White Sand Blues

Ashley Grant #1

by Vicki Delany

When paramedic Ashley Grant finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman, she moves out of her house (okay, his house), quits her job and takes a new one in a tiny Caribbean country, the Victoria and Albert Islands.

Ashley is thrown into the deep end when she arrives. Her new colleague picks her up at the airport in the island's only ambulance, which is called to the discovery of a body floating off the beach at the exclusive Club Louisa. The body is that of a man vacationing with his daughter and glamorous new wife. Coincidentally, Sally, the daughter of the dead man, recognizes Ashley from high school. She is convinced that her stepmother killed her father and begs Ashley to help her prove it.

Before she can even unpack her bags or enjoy the view from her ocean-side apartment, Ashley is unwittingly dragged into a murder investigation.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Novella, Mystery Thriller, Cozy

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2017

About the author

“It’s a crime not to read Delany,” so says the London Free Press.

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most varied and prolific crime writers.

She is the author of four cozy mystery series: The Tea by the Sea series from Kensington Books, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane and the Year Round Christmas series from Penguin. Under the pen name of Eva Gates she writes the Lighthouse Library Series.
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com , www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor, and twitter: @vickidelany

Vicki is part of Mystery Lovers Kitchen (http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com) and Killer Characters (http://www.killercharacters.com)

Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com

Reviews

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars. Scribd text and audiobook. There was a plot twist near the end that I didn't see coming.

Synopsys: "When paramedic Ashley Grant finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman, she moves out of her house (okay, his house), quits her job and takes a new one in a tiny Caribbean country, the Victoria and Albert Islands. Ashley is thrown into the deep end when she arrives. Her new colleague picks her up at the airport in the island's only ambulance, which is called to the discovery of a body floating off the beach at the exclusive Club Louisa.

The body is that of a man vacationing with his daughter and glamorous new wife. Coincidentally, Sally, the daughter of the dead man, recognizes Ashley from high school. She is convinced that her stepmother killed her father and begs Ashley to help her prove it. Before she can even unpack her bags or enjoy the view from her ocean-side apartment, Ashley is unwittingly dragged into a murder investigation."

[Laur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paramedic Ashley Grant moves and takes a new job in the Caribbean on one of the Victoria/Albert Islands.

No sooner does she land from her flight, her new colleague picks her up at the airport in the Island's only ambulance, which is called to the discovery of a body floating off the beach at the exclusive Club Louisa. The dead body is that of a man vacationing with his daughter and new wife. Sally, the daughter of the dead man, recognizes Ashley from high school. Sally tells Ashley she is already convinced that her stepmother killed her father and begs Ashley to help her prove it.

This is a short story, and is overall unrealistic since Ashley is only a paramedic (not a Doctor or an Police Investigator), she would basically be done with the job after the ambulance drive (there is nothing to resuscitate when a body is already dead, and furthermore she would be a bit out of her element nor have necessary "connections" having just arrived on the Island. But fiction is fiction.

2.0 Stars

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read but pretty easy to see the twist for me

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

This was a very quick listen. I can't say that I was really impressed with it so I don't think I'll continue with the series.

[Marlene Ezell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a signed copy of this novella. It was a quick read and was very entertaining. I now have a sense of the protagonist, Ashley Grant, and plan to read future books about her.

[nini · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don’t have much to say here it did what it had to do and honestly i would probably read more i was intrigued was easy you kinda know the gist if you grew up TNT 🛹

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up
This is first in the Ashley Grant series. It is novella ~ so a fast read!
I have only read four of Ms. Delaney’s novels and I really liked them.
Ashley Grant is a paramedic and when she found her boyfriend cheating left for a new adventure without him.
I liked this and although it was too short, it was a good teaser for the rest of the series!

[Eadie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
White Sand Blues by Vicki Delany is an excellent debut to the Ashley Grant Mystery series. Ashley Grant is a paramedic from Canada who takes a job on the Victoria and Albert Islands in the Caribbean. She is picked up at the airport by Simon, the driver, in a red ambulance and is taken to the beach where a man is found floating in the waters at the Club Louisa Hotel. Sally, the daughter of the dead man, recognizes Ashley from high school. She is convinced that her stepmother killed her father and begs Ashley to help her prove it. Ashley has suddenly become involved in a murder investigation before she even has time to unpack her bags.
I found this book to be a very humorous, fast and easy read. I could picture all the unique characters from Vicki Delany's colorful descriptions. Her sense of place allowed me to feel the warm ocean breezes of the island on which everyone knows everything about everybody who lives there. The storyline was interesting and the killer was a surprise to me. I look forward to reading the next installment and I would highly recommend this book to those who like cozy mysteries with a bit of humor and romance.

[Moshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read for a novella but I don’t think will continue with this series. Felt that it was a little far fetched.

[Kiki Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very short, very quick novel. It had a couple of mistakes, like accidentally using the narrator's name instead of the other character's. Because of the length, everything was quickly learned and resolved. While I'd still be interested in reading more of this series, it wasn't the best start to a mystery series. There wasn't any suspense, and the ending was fairly obvious given there's only two suspects.

[Kimberley Cornwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not up to usual caliber of Ms. Delany's work. I will give the series one more entry before I make a final determination to continue.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

On her first day in a new job on Grand Victoria Island, medic Ashley Grant trashes her expensive ‘first day on a new job’ outfit when she heads into the surf to retrieve a dead body. She has come from Canada and an unfaithful boyfriend on a one year contract and meets a former school mate from home who claims the body just rescued is her father and a murder victim. Sally Hunt pleads for Ashley’s help proving her stepmother is a murderer.

This is quick read that is accessible for new readers. The language is not dumbed down for a reader, but neither is it overly complex. The plot is satisfactory for any mystery reader and the setting and characters are refreshing. Recommended.

Readalikes:
John Lawrence Reynolds – A Murder for Max; Cornelius Lehane – Murder at the 42nd Street Library; Hannah Morrissey – Hello, Transcriber; M.E. Hilliard – The Unkindness of Ravens; Kelley Armstrong – City of the Lost; Kate Kingsbury – In Hot Water; Elizabeth J. Duncan – Remembering the Dead; Sandra Nikolai – False Impressions; Mark McCrum – The Festival Murders.

Pace: Fast-paced
Character: Likeable
Storyline: Intricately plotted; Plot-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Generally upbeat; Mildly suspenseful
Frame: Grand Victoria Island, western Caribbean; Contemporary
Themes: Amateur Sleuth

[Chris Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very quick read and yet at the same time all you need for a good story is there. Ashley Grant a native of Canada has found her boyfriend in bed with his best friends wife. There was talk of marriage but she is so angry and hurt, that she needs space. Turns out she helps out a friend that had plans to work a year in the Caribbean for one year. Ashley friend broke her leg skiing and so Ashley takes her place.
Day one, not 2 hours off the plane and there is a floater. Taking off her heeled sandals and wading in sea in linen, she finds the victim is deceased. Did I mention she is a paramedic, with worried parents? When her parents call, often, the first question is have you met a man? At first no but then she meets the Sgt. Alan Westbrook also from Canada and working on the island for a rotation. He is very attractive and he finally asks her out for dinner after the murder investigation is solved. But interrupted by a phone call, they ride of together to the scene of a car accident.

[IAmTheHolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley Grant has taken a 1-year paramedic job on the distant Caribbean island, Victoria and Albert Islands, to get away from her troubles back home in Canada.  She has barely been picked up off the plane and she's off to work.  Turns out it's too late, it's the father of a girl she went to high school with, and she blames it on her stepmom.  Ashley feels that she needs to find the truth for this acquaintance from childhood...

I didn't realize this story was so short when I started it - I think I read it in slightly over an hour this afternoon!  There just wasn't much time to develop much but just the essential plot details.  I want to learn more about Ashley, outside characters, and the islands!  Hopefully in the next book...

I'll go 8 of 10 for enjoyment and 5 of 5 for readability.  If you are looking for a short & sweet cozy mystery, check this one out!  

For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really quick read. Finished in under 2 hours..... Nice, entertaining plot. Hope second is as good.....

When paramedic Ashley Grant finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman, she moves out of her house (okay, his house), quits her job and takes a new one in a tiny Caribbean country, the Victoria and Albert Islands.

Ashley is thrown into the deep end when she arrives. Her new colleague picks her up at the airport in the island's only ambulance, which is called to the discovery of a body floating off the beach at the exclusive Club Louisa. The body is that of a man vacationing with his daughter and glamorous new wife. Coincidentally, Sally, the daughter of the dead man, recognizes Ashley from high school. She is convinced that her stepmother killed her father and begs Ashley to help her prove it.

Before she can even unpack her bags or enjoy the view from her ocean-side apartment, Ashley is unwittingly dragged into a murder investigation.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

For educators and individuals working with students who have difficulty reading, "White Sand Blues" is an excellent resource. Its clear and concise writing style makes it approachable for those who struggle with more complex sentence structures, without sacrificing an engaging and well-thought-out story. This accessibility allows a wider range of readers to enjoy and engage with the narrative, which is a commendable achievement in itself.

In summary, while "White Sand Blues" may not be my most favored work of Vicki Delany, it serves a valuable purpose in making engaging literature accessible to readers who face challenges in reading. This book is a testament to Delany's versatility as an author and her ability to cater to a diverse audience, making it a worthwhile read for those looking for a good story told in a straightforward, accessible manner.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashley Grant relocates from Canada to the Victoria and Albert Islands in the Caribbean following a failed relationship. En route to the hotel she is staying, she is dispatched to the scene of a man dead in the shallow part of the ocean. Ironically the man is father of an old classmate who is accusing her stepmother of murder. Although the solution to this one isn't terribly complicated, the setting is fun and the characters are ones worth revisiting. Reading the book is a pleasant way to spend a couple hours. This is a promising start for a new series Vicky Delany, author of the Constable Molly Smith series, delivers a promising debut for her Ashley Grant series, part of the Rapid Reads books.

[Geordie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you really want to read a book that you can finish in 45 minutes, you could go worse!

Everything about this mystery was super simple. Extra asides and descriptions could have been cut out, and it would have been no more than a short story. Some of the word choices were weird (and the insistence on using short sentences and sentence fragments constantly); but there were some witty comments as well. I feel more work could have been put into it (better editing too), but I didn't hate any part of it. So.... that's a step up from some cozies?

Very simple mystery, with abrupt ending and a stilted chase scene to close out the climax. It felt like a spec script for 'Death in Paradise' (and that is not a compliment).

[Dundee Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it is book #1 in this series. It is a short mystery that is not gory or dark. The story is about a young paramedic, Ashley, who moved from Canada to the Caribbean. Upon her arrival she is taken directly to a dead body. As it happens, she knows the victim's daughter and she suddenly finds immersed in the investigation. Instead of settling in on the island, Ashley is helping prove that the new wife is the murderer.
If you're looking for a quick mystery read I recommend this and I will be reading book #2 Blue Water Hues.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick trip to the Victoria and Albert Islands with Ashley Grant, a paramedic relocating to the islands for a 1 year job contract. Her life back in Canada hadn't been going so well, so when the opportunity arises, she decides to take a new job in a warmer location. I think that this series has a lot of potential. I like the setting and how everyone on the island knows who Ashley is before she has even met them. Ashley is a determined sleuth in this story and I'm sure she will get into some interesting situations in future books.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novella from Vicki Delany - Ashley has taken a job in the Caribbean after she found her boyfriend cheating on her, she discovers that there are not many paramedics and you could get called in at any time (for example 5 minutes after leaving the airport!), she is shocked to discover that the body they get to is the father of one of her school mates, and she is even more shocked to find out that Sally is sure her father was killed.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, but I didn’t know it was so short! Only a 2-hr audiobook. (Most books are 8-10 hrs.) I’d just mastered who all the people were—& it was over! It might’ve been interesting to read more about someone in a profession the author hasn’t done before—even if it does have the repetition of being another seaside tourist destination, & the protagonist getting interested in a local cop. But since this came out 4 yrs ago, I guess she abandoned this series?

[Andria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t particularly care for main character detectives who naively accept everything at face value and do everything asked of them by someone they don’t particularly like or know that well out of a sense of duty…most people would not act that way particularly to the detriment of getting your own life in order…getting a phone plan, picking up your own groceries, etc.

[Becky Leier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick cozy mystery. Ashley Grant movies to a small island paradise, to work as a paramedic. Starts off retrieving the body of a dead man from the ocean. Quickly Ashely is pulled in to the investigation.

[Jim Toner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, but good mystery by one of Canada's finest mystery writers. This story takes place on an island where a Canadian mountie is assigned. The main investigator is Ashley Grant, a paramedic.
I hope to read more books with Ashley.

[Jennifer Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I took my children to the library today, I browsed the shelves for some easy reads. This definitely fit the bill. A small book, more of a novella than a novel, I finished it today. It was entertaining and I wish I had picked up the second in the series.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

More a novella than a full-fledged book. The narrator, Sabrine Rock, is dreadful. It makes it hard to tell if the book is good when the narration is dreadful.

Cosy mystery style. I might risk a second dip into the Ashley Grant series - but not if it is read by Sabrine Rock.

[Teri Griffis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful short, quick read! Blue skys, beautiful clear ocean for as far as the eye can see............what's not to love? Oh. Maybe murder!!! Vicki Delany is an extremely talented author in various genres. Pick up this book today and get a taste of adventure. Enjoy! 📚📚

[Sara Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because the summer reading challenge at the library included choosing a book with a color in the title. I am glad this one popped up! It was an interesting, quick read and introduced me to a new author.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very brief novella -- almost a short story. The brevity didn't allow for much of a mystery but considering the format, it was decent.