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robinwalter's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
It started off well, with an intersting premise and potential, but in the end kind of imploded, as if the authors were in a hurry to finish it and just dumped words on the page.
horthhill's review against another edition
2.0
A Cruise to Die For (an Alix London mystery) by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins was entertaining enough but fell short as a mystery. The murder occurred very late in the novel and wasn't central to the plot. The reveal of the mystery wasn't given by Alix London -the sleuth - or her boss the FBI agent. Rather it was given as a side-bar in the point of view of the murderer. London didn't really seem to have much to do with the resolution of the mystery at all. Her "connoisseur's touch" was of little interest to this reader. I did enjoy the painting and forgery plot, though.
gphemsley's review
3.0
There is very little story here
So much of the contents of this book is a rehashing of various backstories already covered in the previous book, often nearly word for word. On top of that, there are a number of tangents into extraneous detail that have nothing to do with the story, and a particularly verbose character from a different series was brought back in this book seemingly just to pad it out even further.
And then, to add insult to injury (which seems to happen a lot to someone who usually just has a bad feeling about a picture), the mystery isn't solved by Alix or even Ted having a major aha moment. Instead, the narration suddenly switches to the point of view of the criminal for the big reveal at the end.
There are kernels of a good story here, with generally well-developed characters, which probably still makes it worth reading, but seriously better editing would have been necessary to make that experience an enjoyable one.
So much of the contents of this book is a rehashing of various backstories already covered in the previous book, often nearly word for word. On top of that, there are a number of tangents into extraneous detail that have nothing to do with the story, and a particularly verbose character from a different series was brought back in this book seemingly just to pad it out even further.
And then, to add insult to injury (which seems to happen a lot to someone who usually just has a bad feeling about a picture), the mystery isn't solved by Alix or even Ted having a major aha moment. Instead, the narration suddenly switches to the point of view of the criminal for the big reveal at the end.
There are kernels of a good story here, with generally well-developed characters, which probably still makes it worth reading, but seriously better editing would have been necessary to make that experience an enjoyable one.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
3.0
When FBI agent Ted Ellesworth asks Alix to help be his eyes and ears during an art auction on a luxury yacht, it seems more like a vacation than a job. Elkins did a great job showing the luxury and decadence of the Greek tycoon's yacht and captures some of the very unique personalities on board very well.
What she finds instead is a possible counterfeit, maybe a murder, and a stream of finances that just isn't adding up. Once again she's neck deep in a mystery involving the high-end art world. This one was a little more convoluted than the first with lots of hands in the pot and tangled webs wrapping around things.
One of the best things about the series so far - I don't figure it out halfway through. There are enough hints that point me in a general direction, but the big reveal only happens when Alix and her "crew" all get together and share their collective information. The fact that it takes the entire team to figure out all the details in the end only makes things better.
The ending of this was quite intense though. More so than I expected, but it kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page.
What she finds instead is a possible counterfeit, maybe a murder, and a stream of finances that just isn't adding up. Once again she's neck deep in a mystery involving the high-end art world. This one was a little more convoluted than the first with lots of hands in the pot and tangled webs wrapping around things.
One of the best things about the series so far - I don't figure it out halfway through. There are enough hints that point me in a general direction, but the big reveal only happens when Alix and her "crew" all get together and share their collective information. The fact that it takes the entire team to figure out all the details in the end only makes things better.
The ending of this was quite intense though. More so than I expected, but it kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page.
hahibbard's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Not as enjoyable as the first book in the series for me, but still a fun read. The whodunnit was revealed very suddenly and it didn’t feel like justice was done in the end.
alhaider's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was a great vacation book. It provides a sense of escapism when you dive into a world that is different than your own. This world includes art, a large boat, and luxury travel.
I liked the main character Alix and her back story and how she landed herself in this spot. It made me want to get to know her more.
I definitely would read more books with these characters to see what new adventures they would go on.
I received this book as part of the first reads program.
I liked the main character Alix and her back story and how she landed herself in this spot. It made me want to get to know her more.
I definitely would read more books with these characters to see what new adventures they would go on.
I received this book as part of the first reads program.
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
3.0
A Cruise to Die For was a nice escape from our cold winter. Imagine sailing around Greece on a luxury yacht surrounded by the rich and famous and beautiful artwork – even with the vandalism and murder it sounds way nicer than freezing in small town Ohio.
Alix is a the daughter of an art forger who has served time in jail and is now out. She is an art restorer with a connoisseur’s eye. Her knowledge of art and the art world is why the FBI have recruited her to go on the cruise, she can discuss the art intelligently while keeping her eyes and ears open. She’s a bit bumbling in her spying, but who can blame her. There’s way more going on than she was aware of. In addition to the Ponzi scam, we’ve forgeries that are vandalized, a couple of murders, a smuggling ring.
The mystery itself is okay, although a little overshadowed by the characters. It somehow felt complicated and simple at the same time, if that makes sense. The clues and red herrings kept me guessing who it was, but then once the whodunit was established, I felt like I should have realized it all along.
See my whole review at Carol's Notebook.
Alix is a the daughter of an art forger who has served time in jail and is now out. She is an art restorer with a connoisseur’s eye. Her knowledge of art and the art world is why the FBI have recruited her to go on the cruise, she can discuss the art intelligently while keeping her eyes and ears open. She’s a bit bumbling in her spying, but who can blame her. There’s way more going on than she was aware of. In addition to the Ponzi scam, we’ve forgeries that are vandalized, a couple of murders, a smuggling ring.
The mystery itself is okay, although a little overshadowed by the characters. It somehow felt complicated and simple at the same time, if that makes sense. The clues and red herrings kept me guessing who it was, but then once the whodunit was established, I felt like I should have realized it all along.
See my whole review at Carol's Notebook.
mousehouse1897's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not quite sure how, but this series has simply flown to the tippy top of my favorites list. Honestly, both books 1 and 2 were impossible for me to pause and I practically tore through them each in a single sitting.
The characters, the plot spacing, the background characters, the research, the CHARACTERS?! I’ve not had the urge to try to mentally hug and squeeze fictional people this strongly in a very long time. Honestly, please go and read this series, you WILL NOT be disappointed.
The characters, the plot spacing, the background characters, the research, the CHARACTERS?! I’ve not had the urge to try to mentally hug and squeeze fictional people this strongly in a very long time. Honestly, please go and read this series, you WILL NOT be disappointed.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
A Cruise to Die For by Aaron and Charlotte Elkins is a Thomas & Mercer publication. This book was released in Sept. 2013.
This is the second Alix London mystery.
Alix is commissioned by the FBI art division to work undercover on a fabulous yacht. An art auction is to take place on board the yacht. The FBI is onto a scam where shares are purchased in works of art. So, Alix is to lecture on the pieces up for auction and eavesdrop on conversations and so on. In the meantime, Alix is beginning to reconnect a bit at a time with her father.
The cruise is awesome. The best accommodations are luxurious, the food gourmet, the service is above and beyond. But, Alix immediately senses something is off. A painting on display being passed off as original, is most assuredly a forgery. The investigation takes on international proportions, when murder and the mafia come into the mix.
There is no shortage of motives, scams, double crosses and intrigue with the most interesting locations thrown into the background.
Not only do the authors lend a inside view of the art world and the moral issues involved, but the general attitude of the wealthy and sense of entitlement they assume. There is never a thought given to others and the burdens they place on people.
Alix learns a bit about herself as well along the way. Her own silver spoon having been yanked from her mouth, leaving her and her father living with much less than they were accustomed to. Alix still has a moral compass and knows what lines she will cross and those she won't.
Art is always an interesting topic and when crimes involving art are in the spotlight, the underbelly is exposed. In this instance it appears there is a forger so talented, he can fool even the most extensive testing. Alix gets her father involved in determining how that was accomplished.
A quick read, highly engaging, witty, with sharp dialogue. I hope this series continues for a long time.
Over all an A.
This is the second Alix London mystery.
Alix is commissioned by the FBI art division to work undercover on a fabulous yacht. An art auction is to take place on board the yacht. The FBI is onto a scam where shares are purchased in works of art. So, Alix is to lecture on the pieces up for auction and eavesdrop on conversations and so on. In the meantime, Alix is beginning to reconnect a bit at a time with her father.
The cruise is awesome. The best accommodations are luxurious, the food gourmet, the service is above and beyond. But, Alix immediately senses something is off. A painting on display being passed off as original, is most assuredly a forgery. The investigation takes on international proportions, when murder and the mafia come into the mix.
There is no shortage of motives, scams, double crosses and intrigue with the most interesting locations thrown into the background.
Not only do the authors lend a inside view of the art world and the moral issues involved, but the general attitude of the wealthy and sense of entitlement they assume. There is never a thought given to others and the burdens they place on people.
Alix learns a bit about herself as well along the way. Her own silver spoon having been yanked from her mouth, leaving her and her father living with much less than they were accustomed to. Alix still has a moral compass and knows what lines she will cross and those she won't.
Art is always an interesting topic and when crimes involving art are in the spotlight, the underbelly is exposed. In this instance it appears there is a forger so talented, he can fool even the most extensive testing. Alix gets her father involved in determining how that was accomplished.
A quick read, highly engaging, witty, with sharp dialogue. I hope this series continues for a long time.
Over all an A.