Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer

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 . . . WINNER OF THE 2021 AGATHA AWARD 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 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)

The mystery was good and twisty. There was some danger. Jane was brave and has a tragic back story. The side characters, her aunt and live interest, were memorable characters. Historical cozies are not my favorite, so this one didn't totally connect with me. If you like historical cozies, you would rally enjoy this one. If you don't, you still might enjoy this one.

Anthony Award Nominee for Best First Novel (2021), Agatha Award for Best First Novel (2021)!
I like award books and cozy mysteries and I got the best of both in this book.
Author's 1st novel and this was a good one. Great characters, location (Egypt), era (Late 1920's), lots of suspects, surprises and a very good mystery!
Author did a great job of describing a short trip to the pyramids and hotel life in Egypt.
280 Pages, I think you will like this! David N.

DNF - PG 62

Why?

I was struggling with this book from the start. Something like page two is when the love interest is introduced and every time Jane is around him, any decent personality she might have dries up. She's very much of the ‘I don't want a man' type that immediately swoons when a handsome man looks at her. (I was holding out some hope that Redvers would turn out to be the victim or, failing that, the culprit, but instead I read the synopsis of later books and find out that they get engaged.)

This was awful, but I was willing to struggle past it. I even made it past her being disgusted that a man was eating (not disgustingly, I might add) in front of her, but there was one decision that I just pulled the plug for.

So, Jane is the first person to find the victim, in their room. (Through a contrivance, I must say.) While Jane is in there, she sees the room key. She pockets it with only the vague thought that she'd give it to the victim's loved one so they could get back in the room. The murder victim's room as it was obvious at just a glance that the person had been murdered.

Issue, but not insurmountable.

It was too late to give the key to [redacted] as I had planned. And now that I was a suspect, it would look suspicious if I tried to give it to [redacted]. I quickly decided the best course of action was to hide the thing - but secreting it anywhere in my room was not the wisest plan, especially if the police decided to give my rooms another go.I stared at my door for a moment, and then turned to the hallway. A potted palm sat inconspicuously halfway down the corridor. I considered it and decided it would make an excellent hiding spot for the pilfered key. I checked the corridors again - several times, in fact - and once I was sure I wouldn't be seen, I hid the key under a thin layer of dirt in a corner of the ceramic pot.

...

This is ostensibly an adult woman. Supposed to be our sleuth. If she's already making decisions like this...I just can't anymore.

I mean, it was bad enough that she mindlessly picked up the key to begin with. But now she's hiding in it a potted plant outside her room. Are we sure she's not the killer? And, of course, there's no way that that decision could come back to bite her.