Dream Of A Murder
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2026 PARIS BOOK FESTIVAL HONORABLE MENTION FOR GENERAL FICTION!
A retired couple sets off on the cruise they’ve always dreamed of—a journey around the world. Just as they settle into the excursions, the amazing food, and the lazy days at sea, Rob sees something terrifying: their neighbor is thrown overboard in the middle of the night.
Shaken but determined, Rob and Kris team up with the ship’s uneasy security captain and a cheerful couple who always seem to appear at the most unexpected moments. When a friend is attacked in Cadiz, Rob and Kris become convinced the two incidents are tied to a drug‑smuggling ring.
Between visits to exotic ports, Kris works to decode a mysterious cipher that may unlock the truth. But everything changes when Rob is kidnapped in Jerusalem, and Kris uncovers criminal plans in Greece. Their once‑perfect vacation quickly becomes a fight for their lives.
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Praise for this book
Rob and Kris Lawter, both retired now are taking the cruise of a lifetime around the world. This is written as a travelogue with murder! When the Lawters see someone being thrown overboard and report it, they are asked to help with the investigation. This book puts you on a page turning roller coaster ride with wonderful descriptions of the places they visit that you feel like you are there with them. With Rob and Kris investigating, they realize things aren't what they seemed. Can they put the pieces together? A fast-paced, page turning book that keeps you totally engaged!
This was an enjoyable mystery with plenty of twists to keep me turning the page. I especially enjoyed the different cities the characters visit on their ship cruise, it gave the story a fresh and interesting backdrop. The characters are well-portrayed, and I thought the tension was kept at a good level throughout.
That said, the book leaned a bit too heavily on dialogue for my taste, and some of the sentences felt too short. I also would have liked a bit more world building to really immerse me in the beautiful settings.
This is a solid mystery that balances character and tension well, with just enough intrigue to keep readers hooked. An easy 4-star from me.
A dream cruise turns into a nightmare when a murder is witnessed, and a travelling couple find themselves thrown deep into the investigation. Multi-layered drama ensues with not-so-random attacks, kidnapping plots and coded messages.
While murder mysteries aren't usually what I gravitate toward (they just don't hit the same spot), this one found its way to me. The danger begins on page one it's one heck of a ride the rest of the way through! I typically stray away from murder mystery stories, but that being said, I am happy to hand this one four mysteriously shadowed stars.