Just when you thought it was safe to cruise again…PC Rachel Prince returns to cruising after giving evidence in a difficult trial. She wants to recharge her batteries and reevaluate her future after receiving threats from the man she helped put away.Taking Queen Cruises up on their offer of a free luxury cruise aboard the Coral Queen, she opts for a sailing to New York.Rachel’s best friend and … for a sailing to New York.
Rachel’s best friend and cruise nurse, Sarah is also returning to the ship to start a new nine-month contract so the timing is perfect.
Almost immediately, Rachel meets a cruise tour leader who invites her to join him and his Russian group for some of their planned activities. These activities should help pass the time during the sea days.
A crew member is found dead in his cabin – could this be another mystery brewing? Rachel’s eagle eye spots some curious goings on among the Russian tour group that she finds enticing. Chief Security Officer Waverley wants Rachel to leave things alone – will she listen?
Sarah has problems of her own as conflict develops in the medical team when a new nurse is brought in at short notice.
Rachel can’t resist doing a bit of snooping, but will she get to the bottom of a mysterious death and untangle this complex case before they reach New York?more
Audible Book Review Title: Quick and entertaining mystery at sea novel!
I recently saw the old Columbo movie mini series that took place with him solving a murder on a cruise ship. I’m a total detective mystery genre junkie, but I normally prefer to consume those stories in a visual format – i.e. television and movie. For the last several months, I’ve been on such a detective mystery series and movie kick that when the opportunity came along to read this mystery at sea novel, I jumped on it. And boy am I ever glad I did!
Rachel and her best friend Sarah find themselves caught up in a murder of not one but two people on board the cruise ship. It’s a week long cruise, and the story’s pacing reflected that very well. I was close but not quite 100% correct in guessing whodunnit.
I also really enjoyed Alex Lee’s audiobook narrating style. My ears enjoyed hearing the various accents she was able to do so smoothly. She was also very good at doing both male and female character voices which was a huge relief to me.
I’m excited to now go back and listen to Rachel’s first eventual cruise ship adventure in A Cruise For Murder.
This is a fun and entertaining read from beginning to end. Lots going on in the book with some good twists you dont see coming. If you are a cruiser you will like this book as you can tell the author has been on a few ships and knows her way around them. Also because she is British its a fun read.
This review is for the audio book.
I enjoyed this book. So much happens that it keeps you entertained. The story is told from two perspectives, Rachel as well as being a police woman she is also a passenger on the cruise and Sarah a nurse for the cruise line. The pair work well together and are likable characters. The fact that the story is set on a cruise ship adds to the charm, with all the different and often quirky characters. I did get a bit confused with keeping all the Russian characters straight but other than that it was an enjoyable story.
After the conclusion of a difficult court case Rachel takes the cruise line up on the offer of a free cruise after solving a murder on her first trip. With the added bounce that it is the same cruise he friend Sarah has been assigned to as a nurse. Sarah is rushed off her feet nearly as soon as the ship leaves port with medical emergencies. But things hit stir my waters when one of the crew is found dead in his cabin room and another one is missing. There is also a lot of strange behaviour going on with Russian passengers and a new nurse.
I like the narrator as she does a lot of different accents in this story helping to make you feel like you are on an international cruise ship.
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is the second book in the Rachel Prince Mysteries series. It is a standaline book with no cliffhanger ending. There are references to events which occurred in the first book, but the author graciously provides quick summaries to bring you up-to-date (or remind you if it’s been a while since you read the first book)
Here, Rachel, an England police detective, has just successfully finished the trial of a particularly grueling case. She desperately needs a break. As a reward for solving a murder while on a cruse vacation (first book), Rachel receives a free cruise and she chooses to cruise to New York to shop. Luckily her friend, a nurse, has also gotten assigned to work the cruise. As Rachel boards the ship, she meets a Russian tour group and tour leader. She is invited to join in their activities, which Rachel accepts. Additionally a new nurse is assigned to the crew. Soon after the boat sets sail, a crew member dies and another crew member disappears. Some disturbing evidence is found regarding the crew member’s death and Rachel starts to investigate.
I really like the premise of having a murder occur on a cruise ship, which limits your pool of suspects. It also
completely makes sense that Rachel becomes involved
in the investigation, as she previously solved a murder
for the cruise line and she’s a cop. Besides that,
Rachel is a really likeable character – she has a good
sense of humor; insecurities involving her love life;
and is trying to figure out her future – all believable
and relateable. The mystery was very interesting and
had some good red herrings to throw you off. I look forward to Rachel’s next adventure.
I listened to this book – The narrator, Alex Lee, is just great. She narrated the first book in the series as well. She does different voices for the characters. She has a light pleasant voice which make this book a very enjoyable listen.
cruise-ship, cosy-mystery, suspense, law-enforcement, murder-investigation
Excellent! Beginning with unusual problem in her normal job in law enforcement, moving to what should have been a relaxing cruise ship Atlantic crossing with her good friend Sarah (even though Sarah is one of the nurses on duty), Rachel finds herself an unofficial investigator into several murders and attempted murder once again. Great buildup of suspense, plot twists, and red herrings make this a really great read!
Once again Alex Lee gives a fine audio performance!