Honeymoon for One
Beth OrsoffMystery
Available from Clark Street Books
July 2010
| When Lizzie Mancini's wedding is cancelled at the last minute, she decides to go ahead with her honeymoon anyways. She's put in a lot of research time and money to find the perfect vacation spot and she's determined to enjoy herself at the couples-only retreat. On the flight to the Caribbean, she meets Michael, an anthropology professor on the island for business and he offers to platonically pretend to be her husband to save her the embarrassment of staying in the bridal suite alone. When Michael's body washes ashore after they have a public fight and she spends the night with a handsome diving instructor she becomes the prime suspect for murder and antiquities smuggling.
This was an entertaining mystery that had me snorting iced tea out my nose in a few places. I read it while lounging beside the pool but I think it would make a great beach book. With all the mix-ups, messes, and misunderstandings, it's no wonder the murder is more mirth than misery. This is a fun twist on the old left-at-the-altar premise. The cast of characters are a bunch of likable oddballs. The good guys, the bad guys, as well as those in between, were delightful. Even as I could see Lizzie digging herself into a deeper hole, I couldn't help but admire her a little. Her naivety borders on unbelievable yet provides numerous giggles. Jack comes off a little one dimensional but I instantly lost my heart to Fred. Jane is a blast and loved every single one of her foibles and phobias. She's the type of friend I'd like to be able to call if I ever got into a jam. The ending was a bit abrupt for my taste but all loose ends were tied up and all of my questions answered. The scene and setting are beautifully described and I could practically smell the tropical breezes and feel the sand between my toes. This is an amusing read that I recommend for fans of cozy mysteries.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Theresa Joseph |
