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Three Dahlias Mysteries #6
Death on a Lively Sea
Rosalind King, Caro Hooper and Posy Starling may be famous for each playing fictional detective Dahlia Lively on screen, but their growing reputation for solving real murder cases has prompted an offer that they can't refuse . . .
Property mogul and billionaire, Percy Pendleton, has invited them for a two-week trip on his mega yacht this summer to investigate a case of expected murder.
Percy doesn't believe that his father's recent death was natural, despite what the police say. In fact, he thinks he's going to be murdered too - and soon.
Not being one to sit around waiting for things to happen, he's gathered all the people he suspects of wanting him dead for a luxury cruise around the Mediterranean. He's giving the three Dahlias the length of the voyage to investigate his father's demise, figure out who wants him dead, and stop them.
It's a challenge unlike any they've ever tackled before. But at least they get to enjoy the sun, sea and a Limoncello Spritz while they're interviewing the suspects . . .
Property mogul and billionaire, Percy Pendleton, has invited them for a two-week trip on his mega yacht this summer to investigate a case of expected murder.
Percy doesn't believe that his father's recent death was natural, despite what the police say. In fact, he thinks he's going to be murdered too - and soon.
Not being one to sit around waiting for things to happen, he's gathered all the people he suspects of wanting him dead for a luxury cruise around the Mediterranean. He's giving the three Dahlias the length of the voyage to investigate his father's demise, figure out who wants him dead, and stop them.
It's a challenge unlike any they've ever tackled before. But at least they get to enjoy the sun, sea and a Limoncello Spritz while they're interviewing the suspects . . .
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 19, 2026
I sincerely hope there will be 100 books that feature the 3 Dahlias and their sleuthing❣️
The three actresses having all played the fictional character Dahlia Liverly, have become a found family. The way that they right the wrongs with their unique skillsets makes for fantastic fun. I love the quotes from the book series interwoven into their ongoing adventures.
I’m beyond pleased that the next book in the series comes out this fall.
The three actresses having all played the fictional character Dahlia Liverly, have become a found family. The way that they right the wrongs with their unique skillsets makes for fantastic fun. I love the quotes from the book series interwoven into their ongoing adventures.
I’m beyond pleased that the next book in the series comes out this fall.
July 26, 2026
I love the Three Dahlias series, so of course Death on a Lively Sea was a must-listen for me as soon as it was published on Audible.
As always, it was well-written and I enjoyed spending time in the company of Caro, Rosalind and Poppy, the three actors who have all played Golden Age detective Dahlia Lively.
The mystery element was a little thinner than usual. The Dahlias are hired by super-rich Percy who believes that someone has killed his father and is aiming to murder him next, and his way of dealing with his suspicions is to invite all his enemies on a luxury cruise and ask the Dahlias to work out which of them is likely to make an attempt on his life. No-one does, but someone else is murdered, perhaps in mistake for Percy, perhaps not.
I always think that closed cast murders must be the hardest for authors to write. In this case, I spent most of the novel thinking "It can't be X and Y because they look so clearly the perpetrators they must be red herrings." The longer the Dahlias went without exploring this option, the more I thought, "Oh no, it's starting to look like it is X and Y." And then, of course, it turned out to be X and Y.
In brief, a fun excursion on the high seas with some of my favourite characters in crime fiction. I'm glad I read it, but hope that the next in the series will be a bit of a harder case to crack for us regular readers.
In brief: Not red herrings
As always, it was well-written and I enjoyed spending time in the company of Caro, Rosalind and Poppy, the three actors who have all played Golden Age detective Dahlia Lively.
The mystery element was a little thinner than usual. The Dahlias are hired by super-rich Percy who believes that someone has killed his father and is aiming to murder him next, and his way of dealing with his suspicions is to invite all his enemies on a luxury cruise and ask the Dahlias to work out which of them is likely to make an attempt on his life. No-one does, but someone else is murdered, perhaps in mistake for Percy, perhaps not.
I always think that closed cast murders must be the hardest for authors to write. In this case, I spent most of the novel thinking "It can't be X and Y because they look so clearly the perpetrators they must be red herrings." The longer the Dahlias went without exploring this option, the more I thought, "Oh no, it's starting to look like it is X and Y." And then, of course, it turned out to be X and Y.
In brief, a fun excursion on the high seas with some of my favourite characters in crime fiction. I'm glad I read it, but hope that the next in the series will be a bit of a harder case to crack for us regular readers.
In brief: Not red herrings
September 9, 2026
Another easy and enjoyable instalment in the Three Dahlias Mysteries, with this being Book 6 in the series.
While I enjoyed this one, it didn’t quite have the suspense or mystery that I’ve found in some of the earlier books. The mystery seemed to take a little bit of a back seat for me, and honestly, I found myself much more interested in spending time with the Dahlias themselves.
It was great to see more of Rosalind, Caro & Posy and get a little deeper into their lives and friendships. These three are definitely the reason I keep coming back to this series!
If you’re looking for an easy, fun and cosy read, this is definitely one to pick up. It may not have been my favourite mystery of the series, but I still enjoyed catching up with the Dahlias and their latest adventure.
And of course, I’m still looking forward to Book 7 coming out later this year!
While I enjoyed this one, it didn’t quite have the suspense or mystery that I’ve found in some of the earlier books. The mystery seemed to take a little bit of a back seat for me, and honestly, I found myself much more interested in spending time with the Dahlias themselves.
It was great to see more of Rosalind, Caro & Posy and get a little deeper into their lives and friendships. These three are definitely the reason I keep coming back to this series!
If you’re looking for an easy, fun and cosy read, this is definitely one to pick up. It may not have been my favourite mystery of the series, but I still enjoyed catching up with the Dahlias and their latest adventure.
And of course, I’m still looking forward to Book 7 coming out later this year!
August 16, 2026
I was grateful to be given an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel. This is one of my favourite crime series, its a fun series about three actresses known for playing a young miss marple, turning detective. Its a great series filled with intriguing mysteries, found family and cozy murder mysteries.
Our beautiful three dahlias are invited on a two week trip on a private boat to help prevent a murder of an eccentric yet paranoid billionaire. Its actually a perfe t summer read with the strong summer rays of a boat setting. Its about an eccentric European trip, old grudges and scandal arising and secrets being the death of us.
I absolutely devoured it and followed my read with a re read via audiobook.
Our beautiful three dahlias are invited on a two week trip on a private boat to help prevent a murder of an eccentric yet paranoid billionaire. Its actually a perfe t summer read with the strong summer rays of a boat setting. Its about an eccentric European trip, old grudges and scandal arising and secrets being the death of us.
I absolutely devoured it and followed my read with a re read via audiobook.
August 31, 2026
3.75 stars. I’m always surprised that this series doesn’t have a higher readership. Another fun mystery. Excited that we’re getting another one so soon! 🚂🎄
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews