by Cynthia Chow
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the Oliver Twisted, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.
For aspiring actress Ivy Meadows, nee Olive Ziegwart, her newest gig on the Hawaii-bound SS David Copperfield is about as perfect as it could get. Not only would she be paid to perform as Nancy in the onboard musical adaptation of Oliver Twist, Ivy would also be working undercover with her private detective uncle to investigate a string of cruise line thefts. Before Ivy can even attend a rehearsal or question a suspect, she has the unpleasant experience of discovering her Madame DeFarge’s roommate’s body stuffed into their tiny cabin’s closet.
The cruise line improbably declares Harley Locklow’s death to be natural, but Ivy has more than enough to keep her occupied on the Get Lit! literary-themed cruise. She may not know her Dickens, or even Oliver Twist, but Ivy does know lying and scheming performers when she sees them. Tasked with looking after the under-aged Oliver, Ivy will have her hands full with his fellow cast of orphans who may be method-acting their way through pranks and pickpocketing. She’s also not entirely sure whether she is dating the director, and his celebrity self-help mogul of a stepfather is on board gathering both followers and dissenters. Back home in Phoenix her beloved brother Cody has inexplicably left his group, and the unreliable cell phone reception only further exacerbates her frustration.
Once again, author Cindy Brown incorporates her theater experience into this delightful romp of a mystery. Terrified of water and not fond of heights, Ivy inexplicably finds herself on a ship dangling from the rafters as an aerial dancer. Her normally reliable Uncle Bob is embracing his role as a well-to-do rancher, especially as it seems to have garnered him the attentions of a blonde trophy wife-wannabe. What truly delights are the behind-the-scenes activities not just of the rehearsals, but of the entire caste-system structure of the cruise ship. Laugh-out-loud moments come not just with the impracticality of a hoop skirt within the tiny confines of a ship, but with the intermingling of cockney-speaking costumed actors amidst the passengers. Cameo appearances by familiar characters from the previous two entries in this series are sure to please, but it is the sympathetically loyal and resilient lead actress who will win readers’ hearts. This continues to be a genuinely heart-warming and fun-spirited depiction of the eccentric niches within the entertainment world.
This book was published by Henery Press. To learn more about their books check out their website: henerypress.com.
To enter to win a copy of Oliver Twisted, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “oliver,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 18, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
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I love Cindy Brown’s books – they always make me laugh out loud. Thanks for the giveaway.
Yay – thanks, Sally!
Thanks, Cynthia! So glad you like Ivy!
Oliver Twisted looks like a great read. This author is new to me and I am looking forward to reading this and getting to know her works. And it looks into the theater. Something I’ve wondered about.
Theater is a wild & wacky world, perfect for mystery & mayhem!
This series is on my TBR List. Thanks for the chance to win.
Good luck, Doward!
Sounds like a cozy winner!!! Count me in!
I bet you’ll like it!
This book sounds like a good one, who dosnt like Oliver Twist. Candykennedy45@gmail.com
It’s got everything you could ask for in a story – tragedy, comedy, love & murder. I love Dickens!
I would love this. Anything that uses a theater background is my cup of tea. Cruise line theft and Oliver Twist..oh my this sounds great. Please enter me.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
We sound like kindred spirits!
Sounds like a great book & would love to read it!
Thank you – I love my covers, too!
Oops, mixed up my replies:) Glad you want to read it!
Thanks for the chance to win this book! It looks good and the book cover is great!! lindaherold999@gmail.com
This is where I meant to say I love my covers, too 🙂
Sounds like a great book, thanks for the chance to win. (mybeach52 at yahoo dot com)
Good luck!
Cindy Brown’s books are delightful! Thanks for the giveaway! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net
Thanks, Celia!
New author to me. Enjoy cozy mysteries and only read print material. Thanks so much for the chance!
I hope you like my books (BTW, if you don’t win, you can alwasy ask your library to get a copy.They’ve been very popular in libraries)
Looks great!!
I think you’ll like it!
I thoroughly enjoyed Ivy’s adventures in MacDeath. I have the second book on my nook to read. I can see Ivy trying to be an aerialist for Oliver Twist. After all she was a gymnast for MacDeath!
So glad you like Ivy, Pat! And you’re right, she’s not half bad as an aerial.If she only had time to practice…
This sounds like such a clever premise. Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I do think it has a nice twisty plot (pun intended:)
This book sounds fantastic. I love mysteries with humor.
This looks like a fun book. I’d love the opportunity to receive it & read it!
I think you’ll like this one – plenty of screwball humor!
We have a winner!