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Boat Dollies |
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 Boat Dollies byJoyce Holland Deadly Alibi Press Ltd. 289 pages, 2000 ISBN 1886199051 Reviewed by PJ Nunn Paradise. Swaying palms, ocean breezes, and a new life on sabbatical for Sally and Pete Malone. It sounds good in theory. Waking to the gentle rhythm of the boat, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee, and clear blue skies. Sally believes it until a local customs official pulls up alongside, towing a dinghy that contains a dead body. Accidents happen at sea, but young women rarely drown with nooses around their necks. Rita, the victim, was a boat dollie. Cut off from her family and willing to do almost anything for the right to call the ocean her home. In spite of the unfortunate timing, Sally and Pete are welcomed into the close-knit community of boat inhabitants. Older and presumably wiser than her younger counterparts, Sally is quickly dubbed "Boat Mama". Nurturing and caring for the younger women helps fill the void caused by the accidental death of her only daughter. But the protective instincts also provoke an insatiable curiosity to find out what really happened to Rita. Is it possible that someone they all know killed the poor girl? Sally won’t rest until she finds out. Ignoring Pete’s admonitions to leave it alone while he’s gone for a few days, she continues her quest until the killer leaves a written warning. When Sally learns that another young woman has been killed, she’s terrified that her actions have endangered those she has come to love. Fearful for their safety, Sally disconnects from the new friends she’s made. As a hurricane barrels toward them, she has to move the boat away, isolating herself even further and presenting the killer with the opportunity he’s been waiting for. Alone in a lagoon, with both a killer and a tropical storm bearing down on her, Sally literally has to swim for her life. BOAT DOLLIES is a masterful first effort by Joyce Holland. Although much of the terminology is unfamiliar to a land-lubber, she weaves it in gracefully, making it easy to absorb and understand. Delightful characters and vivid descriptions allow the reader to bask in the tropical surroundings, feel the rhythmic pulse of the ocean swells, taste the salty sea air, and enjoy the caress of a gentle ocean breeze. The plot is intricately woven, keeping readers guessing to the end. For mystery lovers, BOAT DOLLIES is the next best thing to a Caribbean cruise. |
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