Caffeinated Reviewer | The Guest in Room 120 by Sara Ackerman
17th Sep
Sophia Rose is here with a review of the historical fiction novel The Guest In Room 120 by Sara Ackerman. The author takes readers to the lush Hawaiian Islands and shares a mystery with a dash of paranormal. Come see what Sophia loved about it…
The Guest in Room 120
by Sara Ackerman
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Rating: 
From USA Today bestselling author Sara Ackerman comes a spellbinding dual-timeline novel set at Honolulu’s iconic Moana Hotel, where a real-life mysterious death in 1905 collides with a writer’s search for the truth one hundred years later. For fans of Ariel Lawhon and Fiona Davis.
1905 As the mother of a university and a woman with an iron will, Jane Stanford has made her share of enemies. After a scare at her mansion in San Francisco and on the advice of her doctor, she flees to Honolulu and the fashionable new Moana hotel. But as fate would have it, the island is not as safe as it seems.
2005 Zoe Finch is a bestselling author who desperately needs a jump start on her next novel, and she makes a split decision to attend a writers’ conference at the Moana under an assumed name. As a storm brews offshore, she begins having nightmares that feel hauntingly real. Terrified, Zoe enlists the help of mystery writer Dylan Winters and, over the course of the week, races to uncover the shocking truth of what happened in the hotel one hundred years ago almost to the day.
1905 ‘Iliahi Baldwin’s life changes the moment she lands a job at the Moana. Newly hired and reeling from a tragic loss, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the formidable Jane Stanford upon her arrival, which leaves young ‘Ili devastated when the unthinkable happens. ‘Ili knows things, but there are powerful people who need the truth to remain hidden, and to cross them could prove disastrous.
Inspired by the incredible true story of one of America’s most mysterious deaths, this is an unforgettable tale of betrayal and secrets that still echoes through the years.
Sophia Rose’s Review
A dual timeline historical fiction surrounding a real-life mystery- and a pinch of the paranormal made Sara Ackerman’s latest tale set in the lush, vibrant Hawaiian Islands a sparkling gem.
In 1905, Jane Stanford- widow to former California Governor, railroad owner, and co-founder with her husband of Stanford University- is a progressive woman who wants all peoples to have the opportunity to come to the university for an education regardless of their gender, race or background, but that is far too progressive for her all white-male board. In the midst of her efforts, someone’s tried to kill her so off she goes to stay at Honolulu’s new Moana Hotel far from the incident. But, did her exit bring the murderer to the tropical paradise, too?Â
A Hawaiian local girl, Iliahi, who got a job at the hotel to help support her family’s needs is befriended by Jane and journals her experience. The maids see and hear a great deal. Ili’s journal may be the only source of knowledge for what really happened in the days leading up to and after Jane Stanford’s death and she kept it to herself all this time.
In 2005, a writer with a recalcitrant muse and distracted after the death of her friend takes the plunge and signs up for a writer’s conference held at the Moana. Zoe is given Jane Stanford’s old room and something unsettling remains behind to raise the hairs on the back of Zoe’s neck. Zoe is driven to investigate and bring to light Jane’s story in a book about the mystery after all this time. She’s aided by an author she once left a critical review for- yikes- and she’s hiding behind a fake name at the conference so Dylan is in the dark about this. Discovery of Iliahi’s journals were what brings her along to discover what really happened in the past.
The Guest in Room 120 is part murder mystery- part women’s fiction- and a wonderfully developed setting of time and place of Hawaii of the early years of the 20th century. I really appreciated how each woman contributed a different angle to the story. I admit that with her Hawaiian heritage and what she knew, I was most into Ili’s story above all.
The Guest in Room 120 started slow as it introduced the situation for all three women and painted the backdrop- gorgeous Hawaii, of course. The historical aspects were fascinating since it was the tropics, but also a hint of the Progressive Era in the States when tycoons and big industry were going on. After the long set up- and yes, it was necessary so be patient- the pace kicked up on the plot and I was sucked in and couldn’t set it down until the end. Oh yes, I was well aware of who did the murder- thought that was pretty obvious, but that was not the only mysterious aspect of the story.
Another supremely satisfying Sara Ackerman read. She brings out the most interesting bits and pieces of Hawaiian history and leaves me with a fascinating human-interest story and a broader understanding of her home state. Definitely recommend to the historical fiction lovers who want to focus on women’s history in a tropical setting.
About Sara Ackerman
USA Today bestselling author Sara Ackerman was born and raised in Hawaii. She studied journalism and earned graduate degrees in psychology and Chinese medicine. She blames Hawaii for her addiction to writing, and sees no end to its untapped stories. When she’s not writing or teaching, you’ll find her in the mountains or in the ocean. She currently lives on the Big Island with her boyfriend and a houseful of bossy animals.
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
