Vacation is Murder

McKinley Mysteries #2

by Carolyn Arnold, Lisa Dawn Martinez (Editor)

There's only so much relaxation two former detectives can handle—even if they're on their honeymoon. With their recent fall into money, Sean and Sara McKinley should be living it up, enjoying the sun and beaches of Cancun. But heading into their third week they've had just about enough lying around.

When the husband of a couple they've befriended is kidnapped and held for ransom, it has the McKinleys putting their experience to use. As they set out in the unfamiliar landscape of paradise, the investigation will have them risking their lives to stop a killer.

2nd in the McKinley Mysteries
Approx. 26,000 words

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

144 pages, ebook

First published April 12, 2014

About the author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Reviews

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will the McKinleys find Earl before he meets his demise?
Vacation is Murder by Carolyn Arnold is a sweet, romantic, thrilling adventure through Cancun’s great resorts to the seedier side of town and out to the temples. It is a fabulous story.

Sean and Sara McKinley
The McKinleys are on their honeymoon in Cancun. They are a great couple who are very much in love. Now that they are millionaires, it looks like they may also become targets for scam artists. It’s hard to keep a low profile when your picture was in all the all over the place. But all of this doesn’t stop Sean and Sara from using their police detective skills to help find out what happened to their new friend.

I love the characters, Sean and Sara, they have excellent communication, and the two of them are both good at reading the other. They make a great team.

Mystery
The mystery plays out well. Sean and Sara meet the Spencers, and Earl has a lot of secrets. He is kind of a stick in the mud. Catherine Spencer is a nice lady. We find out some bad things that Earl has going on right before he disappears. Then the one person who could shed some light on everything ends up dead. Now Sean and Sara really have to save Earl.

4 Stars for Vacation is Murder by Carolyn Arnold
My rating for Vacation is Murder by Carolyn Arnold is four stars. I enjoyed the combination of mystery, romance, and Cancun. The author is right that this book read like a Hart to Hart. Now, I have another series to add to my TBR pile and one that I am looking forward to reading.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Vacation is Murder by Carolyn Arnold.

Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

[Mave · Rating 4 out of 5]

These cozy mystery are short but very exciting.
On a stroke of luck, Sara and Sean have quit their job and are now on their honeymoon, hoping to relax and do lots of fun activities like swimming with dolphins. But a kidnapping will blow up their plans.
It's a simple book with a fast pace and a really fascinating setting, Cancun: enchanting beaches, sparkling sea and lots of sun.
For those who love the sea, the Caribbean and the mystery is a must read

[Sapphyria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newlyweds Sean and Sarah McKinley are on their honeymoon in Cancun when they become unlikely friends with another couple. Catherine and Earl Spencer are in Cancun celebrating thirty years of marriage. Catherine is friendly and talkative, Earl is tight-lipped. Earl eventually confides in Sean about some personal problems and is kidnapped that same night. Sean and Sarah find themselves dabbling back into unofficial police work as they race to find the kidnapper.

Vacation is Murder is another short, cute novella in Carolyn Arnold's multi-book novella series. The story is simple, easy to read, and fast paced. I enjoy the way Sean and Sarah are written. They are clearly in love and the author spared no expense in making sure the readers are able to see, feel, and understand that love. The mystery is well-written and contains just the right amount of suspense. I was engaged from the beginning and didn't put the book down until the end.

I look forward to reading the next novella.

I was given this book to read.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vacation is Murder is #2 in the McKinley Mysteries by Carolyn Arnold. It is a sweet, romantic police procedural that is fun and a good change of pace read. Sara and Sean are on their honeymoon in Cancun when they are placed in the middle of the recovery of a kidnapped fellow tourist. Of course, they immediately drop into the well-remembered fold of police to the rescue, though they are honeymooning, currently unemployed, and unexpectedly independently wealthy. We have lots of details of life in the resort town, and a nice visit back in Albany with those friends and co-workers we met in #1 The Day Job is Murder. For me, the best part was the fact the McKinleys don't feel obliged to take on the airs of the very rich even when thoroughly exposed to them. This was a nice read, a good pace-altering break in my current thrilling routine.
REVIEWED on December 16, 2024, at Goodreads, and AmazonSmile. Not available for review on B&N, BookBub, or Kobo.

[Paula Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows former detectives Sara and Sean McKinley who are on their honeymoon in Cancun what they didn't count on is mystery following them. When the husband of a couple Sara and Sean meets goes missing it's up to Sara and Sean to find him. Who took Earl and why?

This book continues not far from where the previous one left off. It's full of sun and fun and mystery which always makes for a good mystery. This one was full of suspense and mystery which draws you in wanting to find out what happened to the husband and who the mysterious girl in the sunhat is. Can't wait to see what is next in the series!

[Ken Finlay · Rating 2 out of 5]

He's handsome, she's beautiful, they're rich, very much in love, and on their honeymoon in Cancun.
All that's missing is a mystery and a murder - ah! there it is.
"Vacation is Murder" could have benefited from a tighter editing - there are a couple of oddities, including "Sara and Sean filtered into the hallway."
It's not particularly good, the writing remains clunky, and it is not particularly bad. If you are stuck on a sunny beach with 45 minutes to spare if might fit the bill. For some odd reason it reminded me of the old TV show 'Hart to Hart'.

[Disney14604 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good mystery while honeymooning. former cops get bored on old fashion long honeymoon.

Personally I found the honeymoon kind of sapped the characters of their personality from the first book. Just my humble opinion.

Figure book three should bring them back to 'normal' personality, hopefully.

I did read it in a few hours, so was relaxing after a couple hard days st the VA.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

On their honeymoon, they meet an older couple, in which the guy expressed some concerned to Sean. He later is kidnapped. or was it a scam. The pictures of the wealth that Sean and Sara have now made the newspapers. Good short enjoyable stories

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing light read

This is just what I needed on a sunny day to relax with a good story that keeps me reading. I have been blessed to find new authors when I need to read
Thanks

[Valancy Stirling]

Part of series collection McKinley Mysteries Box Set

[Vicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Constant "darling, dear, hon". Unrealistic all the way around. Many discrepancies. I will not bother with the rest of the series.

[iDreem2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 overall stars

Couple 3.5 🌟🌟🌟💫
Plot 3.5 🌟🌟🌟💫
Story 3.0 🌟🌟🌟
Sex 3.0 (chemistry) 🌟🌟🌟
Series 3.5 🌟🌟🌟💫

[Rhea Folland]

Great read! This is turning into a great series!

[Marseydoats · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honeymoon in Cancun turns into an adventure, calling upon the McKinleys to use their Investigative skills.

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara and Sean McKinley are now married and are in Cancun having a nice and relaxing honeymoon. Though Sean came into a substantial amount of money in book 1 and they are no longer detectives they somehow end up getting involved with a missing person case and it leads them on a chase into the jungle.

This was once again a short read, with mystery and a little romance.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute cozy mystery for the summer! Carolyn Arnold's latest novella, Vacation is Murder, is a short read packed with an engaging mystery. Set in Cancun, main characters Sean and Sara work their way through a mystery and murder while on their honeymoon. There's action and romance, but it's kept on the softer side. I'm not a fan of romance novels, so I was glad that this side of it was intimated but not detailed. They are heavily sweet in dialog without a lot of stress or fight in their relationship, but when you think back to your honeymoon days it is quite fitting and wouldn't work otherwise. The story line is quick and light - perfect for beach reading! It was my first introduction to her work, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Sean and Sara continue in the next phase of their life. I loved how she quickly hinted to the next chapter at the end of Vacation is Murder. It's definitely a book for those who love the cozy mystery set. I'll be reading more!

[Mallowleef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: Although the main characters of this novel are married, I do not recommend it to anyone who avoids reading stories that contain inappropriate content (kissing, how they feel when they do it, etc.). There are people whose religious beliefs have given them a deeper understanding of how sacred love is between two people who are married. So, it must be treated with respect and should not be within reach of an outsider's imagination. I had to mention that because I am one of them.

I enjoyed reading this novel. It may be a light read but the plot's mysteries and twists kept me on my toes. Instead of the usual sympathizing or empathizing with a character, I felt like another character in the book myself. I was also interpreting clues, solving mysteries, and... solving more mysteries. Overall, Vacation is Murder took me for a ride filled with adventure!

[Richard Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Day Job is Murder, I was hooked on the McKinleys. I couldn’t wait for the next installment and now that I’ve read my ARC copy of Vacation is Murder, I need more!

Sean and Sara are enjoying a honeymoon that most would die for, but as the older couple they befriend drag them into a world of deceit, kidnapping and mayhem, they find that their old lives return with an unexpected benefit. They realize they miss the hunt and decide to dive headfirst into the mess and help.

I won’t say more about the story, as I don’t want to give anything away, but I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mini-mystery and even finished it in one sitting. I anxiously await the next installment of The McKinley Mysteries. Excellent!

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When A Honeymoon and Murder Collide"

Author Carolyn Arnold is a very talented author, from her FBI investigative series to her lighthearted McKinley Mystery Series. Here, Sean and Sara McKinley, both once former detectives, have come into some money and want a pleasant vacation on the beach. Well, not exactly. It's their honeymoon they are celebrating on Cancun beaches. They've enjoyed two weeks there and are a little bored with the relaxation. It seems, however, wherever they go, they have a mystery to solve. This time it's the husband of a couple they befriended. He's been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. A delightful story,with a well developed story line, and well written. Give yourself a treat, enjoy Cancun with the McKinleys!!

[Katie Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to know Sean and Sara in the first novella in this series, and couldn't wait to follow their story further in Vacation is Murder. This installment is set is gorgeous Cancun, Mexico, which gives the whole story an exotic feel that I really enjoyed. The couple is on their honeymoon, only to find themselves in the middle of a bizarre mystery of kidnapping, adultery, and murder. It seems that even though they left their jobs as detectives behind, murder has followed them. Even though it's a quick read, this story is packed with mystery and plenty of twists that'll keep you guessing till the very surprising conclusion.

[Sharon Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

This one was better than the first one if that is possible. Liked the suspense and fun they are having.