"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 …more 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. (less)

"The Heist," the inaugural installment in the Fox and O'Hare series, sets up an unconventional alliance between two vastly different protagonists - Nicolas Fox, a con man extraordinaire, and FBI agent Kate O'Hare. The book is an adrenaline-fueled roller coaster ride …more brimming with light-hearted humor, hints of budding romance, and an ample dose of high-intensity action.

The eminent strengths of the book include engaging conversation littered with sharp wit, distinctly vibrant characters, and tantalizing plot developments. The authors artfully establish an animated and amusing dynamic between Kate and Nick forged with palpable electricity and playful banter. The narrative further expands with the introduction of idiosyncratic, yet endearing supporting roles. For instance, we meet Kate's father, an explosives enthusiast and retired Special Forces operative, and Willie, a versatile female mechanic with a knack for managing any wheeled vehicle. The plot evolves unpredictably with Nick and Kate leveraging their unique skills to orchestrate a bold theft against a deviously corrupt billionaire residing on a secluded island.

However, the book falls short when it comes to character depth, realistic portrayal, and originality. It seems to gloss over the moral ramifications of the actions of Nick and Kate and offers limited character growth beyond their predefined clichés. Reliance on a considerable number of genre-specific clichés, tropes, and coincidences - reluctant accomplices, picturesque locales, despicable villains, and unlikely escape strategies, further diminishes its originality. It doesn't contribute anything groundbreaking or novel to the genre, and often treads on territory that is all too familiar.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Heist" serves as a light-hearted escapade that will delight fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and Lee Goldberg's Monk series. The book is a fitting candidate for readers seeking a refreshing break from darker narratives. It's well-structured, amusing, and absorbing, paving the way for future exploits in this thrilling series. I would give this book a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, an enjoyable experience marred by a certain predictability and lack of novelty. (less)