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A Cruise To Die For (2013)

by Aaron Elkins(Favorite Author)

3.47 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1477805079 (ISBN13: 9781477805077)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Thomas & Mercer

series

Alix London

review 1: Here is number 2 of the Alix London series. In this one, Alix is going aboard the Artemis, a fabulous yacht owned by a Greek billionaire, for a cruise around the Mediterranean, a cruise which culminates with an auction of some of Panos Pappadakis’s paintings. The FBI has asked her to attend and pose as an art lecturer while listening for clues to a ponzi-scheme involving art sales. Instead, she of course finds that one of the most celebrated paintings by Manet is a forgery. The fallout involves gossip, murder, and the return of Ted, an FBI operative whom she met in New Mexico and with whom she shares a frisson of attraction.The characters are much better developed in this book, adding to the enjoyment. Panos’s wife Gabby is a retired opera singer, a fading beauty ... moreno longer pleased to be a trophy wife. Panos is unattractive, explosive, and smarmy. The crew has varied and interesting people, and the guests are main attractions themselves: a pop star, a reclusive bachelor, and others who can afford to spend a few million on art. Having never been to the Greek islands, I enjoyed the descriptions of locales and of the ship itself – all very well described. The art background information was good. Alix’s real personality is still hard to find (we know she likes speed, whether driving or skimming water), and the reader doesn’t know what she looks like other than that she’s 5’9” tall and has a good figure. Her father becomes even more likeable in this volume, and their relationship warms up a few degrees. I like this book and the series and recommend it!
review 2: I read it because the author has a long record. I was not impressed, and actually stopped reading it--just stopped--because I didn't want to toss good time after bad. What was wrong with it? It didn't GET anyplace, not even as languidly as a cruise might. The characters were wooden, and virtually all unlikeable as well. The heroine might have been appealing, except she didn't seem to have any real substance. Which is the problem with the book all in all: no substance. Also no humour, no interesting facts. Nada. It was fairly well written, though, which saved it from a single star. less

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