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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good continuation of the series, November 20, 2005
The first book in Maddy Hunter's series about the midwestern tourist guide was a hoot. The second one was delightfully silly. The third was... okay. I called it "zany," and not in a good way -- because the author got so involved in the verbal pratfalls that she paid too little attention to the story. On the other hand, it was engaging enough to keep me reading straight through!
In this fourth book, our heroine is leading her Iowa gang on a cruise around the Hawaiian islands. Before the second chapter is done, a man has fallen overboard -- or was he pushed?
The good news is that Maddy Hunter has remembered, again, to tell a story. The characters (mostly those you've come to know in previous books) are entertaining, and she puts them in funny situations while the protagonist tries to solve the murder. I liked the book, but somehow it wasn't quite as much of a hoot as were the first two. But, again, I started reading and didn't quit until the book was over, so that certainly doesn't mean you should keep away! (I'm not sure what kept it from earning its fifth star; it might be simply that I already know most of the main characters so they don't surprise me quite as much.)
You could probably start with this book, without reading the rest of the series. There are references to the previous mysteries, but they wouldn't keep you from following what's going on. On the other hand, you probably SHOULD start with the first book because it'd add significantly to your enjoyment; you'll get a few more of the jokes about the protagonist's ex-husband, for instance.
Good story, enjoyable short read, decent brain candy. I'd recommend this book for a weekend read after a particularly tough week at work.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Murder on a Hawaiian Cruise Ship, October 28, 2005
Emily Andrews is off on another adventure. This time they're on a Hawaiian cruise. She is a travel escort for a senior citizens tour from Iowa which includes her Nana.
Professor Dorian Smoker, Captain Cook expert, goes overboard not long after a journal was lent to him by Nan's friend. Was it an accident or was it murder? Emily begins to investigate. Then it is discovered the journal had a mysterious treasure map. The Iowa group decides to go treasure hunting on the river rafting trip the next day. Emily doubts there really is a treasure. Unfortunately, the next day, everyone on the river seems to have a map and is searching for the treasure. Who gave them copies? It is determined that there was one other copy that wasn't "distributed." If they can figure out who has it, then they can find the murderer.
There are lots of suspects in his death as he was having affairs with many of his students. Some of them were on board. Can Emily figure out who the real killer is before anyone else is hurt or murdered?
I always enjoy books in this series. I laugh out loud when reading them. Emily is such a fabulous character and Nana and her friends really add to the story. The locale for each book is different and it makes it even more enjoyable to read about such exciting places!
The tension between Emily and Etienne adds to the mystery as well. I can't wait to find out what happens with the two of them!
I highly recommend this book and the whole series. It's a great, fun, fast read!
check out: www.mysteryloverscorner.com
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buried Treasure and Murder in a Hawaiian Setting, May 8, 2006
Tour escort Emily Andrews and her globe-trotting group of Iowa senior citizens are back on the road again. This time out, their destination is the Hawaiian Islands, and the group is going island hopping while travelling in the comfort of the cruise ship Aloha Princess. Their trip to paradise is marred when Dr. Dorian Smoker, the trip's lecturer on Captain Cook's discovery of Hawaii, falls overboard. The mystery thickens when the only witness to Professor Smoker's fatal plunge claims that he was pushed overboard.
Shortly before Dr. Smoker's swan dive from the ship, one of Emily's senior citizens had given the professor a hand-written journal purported to be written by a member of Captain Cook's crew. She had found the journal hidden in a trunk she recently inherited and wanted the professor to verify its authenticity. Although it first appears that the journal went overboard along with the professor, copies of a hand-drawn treasure map from the journal appear in the hands of many of the ships passengers. When the cruise ship docks in Kauai, a frenzy of searching for the buried treasure ensues, and several "treasures" are found. The mysterious "treasure" found by the Iowans appears to be putting the group in danger, though, as someone else on board the ship is trying to get the treasure for themselves.
After the somewhat disappointing third installment in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed "Hula Done It." The characters, most of whom are returning from previous stories in the series, continue to be very funny. Author Hunter gently pokes fun at the foibles of midwesterners. Emily's love life continues to be confusing as she is pursued by her two love interests, the Swiss police inspector Etienne and fellow tour guide Duncan. The plot of this story is very well-done and featured a very unexpected twist at the end.
"Hula Done It" is a very enjoyable mystery that stands well on its own. Previous readers of the Passport to Peril series have a Hawaiian treat in store with this fun story.
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