Title: Murder on a Queen
Series: Murder Most Gay 04
Author: John Simpson & Robert Cummings
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Length: Novel (238pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (3rd August 2012)
Heat Level: Low – Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: It’s trouble in paradise for homicide detectives Pat St. James and Hank Capstone. After four years as Pat’s partner, Hank wants to move on from Homicide. Sensing the friendship might be about to implode, Pat’s and Hank’s husbands book the four of them a vacation on the gay-friendly cruise liner Queen Mary II.
But what’s supposed to be a relaxing holiday soon turns deadly. The wife of a wealthy hotel magnate has enlisted her lawyer’s help in relieving her husband of the hotel chain and the money that comes along with it—and all of them are on board. When Pat and Hank stumble into the midst of the domestic dispute and the ship runs afoul of a handful of hired mercenaries, the detectives will have their hands full trying to save the Queen, their husbands, and their partnership.
Warning: Some scenes of dubious sexual contact.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3146
Review: Pat and Hank are having trouble in their working relationship that begins to spill over into their personal lives and their husbands get involved. Shawn and Dean put their heads together and come up with a solution, a holiday aboard the Queen Mary II where their husbands can relax with no work to distract them. But, even the best laid plans go up in flames, as a husband betrayed, seeks his revenge against those that took everything away from him.
This is a great ‘husband out for revenge’ story where ‘a woman scorned’ is nothing compared to a husband who has been betrayed. Pat and Hank are at odds after Pat discovers that Hank has put in for a transfer. When their husbands discover the problem they come up with a solution to make everyone happy. But, in another place another husband is making his own plans for the same holiday and he has no plans of letting his spouse be happy, but Pat and Hank become involved.
I loved Richie, the poor love, betrayed by his wife and his best friend, the people closest to him in the world. A betrayal he can’t let go of, so when his old driver/bodyguard offers him the opportunity of a lifetime there is no way he can turn it down. *sigh* It is brutal, but I doubt there are many people in the world who wouldn’t be tempted. Pat and Hank came across as a little bit selfish about their own desires and the blatant ignoring of their husbands was terrible. The way they acted like glory hounds on the ship was a bit galling, interfering in something that had nothing to do with them, when they were supposed to be relaxing with their husbands.
I thought the storyline was great, and that it progressed well throughout the book. The characters are well done, although it might be hard to get a good bead on unless you have read the previous books. The villains are nicely nasty enough and the revenge is brilliantly planned. I must admit though that I was surprised at the end. I suppose I was expecting a slightly different outcome. I was happy that Pat and Hank sorted out their problems as well, but still enjoyed when Shawn and Dean put them in their places.
I will recommend this to those who love crime, suspense, a bit of drama, complex revenge and a happy ending for our hero cops and their husbands.