Anyone who has ever dreamed of visiting the Galapagos Islands (that would be me) will find much to enjoy in Sharon Marchisello's novel, Secrets of the Galapagos. When Giovanna Rogers takes a cruise to help heal her broken heart, she's plunged into a mystery when a fellow passenger, Lauren, disappears and no one else on board will acknowledge that she's missing. I enjoyed the setting and description of the famous Galapagos tortoises, and the adventure (watch out for sharks while snorkeling). Thanks to Netgallery for this complimentary e-book.

An addictive read with a great backdrop setting on a small luxury cruiseship. After Giovanna is duped by a rich shady business man, Jerome Haddad, while trying to open a veterinary clinic with his investment, he stole all the donations and left her high and dry. Her boyfriend dumped her because of losing her business. And thankfully, that was past and we didn’t have to endure knowing much about an unsupportive ass. Giovanna’s grandmother, Michelle, invites her on a luxury cruise to soften all the blows Giovanna endured. So Giovanna joined Michelle, but she also had a hidden agenda – she signed up for the cruise because she is on a mission to find the man who sabotaged her career. But it turns out, Giovanna discovered more than she bargained for on that cruise.

The story begins with Giovanna and fellow passenger Laurel snorkelling off the boat , except Laurel never returns, yet is not acknowledged as missing and Giovanna smells a rat and decides to do some investigating on her own and discovers mysterious things beginning to happen. When suspicion arises, Giovanna and Michelle search Laurel’s room, which appears ransacked, but Giovanna manages to find the flash drive that could have some suspected evidence on it. And the action begins with the secret searching, leading to a few dead bodies, yet no sign of Laurel – even though someone on that cruise is hiding what they know and trying to throw Giovanna and Michelle off the trail. But are they being followed? Not long after, Michelle is found knocked on the head in the infirmary. So many red herrings will keep us glued, wondering who is behind all this mystery.

As we are introduced to some interesting and well written characters in this story, we’ll learn more about the ecology of some of these islands, and about a large tortoise named Tio Armando who also goes missing, suspected of being sold on the black market.

With many clues, lots of action and suspects – and a couple of murders, Giovanna finds herself in the midst of some of these investigations with the handsome detective, and ultimately, narrowly escapes death after finding the truth when her old nemesis, Haddad, shows up on the island. Beautiful settings and description add to the enjoyment of this entertaining and suspenseful tale.

this was a really enjoyable read, I loved the cover and the characters. It was a really good mystery that had me guessing from beginning to end.

A mostly engaging mystery. It has well-written characters and a good build-up to the end. I enjoyed the setting. This author has talent and I'll try some of her other books. Recommended.

I really appreciate the review copy!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sunbury Press for this enthralling mystery I return for an honest review.

I found the characters well developed and believable. I enjoyed the setting with its emphasis on the bird and animal life unique to the Galapagos, and the efforts to conserve them.

Giovanna is a twenty-five-year-old woman who has been defrauded and humiliated. Her dream was to run a veterinarian clinic. Her partner, Jerome, was a conman who pocketed all the donation funds and destroyed her project. Her boyfriend was to be the veterinarian at the clinic and its aim was to spay or neuter animals for owners who could not otherwise afford the procedures. Her fiancé jilted her before the wedding, blaming her for the loss of the clinic.

Her grandmother invited her on a Galapagos Cruise in hopes of restoring her damaged spirits by relaxing aboard ship and in the pristine environment. Surely this is the ideal vacation to restore Giovanna’s emotional distress. In such a remote and peaceful setting what could go wrong?

While snorkelling with a guide, Laurel, her new friend disappears. No one on the cruise ship will acknowledge Laurel’s absence. Giovanna is determined to convince ship officials and police to search for Laurel, but no one seems to be taking her pleas seriously. Giovanna proves to be intent on solving this mystery, but she makes some choices that puts herself in danger. Next, a male guide is found dead in the swimming pool. Did he fall or was he pushed? Passengers are being interrogated by the police, and Giovanna is thought to be the last to see him. So much for a quiet holiday!

What her grandmother doesn’t know, but what Giovanna has learned on Facebook, is that Jerome is heading to the Galapagos with his wife aboard his yacht. She wants revenge on the man who swindled her, ruined her business and her reputation among donors.

Still what happened to Laurel is unresolved, and now a 500-pound giant tortoise which would make a great tourist attraction has vanished. Three people have been stabbed, one dead and two in critical condition. As she attempts to solve the mystery of the missing Laurel and the guide who drowned in the ship’s pool, she also wants to know how and why the giant tortoise has disappeared. Luckily, she has found a sympathetic policeman who is resourceful and listens to her theories and concerns. They seem to be developing a romantic attachment.

The last part of the book is intense. Giovanna’s life is in extreme danger.
This was a gripping, exciting and suspenseful read. Recommended!

A good read, a tad bit too much detail, could have eliminated a lot of trivial reading to make this book more interesting.