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Mapleton Mystery #4.6
Deadly Engagement
If you’re with a cop, there’s no escaping mystery and crime, even on a Caribbean cruise.
Angie Mead thinks time away from Gordon’s “Cop Stuff” is what he needs to distract him from being suspended as Mapleton’s Chief of Police and get over killing a man. A Caribbean cruise, where Gordon has no jurisdiction, seems the perfect solution—and Angie is looking forward to some fun in the sun.
Communication mishaps and Gordon’s apparent lack of interest in their getaway create second thoughts for Angie. That is, until a series of petty thefts give Gordon a new bone to chew on. When he includes Angie in his investigative way of thinking, the two of them switch to sleuthing mode, and their real adventure begins.
Petty thievery is only the beginning. A passenger from their dinner table dies under suspicious circumstances, bringing Gordon’s cop credentials to the attention of the ship’s security.
Soon Angie and Gordon are neck deep in the onboard intrigues.
A new twist in the Mapleton Mystery series, this engaging novella, in which nothing is quite as it first appears, is a great read for returning fans or newcomers. Both readers of cozy mysteries and police procedurals will find something to love.
Angie Mead thinks time away from Gordon’s “Cop Stuff” is what he needs to distract him from being suspended as Mapleton’s Chief of Police and get over killing a man. A Caribbean cruise, where Gordon has no jurisdiction, seems the perfect solution—and Angie is looking forward to some fun in the sun.
Communication mishaps and Gordon’s apparent lack of interest in their getaway create second thoughts for Angie. That is, until a series of petty thefts give Gordon a new bone to chew on. When he includes Angie in his investigative way of thinking, the two of them switch to sleuthing mode, and their real adventure begins.
Petty thievery is only the beginning. A passenger from their dinner table dies under suspicious circumstances, bringing Gordon’s cop credentials to the attention of the ship’s security.
Soon Angie and Gordon are neck deep in the onboard intrigues.
A new twist in the Mapleton Mystery series, this engaging novella, in which nothing is quite as it first appears, is a great read for returning fans or newcomers. Both readers of cozy mysteries and police procedurals will find something to love.
- GenresMystery
107 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2018
About the author
Terry Odell
64 books227 followersTerry Odell was born in Los Angeles and after living several decades in Florida now makes her home in Colorado. An avid reader (her parents tell everyone they had to move from their first home because she finished the local library), she always wanted to "fix" stories so the characters did what she wanted, in books, television, and the movies. Once she began writing, she found this wasn't always possible, as evidenced when the mystery she intended to write rapidly became a romance.
However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.
Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.
"
However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.
Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.
"
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 31, 2020
Deadly Engagement earns 5/5 Sea Passes...Clever Twist!
Chief Hepler is using his “suspension” as an opportunity to getaway with his girlfriend on a Caribbean cruise. Although his “Cop Vibe” was suppose to be offline, they decide to pit his vibes against her feelings when watching the other passengers. Angie has instincts, too, which come in handy when odd conversations are overheard, thefts are reported, people are not what they seem, and a dead body is propped in a vintage yellow Morgan. Clever! It’s fun to note this story overlaps with book one, Deadly Places. While Solomon is back in Mapleton appointed acting Police Chief and working to uncover an assassination ring, Gordon is off on vacation. This is my introduction to the main character in the novels. I thoroughly enjoyed his reactions, fun sense of humor, and his loving relationship with Angie also as a delightful investigative partnership.
Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Chief Hepler is using his “suspension” as an opportunity to getaway with his girlfriend on a Caribbean cruise. Although his “Cop Vibe” was suppose to be offline, they decide to pit his vibes against her feelings when watching the other passengers. Angie has instincts, too, which come in handy when odd conversations are overheard, thefts are reported, people are not what they seem, and a dead body is propped in a vintage yellow Morgan. Clever! It’s fun to note this story overlaps with book one, Deadly Places. While Solomon is back in Mapleton appointed acting Police Chief and working to uncover an assassination ring, Gordon is off on vacation. This is my introduction to the main character in the novels. I thoroughly enjoyed his reactions, fun sense of humor, and his loving relationship with Angie also as a delightful investigative partnership.
Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
January 30, 2018
Angie Mead and Chief of Police Gordon Hepler go on a Caribbean cruise for some rest and relaxation. But no sooner does their romantic interlude start than they spot something suspicious. Could there be a gang of sea pass thieves on board? Things take a turn for the worse when a dead body turns up. Now Gordon’s attention becomes riveted on the investigation. Will Angie lose her boyfriend to his inquisitive nature, or should she play along? This fun cruise caper will make you wish for a real sea voyage. Hop aboard and enjoy this lighthearted tale of romance and suspense on the high seas.
October 28, 2018
Novella, cruise ship mystery
This was a good short book (longer than a short story, shorter than most novels). I liked the lead characters, Gordon Helper and Angie Mead. There were two separate mystery cases on the cruise. One is obvious. The other is a tad more subtle. I will probably seek out more mysteries by this author to read.
No logic errors or plot goofs were spotted by this reader. No typos or other editing errors. I did not look up the meaning of any word (no new words were added to my vocabulary by reading this book) so the reading level was easy, not advanced. A relaxing casual read.
This was a good short book (longer than a short story, shorter than most novels). I liked the lead characters, Gordon Helper and Angie Mead. There were two separate mystery cases on the cruise. One is obvious. The other is a tad more subtle. I will probably seek out more mysteries by this author to read.
No logic errors or plot goofs were spotted by this reader. No typos or other editing errors. I did not look up the meaning of any word (no new words were added to my vocabulary by reading this book) so the reading level was easy, not advanced. A relaxing casual read.
February 28, 2018
Confession—I am a sucker for a locked room mystery, and discovering a corpse aboard a cruise ship is a fine example of one. Terry Odell lets one of her non-cop characters have the POV, which makes this a police procedural that isn’t strictly a police procedural (and shows off Angie’s sleuthing chops in the process). Grab this one if you like a mix of romance and mystery—it’s not quite a substitute for your own cruise, but it will warm up a February afternoon.
June 13, 2019
This short novella was truly enjoyable. Although Gordon wanted to get away from his crime cop duties he falls right into a suspicious death and strange activities. It all takes place on a supposedly quiet peaceful cruise with Angie. Interesting passengers offer Gordon plenty of possible perps. But he manages to ferret out the bad guys, as usual. But things aren’t really what they seem. The end of the trip brings a pleasant surprise we’ve all been hoping for. ENJOY !!!
January 30, 2018
Gordon and Angie decide to take a luxury cruise hoping for some quality relaxing time together. However they encounter the mystery of missing sea passes and a dead body. Not what they had been hoping for!
This is an extremely well written story with many interesting twists and turns to the plot and with very likeable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
This is an extremely well written story with many interesting twists and turns to the plot and with very likeable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
January 29, 2018
A good writer with an interesting story. It is made better if you have read all the preceding books in the series. All of these books pick up threads dropped in the book before it and leave all kinds of questions for the next book.
December 2, 2019
A clean read with a hint of something more.
November 25, 2020
Kept my interest from the start and kept it. Well narrated by Steve Marvel.
October 18, 2025
A relaxing vacation on a cruise, with 2 mysteries to solve!! Our Chief Hepler sites it again!! And just a splash of romance.
March 5, 2026
A cruise ship romance/murder mystery novella. It’s a good story but the ending was kinda wonky… The Mapleton mysteries are clean and entertaining. RECOMMENDED.
March 18, 2026
A fun murder mystery set on a cruise ship. Good characters and an interesting plot
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews