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Jocelyn Shore #1
Death on Tour
When the most obnoxious member of her Egyptian tour group is found dead at the base of a pyramid, Texas high school history teacher Jocelyn Shore mostly hopes her camel ride won’t be canceled. After all, a stranger’s unfortunate mishap shouldn’t ruin the adventure of a lifetime. But this death was no accident, and as the group travels south into the heart of Egypt, Jocelyn begins to realize that no one on the bus is exactly what they seem.
For instance, why is the attractive Alan Stratton traveling all alone and asking such odd questions? Who is their tour guide calling in the middle of the night and what is making him so uneasy? And how did her aggravating cousin Kyla stuff so many matching outfits into one suitcase?
From the jovial doctor haggling for trinkets he doesn’t want to the mysterious imposter wearing someone else’s clothing, this group of tourists is carrying more than one kind of baggage. Add a mistaken identity, a priceless necklace, and one dead Egyptian to the mix, and Jocelyn finds herself reluctantly trying to unravel an intrigue that threatens to end not only her vacation, but her life.
For instance, why is the attractive Alan Stratton traveling all alone and asking such odd questions? Who is their tour guide calling in the middle of the night and what is making him so uneasy? And how did her aggravating cousin Kyla stuff so many matching outfits into one suitcase?
From the jovial doctor haggling for trinkets he doesn’t want to the mysterious imposter wearing someone else’s clothing, this group of tourists is carrying more than one kind of baggage. Add a mistaken identity, a priceless necklace, and one dead Egyptian to the mix, and Jocelyn finds herself reluctantly trying to unravel an intrigue that threatens to end not only her vacation, but her life.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2011
19 people are currently reading
1115 people want to read
About the author
Janice Hamrick
5 books145 followersJanice Hamrick is the award-winning author of DEATH MAKES THE CUT (2012) and DEATH ON TOUR (2011), which won the Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur Books First Crime Novel competition and was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Janice lives in Austin, Texas, with three dogs and cat, and when she is not writing, she spends her time traveling, planning to travel, or plotting murders (usually fictional).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
January 25, 2013
Ancient temple of Karnak in Egypt
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★★★★½ This book was recommended to me by a GRs friend and I’ve had it on my TBR shelf forever. However, since I’ve never read this author before, I requested my library purchase it. It took them forever (well, 17 months), but I finally got it.
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I loved being on tour in Egypt with Jocelyn and her cousin Kyla. At times I felt I was right there with them. For a cozy mystery, there are the right ingredients for a near perfect debut: plenty of fun, exotic local, humorous dialogue, and charm.
Guess I'm buying the next ones!
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★★★★½ This book was recommended to me by a GRs friend and I’ve had it on my TBR shelf forever. However, since I’ve never read this author before, I requested my library purchase it. It took them forever (well, 17 months), but I finally got it.
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I loved being on tour in Egypt with Jocelyn and her cousin Kyla. At times I felt I was right there with them. For a cozy mystery, there are the right ingredients for a near perfect debut: plenty of fun, exotic local, humorous dialogue, and charm.
Guess I'm buying the next ones!
September 21, 2011
It would be very hard not to like this book.
Janet Hamrick's Egypt is vividly described, whether it is a sweatshop carpet factory or sunset across the Nile. There is the romance of travel (like The Towers of Trebizond), a love affair with misunderstandings (like Miss Bennet and Mr Darcy), and the endless antiquity of Egypt itself, but all is set in the familiar world of modern tourism, with airport congestion, armed-guard security, coach party dynamics, souvenir trash with its irrepressible salesmen, and rush (Cairo to Karnak in just six days).
The book is packed with wit and humour, as is Ms Hamrick's engaging heroine, Jocelyn Shore. Jocelyn is the world's most intrepid tourist. Nothing (and it would spoil the story to tell what she has to endure) can stop her from marching off to see the next monument on the itinerary. The dust-jacket promises us more of Jocelyn in the future, and it will be interesting to see where she goes next.
Janet Hamrick's Egypt is vividly described, whether it is a sweatshop carpet factory or sunset across the Nile. There is the romance of travel (like The Towers of Trebizond), a love affair with misunderstandings (like Miss Bennet and Mr Darcy), and the endless antiquity of Egypt itself, but all is set in the familiar world of modern tourism, with airport congestion, armed-guard security, coach party dynamics, souvenir trash with its irrepressible salesmen, and rush (Cairo to Karnak in just six days).
The book is packed with wit and humour, as is Ms Hamrick's engaging heroine, Jocelyn Shore. Jocelyn is the world's most intrepid tourist. Nothing (and it would spoil the story to tell what she has to endure) can stop her from marching off to see the next monument on the itinerary. The dust-jacket promises us more of Jocelyn in the future, and it will be interesting to see where she goes next.
May 22, 2012
MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Jocelyn and Kyla are cousins but look enough alike to be sisters. When Jocelyn's marriage breaks apart, the two decide to take a trip of a life time to Egypt with a tour group. As they get to know their travel mates, the group's busy body turns up dead. She becomes even more suspicious about the group after finding said busy body's pack with a note book full of observations about them. As the tour progresses, strange men approach Jocelyn and her cousin asking them if they are "the sisters from Utah" and giving them things. Now that Jocelyn is divorced, she has no interest in men except one nice guy on the tour named Allen. Unfortunately, Kyla has claimed him, just like when they were in high school.
The descriptions in this book are breath-taking. I know I will never get to Egypt but this seems to be the next best thing for me. I truly enjoyed getting to know Jocelyn and her cousin with all the wonderful dialogue between the two and with the other minor characters. There is enough suspense to keep you turning the pages but nothing uncomfortable like some other mysteries that I have read. This is just pure, clean fun! There are so many other little mysteries that all add up the big finale. I felt like I was reading my first Stephanie Plum book all over again with the right blend of humor and tension. I can't wait until Death Makes the Cut comes out this July. I hope there are many more adventures in store for me with Jocelyn.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Jocelyn and Kyla are cousins but look enough alike to be sisters. When Jocelyn's marriage breaks apart, the two decide to take a trip of a life time to Egypt with a tour group. As they get to know their travel mates, the group's busy body turns up dead. She becomes even more suspicious about the group after finding said busy body's pack with a note book full of observations about them. As the tour progresses, strange men approach Jocelyn and her cousin asking them if they are "the sisters from Utah" and giving them things. Now that Jocelyn is divorced, she has no interest in men except one nice guy on the tour named Allen. Unfortunately, Kyla has claimed him, just like when they were in high school.
The descriptions in this book are breath-taking. I know I will never get to Egypt but this seems to be the next best thing for me. I truly enjoyed getting to know Jocelyn and her cousin with all the wonderful dialogue between the two and with the other minor characters. There is enough suspense to keep you turning the pages but nothing uncomfortable like some other mysteries that I have read. This is just pure, clean fun! There are so many other little mysteries that all add up the big finale. I felt like I was reading my first Stephanie Plum book all over again with the right blend of humor and tension. I can't wait until Death Makes the Cut comes out this July. I hope there are many more adventures in store for me with Jocelyn.
August 30, 2011
There are only a few authors that have made me laugh out loud and I can happily say that I am now able to add one more to my list. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The main character Jocelyn resonated with me on quite a few levels, from her insecurities as a female to her extremely witty tongue. According to the FTC guidelines, I do have to disclose that I received this book free through the Goodreads First Reads program. When I got the box in the mail, enclosed within was a thank you note from the author and I have to say, I am the one who should be thanking her for brightening my day with such an incredibly well written story. It made me want to run right out and sign up for my own "WorldPal" tour through Egypt (minus the murder, please) as well as hope for my own Alan Stratton to share the ride with. I am hoping that there will be more adventures for Jocelyn and her equally acerbic cousin Kyla coming soon - I'm dying to be their traveling companions! (hmmm...was the pun intended?)
November 17, 2025
I randomly picked up this cozy mystery at the library and I'm overall glad I gave it a chance. The depictions of the tour / scenery throughout Egypt and the country's history were very interesting. However the actual mystery was boring and painfully slow paced... all in all a bit forgettable
June 10, 2011
DEATH ON TOUR is an entertaining debut that offers much for the cozy crime reader, as well as anyone who enjoys stories that feature foreign travel. I picked it up based on the reviews and it being a First Mystery Award winner and wasn't disappointed.
The book summary is well represented in the Amazon description so I won't go into details here. But there was sufficient fizz and humor to keep me interested throughout the story. Jocelyn - a high school history teacher and Egyptophile(?)- is a young, spunky and determined amateur sleuth who, along with her best friend/cousin Kyla, is a likeable and engaging character. The author provides a fantastic sense of place with her vivid descriptions of Egyptian sites and settings. I felt like I was there on tour as well! An as anyone who's been part of an international tour group can attest to, she provides many realistic aspects of being hustled and bustled about by local tour guides and market vendors.
All in all, an enjoyable trip and one worth taking.
The book summary is well represented in the Amazon description so I won't go into details here. But there was sufficient fizz and humor to keep me interested throughout the story. Jocelyn - a high school history teacher and Egyptophile(?)- is a young, spunky and determined amateur sleuth who, along with her best friend/cousin Kyla, is a likeable and engaging character. The author provides a fantastic sense of place with her vivid descriptions of Egyptian sites and settings. I felt like I was there on tour as well! An as anyone who's been part of an international tour group can attest to, she provides many realistic aspects of being hustled and bustled about by local tour guides and market vendors.
All in all, an enjoyable trip and one worth taking.
September 20, 2018
This was quite a story with many twist to it. It's the first book I've read from this author and I have to say it was well written.
Jocelyn and her cousin, Kyla, went on a tour of Egypt only to be caught up in not just a murder which everyone thought was an accident but a few other things. With a group of different people on this tour you become suspicious of who is really telling the truth. It was fun just learning who and what people did and of course trying to figure out who really did what. I really enjoyed this book.
Jocelyn and her cousin, Kyla, went on a tour of Egypt only to be caught up in not just a murder which everyone thought was an accident but a few other things. With a group of different people on this tour you become suspicious of who is really telling the truth. It was fun just learning who and what people did and of course trying to figure out who really did what. I really enjoyed this book.
February 14, 2019
Absolutely adorable. I totally figured it out fairly early though. And the resolution to one of the subplots was questionable.
*SUBPLOT SPOILER ALERT*
If you came to Egypt to spirit your friends' kid out of the country, once you secured her, why would you not go immediately to the American Consulate? Why would you continue on the tour you signed up for as a ruse?
*SUBPLOT SPOILER ALERT*
If you came to Egypt to spirit your friends' kid out of the country, once you secured her, why would you not go immediately to the American Consulate? Why would you continue on the tour you signed up for as a ruse?
September 8, 2011
This was a fun mystery with a great backdrop. Jocelyn is a high school history teacher from Texas who saves up enough money to take the trip she's always dreamed of, a tour of Egypt. Her cousin accompanies her and the rest of the tour-goers are strangers who all seem to have strange baggage of their own that isn't fully disclosed, at least not publicly and certainly not at first. At the beginning of the tour, an obnoxious busybody on the tour dies, most likely murdered, and Jocelyn finds herself on edge, wondering who the culprit is and trying to dig deeper in the lives of everyone in the group.
I loved the descriptions of Egypt and all the places they saw. The author did such a great job making the scenery come to life, even the little details about the salesmen who are always present and the way the sun felt coming across the sand. Interspersed with this were details about Ancient Egypt, explaining what they were seeing and the significance of it all. It made me want to be there alongside all the characters on this tour, taking everything in with them!
The characters were entertaining as well. A lot of the people on the tour acted strangely and suspiciously, but I couldn't figure out exactly what their angles were. It made for a fun read. The mystery was entertaining as well, but also way too obvious. I figured out the culprit from VERY early on in the book because of all the hints that were dropped, and I kept hoping that I was wrong, that the author was just throwing a huge red herring to the reader, but alas... it took Jocelyn an entire book to figure out what took me about one or two chapters. It was amazing that no one else picked up on the obvious clues earlier, especially since the reader never knows more than Jocelyn knows. So that was quite disappointing, to have the answers so in your face but no one smart enough to figure it out.
Still, I enjoyed the book overall despite my frustration at the mystery being so predictable. It had good writing, a wonderful setting, and fun interactions between all the characters, not all of which i saw coming. I'd read another book by this author, but I really hope the next one has a little more difficult mystery to solve and that I'm not once again the only one picking up on the obvious.
I loved the descriptions of Egypt and all the places they saw. The author did such a great job making the scenery come to life, even the little details about the salesmen who are always present and the way the sun felt coming across the sand. Interspersed with this were details about Ancient Egypt, explaining what they were seeing and the significance of it all. It made me want to be there alongside all the characters on this tour, taking everything in with them!
The characters were entertaining as well. A lot of the people on the tour acted strangely and suspiciously, but I couldn't figure out exactly what their angles were. It made for a fun read. The mystery was entertaining as well, but also way too obvious. I figured out the culprit from VERY early on in the book because of all the hints that were dropped, and I kept hoping that I was wrong, that the author was just throwing a huge red herring to the reader, but alas... it took Jocelyn an entire book to figure out what took me about one or two chapters. It was amazing that no one else picked up on the obvious clues earlier, especially since the reader never knows more than Jocelyn knows. So that was quite disappointing, to have the answers so in your face but no one smart enough to figure it out.
Still, I enjoyed the book overall despite my frustration at the mystery being so predictable. It had good writing, a wonderful setting, and fun interactions between all the characters, not all of which i saw coming. I'd read another book by this author, but I really hope the next one has a little more difficult mystery to solve and that I'm not once again the only one picking up on the obvious.
August 29, 2011
Jocelyn Shore and her cousin Kyla are on the tour of their dreams in Egypt when on the first day of the tour, the irritating and nosy Millie (also on the tour) is found dead in the sand. Bummer. Even bigger bummer when they soon learn that Millie was murdered. However, the tour must go on. But when another death occurs, the same way Millie was killed, Jocelyn is sure that the murderer is part of the tour group. Could it be the doctor who is constantly haggling with the locals? Oh, please don't let it be the only single, and attractive man on the tour. Regardless, Joycelyn is determined to find out.
This is a great start to a new series. At least I hope it will be a series. I really liked Jocelyn and her cranky cousin, Kyla. The tour folks were fun and quirky. I love stories set in Egypt so this was right up my alley. There was plenty of information about Egypt without overdoing it. Although I had solved the mystery fairly early on, I was not absolutely sure until the reveal. For me, cozies are more about the people and the setting than the mystery anyway. This book has personality and atmosphere in spades. If there is another, I will surely be reading it.
This is a great start to a new series. At least I hope it will be a series. I really liked Jocelyn and her cranky cousin, Kyla. The tour folks were fun and quirky. I love stories set in Egypt so this was right up my alley. There was plenty of information about Egypt without overdoing it. Although I had solved the mystery fairly early on, I was not absolutely sure until the reveal. For me, cozies are more about the people and the setting than the mystery anyway. This book has personality and atmosphere in spades. If there is another, I will surely be reading it.
July 19, 2012
I cannot wait to read more of this series! Not many books grab me like this one did, especially cozy mysteries. I love them, but many can be like a handful of candy, sweet and easily devoured.
There are many mysteries going within this book and it could have become confusing with another, less-skilled writer, but Janice Hamrick has a talent. Good writing and keeping the threads from getting tangled.
Nicely done, Janice Hamrick, nicely done!
There are many mysteries going within this book and it could have become confusing with another, less-skilled writer, but Janice Hamrick has a talent. Good writing and keeping the threads from getting tangled.
Nicely done, Janice Hamrick, nicely done!
February 17, 2017
Really fun. I loved that almost everyone seemed suspicious, although I did have the bad guy pegged after reading less than half. I adored the setting, which made everything slightly creepier. Will definitely read the next one.
August 6, 2011
I received this book as part of First Reads from Goodreads. It's a fun, fast-reading mystery with interesting characters. I'd say if you enjoy travel books and travel memoirs and also like mysteries, this would be a good beach-type read for you.
June 2, 2011
good read and so witty!!
July 27, 2011
This was an absolute delight to read. I am going to look forward to many more novels by this author.
October 11, 2016
Klischeehafte und unsympatische Charaktere, langweilige und vorhersehbare Handlung ... Mir fällt einfach nichts positives zu diesem Buch ein.
October 24, 2024
La cosa più bella di questo libro è che mi ha fatto ripercorrere e ricordare il viaggio che ho fatto in Egitto tanti anni fa. Per il resto, avevo capito ben presto la soluzione dei due misteri e ho trovato la cugina della protagonista abbastanza insopportabile. A volte sono anche rimasta delusa dal modo di agire della protagonista. Vabbè, godiamoci il ricordo del viaggio in Egitto.
March 21, 2014
This book was absolutely amazing! It was as if the author actually transported me to Egypt it was so visual! The history of Egypt this book includes is also very cool! I even learned some new things about Egypt while reading this book!
This book had me on the tips of my toes the whole time I was reading it! Everything from the love story to the shocking murders had stolen my attention from the very beginning. You never knew what was going to happen next! One minute Jocelyn would be taking pictures and sightseeing and the next minute you would hear a bloodcurdling scream and someone would be found dead.
The development of the characters was also very nice. In the beginning, you didn't know much about any of the people but by the end it is like you have actually talked to the people and know their story. The characters are so interesting but not always what they first appear to be.
The ending (not going to spoil it) had me so surprised though! I absolutely loved it! I love when the author finishes out the book with a huge twist and surprise! I definitely was not expecting it!
This book certainly does not disappoint and I would highly recommend reading it! You will definitely not waste your time reading it! I am so excited to read the second and third ones in this series! I already own the second one and the third one is on its way in the mail!
This book had me on the tips of my toes the whole time I was reading it! Everything from the love story to the shocking murders had stolen my attention from the very beginning. You never knew what was going to happen next! One minute Jocelyn would be taking pictures and sightseeing and the next minute you would hear a bloodcurdling scream and someone would be found dead.
The development of the characters was also very nice. In the beginning, you didn't know much about any of the people but by the end it is like you have actually talked to the people and know their story. The characters are so interesting but not always what they first appear to be.
The ending (not going to spoil it) had me so surprised though! I absolutely loved it! I love when the author finishes out the book with a huge twist and surprise! I definitely was not expecting it!
This book certainly does not disappoint and I would highly recommend reading it! You will definitely not waste your time reading it! I am so excited to read the second and third ones in this series! I already own the second one and the third one is on its way in the mail!
June 22, 2016
All'ombra delle piramidi
È la prima avventura nel mondo del crimine di Jocelyn Shore, un'insegnante di storia, una texana in vacanza in Egitto, insieme alla cugina Kyla. L'ambientazione vacanziera non impedisce al peggio di accadere: una donna, piuttosto antipatica e malvista, viene trovata morta. Si pensa ad uno sfortunato incidente, ma di mezzo c'è la volontà di un assassino che la odiava a tal punto da volerla morta.
Il bello dei gialli dilettantistici è che chi si addentra nelle indagini lo fa da perfetto profano, da persona poco avvezza al crimine e men che meno a condurre un'indagine. In questo caso, a guardare con un'occhio inesperto la morte di Millie Owens è un'esperta di storia che si addentra nei misteri all'ombra della piramide di Chefren. È da lì che inizia il viaggio nell'incubo di Jocelyn Shore. Tocca a lei cercare la chiave di volta di un intrigo che, tra impostori e contrabbandieri di antichi reperti, minaccia di troncare non soltanto l'agognata vacanza di Jocelyn e Kyla, ma anche la loro stessa vita.
Janice Hamrick è stata un'autentica scoperta. Avvincente, ingarbugliato ed ottimamente scritto, questo suo giallo, all'ombra della storia dei faraoni, è un gioiellino da non lasciarsi sfuggire.
May 11, 2012
There were two reasons I chose to read this book: 1) the cover that showed it concerned a tour group in Egypt and 2) the gold circle saying it was chosen as best mystery by a new author in 2011. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to. First of all, I probably enjoyed it a lot because in November of 2010 I visited Egypt and during that time took a cruise down the Nile with my sister and her husband. We had a guide but were not part of a large tour group. Previously I had taken two bus tours with large groups, once with my daughter and another time with my mother-in-law. The book brought back pleasant memories of the sights of Egypt as well as the tour situation. Fortunately, on both tours there were no obnoxious people in our group.
There is more than this that made the book enjoyable. Ms. Hamrick is either an amazing researcher or else has been part of a tour group, most likely to Egypt. The details of both place and situation are accurate, including the psychology of her tourists. Her tourists act like tourists. What is more, the dialogue is frequently witty. I hope she writes more and that this book isn't a fluke.
There is more than this that made the book enjoyable. Ms. Hamrick is either an amazing researcher or else has been part of a tour group, most likely to Egypt. The details of both place and situation are accurate, including the psychology of her tourists. Her tourists act like tourists. What is more, the dialogue is frequently witty. I hope she writes more and that this book isn't a fluke.
July 31, 2013
I read this series in reverse, three, two, and then this one. I really liked the later books, but this one left me befuddled. This Jocelyn Shore is insecure, petty, and jealous of her cousin, so much so that it makes her rather unlikeable. In the later books, Jocelyn is much more independent and someone I would like to know.
Jocelyn and her cousin are on vacation in Egypt. The first page is about finding one of the fellow tourist dead. Jocelyn is more concerned about missing out on the tour than about the woman's death. Granted, she feels guilty about it, but that doesn't keep her from sounding incredibly shallow. The mystery itself is a mess of clues, but sadly too predictable.
The part about the book that bothered me the most is competition between Jocelyn and her cousin for the romantic attention of Alan, a fellow traveler. I found it incredibly boring and intrusive to the story.
Overall, this was a disappointment compared to the later stories where Jocelyn is more evolved and the mystery takes precedence over the romance.
Jocelyn and her cousin are on vacation in Egypt. The first page is about finding one of the fellow tourist dead. Jocelyn is more concerned about missing out on the tour than about the woman's death. Granted, she feels guilty about it, but that doesn't keep her from sounding incredibly shallow. The mystery itself is a mess of clues, but sadly too predictable.
The part about the book that bothered me the most is competition between Jocelyn and her cousin for the romantic attention of Alan, a fellow traveler. I found it incredibly boring and intrusive to the story.
Overall, this was a disappointment compared to the later stories where Jocelyn is more evolved and the mystery takes precedence over the romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2016
I wanted to like this book. It had everything I love in a mystery - school teacher on vacation in an exotic location, a good mix of characters, and death. Death is always good. Oh, and a little romance because what's a cozy without a love interest?
Sadly, this went wrong very quickly. Our main character - the teacher - is extremely judgemental. I start to wonder early on if she likes anyone at all - including the cousing she's traveling with. Then again, I think I would've pushed the cousin off a cliff long before ever considering to take a bus tour with her. Kyla can't even be a reasonable human being to her own cousin for most of the book but Jocelyn just sucks up and takes it or tries to placate her by telling her how pretty she is.
If I did gifs in reviews, there would be one here.
The love interest wasn't believable. The culprit wasn't believable. I'm not sure how this won an award, but it was a first novel for the author. I'd like to think I'll give the second book in the series a shot, but I just don't know.
Sadly, this went wrong very quickly. Our main character - the teacher - is extremely judgemental. I start to wonder early on if she likes anyone at all - including the cousing she's traveling with. Then again, I think I would've pushed the cousin off a cliff long before ever considering to take a bus tour with her. Kyla can't even be a reasonable human being to her own cousin for most of the book but Jocelyn just sucks up and takes it or tries to placate her by telling her how pretty she is.
If I did gifs in reviews, there would be one here.
The love interest wasn't believable. The culprit wasn't believable. I'm not sure how this won an award, but it was a first novel for the author. I'd like to think I'll give the second book in the series a shot, but I just don't know.
November 13, 2012
I liked this book, it is a cozy, but isn't too frivolous or superficial. The main character goes on a tour of Egypt and one of the tour members gets killed the second day in. Of course, all her fellow tour members are acting strangely, creating a perfect gaggle of suspects. The culprits were apparent to me before chapter 5, but I enjoyed the read immensely in spite of this. The backdrop of Egypt is always interesting and Ms. Hamrick does a beautiful job with her descriptions. Most of the characters are cleverly drawn and unique. My biggest complaint is Jocelyn's travelling companion, cousin and best friend comes across as shallow, narcissistic and unlikeable, although she does pull her head out towards the end.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next book in the series or not, but I'd recommend it to anyone liking cozies and travel.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next book in the series or not, but I'd recommend it to anyone liking cozies and travel.
October 29, 2011
I was attracted to this because I've long had a wish to see the Pyramids and everything else in Egypt-but my fantasy is really "Death on the Nile", that time period before there were a bunch of cars spewing pollution, and when people had the time to really take a leisurely tour, but I'd still want to carry a bottle of penicillin with me. Anyway, I liked this book a lot, it was an easy read and hard to put down, even though I guessed who the culprits probably were early on. I didn't see Alan's true identity coming, so that was a surprise. I really wanted to slap Kyla several times during the course of the book, Jocelyn must have the patience of a saint. I'm looking forward to the next book when it comes out.
June 14, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed Hamrick's debut mystery, starring cousins Jocelyn and Kyla. Having shared a love of all things mummies back in the day, they seem like perfect companions for a WorldPal tour of Egypt. The descriptions of their fellow tour mates and poor Millie, the deceased, are wonderful. Their reactions to most of the situations ring very true and it is only by accident that Jocelyn reaches certain conclusions and is drawn into the mystery. Although this will probably get shelved with cozy mysteries at the library, it has a much more classic feel to it than many of those 'ordinary women in extreme circumstances with former beau as sheriff/detective' titles. I can't wait to read Hamrick's next mystery later this summer.
July 4, 2011
I really enjoyed this first book by new author, Janice Hamrick. I thought the dialogue was fresh and realistic, and the interaction between main character, Jocelyn and her cousin Kyla rang true. But, towards the end of the book, Jocelyn started to become TSTL. It became increasingly obvious to her who the real culprit was going to turn out to be, but for some reason she ignored all of the evidence and still couldn't see who it was. And it was so obvious!!! The reader didn't know anything Jocelyn didn't know, so it bugs me she was so thick.
I will read more by this author, even with the flaws of Jocelyn. The dialogue really did save this one.
I will read more by this author, even with the flaws of Jocelyn. The dialogue really did save this one.
August 12, 2011
Divorced history teacher Jocelyn and her best friend, cousin, and most constant annoyance Kyla are taking a long-awaited tour of Egypt. Most of their small tour group are congenial, but when one of their number dies mysteriously, Jocelyn gets suspicious. She especially wonders about handsome, single Alan Stratton, who seems to be ignoring beautiful Kyla to focus on plain-Jane Jocelyn. And then there are all the Egyptian salesmen and peddlers who ask her if she's from Utah--that's got to mean something, right? Especial congratulations to first-novelist Hamrick for her great descriptions of Egyptian tourist sites, and for handling what's quite a large cast of characters skillfully.
December 13, 2011
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway and I am looking forward to sharing it with my mom and sisters. The story was well written. There were enough red herrings in the plot to keep me guessing about whodunit and why. I was slow to warm up the the character Kyla and did guestion if the main character Jocelyn would really like Kyla even if she was her cousin and they had grown up like sisters. At times I did wonder if Jocelyn even liked her but it is an accurate portrayal of family. I have spoken highly of the book to my mom and others and have recommended it others at work.
June 3, 2012
I haven’t enjoyed a new mystery series in awhile, but I did like Death on Tour very much! Set partially in Austin, TX, but mostly in Egypt, it gives you the vicarious experience of travel on a group tour and is humorous as well with a likeable protagonist. Yes, I did guess the mystery, but even so, Death on Tour deserved to win the Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur Books First Crime Novel Award.
~ Jacqueline Corcoran
Author, Month of Sundays, Backlit, Memoir of Death, Time Witch
http://www.jacquelinecorcoran.com/
~ Jacqueline Corcoran
Author, Month of Sundays, Backlit, Memoir of Death, Time Witch
http://www.jacquelinecorcoran.com/
June 17, 2012
Death on Tour by Janice Hamrick is a delightful romantic mystery taking place in Egypt. Jocelyn Shore and her cousin Kyla take the vacation of a lifetime on a budget tour. Early on their tour, one of their fellow travelers is found dead. Was it an accident or murder? Between beautiful descriptions of Egypt and the historic sites, the mixture of characters involved, mistaken identities and a romance a wonderful comic mystery evolves. The book was laugh-out-loud funny and a very enjoyable book. I look forward to her next book
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