"Swiss Secrets" By Hazel Smith: Review/Giveaway

Review by Tracy Condie

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

This is the 9th Maid Ivy cozy mystery, and it is both a stand-alone and a continuation of the sleuthing adventures of Ivy Stone, head maid at the Hotel La Fontaine in London. The story proves that you can take Ivy out of the hotel, but you can’t take the maid out of Ivy. She and her gal pals take a break and travel to a scenic ski chalet in the Swiss Alps. Since all four girls work at the La Fontaine, it will be a treat to be the guests, instead of having to provide guest services. However, their plans do not include a blizzard stranding them with a murderer in a chalet without electricity.

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The victim, chalet owner/manager Stefan Meier is not the most congenial of hosts nor is he particularly kind to his very small staff. The other guests all seem to be hiding something, making them suspects from the pushy and bossy Sophia, to Cedric the moody teenager who is passing time by reading Helter Skelter, a little light reading to be sure.

I have not read all the Maid Ivy stories, and for me this one is different from those I have read. It does not take place at the Hotel La Fontaine, and it has a darker feel. It could be I am remembering part of the plot of The Shining where the characters are also cut off from the outside world by a blizzard. The characters are so relatable that I actually felt the emotions of Ivy and her crew as they took stock of supplies, rationed out food, asked pesky questions, searched for clues, and considered the ever-growing peril of being stranded in a storm.

Ivy’s positive attitude is contagious, at least in the beginning. She and her friends exhibit the exact emotions one would expect in such a perilous situation, which draws you into the story. Tensions begin to build, and emotions run high. With each clue, I felt that I was getting closer to figuring out the solution, but the misdirection was so good, I was at a loss until the big reveal.

The one thing I was able to figure out was how to make a wonderful Irish Stew, thanks to the excellent recipe at the end of the book.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Swiss Secrets, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "swiss secrets,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 17, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.