Customer Reviews

Dressed to Keel: A Darcy Cavanaugh Mystery (The Darcy Cavanaugh Mysteries)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Candy Calvert has created the funniest most mischievous klutz of a character(Darcy)I have met in a long time. I laughed, giggled, and hoo-hawd my way through the book. I give it the highest compliment I possibly can " I slowed my reading down because I was not ready to leave these wacky characters. " Thanks Candy Calvert and I look forward to more Darcy adventures. May they be as funny and witty as this one.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance review copy of Dressed to Keel... and this one's a keeper.

After showing up at her boyfriend's house wearing nothing but a raincoat and a smile - only to be greeted by a Labrador Retriever and the boyfriend's wife - burnt-out nurse Darcy Cavanaugh decides to book herself on a North Atlantic cruise. And with hunky dance host Luke Skyler hanging on her words, gorgeous vistas, luscious buffets, and her best friend Marie on board, it's looking like a little R&R is just the ticket.

Until a rash of robberies sweeps through the ship, and Darcy realizes that the only thing the victims have in common is loads of dough - and lots of dances with Luke. Then Darcy's cabin steward winds up dead and hanging from a deck rail, and the ship's Nepalese security force whisks Marie away `for questioning'. When someone tries to drop a lifeboat on Darcy's head, she realizes she has to unravel things fast... or she may not make it to the next port of call.

With an unsinkable amateur sleuth, red-hot romance, fabulous settings, and a nail-biting finale, Dressed to Keel will keep you up all night - and leave you begging for more.

I really had a hard time getting into this book. I didnt appreciate alll the nursing lingo - kind of like the author showing off her expertise? It was distracting. I also thought that the story was slow and while the ending had a nice twist, there really wasnt enough suspense. I will not read another in this series.

This is a great mix of humor, romance and mystery!
I found myself laughing out loud at some of the predicaments Darcy and Marie get themselves into. These two characters are relatable, lovable and hilarious you'll find yourself rooting for them to find the thief!

I don't enjoy romance novels masquerading as mysteries, but Candy Calvert has hit just the right balance with Dressed to Keel. The characters are delightfully zany, the mystery very satisfying and well plotted, and the lead man yummy. The best part, though, is heroine ER nurse Darcy Cavanaugh, who is believably smart and daffy at the same time as she solves the who dun it while battling a broken heart and career upheaval. And her best friend, the colorful Marie, is worthy of a series all her own.

Darcy Cavanaugh, an emergency room nurse, is taking a senior citizen's cruise with her friend Marie, who is getting free passage because she is working on the ship as a nurse. Darcy is rethinking her life after learning that her lover was married and a patient who didn't seem critical died alone in the hallway. She blames herself and is considering swearing off men and selling shoes made by a podiatrist. Luke Skyler, the only young man on the ship is paid to dance with the seniors. He gets Darcy's hackles up as he seems to always zero in on rich women.

When a rash of robberies occur, Darcy thinks Luke has something to do with it because he was seen cozying with the victims. Both Marie and Darcy are questioned by ship security and shortly after, a steward is killed, some say he is the victim of suicide. When the thief robs a victim at gunpoint, evidence points to Marie as a suspect and she is taken off the ship for questioning. Darcy resolves to find the real thief or die trying in order to exonerate Marie.

Candy Calvert has written an absolutely delightful and charming amateur sleuth who done-it that has very little gore and strong characterizations. The tale is written in the first person from Darcy's point of view so readers get to understand the spunky, lovable and independent nurse who survives murder attempts in her quest for justice. The supporting cast, made up of eccentric senior citizens, add a little levity to a serious and foreboding storyline.

Harriet Klausner

From prow to stern--I mean, beginning to end--this is one hilarious, madcap adventure at sea. Calvert combines her medical and cruise knowledge with a distinct flair for story-crafting.

Candy Calvert has written the perfect book for vacation reading. I enjoyed her characters--I felt I knew them when I finished. The plot moved along nicely with funny twists and turns. I even giggled out loud!! Definitely a fun read!!!

Exactly the right combination of mystery and romance and humor! The characters kept me laughing ... and the story had me guessing till the very end. I loved the cruise ship setting ... it was like being on the ship without leaving home. Looking forward to Darcy's next voyage.

I'm a Janet Evanovich fan and this book was as good or better than the Stephanie Plum series. I love offbeat characters, so I was tickled to meet Darcy and her friend Marie. This book is laugh out loud funny, but it is a great mystery too.

The suspense kept me turning the pages while the humor had my husband asking "What's so funny?" every five minutes. The characters have a lot of depth (something that is often lacking in other humorous mysteries) and I found myself wishing I could live in their world a little longer. Can't wait for the next in this series.