Murders in the Marquee by Dana Mentink

Murders in the Marquee
by Dana Mentink

ISBN-13: 9781335002730
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Released: September 1, 2026

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
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…


My Review:
Murders in the Marquee is a mystery set in 1905. Kitty's a bored rich girl who's reading how to be a detective and wants to apply it as a way to add excitement to her life. As in, they don't find an actual body until 75% of the way in and no one clearly witnesses an actual murder, so she's poking around simply for the excitement of it. She roped two workers at the hotel into helping her, not really understanding until the end that they're risking their much-needed jobs to help her in her reckless behavior. Henry's baffled by why his friend, the previous Duck Commandant, suddenly left his beloved ducks and without even saying goodbye to him. Kitty wants to know why a fellow guest, a rich widow, has suddenly become a recluse. Saul just wants to keep his job, but as a new Christian, he knows God cares about justice.

The characters weren't complex, with only Saul having much development. The mystery was guessable from the beginning. There was a very obvious answer as to whom (if anyone) was pushed from the balcony and whodunit, and the clues clearly pointed that way. However, Kitty came up with some pretty tortuous stories trying to connect their few clues together. I got tired of Kitty's random guessing pretty quickly, and I didn't really like her. She put herself and her friends in danger by doing things like repeatedly using an old, unmaintained scaffolding that the employees were warned could fail (so why didn't they just remove it?!?) just so she could poke about. But the ducks were charming.

If you find descriptions of body parts being eaten by animals to be revolting, then avoid this story. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.