Killer Cruise by Laura Levine

I always enjoy Laura Levine's cozy mystery series about lovable author Jaine Austen (no... not that Jane Austin). I always used to buy the books, but awhile ago the publisher began to publish it in hardcover, so I now get the books from the library. This was another good addition to the series, and a pleasant quick read on this Memorial Weekend. I give it a B.



From Amazon:

Things are already off to a rocky start when Jaine discovers a stowaway amisdt her luggage- her persnickety cat, Prozac. To make matters worse, Prozac is also spotted by the ship's steward, an aspiring writer who quickly uses his advantage to blackmail Jaine into editing his massive handwriten manuscript. So much for sun, fun, and relaxation... Jaine's sinking sensation grows stronger at dinner, where she meets chatty Emily Pritchard, a wealthy seventy-year-old who's traveling with her bossy personal secretary, Ms. Nesbitt, and her nephews, arrogant investment banker Kyle, and his ruggedly handsome brother Robbie. Janie can't help but noticing the tension among them, especially when the cruise's charming- and sleazy- British dancer, Graham, whisks Emily on the dance floor and keeps her there for the rest of the evening. Soon Emily is accepting Graham's invitations to every social event on the ship even though her nephews and Ms. Nesbitt clearly don't approve. And when the bubbly couple announce their engagement just two nights later, no one is more surprised than Graham's long time girlfriend Cookie. But the news is quickly overshadowed the next morning by the discovery of Graham's body with an ice pick protuding from his chest...
The captain is quick to accuse Cookie, but Jaine suspects there are more sharks in the water. Was money-hungry Kyle protecting his inhertience? Perhaps Ms. Nesbitt was attempting to regain control over Emily? Or could the notorious lothario have fallen to one of his many paramours? And what about Robbie? Although Jaine finds herself falling for him, she can't help but wonder if he's been completely honest with her. Between hiding a furry fugitive, flirting with Robbie, and baiting the hook for a clever murderer, Jaine is about to dive into her most dangerous case yet...

I always enjoy reading about Jaine and her antics. The situations she finds herself in is always comical, and how she reacts is always good for a few chuckles. I also always enjoy the communication via email with her parents who are always funny and make me smile. I think this book provided more clues towards who the killer was than there were in some of her previous books, which was a pleasure. I like that Jaine is "real" woman, someone who is not concerned about what name brand her shoes are or how she is always dressed, but does sometimes over-indulge into an extra chocolate brownie. If you enjoy a quick, light-hearted cozy mystery, I highly recommend you pick up this book or any other book by Laura Levine. This is not a series that needs to be read in order, as there is no carryover whatsoever.

I am not sure what I am going to read next. Still have more library books to choose from, but I will probably not get to one until later today. The Red Wings start in half an hour and my husband wants me to go to his parents later today. I may beg off of that, but I will get some reading in tonight. I am so happy that all of my cleaning and laundry is done and tomorrow is just filled with enjoying the weather, my day off, and reading a good book. Happy Reading everyone!