Death at the Old Hotel

by: Con Lehane

Published by: Thomas Dunne Books

Reviewed by Liz Bright

(A Bartender Brian McNulty Mystery)

It’s the Christmas season in the early 1990s, and bartender Brian McNulty’s working at the shabby New York Savoy Hotel. Barman Barney Saunders (who is also a vocal member of the union) suspects James MacAlister, the Savoy’s new manager, of corruption. His believes that some shenanigans are going on between organized crime and union officials.

The holiday festivities are marred by the murders of James MacAlister, the Savoy’s new manager and cop Dennis Tierney, who was the insanely jealous husband of the Savoy’s waitress, Betsy Tierney. Barney looks good for the murder and Brian McNulty enters the fray with his own suspicions about the guilty person. If he doesn’t solve the crime, Barney just might ‘go down’ for the dastardly deed.

This is my first Con Lehane mystery and it won’t be the last. It’s a fast-paced read. Lehane is able to draw in the reader and impart the feeling of an early twentieth century gangster novel even though it was placed in 1990s. I wanted ‘guys’ to jump on car running boards and to see Elliot Ness make an appearance. The ambiance is wonderful and gives the novel the necessary unique flavor to help it stand out in a crowded genre.

Armchair Interview says: Pick up Death at the Old Hotel and then check out What Goes Around Comes Around and Beware the Solitary Drinker.

Author’s Web site: http://www.ConLehane.com