Every body on deck

Private investigator Savannah Reid; her husband, Detective Sergeant Dirk Coulter; and the rest of the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency are hired to protect mystery writer Natasha Van Cleef, who has received notes threatening her life just as she is set to embark on a mystery-themed Alaskan cruise where she is the guest of honor. The agency staff, including Savannah's brother and his very pregnant fiancée, are overjoyed with the assignment, bringing along Dirk's parents and Savannah's grandmother. However, Natasha proves very difficult to protect while she is on board, and she slips off the ship at the first port of call, forcing Savannah and crew to search for her. Did the noted writer succeed? In the course of the investigation, Granny interviews a Mob enforcer, and Savannah takes time to mediate a thorny issue between her brother and his fiancée. Well-drawn, sympathetic characters, especially Savannah and Granny (who is a hoot); satisfying plot twists; and plenty of humor distinguish this lively, long-running cozy series.--O'Brien, Sue Copyright 2010 Booklist

Humor and romance leaven McKevett's 22nd whodunit featuring Savannah Reid of the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency in San Carmelita, Calif. (after 2016's Killer Reunion). After receiving a terrifying death threat, renowned mystery writer Natasha Van Cleef hires Savannah and her whole detective agency crew, plus Savannah's husband, Det. Sgt. Dirk Coulter, to provide protection on an Alaskan cruise aboard the Arctic Queen. One morning during the voyage, Natasha and her philandering spouse, Colin, slip off the ship to an isolated village without telling anyone. The couple later perish in a fiery car crash near a glacier. This tragedy and related problems with the less-than-cooperative head of the Arctic Queen's security result in Savannah's team and other passengers being booted off the ship. Stuck in the remote little burg, the detectives must determine whether the crash was an accident-or murder. This lighthearted cozy builds to a double surprise ending. Agent: Richard Curtis, Richard Curtis Associates. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

A private eye's plum job turns sour when her client cuts her loose.Getting hired by Natasha Van Cleef is the second-biggest thing ever to happen to Savannah Reid (Killer Reunion, 2016, etc.), ranking just a notch below getting married to her longtime best friend, DS Dirk Coulter. Not only does the mystery writer want Savannah as her bodyguard during a fabulous Alaskan cruise, but she's happy to host Savannah's husband, brother, brother's fiancee, mother- and father-in-law, grandma, and two gay friends aboard the Arctic Queen for an all-expenses-paid wilderness adventure. It seems that Natasha's been getting some threatening letters, and she wants Savannah to make sure all goes smoothly while Natasha plays writer-in-residence aboard ship. But her relationship with her client begins to fray after Savannah's first visit to Natasha's luxury suite, where she witnesses the author's husband firsthand as he tries it on with his wife's bosomy assistant, Olive Kelly. Natasha bridles at the suggestion that her Colin has anything to do with the hate mail. By the time the ship docks at Saaxwoo, the Van Cleefs have ditched their security detail. As they round up a battered Bronco to drive out to the glacier after their clients, Savannah and Dirk are already alarmed. And when they smell smoke ahead of them, they're beginning to think that what started as an adventure is about to end as a disaster. Savannah and Dirk's spousal sparring would pack more of a punch if they weren't squashed in by the whole mishpocha. Here's hoping their next outing will give them more room to romp. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Private investigator Savannah Reid; her husband, Detective Sergeant Dirk Coulter; and the rest of the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency are hired to protect mystery writer Natasha Van Cleef, who has received notes threatening her life just as she is set to embark on a mystery-themed Alaskan cruise where she is the guest of honor. The agency staff, including Savannah's brother and his very pregnant fiancée, are overjoyed with the assignment, bringing along Dirk's parents and Savannah's grandmother. However, Natasha proves very difficult to protect while she is on board, and she slips off the ship at the first port of call, forcing Savannah and crew to search for her. Did the noted writer succeed? In the course of the investigation, Granny interviews a Mob enforcer, and Savannah takes time to mediate a thorny issue between her brother and his fiancée. Well-drawn, sympathetic characters, especially Savannah and Granny (who is a hoot); satisfying plot twists; and plenty of humor distinguish this lively, long-running cozy series. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.

Humor and romance leaven McKevett's 22nd whodunit featuring Savannah Reid of the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency in San Carmelita, Calif. (after 2016's Killer Reunion). After receiving a terrifying death threat, renowned mystery writer Natasha Van Cleef hires Savannah and her whole detective agency crew, plus Savannah's husband, Det. Sgt. Dirk Coulter, to provide protection on an Alaskan cruise aboard the Arctic Queen. One morning during the voyage, Natasha and her philandering spouse, Colin, slip off the ship to an isolated village without telling anyone. The couple later perish in a fiery car crash near a glacier. This tragedy and related problems with the less-than-cooperative head of the Arctic Queen's security result in Savannah's team and other passengers being booted off the ship. Stuck in the remote little burg, the detectives must determine whether the crash was an accident—or murder. This lighthearted cozy builds to a double surprise ending. Agent: Richard Curtis, Richard Curtis Associates. (May)