We just got back from a five day cruise aboard the Norwegian Pearl. It was a relaxing voyage, but I gained weight as always on these trips. We didn’t really eat between meals but ate four course dinners every evening. Except for a juggler and a not-so-funny comedian, I liked the entertainment, especially the ship’s singers and dancers. This ship contains a bowling alley, but it’s really couple of two-lane strips on either side of a lounge decorated gaudily like a bordello, complete with couches. The Bliss lounge was one of many. Bar City offers several specialty areas: wine and champagne, beer garden, martini bar. A variety of restaurants tempt the palate, although some require a minor cover charge. French, Mexican, Asian, Italian are some of the regional specialties along with a steak house and more. Don’t forget the twenty-four hour buffet. We dined there for breakfast and lunch every day. I kept up with email at the Internet Café, while my husband strolled by the casino, library, spa, and sports facility. Despite my best intentions, I spent more money in Cozumel and hit the beach in Grand Cayman. All in all, it was a great trip, and I’m looking forward to the next one in February.

I was happy to see that Killer Knots got a four star review in RT Book Reviews magazine:

"Cohen’s latest Marla Shore novel shines with the compelling drama of an old-fashioned whodunit. A cruise ship is the perfect setting for this closed-door mystery."

And to whet your appetite for Killer Knots, my upcoming cruise ship mystery, here is a photo from our recent voyage. Remember this when you read about Marla posing with the pirate on board the Tropical Sun.

                                                 Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me...