Title: Fatal Break
Author: Beth Prentice
Published: August 20th 2019
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing
Pages: 191
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery
RRP: $4.94 (e book)
Rating: 4 stars
From USA Today bestselling author Beth Prentice comes the next killer beach read in Aloha Lagoon…
Samantha Reynolds’ life in Aloha Lagoon feels like it’s finally smooth sailing. She’s settled into her job as the resorts’ surf instructor for children, things are looking good with her boyfriend Casey, and she has an amazing BFF in the local surf shop owner, Alani.
But when a storm hits Aloha Lagoon, Alani’s past comes back to haunt her, and Sam finds her bestie standing over the dead body of her wayward ex-boyfriend. While Sam knows Alani is innocent, the local police aren’t so easily convinced, and Sam realizes it’s up to her to clear Alani’s name and find the real killer before her friend ends up behind bars. Why was Alani’s ex back in town? What was he doing in Alani’s shop after hours? And who is the mysterious raven-haired woman in his life and what does she have to do with it all? Sam is determined to find out…only can she do it before the real killer catches her? Or will Sam’s time in Aloha Lagoon come to a sticky end?
Review:
USA Today bestselling author Beth Prentice has penned the 15th book in the Aloha Mysteries series. Fatal Break is the latest title in this cosy mystery collection. Featuring an appealing lead, and an intriguing mystery for the reader to solve, Fatal Break represents another entertaining adventure in this colourful series.
At the opening of this novel it seems like life is beach for Samantha Reynolds, the lead character of Fatal Break. With her love life, professional life and friendships all thriving, things couldn’t be better! But all this changes when a dead body is discovered and the chief suspect is Sam’s best friend. Sam must do all she can to prove her friend’s innocence. It is a race against time to clear Sam’s friend, Alani’s name. At the same time, Sam must keep her head above water, as this case proves to be both tricky and dangerous.
Fatal Break is the 15th instalment in the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries series and it represents the first book I have read in this set. It is always a little daunting going into a new series, especially as this is such a long running collection. However, my impression from reading Fatal Break with absolutely no prior experience of the other books in this series, is that this novel can be read as a standalone. I do wish that I had more time in my reading schedule to catch up on the previous books in this collection, but I did enjoy this issue.
Hawaii has long been on my travel bucket list and I know that I will be unable to get to this slice of paradise any time soon. In the meantime, I was happy to jump on board and immerse myself in a few hours of tropical themed entertainment, complete with a cracking mystery to solve.
Beth Prentice has provided the reader with a clear picture of her lead Samantha (Sam) Reynolds. Sam is likeable and genuine. She is also determined and full of ingenuity. Sam is not afraid to stand up for who, and what she believes in, which I respected very much. Running alongside Sam’s character are a firm set of secondary characters that embellish the unfolding narrative.
In terms of the mystery side of the narrative, this was well executed on behalf of the author. I enjoyed being toyed with – there were plenty of twists, turns, diversions, misunderstandings and suspects. I wasn’t able to guess the final turn of events, which pleased and surprised me.
The Aloha Lagoon, a seemingly perfect idyll, with a penchant for dead bodies and mysteries to solve, is at the heart of Fatal Break. This new volume in the series is not to be missed if you enjoyed the previous issues in the series, or you are simply searching for a new cosy mystery novel to devour.
Fatal Break by Beth Prentice was published on 20th August 2019. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of Fatal Break, Beth Prentice, visit here.
*I wish to thank the author, Beth Prentice, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fatal Break is book #108 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
