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Abracadabra and Goodbye: An absolutely gripping cozy murder mystery

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A magical cruise. A trickster in the spotlight. The ultimate illusion… Murder.


The Midnight Tide is setting sail on what should be an unforgettable voyage—until the star illusionist is found dead behind the curtain. As the cruise director, I’m thrust into a chilling murder investigation.

The list of suspects grows: a rival magician with a bitter grudge, a fiancée whose secrets could shatter everything. Every clue I uncover leads to more questions, and the darkness deepens.

Rex, my loyal beagle, stays close, sensing danger I can’t quite understand. Captain Ben Anderson is by my side, offering stability in a storm of confusion, while Cole Hester, Head of Security, chases down every lead. But the truth remains elusive.

Just when I think I’ve figured it out, the killer vanishes without a trace. In a world of illusions, nothing is what it seems. What began as a murder is now a twisted web of lies and betrayal.

Unknown Binding

First published February 13, 2025

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Audrey Alden

12 books36 followers

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5 stars
62 (62%)
4 stars
29 (29%)
3 stars
8 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
394 reviews5 followers
February 5, 2025
This novel is a delightful cozy mystery set aboard a luxury cruise, blending intrigue, humour, and the world of illusion.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its vivid setting—Alden brings The Midnight Tide to life, using its isolated yet luxurious atmosphere to heighten suspense.

It features well-drawn characters, from the confident and endearing Rose to her lovable beagle, Rex, and the mix of suspects, each with their own motives and secrets.

Witty, natural dialogue and humour warms the mystery.

While the novel establishes a rich and immersive setting, the early chapters could benefit from a more streamlined approach.

The buildup before the murder, though atmospheric, lingers on unnecessary details, slowing momentum.

A more concise introduction to the characters and setting would allow readers to become invested in the mystery sooner, heightening engagement from the start.

The story introduces suspects and motives, but a greater number of red herrings could add complexity to the puzzle.

In places, the mystery becomes too predictable, allowing experienced readers to guess the culprit.

By introducing additional layers of misdirection and raising the stakes midway, the novel could sustain suspense and keep readers second-guessing until the very end.

While the conclusion is satisfying, the final reveal could pack a stronger punch.

The twist, though well-executed, feels somewhat foreseeable.

A more unexpected turn would elevate the ending, leaving readers more surprised and impressed by the resolution.

Despite these criticisms, Alden’s sharp and engaging writing ensures an enjoyable and suspenseful read, keeping a four-star rating.
Profile Image for Jane litherland.
4,146 reviews76 followers
February 10, 2025
I love this series by Audrey Alden. This one is priceless . A magical cruise , what’s there to lose in the grand scheme of things? Except there’s someone lurking in the shadows and the star illusionist has come a cropper ,when the spotlight .literally befalls him …Cruise director Rose Cruz is thrust into investigating a death , while everyone is either unaware ,didn’t care or bereft she has to piece together the clues and gather the evidence too. It’s not an illusion ,he’s really gone and she needs to know how it was done.Rex her trusty Beagle and of course her beau Ben Anderson the Captain of the Midnight Tide ,Cole Hester the ship’s security .. Her sister too is onboard as Rose’s guest. They investigate ,their best but with no one allowed backstage there’s nobody to bear witness to the murderous rampage and the killer is amongst them . Are they waiting to pounce at another unsuspecting person or have they just done the job they came onboard to do .? She works the ship’s crew to do her bidding along with Cole head of security to try and piece together the clues to follow to reach the conclusion and how this happened ,who un-tighten those bolts ,holding the spotlight in place , if only someone had seen a face .All avenues are addressed and the captain is impressed ,don’t know why he should know by now she’s the best…l Great writing , immersive too . Just take a look and see for yourself this book is very well written by this great author . Can’t wait to read more . Encore
482 reviews17 followers
January 28, 2025
This book included a bit of a twist on the traditional cozy. As a cruise director, Rose Cruz, is not your typical detective. Before I go any further, I found the author's play on her name cute which is a perfect word to describe books in the cozy space. He skills and relationship with the captain and friendship with the boat's head of security have all been established in previous stories so they have no problems with her in the middle of the mystery. Unlike other books, she is not just questioning suspects on the sly, she is part of the official interrogation and helping to collect evidence. That made this book feel a bit like a fun crossover between a procedural and a cozy. Her cruise director role also made her a natural to interact with the passengers and guests which aided in the investigation. The author threw in plenty of red herrings so her access helped a lot. Rose and her sister who joined her on the cruise both brought empathy to the story as well. The dog in this story was super important also as he moved between helping find evidence and acting as an emotional support animal.
Overall and good cozy and a good installment in this series.
Profile Image for Willow Poteet.
151 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2025
Excitement is in the air as the Midnight Tide sets sail on a magical cruise of the Europe-Western route dubbed the Grand Weaver.
Rosa Dela Cruz, Cruise Director, and her trusty canine companion Rex, along with Rosa’s sister, Stacy, are prepared to watch their star magician, Victor Starling, wow the audience with his amazing illusions.
After her attack of nerves the evening before Starling’s performance, the cruise begins as usual, and Rosa settles into the task of organizing the entertainment. Not all of the magicians are fans of Starling's finding him difficult to work with and are spreading rumors that he has stolen his illusions from another performer in the show.
The evening’s performance goes off without a hitch, until Victor disappears during his act and Rosa finds him dead under a fallen spotlight.
I really like this series! The author has a way of bringing the characters to life and keeping the readers engaged. Twists and turns are plentiful and I couldn't put the book down!
I love this series!
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and I am pleased to leave this voluntary review.

