Cruising for Murder — Susan Sussman

When the curtains open on Morgan Taylor's second adventure, the Chicago actress is Restless, capital R. Hard at work for eight months starring in "Rent," the run has been good, but grueling. Between Morgan's growing boredom and the fact that her year-old relationship with homicide detective J. Roblings is going almost too well, Morgan's got an old-fashioned case of cabin fever. Add the harsh snowy weather and it's more than one showgirl can bear. So when long-time friend Kathy Bloch calls her to replace a last-minute deserter in the cruise ship's entertainment cast, Morgan jumps at the chance to trade the big city for the open seas.

Meeting Kathy and the Island Star in Miami, Morgan is greeted by palm trees, sunny skies - and the news that her predecessor, Angela Parker, was murdered aboard the ship. And is appears not everyone is pleased to see Morgan join the cast. Chorus girl and magician's assistant Jackie takes every opportunity to point out she should be the star. So when another entertainer is found dead, it looks as if Morgan's three weeks of show tunes and suntans are not going to be the vacation that she hoped.

Sussman and Avidon deliver an amazingly fresh and entertaining puzzle sure to have mystery fans crying "encore!" once again.