Publishers Weekly
01/27/2020
In 1926, American widow Jane Wunderly, the narrator of Neubauer’s promising debut, decides to vacation in Egypt with her matchmaking aunt, who’s determined to find her a beau. Jane, who appears to be in her 20s, doesn’t welcome those efforts, as she’s still struggling with the emotional fallout of her marriage to a man who viewed her as a “trophy... to win” and then break. That trauma has led Jane to vow to stand up for herself going forward, and that resolve is soon tested at the Cairo hotel where she and her aunt are staying, Mena House. Fellow guest Anna Stainton, a British colonel’s daughter, takes a dislike to Jane. Their public spat makes Jane the focus of the police inquiry after someone shoots Anna to death in her room. To clear her name, Jane sets about investigating on her own, even as she wrestles with feelings of attraction toward a handsome and mysterious stranger, who calls himself Redvers, whom she believes looks “too dangerous” to be the banker he claims to be. Mystery readers who enjoy a heavy dose of romance will be eager for the next installment. Agent: Ann Collette, Rees Literary. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Advance Praise for Murder at the Mena House
With deft characterizations, an engaging plot, and the most compelling heroine I’ve found since Amelia Peabody, Erica Ruth Neubauer’s Murder at Mena House is the best book you’ll read this year. I can’t wait for the next installment of this phenomenal series.”
—Tasha Alexander, author of In the Shadow of Vesuvius
“What a refreshing surprise to be back on the Nile in this confident and accomplished debut. Neubauer pays proper homage to the Golden Age, but her crisp style and witty heroine ensure that Murder at the Mena House zips along in a thoroughly modern manner. I hope plucky Jane Wunderly has a long sleuthing future ahead; I, for one, am already looking forward to her next adventure.”
—Catriona McPherson, author of Go To My Grave
“A thrilling new series!”
—Victoria Thompson, national bestselling author of Murder on Union Square
“It’s no small feat to bring 1920s colonial Egypt to life, but Murder at the Mena House does far more than that. It’s an elegant mystery—written with wit, style, and heart—and Jane Wunderly is an unforgettable sleuth. Erica Neubauer’s debut is an absolute delight.”
—Hilary Davidson, Anthony Award–winning author of Don’t Look Down
“Murder at the Mena House is impossible to put down. A pitch-perfect mystery, with an exotic locale, and an unforgettable main character I hope to encounter again in future books. Erica Neubauer has created one of the most impressive debut novels I’ve read.”
—Alex Grecian, author of The Saint of Wolves and Butchers
“An exotic trip back in time to 1920s Egypt, with a cast of winning characters right out of the Golden Age of crime fiction. Murder at the Mena House is a charming adventure cum murder mystery set in a luxury hotel at the foot of the great pyramids. Gigolos, card sharps, smugglers, rich aunts, and one achingly handsome romantic interest surround our plucky, irresistible, complex heroine, the young widow Mrs. Jane Wunderly. An auspicious start to what promises to be an exciting and compelling series.”
—James W. Ziskin, Anthony and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone mysteries
Library Journal
★ 01/01/2020
DEBUT In 1926, American widow Jane Wunderly travels to Egypt, courtesy of her Aunt Millie, where she hopes to enjoy a stay at Mena House, an upscale hotel. Jane plans to visit the pyramids of Giza and to avoid any romantic dalliances while abroad, but things don't turn out that way. For starters, she is confounded by Aunt Millie's odd behavior, suddenly realizing her aunt's personal life is an enigma. Also, she gets off on the wrong foot with the beautiful socialite, Anna Stainton. When Anna is found murdered, Jane is a prime suspect. Fearing arrest, Jane must eliminate a variety of suspects to locate the culprit. The mysterious banker, Mr. Redvers, however, is a man Jane senses is both puzzling and fascinating and is as interested as she is in solving the case. VERDICT 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.—Julie Whiteley, Stephenville, TX
