talk about the gorgeous backdrop because the setting is practically a main character in this story. High in the Swiss Alps and accessible only by a winding railway line, the Grand Alpine Hotel is the ultimate definition of isolated luxury. It’s a place filled with champagne, expensive furs and spectacular mountain views.
But as cute as it sounds, Lucy Foley has done a fantastic job of making the resort feel claustrophobic when a massive blizzard hits in the winter. The howling winds and thick snow reflect the cold, calculating nature of the crime, and you can practically feel the drop in temperature on the page.
A dazzling cast of flawed suspects
Inside the hotel, we find a fascinating mix of elite guests, all of whom are hiding dark histories and old grievances. You have a notorious actress (Sylvia Sinclair), a high-flying politician (Anthony Narcott), a society wife (Catherine Narcott), a carefree friend (Bruno Crane), and a shrewd doctor.
Tension immediately begins to rise, and things take a terrifying turn when a guest boards a ski gondola alive but arrives dead at the top of the mountain. Because the storm has closed all escape routes down the mountain, panic spreads rapidly. It turns out there’s a killer hiding among the guests, and it’s not a question of who has the motive – it’s a question of who will be targeted next.
return of a legend
Lucky for us, a humble and humble woman with extraordinary thinking is also staying at the resort. Miss Marple is back, and she’s just as spunky as you remember. She is also accompanied by her friend Dolly Bantry and her new partner Diana Glass.
What I love most about this dynamic is how seamlessly Foley blends his signature modern tension with Christie’s classic style. The rich, high-flying guests constantly underestimate Miss Marple because she looks like a cool older woman, which is their biggest mistake. This allows him to blend into the shadows, quietly observe the chaos, and piece together clues while staying three steps ahead of everyone else.
my final decision
Exactly 50 years after Agatha Christie’s last Miss Marple novel was published, this book Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel For mystery fans this feels like a huge historical event. Whether you’re a lifelong Christie purist or a fan of modern psychological thrillers like guest listThis story completely bridges this gap. it lucy foley miss marple book is fast-paced, deeply atmospheric, and will keep you guessing until the very end. Put this at the top of your fall reading wish list!
Thanks to William Morrow and HarperCollins for this #genius book for this review.
