The White Octopus Hotel

Looking for a book with a slightly different vibe? The White Octopus Hotel is a fabulous mix of slightly unsettling mystery and dream-like escapism, set in this gorgeous, isolated hotel in the Swiss Alps.

Still, the real reason to read it is the characters. Eve is so easy to root for because she's carrying this heavy grief and a moving tattoo that's as mysterious as the hotel itself. You really feel that pull between her wanting to be safe and her being lured in by the hotel's magical energy.

There's also the dynamics between Eve and Max, which adds another layer to the story, and the supporting cast, these eccentric guests and staff members who feel like they stepped out of a surreal painting-they're charming one minute and then deeply suspicious the next. It's less about a fast-paced plot and more about watching these people unravel in this beautiful, eerie setting.

If you love an atmospheric mystery where the setting itself is a character, The White Octopus Hotel is a great choice. It's a beautiful, eerie escape into magical realism that swaps formulaic 'whodunnits' for shifting floors and deep-seated secrets. I loved it.