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Grave Indulgence
Grave Indulgence explores crime on the high seas, and establishes a valiant and original protagonist. Henry Grave is an investigator for the Association of Cruising Vessel Operators. A World War II P.O.W., Henry is as cunning as he is charming, and at 85 years of age, he fits right in with his fellow passengers. At 1200 feet long, the cruise ship Indulgence is the largest in the world. Accommodating 5400 passengers and 2100 crew members, she is nearly as populous as the Pacific island nation of Nauru. At 226,000 tons, she weighs as much as four and a half Titanics. Indulgence is anchored off Helsinki, Finland, preparing to take on passengers for her inaugural voyage when Henry comes aboard. Indulgence is one day old, and nobody has yet been murdered on board. The same could not be said about day two. With the help of an Arabian prince, a voodoo priest, and a displaced band of hunter-gatherers, Henry draws on skills honed in a Nazi prison camp to track down a killer who might have his own reasons for taking this particular cruise, reasons unrelated to the sumptuous meals, delightful shipboard activities, and exciting ports of call.
- GenresMystery
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2012
10 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 23, 2014
The Indulgence is the largest cruise ship in the world with every imaginable attraction including a rainforest with its own indigenous people, a 3D surround movie theater, and a high wire line that transports you through the air above the ship. Funded by a prince of an Arab country, Henry is hired to make sure nothing happens to Meg Savoy, an American Air Force general who has many secrets with regard to drone operations that many other countries would enjoy getting their computers on.
As usual Henry is annoyingly lustful and occasionally forgetful, although his malapropisms and odd memory seem as much a part of his technique as old age. He’s also sly as a fox. He stumbles into several side plots and with his usual aplomb (but very hard spine) manages to outwit the bad guys. He has to worry this voyage about what seems to be some early Alzheimer’s as well.
These books are obviously not to be taken seriously, but much like a fine, creamy chocolate, become addictive and hard to put down. They are well written and often chuckle-out-loud funny. I’ve read three now and hope Doonan continues to write in the series. I should be so spry at 85.
Now on to Aleutian Grave.
As usual Henry is annoyingly lustful and occasionally forgetful, although his malapropisms and odd memory seem as much a part of his technique as old age. He’s also sly as a fox. He stumbles into several side plots and with his usual aplomb (but very hard spine) manages to outwit the bad guys. He has to worry this voyage about what seems to be some early Alzheimer’s as well.
These books are obviously not to be taken seriously, but much like a fine, creamy chocolate, become addictive and hard to put down. They are well written and often chuckle-out-loud funny. I’ve read three now and hope Doonan continues to write in the series. I should be so spry at 85.
Now on to Aleutian Grave.
August 4, 2012
When I was first asked if I would review the authors latest book Grave Indulgence I was unsure as to whether it would suit me as I have read enough PI books to last me a lifetime. From Hank Janson through Mickey Spillane and Raymond Chandler in my youth to William Diehl and John Sandford today but I can honestly say that none have given me as much pleasure as this fun-filled rollercoaster of a read/ride.
Who could have thought that an octanogerian diabetic male would make a hero? only the author apparently and boy does it work. Our hero, despite his age spends most of his time drinking, eating and inspecting eye candy, the rest he devotes to chatting up-flirting with- women invariably 50 or so years his junior, as well as solving crimes. His sense of humor-comic timing- is superb and I spent part of my time wondering whether Bob Hope or Steve Martin would be better playing the part.
One paragraph where our aging hero tries his chat up lines goes like this: Lyudmila poured two shots and set them on the bar in front of me. “You’re not going to have one?” “They would fire me,” she said. “And I can’t marry you. I’m too young for you.” “You’re not,” I assured her. “You’re perfect for me. I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t think you were ready.”
This author has created a character that I could read about over and over and I honestly feel that everyone else should too. I commend this book and I give it 5*.
Who could have thought that an octanogerian diabetic male would make a hero? only the author apparently and boy does it work. Our hero, despite his age spends most of his time drinking, eating and inspecting eye candy, the rest he devotes to chatting up-flirting with- women invariably 50 or so years his junior, as well as solving crimes. His sense of humor-comic timing- is superb and I spent part of my time wondering whether Bob Hope or Steve Martin would be better playing the part.
One paragraph where our aging hero tries his chat up lines goes like this: Lyudmila poured two shots and set them on the bar in front of me. “You’re not going to have one?” “They would fire me,” she said. “And I can’t marry you. I’m too young for you.” “You’re not,” I assured her. “You’re perfect for me. I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t think you were ready.”
This author has created a character that I could read about over and over and I honestly feel that everyone else should too. I commend this book and I give it 5*.
July 30, 2013
Another fantastic downtime book. Who knew an 84 year old protagonist could be so much fun?
November 10, 2017
Compared to the others in this series that I have read, this one was a little too silly. I have enjoyed Henry Grave's dry wit, but this one was over the top for me....pages and pages of silly hallucinations from prescription "misuse". Too much funny, witty, cute stops being cute. There is one more in this series to read. I hope it's better.
July 7, 2018
If I could I would give this 3 1/2 stars. The humor was what gave it that extra edge. I also recognized that I read this after reading some really dark and gritty books, it probably made it seem funnier than it really was. I will definitely turn to another book by this author when I am in the mood for some silly humor.
November 15, 2014
Great Little 'WhoDunnit' with Laugh Out Loud Humor
Great little mystery with humor, an unusual but mostly charming octogenarian investigator and cruise ship platform which treads in the nuances of international waters. Mr. Grave is an interesting character. He swears and drinks a little too much and has a distinct fondness for the ladies. (which is typically returned with an eyeroll or on a good day, some lighthearted indulgent banter.).
Light hearted mystery by a slightly blundering, often
politically incorrect aging former POW that actually is quite clever and cunning when you can get him away from the bar and food carts.
I stumbled across Grave Passage - the first Henry Grave Mystery - then quickly followed up with the next two.
Bonus points for the subtle common sense messages and philosophical offerings. ;)
Great little mystery with humor, an unusual but mostly charming octogenarian investigator and cruise ship platform which treads in the nuances of international waters. Mr. Grave is an interesting character. He swears and drinks a little too much and has a distinct fondness for the ladies. (which is typically returned with an eyeroll or on a good day, some lighthearted indulgent banter.).
Light hearted mystery by a slightly blundering, often
politically incorrect aging former POW that actually is quite clever and cunning when you can get him away from the bar and food carts.
I stumbled across Grave Passage - the first Henry Grave Mystery - then quickly followed up with the next two.
Bonus points for the subtle common sense messages and philosophical offerings. ;)
June 10, 2014
Better than a 3 star, not quite a 4.
Henry Grave is 85, and an investigator for the Association of Cruising Vessel Operators. This assignment takes him on Indulgence, a huge luxury cruise ship on its maiden voyage. Rainforests, panda bears, voodoo priestess.. well you name it, it's on this ship :) And of course a murder (or so).
Mr. Grave is a character, and I really enjoyed him. He reminds me a bit of what I see my husband becoming at that age - flirting with every beautiful woman (and Henry Grave thinks most women are beautiful), asking most to marry him - all while having a keen investigative thought process. Add in his memories of being a WW II POW, and it's quite an adventure.
I'll be adding other books in the series to my 'to read' list.
Henry Grave is 85, and an investigator for the Association of Cruising Vessel Operators. This assignment takes him on Indulgence, a huge luxury cruise ship on its maiden voyage. Rainforests, panda bears, voodoo priestess.. well you name it, it's on this ship :) And of course a murder (or so).
Mr. Grave is a character, and I really enjoyed him. He reminds me a bit of what I see my husband becoming at that age - flirting with every beautiful woman (and Henry Grave thinks most women are beautiful), asking most to marry him - all while having a keen investigative thought process. Add in his memories of being a WW II POW, and it's quite an adventure.
I'll be adding other books in the series to my 'to read' list.
May 30, 2014
This is a mystery along the lines of the detective series "Monk"; without the OCD. This elderly security officer is on board a cruise ship to protect a traveling official when there is a murder on board. There are other occurrences that need his attention. The humor was laugh out loud and fit the stereotypical old man.
September 10, 2014
great book and great series. every one is a great mystery novel wrapped in humor. if you are going on a cruise you must bring these books along. as good as they are on land reading about a eighty plus cruise ship detective on a cruise is better
October 12, 2014
Too fun!
eccentric investigator. unique setting n cast of characters. keeps my interest. far fetched but fun. hope this 85 year old cruise ship detective has many more cruises in him.
eccentric investigator. unique setting n cast of characters. keeps my interest. far fetched but fun. hope this 85 year old cruise ship detective has many more cruises in him.
March 14, 2014
The Henry Grave Mystery series is a total delight. I only wish there were twice as many.
June 11, 2014
The Mr Grave is what we all want to be at 85, a fun read.
July 16, 2015
Read mostly while on a cruise. Fun and entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews