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Lady Justice #11

Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders

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Ox and Judy are off to Alaska on a honeymoon cruise and invite Walt and Maggie to tag along.
Their vacation plans are soon shipwrecked by the murder of two fellow passengers.
The murders appear to be linked to a century-old legend involving a cache of gold stolen from a prospector and buried by two thieves.
Their seven day cruise is spent hunting for the gold and eluding the modern day thieves intent on possessing it at any cost.
Another nail-biting mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and laughing out loud the next.

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2012

132 people are currently reading
421 people want to read

About the author

Robert Thornhill

66 books366 followers
Award-winning author, Robert Thornhill, began writing at the age of sixty-six and in eleven short years has penned forty-five novels in the Lady Justice mystery/comedy series, the seven volume Rainbow Road series of chapter books for children, a cookbook and a mini-autobiography.
Lady Justice and the Sting, Lady Justice and Dr. Death, Lady Justice and the Vigilante, Lady Justice and the Candidate, Lady Justice and the Book Club Murders, Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders, Lady Justice and the Vet and Lady Justice and the Pharaoh’s Curse won the Pinnacle Award for the best new mystery novels of Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Summer 2012, Fall 2012, Spring of 2013, Summer of 2013, Spring of 2014 and Fall of 2014 from the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs.
Twenty-four volumes in the series reached #1 on Amazon in the past twenty-four months.
Many of Walt’s adventures in the Lady Justice series are anecdotal and based on Robert’s real life.
Although Robert holds a master’s in psychology, he has never taken a course in writing and has never learned to type. All 52 of his published books were typed with one finger and a thumb!
His wit and insight come from his varied occupations, including thirty-three years as a real estate broker. He lives with his wife, Peg, in Independence, Missouri.
Visit him on the Web at: http://BooksByBob.com

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5 stars
108 (58%)
4 stars
40 (21%)
3 stars
29 (15%)
2 stars
4 (2%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Sherry Fundin.
2,337 reviews167 followers
March 11, 2013
Out of the blue, Mark Stewart received a letter in the mail from Skagway, Alaska. A. Prospector claimed to know about gold that had been stolen from his great great grandfather in 1898.

At the same time the Stewarts were preparing for their voyage, Ox and Judy De Marce, invited my wife, Maggie, and I on an Alaskan Cruise for their honeymoon. We'd only been married a year ourselves and had never been on a cruise. Sounded great.

Amy Stewart had kept the letter from A. Prospector and did some research. His facts were true and accurate. After talking with him over the computer, Amy and Mark decided some family history and cruising would go good together, so they were on their way.

As the Stewarts prepared for the cruise, others were making plans of their own. They had hacked into Quimby's, A Prospector's, email account to keep track of what he was up to.

One slip up while packing, will cause them grief. I loved that he put in their fiasco through airport security.

All six of them met for the first time at the airport and found out they were taking the same cruise. But if they thought it was going to be a vacation, they had another thing coming.

5 STARS - Would Highly Recommend To Others

A humorous mystery novel that made me think of Janet Evanovich`s books. I had been immediately attracted to the book by the title and cover. The blurb made me know it was going to be an adventure with plenty of murder and mystery told in a light-hearted way. I love the "noir" type of book.

The guys are typical guys and the same goes for the women. Whatever the gals wanted the guys went along with. They dressed up for cruise dinners and socialized with the other passengers. I've been on cruises, so I know the program.

I love adventure novels and treasure hunting. This book contained all the elements. There were multiple story lines and it was action packed.

I loved the reference to Clint Eastwood in Rawhide - herding cows. "Move `em out, head `em up, head `em up, move `em on, move `em out, head `em up - Rawhide. I remember watching the TV show and singing along.

My husband and I joke all the time about following the herd.

The author made other references to the old westerns. It seemed to describe the places in the book in a great way. Skagway was Dodge City and Tombstone rolled into one.

Quimby, the professor who found the map and started the whole thing, reminded me of Indiana Jones. I love references to TV shows and movies. It helps to picture everything in my mind.

When I met Willie, Jerry and Anne, they had me cracking up and kept me laughing. I loved them.

...Just like Timex watches - they take a licking and keep on ticking. Full of clichés, but not too overdone. It is his writing style and added a humorous element, keeping me laughing throughout the book.

He also made me think, that with every page I turned, something would happen. Kept waiting, anticipating. Oh, and it kept me laughing. LOL

Human nature..skew the scales of justice. Those times, the call will go out from Lady Justice for someone to step up and right those scales.

"The bartenders have concocted a special drink just for the cruise. It's made of Viagra and prune juice. They call it the `Get up and Go!'"

I won this signed paperback on Robert Thornhill's Website.

Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders (Lady Justice, #11) by Robert Thornhill

Robert Thornhill
Profile Image for James Elkins.
327 reviews8 followers
January 1, 2013
In the interests of full disclosure and while I don't know if it was part of a goodreads first reads giveaway, I did receive my copy of Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders from the author himself. Thank you again. Now that, that bit of business is out of the way...

If this book (the eleventh) is any indication, the Lady Justice series would do well on television. If cast correctly it could easily join the ranks of such stalwarts as Murder She Wrote, Matlock, and Murder 101. While I don't envision myself acquiring the other books in the series, I would certainly tune in to watch.

Envision if you will:

Screen comes up on Mark and Amy Stewart of Kansas City, Missouri, he is a lawyer she is his wife (both are of an average group presumably Caucasian), in a discussion over a mysterious letter. "It's a con job" he says. "But what if it's not? she replies. "Whatever you want" he concedes. Roll jaunty, yet solemn, theme music. Opening credits. Blah, Blah, Blah Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders , blah, blah, blah. I'll stop there.

Sixty-nine year old, police officer, Walt Williamson and his wife Maggie join Walt's colleagues, and newlyweds, Ox and Judy on their honeymoon cruise in Alaska. There's a murder aboard ship, but not of the intended targets Mark and Amy Stewart. Several failed murder attempts, procedural errors, plot holes, and wackyness later, the bad guys are caught. Along the way supporting characters (including Walt's father) back home in Kansas City, thwart a mutder/revenge plot.

Those looking for Murder on the Nile should probably read Murder on the Nile, those looking for a little fun or a mindless distraction could do worse than Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders .
Profile Image for Christina Jones.
97 reviews6 followers
October 22, 2012
There's something about a murder mystery aboard a ship at sea...the culprit can't escape easily; but neither can the intended victim. Writers like Agatha Christie and Ian Fleming have used this vehicle to set up plots and sub-plots to make the reader roll with the waves as they sort through events and clues. Robert Thornhill skillfully brings this setting into the world of Walt Williams as he presents us with mystery/comedy #11, LADY JUSTICE AND THE CRUISE SHIP MURDERS.

The story unfolds as Walt Williams, retired real estate salesman, now a member of the Kansas City Police Force's City Retired Action Patrol (C.R.A.P.), and his wife, Maggie, have been invited to join Walt's partner Ox, and Ox's policewoman wife, Judy, on their honeymoon. The decision is to take a week long Alaskan cruise that includes panning for gold (Ox's dream) and a salmon bake for Judy.

With Thornhill's skill of interweaving story lines, we learn that another couple from KC are also headed to Alaska to hopefully retrieve a hidden treasure trove of gold. The plot thickens when a murder is committed on the first night aboard the ship right down the hall from Walt's room. Continuous action will hold the reader's attention, but Thornhill also provides moments of prose about the beauty of Alaska and humor events that occur on the ship. Finally, the culprits are caught and Lady Justice triumphs once again. This is a pure fun and entertainment...keeps you turning the pages until it's done!
Profile Image for  Gigi Ann.
632 reviews40 followers
October 24, 2012
This is the first time I've read a book by this author, Robert Thornhill, and I must say I will probably be reading more of his writing. This was a fun cozy mystery about four friends. Ox and Judy are off to Alaska on a honeymoon cruise and invite Walt and Maggie to tag along. Their vacation is anything but relaxing and all fun and games. First thing that happens they meet another couple on vacation, Amy and Mark Steward. From that point on their vacation plans are soon shipwrecked by the murder of two fellow passengers.

The murders appear to be linked to a century-old legend involving a cache of gold stolen from a prospector and buried by two thieves. There were hair-raising attempts of someone trying to put an end to their lives.
Their seven day cruise is spent hunting for the gold and eluding the modern day thieves intent on possessing it at any cost.

Another nail-biting mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and then I found myself laughing out loud the next. I really enjoyed this book, and awarded it 4****
Profile Image for Heather.
697 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2020
I just can't figure out if Walt has good luck or bad. Is he in the right place at the wrong time or visa versa? Why should Ox & Judy have a less exciting honeymoon than Walt and Maggie had? This story was good and had the added benefit of pictures. I enjoyed the pictures and thought that they added that something special.
The side story with John, Mary, Willie & Jerry was funny.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
Author 1 book15 followers
May 18, 2013
Warning - do not eat or drink while reading a Robert Thornhill book - you will spew!

A funny, comedy mystery involving Walt Williams, one of Kansas City's finest, and his partner Ox, aboard a Holland Cruise ship.
Profile Image for Karen B..
457 reviews9 followers
August 10, 2017
This is the first Lady Justice book I have read and I was a bit disappointed. It really didn't hold my attention but I finished it anyway. Perhaps it was because I was listening to the audio book and didn't care for the narrator.
Profile Image for Grampy.
869 reviews48 followers
May 4, 2013
This book was reviewed by Lee Ashford for Reader's Favorite.

“Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders” by Robert Thornhill is Episode #11 of the Lady Justice series, an ongoing collection of comedy/mystery stories spawned in the creative mind of the author. In this story Walt, a Kansas City Police Department creator and member of Citizens Retired Action Patrol (C.R.A.P.), and his wife, Maggie, join Walt’s patrol partner, Ox, and his new bride, Judy, both of whom are also police officers, on an Alaskan Cruise intended to be Ox and Judy’s official honeymoon.

The four friends greatly anticipated this opportunity to get away together for some peace and quiet, and enjoy an experience none had ever had before… a cruise. They did have an experience none of them had ever had before, but the cruise was merely a small part of it. Peace and quiet never entered the equation at all.

The title of this story gives a great big clue about what to expect in this adventure. Somebody aboard ship murdered two people and tossed their bodies overboard. Much to their surprise, the people they murdered had just exchanged rooms with the people they intended to murder, so the perpetrators still had two people to kill.

This story is laugh-out-loud funny in many places, while still being a somewhat serious murder mystery. In addition, much actual history of the Alaskan gold rush was woven into this tale, lending a great deal of historic accuracy to the entire story.

Robert Thornhill has found and filled a niche in the world of fiction that quite obviously had not been discovered prior to the day his wife told him he should write a book. His talent for creating real people, serious crimes, and humorous situations in a cogent story is a national treasure.

I heartily recommend this tale to everybody with a sense of humor who also enjoys a well-told tale.
Profile Image for Gail.
1,546 reviews
November 7, 2012
I think this was the best Walt Whitman book yet! Lots of twists and turns and an amazing read. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. Walt and Maggie go on an Alaskan cruise with Ox and Judy who are finally taking their honeymoon. They meet another couple who are going to Alaska to try and find the gold that was left from an ancestor who had buried it before he got caught. Looks like trouble follows Walt wherever he goes. They were on quite the adventure this time. I also loved all the pictures in the book from Alaska. They made the story even better. Thanks Mr. Thornhill for another great book! Hope there will be another adventure for Walt and his gang soon.
Profile Image for Sheri.
2,118 reviews
October 24, 2012
Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders (Robert Thornhill)

Robert Thornhill hits the mark again in Lady Justice And The Cruise Ship Murders. Walt and Maggie accompany Ox & Judy on their honeymoon cruise it to Alaska. Once on board two people end up dead, and it looks like a case of mistaken identity. Another couples life is in danger if Walt and gang can't catch the murderer first.

Fantastic read, with a bit of Alaskan history and great photos. A must read for mystery lovers.I highly recommend all in the Lady Justice Series by Robert Thornhill
21 reviews
February 25, 2013
This book was just simple, entertaining and enjoyable to read. No dragging out the 1 sentence to 1 page. Just let's get down to the story telling. Very enjoyable book. Plus you get a real idea what cruising to Alaska is like. Though going there is so much better.

Now I have to go out and buy his other books.
Profile Image for Emilija.
1,922 reviews31 followers
May 3, 2020
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This book was boring. The plot was predictable, the villains almost cartoonish and really, with the vast amount of things that happened, somebody in the main characters should be dead. The whole book felt like I was reading a comic strip about superheroes with the things that they managed to do.

The information in the book about gold isn't very good and could have done with a little more fact checking. But what really really irritated me is Walt and his hygiene. Walt misdirects his stream at least four times in this novel, and never once does he think of cleaning it up, whether that be in his own home, in an airplane, on a cruise ship or on a train. Frankly, it's disgusting.
Profile Image for Page Turner .
120 reviews
March 28, 2019
Another mystery/comedy with Walt and his partner Ox. They go on an Alaskan cruise for Ox and Judy’s honeymoon and Walt and his wife Maggie go as well. Of course murder, suspense, greed and mystery show up on the voyage as Walt, Ox and Judy, all police officers, get the bad guys. I so enjoy the Lady Justice series. Funny and a thriller at the same time.
Profile Image for Lisa.
Author 32 books174 followers
August 24, 2017
Cute, still trying to justify an 80-year-old beat cop with poor aim working on the force in MO. It's a cute series for those who enjoy madcap, seventies-era humor. Fun is fun. This was the first LJ I read, and I never did figure out what Lady Justice was about. Elderly newlyweds celebrate friends' honeymoon with a cruise and accidentally get in the middle of a family mystery of another couple involving Alaska's anti-hero, Soapy Smith, and stolen gold. Go on a virtual cruise to Alaska with Walt, Ox, and the girls, but please don't dig up any cemeteries.
Profile Image for Betty.
547 reviews63 followers
August 10, 2017
A mixture of fun, history and mystery
This is the first book in the series I've read. I wish I'd "met" Robert Thornhill much sooner, since this is the eleventh book in the series. I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the four main characters, with or without their foibles.

How often do we get those scam emails, some sounding more realistic than others? Is the email they've just received real? Is there really a gold cache? With 3 members of the police among the two couples involved, I'm sure they will be checking it out. Though each character is very different, this group of four are pretty likeable. They are also pretty active.

It's off to Alaska and maybe treasure. Even with a misplaced murder and mystery this foursome made me laugh and think how realistic they are. I certainly enjoyed their trip, especially on the narrow gauge railway. I will definitely want to read more.
188 reviews
August 13, 2017
50/50 chances

I absolutely love Walt and his misfit gang of geriatric heroes! This one wasn't in their KC hometown, but it changed the scenery a little. I can't recommend these books enough!
156 reviews10 followers
August 10, 2017
Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murder

This is written about at least one senior citizen and his friends on a cruise ship to Alaska. Since I am a senior also a lifelong Alaskan I was ready to find all these glaring errors and laugh my way through the book instead I enjoyed the story and the errors were few and of no consequence to the story or the places visited. I think any adult would enjoy the book you don't have to be a senior to enjoy it
Profile Image for Sarah.
102 reviews2 followers
August 3, 2017
Walt, Maggie, Ox and Judy are heading to Alaska for a relaxing cruise and belated honeymoon for Ox and Judy. Sadly Lady Justice doesn't go on vacation. As the four friends are leaving Kansas City they start talking to the couple, the Stewarts, sitting next to them in the waiting area of the airport and discover they are going on the same cruise and are even staying in a cabin right down the hall from them. It turns out their fellow passengers aren't just on a vacation. They are out to solve a century old mystery, one that involves a fortune in stolen gold. As they discover gold fever is still making people a bit crazy, and do horrible things. Walt wakes early the first morning and decides to go wander the ship only to find the people staying the Stewarts cabin have been murdered during the night.

Set against the breathtaking scenery of Alaska Walt, Maggie, Ox and Judy help the Stewarts. Will they find the gold? Will they all survive to return to Kansas City?
Profile Image for Barbara Finley.
51 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2017
this was so good. the couple was lucky to run into these police officers. A gold plot in this day and time was so awesome.
Profile Image for Gray.
14 reviews13 followers
August 10, 2017
i LOVE these cozy mysteries by Robert Thornhill.They are such a fun read & the characters are just wonderful.As soon as I finish one,I'm ready for the next one. Great reading!!
Profile Image for Marcia-Lee Finocchio.
604 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2017
Lady Justice

First book by this Author, I enjoyed this book and could not wait to finish it ❤️. Loved the characters so very much, very fast reading, as you can't put it down, kept me at the edge of my seat. A lot of twists and turns, and the humor was awesome!!! Just got five more of his books!!
Profile Image for John Podlaski.
Author 7 books69 followers
October 8, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed 'Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders' by Robert Thornhill as I did all the other books in the series. In this story, Willie, Oz and their wives go on a honeymoon cruise to Alaska - hoping to relax and enjoy the week. They befriend a young couple and unknowingly get tasked with protecting them against a pair of on-board killers who want to take over their identities. Meanwhile, Willie's dad calls from home to inform him that the brother of a mobster that they killed earlier was in town and wants revenge for his death. The group of seniors back home assure him that they can handle the problem themselves and for them not to worry! Yeah, right! With a little help from a friend, they are confident their plan will work!

There are several close calls on and off the ship during excursions when the killers strike, and Willie and Ox soon find that they have become the main targets. Turns out that the young couple are on their way to meet a History Professor who has evidence of where a stash of gold is located; buried by a robber who stole it from their relative over a hundred years earlier. They are the rightful heirs, and he only wants to cover his expenses and publish a paper if it is found. Unfortunately, the killers are also aware of the upcoming meeting and since the professor has never met them before, both are expecting to take their identity, the gold, and kill the professor.

As always, it's a fun and fast read. There is laughter and astonishment when the seniors pull together to get things done. Great read! Thanks Mr. Thornhill!

John Podlaski, author
'Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel' and 'When Can I Stop Running?'
Profile Image for Jan.
6,532 reviews99 followers
July 15, 2017
Some vacation this turned out to be! After some initial snafus, cops Walt, his partner Ox, and their wives go on an Alaskan cruise and learn many interesting things about cruises. Then there is a double homicide which turns out to be a mistake on the part of the conspirators, and a serious problem back at home. No spoilers here, just go ahead and enjoy!
George Kuch continues to deadpan both the fun and mayhem very delightfully.
Profile Image for April.
2,201 reviews58 followers
January 7, 2024
Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders
: Robert Thornhill


Robert Thornhill has done it again. In this installment Ox and Judy take a honeymoon cruise and Walt and Maggie tag along. A conspiracy to steal old gold leads to murder. Lots of action with great descriptions of Alaskan sites. I love that the author incorporates real life experiences into his fictitious tales. The rest of the old familiar gang back home phone in so we know they are still around.

I anxiously await the next installment!


The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. I will say it once again, George Kuch is perfect narrating these stories!!!



"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
Profile Image for Daleine.
369 reviews6 followers
June 29, 2014
Lady Justice books are for adults as the humor is a bit rough. I find the crime in the story and the mysteries fun. You know who the killers are but the fun in which they are caught is unusual. In this book the 65 policeman his younger partner and their wives take a cruise to Alaska. Their vacation becomes less then relaxing as they stumble onto a murder and the knowledge that the killers are out to kill someone else. It is fun to watch them as these couples stumble as most normal people do with coming close to death, making mistakes and facing sea sickness and other things that make them quit human.
Profile Image for Cathy.
128 reviews5 followers
November 16, 2013
This was a fun murder/mystery with a treasure hunt thrown in, set an Alaskan cruise and the ports they visited. The book contained some interesting Alaskan history concerning the gold rush and had some reasonably likeable characters, although I haven't read any of the other books in the series. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it for a lighthearted cruise read.
Profile Image for ChrisGA.
1,253 reviews
December 5, 2015
interesting premise with older characters--sort of a hijinks and caper book-get to the gold before the bad guys
Profile Image for Judith Mosconi.
478 reviews6 followers
May 19, 2014
Story was too simple and too predictable. Characters were uninteresting.
Profile Image for Mary.
251 reviews2 followers
January 18, 2024
Another thrilling adventure with Lady Justice on the high seas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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