What do you think?
Rate this book
Bella Tyson Mysteries #2
Murder Ahoy!
Famous crime writer Bella Tyson is hired to co-host a Murder Mystery cruise, on a luxury liner sailing from Southampton to New York. She’s expecting an easy ride; fun and games, surrounded by amateur sleuths and fans of her books, all the while staying in a deluxe cabin and enjoying the spa and the amazing restaurants on board, culminating in a visit to one of her favourite cities in the world - the Big Apple.
She’s NOT expecting to be stuck on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic with her two least favourite people in the world, her hot but unfaithful bastard ex-husband Joel Quigley and fellow crime writer, bitch goddess and Twitter frenemy, Louise Meyers. And when real live dead bodies start turning up - as well as fake not-really-dead bodies - Bella’s dreams of being pampered on the high seas turn sour.
Accused of a murder she would have liked to commit but didn’t, and helped (or hindered) by a gang of unlikely detectives, can Bella find out who the real murderer is before the ship reaches its destination and New York’s finest drag her off?
She’s NOT expecting to be stuck on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic with her two least favourite people in the world, her hot but unfaithful bastard ex-husband Joel Quigley and fellow crime writer, bitch goddess and Twitter frenemy, Louise Meyers. And when real live dead bodies start turning up - as well as fake not-really-dead bodies - Bella’s dreams of being pampered on the high seas turn sour.
Accused of a murder she would have liked to commit but didn’t, and helped (or hindered) by a gang of unlikely detectives, can Bella find out who the real murderer is before the ship reaches its destination and New York’s finest drag her off?
- GenresMysteryCrimeCozy Mystery
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2020
244 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Leitch
26 books407 followersFiona Leitch is a writer with a chequered past. She’s written for football and motoring magazines, DJ’ed at illegal raves and is a stalwart of the low budget TV commercial, even appearing as the Australasian face of a cleaning product called 'Sod Off'. After living in London and Cornwall she's finally settled in sunny New Zealand, where she enjoys scaring her cats by trying out dialogue on them. She spends her days dreaming of retiring to a crumbling Venetian palazzo, walking on the windswept beaches of West Auckland, and writing funny, flawed but awesome female characters.
The first book in her 'Nosey Parker' series of cozy mysteries set in Cornwall will be published by One More Chapter in January 2021, with books 2 and 3 following in February and March.
Her debut novel 'Dead in Venice' was published by Audible in 2018 as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona also writes screenplays and was a finalist in the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab, co-run by Meryl Streep's IRIS company.
Fiona is represented by Lina Langlee at the North Literary Agency.
The first book in her 'Nosey Parker' series of cozy mysteries set in Cornwall will be published by One More Chapter in January 2021, with books 2 and 3 following in February and March.
Her debut novel 'Dead in Venice' was published by Audible in 2018 as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona also writes screenplays and was a finalist in the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab, co-run by Meryl Streep's IRIS company.
Fiona is represented by Lina Langlee at the North Literary Agency.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 10, 2020
I love books in which the heroine is not the fit and pretty twenty-year-old.
Annabelle was a writer in her late forties. She was invited to be a mentor in a crime and mystery game that would take place on a cruise from England to New York.
What seemed to be a fantastic opportunity for some free vacation turns sour when Annabelle realizes that her ex-husband Joel, and her archenemy Louise, are also on board.
To make matters worse, the deaths that were supposed to be fake were suddenly becoming real, and she was the main suspect.
Annabelle was almost fifty. She was full of life, but she behaved and looked her age. I love books in which the heroine is not the fit and pretty twenty-year-old.
The love triangle between Joel, Annabelle, and her current husband Will was very entertaining. On one side, there was the young and gorgeous Joel, and in the other, the good-natured, loyal, and middle-aged Will.
The story is well-written, the dialogues are intelligent and fun. All side characters are a little mysterious and full of motives. I found the investigation very engaging, and the solution well put together.
I’m looking forward to reading the previous book in the series to find out how Annabelle and Will ended up together.
Murder Ahoy is a very entertaining escapist read!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Annabelle was a writer in her late forties. She was invited to be a mentor in a crime and mystery game that would take place on a cruise from England to New York.
What seemed to be a fantastic opportunity for some free vacation turns sour when Annabelle realizes that her ex-husband Joel, and her archenemy Louise, are also on board.
To make matters worse, the deaths that were supposed to be fake were suddenly becoming real, and she was the main suspect.
Annabelle was almost fifty. She was full of life, but she behaved and looked her age. I love books in which the heroine is not the fit and pretty twenty-year-old.
The love triangle between Joel, Annabelle, and her current husband Will was very entertaining. On one side, there was the young and gorgeous Joel, and in the other, the good-natured, loyal, and middle-aged Will.
The story is well-written, the dialogues are intelligent and fun. All side characters are a little mysterious and full of motives. I found the investigation very engaging, and the solution well put together.
I’m looking forward to reading the previous book in the series to find out how Annabelle and Will ended up together.
Murder Ahoy is a very entertaining escapist read!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2020
This is the second book in the Bella Tyson Mystery Series and my first book reading Fiona Leitch amazing laugh out loud cozy mystery. This was the most fun I have read for quite a while, and I really loved it. It is so addicting and truly one of those books you cannot put down.
Murder Ahoy combines what I love in books and storytelling. A great mystery, some romance and the injection of humor throughout was simply fantastic. Murder Ahoy was such a great read for me that I highly recommend this to everyone. Don't miss this.
Murder Ahoy combines what I love in books and storytelling. A great mystery, some romance and the injection of humor throughout was simply fantastic. Murder Ahoy was such a great read for me that I highly recommend this to everyone. Don't miss this.
