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Grave Passage
Grave Passage explores crime on the high seas, and introduces a valiant and original protagonist. Henry Grave is an investigator for the Association of Cruising Vessel Operators. A former P.O.W., Henry is as cunning as he is charming, and at 84 years of age, he fits right in with his fellow passengers. When retired FBI profiler Robert Samson is murdered onboard the cruise liner Contessa Voyager, Henry Grave is sent to investigate. Samson was giving a series of lectures on cold case crimes he felt he could crack. But he got cracked first. Henry has just five days before Voyager reaches Miami. There, the FBI will question the passengers, but the case will have grown cold and the killer will walk free unless Henry can find him first. With the help of a television actress, a cosmonaut, and a Venezuelan general fighting extradition, Henry draws on skills honed in a Nazi prison camp to track down a couple of passengers who might have their own reasons for taking this particular cruise, reasons unrelated to the sumptuous meals, delightful shipboard activities, and exciting ports of call. 12 million people take a cruise each year. Most have fun. Some die. Henry Grave investigates.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
15 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 16, 2014
I love ships, but I remember being horribly seasick way back when I was a child and we took transatlantic liners to Europe so naturally I have always been reluctant to do what I’d really like to do and which my father did -- sail on a freighter sometime. I love the looks of the classic liner, even the modern cruise ship’s lines have appeal. But after watching YouTube videos of cruises and seeing the number of passengers they cram on board with golf courses and rock climbing and shopping and all that bullshit, I am thoroughly deterred. When (and if) I ever go to sea, I want to be at sea, not on some floating resort with people my age. Ugh.
That doesn’t mean I dislike reading about ships. That’s why I bought several books in the Henry Grave series. He’s an investigator for the Cruise Line Association. He’s also old (eighties) but he’s a cunning fellow, so when an FBI profiler, who was a lecturer on a cruise ship and famous for his capture of the Crossing Guard Killer, is found dead at the top of the rock climbing wall. Grave has a bizarre background and he’s funny talking about it: “We Googled you,” Hugh Arlen said, interrupting my train of thought. “That’s a computer term. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the internet.” “I once had a number calculating machine.” “We learned some interesting things about you. You were a POW.” “I was. It was the most intensive weight reduction program money can buy. I was quite thin by the end. Also, I lost four teeth, but that’s a story for another day. I had them replaced. You can see just back here.” I leaned forward and opened my mouth wide.
Needless to say he appears totally innocuous. But very clever. Having known a talented forger in the POW camps, he has an entire collection of fake ID cards. And who would question and old man’s veracity? Interviewing one couple he hands them a card. Wrong card. Turns out it says he’s from Penthouse.
I frowned. I looked at the card. I think it wasn’t the one I was looking for. “Just freelance. An article here and there.” “It says here you’re the senior editor.” Opal pointed to the title under my name. I found my glasses and had a closer look. So it did. “It’s a thankless job,” I told them. Opal backed off a little. “I had grand ideas when I took the job. We were going to move into whole new areas; more focus on the environment, alternative energies, orphans and koala bears, that sort of thing. I felt the magazine had gotten off track with all the nudity.” “But it’s a pornography magazine,” Doug insisted. “Nudity is its track.” I nodded. “Which is why they fired me as senior editor, but I still get to write hard-hitting articles. Last month I wrote about teenage runaways in Egypt. They leave their families and then go to the pyramids to try to make it there but they can’t find work so they just sniff glue at the pyramids. It’s very sad. You have no idea how young these kids are.”
Delightful read. A whole series awaits.
That doesn’t mean I dislike reading about ships. That’s why I bought several books in the Henry Grave series. He’s an investigator for the Cruise Line Association. He’s also old (eighties) but he’s a cunning fellow, so when an FBI profiler, who was a lecturer on a cruise ship and famous for his capture of the Crossing Guard Killer, is found dead at the top of the rock climbing wall. Grave has a bizarre background and he’s funny talking about it: “We Googled you,” Hugh Arlen said, interrupting my train of thought. “That’s a computer term. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the internet.” “I once had a number calculating machine.” “We learned some interesting things about you. You were a POW.” “I was. It was the most intensive weight reduction program money can buy. I was quite thin by the end. Also, I lost four teeth, but that’s a story for another day. I had them replaced. You can see just back here.” I leaned forward and opened my mouth wide.
