Book Smart Kate

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Spice: N/A

by Stephanie Wrobel (September 24, 2024)Many thanks to @prhaudio and @berkleypub for the free advanced listening copy of this thriller! Below is my honest review. #berkleypartner #prhaudioinfluencer

When Alfred Smettle invites his college film studies friends for a complimentary weekend at his boutique, Hitchcock-themed hotel, it marks the first time they’ve all reunited in nearly two decades. The hotel itself is a spooky homage to Hitchcock’s iconic films, featuring everything from an aviary filled with crows to a room where his movies play on a constant loop. But, as with any great Hitchcock plot, all is not what it seems—and by the end of the weekend, not everyone will make it out alive. Dark secrets from their past are resurfacing, and the six friends are still hiding things from each other.

As a die-hard fan of Hitchcock’s films (with Dial M for Murder being my personal favorite), I loved all the subtle and overt references scattered throughout the story. This is a slow-burn thriller that invests heavily in character development upfront, giving it the suspenseful vibe of Hitchcock’s movies without leaning into horror. While I did guess who was behind it all, the why caught me by surprise, which made for a satisfying twist. Despite being tagged as horror on Goodreads, this felt more like a classic suspense with minimal violence—except for the inevitable deaths, of course!

The audiobook was fun, with three narrators—two voicing individual characters and a third covering the rest. Their performances were excellent and added to the enjoyment of this well-crafted thriller.