by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Dying for a Diamond. We also have a link to order it from Amazon.

After a year of murder, ex-husband drama, and time separated from her boyfriend due to his new job with Homeland Security, Laurel McKay is more than ready for her post-Christmas wedding and honeymoon cruise. Although Laurel’s initial wish was a simple one for no dead bodies, perhaps she should also have requested that her honeymoon not be on the same Nordic American as her mother, stepfather, Gran, and grandmother’s best friend. With Laurel’s own friend Stan Winters already on board with his boyfriend Zac, the ship’s entertainment stage director, it’s going to be a more of a family vacation than a romantic getaway. At least Laurel’s family is a close one that actually enjoys one another’s company, which is fortunate as her Honeymoon for Eight discovers that cousin Sierra Sullivan is their cruise director.

On a luxurious cruise ship of decadent buffets and potent drinks, it’s not surprising that Laurel overindulges one night with one too many margaritas. The result is that her tipsy recollection of seeing a body fall past her balcony into the ocean is received rather dubiously by the Chief Security Officer, especially when he finds no record of missing crew members or passengers. Although Laurel and her husband Tom Hunter attempt to enjoy their cruise through five Caribbean Islands, their romantic interludes are interrupted by theft, an assault, another murder, and an accusation that has Sierra confined to her quarters. So with Laurel’s penchant for investigation—and her proven talent for it—it’s not surprising that she, Tom, and her Gran find themselves enlisted in discovering who on board has secrets worthy of murder.

The outstanding trait of this sixth in the Laurel McKay Mystery series is the genuine likability of all of its characters. The intrusion of her family on her honeymoon turns out to be a delight more of an irritation, as they still allow one another space while enjoying their time together. Even more entertaining are the vicarious thrills readers will have as they are allowed to explore not just the amenities of the cruise ship, but of the exotic island locations. Author Sample avoids clichés and never swerves the plot in directions one would expect, resulting in a completely unpredictable but logical conclusion. The humor and natural dialogue will have readers swiftly turning pages to the end, where they will be left anticipating the new direction Laurel and Tom will be taking in their lives.

To enter to win a copy of Dying For A Diamond, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “diamond,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 11, 2017. 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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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.