WITH A TWIST A Murder On The Rocks Mystery

Murder on the Rocks #4

by Cathi Stoler

Murder, not pleasure, greets Jude Dillane when she takes a vacation from her East Village restaurant and embarks on a luxurious Mediterranean cruise. On board, a horrific death shatters her dreams of a romantic getaway, and a reconnection with her college friend, Monica Delmar, entangles her in a baffling investigation that leads Jude into stormy seas.
It's all hands on-deck as Jude helps to figure out who’s responsible for turning this opulent voyage into a death trap. Are the theft of a valuable diamond ring and the discovery of a cryptic notebook related? Jude makes waves as she looks into everyone, from Monica’s close friend, Chief Officer Damian Carstairs, to the ship’s photographer, to a smarmy casino host, to discover who is responsible for the crimes, all while finding herself in deep water. Will the shocking revelations rock the boat and sink it forever?

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

300 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2023

About the author

Cathi Stoler's publishing credentials include her new mystery/suspense series, NICK OF TIME, and OUT OF TIME, in The Nick Donahue Adventures as well as BAR NONE, LAST CALL, STRAIGHT UP, and WITH A TWIST, in the Murder On The Rocks Mystery Series featuring The Corner Lounge Owner, Jude Dillane. She has also written the three-part mystery series TELLING LIES, KEEPING SECRETS, and THE HARD WAY, which features P.I. Helen McCorkendale and magazine editor, Laurel Imperiole,

Awards include the 2015 Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Award for Best Short Story for the “Kaluki Kings of Queens”. Her Murder On The Rocks novels have earned Finalist spots in The Silver Falchion Awards and the Chanticleer Clue Book Awards. As an active member of the mystery community, she’s a board member of the New York/Tri-State chapter of Sisters in Crime, and a member of Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.

Cathi lives in New York City with her husband Paul. You can visit her at www.cathistoler.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Reviews

[Bruce Coffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When amateur sleuth Jude Dillane and her fiancé embark on a luxury Mediterranean cruise their relaxing vacation quickly devolves into murder and mayhem on the high seas. Standing in the way of Jude’s efforts to unmask the killer, and avoid becoming their next victim, is the fact that some of her fellow travelers may not be what they seem.

Cathi Stoler has penned another first-rate whodunit. If you’re a fan of traditional mysteries, this one is a must read!

[Kelly Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the first page. What a stunning opening!
With a Twist is a gem of a mystery that hooks you from the first page. So, batten down the hatches and settle in for a wild ride.

[Mally Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lower East Side bar owner Jude Dillane continues to be the heart and soul of this great mystery series. In WITH A TWIST, she and her fiancé, Eric Ramirez, embark on a luxury Mediterranean cruise but soon find their romantic getaway complicated by murder, jewel theft and danger. Stoler has an absolute genius for showing the love between her main characters through their sharp, sometimes funny but always affectionate dialog. Their relationship adds tremendous depth and pleasure to reading this traditional mystery, which has its own twists. With its compelling characters, dry humor, and Mediterranean cruise ship setting, WITH A TWIST may be the best addition yet to author Cathi Stoler’s Murder on the Rocks mystery series. Don’t expect to put it down until you’ve reached this fast-paced mystery’s surprising, satisfying finale.

[Gabrielle George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, all I wanted to do while reading this fantastic book was wear a little black dress, sit in the back corner of a dark bar, throw back a whiskey neat, and maybe take up smoking. I’m not cool enough for any of that, but Jude Dillane sure as hell is. Damn, she’s fire, and her fascinating world is harsh and seedy in the best possible way. I’d never have the guts to traverse the sketchy NYC streets that Jude inhabits other than through the first-rate pages of Cathi Stoler’s top-notch MURDER ON THE ROCKS MYSTERY SERIES. The latest installment is another nail-biting thrill ride, this time on the high seas. In WITH A TWIST, murder takes a holiday when Jude ships out from her East Village restaurant to hop on a Mediterranean cruise. Trust me on this one—you need to read this book ASAP, ideally lounging on the lido deck of a luxury liner somewhere in the Aegean or cozied up to a brass rail in the City that Never Sleeps with a JD and a sexy, lit cigarette, even if you don’t smoke it. 5 Stars! ~ Gabrielle St. George Award-Winning author of How To Murder A Marriage and How To Kill A Kingpin

[Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jude Dillane and Eric Ramirez are back, and heading for an exclusive Mediterranean cruise, courtesy of a grateful client of Eric’s. Although Jude is reluctant to leave her East Village bar and restaurant, The Lounge, she agrees and flies off to join the ship. But life on board is not all plain sailing, and she’s soon in investigation mode to help her old friend Monica when a body is found aboard.

A lively easy read, with excellent characters, plenty of red herrings and interesting locations. Jude is in fine form, getting herself into sticky situations but desperate to help Monica, who is working on board and apparently being blamed for everything that goes wrong. You certainly get a taste of what life on a 5* plus cruise would be like, with a butler, huge suite and expensive everything. An enjoyable who dunnit.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a Twist is the fourth book in the A Murder on the Rocks series. Jude Dillane, owner of the Corner Bar, is once again in the midst of a murder. Eric Ramirez, Jude's boyfriend surprises her with a luxury Mediterranean cruise. Reluctant to leave her business is soon swept up by Eric to go on the free cruise.

In the first few days of the cruise, Monica who works for the cruise line and a friend of Jude's, calls her to tell her she needs help. An employee is found murdered. An engagement ring is found to be swapped, and then the Captain goes missing. Mayhem seems to follow Jude wherever she goes.

This was a wonderful continuation in the series. The friendships/relationships are rewarding to read about. Jude, naturally nosey, can't help herself but gets involved as well as in danger no matter how hard she tries to avoid it. I sincerely hope this in not the end since I enjoy the series so much.

I received an ARC from BookSirens for an unbiased review.

[Bette Reith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me start this off by saying I really enjoyed the book series, Murder on the Rocks. Taking place in NYC, there were always things happening and fantastic characters that helped move the book along . This book, With a Twist, has an interesting storyline – Jude and Eric go on a luxury cruise where a stolen ring and murder are on the menu. Monica is a great additional character, but after that, the book slows to a stand-still. Most of the book surrounds Jude and her repetitious thoughts on who done it, and why. Some of this is needed, but it overrides everything else. It got to the point of skimming through these sections. Having been on cruises, there is so much more to explore then meal venues, the casino, and the bar. I loved the premise of the book, and the ending did not disappoint, but the in between made this a hard book to get through.

[C.L. Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathi Stoler’s “WITH A TWIST” will hook you from the very first page.

Set on a luxurious cruise ship in the Mediterranean, restaurant owner Jude Dillane’s romantic holiday with her fiancé is disrupted by the gruesome murder of the ship’s purser. Driven to help the Director of Passenger Services, who is an old friend, Jude digs in, determined to find the murderer.
Cathi Stoler sets the story’s fast pace and conflict from the onset. The story is complicated by jewel thefts, and a bounty of suspects. “WITH A TWIST” is a clever whodunit with a gripping plot and glamorous flair. The reader will be kept guessing until the very end.

I highly recommend this book. All opinions in this review are mine.

[Lori Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathi Stoler’s fourth On the Rocks mystery, With a Twist, delivers cleverly on the promise of its title. This time around, amateur sleuth Jude Dillane takes her signature brand of shrewd detection onboard a luxury cruise, the aptly named Allure. The twists include a band of international jewel thieves, a pair of fugitives on the run, and enough secrets and lies to power the well-plotted story through to its satisfying conclusion. You don’t have to read the first three books in this series to enjoy the fourth, but why deprive yourself of these entertaining yarns? Engaging characters, a sumptuous setting, and a line of seaworthy red herrings await.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a Twist is Book 4 in A Murder on the Rocks Mystery by Cathi Stoler. I enjoy this series and I feel that the author does an excellent job of developing the characters/relationships with each book. With a Twist has Jude and Eric taking a gifted cruise. Cruising the Mediterranean is my idea of a romantic setting… of course, not with jewel thieves and a murderer on board. Jude and Eric jump in to help Jude's friend, Monica. And an enjoyable cozy story is just what I needed for an afternoon of relaxation and reading. I can't wait to see what my book friends are doing next. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Murder on the Rocks series. It could be read as a standalone book, but if you enjoy this one, I would suggest reading the whole series to further explain some of the things mentioned. Again, the main character is involved in a murder mystery to be solved, but this time Jude and her boyfriend are on a luxury cruise. There are many suspects to pick from, with lots of twists to keep your interest. I did miss the familiarity of the bar and the regular characters there, and hope the next book is back in the old neighborhood. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and exciting read! Eric is given tickets from a client to a cruise on the newest Wanderlust Cruise Line’s ship, The Allure, a luxurious ship with a limited 250 guest suites. As he and Jude board, Jude recognizes Monica, a good friend from college, who is the Director of Passenger Services. As the cruise progresses, Monica shares that something strange is going on involving theft of valuables and someone is trying to set her up to take the fall. Jude winds up investigating and the result is an interesting and dangerous adventure! I received a free ARC of this book through BookSirens and write this review voluntarily.

[Irene Martin]

The setting for this mystery was a luxurious departure from previous On the Rocks novels. I enjoyed the descriptions of cruise amenities and European ports of call as the backdrop for a quick paced, attention getting plot. Jewel theft, murder and missing persons on the high seas are certainly something I have never experienced on any of my many cruises (including Barcelona and Rome.) Bits of levity and romance, together with detailed descriptions of characters and events, balanced out the story nicely. Several side steps and suspects entered the picture, making the final solution quite a surprise. I look forward to more works by Cathy Stoler.

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in a series and I understand that the venue of the mysteries had to change from Jude's very unique bar/restaurant. So why the 4 stars and not the 5? I think that story while interesting and Monica - Jude's friend who is working on the boat that Jude and Eric have free tickets for the cruise - the rest of the story and the stolen ring and murder just did not resonate fully with me. It is s still a great series and the author may need to find a new set of characters of the bar in New York is no longer the epicenter of crime! Nevertheless I really enjoyed this book that was given to me as an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Elizabeth Mannion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and jewel thievery on a luxury cruise ship? Yes, please. With a Twist provides the skillful plotting and colorful secondary characters I’ve come to expect from Stoler. It’s the leads though that keep me returning to her Murder on the Rocks series. Jude gets more compelling to me with each book, and I’m a sucker for Sully. He’s not in this one very much, but he’s as menschy as ever here. And Eric caught my interest more than he has in the past; I look forward to his growing on me even more in future installments.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eric and Jude are on a cruise. Jude's old friend, Monica works on the ship. The ship is great, but something is amiss. First, the captain knows way too much about Jude and the shooting at the bar. Then there is the murder that takes place. So much for a relaxing time cruising. Can Jude help her friend out? This story is okay, but I enjoyed the others in the series more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun cosy mystery, and a light, entertaining read. I think it would have made more sense for me to get to know the characters by reading the previous books in the series first, but I still liked it. The chapters were short, so it was light enough to read in one sitting.

Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Goodreads Giveaway!
This is a good book and a fun story!
Unfortunately the whole book keeps harping on about the previous book and what happened to the main character, which ruins the whole story and makes the book too long winded!
If I had read the book before it wouldn’t be necessary and equally having not read the book before it only needed a short paragraph to explain the story that went before!
Had it not been for this I would definitely given the book 5*’s!

