About the Book

Book: Murders in the Marquee

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release Date: September 1, 2026

In this witty historical murder mystery set in a San Francisco hotel, an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths must uncover a killer before another guest checks out for good.

In 1905, the Grand Mallard Marquee is well known for its iconic style, as well as its daily duck parade. For Saul Niffler, a reformed jewel thief, working at the luxurious hotel offers a much-needed second chance. Staying out of trouble and in gainful employment is essential. Which makes seeing a body plummet from a penthouse window extra complicated.

Except…did he see it? There’s no body to be found, and Saul knows he should concentrate on his new duties as “Duck Commandant” rather than meddle. If only Kitty Rossi, a persistent young guest yearning to be a Pinkerton detective, would leave well enough alone. Kitty has already roped in Henry, the elevator man, to investigate suspicious goings-on around the hotel. And against his better judgment, Saul feels compelled to join them.

Between the mystery of Saul’s missing predecessor and a grisly discovery in a drain, all signs point to murder most fowl. And with a cold-blooded killer roaming the Marquee’s lavish corridors, keeping his job may be the least of Saul’s problems…

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My Thoughts:

This was a great beginning to a new cozy historical mystery series. Taking place in San Francisco in 1905, we have a hotel that is most famous for its show ducks. A little bit of a quirky claim to fame but that is just one aspect of the story. I always enjoy stories when there is a bit of a team assembled. Yes, kind of like superheroes. No, there is no superheroes in this story but we a have a group of three people that would not likely be put together in normal circumstances. But they have banded to uncover what is going on at the hotel, even if it was murder.

Kitty is the daughter of her famous opera singer father. She desires to become a Pinkerton agent much to the chagrin of society in which she lives. So, she becomes a bit of a sleuth at the hotel, roping in two others to help her.

Henry is a bellhop. Nobody really notices him, so he overhears a lot of conversations and interesting tidbits. He is a bit of a humorous guy.

Saul Neffler has just come out of prison and is estranged from his wife of whom he would like to work things out with. In the meantime, he was hired as a bellhop at the hotel. Only part time, though much to his surprise as he will be put in charge of those famous ducks, to which he knows nothing about. Not only that, but he is unable to contact the one who was in charge before him. He also may or may not have seen someone fall off the hotel. He is roped in by Kitty and Henry to solve mysteries.

I really liked getting to know these characters as they were getting to know one another and working as a team to uncover the secrets of the hotel and the interesting array of guests and other workers. I am looking forward to more of their stories.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion for excellence in mystery/suspense. She was honored to receive the Author of the Year award from West Coast Christian Writers. A California native, she’s written over sixty titles for the general and Christian markets in the suspense, lighthearted romance, and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Revell.

More from Dana

Ice cream or pie? Cake or cookies? Beach or mountains? The answer for me is always, “Yes!” I’m a restless soul, I suppose, but I’ve never been able to choose one delight over the other. I’m that way with writing too. I started my career in mystery and sidestepped to suspense. It’d be so much easier to stick with one genre but no. Dana Mentink has to write both, it seems. I attended a Harlequin anniversary celebration in Toronto a couple of years ago and listened to the editors discuss their futures wishes. Tina James mentioned she’d like to see an “Only Murders in the Building” type book or maybe a historical mystery. Whammo! The idea hit me like a train. What about both? An Only Murders in the Building/Downton Abbey type mashup? The series idea was born. Lots of twists and turns? Check. Humor? Check? An unlikely crime solving trio? You bet! I’m truly thrilled to have been allowed to step back into mystery land. I hope you’ll enjoy the results!