What's the main plot of 'Crime at Hotel Cordova'?

The story revolves around a mysterious virus that's spreading rapidly, and the protagonist's efforts to uncover the truth behind it.

Who is the author of 'Crime at Hotel Cordova'?

Unfortunately, the review doesn't mention the author's name. However, the writing style suggests a seasoned mystery novelist.

Is 'Crime at Hotel Cordova' a good starting point for mystery novel fans?

Yes, this novel is a great introduction to the genre, with an engaging plot and well-developed characters.

What's the setting of the story?

The story takes place in a fictional location, but the author's vivid descriptions make it easy to imagine the setting.

Are there any red herrings in the story?

Yes, the author expertly weaves in red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Can I recommend 'Crime at Hotel Cordova' to non-mystery fans?

While the story is engaging, it's still a mystery novel at its core. Non-fans might find it a bit too predictable or formulaic.

Is the story's pace too slow?

The pacing is generally well-balanced, but some readers might find the story a bit too slow in certain areas.

What's the tone of the story?

The tone is generally dark and suspenseful, with a hint of dry humor in some areas.

Are the characters likable?

The protagonist is likable and relatable, but some of the supporting characters feel a bit one-dimensional.

Is the story's ending satisfying?

The ending could be more satisfying, but it's still a great conclusion to the story.

Crime at Hotel Cordova Book Review: A Gripping Mystery Novel

A Wild Ride of Mystery and Intrigue

I recently stumbled upon a great mystery novel, Crime at Hotel Cordova, while digging through a friend's old book collection. I have to say, it's a rare case where I enjoyed a relatively older detective novel that I picked up by chance. The story had its dry moments, but overall, it left me with a positive impression. I was surprised to find myself intrigued by the plot and eager to know what happens next.

We have only two categories of victims: the sick and the dead.

I usually read the first page or two before deciding whether to keep a book or pass it on to someone else. In this case, I was hooked from the very beginning. The writing style, while not overly complex, kept me engaged throughout. I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone looking for a good mystery novel that won't leave you bored.

— I never share anything that belongs to me, — Susan's face remained expressionless, and he added candidly: Of course, except when it's beneficial to me.

As I delved deeper into the story, I realized that it's not just about a fictional virus – it's about the consequences of playing with fire. The quote that really stood out to me was

Rational self-interest is the foundation of any state.

It's a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of creating a virus that can selectively target and kill people. The fact that it was discovered by chance, when a group of veterans accidentally ingested it during a reunion, only adds to the sense of unease. The virus is particularly sinister because it's almost 100% effective – once it's infected, there's no cure. It takes a few days to fully manifest, and then the person is gone.

Needless to say, this is a story that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.

It's usually the bravest of the brave who receive the highest honors in war – posthumously.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the government is taking the situation very seriously, and the people behind the virus are being hunted down. The quote from French really struck a chord with me:

No, it makes sense – we just don't know what kind of sense.

It's a clever way of highlighting the uncertainty and fear that comes with dealing with a situation like this. What happens next is anyone's guess, but one thing's for sure – it's a wild ride.

The story starts with the sudden death of all the attendees at an American veterans' meeting due to some unknown disease. That caught the attention of Dr. Calvin Dugan, who decided to conduct his own investigation. His search led him to a chemical company that had developed a product for the Pentagon, which had a devastating effect on human genes.

I've got to say, the storyline in this book isn't exactly original. In fact, if you think about it, it's pretty predictable – there's a certain group of people who are always the 'bad guys'. They're the dark horses in this story, and the whole plot revolves around them. Because let's be real, it's not that hard to figure out that the poisoning wasn't an accident, and that it was a virus released for some experiment. And then there's finding the lab where it came from. So, let's assume the investigators stumble upon a secret military lab.

At this point, they'd either be politely told to leave and that it's a classified area, or they'd be given a green light to enter the lab. Where a concerned, faceless guy in a uniform – possibly a colonel or even a general – would inform them about the leak of a controlled virus that was never meant to leave the lab in the first place. It was created solely for national security purposes.

It's like nuclear weapons – they exist, but they're not used because the consequences would be catastrophic for everyone involved. Not just the losing side. Especially when we're talking about major powers that could exchange blows simultaneously, leaving behind nothing but scorched earth and useless ruins.

So, it's not just about finding the virus itself, but also about tracking down those who used it. Otherwise, there's a high chance it'll happen again. And we can't be sure it won't be some influential people or politicians behind it. Or, to take it a step further, imagine a scenario where someone uses it to ruin diplomatic relations with other countries. What if a diplomat from, say, the USSR or China dies under mysterious circumstances during an official visit to the US?

Let's be real, nobody's going to outright say this was a virus, but everyone will be screaming about it. And all the 'clues' will point to the US being behind it, which they'll of course deny. That'll just make the whole thing look even more suspicious. So, there's no choice – those responsible for the operation need to find and analyze the virus itself to figure out what's going on.

I mean, it's not like they're going to stop at just this test. They'll try to use it to take down more influential people, the ones who ordered this whole thing and created the biological weapons in the first place. And they'll deny it all, of course, even as they create bacteria and viruses to use against their neighbors for 'self-defense'. Especially when the hotel incident comes up and the veterans who died at the meeting start getting mentioned.

The stakes are high, time is running out, and the heroes of this story aren't secret agents like Bond. They're just regular people who got caught up in a situation they didn't understand. Some of them had a vague connection to someone who might know something, while others had a friend of a friend who used to work with someone who had access to the lab. The coincidences will keep piling up, leading them straight to the people who were behind the biological weapons.

The heroes will have to fight for their lives, but also untangle the whole mess to get to the people who created and tested the biological weapons. By the way, my initial guesses about who was behind the whole thing and whose people were hunting the doctor who got the virus turned out to be correct. That's why I mentioned at the beginning that, despite the interesting presentation and well-developed characters, the story itself can't claim to have an original plot.

I'm more than happy to recommend this detective game to all the fans out there who are craving the old-school experience – no fancy gadgets, no video cameras, just pure puzzle-solving using your wits and observation skills.

Thanks to everyone who made it to the end of my review – I hope I didn't bore you too much! Take care, and I'll catch you all in the next one!