The Fat Innkeeper: A hilarious oceanside mystery (A Hotel Detective Mystery Book 2)
Enjoy an instant beach vacation with this hilarious oceanside mystery set at a posh California resort.

Winner of the Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery
Critics’ Choice Award Winner

The fog isn’t the only thing wreaking havoc at La Jolla’s landmark Hotel California. A prankster has been hiring employees for nonexistent jobs, a decomposing whale interrupts a grunion run, and a group of swingers has arrived at the property for a love-in. Not for the first time, hotel detective Am Caulfield is overheard saying, “Hotels are like a circus without the tent.”

In addition to those headaches, Am has more than a few mysteries on his hands: Which one of the hotel guests murdered the famed paranormal debunker in room 374? What changes does the hotel’s new owner—aka the Fat Innkeeper—have in store? And can Am juggle a new romantic interest and the increasing animosity of the local police while still nabbing a killer?

"Perfect...screamingly funny."—Ocala Star Banner

"Booked solid with humor."—Pittsburgh Post Gazette

"The Fat Innkeeper makes Alan Russell one of the best of the comic detective novelists."—Virginian-Pilot and Ledger-Star

"Ebullient and irresistible."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Russell and his readers have great fun."—Publishers Weekly

"Like Tony Hillerman and Sue Grafton, Russell has created characters we care about, whom we want to visit again."—San Diego Blade-Citizen

"A dandy piece of humorous storytelling guaranteed to produce laughter. Russell and his readers have a rollicking good time."—San Diego Union-Tribune

"Well-written and very funny."—Mystery News

"Am Caulfield is...charming, witty, and appealing."—Booklist

"The characters are reminiscent of masters like Hiaasen....Am's east-vs.-west meeting with the new management is terrific."—Mystery Collector's Bookline