Hotel Cartagena (4) (Chastity Riley) Paperback – September 1, 2021

I only discovered Simone Buchholz' writing last year, but I've become truly addicted to her writing style and highly enjoyed her previous three translated Chas Riley books. Hotel Cartagena is already book number 9 of the original series, and the fourth book to be translated and published in English... And it without doubt lived up to expectations for me. Such an entertaining, unique and highly addictive thriller!As I said before, Hotel Cartagena is actually book number nine in the original German series, but (only) book number four that has been translated into English. A big round of applause to Rachel Ward for the impecable translation, which makes it possible for us to get to know Chas Riley and the rest of the characters! Due to the missing first five books, we might miss some background at times... Although I have to say that in the case of Hotel Cartagena it is once again very easy to read the story as a stand-alone as well. Sure, you might be missing out on some of the dynamics between the different characters developed in the previous three books, but as there is a lot of focus on the present as well as Henning and his past, it is quite easy to place everyone.There are a lot of elements that turn this series into something special. The first thing that stands out for me in Hotel Cartagena and this series in general is the writing style. Simone Buchholz has an unique, snappy and snarky writing style that switches between blunt and lyrical and combines short sentences with a dark and sarcastic kind of humor and lavish writing you want to read over and over again. Her writing style is highly recognizable and I knew I was reading another of her stories as soon as I read the first page... I like how there isn't just one style nor singular POV; the story switches between different characters, writing styles, locations as well as the past and the present, and somehow manages to weave together a cohesive and fantastic story in the end.The main characters have a lot to do with the success of this series. The books have a colorful and diverse cast of characters who somehow manage to steal your heart without even trying... Especially Chastity is something else, and I love her in all her cigarette, beer, antisocial and disheveled glory. Sure, we don't see her as much in Hotel Cartagena as the main focus in more on the group of characters as a whole as well as Henning, but she still manages to add her little touch to the story. The cast in general is well balanced and I liked how everybody fitted in.I loved both the plot itself and the setting in Hamburg and Cartagena. The first I had the chance to visit briefly as a tourist, and Cartagena is very close to my heart after having lived there for three months back in 2012... The descriptions of the setting really enhanced the reading experience for me as I could actually imagine the characters in the real setting. The descriptions helped setting the right atmosphere for this story, and especially the flashbacks to Henning's past and the drugs world were fascinating. The plot itself is filled to the brim with action, intrigue and danger, and will keep you on your toes the whole time. Hotel Cartagena offers you a lot of different elements, plot twists and storylines in one; how's that for an excellent deal?!I guess it's obvious that I really enjoyed my time with Hotel Cartagena, and I can highly recommend it if you enjoy noir, a good crime thriller and love an unique and unconventional writing style as well as cast of characters.

A hotel bar has been besieged by armed men. Amongst the hostages are a prosecutor, a retired officer, and a handful of active police.Outside, their colleagues wait, hopeful they can put things to an end calmly and without losing some of their own people.Inside, things are becoming increasingly tense.Well, I didn't actually realize until today that Hotel Cartagena is actually the ninth book in a series. Huh! Fortunately, this latest from Simone Buchholz can be read easily on its own or as an introduction to the series as a whole.We begin with a few short chapters that set the tone for the book, if not the scene. These short, clippy chapters don't immediately make it clear what's going on, but we do soon learn that the plot is one of revenge. And while Chastity Riley is our narrator, she isn't so much the focus of the book. Instead, we're taken back to the eighties where we meet a German named Henning.Henning makes a life for himself in a not so legal venture and eventually lands in hot water. And he knows exactly who's to blame for his situation. His is a story that plays out through decades, leading to this one fateful night.Buchholz and her work are new to me. Her style is pretty unique, if this book is any indication, influenced no doubt by classic noir detective novels and movies. Translated from German by Rachel Ward, who has surely captured Buchholz's aesthetic wonderfully!Hotel Cartagena is a fast paced, frenzied crime fiction that bounces from Germany to Colombia and back again. The plot moves back and forth between Chastity and Henning. Ultimately, though, it's Henning who takes the lead. Which again makes this one a great one to start with if, like me, you're new to Buchholz.If you do want to start from the beginning, though, there are only a handful translated into English so far. They are, in order:Blue NightBeton RougeMexico StreetHotel Cartagena

This is the first novel I’ve read by Simone Buchholz and I adored her quirky, mesmerising writing style. Her rapid-fire, often funny, staccato phrasing comes together to create a strong sense of place and action and character. Unique and totally compelling.Public Prosecutor Chastity Riley joins her friends (most of them police, at least two of them ex-lovers) at a birthday party high up in the Hotel Cartagena when twelve heavily armed men take the guests hostage. While the police, including her current lover, gather outside, high drama unfolds inside as one of the hostages becomes the main target.Chastity is unconventional and kick-ass, with a wonderfully wry sense of humour. I loved the Hamburg setting, near the port, and the sometimes crazy chapter headings.The author builds enormous suspense as the action unfolds. The story is clever and awful, while loads of fun to read at the same time. It is brilliantly translated by Rachel Ward.Hotel Cartagena is part of a series, but reads fine as a standalone, although I now want to go back and read the books leading up to this one. Unfortunately, only a few of them have been translated into English.