[Lori Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Cathi Stoler takes us out of the city and onto the European seas the for this next adventure with restaurant owner Jude Dillane. WITH A TWIST is full of twists. It is an exciting, face-paced whodunit that will keep you turning the pages through the night. Another great installment in her A Murder on the Rocks Mystery Series.

[Judy Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stolen diamonds and a bludgeoned purser turn Jude Dillane and her boyfriend, Eric's, dreamy luxury cruise into a floating cocktail of frightening accusations and personal death threats. Fans of the gutsy heroine will want to pop the cork and celebrate With A Twist, Cathi Stoler's fourth intoxicating Murder on the Rocks mystery.

[Carol Stefanik · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining, mild mannered mystery. I read Last Call and really enjoyed it. I like it better than this one. Jude seemed more complete, engaged and real in the Last Call. This is not a bad book. Just not as good. None of the characters were as well developed and the plot line was desultory.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is part of a series featuring Jude Dillane, it really works fine as a standalone. Set on a luxury cruise ship, which makes a decadent backdrop for mystery and intrigue. Jude is on vacation to relax and enjoy with her boyfriend Eric, but then murder and jewel thievery happens. I particularly enjoyed the food and drink references. Thank you to Book Sirens for the free copy.

[KayCee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great mystery that captured my attention right from the start. Love the characters in this series and hope it continues.
I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old friend, suspicious activities on a luxury ocean liner. A great adventure, way too many folks could be the bad guys so you'll have to read to find out who it really was.

[Catherine Siemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following Jude's adventures since the beginning, and while here she leaves behind the Corner Bar in her (and my!) beloved East Village, she still manages to get into all sorts of trouble on the high seas. Needless to say, her quick wit and endless curiosity win out in the end, and she gets a romantic happy ending in addition. A quick, very fun read.

[James McCrone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A luxurious cruise ship, ruthless gem thieves and murder.

Stoler serves this tense, very personal crime drama with more than just one twist as her tale winds through various ports of call in the Mediterranean. The criminals are smart and calculating, but like the gems that have gone missing, Jude Dilane is smart, polished and tough.

She'll have to be all of those things to save an old friend from becoming the scapegoat when one of the crew is found dead.

This is the fourth On the Rocks Mystery from Stoler, and without giving away spoilers, this voyage looks like it may continue!

[Chloé Lagacé-Raposo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jude and Eric never go on vacation. Jude has her bar which she manages and it comes with a lot of responsibilities. Eric shows up one day with tickets for a luxury cruise that his client provided him. Reluctant, Jude agrees. Soon after getting onboard, she notices someone she recognizes from college, her old friend Monica. Monica whose family was part of the New York crime family has been working under a different name to avoid recognition. Even though her dad removed himself years ago and her uncle rebranded their business, if people knew her real name, she would be fired on the spot.

Within the first few nights on the ship, Jude and Eric are invited to have dinner with the Captain and Monica. The Captain doesn't make a good impression on Jude and it leaves her feeling off. A few days later, Monica finds another crew member dead on the floor of a hallway. Jude's trip quickly turns into a search to find who the killer onboard could be. While they are already investigating and searching for a suspect, an expensive piece of jewelry is stolen from a passenger. Monica and Jude realize that this might be a much bigger scheme than they thought.

This story was a good suspense thriller and mystery. It kept you guessing as you start to suspect different people at different moments in the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[C Shipes · Rating 4 out of 5]

With A Twist is the fourth in a the Jude Dillane series. Jude is the owner of The Corner Lounge and she is on a much needed vacation with her boyfriend Eric. The luxury cruise given to the couple starts out as a wonderful upscale vacation with the couples very own butler. Unfortunately the magnificent views and refreshing salt air that Jane and Eric find while sitting on their balcony gets tainted by theft, murder and a missing Captain. I enjoyed the wonderful descriptions of the Mediterranean views and the twists and turns as the week long cruise comes to an end. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.