Needless to say he appears totally innocuous. But very clever. Having known a talented forger in the POW camps, he has an entire collection of fake ID cards. And who would question and old man’s veracity? Interviewing one couple he hands them a card. Wrong card. Turns out it says he’s from Penthouse.
I frowned. I looked at the card. I think it wasn’t the one I was looking for. “Just freelance. An article here and there.” “It says here you’re the senior editor.” Opal pointed to the title under my name. I found my glasses and had a closer look. So it did. “It’s a thankless job,” I told them. Opal backed off a little. “I had grand ideas when I took the job. We were going to move into whole new areas; more focus on the environment, alternative energies, orphans and koala bears, that sort of thing. I felt the magazine had gotten off track with all the nudity.” “But it’s a pornography magazine,” Doug insisted. “Nudity is its track.” I nodded. “Which is why they fired me as senior editor, but I still get to write hard-hitting articles. Last month I wrote about teenage runaways in Egypt. They leave their families and then go to the pyramids to try to make it there but they can’t find work so they just sniff glue at the pyramids. It’s very sad. You have no idea how young these kids are.”
Delightful read. A whole series awaits.
June 18, 2013
This is the first time that I've enjoyed a character so much that the plot became secondary. By half way through the book, I didn't care if the mystery got solved or not, I was having so much fun laughing. Henry Grave is my hero!
Here you'll find the best kind of humor - the unexpected kind. When I reach 84, I hope to be half as interesting as Henry. I loved that he had no qualms about using his age to his advantage. It certainly illustrated that people only see what they expect to see. And it's a mistake to underestimate Henry's skills. He does solve the mystery, of course, when he's not spending time with his new lady friend. What a flirt!
Incidentally, this book also presents a really interesting look at the inner workings of a large cruise ship. It's a good choice for a venue for a murder mystery.
Loved this book, and must read the next one in the saga of Henry.
Here you'll find the best kind of humor - the unexpected kind. When I reach 84, I hope to be half as interesting as Henry. I loved that he had no qualms about using his age to his advantage. It certainly illustrated that people only see what they expect to see. And it's a mistake to underestimate Henry's skills. He does solve the mystery, of course, when he's not spending time with his new lady friend. What a flirt!
Incidentally, this book also presents a really interesting look at the inner workings of a large cruise ship. It's a good choice for a venue for a murder mystery.
Loved this book, and must read the next one in the saga of Henry.
March 31, 2022
Let me begin my Goodreads career by saying that I will rarely leave negative feedback on a book. Why you ask (yes, you, the one person left who is still reading this). Because I subscribe to Nancy Pearl's Rule of 50 (which at my age should be the rule of 37).
http://nancypearlbooks.wordpress.com/...
I recommend this rule to all serious readers. Too many books, not enough years.
So I will rarely leave a negative feedback because if it's a bad book, I don't get past page 50 (watch out for exceptions).
On to Grave Passage. There is clearly method in Amazon's madness of giving away free Kindle books. I got this a week ago, and just finished it. Now I can't wait to read the sequels which, if I know my Amazon, will NOT be free.
Grave Passage is a fast paced mystery novel. The protagonist is Henry Grave. Picture Columbo. Now alter Columbo as follows: Grave is 84 years old, twice as smart as Columbo, lethal (as in he has and does kill people), charming and dashing with the ladies (of all ages, I might add), fearless, near sighted, hard of hearing, dyslexic, and very funny. He feigns age related frailty and muddle-headedness when it furthers his detecting goals. He was a World War II prisoner of war, and he digresses into some great war stories. And he is an incorrigible flirt. I hope I am half as charming as he is when I am his age.
Judging by William Doonan's picture, he is a youngster who, I do hope, has a lot more than just 3 Grave novels in him. I can't wait to read the sequel.
http://nancypearlbooks.wordpress.com/...
I recommend this rule to all serious readers. Too many books, not enough years.
So I will rarely leave a negative feedback because if it's a bad book, I don't get past page 50 (watch out for exceptions).
On to Grave Passage. There is clearly method in Amazon's madness of giving away free Kindle books. I got this a week ago, and just finished it. Now I can't wait to read the sequels which, if I know my Amazon, will NOT be free.
Grave Passage is a fast paced mystery novel. The protagonist is Henry Grave. Picture Columbo. Now alter Columbo as follows: Grave is 84 years old, twice as smart as Columbo, lethal (as in he has and does kill people), charming and dashing with the ladies (of all ages, I might add), fearless, near sighted, hard of hearing, dyslexic, and very funny. He feigns age related frailty and muddle-headedness when it furthers his detecting goals. He was a World War II prisoner of war, and he digresses into some great war stories. And he is an incorrigible flirt. I hope I am half as charming as he is when I am his age.
Judging by William Doonan's picture, he is a youngster who, I do hope, has a lot more than just 3 Grave novels in him. I can't wait to read the sequel.
July 30, 2013
What a fantastic breezy summer read. If you are looking for beach reading, I highly recommend picking this one up.
June 20, 2013
Good little mystery ... it's an 84 year old Columbo solving a murder on a cruise ship. Fun read.
June 11, 2013
Enjoyable murder mystery with octogenarian investigator!
November 1, 2017
An enjoyable read. Well written. Henry Graves is an 84-year-old investigator for the Association of Cruising Vessel Operators and a former P.O.W. in World War 2. Henry's job is to investigate any crime, particularly murder, that occurs aboard the cruise ship line. Henry Graves is an
absent-minded old man (think Peter Falk s Detective Columbo solving cases in retirement)." He has a dry and wry wit in his dealings with the people onboard. Sometimes the captain or others in charge are not happy to take orders from him when he is sent to investigate the crime. He needs his naps but hopefully not in the middle of a meal or drinks...it happens. Did I mention that he's 84? Don't be surprised if you laugh out loud while reading. His sense of humor is delightful. His memories which he shares with the reader at times are very enlightening about the man and his unique skill of reading people. This comes in handy in his business. He must solve the crime and find the killer (onboard) within five days before they dock in Miami. Henry may be old, but he's no lightweight...he can outwit most bad guys, if not physically, then mentally.
absent-minded old man (think Peter Falk s Detective Columbo solving cases in retirement)." He has a dry and wry wit in his dealings with the people onboard. Sometimes the captain or others in charge are not happy to take orders from him when he is sent to investigate the crime. He needs his naps but hopefully not in the middle of a meal or drinks...it happens. Did I mention that he's 84? Don't be surprised if you laugh out loud while reading. His sense of humor is delightful. His memories which he shares with the reader at times are very enlightening about the man and his unique skill of reading people. This comes in handy in his business. He must solve the crime and find the killer (onboard) within five days before they dock in Miami. Henry may be old, but he's no lightweight...he can outwit most bad guys, if not physically, then mentally.
June 20, 2017
A cute, fun mystery aboard a cruise ship. Henry Graves is a hoot...84, drinks too much, loves to eat, an eye for the ladies...found myself laughing out loud many times while reading.
November 12, 2019
Unusual. Funny
May 8, 2017
I gave this five stars because that's all they allow! Mr. Doonan delivers an excellent mystery and he serves it with a stylish and funny central character. And Henry Grave redefines the word character. If you have an 84 year old uncle or grandfather you may recognize the type - a WWII vet who has done virtually any job out there and who has lived a life that is filled with amazing and tragic events and as a result, developed a clear code of ethics that can rub folks the wrong way . He'll help you if he can but he won't tolerate stupidity or crime.
I laughed through practically the whole book. In every chapter, Henry is up to something even while trying to solve a murder. He's a charming ladies man, an award winning tango dancer, and a man who loves good food. He forgets his glasses or robe once in awhile, but hey, he's 84. He's still got it. Just ask him.
I can't wait to read more about Henry Grave.
I laughed through practically the whole book. In every chapter, Henry is up to something even while trying to solve a murder. He's a charming ladies man, an award winning tango dancer, and a man who loves good food. He forgets his glasses or robe once in awhile, but hey, he's 84. He's still got it. Just ask him.
I can't wait to read more about Henry Grave.
October 5, 2014
Entertaining. Of the genre of the "bumbling detective who always gets his man," in this case, apparently for the over 70 set. The main character is an 84 year old investigator for the international cruising association or something, and all the books in this series take place on a cruise. There's a fair amount of discussion of his hearing aid, his glasses, his titanium hip, how he falls asleep all the time, which I suspect might be more interesting to me 30-40 years from now. I'd prefer a few more displays of competence to get me across the gap from "bumbling" to "gets his man", but the dialog is witty, sometimes laugh out loud funny, and the main character is amusing. I've read a few books in this series - I think this is the first in the series. I thought Aleutian Grave moved a bit faster and was a bit better.
June 19, 2013
Laughed my way through the whole thing. Great cast of characters all completely believable, wonderful portrayal of life on a cruise ship. Love the 84-yr-old protagonist in his role as investigator-on-assignment who can physically step up when needed, but who inadvertently power-naps when he didn't intend it. Think Sean Connery in this part today, and the antics become completely believable. So is the mystery story, which was a delight -- I didn't guess the answer until the end. I will definitely purchase the next book.
June 16, 2013
What can I say to get you to read this laugh-a-minute book ? Henry Grave is a bumbling, 84 YEAR OLD, Columbo-type inspector sent to solve an on ship murder. Did I mention bumbling? It wasn't a slip, because while it appears he is, the reader quickly determines he is spot on. Did I mention he’s sexy, a ladies’ man, well built, a party-hardy kind of guy? Nope, cause I wouldn't know that first hand. But he sees himself as such. Did I mention he mistakes a breath mint for Viagra?
Great summer read. Enjoy!
Great summer read. Enjoy!
June 19, 2013
Absolutely the best humorous mystery i have ever read, better than Evanavich. So funny i laughed put loud. The mystery was good, very intricate. An 84 year old detective a a great concept .great picture. Of an active senior showing the foibles of age. It will help you recognize the normal aging process as opposed to altzhiemers .The picture of life on a cruise is spot on. If you want to just enjoy yourself for a while try this geriatric romp on the high seas.
September 20, 2013
This was an entertaining book with a bit of a twist on the typical PI mystery. This one takes place on a cruise ship, and the PI is in his 80s (I don't remember exactly how old). He's a likable fellow, with some old guy humor mixed in (he keeps falling asleep in random places and often says something other than what he really means). It was hard to tell if the character was being funny on purpose or if he was truly forgetting what he meant to say. Either way it was entertaining.
October 12, 2014
Although this is the first book in the series, I read it after Aleutian Grave because I had gotten the latter free some time ago. It was good enough to make me read more about Henry, who I think is a refreshing change in protagonists.
I thought this book was actually a little better written and tighter than Aleutian.
Good read--recommended.
I thought this book was actually a little better written and tighter than Aleutian.
Good read--recommended.
April 21, 2014
I had such fun reading this humorous mystery that I finished it in two days. 84-year-old Henry Grave is a PI sent to investigate a murder on a cruise ship. I was expecting a nice traditional mystery, and this book delivered that -- plus a wildly entertaining hero who had me smiling and laughing the whole way through.
May 29, 2014
This book made me laugh out loud several times. Henry Grave is amazing! I love this character. He is a man with an interesting past, a great sense of humor, and a gift for discernment. I thought that a cruise ship was a wonderful setting for the story. This book made me want to take a cruise & buy Henry a pina colada. I'm definitely reading the next book in the series.
September 7, 2013
I read this in Kindle edition. While the idea of an elderly crime investigator was interesting, I found the plot moved along slowly winding up mostly at the end. Also, annoying was how often the character missed or was terribly late to appointments with other character and nobody seemed to mind.
October 15, 2014
I'm sure I reviewed this book,but it doesn't seem to be there. I do not like Henry Grave. I do not like the book. The jokes are not funny, and I think his ego is misplaced. There are some incorrectly used words as well.
January 6, 2014
I absolutely loved this mystery novel GRAVE PASSAGE. I wish I'd written it. William Doonan has got a new fan.
February 2, 2014
This book needs a little polish ("desert menu," for example), but surprisingly I rather liked it. The main character was unusual, which made him interesting. I wouldn't mind seeing more.
June 11, 2014
Maybe you have to be over 70 to like this book, I found it funny at times and predictable in other. An easy read
October 5, 2014
Fun read
entertaining murder mystery set on cruise ship. 84 year old investigator, ladies man, enjoyer of food and drink. read the second one first, enjoyed both.
entertaining murder mystery set on cruise ship. 84 year old investigator, ladies man, enjoyer of food and drink. read the second one first, enjoyed both.
March 4, 2015
A murder mystery, a geriatric detective, mobsters, cruise ship. All make for a fun story.
August 20, 2015
Once again I loved the old guy sleuth (Henry Grave) in this series and I love reading about the cruises.
Read
December 22, 2015Henry makes me chuckle.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews