Character relationships were hard to believe at times. The ending seemed rushed. Heroine and romantic interest relationship was not well developed or believable. An okay cozy, but not likely to be a favorite. ( )

1899, new-series, London, hospitality-industry, hotel, theft, murder, murder-investigation, family-drama, family-business, family-dynamics, falsely accused, false-information, false-identities, orphaned, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, gossip, staff, historical-novel, historical-research*****

Recently orphaned Cleo Fox is reduced to calling upon the uncle who had been shunned by her impoverished parents and grandmother. The uncle owns and operates a high-end hotel in London, has a sickly wife, spendthrift daughter, and typical son. But he wants Cleo to be a part of the family. Shortly after her arrival a guest is found dead in bed and the police (and coroner) determine that it is murder. Let the sleuthing begin! Great start to a new series!
Marian Hussey is the voice actress who easily differentiates characters and animates the story. ( )

When her grandmother dies, Cleopatra (Cleo) Fox is invited to live at the Mayfair Hotel in London by her uncle, Sir Ronald Bainbridge, the owner of the hotel. Cleo’s extended family is very rich, but her mother had been disowned by that family when she chose to marry for love. Although not poor, Cleo was raised in genteel circumstances, and being middle-class equates as poor to her Bainbridge relatives. They therefore don’t understand her wish to be useful in the hotel (Bainbridges don’t *work* you know!) or her friendliness with the hotel staff ranging from Harmony the maid to Mr. Armitage and Mr. Hobart, the assistant manager and manager respectively. But when a hotel guest is murdered, poisoned in her own bed, Cleo enlists the support of hotel staff to investigate, to the displeasure of many…. This is the first in a new series from Ms. Archer, set in turn of the 20th Century London and featuring the sleuthing team of Cleo and Mr. Armitage who, in the tradition of such partners, initially get along, then don’t, then do, then maybe. I liked Cleo a lot; she seems quite the independent spirit at a time when such women were frowned upon, and I liked the setting of a luxurious hotel where the rooms have recently been electrified but most rooms still have a “speaking tube” to order from the kitchens rather than a new-fangled telephone. Nothing earth-shattering here, but good cozy fun, especially comforting in such a bleak winter as we’ve all had this year; mildly recommended. ( )

Cleopatra Fox has lost her Grandmother who had been taking care of her since her parents died in an accident when Cleo was 11 years old. Cleo is invited to live in the Mayfair Hotel in London which is owned by her mother's sister and her uncle. Just after arriving Mrs. Wescott is murdered by poison. Cleo becomes interested in trying to find the person responsible to save the annual New Years Eve Ball and the hotel from scandal. She befriends her cousins, Flossy and Floyd and several members of the hotel staff, Mr. Armitage, Mr. Hobart, Peter, Harmony (her maid), Ethel, and Victor (a cook) while investigating her suspects, Mr. Hookly and Mr. Duffield. ( )