‘Hotel No Tell’ an entertaining summer read

It’s always a hot time in the city when you hang out with the brilliant and sassy Zephyr Zuckerman, but this summer promises to be a little more exciting than most.

Zephyr finally has landed her big break in her fledgling career as a detective for New York City’s SIC. Her boss, the unflappable Pippa, has assigned her a posh undercover position working as a concierge at a boutique hotel to find out who laundered a hundred grand off the hotel books. Should be a cinch, but after a murder attempt occurs at the hotel, Zephyr begins to see that there may be a lot more than money at stake.

Zephyr’s month promises to be quite a roller-coaster ride as she keeps up with crazy little Asian ladies, crazy hotel co-owners, crazy New Zealanders with a penchant for “Rocky Horror Picture Show” movie quotes, crazy fertility egg donors, and an adorable but crazy co-concierge.

Add in a love life that needs resuscitation, and this gal has her hands full. But fearless Zephyr Z. shows her moxie and determination, working hard to get to the bottom of the case, even if her life is in danger a time or two, or 10.

Suspense and thrilling crimes nearly take a back seat to the fun and excitement featured in Daphne Uviller’s latest novel, “Hotel No Tell.” But with Uviller’s guiding hand, the story comes together for a satisfying ending that will leave readers wanting more.

I was thoroughly charmed by Zephyr Zuckerman and her shenanigans. I love a character who is smart and feisty, and Zephyr is certainly all of that and more. And the supporting characters — her "Sterling Girls" girlfriends, her hip and with-it parents, and her patient and protective mentor/boss Pippa — are just as entertaining as the star of this book.

This is the second book featuring Zephyr (the first is “Super in the City”), and I, for one, will be anxious to go on more adventures with this classy, wacky detective. Highly intelligent (grab your dictionary for some of the $10 words that Uviller throws in) and highly entertaining, "Hotel No Tell" makes a great summer read!