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Top reviews from the United States

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Beckett ShionaTop Contributor: Pets

Starts well; goes rapidly downhill

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2020

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This began as a fun and interesting book which I thought I'd really enjoy. Seeing the main character, London, make a life decision based on what was best for her, personally, was empowering. The book was not badly written; no egregious errors in spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, etc., either--always a plus. I generally love travel tour mysteries because they introduce me to places I've never been, and lead me to jump right out of the story to the Net so I can look up the tourist attractions described; in that, this book was exceptional. I learned a lot about Hungary and Budapest.

But the mystery itself was forced and clichéd. Frankly, London was no Miss Marple; she wasn't even Nancy Drew. Her methods were silly and the conclusions she kept drawing were stupid. She seems to solve the murder almost by accident. There were frankly unbelievable things happening, such as the fact that the police would not have closed off the murdered person's stateroom, or that the head of the cruise line would have ordered London to interfere in a police investigation. The main character was also terribly judgmental; she might, for good reason, dislike a passenger's behavior, but if another employee said aloud what she was thinking, she suddenly felt uncomfortable about that employee. She constantly remarks to herself how wonderful she is at her job--yet her subordinate seems to do most of the work.

So I rate it two stars for the descriptions of Budapest, one for decent writing, but nothing for the mystery itself.

Carolyn !amuniere

I started this book, but after the first few chapters jumped to the last chapter. I found the book rather childish. Or at least the characters came off as people so glib and silly that I really didn't have any interest in pursuing the books. I was sorry because I thought given the first review that it would be good.

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2021

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So, bottom line, I would not recommend this book. Some people may like it so just take my thoughts as only mine, and see for yourself.

Cathyhannahrblack

Uniquely Different type of Mystery

Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2020

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London Rose 🌹 first appears at her sisters house because she's in between jobs as a hostess on Epoch World 🌎 Cruise Line. She is having dinner with Ian Mitchell in New Haven, CT. She was introduced to Ian by her sister, Tia and her husband, Bernard. Tia and Bernard have two daughters, 12 year old Margie and 10 year old Stella. They have one son Brett. Tia is London's older sister. Tia and London Rose were raised by flight ✈️ attendants and so they travelled around Europe 🌍 extensively their lives seemed normal enough and their father came out as gay but they still remained a happy family until their mother evidently wasn't because when they were in their teens, mom went on a European 🏰🏤 your and never came back. So she was having dinner with Ian and he was explaining how his parents called their marriage a merger. He was explaining what he did and what his five and ten year plan was and asked her for her hand in marriage and join in a merger with him. Ian hade the ring and even the job, he and her brother in law Bernard were partners in a firm together. Ian had no passion and so she told him she would 🤔 think about it. This back story is important because it explains why she took a job her boss offered her on a new Cruise Line as Social director. She was going to start in Budapest on a trip up the Danube. If you know anything about Blake Pierce you know he is a writer of all types of Mystery books, my favorite Jessie Hunt but he does an excellent job of because I read all of the Keri Locke mysteries. Anyways, this I a pretty good tale, enough to make me want to read the next 📚 book.

MJ Callaway

I'm a Mystery Buff and Couldn't Guess This One

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020

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The character development was a bit slow, but once that was complete the fun began. I enjoyed the descriptions of the cities visited, the art, the food, and the music.

twinkie1

Just entertaining

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2021

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This book was fine, but purely light entertainment— it is not for the reader seeking a highly developed plot. Also, multiple grammatical errors were a distraction.

Good

Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2020

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London Rose has a new title that of a social director on a new river cruise. With the hundred passengers and a new port each day. Life is exciting and full of wonder. When murder happens she digs in to solve to save her job
Delightful character in London and the travel by river oat is a great way to travel.

Dorothy Schaefer

Very good book

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2020

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Very different from Blake's other books but still very good I will definitely read the next one and I recommend all of his books old ones and new ones I have a list of all his new ones coming out so I do not miss any of them Dorothy schaefer

Aineenmarie

Great read

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2021

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This was a very well written plot. The author really draws the reader into the story. I truly cannot wait for another book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Top reviews from other countries

D. Elliott

Discovered Dead

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2021

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In the space of a few days at age 33 years main protagonist London Rose turns down a proposal of marriage, challenges her match-making sister’s set ways, accepts a job as Social Director and arrives in Budapest to take up her new duties on a riverboat cruising on the Danube. Readers are introduced to the passengers she welcomes on board and to the history, culture, architecture and culinary attractions of Hungary which are well described by author Blake Pierce in a sort of travelogue approach, which skilfully interweaves this aspect into a ‘cozy’ mystery.

The passengers are a mixed bunch, as are the crew including a medical chef, a friend from previous cruises, and an awkward crew member who had expected to get the new ‘top-dog’ position of Director. Almost immediately one particular ‘high maintenance’ passenger is discovered dead after a walkabout at the first stop in the town of Gyor – discovered by London Rose – who becomes a suspect of the local police. London Rose is commanded by the owner of the cruise company to investigate the death and find the murderer. She is helped and hindered by various individuals including crew members, specialist travel personnel and passengers, plus the pet dog of the victim, and the story takes on typical features of the ‘cozy’ genre suggested by ‘Baklava’ in the title.

London Rose is the expected amateur female sleuth and she is up against inept police, who prevent departure of the riverboat until the murderer is apprehended. London Rose sets off, complete with dog to explore and expose whatever has happened – and like all ‘cozy’ narratives this offers great opportunities for humour. ‘Murder and Baklava’ is a delightfully light-hearted entertaining read, and in the ‘cozy’ genre it deserves a 5-star rating.