Review: Killing in the Caribbean

KILLING IN THE CARIBEAN by Jennifer Fischetto

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Fischetto comes a beach read full of romance, mystery, and a vacation turned deadly in the sunny Caribbean! Welcome to Voyage Cruise Line: where a sunny day is always just a trip away! At least, that’s the official motto Zibby Foster learned when she was hired as the ship’s dance instructor. And she’s starting to believe it—sailing to tropical ports all over the world that have almost been enough to leave the cares of her former life behind. So, when the ship docks in Barbados, Zibby and her new best friend, Cady Hart, plan to soak up the sun, see the sights, and sip the island’s infamous rum at Cady’s boyfriend Aiden’s local bar. Only their plans go terribly awry when a group of American tourists enter the scene, and one of them dies right in front of Zibby after sipping one of Aiden’s cocktails! With the police suspecting foul play, suddenly Aiden’s livelihood is on the line, a murderer is on the loose, and it’s up to Zibby and Cady to figure out just what killed the vacationing victim. With a little help from the ship’s sexy doctor, Zibby finds herself getting closer to the truth as she gets closer to the deceased’s circle of friends…maybe too close as the danger mounts, time runs out, and the killer sets his sights on Zibby as his second victim!

Thoughts: I love unique settings and this story had one. From a cruise ship to the island of Barbados – I’d have liked a little more setting description for the story. I couldn’t really “picture” where I was. But that’s a minor issue. The mystery of who killed the victim was well done with plenty of suspects and the standard amateur sleuth. The characters are realistic and interesting.

Zibby (love her name and the reason behind it!) is working as a dancer on a cruise ship. She makes a best friend, Cady, and they’re on their way to Barbados where Cady’s boyfriend Aiden owns a bar. And Zibby even has a romantic interest in the ship’s doctor. On their first trip into town, they meet up with a group of Americans vacationing there. They form a fast friendship, but when one of them ends up dead, things get really intense, especially since Aiden is one of the suspects. At Cady’s insistence – and with her help – Zibby decides to do her own detecting in order to set Aiden clear.

Overall a decent murder mystery. But we are left with some threads dangling – enough for me to know that there will be more in this series. (I hope). Yes, the murder gets solved and Cady and Aiden get things worked out, but, I’m guessing other questions will be answered in coming books (like what happens between Zibby and the doctor).

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”