Roberta Writes – Book Review: A Death at the Inn by Joan Hall #readingcommunity #bookreviews

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A Death at the Inn by Joan Hall

What Amazon says

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.

Suicide, accident, or murder?

After an argument with her fiancé, up-and-coming actress Leah Myers booked a room at the Harbor Pointe Inn. Near the end of her stay, someone found her body at the bottom of the nearby cliff. The police ruled her death a suicide.

Five years later, four people from Leah’s past visit the inn on the anniversary of her death. Her fiancé, her brother, her psychologist, and her close friend, Adele, who was a guest at Harbor Pointe the night Leah died.

Deputy Brad Sherman, assistant to the lead detective, has always believed something was amiss with the investigation. When he learns Leah’s former acquaintances are staying at the inn, he decides to look at the old case file.

The four guests soon learn each other’s identity and begin to discuss the events leading up to Leah’s demise. But someone doesn’t want them to know the truth. When Adele confesses she is haunted by the possibility she saw something important that fateful night, it puts her in grave danger.

Now it’s a race against time before she becomes the killer’s next victim.

My review

This novella is written from multiple points of view which I enjoyed. The novella kicks off with Daryl Warren, an ex-footballer whose career was ruined by an injury, sitting in a bar waiting for a friend. It is immediately apparent that Daryl is a deeply unhappy man carrying a huge amount of guilt over the death of his fiancé five years previously. The friend advises Daryl to visit Harbor Pointe Inn where Leah died and try to achieve closure.

The story then moves on to the next character who is also heading to Harbor Pointe Inn seeking closure over Leah’s death that is believed to have been suicide. This style of writing continues, introducing each of the four main characters who are travelling to the same place for the same reason, as well as the Deputy Sheriff who was involved with the initial investigation of the death and who wasn’t ever satisfied with the outcome.

The portrayal of Leah is interesting as some characters see her as generous and loving and others as a bit selfish and determined, to a fault, to succeed as an actress. They all agree, however, that Leah was unlikely to have committed suicide. As the story unravels, the perceptions of the four strangers are delved and the real Leah is revealed.

This short book is packed with action, interesting characters, and a fast-moving plot which keeps you completely immersed in the plot. It is not a long read, approximately 1 hour and is a wonderful investment of that time.

Purchase link

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CCR3HMBD

Find all of Joan Hall’s books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joan-Hall/author/B01FNFO1RO

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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61 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Book Review: A Death at the Inn by Joan Hall #readingcommunity #bookreviews”

  17. It is a beautiful review of “A Death at the Inn”, a book that I also very much enjoyed. I agree, the character development is great and the intriguing story is masterfully told.

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  21. Great review, Robbie. I really enjoyed this novella of Joan’s. With all the characters, I thought it had a very Clue-like vibe, which always sucks me into a story and keeps me flipping pages. Congratulations to Joan!

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  24. Hi, Robbie. This review makes me want the book. I reckon the Chief and I are off to solve another case.

    Patty L. Fletcher

    Bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled

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  25. Hi Roberta,

    A jolly good review of Joan’s book. “Congratulations Joan!” It sounds quite intriguing…Must add it to my list. Thanks too to Jane! Cheers. Joy

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  27. Books are getting shorter. I’ve noticed it it because so many books have fewer than 200 pages. This book sounds interesting, but since I mostly (almost entirely) buy audiobooks, I will rarely buy any book unless it is by a very special favorite author that lasts less than 4 hours. Unless it is free, of course. For free, I’m happy to listen to anything.

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