The weekend getaway at the gorgeous manor hotel should have been perfect. But Becca is freshly smarting from her husband Blake’s betrayal and knows this is just an expensive attempt at an apology. She may not be ready to forgive him, but the drinks are strong, the estate is stunning, and the weekend has an elaborate 1920s murder mystery theme. She decides to get into the spirit of things and enjoy their stay. What could go wrong?
Before long, the game is afoot: famed speakeasy songstress Ida Crooner is found “murdered,” and it’s up to the guests to sniff out which of them might be the culprit. Playing the role of Miss Debbie Taunte, an ingenue with a dark past, Becca dives into the world of pun-heavy clues, hammy acting, and secret passages, hoping to at least take her mind off her marital troubles.
Then, the morning after they arrive, the actress playing Ida’s maid fails to reappear for her role. The game’s organizer–that’s Miss Ann Thrope to you–assumes the young woman’s flakiness is to blame, but when snooping for clues as “Debbie,” Becca finds evidence she may not have left of her own free will.
The Review
ALL DRESSED UP
Jilly Gagnon
A cast of characters and a cast of actors. A mystery within a mystery. The synopsis sounds intriguing or at least something to unpack. The book itself requires patience and I don’t have nearly enough.
We’re following Becca and Blake fresh from a betrayal on Blake’s part. Blake is trying to make it right with Becca and this weekend trip is one big apology.
Becca’s character is tiresome, and it is not fun living in her head. Most of the time you spend with her is her evaluating and pondering Blake’s infidelity and their relationship while simultaneously trying to solve a game of mystery while there is an actual mystery going on.
I understand that the author needed the mystery game. The entire plot revolves around it. But I felt it was detracting instead of adding to the suspense. The game itself seemed like an interruption to the story, and I was sometimes annoyed with the distraction. Other times it was a welcome reprieve from Becca’s thoughts.
In all, I recommend to readers who like full cast recordings and enjoy the show more than the story.
ALL DRESSED UP…⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine / Bantam, and PRHA for the advanced copies!
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