July 29, 2020
Bella is the special guest on a murder mystery cruise, when the murders become a little too real.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I have read in the Bella Tyson series, and it works perfectly well as a stand-alone. I would like to read Dead in Venice, but it didn't put me at a disadvantage, coming in at the second book.
Bella is a famous crime writer, and is talked into being one of the hosts of a murder mystery cruise on a luxury liner. She and her husband are looking forward to the working holiday, and a chance to travel to New York in style.
Her plans hit a bump when one of the passengers are killed for real, with all clues pointing to Bella. Now they are in a race against time to clear Bella's name, and catch the killer before they can escape at the end of the cruise.
This is the first book I've read by Fiona Leitch, and before reading, I had in my head it would be a British-Jessica-Fletcher-esque story.
I was mildly surprised to find out that professional writer Bella Tyson is a crass, foul-mouthed woman from Sarff London, who has an insatiable appetite for jumping on her husband.
Once I got used to her, I really enjoyed following Bella's story; as she has to deal with ex-husbands, a-sorta-famous-writer-with-mega-ego; and the head of security, who comes complete with stick up his arse.
The writing is light and funny, and easy to follow. It quickly pulls you in.
This may be a cozy mystery, but the murders and investigative work are taken seriously, making a really strong plot. The twists and red herrings work well, and it's totally believable.
There's also a chick lit vibe, as Bella has to confront her cheating ex-husband, and his new girlfriend, who coincidentally is the same woman that has been having a social media feud with Bella for years.
It may be hilarious, but again there's a realistic light over it all, as there's still friction with someone who was a major part of your life. I really liked how Bella came out of this one being mature and accepting her happiness with her new husband.
I really enjoyed this, and I look forward to more of the author's work.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I have read in the Bella Tyson series, and it works perfectly well as a stand-alone. I would like to read Dead in Venice, but it didn't put me at a disadvantage, coming in at the second book.
Bella is a famous crime writer, and is talked into being one of the hosts of a murder mystery cruise on a luxury liner. She and her husband are looking forward to the working holiday, and a chance to travel to New York in style.
Her plans hit a bump when one of the passengers are killed for real, with all clues pointing to Bella. Now they are in a race against time to clear Bella's name, and catch the killer before they can escape at the end of the cruise.
This is the first book I've read by Fiona Leitch, and before reading, I had in my head it would be a British-Jessica-Fletcher-esque story.
I was mildly surprised to find out that professional writer Bella Tyson is a crass, foul-mouthed woman from Sarff London, who has an insatiable appetite for jumping on her husband.
Once I got used to her, I really enjoyed following Bella's story; as she has to deal with ex-husbands, a-sorta-famous-writer-with-mega-ego; and the head of security, who comes complete with stick up his arse.
The writing is light and funny, and easy to follow. It quickly pulls you in.
This may be a cozy mystery, but the murders and investigative work are taken seriously, making a really strong plot. The twists and red herrings work well, and it's totally believable.
There's also a chick lit vibe, as Bella has to confront her cheating ex-husband, and his new girlfriend, who coincidentally is the same woman that has been having a social media feud with Bella for years.
It may be hilarious, but again there's a realistic light over it all, as there's still friction with someone who was a major part of your life. I really liked how Bella came out of this one being mature and accepting her happiness with her new husband.
I really enjoyed this, and I look forward to more of the author's work.
June 10, 2020
Finally, Bella Tyson is back! I’ve been waiting for her next adventure since the moment I finished book 1, Dead in Venice. Bella is feisty, funny, self-deprecating and the heroine most likely to win a reader’s heart. I know she’s got mine. Hilarious dialogue, funny situations, and a mystery that balances the line between being comedic and yet believable - Fiona Leitch is a gem, and so are her sleuths, Bella and Will.
June 13, 2020
How the frick do I start this review!! I mean I BLOODY LOVE IT!!! When Fiona told me Book 2 was finally done, I had to squeal a lot and loud, I have been dying to read this since I finished Dead In Venice where I met and fell in love with the no-nonsense Bella, crime writer extraordinaire and Will, oh luscious Will, who I still envisage as Will Dean…I mean ahem where was I.
Bella is back that is where!! I was worried when I read the blurb, no mention of Will, does that mean he won’t be here….. Never fear Fiona did not let me down at all, he was there and he was there a LOT.
Bella is asked on to a murder mystery cruise which sounds awesome, she is a team leader of a group to help amateur sleuths solve the murder. I love murder mystery I did one before and it was so much fun, so to do one on a cruise over a couple of days yes, please! What could be more relaxing, on a cruise ship, expenses paid doing what you love, well something could ruin that dun dun dun dunnnnnnnn… Stage right enters a LOT of fuss, none other Louise Myers and Joel Quigley. The ex-husband and the youngster, now this was a party, well for the readers, Bella and Will maybe not so much.
Sitting down at dinner the first night and about 30 pages in for the reader, in walks a character with a familiar name, hang on a second this character has even got a familiar spelling, oh wait that is me!! I AM IN THE BOOK! Now I was warned by Fiona I might not like my namesake but I loved her, she has somehow got me to the magnificent Tee, well bar one bit but I can’t divulge any of that information! I didn’t expect my character to be in much but all I will say is I am a helping hand – thank you, Fiona. <3
Image preview
As the nights play out, we get to meet the sleuths a little bit more when disaster strikes, while the guests are trying to figure out how the second victim was killed in the game, someone has actually been murdered!!! Wait, what! Well come on we knew that was going to happen! The only downside, it looks like Bella may have committed a murder, but she wouldn’t..would she?
Oh, this is a complete belter of a book! I mean I gushed so much and I still do about Dead in Venice that I think that Murder Ahoy might actually top that! When in DiV we meet Bella, in MA she came into her own limelight, and like my character, I might be her biggest fan! I love how she just says it how it is, she’s on a swearing ban (I would struggle with that) and well she is just so down to earth what is not to love!
I love Fiona’s writing because I flew this book in nearly 1 sitting, it got to midnight and I had to sleep otherwise I would have done. The chapters are short and they make you do that thing where you have to keep reading, you know the magic I am talking about, the one where they don’t want you to go to sleep and read on! I was there on the ship, running the corridors, eating in the Pearl, sitting on the balcony, bar the murders it sounds magical.
I guessed who the killer was, but it was awesome seeing the reasoning behind it and how it was done. All the while, we have Joel trying to throw a spanner in the works with apologies and sentiments. Zoé trying to befriend Bella at every opportunity, god I mean how annoying LOL and a team of sleuths who are split down the middle to whether they believe Bella is innocent or guilty.
I love the setting of being on a cruise ship because it amplifies the isolation, there is nowhere to hide when there is a killer on the boat. You watch and suspect everyone but there doesn’t seem to be a motive. What the frick is going on! This I will leave you to discover.
It is a no brainer, this is a book you need to read, you need to meet Bella and of course Will. You need to climb aboard the ship and you need to sit back and watch the (semi) professionals do their thing.
Final word, well I loved it and now I want more Bella….please!? She is by far my favourite fictional crime writing character and I reckon if she was real, we would be friends, well I would make sure of it…stalker much
Bella is back that is where!! I was worried when I read the blurb, no mention of Will, does that mean he won’t be here….. Never fear Fiona did not let me down at all, he was there and he was there a LOT.
Bella is asked on to a murder mystery cruise which sounds awesome, she is a team leader of a group to help amateur sleuths solve the murder. I love murder mystery I did one before and it was so much fun, so to do one on a cruise over a couple of days yes, please! What could be more relaxing, on a cruise ship, expenses paid doing what you love, well something could ruin that dun dun dun dunnnnnnnn… Stage right enters a LOT of fuss, none other Louise Myers and Joel Quigley. The ex-husband and the youngster, now this was a party, well for the readers, Bella and Will maybe not so much.
Sitting down at dinner the first night and about 30 pages in for the reader, in walks a character with a familiar name, hang on a second this character has even got a familiar spelling, oh wait that is me!! I AM IN THE BOOK! Now I was warned by Fiona I might not like my namesake but I loved her, she has somehow got me to the magnificent Tee, well bar one bit but I can’t divulge any of that information! I didn’t expect my character to be in much but all I will say is I am a helping hand – thank you, Fiona. <3
Image preview
As the nights play out, we get to meet the sleuths a little bit more when disaster strikes, while the guests are trying to figure out how the second victim was killed in the game, someone has actually been murdered!!! Wait, what! Well come on we knew that was going to happen! The only downside, it looks like Bella may have committed a murder, but she wouldn’t..would she?
Oh, this is a complete belter of a book! I mean I gushed so much and I still do about Dead in Venice that I think that Murder Ahoy might actually top that! When in DiV we meet Bella, in MA she came into her own limelight, and like my character, I might be her biggest fan! I love how she just says it how it is, she’s on a swearing ban (I would struggle with that) and well she is just so down to earth what is not to love!
I love Fiona’s writing because I flew this book in nearly 1 sitting, it got to midnight and I had to sleep otherwise I would have done. The chapters are short and they make you do that thing where you have to keep reading, you know the magic I am talking about, the one where they don’t want you to go to sleep and read on! I was there on the ship, running the corridors, eating in the Pearl, sitting on the balcony, bar the murders it sounds magical.
I guessed who the killer was, but it was awesome seeing the reasoning behind it and how it was done. All the while, we have Joel trying to throw a spanner in the works with apologies and sentiments. Zoé trying to befriend Bella at every opportunity, god I mean how annoying LOL and a team of sleuths who are split down the middle to whether they believe Bella is innocent or guilty.
I love the setting of being on a cruise ship because it amplifies the isolation, there is nowhere to hide when there is a killer on the boat. You watch and suspect everyone but there doesn’t seem to be a motive. What the frick is going on! This I will leave you to discover.
It is a no brainer, this is a book you need to read, you need to meet Bella and of course Will. You need to climb aboard the ship and you need to sit back and watch the (semi) professionals do their thing.
Final word, well I loved it and now I want more Bella….please!? She is by far my favourite fictional crime writing character and I reckon if she was real, we would be friends, well I would make sure of it…stalker much
August 4, 2020
[Blog]::[Youtube]::[Twitter]::[Instagram]::[Pinterest]::[Bloglovin]
I loved reading this book! Take an Agatha Christie mystery, add a bit of raunchiness and a touch of humor, and you get this delicious novel.
It is so refreshing to see middle aged characters be naughty, immature, quirky and charming in the lead. Bella is awesome as the main character and I loved her romance with Will. Both of them have such a wonderful chemistry, and at times I could not believe are in their 40s. I also liked Joel and felt bad for him. To be honest, I loved Louise and wished she had stayed longer in the story. It would have been hilarious to see both of them bickering for a while. I laughed so many times at Bella’s retorts and her opinions of the situation and people.
Moreover, I adored the author’s style of writing. It made me nostalgic for all the Miss Marple and Poirot novels I read back in the day. The story is gripping, and it is interesting to see how Bella and Will try to clear Bella’s name while the murders pile up with Bella as the prime suspect. While I guessed the culprit beforehand, it was nevertheless fun to read their motives behind it. The setting of the plot, aka a murder mystery cruise, sounds so intriguing, and made me want to participate in one.
After reading this, I would definitely pick up the previous books to see how it all started. I really hope the author continues to write more Bella Tyson novels, because they are so entertaining.
June 15, 2020
Wow what a read!!
Firstly I love the front cover it reminds me of the Great Western railway posters that my hubby loves.
I love the concept of this book, without spoiling it for others it's a murder mystery with a twist and not what a twist.
The way the author describes things in the book especially the library. I love a good library and the one on the shop sounds amazing!
This book was so exciting I read it in one day and I was hanging on every work. I've never been on a cruise and after this book I'm no so sure I want to go on either, haha, just kidding but it is so well written it's as if the things happening are real life.
I was not expecting what happened to happen so it was a brilliant turn in the story. I was trying to work out whodunit all the way through and I was not expecting that.
I would highly recommend this book to friend and family.
Firstly I love the front cover it reminds me of the Great Western railway posters that my hubby loves.
I love the concept of this book, without spoiling it for others it's a murder mystery with a twist and not what a twist.
The way the author describes things in the book especially the library. I love a good library and the one on the shop sounds amazing!
This book was so exciting I read it in one day and I was hanging on every work. I've never been on a cruise and after this book I'm no so sure I want to go on either, haha, just kidding but it is so well written it's as if the things happening are real life.
I was not expecting what happened to happen so it was a brilliant turn in the story. I was trying to work out whodunit all the way through and I was not expecting that.
I would highly recommend this book to friend and family.
August 8, 2020
Fab book lots of laughter along the way
June 5, 2020
Oh, my, Fiona Leitch has done it again. She's written a mashup of my two favourite genres, crime fiction and romantic comedy. Bella is smart, sexy, hilarious and I loved every moment of this read. A fabulous premise, a tight mystery, and wonderful supporting characters including Bella's husbands (the plural is not a typo - so much fun!).
I couldn't put it down - but really, do yourself a favour and read Dead in Venice first.
Highly recommended.
I couldn't put it down - but really, do yourself a favour and read Dead in Venice first.
Highly recommended.
July 6, 2020
This is very different from the mystery stories I usually read. This one was a very engaging mystery but with a splash of humour and romance. It had a different and great story line - who wouldn’t love being on a murder mystery cruise and then get to solve a real murder!! The book has it’s share of twists and turns as well as fun moments. I loved the character of Bella - funny and witty and yet down to earth. I haven’t read the first book in the series, but that didn’t impact the story at all. In fact, now I definitely want to read the first book!
June 9, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to Death In Venice! A great mixture of chick lit and murder mystery. I loved the further development of Bella's character and the surrounding supporting characters were great too. Great book!
June 23, 2020
Review
I enjoyed this cozy mystery which was a humorous, fun read, perfect for a holiday or just time out of the working day. I think a lot of the enjoyment of this novel comes from the fact I really liked the protagonist Bella Tyson. She is someone easy to warm to because she is both down to earth and funny. She finds herself in a real predicament in this story. What is supposed to be a fun job turns into a real murder mystery where she is the suspect. What doesn't help matters is the fact that she has her gorgeous husband Will and her hot ex husband Joel on the same cruise, both wanting to help her. For Will, the reason for this is obvious but Joel has other reasons of a more carnal nature...
When the body count starts, everyone involved in the Murder Mystery cruise have their theories, some wanting to help, others less so. I liked that this scenario presented the chance to introduce a lot of interesting people into the story. Within a relatively short novel, there were the mini stories surrounding these people. For example there is Sarah, an aspiring writer who has gone on the cruise with her mum. And of course Bella's nemesis Louise, a woman she can't stand who suddenly seems to be attached to her ex Joel. There is of course the guess whodunnit element to the story. Thanks to Will and Bella's sleuthing I got the person wrong. You'll have to read this to find out how!
There's a previous book to this, “”Dead in Venice” which I will have to read now because I want to know more about how Bella and Will got together!
I enjoyed this cozy mystery which was a humorous, fun read, perfect for a holiday or just time out of the working day. I think a lot of the enjoyment of this novel comes from the fact I really liked the protagonist Bella Tyson. She is someone easy to warm to because she is both down to earth and funny. She finds herself in a real predicament in this story. What is supposed to be a fun job turns into a real murder mystery where she is the suspect. What doesn't help matters is the fact that she has her gorgeous husband Will and her hot ex husband Joel on the same cruise, both wanting to help her. For Will, the reason for this is obvious but Joel has other reasons of a more carnal nature...
When the body count starts, everyone involved in the Murder Mystery cruise have their theories, some wanting to help, others less so. I liked that this scenario presented the chance to introduce a lot of interesting people into the story. Within a relatively short novel, there were the mini stories surrounding these people. For example there is Sarah, an aspiring writer who has gone on the cruise with her mum. And of course Bella's nemesis Louise, a woman she can't stand who suddenly seems to be attached to her ex Joel. There is of course the guess whodunnit element to the story. Thanks to Will and Bella's sleuthing I got the person wrong. You'll have to read this to find out how!
There's a previous book to this, “”Dead in Venice” which I will have to read now because I want to know more about how Bella and Will got together!
July 5, 2020
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Cafe – Review Group and publishers for an honest review – Thank you
Wow Wow, another book in this series. This is the second book to the series and I loved it. I really hope that there will be another on to follow. I love how this author keeps you interested from the start to the end of the book. Through out the book I was trying to guess who the killer was, and each time that I thought I knew who did it, I was wrong. I never guessed and I was surprised to learn who it was.
If you like page-turning suspense and fast-paced thrillers, you’ll love Murder Ahoy. This is the second book that I have read by this author and I loved it.
Wow Wow, another book in this series. This is the second book to the series and I loved it. I really hope that there will be another on to follow. I love how this author keeps you interested from the start to the end of the book. Through out the book I was trying to guess who the killer was, and each time that I thought I knew who did it, I was wrong. I never guessed and I was surprised to learn who it was.
If you like page-turning suspense and fast-paced thrillers, you’ll love Murder Ahoy. This is the second book that I have read by this author and I loved it.
July 5, 2020
OMG another Bella and Will story. I loved the first one and loved this one even more. Who wouldn’t want to go on a murder mystery cruise. Will and Bella were amongst other murder mystery guests that found themselves in a real life murder mystery. Bella has it all, true love, beauty, smarts, and top selling books but someone had a grudge against her and the murders begin. This book was chalk full of twist and turns with fun antics in between. I did however know who did it early on but didn’t know the why. Can’t wait for the next one.
July 6, 2020
I absolutely loved the first one and the second instalment didn’t disappoint - if you like murder, mayhem, humour, irony and a lot of heart this will float your boat! The self-deprecating heroine is a breath of fresh air, the murders are suitably gruesome and the whole Agatha Christy-sequel setting is just a joy - easy, entertaining, funny, well written, well plotted - what more can you want from a cosy crime? Highly recommended!
July 2, 2020
Another great book in this series. I really hope there are more books to come in this series because so far I am loving the books in this series. I like how this is about a crime writer but yet she has to solve real life murders. I loved how everything went smoothly together. Great story line it is incredible at how the author created this story. Love the splash of romance also. Highly recommend this book to mystery lovers.
June 19, 2020
A brilliantly engaging, funny, witty read. I didn’t realise this was the second book about Bella, however it didn’t impact on the story, enough background information was there if required ( I will however now go back and read Death in Venice).
The premise is a murder mystery cruise to New Year however real life murder takes place and Bella is caught right in the middle of it. The story moves at a cracking pace, but this doesn’t detract from the depth of the characters. I’m rather proud of myself that I worked out the killer before the reveal.
The premise is a murder mystery cruise to New Year however real life murder takes place and Bella is caught right in the middle of it. The story moves at a cracking pace, but this doesn’t detract from the depth of the characters. I’m rather proud of myself that I worked out the killer before the reveal.
July 6, 2020
I found this author by accident on Twitter. What a happy accident! Very funny book. I read her other book too, Dead in Venice. I love Bella Tyson, the MC. She is a crime writer who finds herself mixed up in a who-done-it. The character's dialogue, her comments and her sarcasms really make this book sparkle and her character come alive. Why isn't the Bella Tyson series on television? Should be.
August 10, 2020
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser.
A cosy murder mystery with excellent characters and plenty of madness and mayhem along the way, MURDER AHOY by Fiona Leitch left me very excited for the next book in the Bella Tyson series.
When Bella Tyson gets the opportunity to host a murder mystery cruise with her husband, she jumps at the chance. Luxury accommodation, exquisite food, and some fun and frolics with some of the guests - what could go wrong? Well, for starters, her ex-husband, Joel, and her writing nemesis, Louise, are also on the cruise. But at least she has her beloved husband, Will, with her every step of the way, and they can always make their own entertainment! But when a real murder takes place, Bella finds herself as suspect number one, and soon she must try to uncover a real mystery that could destroy her life if she doesn't get to the truth. As the clock ticks and the bodies begin to pile up, Bella will find out who her friends are among her fellow passengers, as she tries to figure out which one is behind it all.
I loved this story - the setting, the characters, the laughs, and the drama - it all works perfectly together and I didn't want it to end. While this book is the second in the series, it can be read as a standalone but it is such a good read, you should definitely read the series. Bella is my kind of gal - honest, funny, kind, and determined - and she felt like a friend by the end of the first page.
MURDER AHOY reminded me of an episode of Murder She Wrote (one of my absolute favourites) but with a saucier edge to it, and while I had only planned to read for an hour, I ended up finishing the story in one sitting - I simply couldn't put it down. There are plenty of opportunities for the reader to put on their detective hat alongside Bella, and I found myself analysing everyone, trying to figure out the who and the why.
MURDER AHOY by Fiona Leitch is an excellent story from start to finish and I will miss Bella until we meet again.
A cosy murder mystery with excellent characters and plenty of madness and mayhem along the way, MURDER AHOY by Fiona Leitch left me very excited for the next book in the Bella Tyson series.
When Bella Tyson gets the opportunity to host a murder mystery cruise with her husband, she jumps at the chance. Luxury accommodation, exquisite food, and some fun and frolics with some of the guests - what could go wrong? Well, for starters, her ex-husband, Joel, and her writing nemesis, Louise, are also on the cruise. But at least she has her beloved husband, Will, with her every step of the way, and they can always make their own entertainment! But when a real murder takes place, Bella finds herself as suspect number one, and soon she must try to uncover a real mystery that could destroy her life if she doesn't get to the truth. As the clock ticks and the bodies begin to pile up, Bella will find out who her friends are among her fellow passengers, as she tries to figure out which one is behind it all.
I loved this story - the setting, the characters, the laughs, and the drama - it all works perfectly together and I didn't want it to end. While this book is the second in the series, it can be read as a standalone but it is such a good read, you should definitely read the series. Bella is my kind of gal - honest, funny, kind, and determined - and she felt like a friend by the end of the first page.
MURDER AHOY reminded me of an episode of Murder She Wrote (one of my absolute favourites) but with a saucier edge to it, and while I had only planned to read for an hour, I ended up finishing the story in one sitting - I simply couldn't put it down. There are plenty of opportunities for the reader to put on their detective hat alongside Bella, and I found myself analysing everyone, trying to figure out the who and the why.
MURDER AHOY by Fiona Leitch is an excellent story from start to finish and I will miss Bella until we meet again.
August 7, 2020
I received a free copy in return for an honest review.
he whole plot of this book sounded intriguing to me. As someone who loves murder mysteries and the crime writers who tell the tales, I couldn’t wait to read about a famous crime writer who happened to come across a murder onboard a ship. The idea of a Murder Mystery cruise sounds like something I’d love to do and I was intrigued to see how the author was going to weave real murders into the plot around the fake ones for the murder mystery event.
This is the second book in the series and although I hadn’t read the first book in the series, this didn’t impair on my reading. The book works well as a stand alone book as well as a sequel and had some really interesting characters who you grow to love and some really vile ones too. I thought I had the killer pegged but then we were taken on a wild ride with plenty of twists and turns.
The culmination of the novel was dramatic and I didn’t see it coming at all – however it makes perfect sense when you think about the whole book you have just read.
I can’t wait to read more in the series as I love Bella as a character and Joel and Will are really interesting too. Overall, this was a fantastic read that kept me gripped and I am looking forward to more.
he whole plot of this book sounded intriguing to me. As someone who loves murder mysteries and the crime writers who tell the tales, I couldn’t wait to read about a famous crime writer who happened to come across a murder onboard a ship. The idea of a Murder Mystery cruise sounds like something I’d love to do and I was intrigued to see how the author was going to weave real murders into the plot around the fake ones for the murder mystery event.
This is the second book in the series and although I hadn’t read the first book in the series, this didn’t impair on my reading. The book works well as a stand alone book as well as a sequel and had some really interesting characters who you grow to love and some really vile ones too. I thought I had the killer pegged but then we were taken on a wild ride with plenty of twists and turns.
The culmination of the novel was dramatic and I didn’t see it coming at all – however it makes perfect sense when you think about the whole book you have just read.
I can’t wait to read more in the series as I love Bella as a character and Joel and Will are really interesting too. Overall, this was a fantastic read that kept me gripped and I am looking forward to more.
August 2, 2020
Bella and her husband Will are invited on a murder mystery cruise and end up stuck in the middle of the Atlantic with her ex husband and her writing nemesis. To make matters worse the fake murder mysteries become real and Bella ends up the prime suspect.
So this is the second in the Bella Tyson series it can easily be read as a standalone, something I can attest to having not read the first. There’s no spoilers for the first book either and having enjoyed this one so much I will be getting myself a copy and reading that too!
Murder Ahoy is a cozy mystery with a little more edginess to it that your standard cozy with a small smattering of swearing and some saucy language which on more the one occasion had me giggling out loud.
There was a fantastic array of interesting characters from Bella’s self centered cheat of an ex-husband Joel to her new more mild mannered beau Will. And there of course there’s Bella herself, who is wonderfully sarcastic and self deprecating, even though she could be a little snarky at times.
I have to be honest I had the killer pegged quite early on but the motive wasn’t clear until the end.
Murder Ahoy! is a light hearted and fun filled mystery that I enjoyed from beginning until end.
So this is the second in the Bella Tyson series it can easily be read as a standalone, something I can attest to having not read the first. There’s no spoilers for the first book either and having enjoyed this one so much I will be getting myself a copy and reading that too!
Murder Ahoy is a cozy mystery with a little more edginess to it that your standard cozy with a small smattering of swearing and some saucy language which on more the one occasion had me giggling out loud.
There was a fantastic array of interesting characters from Bella’s self centered cheat of an ex-husband Joel to her new more mild mannered beau Will. And there of course there’s Bella herself, who is wonderfully sarcastic and self deprecating, even though she could be a little snarky at times.
I have to be honest I had the killer pegged quite early on but the motive wasn’t clear until the end.
Murder Ahoy! is a light hearted and fun filled mystery that I enjoyed from beginning until end.
August 7, 2020
I always enjoy a good murder mystery, and this is one that captures my imagination. Bella Tyson is a successful crime writer hired to host a murder mystery event on a first-class cruise ship from England to New York. Things do not work out as envisaged, and she embroiled in a real murder mystery as the main suspect.
This story fits well into the cosy mystery genre with vibrant but believable characters, all of whom could be guilty of murder. There are clues along the way as Bella tries to identify the real murderer and clear her name before they reach New York.
Bella is a lovely character with a witty sense of humour that lightens the darkness of the plot and her current situation. Sensory imagery, engages the reader in the plot and setting, on a luxurious cruise ship. The ending ties everything up in a satisfying way.
I like the informal writing style, in the first person, letting the reader share Bella's emotions and investigative thoughts It allows the reader insight into the amateur sleuth's mind, making it an immersive experience, and a great escapist read.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This story fits well into the cosy mystery genre with vibrant but believable characters, all of whom could be guilty of murder. There are clues along the way as Bella tries to identify the real murderer and clear her name before they reach New York.
Bella is a lovely character with a witty sense of humour that lightens the darkness of the plot and her current situation. Sensory imagery, engages the reader in the plot and setting, on a luxurious cruise ship. The ending ties everything up in a satisfying way.
I like the informal writing style, in the first person, letting the reader share Bella's emotions and investigative thoughts It allows the reader insight into the amateur sleuth's mind, making it an immersive experience, and a great escapist read.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
August 5, 2020
As good as, if not better, than the last Bella mystery! What a great MC :)
Absolutely hilarious and great to see real people and real problems represented so well. Obvs not going to include murder as a real problem, although it is problematic ... I’m just going to shut up now haha.
Love this sequel to DiV. Bella is the best! And nice to meet Joel, god he is literally every guy I fall for and regret being such a dunce the following month.
Absolutely hilarious and great to see real people and real problems represented so well. Obvs not going to include murder as a real problem, although it is problematic ... I’m just going to shut up now haha.
Love this sequel to DiV. Bella is the best! And nice to meet Joel, god he is literally every guy I fall for and regret being such a dunce the following month.
August 1, 2020
I love a good murder mystery story. I’m usually pretty good at spotting clues and guessing the murderer before the end. Not this time. I had several ‘A-HA’ moments where I was convinced I’d worked it out, only to read on and realise I hadn't.
An enjoyable murder mystery that had me guessing right to the end. My Miss Marple skills were outwitted by Fiona's clever writing. Great read.
(See my full review next week on https://touringtails.co.uk)
An enjoyable murder mystery that had me guessing right to the end. My Miss Marple skills were outwitted by Fiona's clever writing. Great read.
(See my full review next week on https://touringtails.co.uk)
July 18, 2020
When I read a book by a new author (new to me, anyway) and I love the book, I get a bit nervous about the next. How will it compare to the first book? Will it be better or, horror, will not be better? What if it's not as funny or the plot not so twisty? So it was with a bit of hesitation I started to read Murder Ahoy!.
It didn't take more than a few pages in and I was hooked. It's funny, it's well-written, the characters are interesting and challenging, and I hated it when the book ended. Always a good sign.
And an extra bonus for me that the story takes place on a cruise across the Atlantic – I'm a sea captains daughter and love reading books set on ships!
Murder Ahoy! is Fiona Leitch's second book about crime writer Bella Taylor getting herself into all sorts of trouble. We first met her in Dead in Venice (and if you haven't read if before, do it now. It's brilliant), where she gets involved in a series of horrific murders. In Murder Ahoy! Bella has signed up on a Murder Mystery cruise, where groups of amateur detectives are going to solve murders. All fun and games until the first body turns up and Bella has to defend herself from murder accusations.
I'm not going to give away too much, only that again, read Dead in Venice first – you might miss out on something if you don't.
It didn't take more than a few pages in and I was hooked. It's funny, it's well-written, the characters are interesting and challenging, and I hated it when the book ended. Always a good sign.
And an extra bonus for me that the story takes place on a cruise across the Atlantic – I'm a sea captains daughter and love reading books set on ships!
Murder Ahoy! is Fiona Leitch's second book about crime writer Bella Taylor getting herself into all sorts of trouble. We first met her in Dead in Venice (and if you haven't read if before, do it now. It's brilliant), where she gets involved in a series of horrific murders. In Murder Ahoy! Bella has signed up on a Murder Mystery cruise, where groups of amateur detectives are going to solve murders. All fun and games until the first body turns up and Bella has to defend herself from murder accusations.
I'm not going to give away too much, only that again, read Dead in Venice first – you might miss out on something if you don't.
July 23, 2020
I loved the first book in the Bella Tyson series and the second book is another cracker. I absolutely love Fiona Leitch's sense of humour which has me howling with laughter. The storyline is a whodunnit on a cruise liner to New York, anything can happen when you are stuck at sea, and it does. Extremely enjoyable. I didn't guess whodunnit, will you?
July 20, 2020
A Murder Mystery cruise sounds like a great idea, especially when competing with rival teams headed up by some of the finest authors in the industry. No wonder bestselling crime writer Bella Tyson couldn't resist taking part. After all, as a co-host and team leader, she and her new husband would get one of the best suites and a free trip to New York too.
Bella's excitement is soon dampened - nay, decimated - when she learns that the two other co-hosts have been substituted at the last minute. One being her ex-husband, the other a rival author.
Still, it's only a game, a bit of fun ... isn't it?
Of course ... until the murders became a reality. Not only that, everything points to Bella as the prime suspect. Can she solve the mystery and clear her name before they arrive in New York? Well, you can be sure she'll do her damnedest.
The story speeds ahead, yet there's still plenty of character development too. As Bella eliminates one passenger after another, the layers to their personalities and lives unravel. All is not as it seems.
This is a funny and absorbing read. Bella has a knack for a witty comeback, and with both her ex and rival onboard she is not short of a few colourful phrases. It's probably not the most difficult crime to solve but the way Bella handles the things that come her way is hilarious, with frequent scathing one-liner responses. I dare younot to laugh out loud.
Hugely entertaining as a story and when you need a good laugh. Enjoy!
Bella's excitement is soon dampened - nay, decimated - when she learns that the two other co-hosts have been substituted at the last minute. One being her ex-husband, the other a rival author.
Still, it's only a game, a bit of fun ... isn't it?
Of course ... until the murders became a reality. Not only that, everything points to Bella as the prime suspect. Can she solve the mystery and clear her name before they arrive in New York? Well, you can be sure she'll do her damnedest.
The story speeds ahead, yet there's still plenty of character development too. As Bella eliminates one passenger after another, the layers to their personalities and lives unravel. All is not as it seems.
This is a funny and absorbing read. Bella has a knack for a witty comeback, and with both her ex and rival onboard she is not short of a few colourful phrases. It's probably not the most difficult crime to solve but the way Bella handles the things that come her way is hilarious, with frequent scathing one-liner responses. I dare younot to laugh out loud.
Hugely entertaining as a story and when you need a good laugh. Enjoy!
Read
August 7, 2020This is my first Bella Tyson book - and it's such good fun to read!
Bella and her husband, Will, can hardly believe their luck when they get a luxury cruise to New York in a fabulous cabin whilst takes part in running a murder mystery on board. However, neither of them expecting the other two experts to cancel and be replaced by her ex-husband and her twitter nemesis. To make things worse, the 'bodies' turning up are not all part of the game and Bella finds herself prime suspect. As it turns out to be less than the pampered week they were coveting, can it really get any worse? Read on and find out!
I must admit the first person narrative took me by surprise; it's so rare to come across in a novel these days - or perhaps just in the ones I read - but it's a very witty book which I giggled and spluttered my way through. I did have an inkling as to who the guilty party was, but when you suspect almost everyone, you gotta be right sometimes! Very entertaining with a good cast of characters, this runs smoothly from beginning to end and is a well plotted tale. If you are a cosy mystery fan, then this is a good, light hearted series to follow, and I'm happy to give it 4*.
Bella and her husband, Will, can hardly believe their luck when they get a luxury cruise to New York in a fabulous cabin whilst takes part in running a murder mystery on board. However, neither of them expecting the other two experts to cancel and be replaced by her ex-husband and her twitter nemesis. To make things worse, the 'bodies' turning up are not all part of the game and Bella finds herself prime suspect. As it turns out to be less than the pampered week they were coveting, can it really get any worse? Read on and find out!
I must admit the first person narrative took me by surprise; it's so rare to come across in a novel these days - or perhaps just in the ones I read - but it's a very witty book which I giggled and spluttered my way through. I did have an inkling as to who the guilty party was, but when you suspect almost everyone, you gotta be right sometimes! Very entertaining with a good cast of characters, this runs smoothly from beginning to end and is a well plotted tale. If you are a cosy mystery fan, then this is a good, light hearted series to follow, and I'm happy to give it 4*.
September 6, 2020
This is such a great read.
A crime writer Bella Tyson, is going on a cruise ship to help run a murder mystery event for the cruise company. What she has planned is days of peace and luxury, however the reality is very different.
Her ex husband and his new girlfriend are also aboard and have been hired to help with the murder mystery event. Bella hates the pair of them, suddenly her relaxed get away with her new husband has turned into a stressful situation.
The story is really clever as the event starts, bodies began to be found. However are they planned murders as part of the event? Or are they real murders? Bella and a group of helpers are perfectly placed to find the person responsible. However Bella finds herself the prime suspect when one of her enemies is found dead?
A really enjoyable read and I can not wait to read the first book in the series.
A crime writer Bella Tyson, is going on a cruise ship to help run a murder mystery event for the cruise company. What she has planned is days of peace and luxury, however the reality is very different.
Her ex husband and his new girlfriend are also aboard and have been hired to help with the murder mystery event. Bella hates the pair of them, suddenly her relaxed get away with her new husband has turned into a stressful situation.
The story is really clever as the event starts, bodies began to be found. However are they planned murders as part of the event? Or are they real murders? Bella and a group of helpers are perfectly placed to find the person responsible. However Bella finds herself the prime suspect when one of her enemies is found dead?
A really enjoyable read and I can not wait to read the first book in the series.
August 17, 2021
From the cute, silly, chatty end of the cosy spectrum, what I saw were aspects of Nell Forrest and Tabitha Darling, crossed with Helen Hawthorne delivered with a hefty hat-tip to Murder, She Wrote. But I'm not a close follower of cosy crime, so that probably reflects more about my limited reading than any particular expertise. MURDER AHOY! is the second novel in the Bella Tyson series, following on from DEATH IN VENICE. The author, Fiona Leitch, has another comic cosy series - The Nosey Parker Mysteries for fans of that style of story-telling.
The action is set in the locked room scenario of a luxury liner Murder Mystery cruise that Famous (I feel like it needs to be capitalised) crime writer Bella Tyson has been hired to co-host. Booked into a deluxe cabin with her new husband, Will, Bella, a woman of a certain age (late forties thank goodness, women do have active sex / love lives over the age of 25 after all... but I digress), is not best pleased to discover that her fellow co-hosts are ex-husband Joel Quigley and fellow crime writer Louise Meyers. (How you come to sign up for a co-hosting deal and not hear a whisper of your fellow contributors I'm not sure, but I digress again, the style of this novel is catching...). Anyway, Joel's a philandering bastard, and Louise is some sort of nasty goddess in Bella's eyes, and Bella's more than a bit over-heated and reactionary as a result. Not helped when bodies start appearing and she is instantly in the frame for offing one of her least favourite people in the world.
So the plot's of the over-heated rushing about style, as you'd expect, and the chatter easy to hear in a very high-pitched voice, and the whole thing is a bit on the manic side, with Bella being perfectly pitched as the sort of grating, high-maintenance / no-nonsense if you're on her side, mildly deranged woman that many fans of this sub-genre are going to absolutely love. Doesn't hurt that she's on the older side - the world has more than enough heroines that are younger than some of the much treasured clothes hanging in our wardrobes, but enough with the digressing.... Of course, with all these things, humour is very much in the eye of the beholder, so I suspect readers are going to either be cheering for Bella or hoping like hell somebody upends her over the nearest railing.
Definitely a series that fans of this style of storytelling should have a look at - if for no other reason than to decide whether you're pro Bella or part of the over the railings with her group.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
The action is set in the locked room scenario of a luxury liner Murder Mystery cruise that Famous (I feel like it needs to be capitalised) crime writer Bella Tyson has been hired to co-host. Booked into a deluxe cabin with her new husband, Will, Bella, a woman of a certain age (late forties thank goodness, women do have active sex / love lives over the age of 25 after all... but I digress), is not best pleased to discover that her fellow co-hosts are ex-husband Joel Quigley and fellow crime writer Louise Meyers. (How you come to sign up for a co-hosting deal and not hear a whisper of your fellow contributors I'm not sure, but I digress again, the style of this novel is catching...). Anyway, Joel's a philandering bastard, and Louise is some sort of nasty goddess in Bella's eyes, and Bella's more than a bit over-heated and reactionary as a result. Not helped when bodies start appearing and she is instantly in the frame for offing one of her least favourite people in the world.
So the plot's of the over-heated rushing about style, as you'd expect, and the chatter easy to hear in a very high-pitched voice, and the whole thing is a bit on the manic side, with Bella being perfectly pitched as the sort of grating, high-maintenance / no-nonsense if you're on her side, mildly deranged woman that many fans of this sub-genre are going to absolutely love. Doesn't hurt that she's on the older side - the world has more than enough heroines that are younger than some of the much treasured clothes hanging in our wardrobes, but enough with the digressing.... Of course, with all these things, humour is very much in the eye of the beholder, so I suspect readers are going to either be cheering for Bella or hoping like hell somebody upends her over the nearest railing.
Definitely a series that fans of this style of storytelling should have a look at - if for no other reason than to decide whether you're pro Bella or part of the over the railings with her group.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews