Murder at the Hotel Orient

Ranelli debuts with an intriguing if messy mystery centered on American concierge Sterling Lockwood, who works at Vienna’s notorious Hotel Orient, a well-known location for illicit affairs between wealthy men and sex workers from a nearby brothel. Since all guests use aliases, and no cameras or mobile phones are allowed on the premises, Sterling’s job primarily consists of protecting the identities and private matters of the hotel’s transitory residents. She adores the anonymity the job provides, owing in part to her own shady past. One night, however, two guests are found murdered in their room after a particularly chaotic evening, and police arrive on the premises. Aided by Fernando, a budding actor and faithful bellhop, Sterling investigates the deaths, hoping to solve the case before the police can dig too deeply into her affairs or those of the Orient’s regular clients. The story gets off to a slow start, and Ranelli’s insistent focus on the Orient’s salacious sexcapades can feel gratuitous. Eventually, however, her large cast of colorful characters and convincing evocation of the setting win out. Readers who stick with the program will be rewarded. Agent: Lisa Gallagher, DeFiore & Co. (May)