JADEN SKYE (2012) - THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES #3.
What you will notice straight away
Maybe I'm getting old. Maybe I'm suffering that age old problem that rears its head when English authors read American works? Two English speaking nations separated by a common language. Moving on. What sort of stories get me hooked? Well they're normally those that have me asking questions. However, it's as often a question about the written work than the stories guile. This is particularly true of the Caribbean Murder series from Jaden Skye. Which is shame really because they are great little stories. Apparently Jaden Skye is author of the #1 Bestselling romantic suspense series but in almost review of her work (especially on Amazon) I hear and see complaints of her writing. I am not alone. How can she be #1? Are all her readers who stick by her totally screwed or is she #1 in a world of her own?
A man is found in an alley less travelled. With you so far. Dipped in a pool of red blood. First question why red blood, why not blue or transparent? A shriek sounded fiercely, like the call of a bugle. Do bugles shriek. Maybe the author refers to a Bugle bird? Not sure where that one was going either.
This story had two things going for it as soon as I'd read the prologue, well three really. One: it was written by Jaden Skye, the author of Book #1 in the 'Death ...' series of Caribbean murders mysteries. Two: The prologue worked both in its content and abruptness, Three the observations shown above. In a recent review of Book #1 (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1475139214) I noted a large number of inconsistencies in the story. I really hoped this won't go the same way.
Review
I think all books should be considered worthy to stand alone. This includes those sequels or subsequent parts of a series that involve cast characters that appear in the original books. It makes no sense to me to assume that unless they are marketed together in the same bundle, a reader will pick up on names and characters just because they had read another title in a series.
Characters
The main cast: Kendra Robbins; Paul Robbins, Nell Robbins, Graham Kowan, Margot Kowan, Roomey Burke, Andrea Bell, Heather May,
The investigators: Cindy Blaine; Mattheus King; Fred Brayton; Nojo.
The others: Dalia; Maggie, Marshmallow, Silbert Hours, Perry the bartender, prison warder, casino dealer, Peggy, Mr. Jeffries,
The victim(s): Paul Robbins, Gregg Kowan, Graham Kowan.
Story
Paul Robbins, law attorney on St. Thomas, has been killed on St. Thomas and his widow is asking for help to find his killer. She is also the no. 1 suspect. Cindy Blaine, a widow unsure of what the future holds for her, agrees to help. There is only two weeks until the hurricane season comes in. Kendra Robbins is keen to meet Cindy and Mattheus, and although she gives them lots of information she seems so detached from the situation. They decide to ask the police for help.
Nojo is making a lot of convincing noises for Kendra to be the killer. Looking over the body dump before going to their hotel, there is not a lot to see. That evening they make plans. The story now splits as each investigator does their own thing. Mattheus follows some leads on the island of St. Croix.
Cindy stays on St. Thomas. Her investigations take her to a bar where Paul Robbins used to hang out and to Heather May, with whom he had an affair. Heather May points her to Margot Rowan, and to her son Graham. Meanwhile Mattheus is following up on Roomey Burke's alibi and reputation. Arriving at Margot Rowan's Cindy is unsure why Heather May sent her there, until she sees the photograph of Margot Rowan's husband! When Cindy realises that Paul Robbins has been leading a double life as Gregg Kowan she calls Mattheus and the police.
Back with Kendra, Cindy finds her out in a lie. Margot's helping the police who still think Kendra is the murderer. Meanwhile Mattheus is looking at the cases Paul Robbins lost and the police have arranged a meeting between Margot and Kendra, with Cindy refereeing! Matheus's lead takes him to a man just out of prison, with a reason to hate Paul. Unfortunately, his alibi stacks up. As for Kendra she has fired the two investigators.
Hurricane Lolo is about to hit the island and Mattheus is leaving. The police have had enough and arrested Kendra for the murder of her husband. Cindy is staying to clear Kendra's name. She finds out Nell and Graham know each other from school. At the airport Mattheus leaves it to the last minute to return to help Cindy finish the case.
Conclusion.
It's a natty little mystery that will keep you entertained and I for one would read it again at a later date. Cindy and Mattheus are a great team. The PIs get their man; the case is solved hurrah! Now but the authoress a decent proofreader!
So is it a good read?
Yes, it is. I took a couple of days to read it and a couple more to do the review. I still enjoyed reading it. 4.5 out of 5 stars for the story, 1.5 stars for the research and nil points for proof reading.
Observations
A man is found in an alley less travelled. With you so far. Dipped in a pool of red blood. First question why red blood, why not blue or transparent?
A shriek sounded fiercely, like the call of a bugle. Do bugles shriek. Maybe the author refers to a Bugle bird? Not sure where that one was going either.
Names. I like to introduce people by their full names. After that the surname may only return to remind characters and / the reader.
Cindy and Mattheus go into the police office, then Fred Brayton invites them in.????
Mattheus was supposed to be at the police station doing research when Cindy calls from Margot's. Why does he then say he'll call the police when she calls.
Big error. On the last page of Chapter 15 Margot is told Gregg Kowan has a second family where he is known as Paul Kowan. He is not, he is known as Paul Robbins.
When Cindy tells Kendra about second wife she freaks out. Then Mattheus tells Cindy did the same when he told Roomey. When did Mattheus tell Roomey about the second family?
Kendra has met Margot over lunch. Margot recognises her lost ruby necklace around Margot's neck. One odd statement "Who knows what else he stole it from?"
Why is Cindy going home from Nell, she is staying in the hotel, therefore the story should say she is returning to the hotel?
Why approach St. Thomas in a seaplane? It has 7000 feet of modern runway. There's been a runway there since the war. Either rename the island or bring it up to date.
The text states St, Croix is a neighbouring island. Hmmm, maybe on Google Earth but it is over fifty miles away. St. John, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands are a lot closer.
Chapter 7. I think it would be better if the first two paragraphs wee swapped. That way there is grounding to the storyline. One moment Mattheus is coming back that evening, the next she is getting up and showering. The planning is all wrong.
Chapter 9. "The kids have off from school ..." should probably read "The kids have time off from school ..."
...... and so it goes on and on and on etc.
YOU ARE READING
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