International best-selling author Stephanie Wrobel’s newest novel The Hitchcock Hotel (Simon and Schuster, 2024) is a twisty thriller that pays homage to the legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. It blends the suspense and intricacy of a classic Hitchcock film with a modern twist, creating a novel that will appeal equally to thriller enthusiasts and film buffs alike.
The Chicago-born, London, UK-based writer’s fascination with Hitchcock – and her deep knowledge of his works – is woven into every detail of her novel, from the setting to the plot twists. Her fascination with Hitchcock began during her college years, Wrobel explains. “I took a film studies class with a professor named Dr. Scott, which should sound familiar to anyone who’s already read my new book! There, I was introduced to Hitchcock’s work when we watched North by Northwest in class. I’ve been fascinated by the director—and his impact on my genre—ever since.”
The Hitchcock Hotel revolves around Alfred Smettle, a devoted Hitchcock fan who opens a themed hotel in a sprawling Victorian house in New England’s White Mountains. Hotel guests can enjoy round-the-clock Hitchcock film screenings, rooms filled with movie memorabilia, and an aviary with fifty crows, all in homage to the Master of Suspense. To mark the hotel’s first anniversary, Alfred invites his six former best friends from college—members of a film club dedicated to Hitchcock—for a reunion. Sixteen years have passed since they last spoke, following a mysterious incident, but Alfred is eager for them to appreciate his creation and help him complete it. But tensions mount. Tempers flare. And murder ensues.
Wrobel’s deep dive into Hitchcock’s oeuvre is evident in every aspect of the novel. “I was most interested in playing with the themes that preoccupied Hitchcock throughout his life and in his films: voyeurism, fear, paranoia, guilt,” she explains. “I loved incorporating his favorite motifs too—staircases, milk, and birds being prime examples.”
The author’s attention to detail extends beyond surface references. She mirrors Hitchcock’s approach to violence, particularly his avoidance of guns in favor of more psychological and physical methods of harm. “Figuring out how to integrate these horrific acts of violence into my own story was a challenge,” Wrobel admits, “but it’s one I enjoyed tackling.”
At the heart of the novel is the titular hotel itself, a character in its own right. Filled with Hitchcock memorabilia, it provides a chilling backdrop to the suspense that unfolds. She initially toyed with different settings for the story, and briefly considered a Hitchcock-themed cruise inspired by real-life events. “But so many of his films were set in glamorous and slightly creepy mansions. I wanted a limited number of guests, which is how I settled on a bed and breakfast, instead of a traditional hotel.”
The atmosphere of the hotel plays a crucial role in building suspense throughout the novel. Its eerie ambiance, coupled with the diverse cast of characters, keeps readers on edge. Wrobel confesses that writing these characters was both a joy and a challenge. “Alfred and Danny were the most fun to write. My favorite characters in all of my books are the strange ones: those who act like villains, whether or not they’re actually guilty.”
In The Hitchcock Hotel, Wrobel expertly maintains a high level of suspense, with all of the action unfolding over the course of a weekend. The story is told from multiple points of view, with a strategic blending of past and present – a technique that adds complexity without sacrificing clarity. “I knew the book would start at the beginning of the weekend, with Alfred waiting for his friends to arrive,” she explains. “I also knew, from day one, who would die around the story’s halfway point. Knowing these two plot elements gave structure to the rest of the book.” Wrobel grants freely that The Hitchcock Hotel is more plot-driven than her previous works Darling Rose Gold (2020) and This Might Hurt (2022): “With my other two novels, I only had two or three main characters, which allowed for deeper psychological dives. With this book and seven points of view, deep characterization for every character was impossible – and not my objective. This one, as you said, is about the twists and turns.”
And while Wrobel’s novel is clearly a tribute to Hitchcock, it also stands as an exciting standalone work of fiction. For this reason, she hopes that The Hitchcock Hotel may be a means to introduce younger audiences to Hitchcock’s cinematic genius. “Many thriller authors have brought Agatha Christie into contemporary conversations by paying homage to her with their own works. Hitchcock has never really left the conversation—at least not in Hollywood—but I hope to bring his films to the attention of younger readers who may be less familiar with him.”
As our conversation draws to a close, Wrobel’s passion for her craft – and for this novel – is evident. “Above all, I want The Hitchcock Hotel to provide a delicious diversion from daily life.” She likens it not to a slice of life but “a piece of cake”, noting, “I adopted that approach with this book, which I think is the most fun of my three novels.”
With its sharp twists, intriguing characters, and richly atmospheric setting, Wrobel has crafted a novel that is both a loving homage to Hitchcock and an absorbing read that will have readers turning its pages late into the night, following the trail of clues to the final revelation.
Wrobel will be appearing at the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) on Sunday September 22 at 4:30 pm, for the “Echoes of Alfred Hitchcock: Exploring The Hitchcock Hotel” event and Vancouver Writers Festival on October 24, 2024 at 8:00 pm for the “Hunting for Clues” event.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine, 2024
