PIÑA COLADA CALAMITY

A murder aboard a cruise ship cramps a pair of amateur sleuths’ relaxing vacation in Westlake’s mystery novel.

Florida bartender Kalliope “Kallie” Brooks desperately needs some days off from work. She finally gets her chance when her friend Tess Russo scores a weeklong Caribbean cruise for two in a radio contest. They aim to lounge poolside, sip piña coladas, and enjoy all that the cruise has to offer. Then a dead body turns up, and the authorities respond by keeping the passengers—the potential killer among them—on board. Kallie and Tess, who’ve already investigated a murder back in Florida, decide to solve this mystery themselves, partly for the benefit of the victim’s family but also so they can get their vacation back on track. Surely, scouring the ship for clues can’t be that dangerous. A ransacked room, however, is just one sign that a killer may have eyes on the two snooping friends. Westlake’s cozy thriller boasts a colorful cast—even ostensible background characters stand out, such as the husband who rambles on about seafood-related trivia to anyone in earshot. This uncomplicated whodunit relies primarily on coincidence, with Kallie and Tess picking up a wealth of crucial details from eavesdropping while others openly discuss private matters. They likewise happen upon pieces of evidence that they just assume are connected to the victim or the murderer. Still, these charming gumshoes wisely view the crime from a variety of perspectives, never carelessly dismissing a motive or a suspect. The author ensures that readers won’t forget the serene setting: Kallie and Tess, even when investigating, continue to take advantage of the cruise ship’s diverting amenities (“‘I know this sounds insane, but I’m actually getting bored with just sitting by the pool.’ ‘That does sound insane,’ Tess replied without opening her eyes”).

An indelible duo and supporting cast enliven this unassuming mystery at sea.