Our nameless ghostwriter and mystery author is back again, this time on an (almost) all-ladies' writers' cruise organized by the ghostwriter's college friend and successful author, Payton Garrett. When an attendee dies and several others become ill from what seems like a poisoning, the ghostwriter and the ship's doctor become determined to find the killer.

This book is a fun, twisty romp that's peppered with references to well-known mystery writers and books. The dialogue is snappy and the main character enjoyably snarky [example: " lobsters, crabs, squids, and crayfish (aka crawdads, just please God don't let them sing)"]. The cruise ship setting makes it feel like a large-scale locked-room mystery, and the pace is brisk without being frantic. I liked this second book from Donovan even better than the first and hope to see the ghostwriter in future titles. Recommended for readers who like Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz, and Richard Osman.

Tremendous..
A literary cruise turns fatal in this tremendously entertaining and perfectly penned mystery bubbling over with eclectic and eccentric characters populating a frenetic and frothy plot. Undertones of the Golden Age and Christiesque inferences abound as our delightfully irreverent mystery writer protagonist finds herself in deep water, in more ways than one. The second in the Ghostwriter series of mysteries from Kemper Donovan, host of the wildly enjoyable ‘All About Agatha’ podcast, and is equally as immersive as the first in the series. Just tremendous.

The ghostwriter using Belle as a pen name has published the first book in her mystery series and is teaching a mystery writing workshop on a woman-only cruise. An old school friend has organized it, and Belle is suffering a little from relationship hangovers from her school days, and a little more from being an introvert in quite a bit of forced human interaction. Her angst, along with her incisive observations, make the start of the cruise interesting for the reader.

But then the murders begin. The characters are well drawn, quirky, and endearing. The setting doesn't reduce the number of suspects as much as a country house party would, but adds spice to the story. The plot is deft and complex. The book is well written, showcasing the heroine's prickly charm and introducing more of her backstory to the reader.

An enjoyable read!

This is the second book in a series and readers will love the smart plotting and character development. This is a must read!

*Loose Lips* by Kemper Donovan is a fun, twisty ride that will pull you into the world of a whodunit on the high seas. The story centers on a successful ghostwriter who reluctantly joins a literary-themed cruise, only to find herself tangled in a web of murder and mystery. The quirky, well-drawn characters and the cleverly constructed plot make it feel like a literary version of *Knives Out*—so if you're a fan of that film, this book is definitely for you.

The tension on the ship builds as secrets are revealed, alliances shift, and the body count rises, all leading to a surprising twist that keeps you guessing until the very end. Donovan's witty writing and sharp observations on the literary world add a layer of depth and humor to the mystery, making *Loose Lips* a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of both cozy mysteries and thrillers.
#LooseLips #NetGalley

This second book about the ghostwriter finds her on a writing cruise her frenemy is putting on. Meeting old friends and new acquaintances keeps her busy until there is a murder on board. Then a second. Than a third. Now, along with the ships doctor, her new friend, she is trying to figure out who the murderer is before there is another death.