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Mike Didi

Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea - A Fun but Flawed Festive Read
"Santa Cruise" is a festive mystery novel that incorporates two beloved characters from the writers' previous work: Alvirah Meehan, the fortuitous lottery winner turned fledgling detective, and Regan Reilly, the established private investigator. Accompanied by their spouses and a medley of other guests, they sail on a luxury cruise liner intended as a reward for people who have brought positive contributions to the world. The holiday cheer, however, is disrupted when two secret stowaways join them. A surprise storm and ensuing murder attempt further upset the tranquil journey.

This entertaining novel masterfully combines suspense, comedy, and dashes of romance for light-hearted enjoyment. The plot is fast-moving, laden with unpredictability as the two main characters endeavor to unmask the evildoers and halt their felonious activities. The book successfully transports readers to a vibrant and spirited setting aboard the cruise ship, meticulously illustrated with festive decorations, engaging activities, and descriptions of enticing meals. The story, spiced with references to Christmas traditions and trivia, enables the reader to get deeply immersed in the holiday spirit.

However, the novel's shortcomings might be a letdown for some readers. The characters lack sufficient depth, relying quite heavily on cliché personality tropes. Alvirah is portrayed as an inquisitive, meddlesome long-standing woman, Regan epitomizes the sharp-witted and brave detective, while the offenders are depicted as unscrupulous and avaricious individuals. The interactions displayed through dialogue at times, lean towards the cheesy, strewn with banal humor and rather dated puns. Moreover, the book suffers from factual inconsistencies and errors, concerning the cruise's dates, the ship's location, and the crimes committed, which might irk readers who demand a high level of precision and logical coherence from a mystery.

In conclusion, I would award "Santa Cruise" a 3 out of 5-star rating. Although it offers a delightful, easy-to-read experience, particularly for fans of the authors or the genre, it doesn't stand out as particularly innovative or unforgettable. It's a suitable light-hearted holiday read but falls short of a riveting, thought-provoking mystery novel. Therefore, those in search of a challenging and serious read might wish to look elsewhere.

Chris

Santa Cruise
I feel not enough is said about each character. A name and relationship to others and a short reason for their being there is not a rich story.