Bluebeard's Last Stand: A Gil Yates Private Investigator Novel [Hardcover]

Alistair Boyle (Author)

Book Description

Series: Gil Yates Private Investigator Novel | Publication Date: June 1998

The luxury cruise to New Zealand is all set for the lovebirds when mega-priced, contingency private investigator Gil Yates gets the urgent call.Frantic that his aging mother and her suspicious younger boyfriend may marry at sea, stripping him of his "rightful inheritance", Harvey pleads for Yates's help. A more pressing fact: The beau in question has four dead wives in his sordid past. Gil jumps on board, simultaneously enjoying the opulence of the cruise and striving to keep it from becoming a fatal one. This latest adventure features all the charm and humor Boyle's fans love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Once again, the nebbishy Malvin Stark gets to step into his alter ego, PI Gil Yates, and escape the doldrums of his Southern California life and marriage to Dorcas (aka Tyranny Rex) into some breezy shenanigans among the rich and venal. Hired by Harvey Cavendish, pricey PI Gil (Unlucky Seven, 1997) takes a three-week cruise in order to keep an eye on Harvey's 76-year-old mother, Harriet, who's being wooed by the Reginald Windsor, who has a history of loving, leaving and possibly murdering wealthy women. Enjoying the penthouse cabin next to Harriet and Reginald, Gil will get paid only if Harriet returns from the cruise alive, preferably unmarried or at least with a prenuptial agreement protecting Harvey's inheritance. While becoming friendly with the couple, Gil also succumbs to the attentions of Sophia Romanoff, who pursues him relentlessly. Reginald proposes marriage, panicking Gil, who fears for Harriet's safety and his own fee. With its cast of self-interested, unappealing characters, the thin plot is only slightly redeemed when Gil, Harriet, Reginald and Sophia gather on a slippery deck for some picture taking and an amusing if somewhat predictable finale. Although this is supposed to be wicked humor of the wink-and-nod variety, the laughs are cheap and not nearly as frequent or as sharp as they need to be to keep this ship afloat.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

By day, he's a geeky palm-tree enthusiast, but by night, he's Gil Yates, high-priced sleuth. This time Yates is retained to help a spoiled rich boy make sure his mother doesn't marry the disreputable Reginald Windsor, dubbed Bluebeard for his many wives who mysteriously suffer accidental deaths. But the son is not concerned for his mother's safety, only for the safety of her money, or what he considers to be his "rightful inheritance." The couple plans to marry aboard a cruise ship, so Yates signs on for the trip, too, offering Boyle a chance to lampoon the regimented decadence of cruise life. The utterly likable Yates is unique among sleuths; with his signature mixed metaphors and Austin Powers^-like way with women, he brings a delightful blend of charm and silliness to the comic mystery. Mary Frances Wilkens

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 167 pages
• Publisher: Allen a Knoll Pubs; 1st edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888310456
• ISBN-13: 978-1888310450
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,512,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has it all!, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bluebeard's Last Stand: A Gil Yates Private Investigator Novel (Hardcover)

A friend of mine recommended the Gil Yates series and I picked up Bluebeard's Last Stand on a whim. I didn't know what to expect, and it turned out to be great! It was such a quick read, mainly because the style is so informal and enjoyable. Plus it was funny! I can't remember ever having laughed out loud while reading a mystery before this one. I recommend this book to any mystery lover who wants a new slant on the genre.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Cruises? Mysteries? Then Read this Book!, September 15, 2008

By 

Athalia Stoneback (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bluebeard's Last Stand: A Gil Yates Private Investigator Novel (Hardcover)

Bluebeard's Last Stand by Alistair Boyle is a great story, especially for mystery fans. Gil Yates, the alias of the main character, is the type of detective anyone would want to hire, conscientious and thorough. By the end of the story, the reader will be cheering for Yates to successfully complete his mission. Also recommended for cruise aficionados, and anyone who's ever had a bad relationship.