Author: Mary Cunningham
Genre: Mystery
Trade Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781509241088
Wild Rose Press
224 Pages
$14.99; $4.99 Amazon
April 27, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent and amateur sleuth, puts aside her resentment of her father's widow and books a sixtieth birthday cruise to Cancun for Ruby and three friends. Never does Andi imagine the cruise will include the murder of a has-been lounge singer -- or that Ruby might be the main suspect.
Flirting with more than danger after arriving in Mexico, Andi connects with charming local sheriff, Manuel Gonzales. An embarrassing night involving the sheriff, too many margaritas, and a Mariachi band, can't quell her determination to clear the name of her ex-stepmother.
While gathering clues and interviewing witnesses, however, she suspects dear old step-mom isn't the only one in jeopardy.
✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽
Andi Anna Jones, travel agent in Miami, is awakened early (and I mean early) one morning by her ex-stepmother screaming in her ear. Once Andi is able to think, she gets the point that Ruby, the woman in question, is being held in Mexico for murder. The victim? An ex-lounge singer that Ruby met on board the sixtieth birthday cruise that Andi booked for her and three of her friends. It seems that Ruby was the last person to see him alive, and so naturally she's the main suspect.
Once Andi has spoken with her younger sister Georgia, she heads to Mexico to try and see what evidence they have of Ruby. While it doesn't seem like enough to Andi, she does what she needs to do: she calls Ruby's attorney friend Bert Bagley and 'convinces' him to get on the next plane to Mexico and get Ruby out on bail.
But once Andi sets eyes on the local sheriff, Manuel Gonzales, her heart starts hammering and her head isn't listening to her to knock it off. All she needs to do is ignore it and get on with business, right? Easier said than done when those piercing hazel eyes are staring right through her...
That done, she then devises a plan: go to the ship to see what she can find out, then head to Las Vegas, the lounge singer's old playing ground, to see if she can figure out the truth. But will she be able to get any information? And more importantly, will she find the killer or just find herself as the next victim instead?
This is the first book in a new series and I found it extremely delightful. Andi is hoping that she'll be able to clear Ruby quickly, but things aren't working out the way she hoped. Manny -- as Sheriff Gonzales asked her to call him -- is watching her every move, and it's making her nervous in more ways than one. Also, there seems to be an awful lot of clandestine goings-on around her, and they aren't boding well for her safety. While she just wants to chuck it all and let Ruby be thrown to the wolves, she made a vow to her late father to watch over her, so that she's doing...all while putting herself in the sight of a killer.
There's a lot going on here, with the action taking place on the cruise ship, Mexico, and even Las Vegas (where I live, and trust me, I find the Bodies exhibit creepy, too...just sayin'). But it's plenty of fun and frolic, and both humorous and expressive as she tries to solve the mystery surrounding the murder of the lounge singer. While it isn't all that difficult to put the clues together, it's the way it's done that is the enjoyment of reading this book.
When the ending comes through a very enchanting climax, all is once well again in Andi's world...or is it? I can hardly wait for the next installment in this series. Highly recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the author but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Mary Cunningham's Books:https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Cunningham/e/B002BLNEK4/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Thanks, JoAnne! You'll be happy to know, book # 2, Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay is scheduled for release in early 2023!
ReplyDelete