THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGONFRUIT TATTOO

Rental agent Plum Lockhart tackles a shipboard killing.

Having helped the police on the Caribbean Island of Paraiso solve two murders, Plum turns her attention to more pressing matters: writing promotional copy for Las Frutas, a former sugar plantation that now boasts a collection of luxury villas managed in part by Plum Lockhart Luxury Retreats, and managing her burgeoning romance with Juan Kevin Muñoz, the development’s director of security. At least, that’s where she’d like to turn her attention. But Capt. Diaz, chief of the Paraiso police force, has other ideas. Diaz is charged with investigating the death of Lysette, a waitress on former rapper and current talent manager Robert Campbell's luxury yacht. Plum has a standing invitation to party with the beautiful people aboard Campbell’s yacht thanks to her old New York friend Ellen Katz and her husband, Joel, a Hollywood producer, who are both part of Campbell’s current entourage. While local police captains are typically leery of amateur sleuths who meddle in their murders, Diaz is only too glad to turf the whole case to Plum, who he thinks is just the right person to tackle the tycoons, buffoons, scammers, and divas in Campbell’s orbit. Though dubious about her chances of success, Plum is game since, as police chief, Diaz can make Juan Kevin’s job a lot easier—or a lot harder. But will she be able to solve the murder of someone who’s just a bit player in the glittering world of pop music?

Like a cruise ship, Doyle’s tale takes a leisurely pace that may frustrate readers who aren’t on vacation themselves.