The Bellhop Only Stalks Once by Cat Hickey is one of those books that, once you have read it, will make you think twice about going on holiday in an exotic location. This is a brilliant crime mystery book set in the beautiful and exotic Costa Rica. The characters are as colourful and as different as Costa Rica itself.

Chloe is a young American girl who is on holiday there alone. Bellhops start going missing at an alarming rate, one of which Chloe actually witnesses his weird disappearance, one minute he is waving at her, next minute he goes of into the jungle, never to be seen again! Before this, he had caused some trouble, so Chloe is the one people are looking at for his disappearance. In all this maelstrom, Chloe is alone in a strange place but has a couple of people who she can class as allies, Mateo, until he too, goes missing and Juan.

The characters are all well created and fit well into the story and the setting makes this tropical mystery sinister as well. The dark and creepy jungle that just oozes evil. The symbolism of Amulets and accessories featuring mysterious local deities creates even more suspense within the story. The tension increases as you envelop yourself into that world with Chloe. Although it is an adventure, for Chloe and you find some humour along the way, you can so sense the bad, grim and evil side to this island.

As I said at the very beginning of my review, it does make you think twice! With thanks to Rachels Random Resources and Cat Hickey for the ARC to review the book.