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Cait Morgan #3
The Corpse with the Emerald Thumb
A dream vacation at a Mexican beach resort swiftly dissolves into a nightmare for criminologist and foodie Cait Morgan when her significant other, Bud Anderson, is wrongly arrested for the murder of the local florist, a gifted plantswoman.
With Bud's freedom, and maybe even his life, at stake, Cait has to fight the clock to work out which member of the small Mexican community might have killed the respected florist, and why. Investigating under the watchful gaze of the local police, Cait has to keep her relationship with Bud a secret, and she soon discovers she's not the only one with something to hide. Peeling back layers of deceit to reveal even more puzzles, Cait struggles with a creeping sense of unreality as she desperately tries to save Bud . . . and, ultimately, herself.
The third book of the beloved Cait Morgan Mysteries, The Corpse with the Emerald Thumb travels to the idyllic Mexican countryside and a tequila plantation as Cait races to clear her partner of murder.
With Bud's freedom, and maybe even his life, at stake, Cait has to fight the clock to work out which member of the small Mexican community might have killed the respected florist, and why. Investigating under the watchful gaze of the local police, Cait has to keep her relationship with Bud a secret, and she soon discovers she's not the only one with something to hide. Peeling back layers of deceit to reveal even more puzzles, Cait struggles with a creeping sense of unreality as she desperately tries to save Bud . . . and, ultimately, herself.
The third book of the beloved Cait Morgan Mysteries, The Corpse with the Emerald Thumb travels to the idyllic Mexican countryside and a tequila plantation as Cait races to clear her partner of murder.
Paperback
First published April 15, 2014
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658 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Ace
43 books387 followersCathy Ace migrated from her native Wales to Canada at the age of 40. She is the award-winning author of the traditional Cait Morgan Mysteries featuring her Welsh Canadian criminology professor sleuth who travels the world tripping over corpses, which have now been optioned for TV. She also writes the cozier WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries featuring a quartet of female PIs who run their business out of a Welsh stately home. Both series have been well-reviewed. Her award-winning standalone, THE WRONG BOY, is a gripping novel of psychological suspense, set in Wales, and has also been optioned for TV.
"Ace is, well, an ace when it comes to plot and description.” The Globe and Mail
Cathy's work has won the prestigious Bony Blithe Award for best Canadian light mystery, an IPPY and an IBA Award, and has been shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Short Story.
Her short story "Dear George" appeared on the UK's O Level English Language syllabus and, together with another story, "Domestic Violence", has been produced for BBC Radio 4. You can find out more about Cathy, her books, and events she'll be attending, at www.cathyace.com
"Ace is, well, an ace when it comes to plot and description.” The Globe and Mail
Cathy's work has won the prestigious Bony Blithe Award for best Canadian light mystery, an IPPY and an IBA Award, and has been shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Short Story.
Her short story "Dear George" appeared on the UK's O Level English Language syllabus and, together with another story, "Domestic Violence", has been produced for BBC Radio 4. You can find out more about Cathy, her books, and events she'll be attending, at www.cathyace.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 16, 2025
“Aha … you are the Canadian … you speak oddly!”
Cait Morgan, a Welsh Canadian university professor and esteemed criminologist, is on her way to a well-earned dream vacation at a Mexican beach resort with her new squeeze, Bud Anderson. But, of course, THE CORPSE WITH THE EMERALD THUMB is a mystery novel so it is a given that murder is in the wings and will enter the drama at the earliest opportunity.
Bud has been “captured” by the local constabulary at the scene of the murder of a local popular florist with his bloody hands quite literally around the victim’s neck. Of course, it falls to Cait to prove Bud’s innocence and to sleuth her way to the identity of the actual murderer before Bud – held in a local jail for the duration of the novel - is turned over to the “federales” and consigned to the bleak confines of a Mexican prison.
THE CORPSE WITH THE EMERALD THUMB is very much a Poirot-esque character driven mystery. Seasoning her presentation with a modicum of romantic suspense and a modest serving of history, author Ace dutifully follows the “rules of the road” for a cozy mystery – a reasonably limited number of contenders for the killer’s identity; all of the clues necessary are presented at some point in the narrative; and the final solution is revealed in a drawing room style presentation with the entire cast (including the murderer, of course) present for the ultimate reveal.
An enjoyable well executed mystery and a workmanlike addition to the growing Cait Morgan series.
Paul Weiss
Cait Morgan, a Welsh Canadian university professor and esteemed criminologist, is on her way to a well-earned dream vacation at a Mexican beach resort with her new squeeze, Bud Anderson. But, of course, THE CORPSE WITH THE EMERALD THUMB is a mystery novel so it is a given that murder is in the wings and will enter the drama at the earliest opportunity.
Bud has been “captured” by the local constabulary at the scene of the murder of a local popular florist with his bloody hands quite literally around the victim’s neck. Of course, it falls to Cait to prove Bud’s innocence and to sleuth her way to the identity of the actual murderer before Bud – held in a local jail for the duration of the novel - is turned over to the “federales” and consigned to the bleak confines of a Mexican prison.
THE CORPSE WITH THE EMERALD THUMB is very much a Poirot-esque character driven mystery. Seasoning her presentation with a modicum of romantic suspense and a modest serving of history, author Ace dutifully follows the “rules of the road” for a cozy mystery – a reasonably limited number of contenders for the killer’s identity; all of the clues necessary are presented at some point in the narrative; and the final solution is revealed in a drawing room style presentation with the entire cast (including the murderer, of course) present for the ultimate reveal.
An enjoyable well executed mystery and a workmanlike addition to the growing Cait Morgan series.
Paul Weiss
August 25, 2014
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Again Cathy Ace channels Agatha Christie to bring us another fantastic mystery.
In this 3rd Cait Morgan Mystery, Bud and Cate head to Mexico for a vacation to take their relationship to the next level. A simple trip for some snacks lands Bud in jail accused for murder before they even unpack their bags. Cait is in a place where she doesn’t know a soul. Not knowing who she can trust Cait has to keep her relationship with Bud a secret, and she soon discovers she’s not the only one with something to hide. Worried about Bud she follows where the clues lead putting herself in danger. She knows time is not her friend as the Federales can show up at any minute to take Bud away. It is up to her to save him and herself too!!
Cait and Bud make a great team but this time Cait shows she can solve a mystery on her own, well almost. Her eidetic memory and wakeful dreaming technique are her best resources even if she doesn’t understand how all the parts of the puzzle fit together at first.
I love following the clues along with Cait but never figure it out who the killer is until she gathers all the suspects for her big reveal. Then everything makes perfect sense. That in addition to the fleshed out characters make these stories so much fun to read.
The location was a small tourist town in Mexico and I really enjoy learning about how tequila is made and the different versions. All I knew before this story was tequila was the main ingredient in my margaritas :)
I have enjoyed all 3 books in this series. The Corpse with the Platinum Hair is coming out soon, I can’t wait.
January 26, 2020
3.5 stars out of 5 but I'm rounding it up to 4 because the mystery was very engaging and well thought out. The reason I didn't give it a full 4 stars is because as somebody who lives in the metro Vancouver area the way the author incorporated it into the story drove me crazy. There is no University of Vancouver (just use one of the universities already here or create an entirely fictional suburb). The fake university she created sits on the site of a real university (SFU sits at the top of Burnaby Mountain, which is NOT in Vancouver - it's in Burnaby). There were other little snippets in the book relating to the area that drove me batty to the point of wanting to throw the book out. But looking past that, it's a good story and a well written mystery.
November 19, 2017
This is the first Cait Morgan book that I ever read. I like that it takes place in a foreign locale (Mexico) because I like to travel in books. However, I didn't get a real feel for the country. I also didn't get a real feel for the protagonist, Cait. The author did stump me with the murderer's identity but I found it very strange that the answer came to Cait in a weird waking sort of dream. That being said, the mystery itself was good.
February 23, 2023
This had it's tedious moments. I think it might be my last Cait Morgan book. 2.5 stars (almost).
