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Ashley Grant #2
Blue Water Hues
Paramedic Ashley Grant is settling into her new life in the Caribbean, although sometimes she still feels like a fish out of water. The ambulance is called to a fire at a prestigious resort, and Ashley recognizes the victim as a hotel chef and the cousin of her friend Darlene. When a second death occurs, the police are quick to close the case. But Darlene isn't satisfied, and she drags the unwitting Ashley into the investigation. Does this idyllic beach resort have a dark side?
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2018
31 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Delany
62 books1,908 followers“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
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
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 19, 2018
The paramedics on the Caribbean Victoria and Albert Islands receive a call to a fire at a beach resort. They treat a couple of persons for smoke inhalation before assisting in the recovery of a body. The investigation rules the fire arson. Soon the victim's boyfriend is found dead of a gunshot wound which is too quickly ruled as self-inflicted because of a printed suicide note. Police Sergeant Alan Westbrook knows the investigation was likely closed too quickly, probably due to influence from political officeholders with interests in the resort. Darlene, the hotel manager where paramedic Ashley Grant resides, wants to see justice for the person who killed her relative and enlists Ashley's assistance. With the help of a hotel employee, it finally reaches a solution. This is part of the Rapid Reads collection. As such, the plot is less developed than in some. In some ways this story really needed to be a little longer because it felt some points were rushed or glossed over, needing further development. Still it will provide an enjoyable mystery jaunt for those with limited time for reading. This review is based on an advance reading copy provided through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)
November 8, 2024
My ESL adult book club loves this series.
July 18, 2018
A Rapid Reads Orca Book,
review based on advance reading copy (ARC)
Well, this book certainly starts with an attention-getter! A very new, very high class inn is up in smoke. That got my attention. What is going on with this beautiful resort in such an amazing location? It's a good thing the newly located Canadian, Ashley Grant, is a paramedic and already on the job. Ashley has just moved from Toronto, Ontario to Victoria and Albert Islands in the Caribbean, what an adjustment! Fortunately the country is outfitted with a firefighter, an ambulance driver and a police office, in other words, your standard very small country or county town service people, because they are going to be utilizing all three in this book. In the meantime, though discovered to be arson, the fire was quickly contained, mostly smoke, and the resort is mostly open. Yet, why arson? What could be the reason, or the attempt in the first place. Is there yet more going on in this the story?
This is the second Ashley Grant Mystery, I'll sure try to read the first, I suspect it would be quite different. But back to the Caribbean and the fire, it doesn't take long for Ashley to be asking questions with a death from the fire and a puzzling second death that evening, which oddly appears related...or is it? Will there be more? Well, maybe a near-miss, possibly attempted murder.
I enjoy the interactions with the local people especially in small locations. Often there will be some opinionated, some caring, some murderous. It surprises me that Ashley has so many phobias yet goes to live where she will find herself trying to avoid them. Perhaps that is one of the reasons for her move, to get past her phobias. I enjoyed this book, so descriptive, making me long for a trip to the Caribbean.
review based on advance reading copy (ARC)
Well, this book certainly starts with an attention-getter! A very new, very high class inn is up in smoke. That got my attention. What is going on with this beautiful resort in such an amazing location? It's a good thing the newly located Canadian, Ashley Grant, is a paramedic and already on the job. Ashley has just moved from Toronto, Ontario to Victoria and Albert Islands in the Caribbean, what an adjustment! Fortunately the country is outfitted with a firefighter, an ambulance driver and a police office, in other words, your standard very small country or county town service people, because they are going to be utilizing all three in this book. In the meantime, though discovered to be arson, the fire was quickly contained, mostly smoke, and the resort is mostly open. Yet, why arson? What could be the reason, or the attempt in the first place. Is there yet more going on in this the story?
This is the second Ashley Grant Mystery, I'll sure try to read the first, I suspect it would be quite different. But back to the Caribbean and the fire, it doesn't take long for Ashley to be asking questions with a death from the fire and a puzzling second death that evening, which oddly appears related...or is it? Will there be more? Well, maybe a near-miss, possibly attempted murder.
I enjoy the interactions with the local people especially in small locations. Often there will be some opinionated, some caring, some murderous. It surprises me that Ashley has so many phobias yet goes to live where she will find herself trying to avoid them. Perhaps that is one of the reasons for her move, to get past her phobias. I enjoyed this book, so descriptive, making me long for a trip to the Caribbean.
September 2, 2018
Thanks to Orca Book Publishers and LibraryThing for providing an advance reading copy of this book. The views expressed are my own.
This is a novella length cozy mystery story set in the Caribbean. It one of the Rapid Reads series of short stories written by leading Canadian crime fiction authors.
The story is narrated by Ashley Grant, a Canadian paramedic who is working in the Victoria and Albert Islands. in the Caribbean. She misses Canada and is treating her time in the Caribbean as only a temporary assignment. The story begins with Ashley and her paramedic partner responding to a fire alarm at the island's swankiest resort hotel. Unfortunately a hotel worker dies of smoke inhalation from the fire. Shortly after this, the body of her abusive boyfriend is found, an apparent suicide. The police close their investigations, rather too quickly for many of the locals. Ashley and her landlady (who is a cousin of the dead kitchen worker) begin to ask questions about some suspicious activity at the resort. Their activity leads to some tense confrontations at the resort, and the brakes on their car are tampered with. They narrowly escape from serious harm and the police re-open their investigations.
It's a well-plotted mystery set in an exotic location. There's some social commentary: how corruption and greed exist everywhere. It's easy to read without being simplistic and has a satisfying ending.
A worthy addition to the Rapid Reads series.
This is a novella length cozy mystery story set in the Caribbean. It one of the Rapid Reads series of short stories written by leading Canadian crime fiction authors.
The story is narrated by Ashley Grant, a Canadian paramedic who is working in the Victoria and Albert Islands. in the Caribbean. She misses Canada and is treating her time in the Caribbean as only a temporary assignment. The story begins with Ashley and her paramedic partner responding to a fire alarm at the island's swankiest resort hotel. Unfortunately a hotel worker dies of smoke inhalation from the fire. Shortly after this, the body of her abusive boyfriend is found, an apparent suicide. The police close their investigations, rather too quickly for many of the locals. Ashley and her landlady (who is a cousin of the dead kitchen worker) begin to ask questions about some suspicious activity at the resort. Their activity leads to some tense confrontations at the resort, and the brakes on their car are tampered with. They narrowly escape from serious harm and the police re-open their investigations.
It's a well-plotted mystery set in an exotic location. There's some social commentary: how corruption and greed exist everywhere. It's easy to read without being simplistic and has a satisfying ending.
A worthy addition to the Rapid Reads series.
December 1, 2020
Ashley is a Canadian paramedic currently working in the Caribbean islands as she deals with some personal issues. However, right now, she has work to take her mind of off things because the brand new, high class, luxury hotel on the island has had its kitchen go up in flames. One of the workers was trapped and died. At first it was thought to be an accident but when that worker's abusive boyfriend was immediately after found in a suspicious suicide, all of Ashley's instincts tell her that there was foul play involved.
This is part of the Orca Rapid Reads line so the characters are all adults. There is some drinking but no swearing or sex/sexual situations. There is some violence (see suspicious suicide, above) but nothing gory. Content would be appropriate for 6-12 but may not be as relatable/engaging due to age of characters.
This is part of the Orca Rapid Reads line so the characters are all adults. There is some drinking but no swearing or sex/sexual situations. There is some violence (see suspicious suicide, above) but nothing gory. Content would be appropriate for 6-12 but may not be as relatable/engaging due to age of characters.
January 30, 2019
After a fire and death at a local resort on the island where Ashley works, the case is closed very quickly. But Ashley and her friend both think something seems off and set off to investigate.
Another really short read, like the first one in this series. It’s enjoyable though! An island paradise for the setting, good characters, and an interesting case and plot. I wish there were more of these! Good news is this author has several more books, though, so I’ll definitely be checking those out soon!
If you’re looking for a really quick read (possibly under an hour even) and enjoy cozy mysteries, check this out! 8 of 10 for enjoyment and 5 of 5 for readability.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
Another really short read, like the first one in this series. It’s enjoyable though! An island paradise for the setting, good characters, and an interesting case and plot. I wish there were more of these! Good news is this author has several more books, though, so I’ll definitely be checking those out soon!
If you’re looking for a really quick read (possibly under an hour even) and enjoy cozy mysteries, check this out! 8 of 10 for enjoyment and 5 of 5 for readability.
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
August 11, 2025
Another quick read. Quite entertaining. Interesting plot!!!
Paramedic Ashley Grant is settling into her new life in the Caribbean, although sometimes she still feels like a fish out of water. The ambulance is called to a fire at a prestigious resort, and Ashley recognizes the victim as a hotel chef and the cousin of her friend Darlene. When a second death occurs, the police are quick to close the case. But Darlene isn't satisfied, and she drags the unwitting Ashley into the investigation. Does this idyllic beach resort have a dark side?
Paramedic Ashley Grant is settling into her new life in the Caribbean, although sometimes she still feels like a fish out of water. The ambulance is called to a fire at a prestigious resort, and Ashley recognizes the victim as a hotel chef and the cousin of her friend Darlene. When a second death occurs, the police are quick to close the case. But Darlene isn't satisfied, and she drags the unwitting Ashley into the investigation. Does this idyllic beach resort have a dark side?
July 2, 2021
A chef dies in a fire at the most expensive resort on the island. It turns out it was connected to extortion, murder and a host of other corruption. A super fast read that includes all the elements of a lengthy book.
June 17, 2023
A very quick easy read especially if you need help getting out of a slump. It was the first book that I have read by that author and it was pretty decent! I definitely can see myself reading another Ashley Grant mystery and another Vicki Delany book!
April 9, 2019
Good one sitting read! Enjoyed the plot, characters, and the pace of the book. Thanks!
May 1, 2019
I was able to follow who the characters were even though I hadn’t read the first one.
June 23, 2019
Another great Caribbean murder mystery in a delightfully evocative setting. Wish it were longer and could evolve into a full-fledged series.
February 27, 2020
Fun, quick read with characters you like to root for. I'm not in love with the novella format because they're is no time foot character development.
June 12, 2021
Another great short whodunit!
July 23, 2021
Rapid Reads - it really was quick read!
October 14, 2021
I really like this series and I hope everyone who is a Vicki Delany Fsn reads this as this book is really fun to read and a really good mystery series.
May 25, 2022
Nice quick story read in a single sitting by the pool. The plot depth is limited by the length but overall it is an enjoyable read.
March 7, 2023
I read this novel on a trip to the Bahamas. Ashley is a paramedic on a Caribbean island. She gets wrapped up in a murder mystery. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews