Not the classic movie, but an enjoyable mystery. What I truly enjoyed is that I got this book in a grouping of mysteries. I read it and didn't even realize it was the eighth book from the writer with this character. The book was good enough to stand on it's own without having to read all the others first. It was so good I will just have to check out the other books, not something I could say for everything I have been reading lately.

The plot is described below, so I won't rehash it. I wouldn't recommend this as the first Susan Henshaw or Valerie Wolzien book to start with, as it presumes you already know the main characters. Plus they are out of their ususal setting. But for fans of either, this is an enjoyable book. The location at a resort on a tropical isle is just perfect for a wintery evening. Not much action but the mystery keeps you guessing till near the end and makes sense once you near the conclusion. I enjoyed it a lot and hope you do also. The author must have enjoyed doing the research on all those rum drinks and bright beach scenes... Make yourself a nice warm drink and cozy up with this one.

After a definite downward turn for a couple of books, Wolzien has picked this series back up and reenergized Susan. This was one of my favorite installments. The setting was well described and sounded just beautiful, and with just a few exceptions the premise of this story was believable and interesting. All in all an excellent read for those who like the cozy myteries that are a quick read.

Suburban Connecticut sleuth Susan Henshaw and her husband Jed, along with their best friends Kathleen and Jerry Gordon, have arrived in the Caribbean to enjoy a vacation at the beautiful Compass Bay resort. They're really looking forward to lazing by the pool, gazing at the coral reefs, and enjoying the white sand and blue water. Their perfect vacation is rudely interrupted, though, when on the second day of their trip, another resort guest, who happens to be a beautiful single blonde, is found strangled in her deck chair. Susan and Jed are shocked to learn that the victim is actually their friend Jerry's sister-in-law, who was frumpy and overweight when they know her ten years ago. She has undergone a complete makeover since they last saw her, so they didn't immediately recognize her. The local police take Jerry into custody, and Susan springs into action to try to find the real murderer. Susan ends up spending her vacation interviewing the other resort patrons, looking for another connection between the victim and someone else on the island.

I wanted to like this book, but frankly I had a hard time getting through it. Although I like the four main characters in this story, the other resort visitors were fairly obnoxious characters. And the clues that the other vacationers gave to Susan were not really pertinent to the final solution. This book could have used a lot more action to make the plot more interesting.

Susan and Jed Henshaw and their friends Kathleen and Jerry Gordon decide to go to the Caribbean for a vacation to get away from the cold winter. They decide to go to a tiny resort called Compass Bay. It is to have everything. - white sand, luxurious cottages and wonderful rum punch.

Unfortunately things start going wrong right from the start. Susan and Jed are delayed and have to take a later flight. Their luggage gets lost. When they finally arrive, they find that Kathleen and Jerry appear to be having some marital problems.

To make matters worse, a gorgeous blonde is found murdered not long after their arrival. Susan is surprised when she finds out she was Jerry's first wife's sister. Susan hadn't recognized her because she used to be frumpy. The police don't believe it is a coincidence that they were all there at the same time and take Jerry into custody.

Susan, Jed and Kathleen attempt to find the real murderer and get Jerry out of jail. That's easier said than done. Susan finds that the staff won't talk much as they are afraid of losing their jobs. Most of the other people staying at the resort are happy to talk to Susan. But, she isn't sure that it is really helping.

Jerry can't speak freely as he is always guarded. Susan can't figure out the coded messages he sends. Once Kathleen goes missing, she becomes frantic to uncover the killer before her best friend becomes the next victim.

I love this series. This book would be great to read during a blizzard. You get such a great feeling of being in the Caribbean while reading it. I highly recommend it.