THE CRUISE CONNECTION - Bob Burns Investigates
(Accent Press )
- Peter Kerr
-
Publication date: 11 February 2008
ISBN: 9781906125158
£6.99 Paperback
In this, the third in the series of humour-spiked ‘Bob Burns Investigates’ mysteries, the droll Scottish Detective Inspector is once again aided by foxy forensic scientist, Julie Bryson, and abetted by keener-than-smart rookie detective, Andy Green.
As in Bob’s previous adventures, ‘The Mallorca Connection’ and ‘The Sporran Connection’, the action (and there’s plenty of that!) eventually shifts from Scotland to more ‘exotic’ foreign locations, deftly described in the author’s trademark way. A strong cast of sharply-drawn and colourful characters gives Bob Burns and his two unlikely sidekicks plenty to cope with in an intriguing story of greed, guile, deceipt and double-dealing that’s sparked off by the discovery of a severed finger in a cruise ship passenger’s quiche lorraine.
Does the finger belong to an alleged man-overboard victim? Was the overboard man pushed or did he commit suicide? Is it all just a cleverly engineered insurance scam? Does a shady East European billionaire’s interest in gaining control of a famous British football club have anything to do with all of this?
These are just a few of the many questions that Bob & Co must find answers to as they travel to Mallorca to join the cruise liner Ostentania en route to the Canary Islands. Will they encounter trouble in Tenerife, lawlessness in Lanzarote or, perhaps, even grand larceny in Gran Canaria? Confusing coincidences pop up like mushrooms as Bob strives to solve what he initially considers to be an unsolveable crime – if indeed any crime at all has been commited.
Working undercover, Bob and Julie use their diverse professional skills to crack the conundrum, while Andy Green, despite his marked lack of skills of any kind, looks like emerging once more as the unwitting hero of the piece.
High-speed hijinks on the high seas are the order of the day as Bob Burns Investigates The Cruise Connection.
REVIEWS
"Mallorcan locations continue to feature in this latest humorous (Bob Burns) adventure."
Majorca Daily Bulletin
"Embroiled in intrigue ... with a sense of humour."
Edinburgh Evening News
"Good escapist stuff ... wry, droll, observant, whimsical, mischievous, yet quietly sardonic as well."
Amazon UK
"As entertaining as ever ... a fast-paced and hilarious voyage on the high seas."
Xpat Magazine
"A tongue-in-cheek dig at the cruise industry ...
a feelgood factor prevails amid all the skulduggery."
East Lothian News
"A strong cast ... in an intriguing story."
Western Mail
"To uncover the mystery ... Bob must join a cruise liner on a trip to the Canary Islands."
Sunday Post
"Same (Bob Burns) droll humour ... lightweight, knockabout fun,
but none the worse for that."
'Spain' Magazine
"A hilarious romp ... the writing flows and entertains endlessly."
www.lothianlife.co.uk
"There's none of the dark and doomy 'Tartan Noir' ... the plot is liberally
peppered
with humour"
Musselburgh News
"Peter describes a cast of outlandish characters with gentle mockery.
Anyone who has been on a cruise will recognise the types."
Nautical Magazine
"An intriguing tale ... the third mystery in this series."
The Scots Magazine
"With a combination of witty observation and dry humour, it's the perfect read for when you are topping-up your tan on deck."
Thomas Cook 'Cruise' Magazine