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Bed-and-Breakfast Mysteries #21
Dead Man Docking
B&B hostess Judith McMonigle Flynn and her closer-than-a-sibling cousin Renie would be crazy to turn down a free, 1930s-themed South Pacific islands cruise aboard the magnificent San Rafael, the pride of the Cruz Cruises fleet. Unfortunately, the fabulous pre-launch party is as far out to sea as the passengers are likely to get, after the body of their VIP host, Magglio Cruz, is discovered stuffed in the piano and the cruise is cancelled.
Suddenly free to gad about San Francisco with their marooned shipmates—at least one of whom is possibly homicidal—the cousins decide to join glamorous, martini-quaffing Rick and Rhoda St. George and their wheezy white pooch, Asthma, for a bit of amateur sleuthing. But the route to Magglio’s murderer may not be such smooth sailing. And if Judith, Renie, and the St. Georges aren’t careful, they may all end up leaving their hearts in San Francisco…and the rest of their mortal remains as well!
Suddenly free to gad about San Francisco with their marooned shipmates—at least one of whom is possibly homicidal—the cousins decide to join glamorous, martini-quaffing Rick and Rhoda St. George and their wheezy white pooch, Asthma, for a bit of amateur sleuthing. But the route to Magglio’s murderer may not be such smooth sailing. And if Judith, Renie, and the St. Georges aren’t careful, they may all end up leaving their hearts in San Francisco…and the rest of their mortal remains as well!
308 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
33 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Mary Daheim
94 books440 followersMary Rene Richardson Daheim was an American writer of romance and mystery novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 23, 2021
While this was fun to read, I don't think I'd ever want to travel with Judith and Renie - too many bodies derailing the fun. The cruise was to have a 1930's theme and looking back over the book it had that vibe, my favorite comparison was one that I didn't pick up on until the end and it was just character names. I enjoyed the change of scenery with the book mainly taking place in San Francisco. It was hard keeping up with all the characters even with a cast at the front of the book.
August 14, 2017
I wanted to love this little 'modern-but-thirties-themed' edition of the Bed-and-Breakfast series but this just didn't do it for me. The attempt to evoke the feel of The Thin Man era was ham handed and a few of the main characters are just unlikable. Decidedly not my cup of tea.
January 25, 2012
Being an avid fan of the Alpine series, I looked for something else by this author...
It is a decent read, but if you are gonna have a cruise ship on the cover, I expect to be on the boat more than one day...
It seemed as if she was going out of her way to show she knows San Francisco...
Also there were so many characters that you had to keep track of, that it lead to mass confusion and you were glad that the body count helped limit the cast...
At the end, the killer came out of left field mainly because it was so hard to keep track of them all...
And really... Everyone on the sauce all the time?
I recommend it as a read because it is different from the others out there and it will give you background info when it comes to her other stories in this series...
It is a decent read, but if you are gonna have a cruise ship on the cover, I expect to be on the boat more than one day...
It seemed as if she was going out of her way to show she knows San Francisco...
Also there were so many characters that you had to keep track of, that it lead to mass confusion and you were glad that the body count helped limit the cast...
At the end, the killer came out of left field mainly because it was so hard to keep track of them all...
And really... Everyone on the sauce all the time?
I recommend it as a read because it is different from the others out there and it will give you background info when it comes to her other stories in this series...
April 7, 2013
What a bummer. A free cruise turns to murder and mayhem in this story. With a throwback to the Art Deco period, there is a cast of characters straight out of an old detective movie. The only character missing was a gangster!
I kept waiting for one character to get fingered, but alas, he was innocent. Oh well. Cute story, but rather slow-paced and too many characters with too many motives for me to figure it out.
All I can say is that I hope poor Judith gets a really nice anniversary trip with her hubby...even if it happens between books! (Grin). Don't you just love when characters become so real you almost could believe they step right off the page?
I kept waiting for one character to get fingered, but alas, he was innocent. Oh well. Cute story, but rather slow-paced and too many characters with too many motives for me to figure it out.
All I can say is that I hope poor Judith gets a really nice anniversary trip with her hubby...even if it happens between books! (Grin). Don't you just love when characters become so real you almost could believe they step right off the page?
July 28, 2009
This was a great B & B mystery from Daheim. As delightful as Judith and Renie are, it's always the supporting characters that make or break the story. These were fabulous--especially Rhoda & Rick. I hope they make a return appearance at some point in the future!
December 27, 2011
I don't like books that need to have a cast of characters at the beginning. It makes the book too complicated. After reading the book, I realized that my first thoughts about the book were correct and it was too complicated to be interesting and enjoyable.
September 16, 2011
One of the last ones I read. They're okay. It just seemed like the stories felt the same after so many of them.
March 19, 2021
Dead Man Docking (Bed-and-Breakfast, #21) by Mary Daheim
Judith and her cousin Renie have the opportunity to go on a cruise, for free. They board ship and soon the host is found dead, stuffed inside of a piano. As they wander about shore side, the killer is at large. Judith and Renie investigate to solve this crime before anyone else ends up dead.
The story moves at a fast pace, with well developed characters, engaging dialog and suspense. The list of suspects is growing, as new discoveries emerge. Dead Man Docking is a good who-done-it that had me hooked from the first page. I recommend to those who like cozy murder/mysteries.
Judith and her cousin Renie have the opportunity to go on a cruise, for free. They board ship and soon the host is found dead, stuffed inside of a piano. As they wander about shore side, the killer is at large. Judith and Renie investigate to solve this crime before anyone else ends up dead.
The story moves at a fast pace, with well developed characters, engaging dialog and suspense. The list of suspects is growing, as new discoveries emerge. Dead Man Docking is a good who-done-it that had me hooked from the first page. I recommend to those who like cozy murder/mysteries.
January 7, 2025
Judith and her cousin Renie are off on a cruise. The free cruise is something Renie received from the cruise company after she threatened them with a lawsuit. The theme of the cruise is to be 30's and the cast of characters actually look and sound like they are from the 30's. But when the owner of the cruise line is found dead, the cruise is off. The cousins are forced to stay in San Francisco until the investigation is finished. Of course they sind out many interesting things about the other passengers.
October 21, 2017
This book was set in Washington State, but one character was from the South. Apparently the only research the author did about the South was watching Gone With the Wind. She actually had the character (of course her name was Dixie) say, “Heavens to Betsy!” HEAVENS! TO! BETSY! Just stop. 🙄
June 27, 2025
Renie invites Julia on her business cruise and fun ends, when a body is found. The last thing either of them want to do is solve a murder. But they always get dragged into it anyway. See if you can find the killer first.
March 18, 2018
Another great read!!
I really enjoyed the plot of this one. It was entertaining as well as twists and turns everywhere. Thoroughly enjoyable!!
I really enjoyed the plot of this one. It was entertaining as well as twists and turns everywhere. Thoroughly enjoyable!!
May 14, 2018
Slow
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2020
Judith and Renie are supposed to go on a cruise but murder interferes. Not the best entry in the series. I do like the scenes in San Francisco and the Nick and Nora types.
July 9, 2020
One of the best books in the series. Renie really had me laughing in this one.
July 24, 2020
I enjoyed this one. Funny and pretty fast moving. Rick and Rhonda are fun, sort of a nod to Nick and Nora Charles with more alcohol. Solid entry in this series.
March 3, 2022
Great local author. I enjoy the two cousins and their mothers. (I'm rereading the series)
January 31, 2024
I love all her books........reminds me of the Nancy Drew books I read as a child
April 14, 2024
Kudos to Mary Daheim! She writes a good cozy mystery. Her books are always a relaxing pleasure for me.
October 21, 2024
DNF. Too many characters to keep track of.
February 11, 2023
Cousins Renie and Judith attend a 1930s-themed cruise as they board the San Rafael in San Francisco.
Most of the action transpires off the ship, and the cousins are later accused of killing one of the passengers when the deceased's jewels appear in the cousin's baggage.
I enjoyed most of the story, but I wish more of the narrative had happened on board. "Dead Man Docking" was another fun, comforting read in Daheim's famous B&B mysteries.
Most of the action transpires off the ship, and the cousins are later accused of killing one of the passengers when the deceased's jewels appear in the cousin's baggage.
I enjoyed most of the story, but I wish more of the narrative had happened on board. "Dead Man Docking" was another fun, comforting read in Daheim's famous B&B mysteries.
March 11, 2016
Once a “cozy mystery” becomes a series instead of a stand-alone novel, the situations become increasingly more implausible and one must muster up plenty of suspended disbelief to make them work. Mary’s Daheim’s mysteries (whether in the Alpine or Bed ‘n Breakfast series) are no exception to this rule, but they are clever and entertaining nonetheless. In Dead Man Docking, Judith is drafted to go on a cruise with her cousin Ronnie (short for Veronica) when said cousin is trying to hang onto her cruise line public relations work even after the company has shifted their headquarters from the Pacific Northwest to San Francisco.
As with all mysteries, I can’t tell a lot without risking spoilers and I hate to do that. Yet, since the cruise line is using a retro-1930s theme for the inaugural cruise to their new destination port, it seems only fair to warn readers that Dead Man Docking could easily be a remake of some of the old “Thin Man” films. In fact, the villain, the perpetrator, the (let’s be honest) murderer would be familiar to any fan of those films or their primary rival, the “Charlie Chan” films (which you are unlikely to be able to see because of political correctness and which my Chinese wife refuses to watch anyway in protest of the fact that the Chinese protagonist was always played by Caucasian actors in make-up). As I read, I could just visualize one of the classic character actors from the era as the guilty party.
As I noted at the beginning of this review, suspended disbelief is vital. Although the cousins (which an eccentric woman opts to baptize officially as “The Cousins”) are present when the first body is found (yes, I did give away the fact that there is more than one murder), they do not discover the body as they do the rest. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time seems to be quite the gift for “The Cousins.” How they actually stay out of jail may be a bigger mystery than the murders—especially since Judith’s police detective husband has no jurisdiction in San Francisco. And this time, the nosy cousins even make themselves suspects in a grand larceny case that runs parallel to the main mystery (or is, maybe, intertwined with it?).
And, since I mentioned the “Thin Man” films, there is another “detective team” in the story which forms a delightful parody of the famous husband and wife (and dog) duo. In this case, however, the dog named Asta is named “Asthma.” I had to laugh at that one. People on the “El” must have thought I was one of those alcoholics that comes through the cars saying, “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I don’t want to disturb anyone…” immediately as they are disturbing everyone. They probably wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d stood up and shambled through the car saying that. It was worth it, though. I love puns and parodies.
As implausible as this tale is, I was heartily amused. But, seriously, you should probably avoid it if you don’t care about old movies, nostalgia, and humor in your mysteries.
As with all mysteries, I can’t tell a lot without risking spoilers and I hate to do that. Yet, since the cruise line is using a retro-1930s theme for the inaugural cruise to their new destination port, it seems only fair to warn readers that Dead Man Docking could easily be a remake of some of the old “Thin Man” films. In fact, the villain, the perpetrator, the (let’s be honest) murderer would be familiar to any fan of those films or their primary rival, the “Charlie Chan” films (which you are unlikely to be able to see because of political correctness and which my Chinese wife refuses to watch anyway in protest of the fact that the Chinese protagonist was always played by Caucasian actors in make-up). As I read, I could just visualize one of the classic character actors from the era as the guilty party.
As I noted at the beginning of this review, suspended disbelief is vital. Although the cousins (which an eccentric woman opts to baptize officially as “The Cousins”) are present when the first body is found (yes, I did give away the fact that there is more than one murder), they do not discover the body as they do the rest. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time seems to be quite the gift for “The Cousins.” How they actually stay out of jail may be a bigger mystery than the murders—especially since Judith’s police detective husband has no jurisdiction in San Francisco. And this time, the nosy cousins even make themselves suspects in a grand larceny case that runs parallel to the main mystery (or is, maybe, intertwined with it?).
And, since I mentioned the “Thin Man” films, there is another “detective team” in the story which forms a delightful parody of the famous husband and wife (and dog) duo. In this case, however, the dog named Asta is named “Asthma.” I had to laugh at that one. People on the “El” must have thought I was one of those alcoholics that comes through the cars saying, “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I don’t want to disturb anyone…” immediately as they are disturbing everyone. They probably wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d stood up and shambled through the car saying that. It was worth it, though. I love puns and parodies.
As implausible as this tale is, I was heartily amused. But, seriously, you should probably avoid it if you don’t care about old movies, nostalgia, and humor in your mysteries.
May 8, 2012
Bed and Breakfast owner Judith McMonigle Flynn badly needs a vacation and when her cousin Serena (Renie) is invited to go on a free 1930's themed cruise, Judith agrees to go along. But murder has a habit of finding Judith and before the cruise can even get underway, the body of their host, Magglio Cruz, is found stuffed in a piano. With nothing else to do until their ship sails, Judith and Renie, along with the help of fellow passengers Rick and Rhoda St. George, decide to investigate the murder. They better find the killer soon - dead bodies are starting to pile up and none of them wants to be the next victim.
"Dead Man Docking" is a good, if over the top cozy mystery. Author Mary Daheim takes the 1930's cruise theme to the extreme creating characters straight out of a 1930's movie. Rick and Rhoda St. George (and their dog Asthma) are the best examples of this as they are thinly disguised takeoffs on Nick and Nora Charles. All of this is very amusing but not very believable. Daheim seems to have had a lot of fun writing the book which makes it fun to read, although the humor can be a bit much (Daheim relies a bit too much on puns at times and some of the characters, like the maid are stereotypical to the point of being offensive). The murder mystery elements are fine, although it's hard to believe people would open up as easily as they do to Judith and Renie. Also Judith and Renie tell people that are practically strangers far too much information when for all they know they could be talking to a murderer. There are plenty of suspects (and dead bodies!) and readers will have fun trying to figure out who the killer is. Unfortunately the scene where the killer is revealed is, like most of the book, way over the top and totally unbelievable. I was hoping that Daheim would put in a twist regarding the killer, but she didn't take any chances in this book which is too bad.
"Dead Man Docking" is a good but over the top cozy mystery.
"Dead Man Docking" is a good, if over the top cozy mystery. Author Mary Daheim takes the 1930's cruise theme to the extreme creating characters straight out of a 1930's movie. Rick and Rhoda St. George (and their dog Asthma) are the best examples of this as they are thinly disguised takeoffs on Nick and Nora Charles. All of this is very amusing but not very believable. Daheim seems to have had a lot of fun writing the book which makes it fun to read, although the humor can be a bit much (Daheim relies a bit too much on puns at times and some of the characters, like the maid are stereotypical to the point of being offensive). The murder mystery elements are fine, although it's hard to believe people would open up as easily as they do to Judith and Renie. Also Judith and Renie tell people that are practically strangers far too much information when for all they know they could be talking to a murderer. There are plenty of suspects (and dead bodies!) and readers will have fun trying to figure out who the killer is. Unfortunately the scene where the killer is revealed is, like most of the book, way over the top and totally unbelievable. I was hoping that Daheim would put in a twist regarding the killer, but she didn't take any chances in this book which is too bad.
"Dead Man Docking" is a good but over the top cozy mystery.
May 9, 2014
AUTHOR: Daheim, Mary
TITLE: Dead Man Docking
DATE READ: 05/08/2014
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS: Mystery/2005/Avon Books/292 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE: #21 in B&B series
TIME/PLACE: 2004/WA and San Francisco
CHARACTERS: Judith McMonigle FLynn -- B&B owner; Serena "Renie" Jones/Graphic Artist & cousin to Judith
FIRST LINES: "Judith McMonigle Flynn winced, flinched, & grimaced as she held the phone as far as possible from her ear. Cousin Renie was screaming obscenities at the other end & throwing in an occasional death threat. Unable to listen any longer, Judith severed the connection.
COMMENTS: This is a fun series I have been reading for years & have not tired of. It is a cozy mystery but beware the humor can be caustic. Judith & especially Renie don't pull any punches in telling it like it is! This entry is away from their home in the Northwest Pacific and set in San Francisco. Renie's account, Cruz Cruise lines has relocated to San Francisco and she has been invited on a 1930-s themed cruise to the South Pacific. Her husband Bill is detained w/ an emergency case and Judith takes his place. At the pre-launch party the 1st body shows up canceling the cruise. Judith & Renie become friends w/ a couple Rhoda & Rick (ala Nick & Nora) that are also amateur sleuths. Their combined efforts solve the mystery of the 3 murders. The plot/puzzle did keep me guessing until the end.This was a very fun romp and reminds me why I enjoy the series. Hopefully it won't be too long until I visit w/ the cousins again.
TITLE: Dead Man Docking
DATE READ: 05/08/2014
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS: Mystery/2005/Avon Books/292 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE: #21 in B&B series
TIME/PLACE: 2004/WA and San Francisco
CHARACTERS: Judith McMonigle FLynn -- B&B owner; Serena "Renie" Jones/Graphic Artist & cousin to Judith
FIRST LINES: "Judith McMonigle Flynn winced, flinched, & grimaced as she held the phone as far as possible from her ear. Cousin Renie was screaming obscenities at the other end & throwing in an occasional death threat. Unable to listen any longer, Judith severed the connection.
COMMENTS: This is a fun series I have been reading for years & have not tired of. It is a cozy mystery but beware the humor can be caustic. Judith & especially Renie don't pull any punches in telling it like it is! This entry is away from their home in the Northwest Pacific and set in San Francisco. Renie's account, Cruz Cruise lines has relocated to San Francisco and she has been invited on a 1930-s themed cruise to the South Pacific. Her husband Bill is detained w/ an emergency case and Judith takes his place. At the pre-launch party the 1st body shows up canceling the cruise. Judith & Renie become friends w/ a couple Rhoda & Rick (ala Nick & Nora) that are also amateur sleuths. Their combined efforts solve the mystery of the 3 murders. The plot/puzzle did keep me guessing until the end.This was a very fun romp and reminds me why I enjoy the series. Hopefully it won't be too long until I visit w/ the cousins again.
October 9, 2009
#21 in the bed & breakfast mystery series with Judith Flynn and her cousin Renie Jones. Normally set in Seattle, this one is set San Francisco as Judith is accompanying Renie on a cruise as special guests of the owner. Before the cruise can start, the owner is murdered than soon after two others. Instead of a much needed vacation, Judith finds herself in the middle of a multiple murder investigation. Judith and Renie find themselves working with another couple who also solve crimes. There are many possible reasons and suspects with the usual humor in the series provided by caustic Renie. This is a kind of a Thin Man take off.
May 21, 2025
Just re-read for the third or fourth time since it came out and it remains one of my favorites in the series. I much prefer the books where Judith and Renie go somewhere and this is a fun one. Rick, Rhoda, and Asthma make the book - they are hysterical. Love the cruise ship 30s motif and the SF location (one of my favorite cities). Good mystery with an ending that made sense. The only part that really bothered me was when the author tried to do a Southern accent on Dixie. Please, don't do this. It almost never works. It's distracting at best, and simply unbearable at worst. Otherwise, a solid entry in the series.
June 14, 2009
When Renie Jones is offered a free cruise and her husband is unable go make it, she invites her cousin Judith Flynn. They fly to San Francisco, where the opening night gala ends in disaster. Stuck ashore, Judith investigates, but this time the cousins have competition from a husband-and-wife team, Rick and Rhoda St. George, who seem to be channeling the famed thirties pair, Nick and Nora Charles.
April 3, 2016
I love this series. Judith is worn out and Renie insist that Judith join her on a cruise when Bill can't due to issues with one of his patients.
Judith and Renie find themselves involved with seeking answers after a series of murders among people associated with the Cruise.
Plenty of action and guessing with the two amateur sleuths and others. A thirties theme and some added helping hand add an extra intrigue to the story.
Judith and Renie find themselves involved with seeking answers after a series of murders among people associated with the Cruise.
Plenty of action and guessing with the two amateur sleuths and others. A thirties theme and some added helping hand add an extra intrigue to the story.
May 24, 2008
This was a pretty standard Mary Daheim mystery: Judith & her cousin Renie accidentally get mired in a series of murders, this time when they are in San Francisco to take a cruise. I got a few chuckles and enjoyed the book overall. A light read good for when you don't have the energy to tackle something substantial.
September 12, 2010
A good read. Not extremely active at the beginning bust easy enough to get into. The end continued on after the story had wrapped up. Currently reading another book by this author much more impressed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews