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Rum Luck
Sand. Monkeys. Murder.
Ben Cooper was supposed to be on his Pacific honeymoon. Not waking up in a Costa Rican prison cell with no memory of the night before.
Then again, Ben never thought he would catch his fiancée with some clown — literally. Or that his friend Miguel would drag him to the surf paradise of Tamarindo before Aunt Mildred could ask why they cancelled the open bar reception.
But surely his friend and lawyer Victoria didn’t need to fly down from Toronto overnight. After all, the police would let him go once he sobered up and paid his fine. Right?
Except for the little matter of a murder. And Ben’s buying a beachside bar from the victim, hours before the man’s death.
With foreclosure looming and death threats piling up on the rum-soaked bar, they must turn to the wild idea that got them into this mess—building a business around those who’ve always wanted to run their own bar on a beach somewhere, even for just a week.
But to survive, they’ll need every skill at their disposal—including those they’d rather forget they have.
NetGalley advance review copies available here for qualified librarians, educators, booksellers and reviewers - https://s2.netgalley.com/publisher/ti...
Ben Cooper was supposed to be on his Pacific honeymoon. Not waking up in a Costa Rican prison cell with no memory of the night before.
Then again, Ben never thought he would catch his fiancée with some clown — literally. Or that his friend Miguel would drag him to the surf paradise of Tamarindo before Aunt Mildred could ask why they cancelled the open bar reception.
But surely his friend and lawyer Victoria didn’t need to fly down from Toronto overnight. After all, the police would let him go once he sobered up and paid his fine. Right?
Except for the little matter of a murder. And Ben’s buying a beachside bar from the victim, hours before the man’s death.
With foreclosure looming and death threats piling up on the rum-soaked bar, they must turn to the wild idea that got them into this mess—building a business around those who’ve always wanted to run their own bar on a beach somewhere, even for just a week.
But to survive, they’ll need every skill at their disposal—including those they’d rather forget they have.
NetGalley advance review copies available here for qualified librarians, educators, booksellers and reviewers - https://s2.netgalley.com/publisher/ti...
258 pages, Hardcover
Published June 22, 2016
2 people are currently reading
1145 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Aldred
2 books85 followersWhen not writing, Ryan Aldred runs a small Canadian charity that supports education in Afghanistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and other at-risk regions.
Ryan previously worked as a defense analyst and continues to serve as a Sergeant in the Canadian Forces Reserve. Ryan and his family live in beautiful Prince Edward County. He’s never met a beach he doesn’t like.
To learn more visit www.ryanaldred.com.
Ryan previously worked as a defense analyst and continues to serve as a Sergeant in the Canadian Forces Reserve. Ryan and his family live in beautiful Prince Edward County. He’s never met a beach he doesn’t like.
To learn more visit www.ryanaldred.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 8, 2017
Honestly, I can't quite decide if this is was more of a wonderful flight of a daydream about owning a beach-bar in Costa Rica or whether it was a murder mystery.
Who says you can't have both, or even have it all? Of course, it requires a bit of really bad luck, some worse luck, a drunken attempted sombrero pilferage, and some great friends to make it all turn out all right,... but that's fine.
It's the ride that counts. Um. Even when the ride can't go above 20 miles an hour and has a huge spray-paint tag with "Gringo" on the side. It's the journey, man!
It's a good novel about pursuing your dreams. I think I'll remember that bit long after the murder mystery fades, but don't get me wrong, there was a good deal of fun with that, too. I didn't even mind that all the characters kept having hidden depths of skills popping up out from nowhere to save the day. It made them interesting. Really interesting. :) No problemo. ;)
So who do you want to be when you grow up? Hey! As long as you don't say clown, you're in business.
Recommendations while reading this novel: Rum.
If you really want, then get some good tequila, but I seriously recommend rum. It's not just in the title. It's in the spirit. You can't read a mystery novel taking place in a bar without getting blasted, can you? Sure, it doesn't hurt if you like rum, too, or perhaps a bit of good tequila, but just imagine how much fun you might have if you turned the reading of this into a drinking game! Screw movies. Books are the new bar-room entertainment. Don't believe me? Read the book. I can guarantee a good time. :)
Thanks to the author for a copy of his book! I was skeptical at first, but it was a charm to fall into and really, really smooth. Thank you!
Who says you can't have both, or even have it all? Of course, it requires a bit of really bad luck, some worse luck, a drunken attempted sombrero pilferage, and some great friends to make it all turn out all right,... but that's fine.
It's the ride that counts. Um. Even when the ride can't go above 20 miles an hour and has a huge spray-paint tag with "Gringo" on the side. It's the journey, man!
It's a good novel about pursuing your dreams. I think I'll remember that bit long after the murder mystery fades, but don't get me wrong, there was a good deal of fun with that, too. I didn't even mind that all the characters kept having hidden depths of skills popping up out from nowhere to save the day. It made them interesting. Really interesting. :) No problemo. ;)
So who do you want to be when you grow up? Hey! As long as you don't say clown, you're in business.
Recommendations while reading this novel: Rum.
If you really want, then get some good tequila, but I seriously recommend rum. It's not just in the title. It's in the spirit. You can't read a mystery novel taking place in a bar without getting blasted, can you? Sure, it doesn't hurt if you like rum, too, or perhaps a bit of good tequila, but just imagine how much fun you might have if you turned the reading of this into a drinking game! Screw movies. Books are the new bar-room entertainment. Don't believe me? Read the book. I can guarantee a good time. :)
Thanks to the author for a copy of his book! I was skeptical at first, but it was a charm to fall into and really, really smooth. Thank you!
October 2, 2016
RUM LUCK: A Bar on the Beach Mystery is the debut novel of Ryan Aldred. It is an accomplished effort, promising more to come from this Canadian native.
Ben Cooper’s wedding goes bust after he discovers his ex-fiance is obsessed with clowns, and not in a good way. Ben takes advantage of their pre-paid honeymoon arrangements in Costa Rica, taking along his buddy, Miguel.
He arrives in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, gets rum drunk, buys a bar on the beach using funds from a shared account with his ex-fiance, and gets himself arrested for murder. Things are not going as Ben expected in Costa Rica.
Arriving to the rescue from Toronto comes his friend and attorney, Victoria Holmes, freeing Ben from jail, and seeing if she can make sense of the fact that the man Ben’s accused of murdering is the former bar owner, Antonio.
Since Ben can’t go anywhere because the authorities have his passport, he decides to see if he can make a go of it with the bar. Ben finds that necessary repairs on the bar building and equipment will have him bankrupt in six weeks. He decides to try an idea he had of providing an amusement service to people that want to pretend to run a bar for a week. Miguel and Victoria throw in with him and their first client is Miguel’s Uncle Enrico, who takes to his “bar management” opportunity very seriously.
However, strange things are still occurring at the bar. Late-night visitors are searching for something, and accidents seem to be happening to Ben and Miguel with regularity. The police aren’t making any progress on finding another suspect, nor are they being very receptive to Ben trying to make a go of running Antonio’s.
What is Ben to do? He decides to do some investigating of his own, with Victoria and Miguel’s assistance, and Uncle Enrico’s enthusiastic meddling. Much danger and fun ensue.
Ryan Aldred has assembled an interesting cast of characters to populate his entertaining story. The bar environment allows him to introduce a host of varied personalities and situations that propel his story along. He does an excellent job creating the vibe of a tropical beachside bar scene, so much so that you’ll find yourself rocking to the ear-splitting music, enjoying the raucous conversations, and turning your nose up at the smells endemic to a busy bar.
When I finished reading this excellent debut from Ryan Aldred, I pulled up Google Maps and checked out the Tamarindo Diria where Ben and Miguel had stayed. It’s right there, a block away from the casino.
Ben Cooper’s wedding goes bust after he discovers his ex-fiance is obsessed with clowns, and not in a good way. Ben takes advantage of their pre-paid honeymoon arrangements in Costa Rica, taking along his buddy, Miguel.
He arrives in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, gets rum drunk, buys a bar on the beach using funds from a shared account with his ex-fiance, and gets himself arrested for murder. Things are not going as Ben expected in Costa Rica.
Arriving to the rescue from Toronto comes his friend and attorney, Victoria Holmes, freeing Ben from jail, and seeing if she can make sense of the fact that the man Ben’s accused of murdering is the former bar owner, Antonio.
Since Ben can’t go anywhere because the authorities have his passport, he decides to see if he can make a go of it with the bar. Ben finds that necessary repairs on the bar building and equipment will have him bankrupt in six weeks. He decides to try an idea he had of providing an amusement service to people that want to pretend to run a bar for a week. Miguel and Victoria throw in with him and their first client is Miguel’s Uncle Enrico, who takes to his “bar management” opportunity very seriously.
However, strange things are still occurring at the bar. Late-night visitors are searching for something, and accidents seem to be happening to Ben and Miguel with regularity. The police aren’t making any progress on finding another suspect, nor are they being very receptive to Ben trying to make a go of running Antonio’s.
What is Ben to do? He decides to do some investigating of his own, with Victoria and Miguel’s assistance, and Uncle Enrico’s enthusiastic meddling. Much danger and fun ensue.
Ryan Aldred has assembled an interesting cast of characters to populate his entertaining story. The bar environment allows him to introduce a host of varied personalities and situations that propel his story along. He does an excellent job creating the vibe of a tropical beachside bar scene, so much so that you’ll find yourself rocking to the ear-splitting music, enjoying the raucous conversations, and turning your nose up at the smells endemic to a busy bar.
When I finished reading this excellent debut from Ryan Aldred, I pulled up Google Maps and checked out the Tamarindo Diria where Ben and Miguel had stayed. It’s right there, a block away from the casino.
December 23, 2016
Ben wakes to find himself in a police cell, assuming he's just been put in the drunk tank to sleep off the night before, he is shocked to find he's looking at a murder charge and his attorney friend, Victoria has flown into Costa Rica to help him. With no memory of what happened the night before and his part in it, things get even more complicated when Ben finds he has purchased a beach bar and the murder victim was the man he bought the bar from. The only way out of this mess seems to be to piece together what happened and find the killer before he strikes again.
This fast paced fun and humorous thriller is a page turner but I did find the book slumped on details and characterisations. However, despite saying this I did read it to the end and I did laugh out loud in places. It was inevitably a little predictable, but still quite a worthwhile debut thriller.
This fast paced fun and humorous thriller is a page turner but I did find the book slumped on details and characterisations. However, despite saying this I did read it to the end and I did laugh out loud in places. It was inevitably a little predictable, but still quite a worthwhile debut thriller.
July 17, 2016
Many thanks to Five Star Publishing and net galley for allowing me to review this book. I enjoyed this book. I think it was the first book for this author.It was a really nice mystery book. A good read and one to read anytime, especially on a cold winter day when it will take u away to Costa Rica. I found it had alot of suspense, humor, and mystery to it.Not going to spoil the book and go on about what it was all about as I find the descriptions do that well. But the characters in this book are very interesting and since the author is Canadian, some of them are as well. I was quite surprised who the murderer turned out to be. I would read more books by the author for sure. enjoy his writing style.
March 23, 2017
There’s a lot of action in “Rum Luck,” Ryan Aldred’s novel of a Costa Rican misadventure featuring murder, mayhem, and booze. Some of it’s good, some is over the top, and all is frenetic.
Ben Cooper wakes up in a jail cell with no memory of the previous night. And why, he wonders, did his lawyer friend Victoria suddenly fly down from Toronto? As soon as he sobers up and pays his fine he’ll be out, right? Wrong. He’s being accused of murdering someone. After Victoria arranges his release, the real frenzy begins. Sometime during the forgotten night he uses his fiancé’s money, being saved for their wedding, to buy a run-down, destitute bar that’s soon to be foreclosed on. He, Victoria, and his friend, Miguel, join forces, and scramble around trying to bring solvency where none is likely to exist.
The cast of characters starts coming out of the wall. So many, in fact, that I found it hard to keep track of all the players. Aldred has places for each of them in his boozy tale of novices trying to be professionals, and he does a fair job of placing them in it. But I found myself skimming, after losing track of sexy women, crooked cops, good cops, bongo players, fashionista bar boys, stealthy beach crawlers, and other assorted oddities. Skimming is the kiss of death when I read. The book has action with an alarmingly disconnected plot that is disconcerting.
July 31, 2017
'Rum Luck' is the first in a planned series 'Bar on a Beach Mysteries' by Canadian author Ryan Aldred.
The setting is Costa Rica. Canadian friends are in trouble with local authorities over a business deal with a beach bar and the unsolved murder of the bar's previous owner. The characters come to life with the author's enjoyable, witty, and sometimes humorous writing style. The storytelling pace is good, keeping the reader engaged as the adventure unfolds.
I read this mystery surrounded by palm trees and looking over the sea, thinking that 'Rum Luck' is a perfect for any holiday.
The setting is Costa Rica. Canadian friends are in trouble with local authorities over a business deal with a beach bar and the unsolved murder of the bar's previous owner. The characters come to life with the author's enjoyable, witty, and sometimes humorous writing style. The storytelling pace is good, keeping the reader engaged as the adventure unfolds.
I read this mystery surrounded by palm trees and looking over the sea, thinking that 'Rum Luck' is a perfect for any holiday.
June 9, 2017
This could be the start of a new series "A Bar on a Beach Mystery". Ben Cooper decides to go on his honeymoon trip with his best man after he and his fiancee break up. There, they inadvertently get caught up in a murder (in fact, Ben is accused of it). The characters are engaging and there are a few interesting twists and turns. But although it's set in Costa Rica, I didn't get much sense of the country. It could be any tropical beach bar.
Want to read
June 27, 2022Ehhhhh… not a big fan, I might be in the minority here. Found it difficult to stay invested in this tale, was not a big fan of the characters - could not finish and that’s saying a lot for me. I will keep my eyes peeled for more of this author and try them again though.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC opportunity though!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC opportunity though!
June 14, 2025
I started this book about two weeks ago, dropped it in favour of something else, and finally decided I should finish it….although I’m hindsight I probably shouldn’t have bothered. It was really not my kind of book. The author being “local” (or near as makes no difference), I’m glad others liked it however.
April 11, 2018
This is an easy beach type read - basically the type of story you would expect to happen on a beach in a vacation locale. The characters are all flat and somewhat immature with gung ho tendencies.
And it's a decent length so that it can be read quickly.
And it's a decent length so that it can be read quickly.
did-not-finish
November 5, 2022Still couldn't get the grip on the story after 120 pages.
September 27, 2016
BOOK REVIEW:
NOTE: I’D LIKE TO THANK MR. RYAN’S PUBLICIST FOR CONTACTING ME IF I WANT TO REVIEW THE BOOK. AND A BIG THANKS TO MR. RYAN ALDRED FOR SENDING ME THIS SIGNED HARDCOVER BOOK. I LOVED IT TO BITS.
The story kicks off with Ben waking up in a prison cell in Costa Rica, with the worst headache of his life. Good thing his friend Miguel called Victoria ( a Lawyer and also a close friend of Ben and Miguel) she flew from Toronto to Costa Rica to handle Ben’s Case. Ben thought that he was imprisoned because of his…..drunkness. But..No! he was imprisoned because he was a suspect in the murder of Antonio Gutierrez, the owner of the Bar on the Beach. Victoria handled every situation with ease. Officer Reyes showed some evidences from the…….well…. Evidence Bag. And what caught Victoria’s attention was the piece of paper in it. a Blood stained paper with Ben’s signature in the bottom. And without anyone noticing Victoria took a photo of the paper. when they went to a restaurant and ordered some food. Victoria showed the photo to Ben and Miguel to see if they recognise it. Ben was too drunk that night to remember but When Miguel saw it he was in shock. Miguel told them that it was the deed to the Bar on the Beach. Ben froze to his seat and thought, where’d he get 60 grand to pay for the bar. It turned out that he used his shared account with his Ex-Fiance and her parents. Since Ben can’t leave Tamarindo he tried reopening the bar after it was announced clear by the police. Ben was not of any sort of help at first but got the hang of it after a while. Everything went well, he still hired the past employees Antonio had. But sometime after the bar reopened, Ana ( the Bartender and Niece of the late Antonio) found a Letter on the bar table…..it was a death threat. Victoria had her suspicions with Ana, because Ana didn’t really show any signs of sadness after her uncle died. Is Ana really innocent or is she the Murderer?
Ben on the other hand kept thinking about the phone call of an Ad company about the Ad that Antonio wanted to be published, it was an Ad for a new Busboy, Ben thought why would Antonio want to fire Luis(Current Busboy), He seems to Follow every order given to him, also considers himself a FASHIONISTA. But has debts. Was that enough to prove how desperate Luis wants to pay off his debts? Was he that desperate that he had to kill his employer to steal money from him? Or did he kill his employer because he knew that he will be fired sooner or later? is Luis the Murder?
But the Drug dealer that Ben found in his Bar doing “Business” had some unclear information on what the Murderer was wearing the night of the Murder. He was wearing……a……..CAPE?….(Seriously a Murderer wearing a cape?!) Yes. a Cape. said the drug dealer. Who would’ve killed Antonio that had a Cape?!
Who could be the Murderer?
THE BOOK,
So. Let’s talk about the book itself. it was AMAZING!!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!! I’m so glad that I accepted this book review offer. This book has an Awesome plot. You can’t put it down until you finish it. It has parts that’d make you laugh ( since it has some lines and conversations that is humorous) and make you wonder what will happen next. The Dialogues were great, The locations in the book isn’t that complicated to describe. the author just puts a few details in the surroundings and you just get what he means. The Characters ohhhh the Characters….. Victoria Got me big time her character was great all you can think of was she’s smart and stuff and nothing more but NO! she has more hidden talents that she didn’t share to Ben and Miguel. This book will really give you a summery feel because it is based on a Bar in a beach and the Author really put some great thoughts in making this book. from begging to the End I was Super curious who did it( Murdered). I had some idea of who did it but I kept it in until I’ve confirmed it but oh God this book really took me to places. it was super easy to read. No complicated words…. besides the Spanish parts everything is fine. I finished this book in two or three days. it was to hard for me not to read it till the end. Over all this book really deserves the 5 stars that I gave it.
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK?
Yes. If you like Murder Mysteries like me. This book is HEEEEEAAAAAAAAVVVVVEEEEEEENNNNNNNN~~~~~ It has its fair twist and turns has great Humor in it. and will make you think really hard who committed the murder. It just has sooo many good points. I don’t see any flaws in it. This book is just awesome. Also this book is line for my Favourite book of the Year.
NOTE: I’D LIKE TO THANK MR. RYAN’S PUBLICIST FOR CONTACTING ME IF I WANT TO REVIEW THE BOOK. AND A BIG THANKS TO MR. RYAN ALDRED FOR SENDING ME THIS SIGNED HARDCOVER BOOK. I LOVED IT TO BITS.
The story kicks off with Ben waking up in a prison cell in Costa Rica, with the worst headache of his life. Good thing his friend Miguel called Victoria ( a Lawyer and also a close friend of Ben and Miguel) she flew from Toronto to Costa Rica to handle Ben’s Case. Ben thought that he was imprisoned because of his…..drunkness. But..No! he was imprisoned because he was a suspect in the murder of Antonio Gutierrez, the owner of the Bar on the Beach. Victoria handled every situation with ease. Officer Reyes showed some evidences from the…….well…. Evidence Bag. And what caught Victoria’s attention was the piece of paper in it. a Blood stained paper with Ben’s signature in the bottom. And without anyone noticing Victoria took a photo of the paper. when they went to a restaurant and ordered some food. Victoria showed the photo to Ben and Miguel to see if they recognise it. Ben was too drunk that night to remember but When Miguel saw it he was in shock. Miguel told them that it was the deed to the Bar on the Beach. Ben froze to his seat and thought, where’d he get 60 grand to pay for the bar. It turned out that he used his shared account with his Ex-Fiance and her parents. Since Ben can’t leave Tamarindo he tried reopening the bar after it was announced clear by the police. Ben was not of any sort of help at first but got the hang of it after a while. Everything went well, he still hired the past employees Antonio had. But sometime after the bar reopened, Ana ( the Bartender and Niece of the late Antonio) found a Letter on the bar table…..it was a death threat. Victoria had her suspicions with Ana, because Ana didn’t really show any signs of sadness after her uncle died. Is Ana really innocent or is she the Murderer?