272 reviews
February 25, 2025
Another well executed book by Audrey Alden.

This story had my attention from the very first chapter.

The suspense was spot on, keeping me on the edge of my seat for most of the time.

The plot was great, executed in a neat and entertaining way.

Our main characters were delightful as always.

Having read two of the books in this series, I have come to fall wholeheartedly in love with our little group containing Rose, Ben, Rex, Julia, Cole and Stacy.

The little crumbs of romance in this book was top notch, but to be honest I would have loved to see a bit more. Especially when it came to Rose and Ben - I just can’t get enough of them.

If there was one thing I found lacking when it came to this book, it was the writing style - at times I loved it, but at times I wasn’t the biggest fan. For me, when it was lacking, it sometimes ruined the whole vibe of what was going on.

But, all in all, a really great story that delivers exactly what one expects.

I’m excited to see what else Audrey Alden has coming our way!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5⭐️
Profile Image for Merry Chapman.
2,580 reviews23 followers
February 15, 2025
Rosa Dela Cruz is the Cruise Director on the ship, Midnight Tide with her smart, clue finding beagle, Rex. Having booked the magic show which includes the star illusionist, Victor Starling, Rosa’s sister, Stacy, a guest on the ship and Rosa are excited to see the show. But right in the middle of the show, and in the middle of Victor's act, he disappears. When Rosa when to look for him, he found him behind the curtain, dead. So once again, Rosa along with her intelligent, clue finding dog, Rex, her boyfriend, Ben Anderson the Captain ship and Cole Hester the ship’s security are set out to find a murderer. With so many possible suspects, since the victim was not well liked and accused of stealing other magician's acts the crew have their work cut out before a murderer can get away. This is a great addition to the series and I highly recommend not only this book but the entire series and I can't wait for more! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Debbie.
56 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2025
I liked this read.

It’s got a darker, more somber tone than most cozy mysteries. I like that it shows some of the main character Rose’s PTSD from having encountered dead bodies in the past. Even though she’s solved murders before, she’s not running headfirst into this one just because it’s a thrill and she can’t keep her hands out of a mystery. It’s more a sense of duty and need for justice, and her anxiety makes it harder every step of the way, but she’s got an admirable, dogged determination.

I like Rose’s partner Ben, her super-intelligent dog Rex, and the multiple curveballs that interfere with her investigation. (I guessed the villain fairly early, but the red herrings were pretty cool!) The victim and suspects were fleshed out really nicely. I thought for someone considered sympathetic Stacey was sometimes a little harsh 😄, but yeah I’d like to see more of her in future books.

I received an ARC from the author (thanks!) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
334 reviews6 followers
February 19, 2025
Magical murder
The Midnight Tide is setting off on a new cruise and opening night is going to be capped with a performance by magician extraordinaire Victor Starling. All is not smooth sailing as Victor's bad attitude and the obvious dislike of him by other performers overshadow what should be a wonderful beginning of the cruise. When the unsettled feelin that cruise director Rose del a Cruse is borne out with the death of Victor it begins an investigation full of almost magical twists and turns. With the help of her many friends and companion Rex the beagle, Rose sifts through the many clues and red herrings to uncover the truth. A fine addition to this mystery series and the development of the characters make for a good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,587 reviews45 followers
January 30, 2025
A famous magician is murdered on a cruise ship. So , whodunit??? This was a suspenseful, gripping, page turner. There was an endless supply of possible suspects to choose from consisting of his fiance to his fellow magician competitors. A near fatal overdose is discovered soon enough to make a difference and was sent to the hospital!! Who could be doing this? The cruise director and the captain look for clues to whodunit. The twists and turns along with Rex ( a clue hunting dog) and engaging characters kept me guessing and turning pages until the end. I never did figure it out. Lol. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
1,413 reviews4 followers
February 6, 2025
This series is on a ship sailing out of Amsterdam. There is an interesting cast of characters including the cruise director, Rose, the captain, Rose’s boyfriend, Rose’s sister, and Rose’s dog. Rose’s dog, Rex, travels on the ship with her. The ship sets sail with a magical theme as the entertainment is magicians. Unfortunately, on the first night out the musician dies. I had not read the previous books in this series, but there seems to be a murder on each trip. The crew is experienced in the handling of the investigation. This is an interesting mystery, although I’m not sure I would want to travel on this ship.
11 reviews
February 7, 2025
A book by Audrey Aldean. This was definitely one of those "Can't put down" books. We are following Rose as she has been the cruise director on The Midnight Tide. Her sister is joining her on this cruise as a guest, and the first night, there is an accident. Or is it?? The characters have personality, charisma, and some not so much so. Just when you think you know who is who and what they may be hiding, BOOM! your eyes open wide and you go "I didn't see that coming." A must read, and you will
become a fan of Audrey's books. Also, if you can, go and read "Murder on the Midnight Tide". It's the prequel to this book.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews361 followers
February 12, 2025
A Magical Disappearance . . .

A famous illusionist is murdered aboard the cruise ship, The Midnight Tide. The number of suspects makes it seem like an impossible task to figure out the murderer, among the likely possibilities a rival magician and the victim’s fiancée. Cruise director Rose Cruz is not who you might typically label a detective, but she has investigated in the past and is trusted with the task of helping Captain Ben Anderson solve this. Also at her side is her dog Rex, enormously helpful in gathering clues. As victory seems imminent, the plot twists and the suspected killer disappears! What path will she follow now? Or will the killer circle back?
Profile Image for Delphia  Von Heeder .
1,734 reviews50 followers
February 22, 2025
Abracadabra and Goodbye is Book 3 in the Rose Cruz Cruise Ship Mysteries by Audrey Alden. This cruise is magical with an outstanding illusionist… until he turns up dead on the stage! Rose along with Captain Ben and Cole in security must solve the murder before anyone leaves the ship. Of course, Ruth has her sweet beagle, Rex, to help her. I think that the author did a masterful job of writing the characters and having them move through the story. Get your favorite drink and snack then escape into a cruise and see if you can solve the murder before Rose. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Cozy Reader Lady.
1,161 reviews123 followers
March 3, 2025
"Abracadabra and Goodbye: An Absolutely Gripping Cozy Mystery (A Rose Cruz Cozy Murder Mystery #3)" by Audrey Alden has Rose setting sale on a European Cruise with a magician entertainment theme going on. Unfortunately, not all the guest magicians get along. In particular the victim didn't get along with all the other magicians or even some of the guests.

Rose gets pulled into investigating as the cruise's Director and an ex private investigator. Her dog even seems specially trained to sniff out clues (though Rose doesn't seem to know it other than trust he's got something for her). There are several possible suspects and really several culprits, in a way.
82 reviews
February 2, 2025
Rose Dela Cruz is the Cruise Director on the beautiful ship The Midnight Tide. Their first night out to sea the star Illusionist Victor Starling is found dead. Is it a freak accident, or is it murder? With so many magicians on board what is suspected could have been accomplished by any of them. You are lead on a exciting, heart-stopping adventure. A truly exceptional investigation you are lead through by the ship’s team. Definitely a page turning story with twist and turns keeping your attention till the very last page. A must read by everyone.

544 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2025
This is a great mystery that will keep you turning the pages to find out who did it and who helped. I love the fact that the beagle can sniff out clues where they are hidden and can find people who just disappear. I loved how one of the accomplices thinks he did nothing wrong and that he shouldn't have to face authorities, but in the end, he does figure out that he did have a choice and he made the wrong one. If you love a good cozy mystery, then you should read this one, but make sure you read the prequel first.
987 reviews12 followers
February 13, 2025
Rose and Ben together with her sister, Stacey and her boyfriend Cole are having a cosy dinner when Rose gets a call that the renowned magician, Victor Starling would be available to perform on their cruise ship. On the day of his performance, after the final act, Victor is found dead. Was it an accident or did someone murder him? An entertaining and mind-blowing thriller where the killer is one step ahead and there are too many suspects.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lynda.
1,044 reviews9 followers
February 14, 2025
This is another Rose Dela Cruz story on The Midnight Tide cruise ship. This cruise they have booked a bevy of magicians to entertain the passengers and the headliner is Victor Starling. He does a very special opening night act and there is a tragic accident, or was it? Ben and Rose check out the lights and found that the screws that held the spotlight had been tampered with and that's what caused the death. Murder! It takes most of the rest of the cruise but they solve the murder and go on to the next adventure.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
1,909 reviews9 followers
February 20, 2025
Abracadabra and Goodbye is book #3 in the Rose Cruz Cruise Ship Mysteries series by Audrey Alden.

I enjoy books set on cruise ships and this didn’t disappoint. Rose’s role on the ship gave her the perfect opportunity to interact with the passengers while investigating. I really like the characters, the setting descriptions, and all the twists and turns in the mystery. I plan to catch up on the earlier two books and look forward to book number four.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4 reviews
January 26, 2025
Another must read in the series.

I’ve read the other books in the Rose Cruz series, and this one is another amazing read. Rose and Rex, are back in another thrilling mystery aboard the Midnight Tide cruise ship. The suspense, the twists, and the character development kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love cozy mysteries with plenty of surprises, this is a must-read. Highly recommend!

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Kristin Carmack.
214 reviews3 followers
February 3, 2025
What an opening act! Murder!! Now the twists and turns begin. How do you investigate a murder and keep it under wraps on a fully booked cruise ship? There are several suspects and plenty of dead ends to unravel. This story had lots of everything. There is romance, suspects with plenty of twists, turns & uncertainty! It will hold your interest from the beginning to the end. Plus there is even a sneak preview of the next book!
Profile Image for Lizz Taylor.
1,425 reviews16 followers
February 3, 2025
At this point, The Midnight Tide should be renamed The Mystery Tide because there is a new mystery aboard. This time the body found is a magician with a dark past. Rose and the gang look for clues and motives and find lots of twists and turns. Rex is his charming canine self helping with the investigation and providing emotional support. This is number three in the series but can be read as a standalone.
789 reviews5 followers
February 4, 2025
We have a very entertaining cozy murder mystery here. It provides a gripping suspense that keeps you on your toes. Rose is very believable in her detecting skills, feelings and her companions. There is romance to a cozy view, and character development is strong enough to feel real. Her dog Rex is a nice completion of the tale.
A good read for the young and young at heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
871 reviews
February 4, 2025
I enjoyed this book. It was well written with several great characters. The murder mystery involved another group of interesting people most with motives to kill. Rosa's dog, Rex, is the hero, discovering clues and aiding in protecting her. The sweet romantic subplots add to book's entertainment. The whole series is fun but each book is also a standalone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
664 reviews
February 5, 2025
An illusionist dies. Murder? Rose again has some extra work on a cruise that is supposed to be relaxing. We had to wait a long time for book two to be published so I'm glad book three followed so fast. I really enjoyed this entertaining and cozy read with nice characters. It's a good addition to this series. A recommendation.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
805 reviews5 followers
February 11, 2025
When a magician dies right after his performance, Rose the cruise director is trying to figure out what happened.
A great cozy mystery to read with wonderful characters and a storyline that keeps twisting and turning that keeps surprising you until the very end. So much fun to read, this book will keep you going from beginning to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,021 reviews9 followers
February 13, 2025
Great cozy!

An entertaining cozy with great characters and a fascinating murder investigation as misfortune strikes an illusionist. I love Rose and her clever beagle, Rex, as they diligently investigate the key suspects. A touch of romance, lots of intrigue and a manipulative murderer will keep you entertained.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.
434 reviews3 followers
March 2, 2025
Cruise Director Rose is on a magic-themed cruise when the headlining magician is found murdered. It's up to her and her clue-sniffing dog to sift through all the misdirections and suspects in order to solve the murder mystery. This is a quick, fun, cozy mystery with plenty of red herrings and twists to make it interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Tammy Johnson-brazeau.
34 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2025
Magic, romance and smiling add the smartest dog ever and you get Abracadabra and Goodbye:
Normally I have guess the killer early in the books, but it took me almost to the end to understand who done it.
Twist and turns keep you reading and not putting down this book.
If you like cozy mysteries this is a must read.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
411 reviews5 followers
February 6, 2025
Magicians is the theme of the book. One got murdered and Rose have quite a few suspects, that make her task to catch the killer very difficult. Too many secrets that she have to unravel. A page-turner and worth reading. I love Rex, Audrey's descriptions of how he find clues and his facial expressions brings him to life. A book worth reading.
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