Dade County Death Cruise

Orlando People #2

by Alexander C. Kane

Gretch Wolgast still can’t forgive Shaq for abandoning her beloved Orlando Magic, but she is moving on with her life. Two years after she helped foil a plot to destroy her and her fellow OP - the telekinetics born in Orlando in the early 1980s - she's become a federal agent investigating OP-related crime. But her boss really doesn’t seem to like her. And now she’s being forced to attend a dinner on a mysterious billionaire's yacht in South Florida.

Gretch barely has time to dive into the appetizers before things get weird. And deadly.

Reunited with her old friend Special Agent Frank Prater, Gretch needs to find a killer and save the lives of everyone on board. Not so easy when each passenger is a suspect - and each is harboring a secret.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Humor, Science Fiction, Paranormal

4 pages, Audible Audio

First published November 18, 2021

Reviews

[Alexander Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I told all the neighbors I was going to give my book five stars again on Goodreads. They all high-fived me and told me that's what cool people do.
FIVE STARS!

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this series was a brilliantly written story: the humor was even better (this is the dominant aspect), the characters developed even more, and the plot was full of massive surprises. It was a page turner and I blitzed through it in one day.

Warning: It is adult appropriate, in that some of the revelations and choices of the characters are not things I approve of at all and the ending gets a bit rough. So not a YA story, but it's not explicit.

[Laura de Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book was really slow to catch my attention, and I almost gave up on it, but I enjoyed it once the titular death cruise got started.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I completely enjoyed listening to this weird book. Is this book (paired with the first Gretch Wolgast book) the first science fiction I’ve ever read? Yes. So I’m not a good judge. But I thought this was funny and clever. I listened on Audible and the narration was excellent. My only quarrel is that the last two lines of the book made no sense to me. I don’t understand! What does it all mean? That’s likely borne of my inexperience with science fiction. I wish someone would message me and explain.

[Narilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story picks up several months after the first book. Gretch has joined a government agency to investigate crimes involving the OP and she's sent to a political dinner. As expected, things go sideways.

This ended up being a pretty good locked room mystery. There were enough clues to make me the reader guess a couple things correctly while still having some surprising twists. Gretch's dad seems like a fun guy, even if he's not always been the greatest dad, so I'm glad we got to meet him. The chapter of "Gretch as Praetor" was laugh out loud hilarious.

I like where Kane took the evolving powers of the OP themselves. It leaves things open to some fascinating options, especially with that odd bombshell of an ending. I hope the author is writing quickly as I really want to know what Gretch meant with her last line of the story.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously ridiculous, laugh-out-loud funny, and a magnificently awkward heroine. More Prater and Gretch! Read the first one while in withdrawals from Andrea Vernon, only to discover a host of new characters to fall in love with.

[Christa Schönmann Abbühl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder boat with some of my fav people on it! Great audio narration.

[Daniel Pschaida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots more quick-paced murderous plots to solve, with unlikely heroine Gretch Wolgast, full of humor, wit, heart, and sharing of her own unique and unexpected life editorials/footnote-commentaries.
This is in the vein of a classic "Who-Done-It" murder mystery (and who's next?!), yet with nothing typical or expected when when Gretch is your lead.
Like the first novel, I thought this one started out kind-of slowly with yellow-gum-drop eating apathetic partner for Gretch (not Prader, but someone with the same sweets palate as Dumbledore), a needlessly belittling SWAT team captain, and a ridiculous attack on Gretch with levitated large dogs.
Maybe that doesn't seem slow, but this book picked up quickly with entry onto the "Death Cruise Ship."
What to expect? (minor spoilers) Gretch finds steady employment, a budding romance, and an ability to bite her tongue when she most needs to (to keep employment), reconnecting with her Dad, and lots of LOL laughs!
What I did find unexpected? I liked it as much as the first Orlando People. Thank you, Alexander C. Kane for another great read/listen! Thank you, Kristen Sieh for bringing Gretch to life again for all of us!

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another fun story

It's been a while since I read book 1 in the series, and it being the end of another year, figured it was time to give book 2 a go. It did not disappoint.

It's a fun story about the dramas of being a dud telekinetic who folks keep underestimating. The story takes place in the the heart of United States internet meme of a state, Orlando, Florida, but navigates down the states shaft to Miami. All the regional trash talking was a hoot.

This book will never win an award, but it was still enjoyable, and curious to see how the developers/concludes in book 3. Quick Google search, and it might be a while before the author releases it, so maybe I'll reading it next December or the one after.

[Alecia Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly this is not a 4 star book though it also not necessarily a 3 star book. It is fun, mostly for the snarky narrator style. I like that it is told in a way I would think it would be experienced in real time.

I am not sure I would like it as much had I read it vs listening to the audio book. The reader makes this one more fun.

This is a ‘just for fun’ style book. If you are looking for literary prowess move along. If you are looking for some deep meaningful feeling, also not here so much. If you are looking for entertainment and enjoy a snarkier underdog protagonist that really dumb lucks everything? This series is a good possibility.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very fun.
I forgot how much I liked the main character narrating for other characters against their will. It's a good joke that has been done in both books and which works really well.
The premise is pretty basic-Newbie FBI Agent is presented with a simple task-go to a fancy dinner. And then it becomes a sort of "And Then There Were None" pastiche.
It's fun, it's funny and there's a lot of nonsense.

[Katie Topp · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you can tell by the read dates, this was fantastic. I love the OP, this magical world, and Gretch. I am obsessed with what happened. What else this means for level 1's. I am eagerly awaiting who "You" is. This series also makes for excellent pallet cleansers for higher fantasy. Not quite cozy fantasy but not Game of Thrones either. An excellent example of magical realism. Cannot wait for the third to be written.

[Rachel Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take "And Then There Were None" but make it farcical.

This is absolutely entertaining from beginning to end. And the mystery is wonderful as well. The element of sci-fi is well interwoven into the comedy and the who-done-it. It is an unexpected, but absolutely delightful homage to the original.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun, clever romp into alternate the reality where a bunch of twenty somethings from Orlando have varying degrees of telekinetic powers.

Gretch and Prater are a great team, whether he'll admit it or not. I hope Gretch's new love interest is in the next book, too.

4.5 stars plus the bonus for the audio. I could listen to Kristen Sieh all day.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't believe I missed this one! Look forward to however this series continues. Gretch is a hoot of a main character. Shout out to having a bisexual MC who is seen having a promising relationship. Rachel was funny.

I do recommend this one, but after reading Orlando People, not as a starting point.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dade County Death Cruise is a fantastic sequel to Alexander C Kane’s Orlando People. Gretch is back, now as an agent of the newly created DEC, and the story continues. This book largely takes the form of a locked room mystery and, while maybe not as strong as the first book, is very enjoyable. Great characters, humor, action, and narration.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I renewed my Audible account just to listen to this second OP book. The humor, mystery, Orlando references from Publix subs to the Magic are so fun. The narrator is perfect for this story.

I have recommended it to all my millennial friends who I know will appreciate it, it’s one of the few fiction reads my husband and I can agree on.

[Katherine R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, funny and ridiculous, I enjoyed this a little more than the first one. It was easier to follow with fewer names and players on the board and the situation is...just so insane. Looking forward to more!

[Edee Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

You know when you love the first book and then you read/listen to the second book and it’s EVEN BETTER?! Like I knew I loved Gretch and Frank, and now I love her dad, and all those OP girls. Twisty, weird, funny, and outrageous, in all the best ways. I hope ACK keeps this series going for a few more!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an ok follow up. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first, but it had a decent storyline. There were some parts that could have been left out for me, but overall, I say it's ok.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to Kane’s Andrea Vernon series and they’re great, but this series is even better. I don’t know whether it’s Kristin Singh’s narration, the setting in Orlando, Gretch’s personality, what, but I love this. I cannot wait for book 3! So much fun!

[Zivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m enjoying the Orlando People novels even more than Kane’s Andrea Vernon series.

They are, light comedy action. Great for when you need some escape from the bitter wartime news cycle.

And I love Gretch, she would be annoying as hell to be around but I enjoy reading about her antics.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the sense of humor in these books. I didn't like this one quite as much as the first one, but it was still a good read. I hope the author writes more books to this series. I love the Gretch character and would love to see what she gets into next!

[Lisascottjones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series - it's funny and clever. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great. I'm looking forward to book #3.

[Timo Van-Kissing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hitting a bit too close to home at times with the unfortunately accurate behavior of bigot extremists, but otherwise a worthy successor to

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and it first in the series, Orlando People, are so much fun. Especially fun listening to them.

[Michelle Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the first better, but this was still a thoroughly enjoyable popcorn read.

[Vx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. It was fast paced enough in the middle that I stayed up late listening. It was lighthearted and fun and funny, and a great sequel. I want so many more Orlando People stories!

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book's predecessor was good; this book started out OK, but got more and more ridiculous and I gave up on it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these books. Definitely ready for the next one. Quirky, loveable, and a good mystery.