"Murder on the Med" By Nancy Cole Silverman: Review/Giveaway

Review by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

After what turned out to be a life-threatening assignment working for the FBI in Munich, investigative reporter Kat Lawson has been given what should ostensibly be a cushy job working undercover on a luxury cruise ship. Using the credentials of a travel writer for Travel International, Kat has been asked by her handler to report on the Athena, a cruise ship that billionaire Neil Webster has transformed into a floating retirement center. Kat’s realization that not all is as it seems occurs when she is told that the previous tenant of her suite left the ship to attend a cooking class and missed their departure time, something that her fellow shipmates claim she would never let happen. 

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As one would expect, the food on the cruise liner is outstanding, and Kat not only luxuriates with cooking classes by a talented chef, she is treated to an intimate dinner with the handsome Captain Byard. As appealing as he is, the captain’s resemblance to Kat’s late husband complicates the prospects of a future together. As the ship sails from port to port, Kat learns that there may be a smuggling scheme going on, with a gang of eight consisting either of the seniors at sea or the crew. That this news comes from a passenger renowned for walkabouts in the nude does make its legitimacy questionable, but after her room is broken into and a passenger goes overboard, it seems more certain that nefarious activities are ensuing.

Readers will delight in taking a vicarious cruise through the Mediterranean with the very clever and likable Kat Lawson. Her investigative journalism skills make her an efficient investigator when questioning her fellow shipmates, and she displays a laudable sense of self-preservation as well. Kat doesn’t throw herself into dangerous situations, and she proceeds with caution when choosing whom to trust. Her at-the-ready steward Finn, the possibly not-so-wealthy billionaire Neil, an American activities director, and of course the seniors who have chosen to retire on a ship rather than a home all make a lively and possibly deceptive cast of suspects. It would be hard not to make comparisons to the classic Death on the Nile, especially with the extravagant setting and closed circle of suspects that gets smaller when an additional death occurs. The discovery of a coin that is either a replica or one worth over four million dollars ramps up the stakes, bringing to light the profitability of stealing and smuggling cultural artifacts. 

The descriptions of the Amalfi Coast are entrancing, as are the meals prepared by the chef and the talented captain. While Kat may need a vacation after this “vacation,” her next assignment promises future travelogue adventures that will be as entertaining for readers as they are action-packed for Kat.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Murder on the Med, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "med,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 17, 2024. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.

You can click here to purchase this book.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

 Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.