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Broadsided in Bali
The Island of Bali – it’s everything Raquel and Magdalen could ever dream of in a holiday destination. What could be better than the quaint town of Ubud with its beautiful weather, exquisite artwork, and local charm? But trouble is looming in paradise and it soon becomes apparent the ladies are in for more of an adventure than they'd bargained for.
As seasoned travelers nearing retirement age, Raquel and Magadalen have no problem cutting back on necessities like makeup and ditching heels for hiking sandals in the tropics. They don’t even mind that the Lotus Yoga Resort & Spa is strictly vegetarian. At least they aren’t required to participate in Sun Salutations at the crack of dawn when they'd much rather be sipping coffee at a sidewalk café.
But after a full day at the resort, the owner, Lotus, still hasn’t appeared and no one seems to know what's happened to her. Money problems? Clandestine liaison gone afoul? As much as the friends would like to ignore the situation and get on with shopping and sightseeing, it soon becomes evident that something is seriously wrong. Like what’s up with the other employees and their odd behavior? And then there’s that fine-looking scientist who is definitely hiding something.
Magdalen and Raquel set out to investigate the puzzling events at the resort aided by other concerned guests, including a couple of aging hippies. Together, they hope to find out what has become of the owner without offending the locals or breaking any laws. The last thing any of them wants is to be tagged as a rude tourist. Or worse, land in a foreign jail.
Will the friends manage to get to the bottom of Lotus' mysterious disappearance and still find enough time to work on their tans before heading back to LA, or will they find themselves Broadsided in Bali?
As seasoned travelers nearing retirement age, Raquel and Magadalen have no problem cutting back on necessities like makeup and ditching heels for hiking sandals in the tropics. They don’t even mind that the Lotus Yoga Resort & Spa is strictly vegetarian. At least they aren’t required to participate in Sun Salutations at the crack of dawn when they'd much rather be sipping coffee at a sidewalk café.
But after a full day at the resort, the owner, Lotus, still hasn’t appeared and no one seems to know what's happened to her. Money problems? Clandestine liaison gone afoul? As much as the friends would like to ignore the situation and get on with shopping and sightseeing, it soon becomes evident that something is seriously wrong. Like what’s up with the other employees and their odd behavior? And then there’s that fine-looking scientist who is definitely hiding something.
Magdalen and Raquel set out to investigate the puzzling events at the resort aided by other concerned guests, including a couple of aging hippies. Together, they hope to find out what has become of the owner without offending the locals or breaking any laws. The last thing any of them wants is to be tagged as a rude tourist. Or worse, land in a foreign jail.
Will the friends manage to get to the bottom of Lotus' mysterious disappearance and still find enough time to work on their tans before heading back to LA, or will they find themselves Broadsided in Bali?
316 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2017
202 people want to read
About the author
Kate McVaugh
13 books30 followersKate McVaugh writes fast-paced, fun-filled adventures, mysteries, and literary fiction. All are set in foreign countries where she has lived, worked, and traveled.
She grew up in the cold, foggy San Francisco Bay Area, but always felt that she should be living somewhere else. Preferably in a hot, tropical climate, exploring the culture and learning the language.
A two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Brazil is where she first fulfilled that desire for international adventure. From there, she went on to work as an educator both in the US and abroad. Except, that is, when she required a break from the profession. She found her respite while working in bars and running nightclubs.
Kate is also a travel essayist whose work has appeared in Lonely Planet.
Contact: McVaugh.books@gmail.com
She grew up in the cold, foggy San Francisco Bay Area, but always felt that she should be living somewhere else. Preferably in a hot, tropical climate, exploring the culture and learning the language.
A two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Brazil is where she first fulfilled that desire for international adventure. From there, she went on to work as an educator both in the US and abroad. Except, that is, when she required a break from the profession. She found her respite while working in bars and running nightclubs.
Kate is also a travel essayist whose work has appeared in Lonely Planet.
Contact: McVaugh.books@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 30, 2022
McVaugh’s unpredictable plot and amusingly offbeat characters made it hard to put this book down. Raquel and Magdelene come to Bali hoping for a few days of fun and coffee-fueled shopping. These seasoned travelers are staying at the Lotus Yoga Resort, though they prefer elegant clothing and an evening of drinking to early-morning yoga classes. Soon they are caught up in an increasingly high-stakes search for a woman named Lotus, who owns the resort but has just gone missing. The search leads to tangles with resort staff and guests and some uncomfortable moments off the beaten track in Bali. The book is full of surprises and witty observations of the human scene. Enjoyable.
December 30, 2016
In my opinion this is Kate McVaugh’s best novel yet. I loved the characters of Raquel and Magdalen who refuse to grow old gracefully and are determined to live it up while in Bali. Solving a mystery is not part of their itinerary, but when they realize the resort’s owner Lotus has really disappeared without a trace, they can’t help getting involved.
It’s hard to know who to trust in this book and the twists and turns kept me captivated. I enjoyed the descriptions and the colorful characters, especially the old hippies who are hiding a few secrets of their own.
This is a perfect holiday read – relaxing, fun and highly entertaining!
It’s hard to know who to trust in this book and the twists and turns kept me captivated. I enjoyed the descriptions and the colorful characters, especially the old hippies who are hiding a few secrets of their own.
This is a perfect holiday read – relaxing, fun and highly entertaining!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews