Nancy Fairbanks, Bon Bon Voyage

Bon Bon Voyage

Nancy Fairbanks

Berkley, Apr 2006, $12.95, 304 pp.

ISBN: 0425208591

The children of food columnist Carolyn Blue send her on a food cruise, sailing the Mediterranean with stops in Spain and North Africa as a Mother's Day present. Carolyn is disappointed that her husband Jason cannot accompany her, but he has a conference to attend in Canada. She asks her friend Luz, an ex cop, to go with her. Luz reluctantly agrees because it is impossible to refuse any request by Carolyn. Carolyn is dismayed that Jason asks his mother to go with Carolyn, since the two women do not get along.

Carolyn enjoys the cruise until an obnoxious passenger disappears, and she is determined to find her, even sending telegrams to the authorities in Majorca where the woman allegedly disembarked. She does not know that five of the ship's officers, including the chief steward and head of security, are planning a mutiny to take control of the ship and then blackmail the owner into paying a fortune to prevent them from blowing up the vessel. Carolyn, Luz and a few other passengers soon realize that the captain is no longer in charge. They come up with a scheme to regain control from the mutineers, but need plenty of help from other passengers and the loyal crew members if they are to succeed; failure probably means death.

The luscious description of food served on a cruise ship (recipes included) will make readers' mouths water, but this novel contains plenty of intrigue and action, as well some amusing counterpoints. BON BON VOYAGE grips the reader, as Nancy Fairbanks has written more of a thriller than her usual amateur sleuth mystery, especially since the audience knows the villains from the moment the ship sets sail, and the answers to motives.