May Contain Murder (Chef Paul Delamare Mystery Book #2) by Orlando Murrin

Worse things happen at sea.
Paul Delamare has been roped into accompanying his old friend on a luxury cruise aboard the magnificent superyacht Mal de Mer. It’s all plain sailing until his friend’s priceless necklace is stolen, and everyone falls under suspicion.

Every chef for himself.
As Paul races to catch the thief, the ship begins to drift off-course, veering into the storm-lashed mid-Atlantic. Then one of the passengers is found dead in mysterious circumstances, in a pool of coffee and surrounded by cake crumbs.

Voyage of the damned.
It’s all hands-on deck to catch the killer, but Paul soon discovers guests and crew are harbouring deadly secrets. And if he can’t get to the bottom of the mystery soon, he’ll be sleeping with the fishes.  (Summary via Goodreads)

You would think that if a crime, like theft or murder, occurred on a yacht it would be easy to solve.  Well in May Contain Murder it is anything but easy !!

May Contain Murder is the second book in the Chef Paul Delamare Mystery series by Orlando Murrin and Chef Paul is in way over his head.  Chef Paul has been invited by his dear friend Xera to help write her memoir.  Xera has just gotten married, and a small group of family and friends are traveling with the newlyweds on an Atlantic cruise and Paul is included so they can begin their writing journey.  

Unfortunately, shortly into the cruise a very unique and expensive necklace the groom, Sir Billy, gave to this bride, Xera, is stolen out of their cabin.  But before they can figure out where it is or who stole it, Xera is found dead the next morning.

Paul knows that something isn't right with the scene but has no authority and it is all a hunch plus the captain of the boat has the authority and dictates how to handle it.  Xera's death is ruled an accident, and things are to continue as normal as they can.

Luckily for Xera Paul will do whatever he can to find out what really happened to her ... no matter how dangerous it gets !!  Sadly, he is among strangers and doesn't know who he can trust or if he can trust anyone.

May Contain Murder is such an interesting read.  With everyone stuck on the yacht, not being able to leave, you would think it would be easy to keep track of everyone ... but that is not the case for Paul.  It's a good thing readers aren't there and can sit back and relax while they tag along with everyone and you don't have to worry about getting seasick.

The Devil in the Details (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Book # 11) by Vicki Delany

The game is once again afoot in Vicki Delany’s 11th Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery, when birthday festivities end in freezing cold murder.

Gemma Doyle is excited about celebrating Jayne Wilson’s big day. It’s supposed to be a day marking not only the birthday of Jayne, her partner in crime, but also that of the Great Detective himself. Following the festivities at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma heads for the Blue Water Café, the site of Jayne’s party. To make things even better, Jayne’s wedding is only a week away.

But the much-anticipated affair quickly turns to disaster with the presence of the bride and groom’s respective exes in attendance and other unruly guests. With drama at every corner, Gemma and Jayne take a break on the chilly deck overlooking the ocean when they spot the body of a party attendee floating in the water below.

As Detective Ryan Ashburton takes a closer look at the guest list, Jayne’s wedding is in peril, especially when it is revealed that her fiancé, Andy, is a prime suspect. With the police closing in and more lives on the line, it’s up to Gemma to keep Andy from prison and save Jayne’s wedding day from ruin.  (Summary via Goodreads)

Jayne and Andy are getting married !!!  And Gemma and Ryan are in the wedding party !!!  

The Devil in the Details is the eleventh book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany and I am a huge fan, as I hope you are also.  There is a lot to talk about so let's go ....

Like I said Jayne, who is Gemma's best friend and business partner is getting ready to marry Andy.  Gemma co-owns and runs the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop as well as part owner of Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room.  Her best friend Jayne is part owner of the Tea Room. her fiancé Andy owns the Blue Water Cafe while Gemma's boyfriend is a detective.

Unfortunately, a week before the wedding while they are celebrating Jayne's birthday at the Blue Water Cafe, an uninvited guest goes over the railing on the deck into the cold water.  Gemma and Andy jump in to save her, but they find out later she passed.  The police have their sights on Andy once they find out that the deceased, Tina, was his ex-girlfriend. 

Jayne, of course, asks Gemma to do what she does best and prove Andy's innocence.  But before Gemma can decide if Tina's death was an accident or murder, there is a definite murder, and she gets run down by the killer.  Gemma goes to question Robbie, who was also at the birthday party working as a waiter, but she is too late.

Gemma will not be able to rest until she figures out what happened to both Tina and Robbie, and she needs to make sure that Jayne and Andy get their perfect wedding day.  

Readers cannot help but love this series.  You fall in love with everything within this series and this book just intensifies that feeling.