“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – St. Augustine
Some people venture aboard a cruise ship looking for rest and relaxation. Others look for excitement and excursions. And then there’s the cocktail and casino seekers. When it comes to vacationing on the seven seas, there are many different ways to enjoy yourself. But what no one prepares for is murder! Take a look at these seven mysteries and see if you can unlock the truth to these seafaring secrets that offer a unique twist to the classic locked-room murder!
And if you suddenly find yourself wishing you were sitting starboard, margarita in one hand, book in the other, check out this exclusive offer from Minotaur books where you can set sail along the Mediterranean with New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry! For more information, click here.
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
Could we really start anywhere else but with the Queen of Mystery and her meticulous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot? Join Poirot for a trip through Africa where he meets the beautiful and rich Linnet Doyle and her new beau, Simon. It’s not long before Linnet is found murdered, and it’s up to Poirot and his “little gray cells” to find the killer before he (or she) strikes again.
Murder, She Wrote: Murder on the QE2 by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain
Bestselling mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher is invited to travel on one of the world’s finest ocean liners, The Queen Elizabeth II, as one of seven guest lecturers. Not even a day into their journey, one of the fellow speakers is found viciously murdered. Can Jessica locate the killer, or will she too end up dead in the water?
To Davy Jones Below by Carola Dunn
When the newly married Daisy Dalrymple and Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher set sail to America for their honeymoon, they’re looking forward to luxurious nights and smooth sailing, but rough waters are the only thing that waits. When a series of suspicious accidents and deaths beset the liner, Daisy must buckle down and unmask the culprit before it’s too late!
Set Sail for Murder by Carolyn Hart
Danger! Dysfunction ahead! When retired newspaper reporter Henrietta O’Dwyer Collins (Henrie O to her pals) is asked by Jimmy Lenox, a romantic suitor from years past, to join him and his wife, the world-famous documentary filmmaker Sophia Montgomery, aboard a Baltic cruise, she begrudgingly accepts. Also on the boat are Sophia’s stepchildren, who are none too happy that she controls their ample inheritances. But do they really want her dead?
Clutch of Constables by Ngaio Marsh
Ngaio Marsh is best known for her gentlemanly Detective Roderick Alleyn, but it’s Roderick’s wife, Troy, who’s front and center in this mystery. Unfortunately for Troy, she’s sailing straight into a choppy current. While aboard the Zodiac, Troy finds a colorful constellation of personalities on its passenger list, and as she relays their descriptions to her husband through letters, he grows assured that one of the travelers is a world-class art forger on the run. But is he also a murderer? Roderick and Troy need to act quick before finding out the hard way.
See also: Ngaio Marsh on Race: From Caricatures to Characters
Birds of Prey by J.A. Jance
Former Seattle policeman J.P. Beaumont just wanted to get away for a few weeks from his troubled life as a homicide detective, and an Alaskan cruise seemed like just the ticket. But as Beaumont quickly learns, his fresh wounds won’t heal anytime soon because there’s an extra passenger on the ship’s manifest, and its name is death.
A Deadly Silver Sea by Bob Morris
Former NFL linebacker Zack Chasteen and his wife, Barabara, have been invited on the inaugural voyage of the Royal Star. As the ship leaves from Miami, the lucky travelers gear up for a week of ultra-indulgent tropical sojourn. But just an hour out of port, gunmen take over the Royal Star, killing most of the officers and sequestering passengers throughout the ship. Not only is Zack separated from Barbara, he has an added worry – Barbara is eight months pregnant. As Zack and his fellow captives work discreetly to get an upper hand of the situation, it starts to dawn on him that these hijackers might be after more than just ransom money.
A great selection, I could pretend I was on a cruise while reading them rather then wondering when our next snowfall will happen.
What fun! These are some of my favorite authors.
love this collection