All Dressed Up by Jilly Gagnon

All Dressed Up

by Jilly Gagnon

A remote hotel. A murder mystery. A missing woman. Everyone has a role to play, but what’s real and what’s part of the game?

“Jilly Gagnon’s well-crafted maze of clues and shifting realities is the perfect read for fans of Lucy Foley.”—Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten

The weekend getaway at a gorgeous hotel should have been perfect. But Becca is smarting from her husband Blake’s betrayal and knows that the trip is just an expensive apology attempt. Still, the drinks are strong, and the weekend has an elaborate 1920s murder mystery theme. She decides to get into the spirit and enjoy their stay. 

Before long, the game is afoot: Famed speakeasy songstress Ida Crooner is found “murdered,” and it’s up to the guests to sniff out the culprit. Playing the role of Miss Debbie Taunte, an ingenue with a dark past, Becca dives into the world of pun-heavy clues, hammy acting, and secret passages, hoping to take her mind off her marital troubles.

Then, the morning after they arrive, the actress playing Ida’s maid fails to reappear for her role. Everyone assumes she flaked out on the job, but when snooping for clues as “Debbie,” Becca finds evidence that the young woman may not have left of her own free will.

Told over a nail-biting forty-eight hours and interspersed with in-game clues, set pieces, and character histories from the flapper-filled mystery nested inside a modern one, All Dressed Up is a loving tribute to classic whodunits and a riveting exploration of the secrets we keep.

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

3 of 5 stars

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Is it just me, or is there something so iconic about a bold red and black cover? Naturally, I was immediately drawn in by the artwork on All Dressed Up's cover, but it was more than that. All Dressed Up, written by Jilly Gagnon, is a mystery thriller set in a grand manor – making for an intriguing foundation for this tale.

Can one amazing getaway cure heartache? Becca isn't convinced that anything will help her get over her husband's betrayal. But she's ready to let him spend all the money he wants on trying to earn her forgiveness.

The expensive trip? A weekend in a manor hotel, which happens to host a murder mystery game with a distinct 1920s vibe. Already keyed into the idea of a mystery, Becca will find herself quickly catching on to a real mystery occurring on the grounds.

I feel like many readers have fantasized about a weekend getaway. Maybe fewer readers hoped to combine that getaway with a murder/mystery-themed hotel stay, but you've got to admit that it sounds like fun!

I'm trying to say that this was a fascinating foundation for All Dressed Up. It immediately caught my attention. I'm almost tempted to say that we didn't need the personal drama to get me invested.

Actually - I am going to say that. Becca's emotional state was downright distracting at times, and not in a good way. It was like there were two huge plots vying for center stage, and Becca kept drop-kicking the murder/mystery plot. It was frustrating! I just wanted to explore that bit of the plot for a moment.

I would advise going into All Dressed Up expecting more of an emotional read, as Becca has a lot to work through. The hotel and the mystery are more supporting characters than actual focal points. If you adjust your expectations accordingly (and don't make the same mistake I did), I can see this book being enjoyable.

Thanks to Bantam and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 4 October, 2022: Finished reading
  • 4 October, 2022: Reviewed