July 8, 2015
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard. There is an interview with Cathy Ace at the same link.
If you haven't discovered Cathy Ace's Cait Morgan series yet, you're in for a treat. Ace blends Golden Age-style writing with contemporary characters, settings, and plots; the resulting novels feel like a modern version of an Agatha Christie mystery. Ace is scrupulous about giving the reader all the clues while keeping at least some of her detective's conclusions hidden until the grand denouement. And as in a Christie novel, the denouement usually takes place with all the suspects gathered together.
Ace's main character, Cait Morgan, could have been invented by Christie as well. She's brilliant, observant, and a member of Mensa -- not unlike Poirot. She has a Miss Marple-like grasp of psychology, although in Cait's case it's the result of her training rather than decades of living in a small village. But don't let these comparisons mislead you; there's nothing in the least unorginal about Cait Morgan or the mysteries she solves. While Ace has clearly been influenced by Golden Age mysteries, her stories and characters are distinctly her own.
In The Corpse with the Emerald Thumb, for instance, Cait and Bud arrive in Mexico for a needed vacation. Within the first hour, Bud is found with a fresh corpse in a flower shop and arrested for murder. Cait is left walking a metaphorical tightrope; in order to prove Bud's innocence, she has to pretend not to know him so she can insert herself and her professional skills into the official investigation.
But there may be more secrets in Bucerias than the one Cait is keeping, and Bud has one or two himself. As Cait tries to navigate the relationships in the small tourist town, with its English-speaking ex-patriots and Mexican population, she soon realizes that not everything -- or everyone -- is quite what it seems. And a recent spate of serial killings in the region may or may not be connected...
Cait's formidable abilities are put to good use in this novel. Her eidetic memory comes in quite handy when she has to reconstruct the movements of people immediately before the murder, as seen from her balcony. And we're treated to a bewildering, Wonderland-like display of Cait's wakeful dreaming technique, which simultaneously illuminates and confuses; it's only when the solution is laid out that many of the elements in her waking dream make sense. Her narration is deftly written; we see everything Cait sees, and know many of her thoughts, but Ace skillfully hides Cait's conclusions until she's ready to reveal them. We also see some of Cait's weaknesses; I can't go into detail without spoilers, so I'll just say that Cait's focus on clearing Bud and maintaining her own mask keeps her from noticing the masks or secrets of one or two other characters despite her ability to read micro-expressions.
I love it when a mystery author manages to keep me guessing, and I freely admit that I didn't pay enough attention to the true killer. I wasn't completely surprised, but the actual murderer wasn't among my top two suspects. I did pick up on several clues before they were explained, though, so I don't feel like a total dunce! The plotting and eventual reveal are very well done, and the mystery works perfectly with the location and context. Ace's characterization is equally strong; obviously Cait is front and center, as both the amateur detective and the narrator, but the other characters, even when relatively minor, come across as realistic, neither stereotypes nor cardboard cutouts.
Another plus for the series is that each mystery is strong enough to stand alone. While there's a progression to Cait and Bud's relationship over the three mysteries so far, you can jump in with this book (or as I did, with the second book) without feeling like you're floundering.
I highly recommend The Corpse with the Emerald Thumb> and the Cait Morgan series to anyone who prefers clever, well-written puzzles that respect the reader's intelligence along with interesting characters and fascinating settings.
Rating: 4.5 stars
FTC disclosure: A review copy was provided for the book tour. All opinions are entirely my own.
If you haven't discovered Cathy Ace's Cait Morgan series yet, you're in for a treat. Ace blends Golden Age-style writing with contemporary characters, settings, and plots; the resulting novels feel like a modern version of an Agatha Christie mystery. Ace is scrupulous about giving the reader all the clues while keeping at least some of her detective's conclusions hidden until the grand denouement. And as in a Christie novel, the denouement usually takes place with all the suspects gathered together.
