The Fat Innkeeper

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 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?

A rollicking good time. -San Diego Union-Tribune

Booked solid with humor. -Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Alan Russell [is] one of the best of the comic detective novelists. -Virginian-Pilot