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Dead-End Job Mystery #11
Final Sail
From Anthony and Agatha Award-winning author Elaine Viets—the thrilling mystery series about one woman trying to make a living... while other people are making a killing.
As one half of Coronado Investigations in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Helen Hawthorne is working full time alongside her handsome hubby Phil. And after the surprising number of murders Helen helped solve while earning low pay on off the books jobs, anything else should be smooth sailing, right?
Unfortunately, Helen’s unique work history also makes her a natural for undercover work—and in this case that means she’s going right back to scrubbing and cleaning while acting as a “yacht stewardess” to catch some smugglers. And even more annoying is the fact that Phil must stay on shore to figure out if a wealthy man has fallen victim to his gold-digging trophy wife.
But after a member of the yacht crew disappears, Helen’s case quickly goes from simple smuggling to maritime murder. And if she doesn’t find out who pitched the man overboard, she might end up lost at sea herself…
As one half of Coronado Investigations in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Helen Hawthorne is working full time alongside her handsome hubby Phil. And after the surprising number of murders Helen helped solve while earning low pay on off the books jobs, anything else should be smooth sailing, right?
Unfortunately, Helen’s unique work history also makes her a natural for undercover work—and in this case that means she’s going right back to scrubbing and cleaning while acting as a “yacht stewardess” to catch some smugglers. And even more annoying is the fact that Phil must stay on shore to figure out if a wealthy man has fallen victim to his gold-digging trophy wife.
But after a member of the yacht crew disappears, Helen’s case quickly goes from simple smuggling to maritime murder. And if she doesn’t find out who pitched the man overboard, she might end up lost at sea herself…
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
154 people are currently reading
703 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Viets
81 books569 followersAs a young girl, Elaine Viets was taught the virtues of South St. Louis: the importance of hard work, housecleaning, and paying cash. She managed to forget almost everything she learned, which is why she turned to mystery writing.
Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.
To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.
For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.
For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.”
Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart – and her viewpoint – remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.
Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.
Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.
Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.
Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.
Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.
Series:
* Dead-End Job Mystery
* Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper
* Francesca Vierling Mystery
Living in South Florida has not improved her character. But it has given her the bestselling Dead-End Job series. Like her amateur detective, Helen Hawthorne, Elaine actually works those rotten jobs. Perhaps her early training has given her a lifelong fascination with jobs. She and Helen both know working for a living can be murder.
To research her novels, Elaine has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker. Her first book in the series is SHOP TILL YOU DROP, a novel of sex, murder and plastic surgery. It's set at a fashionable dress shop that caters to kept women. Book two, MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS, takes place at a bookstore. Elaine worked at a Barnes & Noble in Hollywood, Florida, for a year.
For the third, DYING TO CALL YOU, Helen works as a telemarketer. Elaine sold septic tank cleaner and did telephone surveys. She actually asked women if they shaved their armpits. In the fourth Dead-End Job mystery, JUST MURDERED, Elaine and Helen explore big-money matrimony for better or worse. Elaine did her research in Zola Keller’s posh bridal salon in Fort Lauderdale.
For the fifth novel, Elaine and Helen go to the dogs. MURDER UNLEASHED is set at a high-end dog boutique, where people spend two hundred dollars for canine cuisine, women sneak illegal pets into condos using high-priced designer purses, and the dogs at the store have bigger wardrobes than the salesclerks. MURDER UNLEASHED is Elaine's first hardcover mystery. Publishers Weekly calls it “wry social commentary.”
Although Elaine lives in Fort Lauderdale, her heart – and her viewpoint – remain in the Midwest. Like Helen Hawthorne, another transplanted St. Louisan, she observes the outrageously rich Florida culture (and lack thereof) with wide-eyed fascination.
Elaine’s second series takes her back to work in St. Louis. It features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper and single mom. The debut novel, DYING IN STYLE, tied with Stephen King on the bestseller list for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Elaine won both the Agatha and the Anthony Awards for her short story, "Wedding Knife," in CHESAPEAKE CRIMES.
Some honors don’t come with plaques and award banquets. Elaine was thrilled when her short story, "After the Fall," was featured on the same cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as the master, Ed Hoch.
Her short story, "Red Meat," is in BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, the Mystery Writers of America anthology edited by Lawrence Block. "Blonde Moment" is in the MWA anthology, SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER, edited by Stuart Kaminsky. "Sex and Bingo" is featured in the HIGH STAKES gambling anthology. And if you've ever wondered about the early life of purple-loving landlady Margery Flax, read "Killer Blonde" in DROP-DEAD BLONDE.
Elaine has served on the national boards of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with her husband, actor Don Crinklaw, where they collect speeding tickets.
Please buy her novels so she can pay her MasterCard.
Series:
* Dead-End Job Mystery
* Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper
* Francesca Vierling Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
June 14, 2019
I’ve decided to quit this series. I guess it’s run the course for me.
February 5, 2020
I love getting lost in the Dead-End Job Mystery series by Elaine Viets.... and with every book in the series, the reader gets to go on some great adventures with main character Helen Hawthorne. And in Final Sail, the eleventh book in this series we are going on a cruise !!!
Helen and Phil got married and are partners in their private investigation business, Coronado Investigations, and in Final Sail they have two cases and Helen has to go undercover on a private yacht !! But that's not all....she also gets ordained online as a minister for the other case that Phil and her are working on.
Final Sail will have the reader turning the pages almost faster than they can read the words.....it is so fun reading this series to see what trouble Helen is going to get into and even funner reading how she gets out of it. I love that she is finally getting her past in order and moving forward with Phil even with her ex-husband Rob "in the shadows" and love that Helen and Phil are working together and living at the Coronado Tropics Apartments and continue to hang out with the crew there. Viets knows how to keep the reader's interest whether they are picking up the first book in this series or like me, the eleventh !!!
Helen and Phil got married and are partners in their private investigation business, Coronado Investigations, and in Final Sail they have two cases and Helen has to go undercover on a private yacht !! But that's not all....she also gets ordained online as a minister for the other case that Phil and her are working on.
Final Sail will have the reader turning the pages almost faster than they can read the words.....it is so fun reading this series to see what trouble Helen is going to get into and even funner reading how she gets out of it. I love that she is finally getting her past in order and moving forward with Phil even with her ex-husband Rob "in the shadows" and love that Helen and Phil are working together and living at the Coronado Tropics Apartments and continue to hang out with the crew there. Viets knows how to keep the reader's interest whether they are picking up the first book in this series or like me, the eleventh !!!
September 8, 2021
Book 11 Phil in Helen got married and now they are PI. They have two jobs to uncover. One is A daughter believed her father's new 20 year old wife is trying to kill him. ( he is 80 something and in bad health) but the daughter thinks she is doing him in with poison. The other one is someone smuggling Emeralds on a yacht. Helen disguised herself in The first Helen disguising herself as a Paster and Phil is a pretending to be handyman for the young woman Blossom. The young wife. I have read all the books except 12 13 and 14. This 1st book in series is about Helen and her life with her ex and how she left him. She got stranded in Fort Lauderdale that is where she stay. With her land lady Margery and Peggy and the parrot as long time tenants. It tells how Helen has dead end jobs to keep her off the books so she would not be found. These are Awesome series. And I Love Josie series books too. Some of these books in the series are sarcastic funny. But Love them
October 21, 2025
I'm really enjoying Helen and Phil's PI firm. The cases were interesting and I loved seeing justice served. #readforkimberly
July 4, 2012
Final Sail by Elaine Viets
Violet is hiring a husband/wife detective team, Phil and Helen so they can make sure her new step mother won't kill her father.
She plans for Helen to be ordained a minister so she can visit him in ICU. He's in a coma and has a massive heart attack.
Phil questions the housekeeper to get an idea of what he'll be up against when he applies for the job of estate manager-in charge of all the people that do the manual work.
Helen also now has a job on a luxury yacht as a stewardess. Violet's dad had married the one on the yacht previously and the captain found a tackle box of emeralds but doesn't know who they belonged to.
Hopes that by having Helen aboard she can hear things with the crew to figure the mystery out.
Wow the luxury on the yacht, having bathroom towels changed along with soaps after every use, the $40 bars.
Loved hearing of the luxuries and the very detailed descriptions of the mansion and yacht, rooms, clothes, landscaping, etc
Love this book and hope there is another in line, just wish it had recipes. The food sounds SO good.
Violet is hiring a husband/wife detective team, Phil and Helen so they can make sure her new step mother won't kill her father.
She plans for Helen to be ordained a minister so she can visit him in ICU. He's in a coma and has a massive heart attack.
Phil questions the housekeeper to get an idea of what he'll be up against when he applies for the job of estate manager-in charge of all the people that do the manual work.
Helen also now has a job on a luxury yacht as a stewardess. Violet's dad had married the one on the yacht previously and the captain found a tackle box of emeralds but doesn't know who they belonged to.
Hopes that by having Helen aboard she can hear things with the crew to figure the mystery out.
Wow the luxury on the yacht, having bathroom towels changed along with soaps after every use, the $40 bars.
Loved hearing of the luxuries and the very detailed descriptions of the mansion and yacht, rooms, clothes, landscaping, etc
Love this book and hope there is another in line, just wish it had recipes. The food sounds SO good.
June 9, 2012
Okay, the book is good, really good, the plot is great, but I have a problem with where this series is heading.
Let's not go backwards into the whole Rob story again! Let it be and concentrate on the new detective business and cases. Please do not make this series silly, in a bad way, by bringing back a dead character! Keep the dead, dead, and keep Helen's sister in the background because she is annoying enough to make people quit reading.
Develop the story of the detective agency and let Phil and Helen's characters grow in that direction.
AND PLEASE do not tell us every chapter how wonderful Phils long silver hair is! We get it! Helen is in awe of Phil's wonderful hair!
I know these are little nit-picky complaints, but really, there are so many great books to be read that a a little nit-picky thing is what could make a person put down a book and move on.
That is what I hope for this series - that it will move on! Forward!
Otherwise, fairly entertaining.
Let's not go backwards into the whole Rob story again! Let it be and concentrate on the new detective business and cases. Please do not make this series silly, in a bad way, by bringing back a dead character! Keep the dead, dead, and keep Helen's sister in the background because she is annoying enough to make people quit reading.
Develop the story of the detective agency and let Phil and Helen's characters grow in that direction.
AND PLEASE do not tell us every chapter how wonderful Phils long silver hair is! We get it! Helen is in awe of Phil's wonderful hair!
I know these are little nit-picky complaints, but really, there are so many great books to be read that a a little nit-picky thing is what could make a person put down a book and move on.
That is what I hope for this series - that it will move on! Forward!
Otherwise, fairly entertaining.
February 17, 2013
If you like light cozies that are fun to read, you'll enjoy another installment in the Helen Hawthorne series. Newly married, Helen and Phil are now a husband and wife PI team. Their first case is a tough one. When another one pop ups, it's time for Helen to go undercover on a yacht for an emerald smuggler and Phil to tail a black widow type, who's more than she seems. While these two cases are ongoing at the same time, it's up to Helen to find a connection to between them. They learn some interesting secrets on the high seas and on Hendin Island in Florida, when there's more than meets the eye. This cozy packs a double whammy of surprises for an enjoyable read.
December 16, 2014
This series has become pretty predictable, but I find myself reading them anyway. This one wasn't bad. The stuff about the yacht stewdardess job was interesting and the way the "bad guys" killed the victims off was also interesting. I'm sure I'll read #12 one of these days!
June 18, 2013
Good, light summer read. I have read all of her Dead-End Job Mysteries. I find myself reading an entire series of books if I enjoy the author.
September 30, 2021
I absolutely love the 'Dead-End Job Mystery' series by Elaine Viets. I started this series when I stumbled across one at random the decided it was one series worth reading. Even though this series is a murder mystery, it's delivered with a huge side of humor.
Husband and wife PI team Helen Hawthorne and Phil Sagemont both have their hands full, but only Helen has to carry drink trays—as part of her latest undercover assignment as a stewardess on a private yacht… Lost at Sea
~Elaine Viets
Helen's newest dead-end job is to pose as a stewardess. However, between serving drinks to the snobs, scrubbing floors, and cleaning up after seasick passengers, she to watch her step as she searches out the smuggler—or she may end up going from undercover to overboard.
Back on the mainland Phil's job—trying to catch a sexy gold digger who may have killed her elderly husband for his fortune and her side lover.
Meanwhile, in Helen's hometown, her sister believes the blackmailer is Rob and he was never dead. She has to pay the demand on her own because Helen is in the Bahamas.
I know you are desperate for more deets. However, your just going to have to read and enjoy as much as I did.
~Laters Peeps
Husband and wife PI team Helen Hawthorne and Phil Sagemont both have their hands full, but only Helen has to carry drink trays—as part of her latest undercover assignment as a stewardess on a private yacht… Lost at Sea
~Elaine Viets
Helen's newest dead-end job is to pose as a stewardess. However, between serving drinks to the snobs, scrubbing floors, and cleaning up after seasick passengers, she to watch her step as she searches out the smuggler—or she may end up going from undercover to overboard.
Back on the mainland Phil's job—trying to catch a sexy gold digger who may have killed her elderly husband for his fortune and her side lover.
Meanwhile, in Helen's hometown, her sister believes the blackmailer is Rob and he was never dead. She has to pay the demand on her own because Helen is in the Bahamas.
I know you are desperate for more deets. However, your just going to have to read and enjoy as much as I did.
~Laters Peeps
July 3, 2022
Smuggling and Murder
This book is part of a series that you will enjoy best by reading it in order. Oh, this is a great mystery! There is a suspected gold-digger whose elderly husband drops dead. There is a yacht captain who is sure some crew member on his boat is a smuggler. And the 2 cases get pretty tangled as each PI tries to solve all of the crimes. This is a very exciting book that has a bit for everyone. The reader has no idea what is going on until the end! I highly recommend the book and the series. I have been binge-reading this series and do not want to stop.
This book is part of a series that you will enjoy best by reading it in order. Oh, this is a great mystery! There is a suspected gold-digger whose elderly husband drops dead. There is a yacht captain who is sure some crew member on his boat is a smuggler. And the 2 cases get pretty tangled as each PI tries to solve all of the crimes. This is a very exciting book that has a bit for everyone. The reader has no idea what is going on until the end! I highly recommend the book and the series. I have been binge-reading this series and do not want to stop.
October 4, 2021
This is a fun read. Ellen works as a housemaid on a private yacht. My goodness how the rich really live. She hast to clean the bathroom after every use putting in new soap and hand towels. She is working to find the smuggler of emeralds. Phil stayed in Fort Lauderdale to solve the other case they were working on.
November 25, 2020
Helen and Phil go undercover!
Entertaining storyline about a smuggler of Emeralds on a private yacht, and Helen must fine who it is doing it! Phil goes undercover, must find out if the clients father was killed my his wife or not? Good !
Entertaining storyline about a smuggler of Emeralds on a private yacht, and Helen must fine who it is doing it! Phil goes undercover, must find out if the clients father was killed my his wife or not? Good !
June 23, 2021
Not really a fan. I learned some great new words but that's the only nice thing I can say about this book. All of the characters were flat and lacked an original voice. The ending was to both mysteries was obvious halfway through the book
January 13, 2019
Really good! Sick of Kathy and the Rob B.S., though.
December 9, 2019
Love this author!
September 6, 2020
Helen sets sail on a yacht to catch a smuggler
Coronado Investigations is operating in high gear! This time they have two separate cases - they are after a smuggler and a murderer!
Coronado Investigations is operating in high gear! This time they have two separate cases - they are after a smuggler and a murderer!
December 20, 2020
3 star
Works pretty well. I have read some earlier in series but not all of them. I suspect I'd feel it was low on characterization if I hadn't read any.
Works pretty well. I have read some earlier in series but not all of them. I suspect I'd feel it was low on characterization if I hadn't read any.
January 20, 2021
Lots of twists
Elaine keeps you wondering who is the killer until the end. Well written and engaging. I had timo force myself to put the book down and go to sleep. Wonderful story.
Elaine keeps you wondering who is the killer until the end. Well written and engaging. I had timo force myself to put the book down and go to sleep. Wonderful story.
May 20, 2021
One of my favorite series.
June 8, 2021
Quick, easy beach read
August 12, 2021
really enjoyed the book, this series just keep getting better...
February 11, 2022
Love this series. Author gives a really good look inside the jobs of people we may never really think about.
February 5, 2023
This is a good mystery in which Helen and Phil have to find a murderer and also a smuggler of priceless emeralds. As usual, it has good characters, good settings, and a good plot.
Read
August 22, 2024loved it
June 6, 2025
This high quality mystery is loaded with excitement, and lots of twists and turns. I'll definitely read more books in this series!
September 10, 2012
Helen Hawthorne, the protagonist of the endearing Dead-End Job Mystery Series, now finds herself spending her time solving cases with her husband, with whom she has opened a private detective agency. As the book opens they take on two investigations, and the novel is about equally divided between them. The first case involves the impending death of an elderly man, presently hospitalized but with apparently no hope of surviving, whose daughter is convinced that his second wife, much younger than he, poisoned him, the $10,000,000 she stands to gain being a pretty good motive.
At the same time, they are hired by the captain of a luxury yacht who believes there is a jewel smuggler aboard, and they agree that Helen will work undercover as a stewardess to uncover his or her identity. But first she is "trapped in a sad domestic drama."
The elderly man very soon succumbs, and Helen, who has become ordained in an on-line ministry for the occasion, meets the young widow and gains her confidence, while her husband, Phil Sagemont, applies for a job as the woman’s estate manager [the residence being comprised of eight bedrooms, twelve baths, two dining rooms, a six-car garage and pool house in addition to various halls, sitting rooms and living rooms.] Of course the cops find no evidence of poison, and don’t believe the daughter’s accusations of homicide or of the woman carrying on an affair with another man.
Both cases provide windows into the lives of the obscenely wealthy, as the yacht where Helen undertakes her second investigation caters to three couples [and the cute little white poodle owned by one] used to living in luxurious surroundings, served wonderful food and waited on hand and foot, as they say, while sailing in the Caribbean. [And who among us can blame them?] But one of them, or a member of the crew, is smuggling emeralds, and Helen’s job is to find out which one.
Helen, now forty-one, is herself a recent bride, thoughts of her first wildly unhappy marriage mostly behind her. She wants to feel like she is contributing equally to the professional side of the marriage, and between them she and Phil resolve both cases very handily. The novel is a charming read, perfect for an end-of-the-summer relaxing day or two at the beach [or anywhere else, for that matter].
At the same time, they are hired by the captain of a luxury yacht who believes there is a jewel smuggler aboard, and they agree that Helen will work undercover as a stewardess to uncover his or her identity. But first she is "trapped in a sad domestic drama."
The elderly man very soon succumbs, and Helen, who has become ordained in an on-line ministry for the occasion, meets the young widow and gains her confidence, while her husband, Phil Sagemont, applies for a job as the woman’s estate manager [the residence being comprised of eight bedrooms, twelve baths, two dining rooms, a six-car garage and pool house in addition to various halls, sitting rooms and living rooms.] Of course the cops find no evidence of poison, and don’t believe the daughter’s accusations of homicide or of the woman carrying on an affair with another man.
Both cases provide windows into the lives of the obscenely wealthy, as the yacht where Helen undertakes her second investigation caters to three couples [and the cute little white poodle owned by one] used to living in luxurious surroundings, served wonderful food and waited on hand and foot, as they say, while sailing in the Caribbean. [And who among us can blame them?] But one of them, or a member of the crew, is smuggling emeralds, and Helen’s job is to find out which one.
Helen, now forty-one, is herself a recent bride, thoughts of her first wildly unhappy marriage mostly behind her. She wants to feel like she is contributing equally to the professional side of the marriage, and between them she and Phil resolve both cases very handily. The novel is a charming read, perfect for an end-of-the-summer relaxing day or two at the beach [or anywhere else, for that matter].
July 17, 2014
Packed with Suspense between the covers, August 18, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: Final Sail: A Dead-End Job Mystery (Hardcover)
This is the latest in the Dead end Job mysteries and I've read them all. Apparently the author has not reached her limit in bringing non-stop suspense to this series. This book proves it.
Helen and Phil meet with attorney Nancie Hays in her office. Nancie's client, Violet Zerling, can barely contain her anger regarding the condition of her elderly father and how he came to be in this state. Violet wants immediate attention and action in finding proof that her father has been poisoned by his trophy wife. Nancie has requested that both Helen and Phil do the job and get the results needed.
Phil signs on with Blossom, Mr. Zerling's trophy wife, as her estate manager. Phil is hoping that by working on the inside he can gain access to important information. Helen shows up as a minister in order to spend time with Mr. Zerling in the ICU unit.
Then Phil recieves a call for another job from Captain Josiah Swingle. It appears that he came across emeralds being smuggled onboard the yacht he commands. He needs someone to go undercover as a newly hired stewardess. Helen fits the bill for this job and so off she goes on a luxurious yacht as a stewardess. But what exactly does this job require? One of the worst of the manual labor jobs in dead end job history...in my opinion. Poor Helen was worked to death, but she held up through it all.
I found this book to be filled with action and suspense. I enjoyed it as much if not more than the previous Dead End Job mysteries. Helen proved herself to be Phil's equal as a P.I. A real adventure and never boring.
I was also happy to read that Helen may be dealing with a previous situation by coming out truthfully to Phil. But you will have to read this book to find out what situation I'm referring to.
Great book and great series for all cozy lovers.
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: Final Sail: A Dead-End Job Mystery (Hardcover)
This is the latest in the Dead end Job mysteries and I've read them all. Apparently the author has not reached her limit in bringing non-stop suspense to this series. This book proves it.
Helen and Phil meet with attorney Nancie Hays in her office. Nancie's client, Violet Zerling, can barely contain her anger regarding the condition of her elderly father and how he came to be in this state. Violet wants immediate attention and action in finding proof that her father has been poisoned by his trophy wife. Nancie has requested that both Helen and Phil do the job and get the results needed.
Phil signs on with Blossom, Mr. Zerling's trophy wife, as her estate manager. Phil is hoping that by working on the inside he can gain access to important information. Helen shows up as a minister in order to spend time with Mr. Zerling in the ICU unit.
Then Phil recieves a call for another job from Captain Josiah Swingle. It appears that he came across emeralds being smuggled onboard the yacht he commands. He needs someone to go undercover as a newly hired stewardess. Helen fits the bill for this job and so off she goes on a luxurious yacht as a stewardess. But what exactly does this job require? One of the worst of the manual labor jobs in dead end job history...in my opinion. Poor Helen was worked to death, but she held up through it all.
I found this book to be filled with action and suspense. I enjoyed it as much if not more than the previous Dead End Job mysteries. Helen proved herself to be Phil's equal as a P.I. A real adventure and never boring.
I was also happy to read that Helen may be dealing with a previous situation by coming out truthfully to Phil. But you will have to read this book to find out what situation I'm referring to.
Great book and great series for all cozy lovers.
Read
May 20, 2013Inconsistencies. Barely into the book, and they're already obvious:
Page 8:
Helen thinks to herself about Violet, "She was so eaten with hatred that she could not say her stepmother's name."
Page 17:
Phil, referring to Violet, says, "It's true she won't even say Blossom's name..."
Back in time to Page 6:
Violet: "... Blossom has reduced him to a thing on a machine..."
It looks to me like Violet does indeed say Blossom's name.
It's these little inconsistencies that bother me about these books. Why do I keep reading them? I don't know. Maybe it makes me feel better about my own writing.
While I'm at it. Why must the characters always describe the scene they're in through dialogue with other characters who aren't blind? Like in the last book when character described what another character was wearing. To that character. Or in this book when Violet tells Helen that the stepmother is "nearly your height - about five feet ten..." like Helen needs to be told how tall she is. I understand it's another way for the author to describe scenes in the book, but it's totally unnatural. Or like when her characters reiterate conversations they've been involved with, but quote these conversations as though they themselves are writing a novel with dialogue. People don't talk like that verbally! I don't say, "'The dog is missing,' John said sadly." I'd say, "John said the dog is missing", or something along those lines. A big pet peeve of mine is when authors forget how real people repeat conversations.
Page 8:
Helen thinks to herself about Violet, "She was so eaten with hatred that she could not say her stepmother's name."
Page 17:
Phil, referring to Violet, says, "It's true she won't even say Blossom's name..."
Back in time to Page 6:
Violet: "... Blossom has reduced him to a thing on a machine..."
It looks to me like Violet does indeed say Blossom's name.
It's these little inconsistencies that bother me about these books. Why do I keep reading them? I don't know. Maybe it makes me feel better about my own writing.
While I'm at it. Why must the characters always describe the scene they're in through dialogue with other characters who aren't blind? Like in the last book when character described what another character was wearing. To that character. Or in this book when Violet tells Helen that the stepmother is "nearly your height - about five feet ten..." like Helen needs to be told how tall she is. I understand it's another way for the author to describe scenes in the book, but it's totally unnatural. Or like when her characters reiterate conversations they've been involved with, but quote these conversations as though they themselves are writing a novel with dialogue. People don't talk like that verbally! I don't say, "'The dog is missing,' John said sadly." I'd say, "John said the dog is missing", or something along those lines. A big pet peeve of mine is when authors forget how real people repeat conversations.
January 16, 2016
Coronado Investigations is in demand. Helen and Phil are married and working together just not necessarily on the same case at the same time. Phil is trying to catch a young gold digger who may have killed her elderly spouse for his money. He will be using a variety of disguises to reel her in.
Helen starts out helping Phil but now she has her own case. She is hitting the high seas as a stewardess on an luxury yacht to try to catch a jewel smuggler. Sounds like a dream job right, but she has to be extra careful or she may end up swimming with the fishes.
Dollycas's Thoughts
I absolutely love this series. Cruising on a luxury yacht with Helen may just be the perfect escape if it wasn't for all the washing and ironing and cleaning toilets. What started out sounding fun was real work and then to track down a smuggler in her spare time made for a wild boat ride.
Phil with his hats and wigs posing as everything from Rastafarian to an air conditioning repairman to follow around the new Mrs. Zerling was a hoot and Helen got back from her voyage just in time to put herself back in the middle of the fun.
Elaine Viets never disappoints, she delivers mysteries that are fast paced and always entertaining! Helen and Phil make a heck of a team. Each edition tops the last and there is always that little trickle keeping us tied to Helen's past which always leaves the reader wanting more. I can't wait for my next adventure with the gang from The Coronado Tropics Apartments!
Helen starts out helping Phil but now she has her own case. She is hitting the high seas as a stewardess on an luxury yacht to try to catch a jewel smuggler. Sounds like a dream job right, but she has to be extra careful or she may end up swimming with the fishes.
Dollycas's Thoughts
I absolutely love this series. Cruising on a luxury yacht with Helen may just be the perfect escape if it wasn't for all the washing and ironing and cleaning toilets. What started out sounding fun was real work and then to track down a smuggler in her spare time made for a wild boat ride.
Phil with his hats and wigs posing as everything from Rastafarian to an air conditioning repairman to follow around the new Mrs. Zerling was a hoot and Helen got back from her voyage just in time to put herself back in the middle of the fun.
Elaine Viets never disappoints, she delivers mysteries that are fast paced and always entertaining! Helen and Phil make a heck of a team. Each edition tops the last and there is always that little trickle keeping us tied to Helen's past which always leaves the reader wanting more. I can't wait for my next adventure with the gang from The Coronado Tropics Apartments!
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