Murder Ahoy! 

by Fiona Leitch 

5 out of 5 

Synopsis 

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?

Review 

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.

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