Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Mai Tai to Murder - 3rd Darcy Cavanaugh Mystery
Author: Candy Calvert
Publisher: Midnight Ink
ISBN-13: 9780738710747
Release Date: September 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Chick-Lit "Soft-boiled" Mystery
Year/Setting: Present Day - Cruise ship
Overall rating: 3.75
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual (a couple brief scenes)
Language (Profanity) Content Rating: Mild+
Violent Content Rating: Moderate
Candy's Website: www.candycalvert.net
Darcy Cavanaugh and her best friend Marie were roped into giving a Nurse’s Guide to Murder workshop on a writer’s cruise-conference. They’ve got it all covered though: stabbing, poison, strangulation…and more, with props integrated into the program.
In addition to the workshop and a little R&R (hopefully), Darcy is assigned to the task of keeping an eye on her boyfriend (FBI agent) Luke’s mother. Angela Skylar, matriarch of the Skylar family has higher aspirations for her son than that of dating a non-blueblood. She also has high aspirations for herself. She’s attending the workshops and submitting a manuscript to the best, the most heartless literary agent, Thea Kenyon. Unfortunately she doesn’t make the best first impression on Thea.
Soon things heat up as someone, with possibly murderous intentions, begins preying on some unsuspecting conference attendees. And is it coincidental that the incidents mirror Darcy and Marie’s workshop? Shipboard security is suspicious of them, but that’s the least of their worries when the two women discover a dead body. Unfortunately for Darcy, Angela is one of the prime suspects. What will Luke think when he finds out? She was supposed to be keeping an eye on his mother, not let her get into trouble with the possibility of life in an unflattering, undesigner label jumpsuit.
Now it’s up to her, Marie, and Angela to form their own investigation since security doesn’t seem too interested in looking in any other direction than within their little circle.
It seems, though, that the trouble isn’t at an end. Secrets surface and clues lead to dead ends. With so many suspects who have so many reasons to want the victim dead, it’s going to take some quick thinking and fast moves to get to the bottom of all the disasters afloat this cruise.
Since this is the third book in the series it took a while for me to step into pace with Darcy and her thought process. When I did catch up the sailing was swift, and while I didn’t see eye to eye with everything Darcy did, the story was enjoyable; full of unforgettable characters, misunderstandings, wit, mishaps, and intrigue.
Mai Tai to Murder has a very contemporary feel. The writing is clear and descriptive; the story is packed with energy. Candy Calvert has created a fun, edgy mystery series.
Connie
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Connie know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews