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Pineapple Port Mysteries #18

Pineapple Trivia Night

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Series now optioned for television!The Pineapple Port crew have quick minds and slow pets in the latest Pineapple Port Mystery by USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Amy Vansant.
Enter the series at any book - each is a complete standalone mystery!

Newly engaged private investigators, Charlotte and Declan, are hired to go undercover in a high-stakes trivia contest at the castle of an eccentric retired game show host. While they need the work and the price is right, thanks to a family feud, what sounds like a fun job, turns out to be jeopardy. The dress code is formal, the guest list is conniving, the castle is locked, and there's one other glaring issue...

I'll take dead guy in the hidden passageway for five hundred, Alex...

The lovebirds must enlist the help of contestants they can't trust to solve a string of riddles, puzzles, and trivia questions. Deciphering the clues to unmask the murderer and escape the castle alive will be almost as ugly as the famous owner's interior decorating style—King Arthur meets Jimmy Buffett.

Back at the Pineapple Port retirement community, Mariska wishes Charlotte would hurry up and get home. The pet sloth she's babysitting has been kidnapped and she needs to get Sir Sleepsalot back before the owner returns, even if it means enlisting the help of Declan's crazy Uncle Seamus and tangling with one of his old girlfriends.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Pineapple Port is my go-to series when I need some me-time with a refreshing beverage and some funny old friends.” ~Julie Smith, Edgar Award-winning author of the Skip Langdon series

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2023

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About the author

Amy Vansant

91 books838 followers
Amy Vansant is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author who writes with an unique blend of thrills, romance and humor (occasionally with a touch of time travel or fantasy). Check out the Pineapple Port Mystery series or her Urban Fantasy Thriller, the Kilty Series!
Website: http://www.amyvansant.com/
She loves interacting with fans when the dog isn't laying on top of her, so stop by her blog or Twitter and say hi!

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5 stars
275 (67%)
4 stars
99 (24%)
3 stars
30 (7%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,923 reviews9 followers
June 18, 2023
This is the sixteenth book in the Pineapple Port Mystery series. Each book is a standalone story.
Declan & Charlotte are locked into a castle-type mansion along with a crew of relatives of friends of a 94-year-old. Whomever solves the clues and appears at the appointed place first wins his inheritance.

Mariska has begun pet sitting. Darla ropes her into sitting a sloth. Things do not go well. I can empathize with Frank. That poor man has put up with a lot from Darla & Mariska.

I enjoyed the twists, turns, and mishaps. This was a great escape. I was given an advanced readers’ copy and am not required to leave a positive review.
Profile Image for Julie Howard.
Author 2 books34 followers
June 16, 2023
I just loved, loved, loved this book. This is one of my favourite series but I have to say the author has out done herself with this book. There are three situations (cases) following three different sets of characters and I can honestly say I don't know which one I enjoyed most. All three were entertaining and I didn't want it to end. I think I might have read the book in a day, I was that hooked. The characters and the situations they find themselves in are just hilarious and very inventive. It is definitely one to get on audio book as well. Please keep them coming.
When an old game show host is nearing the end of his life how does he sort out who to give his millions too? Easy he holds a competition and has his family competing for bigger pay outs. Which is why Charlotte and Declan find themselves hired to impersonate an estranged cousin. The clues are simple enough to solve but solving who is killing off the other contestants isn't so easy. Can they survive the weekend in an eccentric mansion that includes a moat with crocodiles? I'm a game with no rules? Back home, Sheriff Frank is investigating some strange thiefs, someone is stealing unusual animals. Which unbeknownst to him also includes the disappearance of the sloth his wife is babysitting. Can Mariska and Darla find the missing animal before he finds out what they were up to?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntary left this review.
Profile Image for Deb Kiley.
391 reviews27 followers
June 2, 2026
The narrator, Rosemary Benson, did a fantastic job creating unique voices for all the characters. I knew who was talking based on the voice, which I loved. Her narration added to the enjoyment of listening to the story.
This book had two stories: one about a sloth and one as a locked door mystery in a castle. They both involve the Pineapple Port characters and I think I enjoyed the sloth plot line a little more because how many books have a sloth that has gone missing!
Charlotte and Declan went to a glitzy trivia event at a castle hosted by a game show host. Well, it turns out to be more than just trivia. They had to use their detective skills to solve some escape rooms, riddles, and figure out a murder.
Back home, Mariska was supposed to babysit a sloth, but it went missing. Then some other animals turned up missing-peacock, pig, lemurs. The town is out and about trying to piece together what is going on with all of the animals.
I would recommend this book for all cozy mystery fans, those who enjoy good narration, and readers who like to escape and be entertained as I was. Looking forward to more books from this series!

Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
2,210 reviews10 followers
May 23, 2026
Audiobook: I enjoyed this story a lot. Once the audiobook started, I had to listen to the end as I was trapped in the mystery which reminded me of when I completed a physical escape room. Next to the story in which Charlotte and Declan were working to solve the various clues, riddles, and mysteries in order to escape the locked castle, was the story where Mariska and Darla were taking care of a sloth. I appreciated the humorous incidents which were like the cherry on an ice cream sundae. I thought Rosemary Benson's narration added to the story's entertainment as her performance was enjoyable. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,413 reviews
February 28, 2026
Fitting ending

Although, I do feel for Charlotte and Declan. Hired to masquerade as someone else in a trivia contest where everyone else starts dropping like flies. A castle, a maze, a moat with, alligators, drop floors, hidden passageway...you name it, something wacky. Toss in the mishmash of contestants and they're in for one sleepiness night.

In the meantime, our resident troublemakers are at it again. Darla and Mariska manage to embed themselves in another scheme that results in a kidnapped boarder. Meanwhile, Frank has his hands full doing his job while not strangling a friend.

Just another day for our Pineapple Port residents.
141 reviews
June 25, 2023
Charlotte and Declan have their hands full this time. Solve the trivia game and stay alive. The players aren't all who they say they are and some have a motive for murder. You won't guess "who dun it" until the very end. Meanwhile Darla and Mariska are up to their usual sketchy business. This time it involves a sloth that gets kidnapped. Several other animals are disappearing too. Seamus and Frank get involved too. Bob, he stays out of it. Smart man. A wonderful cozy mystery story with laughs, mystery, and real characters. I received an ARC and I'm voluntarily reviewing it.
302 reviews10 followers
December 15, 2024
AGreat Take on a Classic

Another great outing with private eye Charlottes Morgan and the gang at Pineapple Port retirement community. While Charlotte and her fiancé Declan are hired to compete in o a Trivia Night contest to win an inheritance, her madcap neighbors create havoc with a trio of exotic animal thefts. The trivia night becomes a murder mystery a la Agatha Christie while the search for the stolen critters descends into hilarious insanity worthy of the Marx brothers. It’s beyond explanation, You’ll just have to read it for yourself and enjoy some laughs.
7 reviews
June 23, 2023
Laughs and thrills galore

I just finished reading this entire series and I really hate to see it end. I have laughed SO hard at the antics of Darla and Mariska and seen such growth in Charlotte. The characters were so wonderfully, and fully, developed by the author and I now feel, after 16 books, as if they are dear friends. I highly recommend this series for easy ,entertaining reading. I will be reading her Shee's series now!
Profile Image for Anne G. Kasaba.
1,965 reviews9 followers
June 29, 2023
I have been reading thie books in this series since it began and I think this is the best one yet! The storyline was creative and engaging. The mysteries solution was a complete surprise. I love all the regular quirky characters but having Charlotte and Declan off n their own and allowing the others a more active role and enhanced the book. A definite must read.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
1,705 reviews13 followers
June 17, 2023
Loved this. So much going on with Charlotte and Declan involved in a weird trivia/escape room type murder mystery, Mariska and Darla in merry mayhem with Seamus, animals and an ex love interest of his and also Frank with Bob's help (???) investigates stolen animals. Lots of animals, puzzles and best line – “a slice short of a loaf". Loved this book.
Profile Image for Janet Graham.
2,506 reviews10 followers
June 17, 2023
Fast Moving and Funny Mystery
This book is the 18th in a very funny cozy mystery series. This episode has 3 different things going on at the same time. They are all funny and intertwined. They include juvenile delinquents, crazy nonagenarians, and zoo animals. I have really enjoyed this series and can never get enough of their brand of silly-crazy!
7 reviews
June 22, 2023
Best one ever!

If you’ve read the other Pineapple Port mysteries let me just say that this gets you two for one and all the characters are at their hilarious best! If you haven’t read this series before and you really love laugh out loud cozies you will love them. This could be read as a standalone but is even funnier if you know the characters. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Jim.
794 reviews
July 11, 2023
Book 18 in the series

Two mysteries to solve and not a clue in sight. The trivia mystery starts in a castle belonging to a retired game show host and is anything but trivial. The missing sloth mystery begins closer to home and has Darla and Mariska trying to find it. A great read.
Profile Image for Lolli Powell.
Author 16 books383 followers
September 3, 2023
I think this is my favorite Pineapple Port book so far and…

that’s saying something since I’ve enjoyed them all. It’s really two funny and exciting stories in one what with Charlotte and Declan locked in a castle with a murderer racking up the body count and Mariska and Darla trying to find their stolen sloth. And you gotta feel sorry for Frank…
877 reviews25 followers
June 22, 2023
Pineapple Trivia Night (18)

Oooh NOOO! this is the last remaining story in this series ( so far)! I'm hoping MS Can want will willingly write at a few more so I don't miss anything that happens in Pineapple Port!!!
97 reviews2 followers
August 29, 2023
A book that makes you turn pages, laugh and love

What a great book! A real who done it, with laugh out loud moments. Both story lines are so well written. It makes you glad you read it.
Profile Image for Marilyn Dykstra.
87 reviews
December 7, 2023
I love this series, and this was a good one. Creative story, funny, and good mystery. The side story of the shenanigans of Darla & Marisa was good too. Lots of laughs. Always leaves you looking forward to the next one.
4 reviews
May 2, 2026
I really enjoy pineapple port mysteries! Just read Trivia night and it was really good, a lot of action, held my interest where I looked forward to sitting down to read on. I laughed so much when I pictured Mariska and Darla doing their thing, they crack me up! Can’t wait to start next book, keep writing please!
4,417 reviews42 followers
June 20, 2023
NEVER EVER join a Trivia Night like this one!!!! People are being killed over it!!! However, I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
Profile Image for Kelly Young.
Author 39 books57 followers
June 22, 2023
Probably the best of the series so far! Mariska's and Darla's shenanigans balance out the complex challenges that Charlotte and Declan are embroiled in. Hilarious and fun, and an easy read.
47 reviews
June 23, 2023
Trivia Trifecta

Really exciting with three stories at once going on ! This would make a hilarious movie ! I can't imagine a better ending .
Profile Image for Mary Baker.
637 reviews2 followers
June 25, 2023
A sloth and menagerie mystery

As Pineapple Port is the location of Strang happenings. A eccentric man sets up a contest to determine his heir.
475 reviews14 followers
June 27, 2023
What a fun book! Two of my favorite things. Game shows and sloths.
Profile Image for Carol Filipow Pigg.
253 reviews4 followers
June 30, 2023
Wild and crazy story line. Enjoyed seeing all the old friends I’ve followed in this series.
3 reviews
July 6, 2023
Always a fun read

I love the Pineapple Port series because they not only have great characters and interesting mysteries but are laugh out loud funny.
176 reviews
July 7, 2023
Hard to put down

iT was hard to put down because I wanted to find out what happened at the castle. Good characters yeah.
952 reviews7 followers
July 12, 2023
Always a great series

There is never dull moment with this group. Exotic animal and wacky billionaires abound. The whole crew gets involved in problems this time.
35 reviews
August 9, 2023
Trivia and Puzzles

This mystery is a really fast-paced one all happening in one day. Pay attention to keep up with all the happenings of our favorite Pineapple Port residents!
9 reviews
August 31, 2023
Each one gets better!

This one keeps you going and holding your breath and laughing and, you get the idea. It was hard to put down. Loved the riddles.
67 reviews
March 22, 2024
Two for the pice os one

This is a great read! It was interesting to read about two cases melding into one with a sort of happy ending
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews