The Guest in Room 120 - by Sara Ackerman

Book Synopsis

Inspired by the incredible true story of one of America's most mysterious deaths, The Guest in Room 120 is an immersive and transporting novel that raises the question: What really happened to Jane Stanford?

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.

An unforgettable tale of betrayal, secrets and a death that still echoes through the years, perfect for fans of Ariel Lawhon and Fiona Davis.

Review Quotes

"A fresh and engaging take on the mysterious death of Jane Stanford, Sara Ackerman's The Guest in Room 120 offers grief, intrigue, and romance set against the lush backdrop of Hawai'i, both present and past. I devoured this novel!"
--­Bryn Turnbull, internationally bestselling author of The Berlin Apartment

"For fans of Fiona Davis who love braided historical fiction and contemporary narratives that are set against backdrops where setting becomes character, The Guest in Room 120 is a page-turner that crackles with suspense, romance and mystery."
--Bianca Marais, author of A Most Puzzling Murder