Ace's main character, Cait Morgan, could have been invented by Christie as well. She's brilliant, observant, and a member of Mensa -- not unlike Poirot. She has a Miss Marple-like grasp of psychology, although in Cait's case it's the result of her training rather than decades of living in a small village. But don't let these comparisons mislead you; there's nothing in the least unorginal about Cait Morgan or the mysteries she solves. While Ace has clearly been influenced by Golden Age mysteries, her stories and characters are distinctly her own.
In The Corpse with the Emerald Thumb, for instance, Cait and Bud arrive in Mexico for a needed vacation. Within the first hour, Bud is found with a fresh corpse in a flower shop and arrested for murder. Cait is left walking a metaphorical tightrope; in order to prove Bud's innocence, she has to pretend not to know him so she can insert herself and her professional skills into the official investigation.
But there may be more secrets in Bucerias than the one Cait is keeping, and Bud has one or two himself. As Cait tries to navigate the relationships in the small tourist town, with its English-speaking ex-patriots and Mexican population, she soon realizes that not everything -- or everyone -- is quite what it seems. And a recent spate of serial killings in the region may or may not be connected...
Cait's formidable abilities are put to good use in this novel. Her eidetic memory comes in quite handy when she has to reconstruct the movements of people immediately before the murder, as seen from her balcony. And we're treated to a bewildering, Wonderland-like display of Cait's wakeful dreaming technique, which simultaneously illuminates and confuses; it's only when the solution is laid out that many of the elements in her waking dream make sense. Her narration is deftly written; we see everything Cait sees, and know many of her thoughts, but Ace skillfully hides Cait's conclusions until she's ready to reveal them. We also see some of Cait's weaknesses; I can't go into detail without spoilers, so I'll just say that Cait's focus on clearing Bud and maintaining her own mask keeps her from noticing the masks or secrets of one or two other characters despite her ability to read micro-expressions.
I love it when a mystery author manages to keep me guessing, and I freely admit that I didn't pay enough attention to the true killer. I wasn't completely surprised, but the actual murderer wasn't among my top two suspects. I did pick up on several clues before they were explained, though, so I don't feel like a total dunce! The plotting and eventual reveal are very well done, and the mystery works perfectly with the location and context. Ace's characterization is equally strong; obviously Cait is front and center, as both the amateur detective and the narrator, but the other characters, even when relatively minor, come across as realistic, neither stereotypes nor cardboard cutouts.
Another plus for the series is that each mystery is strong enough to stand alone. While there's a progression to Cait and Bud's relationship over the three mysteries so far, you can jump in with this book (or as I did, with the second book) without feeling like you're floundering.
I highly recommend The Corpse with the Emerald Thumb> and the Cait Morgan series to anyone who prefers clever, well-written puzzles that respect the reader's intelligence along with interesting characters and fascinating settings.
Rating: 4.5 stars
FTC disclosure: A review copy was provided for the book tour. All opinions are entirely my own.
April 29, 2014
Criminologist Cait Morgan is thrilled to be vacationing with her retired cop boyfriend, Bud Anderson, in Mexico. When Bud goes to the local store, she watches in horror from their hotel room as Bud is taken away in handcuffs by the local police. At a loss as to what to do, Cait snoops around and discovers that Bud has been arrested for the murder of a beloved florist and hasn’t given the police any information – not even his identity.
The local police captain is familiar with Cait’s reputation as a criminologist and seeks her help to identify the man he arrested. What the captain doesn’t know is that Cait is well aware of his identity and only too happy to be involved in the investigation, but for a different reason. She’s trying to find the true killer as it can’t possibly be Bud.
Cait soon discovers that the florist wasn’t beloved by everyone and the small Mexican village has a long list of possible suspects. She learns that many of the villagers have their own secrets and she’s intent to uncover at least one person’s secret – the real killer. Bud’s life is on the line. Once the Federales come to get him, Cait is afraid he’ll be lost to her forever.
What an engrossing and captivating tale! This is the third book in the “Cait Morgan Mystery” series. I read the previous book and still have to read the first one, but this totally and completely transported me to Mexico. I felt as if I was right there by Cait’s side thanks to author’s beautifully written descriptions.
Cathy Ace brings us a classic story in the tradition of Agatha Christie. This isn’t a typical cozy mystery. It’s more than that, it’s a well crafted whodunit with a dramatic flair. With a long list of suspects, it keeps readers guessing until the end. Ace has mastered writing the traditional murder mystery to perfection and has created a new beloved amateur sleuth. I am looking forward to the next entry in this series.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
The local police captain is familiar with Cait’s reputation as a criminologist and seeks her help to identify the man he arrested. What the captain doesn’t know is that Cait is well aware of his identity and only too happy to be involved in the investigation, but for a different reason. She’s trying to find the true killer as it can’t possibly be Bud.
Cait soon discovers that the florist wasn’t beloved by everyone and the small Mexican village has a long list of possible suspects. She learns that many of the villagers have their own secrets and she’s intent to uncover at least one person’s secret – the real killer. Bud’s life is on the line. Once the Federales come to get him, Cait is afraid he’ll be lost to her forever.
What an engrossing and captivating tale! This is the third book in the “Cait Morgan Mystery” series. I read the previous book and still have to read the first one, but this totally and completely transported me to Mexico. I felt as if I was right there by Cait’s side thanks to author’s beautifully written descriptions.
Cathy Ace brings us a classic story in the tradition of Agatha Christie. This isn’t a typical cozy mystery. It’s more than that, it’s a well crafted whodunit with a dramatic flair. With a long list of suspects, it keeps readers guessing until the end. Ace has mastered writing the traditional murder mystery to perfection and has created a new beloved amateur sleuth. I am looking forward to the next entry in this series.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 7, 2014
4 STARS
This is the third Cait Morgan mystery. The second one I have read. I did guess who the killer was earlier on but had no idea about all of the secrets that were revealed. Cait and Bud go on vacation to Mexico together. While Bud is gone to get some supplies and flowers he comes across a murder. Bud is arrested for her murder.
Bud refuses to say anything after yelling something for Cait to hear. So the cops have no idea on him even what country he is from.
I like Cait Morgan. She is smart, remembers everything she sees. She saw Bud go into the flower shop and no one else who had gone in and out right before Bud. Cait cleans out where they were staying and took all of Bud's stuff. As Bud's old partner Jack told her too.
Cait is now staying in a different place and her arrival looks completely different time. The local chief of police recognize's Cait from reading all her books and asks her to help him figure out who the killer he has behind bars is.
I really like the characters of this story. We really don't get to see much of Bud in this story.
Setting is a small town in Mexico that has a tourist town. Lots of tequila information in book. As I don't drink it was interesting.
The pace was easy going. Cait does a good job trying to figure out who the killer was while everyone else was sure Bud was guilty.
I was given this ebook to read and in return agree to give an honest review and be part of this blog tour.
This is the third Cait Morgan mystery. The second one I have read. I did guess who the killer was earlier on but had no idea about all of the secrets that were revealed. Cait and Bud go on vacation to Mexico together. While Bud is gone to get some supplies and flowers he comes across a murder. Bud is arrested for her murder.
Bud refuses to say anything after yelling something for Cait to hear. So the cops have no idea on him even what country he is from.
I like Cait Morgan. She is smart, remembers everything she sees. She saw Bud go into the flower shop and no one else who had gone in and out right before Bud. Cait cleans out where they were staying and took all of Bud's stuff. As Bud's old partner Jack told her too.
Cait is now staying in a different place and her arrival looks completely different time. The local chief of police recognize's Cait from reading all her books and asks her to help him figure out who the killer he has behind bars is.
I really like the characters of this story. We really don't get to see much of Bud in this story.
Setting is a small town in Mexico that has a tourist town. Lots of tequila information in book. As I don't drink it was interesting.
The pace was easy going. Cait does a good job trying to figure out who the killer was while everyone else was sure Bud was guilty.
I was given this ebook to read and in return agree to give an honest review and be part of this blog tour.
December 28, 2014
Cait Morgan is the protagonist in the series, a Welsh-Canadian teaching criminology at the "University of Vancouver" and living in Burnaby and assisting police in inquiries given her research in "victim profiling". She's in her late 40's. Earlier in her life in Great Britain, she survived a relationship with a psychopath. She's now in a relationship with Bud, a 'retired' cop (not quite sure from which force, likely RCMP). They just arrived in Puerto Vallarta for a week's holiday and travelled to the smaller nearby community where they are staying, when Bud is taken into custody for having murdered a florist as he went out to get a few supplies. Cathy must try to find out what really happened, within the context of the community in which she finds herself and pretending not to know Bud, as well as trying to work with the local police chief (of a force of two), who recognizes her from a criminology course he has taken at the University of Guadaljara. This occurs within the deadline of a weekend to find the real murderer, before the Federales arrive and take custody of Bud.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and missed that there had been more until I read this book, and found it was the 3rd in the series. That I will go back and read that one. At the end of the book, I found there is a 4th volume coming, so will look for that as well. They are well-written, and it's always interesting to have Canadian, and lower Mainland, contexts and settings.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and missed that there had been more until I read this book, and found it was the 3rd in the series. That I will go back and read that one. At the end of the book, I found there is a 4th volume coming, so will look for that as well. They are well-written, and it's always interesting to have Canadian, and lower Mainland, contexts and settings.
July 5, 2014
This was a fun read -- perfect for summer. The main character, Cait Morgan, is a likeable sort, with a good sense of humor. And she isn't the usual knockout heroine; she has a weight problem and is realistic about it.
The setting is another attractive feature -- a seaside resort in Mexico. The author's descriptions of the place made me feel I was there.
The plot is suitably convoluted and kept me guessing almost to the end. The resolution was satisfying, despite putting a bit of a strain on my credibility. Yes, Cait is a psychologist whose specialty is victim profiling, but it's hard to believe she can read a community well enough in just a couple of days to figure out not only who committed the murder, but another criminal activity as well.
But still -- a fun read.
(These comments are based on an advance reading copy of the book).
The setting is another attractive feature -- a seaside resort in Mexico. The author's descriptions of the place made me feel I was there.
The plot is suitably convoluted and kept me guessing almost to the end. The resolution was satisfying, despite putting a bit of a strain on my credibility. Yes, Cait is a psychologist whose specialty is victim profiling, but it's hard to believe she can read a community well enough in just a couple of days to figure out not only who committed the murder, but another criminal activity as well.
But still -- a fun read.
(These comments are based on an advance reading copy of the book).
June 30, 2014
Canadian psychologist Cait Morgan wants to enjoy a vacation in a borrowed condo with her significant other, retired policeman Bud. But before she can unpack, Bud--who has gone out to buy supplies--is arrested for murder. Her one avenue for help is shut off, and all Cait can think of is to pretend not to know Bud but investigate the murder he's accused of undercover. The area is full of expatriates, some of them Canadian, and she's been told that there's someone who will help her, but who is it? Suspenseful.
March 7, 2015
I received this book in a giveaway. A very fast pace and enjoyable book. I loved how right off the bat you were in the middle of the story and the pace kept up through the whole book. I enjoyed the writting style, she gave you enough to be able to picture the surroundings without over doing it with too much. I am ready to read the other books that have this main character in it to see what other adventures she gets into.
April 24, 2014
Another great read - I could feel the heat and the sun from the start and loved the way the tension built throughout the story leading to the climax. This series is a lovely one, taking me back to places I've already visited and adding to those on my wish list - I don't think I'd want to be Cait's travelling companion - a little too dangerous. I think I might just re-read the first two and I'm already looking forward to the next installment in the Cait/Bud story.
September 12, 2016
Enjoyed this book, a new author to me, went out to Chapters and picked up the second in the series. I learnt a fair amount about Mexico and the tequila trade in this book. And the story was good too!
I hope in the next installment Bud doesn't find himself in jail again! Cait had to do all the lifting in this installment, looking forward to the fourth book due out this fall.
