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mirjera's review against another edition
3.0
This mystery-thriller anthology was intriguing from the beginning, with its title being reference to the famous Eagles song. Each story was named for a song, concluding with the namesake, Hotel California. From killers for hire to decades-long murder mysteries, this anthology is packed with action and mystery.
The first story, New Kid in Town, is meant to be an addition to the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. This was the story I liked the least. It gave very creepy-vibes, as the main character sleeps with a young lady who is described as not looking a day over 16. We find later that she is 18 but this still tainted the rest of the story for me.
In the final story, Hotel California, I did appreciate the author going out of their way to place quotes from the song in the text, however at some points it did seem to be a stretch.
The first story, New Kid in Town, is meant to be an addition to the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. This was the story I liked the least. It gave very creepy-vibes, as the main character sleeps with a young lady who is described as not looking a day over 16. We find later that she is 18 but this still tainted the rest of the story for me.
In the final story, Hotel California, I did appreciate the author going out of their way to place quotes from the song in the text, however at some points it did seem to be a stretch.
mschrock8's review against another edition
4.0
Short stories with titles of songs by my favorite band! Of course, I had to read this!
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
talkingchicle's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for this audio ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hotel California is made up of eight different mystery stories, inspired but the Eagles albums of the same name. I thought that in itself was a cool little detail and I liked the idea of the contributors interpreting each title in their own unique way.
I enjoyed some of these stories more than I did others, as is usually the case with anthologies, but I think the favourite one was Pretty maids all in a row by Heather Graham, This particular story is a murder mystery that is set in New Orleans. It has creepy aspects to it and overall I liked how it was written.
I also really liked the narration of this, I liked that each story had a different narrator. Overall I liked this collection of crime stories, 3 stars.
Hotel California is made up of eight different mystery stories, inspired but the Eagles albums of the same name. I thought that in itself was a cool little detail and I liked the idea of the contributors interpreting each title in their own unique way.
I enjoyed some of these stories more than I did others, as is usually the case with anthologies, but I think the favourite one was Pretty maids all in a row by Heather Graham, This particular story is a murder mystery that is set in New Orleans. It has creepy aspects to it and overall I liked how it was written.
I also really liked the narration of this, I liked that each story had a different narrator. Overall I liked this collection of crime stories, 3 stars.
ashley_po's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audio book.
This collection of short stories was phenomenal. Some were better than others, but they were all really well written. They are longer stories than one would think of as a short story, but still a great length to read in a sitting. My favorite was The Last Resort, although the new Reacher story and the title story were both excellent as well. Highly recommend
This collection of short stories was phenomenal. Some were better than others, but they were all really well written. They are longer stories than one would think of as a short story, but still a great length to read in a sitting. My favorite was The Last Resort, although the new Reacher story and the title story were both excellent as well. Highly recommend
maxac32's review against another edition
4.0
A unique and thrilling collection of mysteries from an all star cast of authors. They were all very strong, but New Kid in Town, Victims of Love, and Try and Love Again were my top three. They all had something special about them in their own way. Hotel California and Pretty Maids All In a Row freaked me out, kinda wish I didn’t read them at 1:00am but I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read more from each of these authors!
theoverbookedbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Overall Rating: 3.57⭐
Hotel California (edited by Don Bruns) is an anthology of eight crime stories that vary in setting, crimes, and tone.
“New Kid in Town” by Andrew Child features Jack Reacher who gets embroiled in a search for a lost girl. (2.5/5)
“Life in the Fast Lane” by Don Bruns : A hired assassin breaks all the rules of the game on an assignment, altering the course of his mission.(4/5)
“Wasted Time” John Gilstrap :Two brothers, a Senator and a convicted murderer recently released from prison, hash it out as long-buried secrets resurface. (4.5/5)
“Victim of Love” by Reed Farrel Coleman : A strange face mask alters the persona and destiny of a down-on-his-luck man leading to some shocking outcomes.(3.5 /5)
“Pretty Maids All in a Row” by Heather Graham: Visitors discover more than tombs /mausoleums on a cemetery tour in New Orleans. (3/5)
“Try and Love Again” by Amanda Flower :A private investigator gets involved in trying to solve a decades old cold case.(3/5)
“The Last Resort” by Rich Bleiweiss : – A cat and mouse game ensues when a hit is taken out on a hitman.(4/5)
“Hotel California” by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush : With the lyrics of the eponymous song strewn throughout the narrative, this was more a light mystery with a surreal element rather than a crime story.(4/5)
Hey Eagles fans, do the titles of these stories sound familiar?
I loved the unique concept and enjoyed the fact that all of the story titles were taken from songs featured in the Eagles' Hotel California album. The only flipside was I couldn’t keep the music out of my head while reading!
Varying between dark, creepy, mysterious, surreal and action-packed, a few stories featured unpredictable endings and unexpected twists. But of course,not all stories are equally appealing . Given the wide variety of writing styles, mysteries and characters, most fans of this genre would find something they like. Many of these authors were new to me, so this was a great opportunity to sample their work. Overall, a mixed bag like most anthologies, I found “Hotel California” to be an interesting read.
Hotel California (edited by Don Bruns) is an anthology of eight crime stories that vary in setting, crimes, and tone.
“New Kid in Town” by Andrew Child features Jack Reacher who gets embroiled in a search for a lost girl. (2.5/5)
“Life in the Fast Lane” by Don Bruns : A hired assassin breaks all the rules of the game on an assignment, altering the course of his mission.(4/5)
“Wasted Time” John Gilstrap :Two brothers, a Senator and a convicted murderer recently released from prison, hash it out as long-buried secrets resurface. (4.5/5)
“Victim of Love” by Reed Farrel Coleman : A strange face mask alters the persona and destiny of a down-on-his-luck man leading to some shocking outcomes.(3.5 /5)
“Pretty Maids All in a Row” by Heather Graham: Visitors discover more than tombs /mausoleums on a cemetery tour in New Orleans. (3/5)
“Try and Love Again” by Amanda Flower :A private investigator gets involved in trying to solve a decades old cold case.(3/5)
“The Last Resort” by Rich Bleiweiss : – A cat and mouse game ensues when a hit is taken out on a hitman.(4/5)
“Hotel California” by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush : With the lyrics of the eponymous song strewn throughout the narrative, this was more a light mystery with a surreal element rather than a crime story.(4/5)
Hey Eagles fans, do the titles of these stories sound familiar?
I loved the unique concept and enjoyed the fact that all of the story titles were taken from songs featured in the Eagles' Hotel California album. The only flipside was I couldn’t keep the music out of my head while reading!
Varying between dark, creepy, mysterious, surreal and action-packed, a few stories featured unpredictable endings and unexpected twists. But of course,not all stories are equally appealing . Given the wide variety of writing styles, mysteries and characters, most fans of this genre would find something they like. Many of these authors were new to me, so this was a great opportunity to sample their work. Overall, a mixed bag like most anthologies, I found “Hotel California” to be an interesting read.
reading_w_dee's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
4.0
This was a very quick, but enjoyable read! Perfect collection of thrillers to get the spooky season rolling!
𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙨, 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙞; 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨. This anthology is full of stories of each kind. They were a great mix all together and almost went by too quickly!
Including some well known authors, I love how they mixed in with some lesser known authors.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for my audiobook!
𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙨, 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙞; 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨. This anthology is full of stories of each kind. They were a great mix all together and almost went by too quickly!
Including some well known authors, I love how they mixed in with some lesser known authors.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for my audiobook!
pollysioux's review against another edition
medium-paced
1.0
I found these stories to be stilted and predictable.