What do you think?
Rate this book
Susan Henshaw #15
Death in a Beach Chair
For Susan and Jed Henshaw and their friends Kathleen and Jerry Gordon, the tiny Caribbean resort called Compass Bay has everything. White sand, luxurious cottages, rum punches to die for—even a gorgeous unattached blonde ornamenting the premises.
But Kathleen and Jerry are having marital problems—and when the mysterious blonde turns up murdered, the cloud hanging over their little paradise grows black indeed. It turns out that the victim is the once-frumpy sister of Jerry’s first wife. Many years ago, Susan, Jed, and Jerry had known her well, and the island police don’t believe it’s coincidence that she appeared at Compass Bay at the same time as her old friends. Nor does Susan, who shifts into investigative red alert—and finds a serpent in Eden, its fangs loaded with venom. . . .
But Kathleen and Jerry are having marital problems—and when the mysterious blonde turns up murdered, the cloud hanging over their little paradise grows black indeed. It turns out that the victim is the once-frumpy sister of Jerry’s first wife. Many years ago, Susan, Jed, and Jerry had known her well, and the island police don’t believe it’s coincidence that she appeared at Compass Bay at the same time as her old friends. Nor does Susan, who shifts into investigative red alert—and finds a serpent in Eden, its fangs loaded with venom. . . .
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 2, 2004
64 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Wolzien
30 books68 followersValerie Wolzien is the author of the Susan Henshaw suburban mysteries and the Josie Pigeon seashore mysteries. Ms. Wolzien lives in an old house overlooking the Hudson River. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached online at valerie@wolzien.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 28, 2018
This was a very quick and fun summer read, set on a gorgeous Caribbean island resort. Even though I had never heard of the series or author before one of the online book clubs chose it for this weekend's discussion, I felt like I knew the four main characters fairly well not too far into the book. It's an older series but now I think I'd like to read more in it. It was well-written and moved at a good pace. I got a kick out of the bridge-playing older couples, they were hilarious at times.
This book had the two main couples, Susan and Jed Henshaw and Jerry and Kathleen Gordon, who happened to be best friends, going to the Caribbean, escaping a Connecticut winter for some much-needed rest and relaxation. When one of the resort guests was murdered, Jerry was taken in as the only suspect since it turned out that the victim was his deceased wife's sister, Allison. Since Susan had a reputation for solving mysteries in her hometown, it didn't take long for word to get around that maybe she could help--along with some other Miss Marple wannabes staying at the resort giving her their helpful observations about the victim, who had apparently been there awhile.
There were some good plot twists and it became apparent to Susan and Kathleen that someone didn't want Jerry not to be accused of the murder. The solution was a pretty awesome twist that I never really saw coming. I did like that there wasn't an actual showdown with the killer, just Susan saying she knew who the killer was, then flash forward 24 hours to a little casual answer session held by Susan at the resort for the people she'd gotten to know from asking around about Allison. Now the Henshaws and Gordons could relax and enjoy the rest of their tropical vacation!
This book had the two main couples, Susan and Jed Henshaw and Jerry and Kathleen Gordon, who happened to be best friends, going to the Caribbean, escaping a Connecticut winter for some much-needed rest and relaxation. When one of the resort guests was murdered, Jerry was taken in as the only suspect since it turned out that the victim was his deceased wife's sister, Allison. Since Susan had a reputation for solving mysteries in her hometown, it didn't take long for word to get around that maybe she could help--along with some other Miss Marple wannabes staying at the resort giving her their helpful observations about the victim, who had apparently been there awhile.
There were some good plot twists and it became apparent to Susan and Kathleen that someone didn't want Jerry not to be accused of the murder. The solution was a pretty awesome twist that I never really saw coming. I did like that there wasn't an actual showdown with the killer, just Susan saying she knew who the killer was, then flash forward 24 hours to a little casual answer session held by Susan at the resort for the people she'd gotten to know from asking around about Allison. Now the Henshaws and Gordons could relax and enjoy the rest of their tropical vacation!
July 8, 2019
Love how murder and mayhem follow Susan, even when she is on vacation. I enjoyed the Caribbean island location and the resort full of suspects. I was kept guessing with the mystery and was surprised at the ending.
September 21, 2023
A good summer read
A Caribbean holiday, two couples, other nosy people and a murder.
Susan Henshaw tries to solve the murder and help her friends whilst enjoying copious amounts of rum.
The style is quite simplistic, feeding general hints and red herrings along the way to build the intrigue. The plot skips at some points as it rushes towards the conclusion which is a bit of an anti-climax. Some dubious investigating and a ridiculous ta-da reveal. I won’t be reading any other books in the series although I’m sure they are a easy holiday read.
A Caribbean holiday, two couples, other nosy people and a murder.
Susan Henshaw tries to solve the murder and help her friends whilst enjoying copious amounts of rum.
The style is quite simplistic, feeding general hints and red herrings along the way to build the intrigue. The plot skips at some points as it rushes towards the conclusion which is a bit of an anti-climax. Some dubious investigating and a ridiculous ta-da reveal. I won’t be reading any other books in the series although I’m sure they are a easy holiday read.
July 14, 2019
I picked this one up because I was looking for summer reads...it fit the bill. I was shocked to see it was #15 in a series... Kind of seemed like a slow read at times, but over all I enjoyed the beach and vacation experience of it all.
I was a little puzzled as who the killer was for a while...
Nice little summer cozy read.
I was a little puzzled as who the killer was for a while...
Nice little summer cozy read.
August 24, 2021
I've been binging this series and, unusual for me, I am liking the books towards the end better than the earlier ones. This one in particular was very well written. I do have to wonder why on earth the author changed Kathleen's daughter's name from Alice to Emily though!! Anyway really enjoyed this - as is usual with a Susan Henshaw mystery there were lots of characters who were interesting in and of themselves. It took me a while to figure out what must have happened but in fairness to the author she planted lots of clues and once you read the solution it makes perfect sense. Which is really all I ask of a cozy mystery!
November 21, 2016
If someone you know is going to be arrested for murder during your vacation, by all means make sure you are on a little island in the Carribbean! This was a really good mystery which I enjoyed thoroughly. It was fun to reconnect with "Susan Henshaw", the sleuth, and her friends.
October 26, 2024
Another fabulous Susan Henshaw book! Each one is better than the previous one. I love this author’s books. This book was set at a Caribbean resort and was quite exciting. I enjoyed the twists and surprises. Valerie Wolzien has created such wonderful characters.
June 22, 2025
Twisty turny murder mystery
Kept me guessing whodunnit right to the very end.
My only (slight) criticism is that there were such a lot of names and characters, and I was struggling to keep them clear in my head so as to follow the plot.
Kept me guessing whodunnit right to the very end.
My only (slight) criticism is that there were such a lot of names and characters, and I was struggling to keep them clear in my head so as to follow the plot.
June 26, 2018
Read because it was summer. Forgot I think this author’s books read slowly. With that said I like this better than the other one I read.
May 22, 2020
It's a good book but I wasn't familiar with the characters and so honestly it took me til about midway thru before I really started to enjoy it with out frustration.
September 30, 2023
Holiday reading
Good book to take on holiday. Easy reading and interesting without having to concentrate. So you can also see what is going on.
Good book to take on holiday. Easy reading and interesting without having to concentrate. So you can also see what is going on.
March 10, 2025
Cozy quick read....started off good and went downhill
June 9, 2025
Interesting, entertaining read.
October 12, 2023
4 friends plan a relaxing holiday on a Caribbean island but things change dramatically when the "transformed" sister- in-law of Jerry's appears and seem to follow him around, spreading rumours about a love affair between them at the same time.
When Allison is found murdered, Jerry is taking into custody as the only suspect, but his wife and friends do everything to proof his innocence.
Fast paced and very entertaining.
When Allison is found murdered, Jerry is taking into custody as the only suspect, but his wife and friends do everything to proof his innocence.
Fast paced and very entertaining.
February 23, 2017
One of her VERY best
August 30, 2016
And then came the worst on I've read in this series.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
August 28, 2013
I'm always looking for new authors to enjoy and as a beach lover, I selected this book for the title. As an avid reader, I'm willing to suspend disbelief to involve myself in a good story. Unfortunately, this story just wasn't quite up to the task. The characters didn't behave in a way that I could remotely believe and the story didn't feel fully developed - nor did the resolution. Since I haven't read any previous Henshaw Mysteries I'm hesitant to base my opinion on this one book, so I may give Wolzien another chance, but there are many books and authors that get dibs on my precious reading time.
June 23, 2010
A light, if improbable cozy... I am lukewarm on the Susan Henshaw mysteries. It just feels like something is missing. I can't quite place my finger on it, but something is keeping me from enjoying them more.
September 17, 2008
Good beach book, fast read!
September 4, 2012
Once again with the inconsistency. Why did the author change Alice to Emily???
July 14, 2013
Jerry's ex-sister-in-law is murdered while the Gordons and Henshaws are vacationing in Caribbean. Jerry is blamed and Susan must find real killer. Rather confusing.
December 11, 2014
Beach read.
May 10, 2015
Setting was attractive, characters were interesting when they actually talked, but this book dragged. Seemed like it was repetitive just to fill the pages.
May 26, 2015
Great title but I'm not a cozy fan.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews