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High Seas Mystery Series #1
Murder Caribbean-Style
Kayla Sanders accepts a free Caribbean cruise aboard her old ship and enjoys the VIP treatment of a travel guide author. Soon her shipboard friends drag her into a modern-day mutiny scheme. Everything runs smoothly until her ex-lover, Patrick, falls dead at her feet. Kayla and her friends look like prime suspects. Plunging into a frenzied investigation to discover the killer before police arrest the wrong people, Kayla bumps into Steven Young whenever she uncovers a clue. They soon join forces to unravel the mystery and a romance blossoms. Should Kayla really trust Steven or is he another suspect on her list? Kayla feels like a tightrope walker balancing between passion and peril. She risks her life to unearth the truth behind the death and free herself from painful memories.
264 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2011
11 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 30, 2016
I thought this book looked interesting to buy for the shop for tourists, but out of the 8 reviews with any text at all, 5 are from GR authors. Since I know all about those tit-for-tat groups here and on Amazon, whenever I see a set of ratings like that my heart sinks. They have no credibility at all to me. The number of times I got caught buying these new new new Caribbean books with raving reviews on Amazon some years ago... Not again. I'm not Einstein's fool. But... I waver about this one.
October 17, 2013
A smartly crafted mystery with exotic locales! Kayla Saunders takes a free cruise on her old ship promoting her new book. Things then take a turn for the worse and she has to solve a murder before it's too late. I truly enjoyed this finely spun story. It had a nice cozy feel to it. this is a wonderful lay on the couch with a blanket and cup of tea kind of read. I found it to be funny, engaging, and just the type of mystery I love to read. If you enjoy unique murder mysteries that you can't put down, this is one you gotta read!
January 17, 2018
Fascinating and interesting locations. Colorful scenery. And a charming con man.
Diane Rapp's High Seas Mysteries bring the Caribbean to life. You feel like you're traveling on the ship. Her characters are believable and well-described with realistic motives. I enjoyed this mystery, particularly for the staycation getaway to tropical destinations!
Diane Rapp's High Seas Mysteries bring the Caribbean to life. You feel like you're traveling on the ship. Her characters are believable and well-described with realistic motives. I enjoyed this mystery, particularly for the staycation getaway to tropical destinations!
May 10, 2012
Sometimes a reader needs to curl up with a deliciously good book and disappear from their own world for awhile. MURDER CARIBBEAN-STYLE spirited me away into a world that oozed with the charms of such exotic locations as Barbados, St. Thomas, Sint Maarten and Puerto Rico. Diane Rapp offers a gift to her readers: She whets an adventurer’s appetite with zesty, vivid descriptions of fascinating out-of-the-way places at each port, sites that are unknown to many tourists. We are treated to descriptions of not only the duties of personnel on a cruise ship but, more so, their very human nuances.
From the first page of Chapter One, Diane Rapp began to cleverly construct the plot for this high seas murder mystery. Her choice of murder weapon is masterful, involving a dab of poison from a Poison Dart Frog and a black pocketknife adorned with a distinctive golden snake. And there is more than one of these knives around. Patrick, Chief Purser, first-class scoundrel, owner of the knife and gift-giver of these special knives has a lot of enemies, especially of the female kind.
Kayla Sanders dumped Patrick four years ago after she discerned his true colors, that of a scoundrel. After being passed over then for the Chief Purser’s position because she was a female, Kayla redirects her life, makes use of her knowledge and writes a Travel Guide. On this cruise, she is a guest author, there to sign copies of her Guide. Her old friends have launched their own scheme to shed light on the nefarious behaviors of a few of the male staff. By the end of the cruise, Kayla, armed with courage and a resilient nature, has outrun danger, used her wits to help solve the murder, gathered up-to-date information for a new Travel Guide and fallen in love.
MURDER CARIBBEAN-STYLE is such a great read for those of us who enjoy an intricate yet spirited plot. We are treated to an endearing group of characters who add a zesty flavor to an already delightful story.
April 6, 2017
Kayla Sanders, now a published author, is delighted when she is invited to join her old ship as a VIP passenger. She had worked on this very ship four years previously, but having been denied promotion, she resigned.
The only downside to this voyage meant she would meet up again with Patrick, her ex-boyfriend, who still worked on the ship. She had really loved this man while she had been on board. Yet he had been unfaithful to her. Since then, Kayla had written a guidebook about the Caribbean, which had been well received. During this voyage, she intended to take the opportunity to update her book. All seemed to be going well, until one day, out on a tour of one of the islands, Patrick suddenly falls dead.
He was not well liked by most of the crew aboard ship and Kayla was afraid her friends would be blamed for his death. Therefore she takes it upon herself to find the killer. During her investigation, she meets Steven, who makes it plain he has fallen in love with her. But can she trust him? And is he who he says he is?
An enjoyable read with several twists and turns to keep the reader guessing from start to finish.
The only downside to this voyage meant she would meet up again with Patrick, her ex-boyfriend, who still worked on the ship. She had really loved this man while she had been on board. Yet he had been unfaithful to her. Since then, Kayla had written a guidebook about the Caribbean, which had been well received. During this voyage, she intended to take the opportunity to update her book. All seemed to be going well, until one day, out on a tour of one of the islands, Patrick suddenly falls dead.
He was not well liked by most of the crew aboard ship and Kayla was afraid her friends would be blamed for his death. Therefore she takes it upon herself to find the killer. During her investigation, she meets Steven, who makes it plain he has fallen in love with her. But can she trust him? And is he who he says he is?
An enjoyable read with several twists and turns to keep the reader guessing from start to finish.
October 14, 2013
Murder Caribbean-Style is an excellent read. Kayla Sanders returns to the cruise ship she once worked on, never expecting to meet up with the man who had broken her heart. Not only is he on the ship, he seems to delight in making her uncomfortable. When he is murdered Kayla is a suspect and must clear not only her name but her friends as well.
As you read each chapter you are transported to a different cruise ship port. Ms Rapp skillfuuly captures the flavor of the Caribbean. On board the ship, the reader learns some of the "inside" lingo of the cruise staff. I certainly do hope, however, that discriminating against female staff was literary license!
If you are feeling stressed and need a virtual vacation, you will enjoy this book. I certainly did.
I was given this book in paperback for a fair and honest review.
As you read each chapter you are transported to a different cruise ship port. Ms Rapp skillfuuly captures the flavor of the Caribbean. On board the ship, the reader learns some of the "inside" lingo of the cruise staff. I certainly do hope, however, that discriminating against female staff was literary license!
If you are feeling stressed and need a virtual vacation, you will enjoy this book. I certainly did.
I was given this book in paperback for a fair and honest review.
May 27, 2016
For some reason I thought this was a clean read but in my opinion it is not. The author is totally confused about the difference between love and lust. The characters go from just meeting to body length lustful contact in just a day. I felt betrayed and blindsided and cheated because I bought the book believing the author who posted on a clean reads group. Fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice...she got me good because I bought two books at once. I won't be reading the second one. What a waste!
September 17, 2013
Great read.
A great murder mystery of who dunnit.
Can you guess?
Kayla used to work on a Cruise ship. A bad relationship changed that.
Four years later she is invited back after writing a tour guide book about the areas the Cruise ship visited.
Patrick her Ex is still there, and brings up bad memories.
Then...he drops dead...uh oh.
A good cozy mystery.
A great murder mystery of who dunnit.
Can you guess?
Kayla used to work on a Cruise ship. A bad relationship changed that.
Four years later she is invited back after writing a tour guide book about the areas the Cruise ship visited.
Patrick her Ex is still there, and brings up bad memories.
Then...he drops dead...uh oh.
A good cozy mystery.
September 15, 2016
This is a very well written "who done it" novel. I enjoyed the cruise aspect of it since I have cruised most of the places mentioned and it brought back memories. There is mystery, romance and great characters. This is a great beach read. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
September 19, 2016
Colorful story of some of the Caribbean islands with detailed descriptions of each one making you feel you're seeing them for yourself. There's also a murder thrown into the mix when one of the cruise line employees is killed. Kayla, who left the cruise line and became a travel writer, works with former coworkers to find the murderer before it gets pinned on her.
April 16, 2018
Unusual story line in a beautiful setting!
If you're looking for a mystery with a very unusual murder, this is your book! I won't ruin the cause of death for you, but think of all the exotic flora and fauna in the Caribbean and you'll be on the right track. Having recently taken my first cruise to the region, it was interesting to read a behind the scenes take on the cruise ship. The characters were intriguing and complex and Ms. Rapp's descriptions of the islands made me want to go back! There is one pretty sexy scene, but it wasn't overly graphic. I can almost guarantee you won't guess the ending! Board the ship to the islands and enjoy!
If you're looking for a mystery with a very unusual murder, this is your book! I won't ruin the cause of death for you, but think of all the exotic flora and fauna in the Caribbean and you'll be on the right track. Having recently taken my first cruise to the region, it was interesting to read a behind the scenes take on the cruise ship. The characters were intriguing and complex and Ms. Rapp's descriptions of the islands made me want to go back! There is one pretty sexy scene, but it wasn't overly graphic. I can almost guarantee you won't guess the ending! Board the ship to the islands and enjoy!
April 18, 2020
Enjoyable read!
This book kept me entertained and trying to figure out who done it. I can’t wait to real the next installment.
This book kept me entertained and trying to figure out who done it. I can’t wait to real the next installment.
October 6, 2016
Was it a travelogue, a romance novel, or a mystery? Although I enjoyed the details about the various islands very much, it seemed that the author might have been trying to do too much all at once. Personally, I’d have preferred more focus on either the romance or the mystery.
November 2, 2012
I couldn't have asked for better on my first Caribbean cruise than the happy hours spent reading Diane Rapp's Murder Caribbean-Style. Usually, I skim through descriptions of place, as I suspect most readers do now that we can 'go' anywhere we care to go online. But here's one of the major surprises in store: Rapp conveys her exceptional knowledge of cruise ships and Caribbean locales in powerful prose always at the service of the story. Soon enough I couldn't wait for the next port of call, the next fascinating tidbit of Caribbean history.
The mystery itself is a good one: Kayla Sanders, former purser for a Caribbean cruise line, returns to her old ship as a 'celebrity' travel author. In fact, she's not as successful as everyone thinks her to be. And yet the moment is still sweet: the chance to meet with her old friends, play the role of author...and see Patrick MacIntyre, the rogue she broke with years ago after he betrayed her. She never has quite figured out how or why he became such a bastard. And she's appalled to learn how many others he has burned. With his murder, early on, a new amateur sleuth is born--and one that I'll follow eagerly.
Not long ago, top agents would have jumped at the chance to represent the author of this mystery. The series potential is clear from the start. Rapp's love for and mastery of the genre are both clear: Better still, she's not enslaved but knows when it's time for just a splash of the old nasty. And how cool is Rapp as a writer? Cool enough to know how to bring old conventions to life. Consider: Kayla has one quirk that works, though it might have failed abysmally in a lesser writer's hands. On sight, she casts the new people she meets as famous movie stars. But her casting isn't bound by time--but only by style and appearance. So we're treated to a glorious home movie starring greats from the past and the present. The casting's right in character, along with the occasional 'news reels', replaying days' events. As a writer, I'm aware these economical measures keep the story moving. As a reader, I love the fact that they are in character--and save time for those glorious settings.
Well done, Diane Rapp! Traditional publishing's loss is the ebook reader's gain.
The mystery itself is a good one: Kayla Sanders, former purser for a Caribbean cruise line, returns to her old ship as a 'celebrity' travel author. In fact, she's not as successful as everyone thinks her to be. And yet the moment is still sweet: the chance to meet with her old friends, play the role of author...and see Patrick MacIntyre, the rogue she broke with years ago after he betrayed her. She never has quite figured out how or why he became such a bastard. And she's appalled to learn how many others he has burned. With his murder, early on, a new amateur sleuth is born--and one that I'll follow eagerly.
Not long ago, top agents would have jumped at the chance to represent the author of this mystery. The series potential is clear from the start. Rapp's love for and mastery of the genre are both clear: Better still, she's not enslaved but knows when it's time for just a splash of the old nasty. And how cool is Rapp as a writer? Cool enough to know how to bring old conventions to life. Consider: Kayla has one quirk that works, though it might have failed abysmally in a lesser writer's hands. On sight, she casts the new people she meets as famous movie stars. But her casting isn't bound by time--but only by style and appearance. So we're treated to a glorious home movie starring greats from the past and the present. The casting's right in character, along with the occasional 'news reels', replaying days' events. As a writer, I'm aware these economical measures keep the story moving. As a reader, I love the fact that they are in character--and save time for those glorious settings.
Well done, Diane Rapp! Traditional publishing's loss is the ebook reader's gain.
February 13, 2012
Murder Caribbean-Style is it a cozy mystery set, obviously, in the Caribbean. As the story opens, a murder is committed, but the scene soon switches to a cruise line. But it's not until later on when our heroine, Kayla, comes to the Caribbean that we begin to see the connection.
Kayla is an author who has written a travel book. Once a purser on board as cruise ship, she now lives in the northern US, but is there to flog her new book. While at times the book, Murder Caribbean-Style reads a little like a travelogue, it is well within the heroine's character. When Kayla's ex-boyfriend is found murdered, and all of her cruise ship friends appear to be suspects, Kayla takes it upon to solve the murder.
With delicious little glimpses of behind-the-scenes in the cruise ship industry as well as some excellent descriptions of local Caribbean ports, the reader can easily find yourself thinking she's actually on a cruise. Ms. Rapp is a sweet writer, and excellent at throwing in good twists and turns in this cozy mystery. I would have liked to see a little more tension between Kayla and her new boyfriend, Stephen, but regardless, this big novel is yummy and a great read for those aching for warmth, pristine beaches and relaxing holidays.
Kayla is an author who has written a travel book. Once a purser on board as cruise ship, she now lives in the northern US, but is there to flog her new book. While at times the book, Murder Caribbean-Style reads a little like a travelogue, it is well within the heroine's character. When Kayla's ex-boyfriend is found murdered, and all of her cruise ship friends appear to be suspects, Kayla takes it upon to solve the murder.
With delicious little glimpses of behind-the-scenes in the cruise ship industry as well as some excellent descriptions of local Caribbean ports, the reader can easily find yourself thinking she's actually on a cruise. Ms. Rapp is a sweet writer, and excellent at throwing in good twists and turns in this cozy mystery. I would have liked to see a little more tension between Kayla and her new boyfriend, Stephen, but regardless, this big novel is yummy and a great read for those aching for warmth, pristine beaches and relaxing holidays.
March 2, 2012
I was enchanted by this story from the first page. It brought back memories of my favorite mystery books, like the Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew Series. But this is much more refined and sophisticated.
The Heroine, Kayla is a lovely, young travel guide writer who returns to her former place of employment- as a celebrity. Who has not dreamed of doing that?
Her former place of employment just happens to be a cruise ship in the Caribbean. It would be fabulous- but Kayla is mending a broken heart. You feel her pain and you hate the scoundrel who caused it. You form strong opinions about the characters and when there is a murder- well – he had it coming!
Kayla travels through the Caribbean doing research for her book and some detective work. The author brings you to the scenes with such detail; you are enveloped in the exotic locale. As you explore the islands, inhaling the perfume of the tropical flowers, you learn of Caribbean history and geography. You vow to return one day-in person.
Is Kayla a murderer? Will she ever find true love? You’ll have to read the book to find out : )
The Heroine, Kayla is a lovely, young travel guide writer who returns to her former place of employment- as a celebrity. Who has not dreamed of doing that?
Her former place of employment just happens to be a cruise ship in the Caribbean. It would be fabulous- but Kayla is mending a broken heart. You feel her pain and you hate the scoundrel who caused it. You form strong opinions about the characters and when there is a murder- well – he had it coming!
Kayla travels through the Caribbean doing research for her book and some detective work. The author brings you to the scenes with such detail; you are enveloped in the exotic locale. As you explore the islands, inhaling the perfume of the tropical flowers, you learn of Caribbean history and geography. You vow to return one day-in person.
Is Kayla a murderer? Will she ever find true love? You’ll have to read the book to find out : )
September 29, 2013
A travel writer takes a free cruise on board the ship she used to work on and finds herself investigating the murder of her ex.
Between visits to the islands’ tourist spots to update her guidebook, Kayla finds love and solves the mystery with her Interpol boyfriend.
I enjoyed the lighthearted murder-mystery set on a cruise ship and several familiar Caribbean islands. The cast of characters was interesting, including an undercover magician, a psychic, and the various ship’s crew, together with their local contacts on the islands.
Overall, this was a great vacation read, light and breezy, with a little mystery to boot. I look forward to the next two in the series.
Between visits to the islands’ tourist spots to update her guidebook, Kayla finds love and solves the mystery with her Interpol boyfriend.
I enjoyed the lighthearted murder-mystery set on a cruise ship and several familiar Caribbean islands. The cast of characters was interesting, including an undercover magician, a psychic, and the various ship’s crew, together with their local contacts on the islands.
Overall, this was a great vacation read, light and breezy, with a little mystery to boot. I look forward to the next two in the series.
September 12, 2013
This was a good story and I am interested in reading the rest of the series. I enjoyed the Caribbean locations and descriptions and the behind the scenes access to life on a cruise ship was really interesting to me, since my sister works on private yachts occassionally.
I did find the character descriptions of famous people distracting, I would rather have the description of the character and I can develop the image in my head. Also, by the end of the story, I was all that interested in "who done it," but I did like the solution.
If you are looking for a light suspense novel, this will be a very good choice.
I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
I did find the character descriptions of famous people distracting, I would rather have the description of the character and I can develop the image in my head. Also, by the end of the story, I was all that interested in "who done it," but I did like the solution.
If you are looking for a light suspense novel, this will be a very good choice.
I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
May 18, 2015
This book was so much fun! I found myself connecting to the characters (Kayla and Steven --- and many others) and hoping their stories would continue in subsequent books! Ms. Rapp has a wonderful way with words...I found the descriptions of various ports and "off the beaten path" attractions in the Caribbean intriguing and made notes to try to visit them... and I thoroughly enjoyed this book... It's not my typical go-to - a romance / mystery, but I found it to be a guilty pleasure I couldn't put down!
June 14, 2016
This was a fun read and had a great location, who doesn't love a cruise and the area surrounding the trip. Kayla Sanders used to work on a cruise ship, unfortunate circumstances and a bad choice of men, have her leaving that job and becoming a writer of travel guides. Now, she is back on the ship and running into old friends and enemies. murder and mystery are on the agenda as Kayla gets stuck in the middle of the investigation and readers can enjoy a fun mystery.
March 20, 2012
Author Kayla Sanders finds herself at the center of a real-life murder mystery when her ex-lover, Patrick, who humiliated her four year earlier on the same ship, falls dead at her feet. If you enjoy mystery, there is enough to keep you turning the pages, and if you love romance, you won't be left disappointed as Kayla tries to hang on to her new boyfriend, Stephen, while unraveling the clues.
August 16, 2012
I cannot recommend this book to anyone.
July 19, 2013
Loved this novel as well as Diane Rapp's next two in series.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews