Murder on a writer's cruise. That sentence alone should get lots of readers for this murder mystery featuring a ghost writer and a cast of published and wannabe authors.

A group of aspiring writers go on a cruise ship and someone is murdered. A deliciously meta mystery ensues. These women (the trip is for females only) have read it all, so they keep adding their shared knowledge based on the tropes: “there can be only one murder but, when there are two bodies, a third one follows. Access is key to finding out whodunit.” Every quote, joke, banter and throwback to a classic or modern mystery is catnip to genre fans. The Ghostwriter is back and turns again into a self-aware Hastings. The cast of suspects is fantastic, over the top but somehow believable in this context. The author makes fun of writers and books, but in a kind way that shows a deep love of literature. The Main Character is so well written and her voice is so relatable and real that I forgot, again, that she is never named (other than her pen name, which is hilarious). The psychology of all these women is so accomplished that again I forgot that this was written by a man. And the plot? How did I not see this coming, it was so well built, so logical that I couldn’t believe that the author managed to fool me! I gasped and nervously laughed… “you call yourself a mystery reader?” The personal lives of these characters was also part of the fun. Most of them are exaggerated versions of real people, so it was fun to guess who each fictional author was supposed to be. Readers who secretly belong to Ravenclaw will enjoy this.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer.

As a huge fan of mysteries set on cruises, I couldn't wait to devour this one! Our main character, "Belle", an author and a ghostwriter is invited to teach a mystery course on her friend's literary cruise. Of course, it doesn't go to plan and soon murder is involved. I loved all the meta-ness and snarkiness of the main character. I did feel that the plot lagged a bit in the middle and thought some of the characters could have been rounded out more. However, it was such a fun read that it didn't detract from my enjoyment. Can't wait to read the next one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC!

I think I enjoyed this mystery about ghost writer turned sleuth introduced in The Busy Body more than the first entry in the series. As the novel starts, the ghostwriter is off to lead seminars for aspiring mystery writers., on a one week "Get-Lit" cruise, organized by the uber-successful author Payton Garett, a former friend from her days as a writing student. Soon Payton is publicly poisoned, as is her new wife, and then her assistant dies. As a body count mounts, The ghostwriter and the ships doctor assist the captain in trying to solve the murder-mystery before the ship, now turned around, returns to dock. I found it funny and sarcastic, and a fine read for fans of Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz or the Thursday Murder Club like novels.

Another fabulous book. I have a thing for mysteries that happen on boats (and I have no idea why because I really don't like boats at all). I think it just adds another awesome layer to the locked-room mystery.... everyone is stuck together on a floating vessel with no where to run or hide or go about their normal lives. It really ramps up the tension and drama in the best ways. This book was extra fun and eccentric because it was full of female writers who are ready for drama and boy do they get it! This author writes incredible and vivid characters that you can't help but enjoy reading about. Everyone is flawed, even the narrator MC (who I adore) who acknowledges this and is trying to become less of a loner, someone afraid to make true connections in fear of being left behind, because this is just so relatable.
I was completely ensnared and did not want to put this book down. I also love the conversation about how romance books are sneered at by so many because they are something that are mostly loved by women. I feel this is very similar with cozy mysteries as well.
Because I am an extremely untrusting person, I had an idea about the reveal, mostly because I suspect literally everyone, but it definitely still shocked me when it all came out. I love the way this mystery was woven together by the author.

I already cannot wait for more!

I haven’t read the first book in this series but it didn’t seem to matter. Belle is a writer who is invited to be a workshop leader on a literary cruise by Peyton, an old friend who is much more successful than she is, There are a number of murders and a closed number of suspects. For some reason, Belle and the ship’s doctor are allowed to wander the ship investigating, The number of people with motives is small enough to be to know them and I didn’t guess who was responsible. I wasn’t sure that the explanation quite matched the crimes but this was a fun read. 3.5 stars rounded down, Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

I had a genuinely fun time reading this book. The main character is interesting, the voiceover funny, and some of the secondary characters engaging. Unfortunately I figured out the antagonist mid-way through the book, but had still enjoyed the experience enough to find and read the first book in the series immediately after I finished this one. 4/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for letting me read an ARC of this book.

This book was an absolute delight. The voice is great the characters are great and fun and the plot is really well done. An all around excellent book. Can’t wait for more from this author.

A fun and fabulous mystery to recommend to your readers who have enjoyed books by Richard Osman, Deanna Raybourn, and Anthony Horowitz. It takes place on a literary-themed cruise that is a writing workshop for women only. Our amateur detective here is a mystery author who is teaching a class on mystery writing. So, once there is a murder (and then a few more) she springs into action to solve it. I could not put this down, thanks to the fast paced plot, smart and funny tone, and terrific characters. I had enjoyed Kemper Donovan's first book, and this one was a little different -- more a traditional "locked room" type of mystery.

I love that this book reminded me of an Agatha Christy novel. I also loved that this takes place on a cruise ship. A good mystery and a good plot.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Loose Lips” by Kemper Donovan is a delightful and witty mystery that combines the charm of a classic whodunit with the modern intrigue of a literary cruise.

This novel, the 2nd in the Ghostwriter Mystery series, is a testament to Donovan’s skill in crafting engaging characters and intricate plots that keep readers guessing until the very end.

The cruise promises a blend of writing workshops and high-seas adventure, but things take a dark turn when an attendee is found dead under suspicious circumstances. As more guests fall ill, it becomes clear that the cruise is anything but a relaxing getaway. 

Donovan excels in creating a cast of quirky and memorable characters. The protagonist, a sharp and observant ghostwriter, is both relatable and endearing. Her interactions with Payton, a charismatic yet manipulative figure, add depth and tension to the narrative. The ensemble of cruise guests, each with their own eccentricities and hidden agendas, enriches the story and provides a plethora of potential suspects. Donovan’s ability to flesh out these characters with humor and nuance makes the mystery all the more engaging.

Donovan’s writing is crisp and witty, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for satire. The dialogue is sharp and often humorous, capturing the absurdities of the literary world and the dynamics of the cruise setting. The narrative is well-paced, balancing moments of suspense with lighter, comedic interludes. 

"Loose Lips” explores themes of ambition, rivalry, and the blurred lines between truth and fiction. The novel delves into the competitive nature of the literary world, where success often comes at the expense of personal relationships. It also examines the role of the ghostwriter, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of those who work behind the scenes. The cruise setting serves as a microcosm of society, where appearances can be deceiving and everyone has something to hide.

"Loose Lips” is a thoroughly entertaining mystery that combines the best elements of classic and contemporary crime fiction. Kemper Donovan has crafted a story that is both clever and fun, with a protagonist who is easy to root for.

Whether you’re a fan of literary mysteries or looking for a new twist on the genre, “Loose Lips” is a must-read. This novel is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Ghostwriter Mystery series.

verbal-humor, snarky, writers, wry-humor, amateur-sleuth, murders, investigations, cruise-ship, cozy-mystery, ghostwriter, frenemy, closed-circle-mystery, snide, poisons, unpleasant-guests****

The extensive publisher's blurb really gets the reader in the mood to join Belle Currer, instructor of the literary themed cruise aimed to inform 300 paying participants about the benefits and particulars of the mystery genre. She is accompanied by her frenemy, Payton Garrett, a successful self-help writer who makes a good foil for the humor and a participant in having survived the poisoning. Belle is also the narrator in this interesting foray.
I requested and received a temporary digital copy from Kensington Books/A John Scognamiglio Book via NetGalley.
#GhostwriterMysteriesBk2 #LooseLips #NetGalley Avail Jan 21, 2025

The ghostwriter invited by frenemy Payton Garrett on a Lit cruise to lead a workshop. Not her best idea, but she feels she needs the money, especially as it was paid ahead of the cruise. But things begin to go crazy when another frenemy with a real vendetta against Payton turns up. Next day someone is dead and it's up to the ghostwriter to solve the mystery before someone else meets his/her end. Pleasant follow up to The Busy Body and looking forward to what happens next in the ghostwriter's life.

This Agatha Christie-style mystery is set on a cruise ship with a group of hopeful writers, one of them with homicidal tendencies. When an attendee ends up dead with others showing signs of being poisoned, it becomes a race to figure out who is creating their real-life murder mystery on the ship.

The plot is enjoyable and pays homage to Murder on the Orient Express. As the second book in a series, some elements make it a bit challenging to read as a standalone. This is especially true given how little the reader knows about the narrator. Add in that many characters are unlikable (and not in the fun villain sense), and it is hard to find someone to root for in the story. That being said, fans of the first book will be content with this second book.

What a fun book~and it’s hardly sufficient to. be restricted to just a 5⭐️ rating to describe how
much fun it has. Even to spend time on this ill fated cruise ship. The cast of characters is just
brilliant ~ such a great group of folks are assembled for a week long writing seminars and
social events of Authors and those who want to shine as writers. This is a group of quirky
and insanity driven writers and staff aboard the cruise ship, but to avoid spoilers, this is all
I will leave you with, beyond loud proclamations to read this book the minute it’s released.
The Author is hilarious~he’s nailed his story here and everyone plays their part to
perfection!
My thanks to the Publisher for this book which I appreciate very much and am delighted
for the opportunity to provide reviews !

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Kemper Donovan has achieved that rare feat. His second Ghostwriter mystery is better than his first, The Busy Body, in my opinion. Loose Lips takes the Ghostwriter, now working under the pseudonym Belle Currer, on a cruise with 300 suspects.

As Belle Currer, the ghostwriter told the story of her experiences in Maine in a mystery called The Busy Body. Now, her frenemy, Payton Garrett, has invited her to teach the mystery class on the “Get Lit Cruise”, a short cruise for women who are passionate about literature, and rich enough to afford the trip. Payton and Belle were friends in their MFA days. Now, Payton’s a successful self-help guru with numerous followers. She’s invited 300 of them, all women, on this cruise. The only three men on the excursion are the chef, Payton’s assistant, and her ex, a journalist along to write about the trip.

Even the beginning of the trip seems off when Flora Fortescue, another friend from grad school days, shows up. Flora has been suing Payton for plagiarism, so she certainly shouldn’t be on the trip. When Payton gets sick at dinner, and someone dies of poisoning, Flora is the primary suspect.

Belle is dragged into the murder investigation, assisting the ship’s doctor, Joan Chen. Belle doesn’t relish her role as sidekick. But, she’s forgotten some of the points she teaches in her mystery writing class. The three criteria for proving someone committed a crime are motive, means and opportunity.

Loose Lips is a fun mystery, with comments about classic mystery writers and their books. It’s a closed-circle murder with 300 suspects, but it’s easy to remember the main ones. Donovan, a podcaster who specializes in Agatha Christie, capitalizes on his knowledge and background with this enjoyable book.

I read The Busy Body by this author and loved it. So I was super excited to start this second novel in the ghostwriter series featuring Belle Currer. When she is asked to come on a “Get Lit Cruise” as an instructor, Belle isn’t thrilled but still can’t refuse the opportunity. Once aboard, she is reconnected with Payton Garret, a popular author and the organizer of the cruise. On the all female voyage, Belle soon finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation. She makes fast friends with the ship’s doctor, Joan Chen and the two do their best to solve the case before another murder is committed. This was a fun read. I really love the way Donovan writes. His novels are full of snarky comments and inside jokes. Although I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first in this series, it was still an enjoyable story with several twists at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

This is not this books fault, but I didn't know this was a sequel in a series, and every so often wondered to myself if there was information I was missing in the story. Now that I know there is a book #1 some of those holes make a lot of sense, but I haven't decided if I'll go back and read it. This was a cool device for what is essentially a murder mystery. Its Murder on the Orient Express but a boat instead of a train. I love a good feminist moment but having only women on the boat except for three other men felt like a strange exception to me.
I will say everyone on this boat can jump right off if they want. There wasn't one character I thought I would've been devastated to find was a victim of the murderer. Which if that's your thing,cool, but I need someone to root for, and I felt really far away from all these characters and their motivations.

Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. So goes the adage, but sometimes, even a first-rate ghostwriter and successful mystery author needs to make a buck. Even if that means setting foot on a cruise ship, something she vowed she’d never do. To top it off, the “Get Lit Cruise” is being organized by Payton Garrett, a very popular, bestselling author—and the ghostwriter’s long-time frenemy from back in their MFA days.
Over the years, Payton has reinvented herself. She gained a wife while ditching her journalist husband—who is also on board. And she’s acquired a rabid following who eagerly snapped up the invitations sent to a select few of her newsletter subscribers. The guests, all female, will receive personalized instruction from experts in five different writing genres, while basking in Payton’s reflected glow.
Between mentoring guests, flirting with Payton’s ex, and taking bets on how long before someone performs a reenactment of Titanic’s “I’m flying!” scene (answer: not long enough), there’s plenty to keep a ghostwriter occupied. But there’s one activity nobody expected: solving a murder.
When an attendee is found dead under suspicious circumstances and several others suffer symptoms of poisoning, there are numerous motives and suspects to choose from. But could it be that the victim wasn’t even the intended target? As the body count rises along with onboard tensions, no one is safe—except, perhaps, for a killer whose scruples have long abandoned ship. And of course, like every well-plotted mystery, this one has an extra twist . . .

Thanks for the ARC! This was a fun Agatha Christie style murder on a boat story. I had a pretty good idea who the killer was pretty early in the book, which was unfortunate, but there were enough twists and turns to make me doubt myself a few times and enjoy the journey. As well as some Christie influence, there's certainly some comparisons to be made to Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect, and The Word Is Murder. Fun read, and will have to check out the first book in the series!