BOAT DOLLIES
Joyce Holland
Deadly Alibi Press Ltd. 2000
289 pages
$17.99
ISBN 1886199051
This is the first in a very appealing new series by Joyce Holland. BOAT DOLLIES features the husband and wife team of Sally and Pete Malone, who have turned to life on the sea while on sabbatical, hoping for a chance at a new start after experiencing some difficult times. But during a stop in the Caribbean they get more than they bargained for when a local customs official pulls up alongside their boat towing a dinghy carrying a dead girl.
Despite the bad start to their visit, they are welcomed into the close-knit community of boat dwellers. Sally is quickly dubbed, "Boat Mama" by the younger girls. She enjoys mothering these younger women because it helps to fill a void in her life, left by the accidental death of their daughter. Unfortunately, Sally's curiosity lands her in the middle of things as she becomes determined to find out what happened to the dead girl, who was dubbed one of the boat dollies-a type of boat community groupie.
Pete protests her investigation, but she continues despite his concern, until she finds herself threatened by the killer and learns that another young woman has been killed. Looking for safety, she instead finds herself not only vulnerable to a killer but also to a tropical storm.
BOAT DOLLIES is a wonderful first effort. Very well written with delightful, and refreshing characters. This book also provides the reader with a lesson in the terms and technology of the boating world. I have read the second book as well, and if the trend continues, the series gets better with each book. I look forward to much more from Joyce Holland.
Reviewed by Lorie Ham MURDER IN FOUR PART HARMONY, AmErica House Oct. 2000 Read the first 3 chapters at: http://www.angelfire.com/la2/lorieham/
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