There is nothing quite like a classic locked-room mystery, especially when it takes place in a glamorous, isolated location. When I heard that contemporary thriller queen Lucy Foley was stepping into the legendary shoes of Agatha Christie to write a brand-new Miss Marple novel, I knew I had to drop everything and read Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel. It is exactly the kind of atmospheric, high-stakes mystery you want to curl up with on a chilly evening.
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A Chilly and Luxurious Setting
Let’s talk about the gorgeous backdrop because the setting is practically a main character in this story. High in the Swiss Alps and accessible only by a single, winding railway line, the Grand Alpine Hotel is the ultimate definition of isolated luxury. It is a place filled with champagne, expensive furs, and glorious mountain views.
But as beautiful as it sounds, Lucy Foley does a brilliant job of making the resort to feel claustrophobic the second a massive winter blizzard hits. The howling winds and thick ice mirror the cold, calculating nature of the crime, and you can practically feel the temperature dropping on the page.
A Glittering Cast of Flawed Suspects
Inside the hotel, we get a fascinating mix of elite guests who are all hiding dark histories and old grudges. You have a notorious actress (Sylvia Sinclair), a high-flying politician (Anthony Narracott ), a society wife (Catherine Narracott), a reckless friend (Bruno Crane), and a shrewd doctor.
The tension starts simmering right away, and things take a terrifying turn when a guest steps into a ski gondola alive but arrives at the top of the mountain dead. Because the storm completely cuts off all escape from the mountain, panic sets in fast. It turns out a killer is hiding in plain sight among the guests, and it isn’t a question of who has a motive—it’s a question of who is going to be targeted next.
The Return of a Legend
Fortunately for us, a polite and unassuming woman with an extraordinary mind is also staying at the resort. Miss Marple is back, and she is just as sharp as you remember. She is accompanied by her friend, Dolly Bantry and her new companion, Diana Glass.
What I loved most about this dynamic is how seamlessly Foley blends her signature modern tension with Christie’s classic style. The wealthy, high-flying guests constantly underestimate Miss Marple because she looks like a quiet older woman, which is their biggest mistake. It allows her to blend into the shadows, quietly observe the chaos, and connect the clues while staying three steps ahead of everyone else.
My Final Verdict
Arriving exactly 50 years after Agatha Christie’s final Miss Marple novel was published, this book with the Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel feels like a massive landmark event for mystery fans. Whether you are a lifelong Christie purist or a fan of modern psychological thrillers like The Guest List, this story bridges the gap perfectly. This Lucy Foley Miss Marple book is fast-paced, deeply atmospheric, and will keep you guessing until the very end. Put this one at the top of your fall reading wish list!
Thanks to William Morrow and HarperCollins for this #gifted book for this review.
