What do you think?
Rate this book
Calamity Jayne #6
Anchors Aweigh
When she and her family accidentally board a low-cal "biggest loser" cruise, Tressa "Calamity" Jayne Turner discovers something even more disturbing than healthy eating choices and a Bermuda-esque love triangle--murder. Original.
284 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2008
56 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 8, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Nov08
Kathleen Bacus’ latest Calamity Jane novel is “Anchors Aweigh”. This time Tressa’s on the trail of a potential killer while stuck on a ship with both of her ‘men’ vying for her heart. And it that wasn’t enough, she doesn’t even have the fabled cruise food to life her spirits, it’s a health cruise! No chocolate or fat grams anywhere to be found. It’s enough to drive a girl mad.
On the first day of the cruise Tressa overhears a murder plot. Being Tressa, that’s like catnip to kitten and she’s off. When she’s pushed down some stairs, Tessa figures out her questions made somebody nervous and decides to fake amnesia. Now she’s trying to fool her family, her suitors, and her suspects; all while tracking down the potential victim!
On the plus side, Bacus has written a very intricately plotted murder mystery without the violence of a victim. There are plenty of suspects and red herrings abound. The setting provides its own clues and even veteran cruisers will surely get a kick of Tressa’s take on cruise activities. The cast of secondary characters is just as entertaining as the leads and the banter between all the characters is snappy and energetic.
Now for the minus, my biggest issue with Bacus’ humor is that, to me, it feels juvenile. It’s heavy-handed and unrelenting and it just about sucked all my enjoyment out of the story. While I normally don’t have any problems with stories written in the first person, this one was very difficult for me to follow. I felt left out when trying to understand the actions of some of the other characters, simply because I only had Tressa’s take on the issues.
For good or bad, “Anchors Aweigh” was hard for me to finish and that took away from my reading pleasure and my interest in the story. Kathleen Bacus’ wit just doesn’t resound with me. Ah well, different strokes for different folks.
Kathleen Bacus’ latest Calamity Jane novel is “Anchors Aweigh”. This time Tressa’s on the trail of a potential killer while stuck on a ship with both of her ‘men’ vying for her heart. And it that wasn’t enough, she doesn’t even have the fabled cruise food to life her spirits, it’s a health cruise! No chocolate or fat grams anywhere to be found. It’s enough to drive a girl mad.
On the first day of the cruise Tressa overhears a murder plot. Being Tressa, that’s like catnip to kitten and she’s off. When she’s pushed down some stairs, Tessa figures out her questions made somebody nervous and decides to fake amnesia. Now she’s trying to fool her family, her suitors, and her suspects; all while tracking down the potential victim!
On the plus side, Bacus has written a very intricately plotted murder mystery without the violence of a victim. There are plenty of suspects and red herrings abound. The setting provides its own clues and even veteran cruisers will surely get a kick of Tressa’s take on cruise activities. The cast of secondary characters is just as entertaining as the leads and the banter between all the characters is snappy and energetic.
Now for the minus, my biggest issue with Bacus’ humor is that, to me, it feels juvenile. It’s heavy-handed and unrelenting and it just about sucked all my enjoyment out of the story. While I normally don’t have any problems with stories written in the first person, this one was very difficult for me to follow. I felt left out when trying to understand the actions of some of the other characters, simply because I only had Tressa’s take on the issues.
For good or bad, “Anchors Aweigh” was hard for me to finish and that took away from my reading pleasure and my interest in the story. Kathleen Bacus’ wit just doesn’t resound with me. Ah well, different strokes for different folks.
February 9, 2022
Love Calamity Jayne! I knew the obvious answer was wrong but didn’t know the right one either. As always lots of fun!
March 29, 2009
The 6th and final book in the Calamity Jayne series (or so I have heard, but hope isn't true).
Okay, so I "cheated" and jumped ahead a couple of books (I skipped 4 & 5) because I wanted to find out how it "ends."
The romance of the series comes to it peak in this book. Tressa has been running from Ranger Rick for years now and for a week they will be on a ship together with only a few family members and their feelings. Only problem is, Manny and Aunt Mo show up and confuse Tressa and her feelings.
This book focuses on Tressa mostly--she doesn't find trouble with anyone but herself most of the time. In all the other books (at least the other 3 1/2 I have read) she has a partner-in-crime for most of it. This time around, she keeps most things to herself and interacts with secondary characters occasionally. Ranger Rick and Manny get their fair share of time and Tressa does finally confront her feelings and make a decision.
I'm sad this is the last in the series...I think Tressa is hilarious and could still have a lot more in her. She might not be as "blonde" anymore, but she still has a lot of growth in her character and I'm sure she could find plenty more trouble for herself.
A good, humorous, well written conclusion. I read it in less than a day and finished with a happy feeling.
Okay, so I "cheated" and jumped ahead a couple of books (I skipped 4 & 5) because I wanted to find out how it "ends."
The romance of the series comes to it peak in this book. Tressa has been running from Ranger Rick for years now and for a week they will be on a ship together with only a few family members and their feelings. Only problem is, Manny and Aunt Mo show up and confuse Tressa and her feelings.
This book focuses on Tressa mostly--she doesn't find trouble with anyone but herself most of the time. In all the other books (at least the other 3 1/2 I have read) she has a partner-in-crime for most of it. This time around, she keeps most things to herself and interacts with secondary characters occasionally. Ranger Rick and Manny get their fair share of time and Tressa does finally confront her feelings and make a decision.
I'm sad this is the last in the series...I think Tressa is hilarious and could still have a lot more in her. She might not be as "blonde" anymore, but she still has a lot of growth in her character and I'm sure she could find plenty more trouble for herself.
A good, humorous, well written conclusion. I read it in less than a day and finished with a happy feeling.
December 8, 2009
Tressa drives me crazy!!! What is wrong with her?!?! It takes her forever to figure out who she wants to be with! And she uses her vacation time to try to solve a potential murder? Why not enjoy herself???? UGH! And only at the VERY end of the book, does she seem to figure out what (or who) she wants. There may be a happily ever after for her, but I barely got a glimpse of it.
October 19, 2024
This book needed more Grammy but was funny, fun to read, easy to read, engaging, and finally she made a choice! If you like the series like I do you will like the book. Although it makes me wonder why a cowgirl whose t-shirts sounds unfashionable have a thing for high end high heels, designer bags, etc?
July 9, 2018
Cannot stand the main character. Cannot stand how absolutely everyone treats her as a joke.
May 8, 2018
Cruises should be full of indulgence?
Great. Now that her Grandmother is full of bliss, the rest of the family can relax on the cruise that has been organised. Maybe it would have helped if this was a cruise that focused on healthy eating and exercise. Not what she was expecting that's for sure. When a dead body is found, the fun just goes up a notch. Wonderful read, especially as her attitude to exercise and healthy eating is the same as mine. The characters are getting to be old friends now.
Great. Now that her Grandmother is full of bliss, the rest of the family can relax on the cruise that has been organised. Maybe it would have helped if this was a cruise that focused on healthy eating and exercise. Not what she was expecting that's for sure. When a dead body is found, the fun just goes up a notch. Wonderful read, especially as her attitude to exercise and healthy eating is the same as mine. The characters are getting to be old friends now.
June 6, 2023
Really enjoyed this cozy mystery
This was the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. I loved the fun times of the main character Jayne and her attempt at being a detective while on a cruise ship with her family. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more of Jayne's adventures.
This was the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. I loved the fun times of the main character Jayne and her attempt at being a detective while on a cruise ship with her family. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more of Jayne's adventures.
November 3, 2021
Like the others in this series, the mystery itself was pretty simple, but still fun.
The chaos and relationship angst reached a crescendo and did manage to resolve a few things. All in all, it was an enjoyable read.
The chaos and relationship angst reached a crescendo and did manage to resolve a few things. All in all, it was an enjoyable read.
August 2, 2024
4.5 Stars
There was not as much humor in this edition of Calamity, and since that's why I read them, not a 5 star. The mystery is nice and tidy, bumping along with a number of twists and turns. There is a very nice twist at the end. On to the next installment.
There was not as much humor in this edition of Calamity, and since that's why I read them, not a 5 star. The mystery is nice and tidy, bumping along with a number of twists and turns. There is a very nice twist at the end. On to the next installment.
December 25, 2025
love, love, love this series!
I cannot say just how much I loved this book, this entire series! I have fallen in love with these characters. Especially Tressa and Rick. So well written and interesting. What will that girl think of next?
I cannot say just how much I loved this book, this entire series! I have fallen in love with these characters. Especially Tressa and Rick. So well written and interesting. What will that girl think of next?
January 3, 2026
Fun Read
This is another Calamity Jayne book. New location. New problems. Same tension between Tressa and Ranger Rick. A person cares about these two characters and hopes for the time that they will be on the same page.
This is another Calamity Jayne book. New location. New problems. Same tension between Tressa and Ranger Rick. A person cares about these two characters and hopes for the time that they will be on the same page.
June 1, 2022
Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
Another fabulous book from Kathleen Bacus, this series is a lot of fun. I can't wait for tge next book.
Another fabulous book from Kathleen Bacus, this series is a lot of fun. I can't wait for tge next book.
May 26, 2023
Who is after Tressa and why??? A lottery ticket??? Thank you, Mum and Dad, !!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
September 16, 2015
The sixth book in a series about a quirky blonde who seems to be a magnet for trouble. If you haven't read the first 5 books -- this book will be a sinking ship. I don't think it works on it own. If you've read the previous ones and enjoyed them, this is a quick read that provides continued adventures for a character you're already familiar with.
This series has been compared to the Evanovich Stephanie Plum works, and I can see the similarity. Unfortunately I think this series falls short in comparison to the early Plum books (That series itself has gone down hill).
Clearly I've enjoyed the character and cozy mystery plots enough to get myself to the sixth installment, but I seem to find myself on the fence about whether I can actually say I liked them. It has the ingredients for a modern cozy mystery - spunky female sleuth, humor, mystery, love-interests. I think my issue has been with the latter. There were at least 3 potential suitors in this series. From my point of view - two of the guys were watered down versions of Evanovich's Plum characters, while the third had potential that was squashed by the author in a "lets explain away that character moment". It's hard to enjoy a series when I know I'm rooting for the guy that is clearly page filler.
The conclusion of this book leads me to believe it was originally expected to be the finale of this series. Yet there is at least 2 subsequent books. Since I made it this far, I'll likely give the next a try when I have a need for something lite.
This series has been compared to the Evanovich Stephanie Plum works, and I can see the similarity. Unfortunately I think this series falls short in comparison to the early Plum books (That series itself has gone down hill).
Clearly I've enjoyed the character and cozy mystery plots enough to get myself to the sixth installment, but I seem to find myself on the fence about whether I can actually say I liked them. It has the ingredients for a modern cozy mystery - spunky female sleuth, humor, mystery, love-interests. I think my issue has been with the latter. There were at least 3 potential suitors in this series. From my point of view - two of the guys were watered down versions of Evanovich's Plum characters, while the third had potential that was squashed by the author in a "lets explain away that character moment". It's hard to enjoy a series when I know I'm rooting for the guy that is clearly page filler.
The conclusion of this book leads me to believe it was originally expected to be the finale of this series. Yet there is at least 2 subsequent books. Since I made it this far, I'll likely give the next a try when I have a need for something lite.
August 4, 2011
Tressa has quite an imagination and quite an image. Tressa is on a cruise with her family to celebrate the recent wedding of her grandma. Tressa finds out as the cruise gets underway it is a Cruise-to-be-Fit and Tressa is having none of that. She is from Iowa and enjoys big steaks and lots of food. Tressa hears of a plot that a wife is going to be killed onboard the ship for the insurance money and she tries to find the killer before he kills. She tells the ship's security officer, who doesn't believe her and Manny, who doesn't believe but agrees to help look around. While Tressa is looking for the killer, she is pushed down a flight of stairs and pretends to lose her memory. Also, Tressa is having 2 hunky guys courting her and she can't decide which one she wants.
January 23, 2015
I love this whole series. They are funny and fast paced books that keep your guessing until the end.
In this book, Jane is going on a cruise as part of her family get-a-way to celebrate her grandma's wedding to Rick's grandpa Joe.
She can't wait to gorge on endless buffets and spend time alone with "Ranger Rick" to see what comes of her feelings for him.
But like all things Jane it just can't be that easy. The cruise is a "healthy living", her fake fiancé Manny shows up with his aunt Mo, and someone is planning to kill their spouse on the cruise.
Great read.
In this book, Jane is going on a cruise as part of her family get-a-way to celebrate her grandma's wedding to Rick's grandpa Joe.
She can't wait to gorge on endless buffets and spend time alone with "Ranger Rick" to see what comes of her feelings for him.
But like all things Jane it just can't be that easy. The cruise is a "healthy living", her fake fiancé Manny shows up with his aunt Mo, and someone is planning to kill their spouse on the cruise.
Great read.
March 7, 2016
A must read
If you have not read book one of this series make sure you start there. Calamity Jayne, aka Tressa, is on the cruise for her grandmother and Joe honeymoon. Lots of action in this book and she must finally make a choice of her man thanks to Joe. Lots of curves in this murder/love story. Can't wait to finish this series as you cannot put these books down.
If you have not read book one of this series make sure you start there. Calamity Jayne, aka Tressa, is on the cruise for her grandmother and Joe honeymoon. Lots of action in this book and she must finally make a choice of her man thanks to Joe. Lots of curves in this murder/love story. Can't wait to finish this series as you cannot put these books down.
October 26, 2009
I really liked the latest book in the series. It was a light and fun read. Ms. Bacus (author) has developed a full cast of fun and memorable characters. Not to mention I really liked what happens with Tressa and Ranger Rick!
July 24, 2011
I think this provided an excellent ending to the Tressa Jayne Turner books. I thought it was hilarious watching her trying to fake amnesia. And watching Rick and Manny battle for her affections was highly entertaining.
September 12, 2012
This was a good wrap up to series. My biggest complaint with the whole book series is that they did not developed the Tressa/Rick story fast enough or in depth in my opinion. There was too much whining from Tressa in this book that it made it hard to read at times.
December 13, 2012
I really enjoyed this series of books although one of my biggest pet peeves with books happened in this one. Telling you what it was would be a spoiler so I guess you'll just have to read for yourself. These books are really fun and are pretty short.
January 23, 2013
I have really enjoyed reading this series by Kathleen Bacus. I am already missing Ranger Rick and Tressa and I only finished the last book of the series "Anchors Aweigh" last night. I always fall in love with the characters of the books that I read.
November 11, 2023
This is solid continuation of Tressa's story. It has been fun to see her in new situations and I really thought it was going to end differently than it did, but I am still happy with the ending. I cannot wait to see where the last two books go.
January 22, 2009
FINALLY! They get together!
September 29, 2010
If you like Janet Evanovich, then read this. It was quite hilarious!
March 6, 2011
Hilarious chic-lit romance.
April 17, 2011
Hilarious!!! :)
February 4, 2016
Calamity Jane rides again as a honeymoon cruise with her grandmother and new step-grandfather involves Tessa in more problems. This one was a little more transparent as to plot, but still a fun read.
July 26, 2012
A very funny conclusion to Tressa's adventures and I have to say I'm pleased with the outcome. I'd look forward to a future Tressa novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews