It amazes me that even after 60+ years of reading mysteries (and other books) that I can find a writer, BLAKE PIERCE, with more than 100 books published and I had not read any, nor even heard of, the books or the author. If I read one of Pierce’s books a week, it would take me two years to read all of them. Wow! I do plan read more series. DEATH AND APPLE STRUDEL is the second book in the collection called European Voyage Cozy Mystery. It was as much fun as Book 1, DEATH AND BAKLAVA.
The lead character in the series is London Rose (great name) an American woman who is the Social Director aboard the European river cruise ship, Nachtmusik. It is on its maiden cruise. The ship is named after Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (which I am listening to as I write this).
The trip started in book 1 in Budapest and Gyor, Hungary. It has now traveled to Vienna and Salzburg, Austria. In book 1, London and Sir Reggie, a Yorkshire terrier she acquired, helped the Gyor police solve the murder of a passenger on the ship.
Staff on the ship include Amy Blasingame (Concierge), Spencer Hayes (Captain), Archie Behnke (Engineer), Elsie Sloan (friend and head bartender), Bryce Yeaton (Chef/Medic) and Emil Waldmuller. The last two provide some romantic interest to London, Amy and Elsie. New to the crew is Bob Turner, a retired New York City police detective, who is to become the ship’s security officer.
Passengers include Stanley Tedrow (reclusive cabin neighbor to London), Kirby Oswinkle (obsessive passenger) and Letitia Hartzer (frustrated opera singer). Several characters from book 1 also are involved in this story.
Olaf Moritz (tour guide), Fritz Tanneberger (Police Director of Salzburg), Selma Hahn (Director of the House of Mozart Concert Hall in Salzburg),m Wolfram Poehler (rising star pianist), Gunther Raab (head custodian at the House of Mozart) and Greta Mayr (Olaf’s girlfriend).
There are three mysteries to be solved by London. London’s boss calls her “Nancy Drew”. A series of miniature musicians purchased in Vienna by several passengers and put on public display in the ship’s bar begin to disappear. While in Salzburg, London discovers another dead body (see book 1). Fritz considers London to be the prime suspect in the murder. Bob considers her the prime suspect in the thefts. London’s mother had disappeared from her life 20 years earlier while visiting Vienna. Selma tells London she had befriended her mother and had last seen her only a few months earlier.
In 2016, my wife and I visited Vienna. The author’s description of the city, its sites and its food are perfect. I have not been to Hungary or Salzburg but I imagine Pierce’s descriptions of them are fairly accurate as well. If you are a fan of mysteries, travel and/or good writing, then this book is for you. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
GO! BUY! READ!