Review By Gabrielle

A mystery with some light, paranormal elements, Asylum Hotel is a fun read.

Favourite Quote:

If she had known about the Seabrink curse, she might not have gone. Aubrey Spencer was on the hunt for photographs, not for ghosts.

Book Synopsis:

Aubrey Spencer loves photographing classic old buildings and abandoned places that hold old secrets. The Hotel Seabrink, perched overlooking the sea, is one such place. Currently abandoned but scheduled for a major renovation, it has a torrid history. Back in the 1920s it hosted A-list celebrity clientele, and now the locals insist it is haunted by the ghosts of two young women who died there. When Aubrey goes to photograph the site before the renovation begins, she bumps into a man named Dimitri Petroff, a minor online celebrity who shares her fascination with old buildings, the Hotel Seabrink in particular.

When he is found dead the next day at the base of a cliff, the police are quick to close the investigation. But Aubrey feels unsettled by locals who claim he was murdered and that it’s not the first time someone interested in the hotel was killed. As she digs deeper into the property’s dark history (and its origins as an asylum) as well as Dimitri’s professional rivalries, she becomes mired in an unsolved murder case from several decades earlier, one with eerie parallels to the contemporary case.  But someone is determined to keep her from discovering the truth—at any cost.

Review:

I was very attracted to the premise of this book. A spooky old abandoned hotel with a checkered past? Yes please. A mystery in the present, possibly connected to one in the past? Sign me up.

Like Aubrey, our main character in this book, I love abandoned places. There is just something cool about the way nature overtakes manmade structures that is haunting and beautiful. Juliet does a great job of describing the old hotel so the reader can picture it clearly, and in a way that is appropriately creepy. I had shivers going down my spine when Aubrey was exploring it.

I wouldn’t categorize this as a cozy mystery, but it isn’t too far off. If you like your mysteries without a lot of gore or graphic descriptions, this would be a good choice of read for you.

There were a lot more paranormal elements in this story than I was expecting based on the synopsis. That’s not usually my thing, but I didn’t hate it in this book. Aubrey witnesses some strange things while she’s at the Hotel Seabrink – smells and sounds that can’t really be explained. There is also said to be a curse; that if you look up and see a figure in the attic window, you will die within 24 hours. Locals insist that it is true.

Another thing not included in the description is a trigger warning for abusive relationships. Aubrey’s best friend Nikki comes to support her after the shock of Dimitri’s death. She has recently escaped an abusive relationship and there is quite a lot of talk about it. If that is a trigger for you, you may want to steer clear of this book.

I did enjoy the blossoming romance between Aubrey and local paramedic Jasper. It was a lovely unexpected surprise. They don’t get too far into the romance, but it added a sweet element to balance out all the creepier ones.

Overall, Asylum Hotel was a fun read.

Thank you, Berkeley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.