Stern Warning: An Olivia Morgan Cruise Ship Mystery

by Wendy Neugent

A cozy mystery on the high seas pairing a shipboard magician with her talkative parrot as strange events multiply on their floating home. Amateur sleuthing, workplace romance, and a conspiracy that stretches beyond one ship's rails.

Life aboard the SS Starlight takes a dangerous turn when Olivia Morgan spots something suspicious in the shadows.

With a mysterious fire threatening the ship and a crew member found dead in a smoke-filled cabin, this cruise is anything but smooth sailing!

As Olivia and her chatty parrot sidekick Chico investigate, they discover a sinister plot that stretches across multiple cruise lines. Between dodging danger and performing her magic act, Olivia must also figure out what to do about the growing seriousness of her relationship with the ship's handsome Chief of Security, Alex Ballas.

Can Olivia and Chico uncover the truth before more victims surface? Will Olivia's magic skills help her catch a killer? And will she manage to solve the mystery before she becomes the next target?

Join Olivia and Chico for their most dangerous voyage yet, where even the beautiful ocean sunsets can't hide the deadly secrets lurking aboard the SS Starlight!

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2024

About the author

Wendy Neugent spent close to a decade as part of an award-winning act performing on cruise ships all over the world. She traveled from Alaska to Venezuela, Bermuda to Tahiti, and many exotic ports of call in between.

Now, Wendy uses her insider knowledge of cruise ship life to write fun and entertaining cozy mystery books set on cruise ships.

Wendy’s Cruise Ship Mysteries are the perfect books to read while taking a cruise or when you wish you were on a cruise.

Join my reader group, Wendy Neugent's Clue Crew
and find an engaged and welcoming community of other readers to talk all things mystery, plus see photos of adorable pets, funny book memes, and get a free activity book!
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Reviews

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Morgan is terrified when a fire breaks out filling her cabin with smoke on the cruise ship. She hurries to get her parrot, Chico, to safety. When a fellow crew member is found dead, everyone fears the cause is more than the fire.

Olivia’s boyfriend Alex is the Chief of Security and insists she stays with him until her own cabin is cleared from smoke damage. Olivia overhears things that fuel her suspicions and starts her own investigation. Alex is not happy about this, to say the least.

Things continue to take dangerous turns leaving Olivia desperate to find answers. The race is on to find out what is happening on this ship before anything else bad happens.

I was delighted to see another entry into this cozy mystery series. It’s become one of my favorites. This one is filled with action, mystery and a bit of romance, too.

Olivia and Alex are a great couple, while Olivia and Chico make a great sleuthing pair. I would love to see what happens next in Olivia and Alex's relationship.

The witty remarks from Chico made me laugh. The danger of the story kept me at the edge of my seat. It’s a fast-paced read and I’m really hoping there will be more in this series. It’s such a humorous, captivating adventure. I wish I had another to read right now!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will never be classified as fine literature, but it is a fun read that takes place in one of my favourite settings- a cruise ship.

Other protagonists receive help from cats or dogs, but Olivia is aided by her parrot, Chico. (If only he would learn to pronounce his "n's". :)

At times Olivia comes across as extremely childish. "I am a grown woman and can take care of myself". Especially as her boyfriend, Alex, is head of security, you would think she would tell him when she overhears an ominous conversation, yet she doesn't. Because he doesn't take unfounded doubts seriously, she does not tell him when she stumbles across important things. The author should keep in mind that "independent" is not synonymous with "foolish".

This light-hearted romp would make for excellent cruise reading - or for someone who wishes they were on a ship.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was glad to see the series start back up again after a slight hiatus, but it was as good as ever maybe even better now that Alex snd Olivia had an established relationship. Chico was adorable as always and always makes me laugh.

When Olivia saw something she shouldn’t’ve seen, someone seemed to be out to kill her and she sure came close to being done in a few times. The showdown was exciting with Olivia partly relying on some of her magic trick training to get the upper hand. The help from Hayley who came along was appreciated though.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the author, and my opinions are my own.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unputdownable book! Olivia is woken by the ship’s alarm & her room is full of smoke. She manages to get herself & Chico her parrot out & then finds her friend Maria dead in the next cabin. The fire was put out & it was arson. Olivia has swallowed so much smoke she’s coughing up soot. Then, whilst in the staff corridor she hears an argument & then a scream but by the time she gets there, a person is dead & the other one gone. Olivia gets tangled up in these 3 crimes & becomes a danger to herself, just as Alex feared.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a fire aboard the cruise ship, and Olivia is awoken by alarms and a room full of smoke. She manages to get out with Chico her parrot. Her friend Maria wasn’t so fortunate. But did she die from the smoke or is something else going on. A second body is found and Olivia determines solve the murders. Can she pull it off while being the ships magician? Will she be the next victim? A thoroughly enjoyable mystery.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a sinister plot on board the cruise ship and Olivia and Hayley get involved when one of the crew members is found dead. Murders, arson ,drugs are a major factor that brings chaos to the ship. An intriguing read which is unputdownable with humour from Chico the parrot. I received this ARC copy and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Kelly Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love! I can't get enough of Chico. I love the relationships between the characters. We do a lot of cruising so these books hit my heart closely. Everything is spot on...just wish I could go to one of Olivia's shows!

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter I was completely hooked. The book is fast-paced and suspenseful with delightful characters (Chico is totally adorable), and a genuinely thrilling conclusion. A must-read.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own..

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the next book from the series I read on vacation. They are fun and easy reads. I am glad I had the day off to just sit under a blanket and read away, much like I did on vacation (but maybe not with a blanket in the Bahamas!).

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This book had tons of action and adventure. The twists and turns kept coming. Well worth the lack of sleep.

[Janis Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrifying and terrific page turner! Had me hooked from the first page!

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. A real delightful read.

[tabbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a really suspenseful read. I love all the twists. Kept me riveted until the very end. It’s a page turner. A must read if you love mysteries

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! Olivia is setting sail on a new adventure to Key West and is working on some new tricks with her parrot, Chico, and assistant, Hayley. She wants to add some new tricks and her trip to Key West leads her to a delightful date with security chief Alex and the finding of a puzzle box and most pleasant cat. Nonetheless, the cruise is marred by tragedy as some of the other staff are found dead, and Olivia is compelled to get to the bottom of it. After she herself suffers a misfortune, addled memories leave her feeling like the killer is just beyond her grasp. I also love mysteries that I can solve before the detective, and I was able to solve this one. Fans of the Olivia Morgan or other cozy mysteries will love this!

[Kelly A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Mystery. A Must Read Series. Love Chico!!

I have taken a few cruises, and this book begins with a frightening scenario, a fire. Wendy Neugent's knowledge of cruise ships shines through in this series of books and adds to the authenticity of the location. The suspect in the murder, or are there more, stays well hidden but is revealed sooner than usual. This is a wonderful element that adds to the suspenseful ending of this book. You know who it is, but the main characters don't. Every encounter keeps you biting your nails. To add to the fun, Chico has a secret that is only revealed at the end.

I received an advance copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very good read and very suspenseful. Olivia works on a cruise ship along with her parrot Chico. She is the magician on board the ship. During a fire she accidentally discovers a body of cruise member and despite her boyfriend Alex begging her to stay out of it she is determined to find the killer coming very close to losing her own life. Her best friend Haley who is magician assistant helps her in her investigation . Really enjoyed the characters and the insight about cruise ships.

I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review

[Robin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When there is a fire aboard ship and crew member dies, Olivia Morgan and her parrot Chico dive into the investigation. Fun and entertaining mystery with wonderful characters, humor, a little romance, and a quirky pet sidekick. There are a couple of serious issues for our heroine, but Olivia handles these with grace and some help from her friends Alex and Hayley. Enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
I received a free copy from the author, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stern Warning is book #6 in the Olivia Morgan Cruise Ship Mystery series by Wendy Neugent.

Olivia Morgan is an entertainer on a cruise ship along with her parrot, Chico. Fires on ships are extremely serious and when one breaks out on the SS Starlight, Olivia and Chico’s lives are in danger. As Olivia puts the pieces together, her life is in even more danger. I didn’t guess who the killer was until Olivia did. There’s quite a twist after she figures it out that draws out the suspense.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stern Warning is Book 6 in the Olivia Morgan Ship Mystery by Wendy Neugent. Cruise Ship trips are magical. But, when there is a fire on board and a crew member is dead, the magical trip just got serious. I enjoy reading this author. She writes great characters and who can't possibly love Chico the parrot! Grab a drink and escape to the seas...enjoy! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Richard Cowart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia is a magician on a cruise ship with her pet parrot Chico when there is a fire outside her apartment. While getting out with Chico and trying to protect the parrot she discovers her next door friend is dead causing her boyfriend Alex to have to investigate and try and protect her. As the investigation continues she can not understand what Chico means by "urse". Great reading and a nice mystery with many leads

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia and her chatty parrot sidekick Chico investigate, they discover a sinister plot that stretches across multiple cruise lines. Between dodging danger Olivia must also figure out what to do about her relationship with the ship's handsome Chief of Security, Alex. This is a good mystery. I can't get enough of that parrot. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was only my second cruise with Olivia and her bird. Clever cozy mystery. Light, sweet romance. The parrot is a delight. Always fun to travel on a cruise ship. Some tense, exciting moments on this voyage. Enjoyed the visit to Key West, too. Thanks to the author for providing a copy. My review is voluntary. A quick read.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy!

An enjoyable cozy mystery as Olivia becomes embroiled in a murder investigation amidst strange occurrences. Her parrot, Chico, her handsome boyfriend, Alex, the Head of Security, and her best friend Hayley, are crucial to making this book an entertaining story that i can easily recommend.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book to read. When Olivia is woken up by a fire in her cabin, and she finds the body of a neighbour she is starting to pay more attention to everything else happening around her.
Fantastic characters that are so realistic and a storyline that keeps you glued to the book from the first to the last page. I had a wonderful time reading this book and can't wait for the next one.

[Eliz Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review. This book starts off with action that has a fire aboard the Starlight. Olivia is a delightful caring amateur sleuth that wants to solve a murder aboard ship. A good exciting read that was hard to put down. I look forward to the next book in this good series.

[Karen L. Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia has not only the mystery of the fires on board the cruise ship but she has two deaths. Can she ,along with darling Chico, discover the culprit? Read this interesting mystery and find out. I was an ARC reader, and this is my honest opinion.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting story! I couldn’t put it down! Olivia and her friends enjoy their lives on the cruise ship until things start to go wrong. Loved Chico’s antics and of course the plot twists that kept me guessing whodunnit! I enjoyed reading an early copy of the book and these are my opinions.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fire aboard a cruise ship - everybody's nightmare but then Olivia discovers a dead body too - all leading to a great story with twists and turns and the odd red herring. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more of the same.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia and her parrot have gotten more than they bargained for. She’s supposed to be only a magic act that turns into an investigation as well. Maybe there’s even a romance as well. Easy to read and love.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, it has an entertaining storyline with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. I can’t wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.