I hope in the next installment Bud doesn't find himself in jail again! Cait had to do all the lifting in this installment, looking forward to the fourth book due out this fall.
August 15, 2014
Have been following this series since the beginning and it's always been a fun, quick read, with lovely descriptions of food and drink thrown in as well. I admire feisty, unlikely heroine Cait - and she is even more indomitable in this book. It is charming Golden Age fiction with a travel theme, but this book is tighter and more dramatic (with a very fast-paced first chapter).
October 23, 2015
Did not enjoy this book as compared to the previous two. Plot was very contrived and characters were too unbelievable. Also cannot figure out the connection between the titles and the books.
May 4, 2018
Cool cover, cool title, lame book.
March 14, 2019
Cait is a middle-aged criminologist in Vancouver, BC, and has been dating Bud, a retired police officer, for almost a year. They head off to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, for their first ever vacation. When they arrive at the resort, Bud heads out for supplies. As Cait watches out the window, someone screams that the owner of the flower shop across the street has been murdered and Bud is found with his hands around the victim's slashed neck.
Bud is immediately arrested and put in jail. Cait pretends that she doesn't know him and because of her background, is asked to help the local police prove that he did it. This way she can prove that he didn't. In addition, there is a serial killer on the loose and the local police chief suspects that it's Bud. So much for their tropical vacation!
It is written in first person perspective in Cait's voice. I liked that Cait wasn't perfect ... she was 48-years-old, shorter than average, overweight and smokes.
I thought it was unbelievable that But was arrested for the murder in the first place. He was found with his hands around the victim's throat that had been slashed. Everyone assumed that he had just slashed her throat and was now strangling her?! My assumption would have been that he was trying to stop the bleeding but he didn't even try to explain. Cait has an eidetic memory, which serves her well. I found it odd when she went into a weird dream-like state to try to solve the murder. The ending ("whodunnit") was a bit convoluted but entertaining.
This book is the third in the Cait Morgan mystery series (I've read and liked the first two) and I liked it. Though part of a series, it works as a stand alone as there is enough background provided. I look forward to reading the others in this series.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/03...
Bud is immediately arrested and put in jail. Cait pretends that she doesn't know him and because of her background, is asked to help the local police prove that he did it. This way she can prove that he didn't. In addition, there is a serial killer on the loose and the local police chief suspects that it's Bud. So much for their tropical vacation!
It is written in first person perspective in Cait's voice. I liked that Cait wasn't perfect ... she was 48-years-old, shorter than average, overweight and smokes.
I thought it was unbelievable that But was arrested for the murder in the first place. He was found with his hands around the victim's throat that had been slashed. Everyone assumed that he had just slashed her throat and was now strangling her?! My assumption would have been that he was trying to stop the bleeding but he didn't even try to explain. Cait has an eidetic memory, which serves her well. I found it odd when she went into a weird dream-like state to try to solve the murder. The ending ("whodunnit") was a bit convoluted but entertaining.
This book is the third in the Cait Morgan mystery series (I've read and liked the first two) and I liked it. Though part of a series, it works as a stand alone as there is enough background provided. I look forward to reading the others in this series.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/03...
August 2, 2020
Funny how some short books seem to take forever to read. This particular one fell into that category for me - it seemed to take forever to get to the end - especially when I guessed who the culprit was from the get go. Perhaps it took forever because I had guessed who did the dastardly deed right from the get go. Anyways - it doesn't change my reality that the book did drag. It was somewhat reminiscent of Agatha Christie's style, where she introduces a thousand characters and then does a handy synopsis as the detective points his finger at the murderer in question, only Agatha Christie's books have somewhat more charm than this one did.
I have to be fair - it wasn't a complete wash - but it could have stood for more 'fleshing' out of the details instead of the big reveal at the end. Plus, I did start at the third book of the series and that usually never bodes well for character development for the later stories.
I have to be fair - it wasn't a complete wash - but it could have stood for more 'fleshing' out of the details instead of the big reveal at the end. Plus, I did start at the third book of the series and that usually never bodes well for character development for the later stories.
September 26, 2019
Cait Morgan and her partner Bud have arrived in a suburb of Puerto Vallarta for a well-earned holiday. Bud leaves Cat in her hotel room to pop down to the bodega for some groceries; next thing Cait hears is screaming from the building next door to the hotel. She is horrified to see Bud, blood-covered, being dragged to a police car; he has been accused of murdering a local woman. Cait is very good at solving mysteries; this time Bud's life may depend upon her skill at ferreting out the real murderer.
I liked this story, although I couldn't help but be amazed at the climax of the book as Cait reels off the surprising answers at which she has arrived that solve the case. It reminded me of Poirot's revelations at the end of each of his investigations.
I liked this story, although I couldn't help but be amazed at the climax of the book as Cait reels off the surprising answers at which she has arrived that solve the case. It reminded me of Poirot's revelations at the end of each of his investigations.
October 6, 2018
It is somewhat refreshing to read a mystery set in Mexico that is not all about drug cartels. Forensic psychologist Cait Morgan and her friend Bud are on vacation in a resort near Puerto Vallarta when he is found with the body of the nearby florist. Cait has to get away and ends up in a villa at a tequila plantation run by a consortium of investors and, as a specialist in victim profiling, is able to insert herself into the investigation. The mystery is reasonably complicated providing a challenge to Cait’s intelligence and eidetic memory.
March 26, 2024
This is am amazing story and somehow It got lost in the mix of my reviews. This book was great, a wonderful trip to Mexico ends up with a dead women on the floor of a florist shop and Bud as the prime suspect. Cait must try to figure out how to get bud cleared without them knowing she has any ties to him. But will she do it or get caught red handed. You will have to read the book to find out.
May 7, 2017
was okay, mor eintersting than I initially thought, though the lead up to denouement was not that clear...
December 12, 2017
Love this writer's books and I love that the heroine isn't perfect. I didn't find this book moved as fast as I wanted but it was still excellent!
March 26, 2019
Well crafted. Keeping Cathy Ace on my radar. Very happy on how good it was. Been disappointed with some Canadian authors in the past (not all).
September 2, 2019
This was an enjoyable mystery read and the writing style was good
July 20, 2020
I’m so worried about Bud! Cait proves her brains, resourcefulness, and fortitude with this puzzle. Excellent addition to the series.
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February 5, 2022"There aren't really a lot of Mexicans here, are there?" I ventured. "Considering we're in Mexico, that is....... This is telling me the story will not be the part of my Country Challenge.
The book was very good, but it is a story about Expats IN Mexico not anything about Acapulco. There were plenty of interesting, sometimes unappealing characters to made the story develop. Despite the story being based in an Expat community, it is still appealing - one wonder just how many Expats there are taking advantage of Mexico's low cost of living.
Cathy Ace's format is the Locked Room Genre - where the murder is set in a way where there are only a set amount of suspects. She unrealistically insinuates herself in the investigation despite her boyfriend being the primary suspect. Mexico's reputation in law enforcement makes this idea just dumb. Further, she has a "gift" of an eidetic memory, which allows her to "solve" the case.
The book was very good, but it is a story about Expats IN Mexico not anything about Acapulco. There were plenty of interesting, sometimes unappealing characters to made the story develop. Despite the story being based in an Expat community, it is still appealing - one wonder just how many Expats there are taking advantage of Mexico's low cost of living.
Cathy Ace's format is the Locked Room Genre - where the murder is set in a way where there are only a set amount of suspects. She unrealistically insinuates herself in the investigation despite her boyfriend being the primary suspect. Mexico's reputation in law enforcement makes this idea just dumb. Further, she has a "gift" of an eidetic memory, which allows her to "solve" the case.
January 10, 2016
Each time I read one of the books I am reminded why I enjoy them, first we get to travel, in this outing Mexico was the location, always interesting to learn about different locations. Second I like the fact that the character is "older" and does not have the perfect body however she is smart and funny. Third there is always a wrap up on how Cait solves the mystery that is probably one of my favourite parts. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
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