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Cait Morgan #6
The Corpse with the Diamond Hand
Professor Cait Morgan and Bud Anderson have finally said 'I do'. To celebrate, they set sail on a romantic Hawaiian honeymoon cruise and, for nearly two weeks, the mystery solving newlyweds are worry-free. But then a man drops dead in the games room right in front of them and Cait and Bud can't help but lend their expertise.
To the others in the games room, the sudden death of Tommy Trussler—the ship's onboard card-game tutor—appears to have been from natural causes. But the professor suspects something much more sinister. With only two days left at sea—and thousands of possible suspects—the head of security is eager to solve the case and invites Cait and Bud to aid in the investigation. But the unique circumstances of an at-sea investigation mean their involvement cannot be official, and Cait must lean on her charm to conduct her own covert interviews.
Complete with laugh-out-loud moments and mouth-watering descriptions of the ship's cuisine, the case of the The Corpse with the Diamond Hand will once again have you marvelling at Cait's cleverness as she brings another murderer to justice.
To the others in the games room, the sudden death of Tommy Trussler—the ship's onboard card-game tutor—appears to have been from natural causes. But the professor suspects something much more sinister. With only two days left at sea—and thousands of possible suspects—the head of security is eager to solve the case and invites Cait and Bud to aid in the investigation. But the unique circumstances of an at-sea investigation mean their involvement cannot be official, and Cait must lean on her charm to conduct her own covert interviews.
Complete with laugh-out-loud moments and mouth-watering descriptions of the ship's cuisine, the case of the The Corpse with the Diamond Hand will once again have you marvelling at Cait's cleverness as she brings another murderer to justice.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
23 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Ace
47 books387 followersCathy Ace migrated from her native Wales to Canada at the age of 40. She is the award-winning author of the traditional Cait Morgan Mysteries featuring her Welsh Canadian criminology professor sleuth who travels the world tripping over corpses, which have now been optioned for TV. She also writes the cozier WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries featuring a quartet of female PIs who run their business out of a Welsh stately home. Both series have been well-reviewed. Her award-winning standalone, THE WRONG BOY, is a gripping novel of psychological suspense, set in Wales, and has also been optioned for TV.
"Ace is, well, an ace when it comes to plot and description.” The Globe and Mail
Cathy's work has won the prestigious Bony Blithe Award for best Canadian light mystery, an IPPY and an IBA Award, and has been shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Short Story.
Her short story "Dear George" appeared on the UK's O Level English Language syllabus and, together with another story, "Domestic Violence", has been produced for BBC Radio 4. You can find out more about Cathy, her books, and events she'll be attending, at www.cathyace.com
"Ace is, well, an ace when it comes to plot and description.” The Globe and Mail
Cathy's work has won the prestigious Bony Blithe Award for best Canadian light mystery, an IPPY and an IBA Award, and has been shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Short Story.
Her short story "Dear George" appeared on the UK's O Level English Language syllabus and, together with another story, "Domestic Violence", has been produced for BBC Radio 4. You can find out more about Cathy, her books, and events she'll be attending, at www.cathyace.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 15, 2015
Cait Morgan and Bud Anderson are on their delayed Honeymoon, two weeks of Hawai'i and a cruise back to Vancouver. Two days away from where their arrival port and a murder occurs in a room where only a handful of people are located. The murder suspect must be amidst the small group of people that were in the room at the time, unless some other method was used to kill the victim which would give them an entire cruise ship of people to try and connect to the murder.
The chief security officer, who has limited powers at sea, must find a way to connect the murder to the group that was in the room with Tommy Trussler. Cait and Bud were also in the room and once their security is cleared they are allowed to help with some of the investigation. Although not allowed in on the official questioning of each guest, Cait and Bud use their connection of being in the same room with everyone to garner more information.
I love Cait and Bud and how they work together. This time is was great as they were calling each other husband and wife. The supporting characters were also well developed and I felt like I was often in the same room feeling the same frustrations as Cait and Bud talked to each of the guests. The descriptions and personalities came through loud and clear.
If you have read the previous Cait Morgan books, you will not want to miss this one. If you haven't read the previous ones before you can still read this one and enjoy it.
I am already looking forward to the next book.
The chief security officer, who has limited powers at sea, must find a way to connect the murder to the group that was in the room with Tommy Trussler. Cait and Bud were also in the room and once their security is cleared they are allowed to help with some of the investigation. Although not allowed in on the official questioning of each guest, Cait and Bud use their connection of being in the same room with everyone to garner more information.
I love Cait and Bud and how they work together. This time is was great as they were calling each other husband and wife. The supporting characters were also well developed and I felt like I was often in the same room feeling the same frustrations as Cait and Bud talked to each of the guests. The descriptions and personalities came through loud and clear.
If you have read the previous Cait Morgan books, you will not want to miss this one. If you haven't read the previous ones before you can still read this one and enjoy it.
I am already looking forward to the next book.
October 17, 2015
The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace had so many elements that appealed to me, I had to have it and share it. I have cruised and I have been to Hawaii and loved them both, but I never crossed a dead body before.
Cait Morgan is a professor of criminal psychology and her husband, Bud, is a retired law enforcement officer. They have recently married and are on a cruise for their honeymoon, when Tommy Trussler collapses and dies while playing cards. They both know dead bodies and this was no natural death.
Cait has an eidetic memory and it comes in very handy as they are called upon to help solve the mystery. I love that she watches Hawaiii Five O. We both have watched the old and the new. And I love that Cait “doesn’t play well with others”. Neither do I.
I am really curious about Tommy, trying to figure him out for myself before Cathy Ace does it for me.
The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace brought back so many wonderful memories of cruising and Hawaii, that I got lost in the pages. I felt like I was having a cocktail at Duke’s in the Outrigger Hotel and walking Waikiki Beach, with the sand between my toes and the salt air on my skin.
There are so many suspects and motives, so many possibilities. The ending caught me by surprise and that doesn’t happen often enough. I loved cruising down memory lane with Cait and Bud and I would recommend The Corpse with the Diamond Hand for all you readers who want to travel into the mystery of murder on the high seas.
Food for thought:
Experience all you can, to learn, to grow. Sometimes there will be disappointments, sometimes maybe sadness but to never take a chance?
I received a copy of The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Cait Morgan is a professor of criminal psychology and her husband, Bud, is a retired law enforcement officer. They have recently married and are on a cruise for their honeymoon, when Tommy Trussler collapses and dies while playing cards. They both know dead bodies and this was no natural death.
Cait has an eidetic memory and it comes in very handy as they are called upon to help solve the mystery. I love that she watches Hawaiii Five O. We both have watched the old and the new. And I love that Cait “doesn’t play well with others”. Neither do I.
I am really curious about Tommy, trying to figure him out for myself before Cathy Ace does it for me.
The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace brought back so many wonderful memories of cruising and Hawaii, that I got lost in the pages. I felt like I was having a cocktail at Duke’s in the Outrigger Hotel and walking Waikiki Beach, with the sand between my toes and the salt air on my skin.
There are so many suspects and motives, so many possibilities. The ending caught me by surprise and that doesn’t happen often enough. I loved cruising down memory lane with Cait and Bud and I would recommend The Corpse with the Diamond Hand for all you readers who want to travel into the mystery of murder on the high seas.
Food for thought:
Experience all you can, to learn, to grow. Sometimes there will be disappointments, sometimes maybe sadness but to never take a chance?
I received a copy of The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace in return for an honest and unbiased review.
March 31, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Cait and Bud finally are off on their honeymoon. A romantic cruise from Hawaii to Canada. They even get to visits the Hawaiian Islands. A trip I would love to take. As they are enjoying some time in the ship’s game room one of the ship’s staff goes into convulsions and dies. Most think natural causes, but Cait thinks murder. Before the ship docks in Canada she has to prove it. So she and Bud inform the ship’s head of security of the backgrounds and qualifications. He decides begrudgingly to let them assist in his investigation.
Cathy Ace gives us another great mystery where Cait tunes in her Eidetic memory to help solve the case. This is basically a closed room mystery and Cathy Ace writes this style brilliantly. Cait and Bud are the perfect team. They play to each other strengths and are very friendly and non-threatening in their way of interviewing suspects. In fact most of the suspects thought they were just talking about the death with another couple that was in the room when it occured. I love the way it played out.
Cathy Ace brings us right aboard that cruise ship to travel with Cait and Bud. I just feel bad their romantic getaway was ruined. The spent their last days chasing down clues instead of relaxing. The were able to see a few sunsets and visit their favorite bar on the ship often but most of the time the investigation was all they had on their minds.
As all the novels in this series, I read it all in one evening. They are hard to put down.
While part of a series this book can definitely be read as a stand alone, but I bet you will want to read them all.
Cait and Bud finally are off on their honeymoon. A romantic cruise from Hawaii to Canada. They even get to visits the Hawaiian Islands. A trip I would love to take. As they are enjoying some time in the ship’s game room one of the ship’s staff goes into convulsions and dies. Most think natural causes, but Cait thinks murder. Before the ship docks in Canada she has to prove it. So she and Bud inform the ship’s head of security of the backgrounds and qualifications. He decides begrudgingly to let them assist in his investigation.
Cathy Ace gives us another great mystery where Cait tunes in her Eidetic memory to help solve the case. This is basically a closed room mystery and Cathy Ace writes this style brilliantly. Cait and Bud are the perfect team. They play to each other strengths and are very friendly and non-threatening in their way of interviewing suspects. In fact most of the suspects thought they were just talking about the death with another couple that was in the room when it occured. I love the way it played out.
Cathy Ace brings us right aboard that cruise ship to travel with Cait and Bud. I just feel bad their romantic getaway was ruined. The spent their last days chasing down clues instead of relaxing. The were able to see a few sunsets and visit their favorite bar on the ship often but most of the time the investigation was all they had on their minds.
As all the novels in this series, I read it all in one evening. They are hard to put down.
While part of a series this book can definitely be read as a stand alone, but I bet you will want to read them all.
October 25, 2015
This is the six book of the series. Cait and Bud are on a cruise around Hawaiian Islands than back to Canada for a belated honeymoon. When the sudden death of Tommy Trussler right in front of Cait and Bud.
I would really like to have Cait's memory. She can remember everything she sees and bring it up when she wants. Cait Morgan is a Professor and had worked with Bud on different tasks forces. This is her first marriage. She is very smart thinker.
Bud Anderson a retired police detective. A widower before marrying Cait. They offer to work in helping to solve the murder.
The more they find out about their fellow passengers that were with them in the room Tommy died in they find many of them have a motive and means to have done it. I loved seeing Cait's mind work. They find so many things as they are making friends. I was right about who the murder was and why but there was so much of the mysteries I did not pick up on.
There sure seem to be a lot of drinking as they meet with the suspects. Most of the book takes place out to sea after they are on the way back to Canada. It is a very smart mystery.
I was given this ebook to read for free and in return I agreed to give a honest review and be part of
The Corpse With the Diamond Hand.
I would really like to have Cait's memory. She can remember everything she sees and bring it up when she wants. Cait Morgan is a Professor and had worked with Bud on different tasks forces. This is her first marriage. She is very smart thinker.
Bud Anderson a retired police detective. A widower before marrying Cait. They offer to work in helping to solve the murder.
The more they find out about their fellow passengers that were with them in the room Tommy died in they find many of them have a motive and means to have done it. I loved seeing Cait's mind work. They find so many things as they are making friends. I was right about who the murder was and why but there was so much of the mysteries I did not pick up on.
There sure seem to be a lot of drinking as they meet with the suspects. Most of the book takes place out to sea after they are on the way back to Canada. It is a very smart mystery.
I was given this ebook to read for free and in return I agreed to give a honest review and be part of
The Corpse With the Diamond Hand.
November 26, 2015
Cait Morgan, professor of criminal psychology, and her husband, retired police officer Bud Anderson, are on their delayed honeymoon to Hawaii with a cruise back to Vancouver when they observe one of their fellow passenger's death. Given their investigating backgrounds, the cruise ship's chief of security enlists their help in solving the murder. Cait realizes the murderer must have been one of a handful of people in the same room since someone had to remove the pot with the poison in it. Cait and Bud have less than 2 days until the cruise ends and a murderer goes free unless they are able to determine whodunit.
I know there are several Cait Morgan mysteries in the series prior to this book, but I didn't have any problem jumping into the narrative without background of the other books. I was intrigued with Cait's abilities to remember the slightest of details and to put these details all together. If you like classic mysteries where all the suspects are subtly interviewed and the clues pieced together, this book is a solid one.
I received this book for free in an author giveaway. My opinion is my own and not influenced by anyone.
I know there are several Cait Morgan mysteries in the series prior to this book, but I didn't have any problem jumping into the narrative without background of the other books. I was intrigued with Cait's abilities to remember the slightest of details and to put these details all together. If you like classic mysteries where all the suspects are subtly interviewed and the clues pieced together, this book is a solid one.
I received this book for free in an author giveaway. My opinion is my own and not influenced by anyone.
October 21, 2015
I loved this book - I got a real sense of place and atmosphere and the characters are well drawn. Once I reached halfway I couldn't put it down until I'd finished the last page - great page turner - and I enjoy the way the author keeps you guessing until the very end.
March 9, 2017
Old school "Who done it" that Agatha Christie would be proud of. So many suspects and every one of them makes sense. Great read if you are in the mood for sleuthing!
November 5, 2018
Buckle up, because I have a lot to say about this book and none of it is good.
1.) Cait Morgan, the protagonist and narrator, is terrible on every level. She is petulant and bratty to the point of exasperation. I lost track of how many times she was disappointed or pouted because of some incredibly minor inconvenience or even a perfectly reasonable attitude of another person. What do you mean, security officer who has never met me before, you don't innately trust every word I'm saying? What do you mean you aren't going to let me and my husband, a retired police officer with absolutely no authority over anyone anywhere, just take over the investigation of this murder that we totally could have done? How dare a stranger not just accept me at my word. She is like this the whole way through the book. At one point she literally says "I know I don't play well with others"; how the hell did you become a successful psychology professor? Christ she's annoying. Flawed characters are fine but pick your vices wisely.
2.) Why does she have an eidetic (photographic) memory? Is it so that the author can feel free to write incredibly detailed descriptions of literally everything throughout the entire book? Because I hated that. Is it so that she can whip it out as a unique superpower to help solve the case? Because it wasn't necessary; a child could have seen this ending coming a million miles away.
3.) Bud has no personality beyond "Good Guy (TM)". We talk a lot about male authors writing boring dimensionless female characters whose sole personality is Plot Device, but we need to have a talk about female authors writing male characters who are overly idealized Good Guys who are perfectly supportive, and sensitive but still manly, and etc. Early in the book Bud talks about being bored by a conversation with another man about cars and I was like please tell me that you're not doing this. Please tell me that this dude has more to him than merely being Different Because He Doesn't Have To Pretend To Love Cars To Feel Macho. Christ.
4.) Related note, why the hell is Bud so goddamn cut up about being surrounded by death? And how is this the first time he's ever met someone with cancer? Good lord. Go spend more time with men, Ace.
5.) Hi, I'm a potential suspect because I happened to be present at the victim's death. Let me tell you the very personal secret reason I had to kill him, even though you're basically a complete stranger and even though it's pretty obvious you're looking for a killer.
6.) Microexpressions. Get the F out of here with your goddamn microexpressions. Congratulations on having watched a single teaser trailer for that Lie To Me show that only got 3 seasons.
Ugghhhhh this was so bad.
1.) Cait Morgan, the protagonist and narrator, is terrible on every level. She is petulant and bratty to the point of exasperation. I lost track of how many times she was disappointed or pouted because of some incredibly minor inconvenience or even a perfectly reasonable attitude of another person. What do you mean, security officer who has never met me before, you don't innately trust every word I'm saying? What do you mean you aren't going to let me and my husband, a retired police officer with absolutely no authority over anyone anywhere, just take over the investigation of this murder that we totally could have done? How dare a stranger not just accept me at my word. She is like this the whole way through the book. At one point she literally says "I know I don't play well with others"; how the hell did you become a successful psychology professor? Christ she's annoying. Flawed characters are fine but pick your vices wisely.
2.) Why does she have an eidetic (photographic) memory? Is it so that the author can feel free to write incredibly detailed descriptions of literally everything throughout the entire book? Because I hated that. Is it so that she can whip it out as a unique superpower to help solve the case? Because it wasn't necessary; a child could have seen this ending coming a million miles away.
3.) Bud has no personality beyond "Good Guy (TM)". We talk a lot about male authors writing boring dimensionless female characters whose sole personality is Plot Device, but we need to have a talk about female authors writing male characters who are overly idealized Good Guys who are perfectly supportive, and sensitive but still manly, and etc. Early in the book Bud talks about being bored by a conversation with another man about cars and I was like please tell me that you're not doing this. Please tell me that this dude has more to him than merely being Different Because He Doesn't Have To Pretend To Love Cars To Feel Macho. Christ.
4.) Related note, why the hell is Bud so goddamn cut up about being surrounded by death? And how is this the first time he's ever met someone with cancer? Good lord. Go spend more time with men, Ace.
5.) Hi, I'm a potential suspect because I happened to be present at the victim's death. Let me tell you the very personal secret reason I had to kill him, even though you're basically a complete stranger and even though it's pretty obvious you're looking for a killer.
6.) Microexpressions. Get the F out of here with your goddamn microexpressions. Congratulations on having watched a single teaser trailer for that Lie To Me show that only got 3 seasons.
Ugghhhhh this was so bad.
December 28, 2022
Cait Morgan and Bud Anderson are finally on their long-awaited honeymoon, a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands. They have been enjoying the sites, the luxury of the cruise ship and each other. But as readers know, this crime-sleuthing couple are soon facing a death, getting themselves involved in the investigation while the ship sails to its final destination.
The Corpse With the Diamond Hand is the sixth in this series featuring Morgan, professor of criminal psychology at the University of Vancouver, and Anderson, a retired law enforcement officer. They seem a nice couple but I'm surprised that Bud feels so laid back while Cait is a bit of a rabid dog. Throughout this book we learn that Cait doesn't like to play with others, doesn't like to follow rules (such as those set by the ship's top investigator) and just plows her way through an investigation. She feels very much like an amateur sleuth, yet she should have enough experience to not do some things. Bud, who has much more experience, seems to be happy to take a back seat to Cait, which is strange.
The duo face an extensive group of suspects most with odd quirks (a woman who only wears beige and talks with her eyes closed, a husband who dresses as if he has never been around others, a rich couple who drink all the time), every one of course having a secret and a motive for killing the murder victim. There's also the limitations of an investigation on a ship set up to take care of minor illnesses and injuries. Despite that, somehow Cait comes up with everyone's secret and whether they are the guilty party.
And I didn't believe it. I didn't like Cait and didn't believe her so-called eidetic or photographic memory. She frankly is a know-it-all and I've usually found that such people make big assumptions, many of which are wrong. Cait and Bud have potential but right now they feel mismatched and awkward to me.
So the story is cute (definitely a cozy) and its fun to read but these characters just didn't hold enough of my interest to want to follow Cait and Bud into more cases.
The Corpse With the Diamond Hand is the sixth in this series featuring Morgan, professor of criminal psychology at the University of Vancouver, and Anderson, a retired law enforcement officer. They seem a nice couple but I'm surprised that Bud feels so laid back while Cait is a bit of a rabid dog. Throughout this book we learn that Cait doesn't like to play with others, doesn't like to follow rules (such as those set by the ship's top investigator) and just plows her way through an investigation. She feels very much like an amateur sleuth, yet she should have enough experience to not do some things. Bud, who has much more experience, seems to be happy to take a back seat to Cait, which is strange.
The duo face an extensive group of suspects most with odd quirks (a woman who only wears beige and talks with her eyes closed, a husband who dresses as if he has never been around others, a rich couple who drink all the time), every one of course having a secret and a motive for killing the murder victim. There's also the limitations of an investigation on a ship set up to take care of minor illnesses and injuries. Despite that, somehow Cait comes up with everyone's secret and whether they are the guilty party.
And I didn't believe it. I didn't like Cait and didn't believe her so-called eidetic or photographic memory. She frankly is a know-it-all and I've usually found that such people make big assumptions, many of which are wrong. Cait and Bud have potential but right now they feel mismatched and awkward to me.
So the story is cute (definitely a cozy) and its fun to read but these characters just didn't hold enough of my interest to want to follow Cait and Bud into more cases.
February 10, 2022
The main character - Cait Morgan - is a criminal psychologist with a photographic memory who is on her honeymoon with new husband, Bud, a retired police detective. When a man dies right before them, Cait cannot sit back and do nothing. Despite having no authority to investigate, she persuades the ship's Chief of Security to allow her and Bud to look into the case. He's unwilling at first but that doesn't stop Cait from questioning fellow passengers who were in the room when the man died. Furtively, she begins to unlock their secrets, secrets which could very well have led to them having a motive - as well as the means and opportunity - to want the man dead.
I enjoyed how Cait achieved the trust and confidence of the suspect-passengers. Her eidetic memory helped her to recall her own first encounter with each of them as well as highlighting when their stories - or potential alibis - did not tally with what others said.
The ending was somewhat Columbo-esque in that she gathered all "guilty" parties together in a mock memorial event, in which she revealed everything she had discovered and waited for the murderer to make the inevitable mistake of reacting to her facts.
I loved the descriptions of Hawai'i and its islands and of cruise life, although some explanations of the protocols that the security officer had to follow were a tad lengthy, albeit probably necessary.
Cait is a great character and completely dominates this story, however her "wakeful dreaming" episode didn't work for me.
Overall, a fun read, if a little depressing and unbelievable at times.
I enjoyed how Cait achieved the trust and confidence of the suspect-passengers. Her eidetic memory helped her to recall her own first encounter with each of them as well as highlighting when their stories - or potential alibis - did not tally with what others said.
The ending was somewhat Columbo-esque in that she gathered all "guilty" parties together in a mock memorial event, in which she revealed everything she had discovered and waited for the murderer to make the inevitable mistake of reacting to her facts.
I loved the descriptions of Hawai'i and its islands and of cruise life, although some explanations of the protocols that the security officer had to follow were a tad lengthy, albeit probably necessary.
Cait is a great character and completely dominates this story, however her "wakeful dreaming" episode didn't work for me.
Overall, a fun read, if a little depressing and unbelievable at times.
May 18, 2017
Murder mystery by a British-born Canadian author, good for a box on the list. One down, 69 to go.
This is an ARC I picked up last time I was at PNBA. Looking for things I could take on vacation and ditch when I was done (obviating the need to pack it home), I rediscovered this on my shelf. The setting is an inter-island Hawaiian cruise, so appropriate for Maui beach-side reading.
This story was too incredible, as in "impossible to believe." The main character is a criminal psychologist with a photographic memory who is married to a retired police detective. Among the possible suspects, every single one had both motive and opportunity. In order to finally ferret out the guilty party, the main character gathers everyone together to explain all the known facts and watch the bad guy overreact. This is a series installment, but easy to jump in to: it's obvious that the other books all follow a similar story arch, so if this is your preferred type of book candy, good news.
I met the author at PNBA and she was lovely and personable. She was keen to talk with book groups, if yours likes this kind of novel.
This is an ARC I picked up last time I was at PNBA. Looking for things I could take on vacation and ditch when I was done (obviating the need to pack it home), I rediscovered this on my shelf. The setting is an inter-island Hawaiian cruise, so appropriate for Maui beach-side reading.
This story was too incredible, as in "impossible to believe." The main character is a criminal psychologist with a photographic memory who is married to a retired police detective. Among the possible suspects, every single one had both motive and opportunity. In order to finally ferret out the guilty party, the main character gathers everyone together to explain all the known facts and watch the bad guy overreact. This is a series installment, but easy to jump in to: it's obvious that the other books all follow a similar story arch, so if this is your preferred type of book candy, good news.
I met the author at PNBA and she was lovely and personable. She was keen to talk with book groups, if yours likes this kind of novel.
July 24, 2017
Newlyweds Cait Morgan and Bud Anderson are on their honeymoon, a cruise, first around the Hawaiian Islands, and now on the return trip to Vancouver, BC, where they live. Then the shipboard card game tutor dies suddenly, in the midst of teaching Bud. Since it appears that he has been poisoned, Cait and Bud offer their services to the security team that undertakes the investigation. In the process of casual conversations with the other cruise members who were in the Game Room at the time of the murder, the uncover a multitude of secrets, all of which could provide motives for the murder. So, whodunnit? Another excellent entry into this well-written series. Highly recommended.
February 23, 2020
Cait Morgan, professor of forensic psychology, and Bud Anderson, retired police detective, were married in chilly Scotland in the last book in the series. In this one, they get to go on a honeymoon in balmy Hawaii. They are on their way sailing home to Vancouver in a very large cruise ship when a man goes into convulsions and dies before their eyes. This is a perfect setup for Cait, who has an eidetic memory and is able to replay the scene in her head and look for clues. Bud’s expertise is also called for since the ship’s security team are not experienced homicide detectives. The shipboard investigation is more interesting than the discovery of “who done it.”
February 18, 2024
Another brilliant book by Cathy Ace which involves a castle, a puzzle, a treasure and a murder. Sound intriguing , then you must read the book, really suspenseful and on top of all that a wedding that might not happen, oh no!
May 4, 2018
A good mystery read. Picked up this book for the cover and cruising Hawaii but will be reading more from this author.
June 5, 2019
Cathy Ace set this one perfectly...with so many possibilities. It kept me guessing until the end :)
July 27, 2020
This is the third Cait Morgan I have read and I did not enjoy it as much.
August 3, 2022
This book has got me into reading mysteries! Great pacing :)
August 18, 2022
Loving the series very much.
October 18, 2015
Note: I received an Advanced Readers' Copy (ARC) of The Corpse with the Diamond in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour for the book via Lori's Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace is a new stand-alone instalment in the Cait Morgan mystery series.
Narrated from the first person perspective of Cait Morgan, the novel is a fun, mind-provoking cozy mystery.
Cait and Bud Anderson have recently said their "I do's" and are on a two-week honeymoon cruise to Hawaii, but the mystery-free getaway changes course two days before the trip is over, when Tommy Trussler, the ship's card instructor drops dead on the game floor.
To everyone on board, it appears that Tommy died of natural causes, but to the mystery-solving psychoanalyst, the man appeared to have been poisoned.
As soon as the incident occurs we are introduced to Ezra Eisen, the head of security on the ship, the nurse, doctor and other ship personal, in addition to the people who were in the ship's game room, each of whom has a secret to hide and a reason to kill Tommy, as Cait later discovers.
Cait has a special skill that has enabled her to solve crimes in the past. She literally remembers everything. However, she explains to Ezra how people perceive things, saying "As human beings, we're not capable of experiencing the world as it is – we always experience it as we are, with all our faults, flaw, preconceptions and prejudices filtering and infusing everything we perceive."
Since the novel is narrated from Cait's perspective, we get her first impressions on everything. She's quick to notice things, especially the slight tremors and changes in people's movement or behaviour. For example, a little after Tommy dies, we meet with the captain of the ship.
"But the captain's micro-expressions told me he was still feeling the weight of the suspicious death on his shoulders."
One of the lines that made me smile while reading and that is interesting for people looking to enter the mystery or crime genre was something medical, to which the Rachel, the ship's doctor said "It doesn't always happen, and it certainly doesn't happen as often as those who create fiction would have us believe, but it seems to have happened here." It is both funny and ironic.
I liked the author's use of "show don't tell" and her ability to make the reader see, smell and connect things in her book with real life. For example, when Cait says "My nostrils told me we were nearing the medical area," the reader immediately remembers the smell of anaesthesia and disinfectant.
Although there isn't character development, as is the case with most mystery novels, yet the reader comes out enlightened about several notions and ideas in life.
The Corpse with the Diamond was not free of gala dinners, elegant dresses, tasty food, that had me wishing to go on a cruise ship, and confrontations.
I enjoyed Cait's comments to herself as well as her quick assessments and body language readings of others. The novel was fairly-paced. Although it covers a period of two days, still I felt the ship's passengers were doing "a lot" in those two days.
I also liked how the author managed to make every character have a motive and I enjoyed the gathering they had where Cait drew out the perpetrator(s).
Finally, I was intrigued by the pun in the name of the book The Corpse with the Diamond, but I'll leave it at that and that it had me going in another direction.
"Experience changes us all…Sometimes it hits us like a wall, so vast we cannot fail to acknowledge it. Other times it seeps through the cracks in our daily lives until we accommodate it, almost without noticing. But it changes us all."
As part of the blog tour with Lori's Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, there is an ongoing giveaway. Check out the link below:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace is a new stand-alone instalment in the Cait Morgan mystery series.
Narrated from the first person perspective of Cait Morgan, the novel is a fun, mind-provoking cozy mystery.
Cait and Bud Anderson have recently said their "I do's" and are on a two-week honeymoon cruise to Hawaii, but the mystery-free getaway changes course two days before the trip is over, when Tommy Trussler, the ship's card instructor drops dead on the game floor.
To everyone on board, it appears that Tommy died of natural causes, but to the mystery-solving psychoanalyst, the man appeared to have been poisoned.
As soon as the incident occurs we are introduced to Ezra Eisen, the head of security on the ship, the nurse, doctor and other ship personal, in addition to the people who were in the ship's game room, each of whom has a secret to hide and a reason to kill Tommy, as Cait later discovers.
Cait has a special skill that has enabled her to solve crimes in the past. She literally remembers everything. However, she explains to Ezra how people perceive things, saying "As human beings, we're not capable of experiencing the world as it is – we always experience it as we are, with all our faults, flaw, preconceptions and prejudices filtering and infusing everything we perceive."
Since the novel is narrated from Cait's perspective, we get her first impressions on everything. She's quick to notice things, especially the slight tremors and changes in people's movement or behaviour. For example, a little after Tommy dies, we meet with the captain of the ship.
"But the captain's micro-expressions told me he was still feeling the weight of the suspicious death on his shoulders."
One of the lines that made me smile while reading and that is interesting for people looking to enter the mystery or crime genre was something medical, to which the Rachel, the ship's doctor said "It doesn't always happen, and it certainly doesn't happen as often as those who create fiction would have us believe, but it seems to have happened here." It is both funny and ironic.
I liked the author's use of "show don't tell" and her ability to make the reader see, smell and connect things in her book with real life. For example, when Cait says "My nostrils told me we were nearing the medical area," the reader immediately remembers the smell of anaesthesia and disinfectant.
Although there isn't character development, as is the case with most mystery novels, yet the reader comes out enlightened about several notions and ideas in life.
The Corpse with the Diamond was not free of gala dinners, elegant dresses, tasty food, that had me wishing to go on a cruise ship, and confrontations.
I enjoyed Cait's comments to herself as well as her quick assessments and body language readings of others. The novel was fairly-paced. Although it covers a period of two days, still I felt the ship's passengers were doing "a lot" in those two days.
I also liked how the author managed to make every character have a motive and I enjoyed the gathering they had where Cait drew out the perpetrator(s).
Finally, I was intrigued by the pun in the name of the book The Corpse with the Diamond, but I'll leave it at that and that it had me going in another direction.
"Experience changes us all…Sometimes it hits us like a wall, so vast we cannot fail to acknowledge it. Other times it seeps through the cracks in our daily lives until we accommodate it, almost without noticing. But it changes us all."
As part of the blog tour with Lori's Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, there is an ongoing giveaway. Check out the link below:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
February 17, 2017
I am a fan of this series and love the way that Bud and Cait compliment each other as characters. Always great to travel to a new place and learn lots of interesting details about people and places. Mostly I enjoy the way that Cait figures out "who did it". Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
October 19, 2015
Newlyweds Cait and Bud are finally on their honeymoon, cruising around the beautiful islands of Hawaii. They’ve had a lovely time and are in the final days of their journey. Unfortunately, things aren’t going as well for cruise employee Tommy Trussler. He’s about to be murdered – in front of unsuspecting witnesses – in the game room.
This book (as with the others I’ve read in this series) is a classic locked-room mystery. In the case of The Diamond Hand, Tommy is poisoned in a public room, with many others present. Who administered the fatal dose? And how? To answer these questions, Cait realizes she needs to learn about each person present at Tommy’s death and their relationship with the deceased. The why will help answer the who.
Haven’t read any other books in this series? That’s okay. You can jump right into The Corpse with the Diamond Hand. And don’t fret if you can’t figure out whodunit. There are many suspects and red herrings in this puzzle. I for one had no idea who the murderer was until Cait’s big reveal. Which made this mystery a lot of fun and kept me guessing.
For my full review, please visit Hidden Staircase.
Many thanks to TouchWood Editions for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book (as with the others I’ve read in this series) is a classic locked-room mystery. In the case of The Diamond Hand, Tommy is poisoned in a public room, with many others present. Who administered the fatal dose? And how? To answer these questions, Cait realizes she needs to learn about each person present at Tommy’s death and their relationship with the deceased. The why will help answer the who.
Haven’t read any other books in this series? That’s okay. You can jump right into The Corpse with the Diamond Hand. And don’t fret if you can’t figure out whodunit. There are many suspects and red herrings in this puzzle. I for one had no idea who the murderer was until Cait’s big reveal. Which made this mystery a lot of fun and kept me guessing.
For my full review, please visit Hidden Staircase.
Many thanks to TouchWood Editions for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2015
This is the first book I have read in this series. If you, like me, haven't read the previous five books, I would suggest that you do so before picking up this one. I think I would have had more understanding of the main characters and some of their conversations about the past if I weren't jumping in mid-series.
That said, however, I did still manage to enjoy this book on its own. The way that Cait and Bud work together, and relate to each other, is fascinating. The other characters in the book were fully described, and had well-rounded personalities.
The idea of a murder mystery on a cruise ship is one that has always interested me, and this one was definitely worth the read. I was drawn in from the beginning, and fell for a few red herrings in trying to find the murderer--and then was surprised to discover the true identity. And since they were on a cruise, we got great descriptions of gala dinners, elegant clothing, and tasty food. Too bad there weren't recipes for some of it! :)
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
That said, however, I did still manage to enjoy this book on its own. The way that Cait and Bud work together, and relate to each other, is fascinating. The other characters in the book were fully described, and had well-rounded personalities.
The idea of a murder mystery on a cruise ship is one that has always interested me, and this one was definitely worth the read. I was drawn in from the beginning, and fell for a few red herrings in trying to find the murderer--and then was surprised to discover the true identity. And since they were on a cruise, we got great descriptions of gala dinners, elegant clothing, and tasty food. Too bad there weren't recipes for some of it! :)
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
October 24, 2015
The Corpse with the Diamond Hand was set in Hawaii, and featured a sleuthing professor no less, so I had to read it. I really enjoyed it! The story was impeccably researched, tightly plotted, and fast paced. It started with a dramatic death and pulled me through one twist after another, but it wasn’t all action; it was also rich with detail. I really enjoyed seeing Hawaii through the eyes of an author who’s obviously spent time there observing. I also liked spending time with Cait and now I can’t wait for the next adventure.
February 16, 2016
this is a prize book from Goodreads. it was very enjoyable reading. since I like the t.v. show Hawaii 5-0 (both old and the new). the settings work well. both the tropical and being on the ship. it also helps having the flashbacks to what happened before they sailed. using two different methods to get clues works well also. Bud's direct research method and Cait psy. profiling to gather clues. her observations are great way to end.
October 19, 2015
The whole novel is so cleverly done, from the double references in the title to the plays on words in character’s names to the wholly surprising revelations at the end. Brilliant writing, Cathy Ace. Read our full review of The Corpse with the Diamond Hand.
November 28, 2016
Another installment in an enjoyable "cozy" series
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