B&B hostess Judith McMonigle Flynn and her closer-than-a-sibling cousin Renie would be crazy to turn down a free, 1930s-themed South Pacific islands cruise aboard the magnificent San Rafael, the pride of the Cruz Cruises fleet. Unfortunately, the fabulous pre-launch party is as far out to sea as the passengers are likely to get, after the body of their VIP host, Magglio Cruz, is discovered stuffed in the piano and the cruise is cancelled.
Suddenly free to gad about San Francisco with their marooned shipmates -- at least one of whom is possibly homicidal -- the cousins decide to join glamorous, martini-quaffing Rick and Rhoda St. George and their wheezy white pooch, Asthma, for a bit of amateur sleuthing. But the route to Magglio's murderer may not be such smooth sailing. And if Judith, Renie, and the St. Georges aren't careful, they may all end up leaving their hearts in San Francisco . . . and the rest of their mortal remains as well!
From Publishers Weekly
In Daheim's disappointing 21st bed-and-breakfast cozy (after 2004's This Old Souse), B&B owner Judith Flynn and cousin Renie tear off to San Francisco to join a 1930s-themed maiden cruise for Renie's employer's newest luxury liner. The dock is as far as they get, however, after someone stabs cruise line owner Magglio Cruz to death at the bon voyage party. While the ship remains in port, the intimate group of partygoers continues to mix and mingle and dwindle in number. Aided by wealthy sleuthing, martini-swilling couple Rick and Rhoda, Judith and Renie attempt to narrow the list of suspects. These 21st-century characters, who include an impassioned environmentalist and a blonde "bombshell" bimbo, seem caught in a time warp as they blurt lingo like "flatfoot" and "dame." This almost slapstick tale with its contrived dialogue falls far below the level Daheim fans have grown to expect.
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From Booklist
The prolific Daheim alternates between two charming and successful cozy series, both set in the Pacific Northwest. Her latest, part of her Bed-and-Breakfast series, brings back innkeeper Judith McMonigle Flynn and her zany cousin Renie, who tend to get in trouble whenever they're together. This time, the cousins--whose kids are grown and out of the house--leave their husbands behind for a journey to San Francisco. From there, they are to take a free cruise that Renie finagled from a client. Before they can leave shore, however, the ship owner is murdered at a cocktail party aboard the ship. As police investigate his death, another murder occurs. In the manner of Lucy and Ethel, wacky adventurers Judith and Renie are always loads of fun to be around. While investigating the murders, they paint San Francisco red and hobnob with wealthy cruise patrons such as Rick and Rhoda St. George, a martini-swilling Nick and Nora-like couple whose dog is named Asthma. More madcap fun from the always-reliable Daheim. Jenny McLarin
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