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Millie Sanders has settled into her new position as assistant cruise director of the Siren of the Seas and is loving every minute of the adventure and excitement.

A fresh wave of passengers have just boarded, and as the deck party gets into full swing, a frantic cry of man overboard is shouted over the loudspeakers.

Millie rushes towards the crowd that has gathered on the portside upper deck and watches in horror as the ship's crew desperately tries to save a young man who has just gone over.

Onboard investigators believe it's a clear cut case of vacation suicide, but Millie isn't convinced. Her suspicions are confirmed when she discovers the fiancé of the poor deceased man received a threatening note.

The mystery deepens and the list of suspects grows when Millie discovers some of the friends who boarded with the young couple may have had reason to push him over, and that is just the beginning!

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2015

729 people are currently reading
355 people want to read

About the author

Hope Callaghan

184 books763 followers
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★ AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR ★
★ 2017 Mom's Choice Award ★

Hope Callaghan is an American author who loves to write clean fiction books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books.

She has written more than 70 mystery books (and counting) in six series.

Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband. She is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children.

When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.

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5 stars
684 (54%)
4 stars
362 (28%)
3 stars
171 (13%)
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26 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Profile Image for Cindy B. .
3,899 reviews219 followers
May 28, 2019
Love the mature lady solving crime (sub)genre which is a pleasant way to say a nosy old lady nosing in — I read these themes, especially this author who doesn’t browbeat you in her beliefs but does exemplify in plots a Christian lifestyle — 😄💕😄
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,456 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2020
Portside Peril by Hope Callaghan was another fun cozy mystery to spend time in the cruise ship world. Millie, Annette, Cat and Andy all help to gather clues and put this suspicious murder/suicide to rest before the Siren of the Seas returns to home port.
Profile Image for Mr Francy Reads.
760 reviews24 followers
May 22, 2024
FANTASTIC AGAIN, JUST WISH THE REVEAL WAS LONGER.

PREMISE: Millie Sanders has settled into her new position as assistant cruise director of the Siren of the Seas and is loving every minute of the adventure and excitement. A fresh wave of passengers have just boarded, and as the deck party gets into full swing, a frantic cry of man overboard is shouted over the loudspeakers. Millie rushes towards the crowd that has gathered on the portside upper deck and watches in horror as the ship's crew desperately tries to save a young man who has just gone over. Onboard investigators believe it's a clear cut case of vacation suicide, but Millie isn't convinced. Her suspicions are confirmed when she discovers the fiancé of the poor deceased man received a threatening note.

THOUGHTS: Really enjoyed my time with Millie and the crew once again and loved meeting the cute dog that Millie looked after. I'm really getting into this serues and can not wait to read the next one. Deducted a star for the incredibly quick wrap-up though. I feel like the reveal should be much longer to make it more satisfying.

4 Stars!
xoxo.
Profile Image for Tari.
3,627 reviews102 followers
July 8, 2023
Millie’s getting quite the crime-solving reputation and surprisingly was allowed to go about her business as long as she kept things on the downlow. I love that she’s got two good friends now to sleuth with, and even her boss Andy who tries to talk her out of things probably has to admit she’s got some good ideas especially when it’s something the three of them (Millie, Cat and Annette) cooked up.

I loved the sweet story of how Millie and the little dog she’s taking care of for the captain played a big part in helping a little traumatized girl start talking again. It’s those moments that make Millie super happy she took this job.

I had the perp right when I guessed but had it a little more convoluted in my brain than it really was, lol. Either way, Millie was two for two now and after having been gifted a taser previously by her boss, he stated it was time to learn how to use it. (Aww wouldn’t that be fun? The three of them with tasers and they could call themselves Andy’s Angels) 😉 I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book of this very addictive series—and I mean that in the best possible way!


Profile Image for Babs.
Author 15 books188 followers
August 1, 2018
Millie is settling in to her new job on the ship and with a new set of passengers she is ready to have more fun. She can't believe this is a job.

Mille hears cries of a man being overboard and rushed to the crowd that has gathered around on the VIP deck. The investigators on the ship talk it up to suicide. Millie takes out her phone and takes pictures of everyone around in the crowd just in case. A good thing she did as the fiancé tells her they have been getting threatening notes. Then the girl is found dead and they think her death is a suicide.

With trying to figure out two deaths...the widowed captain has asked Millie to watch he little Yorkie Scout.

Another great read by the author. I am really liking the series and seeing the old characters and the new ones coming in.
Profile Image for Joy Gerbode.
2,024 reviews17 followers
February 4, 2018
While a little cheesy, and a bit too cut and dried, I am really enjoying this series. Probably because it reminds me of the wonderful times I've had aboard cruise ships ... and this one has a cute little dog that makes it all that much better. Plus they are quick and fun reads, in spite of murder.
63 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2020
Enjoyable

I love a mystery on a cruise ship. I've never been on a cruise, so a murder mystery on a cruise allows my imagination to run wild. A little romance thrown in makes it all the more wonderful. This is a nice, clean story with great characters and a surprising end. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
251 reviews3 followers
June 27, 2016
I love these books funny and cute but mystery as well. Ill be reading all of them
17 reviews
June 26, 2016
Thanks

I am so enjoying all of Hope Callaghan's books. All series are a pleasure to read and very relaxing too. Thanks
Profile Image for RO G'ma.
1,061 reviews43 followers
July 26, 2015
Portside Peril is the second book in Christian author, Hope Callaghan’s, new cozy mystery series. Millie is a delightful senior citizen who has been making major changes in her life. She’s starting her second week at her new job as Assistant Cruise Director. Millie is meeting people, making new friends, stepping out of her comfort zone and, in the process, has discovered she has a knack for solving murders. As usual, Ms. Callaghan has done an excellent job of storyline and character development. This fun whodunit has everything you want and expect to find in a cozy mystery … humor, friendships, potential love interest, mystery, and Scout, a loveable Teacup Yorkie has been introduced and all presented without offensive language, adult situations, or graphic violence. This book was easy to read and kept my interest from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading light, cozy Christian mysteries.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Shelly.
240 reviews16 followers
August 30, 2021
Portside Peril by Hope Callaghan is the second book in the Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Series. This is Millie’s second cruise as the Siren of the Seas cruise ship. She is enjoying her new job as assistant to the cruise director, Andy Walker and all of the activities that she gets to help the passengers with. On the first night at sea a man dies from going overboard. Milly is convinced it wasn’t an accident or suicide so she begins investigating with her band of merry friends. This one is a difficult case to solve as the man came aboard with a number of other couples, all now suspects. I thought I might have had it figured out about midway through, but had to get to the end to be sure. Also, there might be romance in Millie’s future!
Profile Image for Charissa Wilkinson.
831 reviews13 followers
April 15, 2024
Overview: Millie is setting off on her newest cruise. Too bad a young man has gone overboard. Could there be a rather suspicious motive? Or is it a case of vacation suicide? Never fear, Millie Sanders is on the case. As long as she doesn't lose track of her assistant director duties, that is.

Dislikes: Kyle was a piece of work. He reminds me of the player, someone you should never want to trust your heart to.

Likes: Millie has quite the partnership in this book. We have Cat, Annette, Andy and Dario. And all four were fun to read. As well they showed that they wanted to find the truth.

Scout was the cutest little stowaway.

Conclusion: This was a fun book. Millie is sassy and stubborn enough to seek the truth. Enjoy the Cruise with Millie, and see if you can sleuth out the truth before anyone else does.
Profile Image for Karen Wright.
605 reviews4 followers
December 24, 2015
I got this book on Amazon as a freebie and figured why not? I love cruises and the topic was interesting. I did hesitate because it also said Christian but that was fine, it just really seemed to mean that it was a clean cozy mystery just like any other I would usually pick. Millie has just recently become the assistant cruise director and is really enjoying her new duties. Her co workers help to make a great team to solve not one but two murders during the vacation in paradise. Millie has good instincts and can't live with the findings knowing that things just don't add up. There is even a possible romance for Millie as the series continues so now I am hooked and will have to keep reading. The characters are well developed and dialog flows naturally. all around a good read.
Profile Image for Lillie.
Author 21 books44 followers
January 10, 2017
This is a cute, fun cozy mystery--categorized as Christian but the only concession to faith was an occasional prayer. I enjoyed the setting on a cruise ship.

