The South Pacific Murders: A Mia Ferrari Mystery (The Mia Ferrari Mysteries Book 3) Kindle Edition

I've read all the Mia Ferrari books so far; I'm a sucker for middle-aged chicks with an attitude and a thing for younger men, although I can't drink as much coffee as she does :) In this most recent story, Mia finds herself on a cruise in the South Pacific with her best friend Dobbs and her avowed enemy Smythe - both of them police officers, both friends of her now-deceased cop father. Smythe, Mia believes, prevented her from joining the force lo these many years ago which is why she hates him. She's also joined by Chris, the young computer hacker son of her employer (and former lover).

This novel lacks the gorier murders of the previous one ("The Gay Mardi Gras Murders") which is either a plus or minus, I guess, depending on how much violence you prefer in your murder mysteries :) People start dying on this cruise which features a medical doctors' convention, and Mia and the gang must find the killer before the cruise ends. The thread they find connecting the murders is a seamy underground 'cheaters club' which really pushes Mia's buttons, as her ex-husband dumped her for another woman.

The characters are well-defined which I always like in a novel. And I fall in love with Smythe every time ;) He's a major hottie which drives Mia insane in more ways than one. Chris is as gung-ho as you'd expect a young person to be, always impressed that he's helping out with a murder investigation and being taken seriously by the grownups. Dobbs is a big loveable old married guy who loves Mia like a daughter.

The murders are varied and several characters are offered as possible suspects in the murders. Some readers may find some of the computer jargon confusing; I don't think it's overdone, and Ms. Massara does a good job of explaining it without too much detail, but it still may go over some readers' heads. However, I don't think it will detract from the overall story; it doesn't matter if you miss these details.

I do find Mia a little immature sometimes and would like to see her grow up more - I haven't seen too much personal development so far in these novels - actually, it looked like she had made some in the Gay Mardi Gras novel but she seems to have backtracked a bit in this one. However, a surprising and shocking revelation about her father and her past forces Mia to confront some of the more negative aspects of her behaviour which was good. She comes out of this novel a bit more improved than before, and I hope she keeps moving forward rather than backtracking a bit. She also shows a bit more maturity in rejecting something she usually didn't before, for the right reasons.

I can say this much: Given the changes that happen in Mia's life in this novel, the next one's going to be quite different for her, I suspect. I'm waiting, Ms. Massara!

Sylvia Massara has done it again! I became a fan of hers when I read "The Soul Bearers" which is one of her earlier books. I have followed The Mia Ferrari Mysteries, enjoying each one. This one lived up to the expectations set when reading the others.

I enjoyed meeting Mia in this new setting, along with the usual cast of players that surround her.

Mia and friends embark on well-deserved vacation on a cruise ship headed for Hawaii. The only thing that makes it less than perfect is the fact that she had no idea that the man she has seen as her arch enemy, Phil Smythe, had been included in the group. Mia is clever and smart mouthed, but she is incredibly stubborn, with a chip-on-her-shoulder when it comes to him.

The relaxing trip gets turned upside down when a passenger falls overboard. Mia is in her element when the captain of the cruise liner asks Mia and her travelling companions to take over the investigation. It is soon discovered that the man overboard was no accident--it was cold blooded murder.

Another murder happens and it becomes clear that killer is at work on the ship. As more murders occur a pattern becomes clear; doctors from a medical convention are being murdered one by one. But why?

Mia's young friend, Chris Rourke, is a genius at hacking into internet sites and searching for information. All though they are supposed to be working as team, it would give Mia great pleasure to outsmart the sexy Detective Smythe. Together she and Chris work feverishly to find a vital piece of information. As they talk to people on the ship, two clues that could help uncover the identity of the killer emerge; rumors of a secret sex club and horse race betting stubs found in the possession of a victim. The truth eludes them till the very last moment.

Mia has stubbornly despised Phil Smythe for years, blaming him for putting an end to her intentions of becoming a policeman like her father had been, but in this book she learns some truly shocking things about him.

I won't give away anymore secrets. You'll have to read this entertaining book to find out what really happens.

Mia Ferrari is back, this time in an absorbing whodunit that takes place on a cruise ship en route from Sydney to Hawaii. This unlikely setting provides an intriguing and magnificent backdrop as a series of grisly murders unfolds. Enter Mia, ostensibly on holiday but never too far removed from investigating a murder should the situation present itself. As victim after victim - all of whom belong to a bizarre kinky-sex club - falls prey to the slayer, Mia unexpectedly finds herself attracted to her arch-nemesis, Smythe, a Sydney cop who also happens to be on board. Will Mia's raging hormones prevail over her long-held dislike of Smythe?

In this finely crafted tale, Sylvia expertly blends a just the right amount of erotica with a healthy dose of gripping suspense. All in the colourful splendour of the South Pacific. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy of Massara's latest chronicle of Mia Ferrari's exciting lifestyle! This is yet another spectacular read from one of Australia's most talented storytellers.

I'm usually a slow reader, but once I started this book, I had to keep reading. The book was a light, totally enjoyable reading experience. I love feisty Mia and am going to have to look up her prior adventures. Pick it up and expect a good time.