Ben on the other hand kept thinking about the phone call of an Ad company about the Ad that Antonio wanted to be published, it was an Ad for a new Busboy, Ben thought why would Antonio want to fire Luis(Current Busboy), He seems to Follow every order given to him, also considers himself a FASHIONISTA. But has debts. Was that enough to prove how desperate Luis wants to pay off his debts? Was he that desperate that he had to kill his employer to steal money from him? Or did he kill his employer because he knew that he will be fired sooner or later? is Luis the Murder?
But the Drug dealer that Ben found in his Bar doing “Business” had some unclear information on what the Murderer was wearing the night of the Murder. He was wearing……a……..CAPE?….(Seriously a Murderer wearing a cape?!) Yes. a Cape. said the drug dealer. Who would’ve killed Antonio that had a Cape?!
Who could be the Murderer?
THE BOOK,
So. Let’s talk about the book itself. it was AMAZING!!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!! I’m so glad that I accepted this book review offer. This book has an Awesome plot. You can’t put it down until you finish it. It has parts that’d make you laugh ( since it has some lines and conversations that is humorous) and make you wonder what will happen next. The Dialogues were great, The locations in the book isn’t that complicated to describe. the author just puts a few details in the surroundings and you just get what he means. The Characters ohhhh the Characters….. Victoria Got me big time her character was great all you can think of was she’s smart and stuff and nothing more but NO! she has more hidden talents that she didn’t share to Ben and Miguel. This book will really give you a summery feel because it is based on a Bar in a beach and the Author really put some great thoughts in making this book. from begging to the End I was Super curious who did it( Murdered). I had some idea of who did it but I kept it in until I’ve confirmed it but oh God this book really took me to places. it was super easy to read. No complicated words…. besides the Spanish parts everything is fine. I finished this book in two or three days. it was to hard for me not to read it till the end. Over all this book really deserves the 5 stars that I gave it.
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK?
Yes. If you like Murder Mysteries like me. This book is HEEEEEAAAAAAAAVVVVVEEEEEEENNNNNNNN~~~~~ It has its fair twist and turns has great Humor in it. and will make you think really hard who committed the murder. It just has sooo many good points. I don’t see any flaws in it. This book is just awesome. Also this book is line for my Favourite book of the Year.
June 10, 2016
3 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in advance.
Ben Cooper wakes up in a Costa Rica jail. He was supposed to be on his honeymoon, not waking up in a cell. His honeymoon turned into a bachelor’s getaway after his fiancée breaks his heart. So he takes the tickets and hotel reservations and uses them to drink away the pain with his friend Miguel in the surf town of Tamarindo. He wakes to see his lawyer friend, Victoria standing in front of him. Just how drunk did he get last night? Why did she have to fly all the way in from Toronto just to bail him out of a drunk and disorderly charge?
Ben soon learns that he is the lead suspect in the murder of the owner of a local bar. A bar that he purchased just hours before the previous owner wound up dead. Somewhere in his rum-soaked brain, he thought that it would be a great idea to buy a bar and then rent it out to other people who had always dreamed of owning a bar on a beautiful beach.
Between trying to beat the murder wrap and trying to keep the bar out of foreclosure (in which he would lose everything he put into it) they are also swept up in the mystery surrounding the death of the previous owner as well as trying to figure out who is trying to kill Ben and his friends. Death threats arrive, rental cars are vandalized and the bar is broken into and ransacked. And this is just the beginning! Ben and his friends need to figure out who is behind all of this before they end up losing the bar and their lives.
This book was really a fun romp through paradise. The main plot was great, guy wakes up in jail after a night of binge drinking to find out that he bought a bar and oh yeah, he’s under suspicion of murder. I wished the characters were a little stronger and less stereotypical. There were also a lot of unnecessary threads involving the supporting characters that really didn’t lend to the story and took away from it for me. I think if the focus had stayed more on Ben and the overall mystery of who really killed the owner, the book would have been stronger for it. But it was definitely a quick and enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in advance.
Ben Cooper wakes up in a Costa Rica jail. He was supposed to be on his honeymoon, not waking up in a cell. His honeymoon turned into a bachelor’s getaway after his fiancée breaks his heart. So he takes the tickets and hotel reservations and uses them to drink away the pain with his friend Miguel in the surf town of Tamarindo. He wakes to see his lawyer friend, Victoria standing in front of him. Just how drunk did he get last night? Why did she have to fly all the way in from Toronto just to bail him out of a drunk and disorderly charge?
Ben soon learns that he is the lead suspect in the murder of the owner of a local bar. A bar that he purchased just hours before the previous owner wound up dead. Somewhere in his rum-soaked brain, he thought that it would be a great idea to buy a bar and then rent it out to other people who had always dreamed of owning a bar on a beautiful beach.
Between trying to beat the murder wrap and trying to keep the bar out of foreclosure (in which he would lose everything he put into it) they are also swept up in the mystery surrounding the death of the previous owner as well as trying to figure out who is trying to kill Ben and his friends. Death threats arrive, rental cars are vandalized and the bar is broken into and ransacked. And this is just the beginning! Ben and his friends need to figure out who is behind all of this before they end up losing the bar and their lives.
This book was really a fun romp through paradise. The main plot was great, guy wakes up in jail after a night of binge drinking to find out that he bought a bar and oh yeah, he’s under suspicion of murder. I wished the characters were a little stronger and less stereotypical. There were also a lot of unnecessary threads involving the supporting characters that really didn’t lend to the story and took away from it for me. I think if the focus had stayed more on Ben and the overall mystery of who really killed the owner, the book would have been stronger for it. But it was definitely a quick and enjoyable read.
September 15, 2016
Review based on ARC received from NetGalley:
Rum Luck is a book with a number of coincidental tropes in which 3 so-called best friends who apparently don't know anything about each other join together to solve the murder that occurs in the bar that one of them has drunkenly purchased in Costa Rica. The bar purchaser is running from a fiancee with a clown fetish, his best male friend is apparently a former operative for a South American army unit, and his best female friend is a lawyer/private eye who really wants to be a DJ.
Not bad, but the conveniences/tropes did reduce the level of enjoyment.
Rum Luck is a book with a number of coincidental tropes in which 3 so-called best friends who apparently don't know anything about each other join together to solve the murder that occurs in the bar that one of them has drunkenly purchased in Costa Rica. The bar purchaser is running from a fiancee with a clown fetish, his best male friend is apparently a former operative for a South American army unit, and his best female friend is a lawyer/private eye who really wants to be a DJ.
Not bad, but the conveniences/tropes did reduce the level of enjoyment.
January 31, 2017
5 out of 5 stars
Rum Luck is the first in the Bar on the Beach mystery series by Ryan Aldred and it does not disappoint in the slightest!
I started reading this yesterday on my day off and I could not put it down at all. In fact, half of the things I planned to do yesterday didn’t get done because I could not put the book down.
The characters are wonderful. I fell in love with all of them almost immediately. Victoria’s no-nonsense demeanor and knowledge of the law helps when dealing with the police and other legalities of purchasing a business. Ben, once he’s sober, is intelligent and kind, willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. Miguel has his secrets, but he’s certainly loyal to his friends, including the beautiful Ana, the victim’s niece. While we don’t learn a lot of their back story, we learn enough to understand where they are coming from in this book. I’m hoping that we learn more about them as the series continues. They’re definitely complex characters and wonderful ones at that.
There’s maybe a little more descriptions of settings than I normally would like, but it’s just right for the context. Describing another country is not always an easy thing. Mr. Aldred does it with ease. I could easily envision what the streets and buildings are like in this coastal Costa Rican town.
The story line is very fast-paced, but manages to be so without being confusing. Sometimes when a book moves quickly, it’s easy to miss details that are important. I never felt like I missed anything, the story just moved along very quickly. It was very action-driven.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, fast-paced, action-driven mystery. I cannot wait for the next book!
[I received a free ecopy of this book from the author through NetGalley. All opinions and conclusions expressed are my own.]
Originally posted on: Valerie's Musings
Rum Luck is the first in the Bar on the Beach mystery series by Ryan Aldred and it does not disappoint in the slightest!
I started reading this yesterday on my day off and I could not put it down at all. In fact, half of the things I planned to do yesterday didn’t get done because I could not put the book down.
The characters are wonderful. I fell in love with all of them almost immediately. Victoria’s no-nonsense demeanor and knowledge of the law helps when dealing with the police and other legalities of purchasing a business. Ben, once he’s sober, is intelligent and kind, willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. Miguel has his secrets, but he’s certainly loyal to his friends, including the beautiful Ana, the victim’s niece. While we don’t learn a lot of their back story, we learn enough to understand where they are coming from in this book. I’m hoping that we learn more about them as the series continues. They’re definitely complex characters and wonderful ones at that.
There’s maybe a little more descriptions of settings than I normally would like, but it’s just right for the context. Describing another country is not always an easy thing. Mr. Aldred does it with ease. I could easily envision what the streets and buildings are like in this coastal Costa Rican town.
The story line is very fast-paced, but manages to be so without being confusing. Sometimes when a book moves quickly, it’s easy to miss details that are important. I never felt like I missed anything, the story just moved along very quickly. It was very action-driven.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, fast-paced, action-driven mystery. I cannot wait for the next book!
[I received a free ecopy of this book from the author through NetGalley. All opinions and conclusions expressed are my own.]
Originally posted on: Valerie's Musings
September 28, 2016
I think I can say that the cover (and the blurb) of this book gave me exactly the right idea about what I was going to find through its pages. Who never dreamed of owning a bar in front of the sea in a remote place where winter never comes? Well, I was not so many pages into the book and I was already doubting if I would ever think again about having such an experience! Because we dream of it as a way to escape the stress of our lives..but murderers and drug cartels are really stressfull to me, won't you agree? Anyway this is the perfect book for a summer read, or any other holiday where you need a little entertaining book to enjoy yourself in the sun, with your feet in the sand.
The main plot is a very light mistery, things are going really bad but everybody is always hopeful and ready to fight for their dream, and to drink a good cocktail after every very long day they spent trying to make the whole thing work (the bar on the beach they're trying to run is in a desperate state, and incidents happening every single day are not helping!)
The only thing that stopped me from giving that book 5 stars is that the characters' emotions are a little flat and unimportant. They do various emotional things, but the author doesn't explain us so much about what is passing through these people's minds, and when he does it is only in a quick and "matter of fact" way. But maybe it was intended like that, because this is a mystery, but mostly it is a summer easy read, and going too much through emotions of people in such a bad situation would not be so good for a light read! After all what we do care about is that there is a satisfying and happy ending for all the good people!
Thanks to Net Galley, the Publisher and the Author for giving me the chance to read it through giving me ad advance copy in exchange for an honest rewiew.
The main plot is a very light mistery, things are going really bad but everybody is always hopeful and ready to fight for their dream, and to drink a good cocktail after every very long day they spent trying to make the whole thing work (the bar on the beach they're trying to run is in a desperate state, and incidents happening every single day are not helping!)
The only thing that stopped me from giving that book 5 stars is that the characters' emotions are a little flat and unimportant. They do various emotional things, but the author doesn't explain us so much about what is passing through these people's minds, and when he does it is only in a quick and "matter of fact" way. But maybe it was intended like that, because this is a mystery, but mostly it is a summer easy read, and going too much through emotions of people in such a bad situation would not be so good for a light read! After all what we do care about is that there is a satisfying and happy ending for all the good people!
Thanks to Net Galley, the Publisher and the Author for giving me the chance to read it through giving me ad advance copy in exchange for an honest rewiew.
June 20, 2016
Ben was supposed to be on his honeymoon in Costa Rican but when he found out his fiancée was cheating on him, he broke up with her and took Miguel, his best friend, on the trip instead. Then he wakes up in a Costa Rican jail with a massive hangover. Miguel had called Ben's friend, Victoria, who is a lawyer, to fly down to help him out. It seems that Ben had gotten drunk and had bought the bar he was drinking at (with the funds he and his fiancée were going to use as a down payment on a house) ... and then the owner was found murdered and Ben is the suspect. While the murder is sorted out, Ben, Miguel and Victoria have no option but to run the bar.
This is the debut novel by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style and found it humorous. I liked the characters and thought they worked well together. Ben is getting over a broken heart. Miguel is a bartender back in Toronto with a secret past. Victoria is a lawyer who surprisingly has other skills. I look forward to future books in what could be a fun series.
I thought it was a bit ironic that Ben "lives" just outside of Toronto and the author lives in PEI ... I started reading the book in Toronto (where I live) and finished it just before my flight to PEI today!
http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2016/06...
This is the debut novel by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style and found it humorous. I liked the characters and thought they worked well together. Ben is getting over a broken heart. Miguel is a bartender back in Toronto with a secret past. Victoria is a lawyer who surprisingly has other skills. I look forward to future books in what could be a fun series.
I thought it was a bit ironic that Ben "lives" just outside of Toronto and the author lives in PEI ... I started reading the book in Toronto (where I live) and finished it just before my flight to PEI today!
http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2016/06...
September 14, 2016
Ben Cooper broke his engagement when he discovered his fiancé was cheating on him- with a clown. So he and his pal Miguel used the tickets for the honeymoon to fly from Toronto to Costa Rica. After a night of wild partying, Ben woke up in a local jail to discover himself the owner of a popular local bar and a suspect in the death of the longtime owner of that bar hours after he bought the bar.
So he called his pal, Victoria, a friend who was also a Toronto lawyer, to get him out of the jail. Victoria decided to spend some time in Costa Rica rather than return to cold Toronto right away. Ben, Miguel and Victoria had to learn how to operate a bar in the tropical paradise that was not profitable. Then they got the idea of selling ownership of the bar for one week to people who dreamed of owning a bar on a tropical beach.
Ben and Miguel soon found themselves threatened and attacked as they try to keep the bar running and find out who really killed the former owner of the bar. In this area where the drug cartels flourish and corrupt police officers abound, there are many suspects.
So he called his pal, Victoria, a friend who was also a Toronto lawyer, to get him out of the jail. Victoria decided to spend some time in Costa Rica rather than return to cold Toronto right away. Ben, Miguel and Victoria had to learn how to operate a bar in the tropical paradise that was not profitable. Then they got the idea of selling ownership of the bar for one week to people who dreamed of owning a bar on a tropical beach.
Ben and Miguel soon found themselves threatened and attacked as they try to keep the bar running and find out who really killed the former owner of the bar. In this area where the drug cartels flourish and corrupt police officers abound, there are many suspects.
April 13, 2016
Doesn't everyone dream of running away and owning a bar on a tropical beach? Sounds idyllic until there is a murder, drugs, corruption and gangs. First time author Ryan Aldred has created a great setup for his "bar on a beach" mystery series.
The characters are all really well developed with backgrounds that we will hopefully learn more about as the series goes on; although my only criticism is that Victoria may be a bit too perfect with all her different skills that she has going on.
The story is fast paced, with injections of humour along the way, and I really didn't want to put it down. The descriptions are so vivid, that I can really visualize the bar and all the action. I recommend this is on your summer reading list, whether you are on a beach or stuck in the city wishing you were on a beach!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The characters are all really well developed with backgrounds that we will hopefully learn more about as the series goes on; although my only criticism is that Victoria may be a bit too perfect with all her different skills that she has going on.
The story is fast paced, with injections of humour along the way, and I really didn't want to put it down. The descriptions are so vivid, that I can really visualize the bar and all the action. I recommend this is on your summer reading list, whether you are on a beach or stuck in the city wishing you were on a beach!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 13, 2016
Regaining consciousness in a Central American prison wouldn’t be an obvious first choice for kick-starting a life change, but somehow Aldred makes this ridiculous situation an enviable event. Laced with a beachworth of desiccated humour, the exhausted characters stagger from table to table of the bar that they have somehow inherited, with the delusional idea that the only way to survive corrupt cops and assassination attempts is to serve a boatload of booze. A great read for lying in the sun and thanking the big blue sky that you haven’t been framed for murder.
And wishing you owned a bar on the beach.
And wishing you owned a bar on the beach.
June 13, 2016
Fun read, perfect for the beach or holidays.
The story centres around a murder in a beach-side bar in Costa Rica, with the main trio of characters trying to unpick the mystery while figuring out how to keep the bar in business. The real joy of this book isn't so much in the plot, fun as it is, as the characters, who manage to be eccentric but still feel like real people.
Plus it's actually funny -- not just bringing a smile to your face, but genuinely laugh out loud. Definitely worth adding to your summer reading list.
The story centres around a murder in a beach-side bar in Costa Rica, with the main trio of characters trying to unpick the mystery while figuring out how to keep the bar in business. The real joy of this book isn't so much in the plot, fun as it is, as the characters, who manage to be eccentric but still feel like real people.
Plus it's actually funny -- not just bringing a smile to your face, but genuinely laugh out loud. Definitely worth adding to your summer reading list.
July 6, 2016
What a fun, fast paced, funny book. Great mystery! I mean, who wouldnt want to be visiting gorgeous Costa Rica with friends and end up (in a drunken haze) buying a bar. This brings in a rollercoaster ride of stalkers, not so straight and narrow constabulary, stalkers... Who to trust? Which way to turn?
I loved this and can't wait to read more by the author! Definitely pick up a copy today!
*I'd like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
I loved this and can't wait to read more by the author! Definitely pick up a copy today!
*I'd like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
September 22, 2016
Thanks to net galley.com for the copy of this book.
What a great mystery book. This is a curl up on the sofa and read all weekend type of book. The cast of characters is great in this book and don't we all dream at one point to own a bar on a tropical island and just relax. However thing have gone south and fast for this people. It is so good to have friends you can count on and trust and this book shows just how important friends really are. I loved that Victoria is now DJ School Mistress that was great! This high powered attorney is now spinning tunes, loved it!
What a great mystery book. This is a curl up on the sofa and read all weekend type of book. The cast of characters is great in this book and don't we all dream at one point to own a bar on a tropical island and just relax. However thing have gone south and fast for this people. It is so good to have friends you can count on and trust and this book shows just how important friends really are. I loved that Victoria is now DJ School Mistress that was great! This high powered attorney is now spinning tunes, loved it!
April 6, 2016
A great read by a first time author. It was easy to become involved in their tropical world with fun storyline twists, well-developed characters, a couple of laugh-out-loud moments.
I found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn't reading, often wanting to rush back to the book to see what would happen next. Now that I've finished the book, I wonder if the main trio will continue crime-fighting from their tropical bar.
I found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn't reading, often wanting to rush back to the book to see what would happen next. Now that I've finished the book, I wonder if the main trio will continue crime-fighting from their tropical bar.
July 31, 2016
For my full review, check out my blog: http://murderisdelicious.blogspot.com...
This book is the perfect beach read. It's light and fun and very funny, but there is some depth and great writing there as well. Definitely recommended.
Best enjoyed while lying out in the sun, with a pitcher of sangria or an ice-cold rum punch nearby. Consume tequila at your own risk.
This book is the perfect beach read. It's light and fun and very funny, but there is some depth and great writing there as well. Definitely recommended.
Best enjoyed while lying out in the sun, with a pitcher of sangria or an ice-cold rum punch nearby. Consume tequila at your own risk.
May 15, 2016
Ryan Aldred is a master of action, mystery and intrigue. You need to read this book. His writing and technique is amazing and I'm sure that this young writer will be entertaining us for years to come. I'm not in the least surprised that it was "An Arthur Ellis Award Finalist". I'm looking forward to his next book. Congratulations Ryan on a job well done!
November 26, 2023
This book was all kinds of fun. It might even be the perfect vacation novel when you are lucky enough to go to places like Jamaica, Costa Rica, Belize...any place hot where you can get a fruity drink while on the sand! It's an adventure and a murder mystery but with the nicest characters. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 5, 2016
Rum Luck by Ryan Aldred was a fun and fast read, with a laugh out loud plot and characters you couldn't help but like. And, to top it off, the book was set on the beach in Costa Rica. It is the perfect beach read or "wish you were on the beach" read. I look forward to the next book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 10, 2016
Oakville ma, Ben, runs to Costa Rica when he breaks up with his fiancee. Uses the money that was supposed to be for a house and purchases a bar. But he cannot remember what happened the night he bought the bar. The previous bar owner ends up murdered. And Ben looks like he is the next one. They want something that is hidden at the bar. But he does not know what or who is looking for it.
September 12, 2016
light funny quick read with a quirky cast of characters and a decent mystery. The setup is a little out there but hey, it's a lot of peoples' dream life switch. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC- I'd like to see more from Aldred. You'll like this if you enjoy mysteries that don't want to be called cozies but don't take themselves seriously.
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