Two things kept it from meriting four stars: 1) One time the sleuthing friends were going to meet to discuss the case, and Millie couldn't wait to hear what Cat and Annette had to report. Although both had said earlier in the day, they had news, it wasn't even mentioned when they finally met. 2) I was always taught that an author shouldn't use more than one or two exclamation points in a whole book; this book had one or two exclamation points on every page. It pulled me out of the story when insignificant sentences were punctuated with an exclamation point.
2,217 reviews44 followers
May 22, 2019
Portside Peril is the second book in Hope Callaghan's Cruise Ship Christian Cozy Mysteries. Millie Sanders is enjoying her life as an assistant cruise director. She has made amends with Catherine (Cat) Wellington who works in the ship's gift shop--Ocean Treasures. Cat had been taken in for questioning when Olivia LaShay, her co-worker, had been murdered. Now when two passengers, Kyle Zondervan and Courtney Earhart are found dead, Cat joins Millie and her friend, Annette Delacroix, to do some sleuthing. Millie has also become friends with the ship's captain and is now is taking his Yorkie, Scout, out and about the ship. I like that this book picked up right where the first book left off. The characters and setting are a lot of fun to read about! I'm ready for book number 3!
Profile Image for Virginia Henderson.
Author 15 books84 followers
December 18, 2018
After devouring the first book in the series, I was eager to start the second one. Normally I decide how well I really liked a book by how quickly I finish it. A book that I can't put down means it has my full attention and interest. While I enjoyed this book very much, I was able to put it away for a few days without really missing it.

The plot was good and the mystery had me guessing up to the end who the murderer was. I do wish that it would have taken Cat longer to befriend Millie. I think that would have added to the drama. And let me just say, I'm not much of a dog person...

If you enjoy cozy mysteries and adventures out at sea, don't pass up this series!
Profile Image for Beth Temin.
290 reviews
November 24, 2021
Another great Hope Callaghan novel!

This book begins with a passenger's death before the ship even leaves the port. As usual, Millie, the ship's Assistant Cruise Director, is involved in the investigation. Is it a natural death, or is it murder. As Millie investigates, she has plenty of suspects, but not much evidence. She can't stand the Tour Director, who constantly reminds everyone who will listen of his status as not only a diamond-level passenger, but a stockholder in the cruise line. Millie ends up solving the crime, but not without a lot of animosity from the tour group. She's a super sleuth and a great friend to her fellow crew members.
Profile Image for Julia Walker.
662 reviews18 followers
April 6, 2017
Second in the series we find our main character adjusting to cruise life and solving yet another murder mystery. This time she is off to Jamaica the island of mystery. Millie pushes aside the professional opinion that the murder was suicide and insists a murder has been committed and she will find the murderer. Although these books are supposed to be Christian fiction there are only a couple of lines in each book that in any way identifies Christianity and none of these are offensive or pushy. Millie is a fun character ad she certainly does not let anything stand in her way.
Author 1 book69 followers
May 8, 2020
Millie Sanders, assistant cruise director loves her job. Man overboard. Millie rushes toward the crowd on the port side. Investigators believe it's suicide. Millie doesn't. The mystery deepens when she finds people who had reason to push the young man over the side.

Several things I love about this book. Sailing. Cruise ship. Mystery. And great characters. Who wouldn't want to employed on a cruise ship later on in life? Millie is curious, seemingly fearless, and adventurous. Add a little dog and it makes for a great read. I'm onto the next book in this series.
512 reviews3 followers
February 9, 2024
This is just a fun read. I have needed something light and this just fit the bill. Since I can not cruise presently, this is helping fill the void.
I love the beginning of some romance in Millie's life. She certainly deserves it.
This is Millie's second cruise and she has not one but two murders (?) to solve. Her little team of investigators is growing as well as her reputation of being nosy. Millie has now caught the attention of both the captain and the chief security officer.
152 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2021
Millie is getting the hang of her new duties as Assistant Cruise Director on a cruise ship. When she hears a "Man Overboard" page, she rushes to the area and starts taking pictures of the people, the water, and the rescue boat. She has made new friends with other crewmembers. Some assist her with her investigation while the head of Security and the handsome Captain warn her off her investigation. She believes she is going to be fired when the Captain sends word that he wants to see her. A wonderful read.
Profile Image for Kitten  Peters.
1,017 reviews5 followers
October 4, 2015
Great read

Wonderful story. The characters are always up to their necks in hot water to find the killer. Love the cruise ship setting. The little pup Scout is a wonderful addition. Grab a warm drink and jump right into this awesome book. Read all 3. Book 1 sets up the characters and Book two and three keep you guessing who is next on the hot seat. Nice to have a book without foul language for a change.
486 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2016
Man Overboard

Good little mystery about a young man falling overboard the Siren of the Seas cruise ship. And his girlfriend being found dead in her cabin, after a night of heavy drinking. Millie, Annette, Cat and now Dario work together to figure out who the murderer is. I enjoyed reading this book, with the various characters and the budding romance between Millie and Captain Armati. And the cute little dog, Scout.
Profile Image for Mary.
922 reviews38 followers
July 16, 2016
This one was good too!

This one had more murders, but also more romance.

This time around Millie gets a new job on board that she loves, taking care of the Captian's new little Yorkie pup.

Besides trying to solve two murders this time around and her regular duties, she has a new friend on board, the Capitan. He even invites her to have dinner with him in his private quarters!

She had a little hard time with these murders but, everything in the end worked out for her.

Profile Image for Sharon.
295 reviews
November 24, 2017
Nice Sequel

Book 2 begins with a man over board and Millie doesn't think it was an accident. As she performs her daily cruise duties she investigates and picks up a few more crew members to help out along the way. Also in the works is a relationship with the ships widowed captain. The series is promising to satisfy with each new tale. Good stories, believable characters and good plots.
1,769 reviews23 followers
April 4, 2019
Hope Callaghan has a talent for giving us the reader her best pen forward. Once again we are able too enjoy a comical array of caracters dipped into a deadly mystery. A young man falls overboard ship side,short hours later his fiancee is found dead in her cabin. There is no choice Millie and her new found friends are on the case to find the truth of what has happened. Ohhh and Millie may have found a new man stepping into her new charmed life. Kat
Profile Image for Robyn Hurst.
30 reviews
November 25, 2019
I have basically read this entire series (17 books so far, I think)...they are fun and fluffy and clean. I love the Christian aspect, I love the CRUISING aspect, and the characters are pretty likable...
(though admittedly, I sometimes roll my eyes at Millie getting involved once more in something or someplace she has no business being---but since that is the premise of the entire series...there you have it!) Enjoyable "summer" read, all year round.
404 reviews2 followers
Read
November 21, 2022
Review of this book.

This was another thrilling cozy mystery. There were plenty of false clues to distract the reader. The dash of romance was a nice touch. The teacup Yorkie was outstanding. Such a cute little guy! He was a big distraction. The ending was priceless! The last paragraph was hilarious. I can just picture Millie taking the class. You are amazing! Keep up the great job of writing these mysteries. You just keep getting better and better.
Profile Image for Tracey Billing.
473 reviews7 followers
February 26, 2017
I so enjoyed this book, I actually finished it in a few hours.

Millie is at is again when a male passenger goes over board and his fiancé supposedly commits suicide. Millie doesn't believe that Courtney committed suicide and decides to get to bottom of the investigation with the help of her sleuthing crew Annette and Cat.

Such a well written easy to read story.
64 reviews
March 10, 2017
This one was a bit better, but it was just way too predictable! The author tries to develop personalities for the characters but seems to miss as most of them, aside from Millie, tend to respond and react in very similar ways. On occasion I'd have to re-read some sections to make sure I knew who was on scene. Again, liked the fact that Millie is a Christian helped.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews

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