I have enjoyed the first two books by Alex Hay and this third one, the Midnight Guests, was very much up to the same standard.
The book starts in 1926, and like the first two books is in a nostalgic version of London where we are deep in a glamorous criminal underworld… this time based on a hotel. However Hay takes a slightly different approach to previous books, interweaving chapters set in 2026 with the historic ones. At first I wasn’t sure about this… did I really want to be taken out of the world of 1926 and faced with the somewhat stereotypical historian/researcher delving into a family mystery? But by the end of the book Hay had convinced me that this device did add to the story. In the final chapters he cleverly unpacks all the subtle links that he has built
I also enjoyed the strong female leads in the book. Diana Gold is the creator behind the Artemis hotel, and with a nod to her mythical namesake has set it up as the perfect place to hunt powerful men. But her motivation is unclear at first and unfolds throughout the book.
Cleo Van Der Meer is a young American woman and guest at the hotel, trying to get away from her overbearing mother. She falls in with Lady Polly Fox Stanton, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Together with Diana these three women propel the story along at pace.
If you like nostalgic golden age mysteries and strong female leads definitely read the Midnight Guests.

I was invited to review an eARC on Netgalley for a free and unbiased opinion (Thank you Headline Publishing)
I really enjoyed Alex Hay’s The Housekeepers, so I was looking forward to reading his next book except the tag line suggested this as rival to White Lotus ( a tv programme I really didn’t get into) but The Midnight Guests was a book I couldn’t put down till I finally finished it.
The setting is the roaring 20’s and the author’s coveys the lush, decadence of that time and the rich, privileged people who enjoyed this versus the people who are trying to make it anyway they can.
I loved Diana-,the first-person narrator- her character was fascinating and well written- as hard as nails, ruthless but also with hints of vulnerability and fear. Diana’s desperation to raise the money she owes and then her fight to survive is the heart of the story with plenty of tension.
The other narrators include Cleo, a rich young American who is drawn into the weird sexual relationship between a power couple staying at the Artemis . In the modern-day Joe, is a guest at The Artemis , the night before it closes forever trying to finish his grandmother’s story about the hotel murky past, but this untold story might actually get him killed!
The fact that the two dead bodies in coffins found in the basement isn’t the main mystery but one of the many mysteries as well as the complicated pasts, the guests at the Artemis are trying to hide makes The Midnight Guests stand apart from other similar books.
My only whinge about the book, is that the ending felt a little abrupt and I would have liked to known what happened to some of the characters.

When 2 full coffins are found in the vaults of a upmarket Mayfair hotel [in London obviously] a thriller is launched.

This is a great rea I loved it. Its told from 3 view points but done really well,Diana the owner who financed and built the hotel, Cleo a guest but not just any old guest your be please to know, these are from 1929 when the hotel opened and Joe in2026 a guest on the night the hotel closes.joes there investigating what happened all these years ago. Diana are elling their story of what happened to them. No spoilers so no more plot info but a great story and some interesting characters in all the right ways. As their stories unfold more info is revealed as t plot thickens.There is government minister and his wife who play a large part and in the story and the elusive firm.

This is really well written and told and can only in truth be awarded a 5 star rating I hope you agree its a a great read as I've mentioned..

Mainly set in Mayfair in 1926 this is the story of Diana Gold who has finally achieved her ambition of owning a fabulous hotel- the Artemis- where all the high ranking “who’s who” of Society will come to spend time. It is the opening night of the hotel and as the evening goes on Diana’s secrets and those of her clients start to be revealed. Who are the two mysterious guests who are due to arrive at midnight? Why is Diana so fearful of them?

The novel moves between the 1920s and a hundred years later where a young man, Joe, is keen to investigate the unsolved mystery which surrounds the Artemis. He goes there on its closing night hoping to find answers.
Intrigue, murder, suspicion, fear, and danger combine to make this a highly recommended and gripping read.
Thank you very much to the publishers for the ARC.

In 1926, Diana Gold has finally achieved her long-held ambition of opening a luxury hotel - The Hotel Artemis - where all the best people will stay and socialise. Her grand opening begins perfectly, with the cream of London society turning up to celebrate her crowning achievement. Behind the scenes however, Diana's life is close to unravelling. As she tries to keep everything together through the course of the evening, alliances fray, secrets are revealed, and more than one guest has something to hide. Who are the two mysterious guests due to arrive at midnight? And can Diana stop them ruining everything she's worked for?

A dual timeline mystery set in Mayfair in 1926 and 2026, the book opens with an historic newspaper report that three years after its opening and the disappearance of Diana Gold, two bodies were found in the vault of the Hotel Artemis. In 2026, historian Joe books a room for the night on the day the Hotel Artemis is due to close. A relative of his was there on opening night, and he is determined to get to the bottom of the unsolved mystery.

Alex Hay is the master of historical crime fiction; the prose is delicate and descriptive, the characters complex and believable, the intrigue utterly gripping. The 1926 timeline in particular is beautiful but accessible, and Diana Gold is a perfect example of the flawed but sympathetic female characters Hay writes so well. Intriguing, tense, and utterly compelling, I know this is going to be one of my books of the year.

I was asked by NetGalley to review this intriguing story. I have not come across Alex Hay before and will be seeking out the other books this long school summer holiday.

The story starts 100 years ago in London's glamourous criminal world, based in a hotel called Artemis. Diana Gold who is behind this interesting London hotel. Diana has created the perfect backdrop to seek out powerful men. Cleo Van Der Meer is trying to get away for a very over bearing mother and Lady Polly Fox Stanton ( wife of the Chancellor of the Exechequer) . These powerful women drive the story forward.

Arecommended read and due for publication September 10th 2026

Thoroughly enjoyed this! The first book was fantastic and this one absolutely delivered. Just as cosy with fantastic characters and a story that is a real page turner. Loved the suspense and had you really rooting for the MC.

Welcome to The Hotel Artemis...

Where the staff, and guests, are enmeshed in the criminal underworld, in 1920's London.

We meet lead character, Diana, on the opening night of her glamourous, eponymous ,art deco hotel, where excess is the name of the game.

Strong female characters lead the way and that is a real highlight of this book, for me!

The book jumps between modern day and the 1920's but, is in no way, hard to keep track of and manages to be suspenseful in both.

This reads so easily, that I could not put it down and I inhaled it, in one sitting, and am off to find the authors previous works, immediately!

Many thanks to the publishers Headline, the author Alex Hay and NetGalley for providing this book for review.

All opinions are my own

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