This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Danger on the SS Orient by C.A. Larmer is the second book in The Murder Mystery Book Club series. Set out on the high seas with Alicia Finlay and her book club as they rally together to solve another murder mystery. The group is eager for their vacation on the SS Orient, thanks to a suggestion from Alicia's handsome boyfriend. It was meant to be fun and relaxation for the book club until their vacation takes a turn and plunges them into the midst of a mystery following the mysterious vanishing of a passenger, who happens to be the captain's wife. Two deaths later and they're certain a murderer is on board. Nobody knows their way around a mystery better than the Murder Mystery Book Club and they don't plan to let this one go unsolved. The disappearance of the captain's wife comes with clues such as a letter with childish scrawl and melodramatic behavior. Can Alicia and her friends solve this whodunit before they disembark?
The writing is delightful as C.A. Larmer crafts stunning imagery, vivid settings, a humorous tone, and a mystery full of twists and turns. This lovely writing style is seen in how the ship is described as creaking and shimmering like a doddery old dame, nature compared to judge and jury, Claire's mood turning as dark as the sky outside, and a portly little detective with an egg-shaped head. Each description adds to the charm of the series. The story features Australian slang woven throughout the dialogue and specific word choices that help round out the attitudes of the characters. Larmer has created a great assortment of personalities in the book club and does well at blending their differences. The Book Club takes great pride in their mystery-solving abilities in how they view themselves as mystery devotees and experts at complex puzzles. Their confidence in themselves adds to the joy of reading how the mystery unfolds. The camaraderie between them is genuine and their dynamics are balanced with bantering, sleuthing, and friendship.
A classic whodunit with a “closed-door” mystery element creates suspense and high stakes as you know the killer is on the ship and everyone is a suspect. The format creates a compact story with one location that puts a playful – and murderous – spin on a vacation for these friends. Danger on the SS Orient is a charming mystery that sets sail for a whodunit filled with murder, sleuthing and witty retorts.
