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Ellie Tappet Cruise Ship Mystery #1
The Case of the Missing Finger
Ellie Tappet’s retirement plans were put on hold when her beloved husband Ronnie passed away. Two years later, with her children grown and the rest of her life ahead of her, she’s ready to have the adventure she’d planned before her life was turned upside-down. It's time to take her very first cruise! When she comes aboard the SV Adventurous Spirit , Ellie’s surprised to be assigned a cabin inside the cruise line’s singles club at sea, but she can tell her fellow travelers could use some advice. Unfortunately, her matchmaking efforts are interrupted when a passenger finds a finger with a big diamond ring on it in her Sangria Surprise! Guests are scandalized and tongues are wagging all around the ship. The ship's security chief seems eager to brush the crime under the rug while others point fingers at Ellie’s favorite bartender. After thirty years married to a small town police chief, Ellie’s picked up some sleuthing skills of her own, and she knows justice demands honest answers to the questions rocking the ship. Who does the finger belong to? How did it end up in the boozy drink special of the day? And what other shocking secrets lurk beneath the Caribbean sun? It’s all hands on deck for a cozy mystery adventure with this matchmaking sleuth! Ellie Tappet doesn’t know when to quit, even when her persistence gets her into a boatload of trouble
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2019
378 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Cheri Baker
18 books44 followersHello everyone. I'm Cheri Baker, an author, primarily of mystery and suspense, based out of Seattle, WA.
I'm an avid reader who enjoys coffee, mysteries, science fiction, terrible monster movies, and hanging out with friends and family.
Thanks for visiting my page on Goodreads!
Website: https://www.cheribaker.com
My mailing list: http://www.cheribaker.com/news
My blog: http://www.cheribaker.com/blog
I'm an avid reader who enjoys coffee, mysteries, science fiction, terrible monster movies, and hanging out with friends and family.
Thanks for visiting my page on Goodreads!
Website: https://www.cheribaker.com
My mailing list: http://www.cheribaker.com/news
My blog: http://www.cheribaker.com/blog
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
December 22, 2019
The end of the line or a new beginning?
A great read. Light, easy to read, full of characters that are as varied as life itself and need a helping hand. A hand like our FMC. Recovering from the loss of her husband she takes the cruise she promised him she would. However when a guest finds a finger wearing a diamond ring in her cocktail her curiosity is aroused. Pushing for answers, offering agony aunt advice and living she gets a group of strangers to become friends and solve the mystery of the finger. But who does it belong too?
Nicely paced and unlike most cruise cozies it's more about the human interaction rather than the crime but in a good way. Loved the way her easy manner broke through the ice and turmoil of both passengers and crew.
A great read. Light, easy to read, full of characters that are as varied as life itself and need a helping hand. A hand like our FMC. Recovering from the loss of her husband she takes the cruise she promised him she would. However when a guest finds a finger wearing a diamond ring in her cocktail her curiosity is aroused. Pushing for answers, offering agony aunt advice and living she gets a group of strangers to become friends and solve the mystery of the finger. But who does it belong too?
Nicely paced and unlike most cruise cozies it's more about the human interaction rather than the crime but in a good way. Loved the way her easy manner broke through the ice and turmoil of both passengers and crew.
June 24, 2020
Want a quick cozy read that keeps you scratching your head until the end? This is your book.
From my review:
"When I got to the final chapters of this very cozy mystery, I really liked the ending reveal! I was not just surprised, I was like, 'Oh wow, this is…dude!' I’m sorry, but for fear of accidentally spoiling it, I just can’t use any other words to describe it."
Read my full review; just click over to my blog at Jason Journals!
https://jasonjournals.com/2020/06/24/...
From my review:
"When I got to the final chapters of this very cozy mystery, I really liked the ending reveal! I was not just surprised, I was like, 'Oh wow, this is…dude!' I’m sorry, but for fear of accidentally spoiling it, I just can’t use any other words to describe it."
Read my full review; just click over to my blog at Jason Journals!
https://jasonjournals.com/2020/06/24/...
May 18, 2020
A cruise to mystery!
When Ellie Tappet, widowed grandmother, stepped on the cruise ship she had no idea what was in store for her!
I loved Ellie and her crime solving skills were so much fun to read. The book has a diverse cast of characters, a kind but direct main character and a conclusion that I didn't see coming but made perfect sense. I'm buying the other books on the series as soon as I finish this review!
When Ellie Tappet, widowed grandmother, stepped on the cruise ship she had no idea what was in store for her!
I loved Ellie and her crime solving skills were so much fun to read. The book has a diverse cast of characters, a kind but direct main character and a conclusion that I didn't see coming but made perfect sense. I'm buying the other books on the series as soon as I finish this review!
May 20, 2020
Great read!
I picked this as a quick quarantine read, thinking it was a fluff piece. But I am hooked! The characters are real and intriguing. The plot was truly unique and ingenious, and I did not guess who done it, which is unusual for me. I love Ellie Tappet, and will continue to follow her and her adventures, wherever they may lead!
I picked this as a quick quarantine read, thinking it was a fluff piece. But I am hooked! The characters are real and intriguing. The plot was truly unique and ingenious, and I did not guess who done it, which is unusual for me. I love Ellie Tappet, and will continue to follow her and her adventures, wherever they may lead!
October 10, 2020
A great fun Cruise Ship Mystery
I love cruise ship mysteries and this one is no exception. I loved all the characters and I look forward to learning more about them in future books in this series. If you like Cruise Ship mysteries, you should enjoy this one. I highly recommend this book. Can't wait to read the other books in this series.
I love cruise ship mysteries and this one is no exception. I loved all the characters and I look forward to learning more about them in future books in this series. If you like Cruise Ship mysteries, you should enjoy this one. I highly recommend this book. Can't wait to read the other books in this series.
December 23, 2020
Enjoyable read!
As with any cozy mystery you expect a nice story line with good characters. This book is all that and funny too! A good book to read as a respite from some of the thrillers and non-fiction books. I look forward to reading more by this author.
As with any cozy mystery you expect a nice story line with good characters. This book is all that and funny too! A good book to read as a respite from some of the thrillers and non-fiction books. I look forward to reading more by this author.
May 18, 2020
Loved the story, except when I got near the end and the author had to throw in the apparently modern obligatory mention of a gay character. So out of place and stupid.
July 14, 2025
Loved this!
What a great cozy! I love Ellie, and how she brought other guests together. Her sleuthing skills were great! I was a bit sad when I found out what happened with the missing finger, but thought it was brilliant overall.
What a great cozy! I love Ellie, and how she brought other guests together. Her sleuthing skills were great! I was a bit sad when I found out what happened with the missing finger, but thought it was brilliant overall.
June 27, 2020
This book reads like a fairy tale for cruise lovers.
For two years Ellie Tappet, age 63, mourns the death of her beloved husband, former police chief. One morning she wakes up and decides it is time to start living again. Although her DIL treats her like a senile old lady and wonders why she would want to cruise on her own, Ellie boards the ship and never looks back.
Barely settled in, she hears a scream on the sun deck. An inebriated woman has discovered a finger in her cocktail. Ellie comforts the woman and encourages security to take the matter seriously.
While standing at the bow of the ship under a full moon after karaoke, Ellie and cruise director Violet share intimate details and a strong, new friendship begins. When Violet asks her how Ellie feels about the singles section of the ship, the latter gives her some excellent suggestions to help encourage singles to get together.
Of course Ellie endears herself to everyone on her one week cruise, getting couples together, organizing a scavenger hunt in order to investigate the mystery of the missing finger, and catching the eye of the captain, who on the day of disembarkation offers her a three month temporary contract.
This new series is very similar to that of Hope Callaghan, but I just can't get enough of the ship background. As Ellie stands at the railing under the full moon, I can almost feel the gentle Caribbean breeze. So many wonderful memories, even though I have to admit that there was never a murder on any of our cruises......at least that I know of.
For two years Ellie Tappet, age 63, mourns the death of her beloved husband, former police chief. One morning she wakes up and decides it is time to start living again. Although her DIL treats her like a senile old lady and wonders why she would want to cruise on her own, Ellie boards the ship and never looks back.
Barely settled in, she hears a scream on the sun deck. An inebriated woman has discovered a finger in her cocktail. Ellie comforts the woman and encourages security to take the matter seriously.
While standing at the bow of the ship under a full moon after karaoke, Ellie and cruise director Violet share intimate details and a strong, new friendship begins. When Violet asks her how Ellie feels about the singles section of the ship, the latter gives her some excellent suggestions to help encourage singles to get together.
Of course Ellie endears herself to everyone on her one week cruise, getting couples together, organizing a scavenger hunt in order to investigate the mystery of the missing finger, and catching the eye of the captain, who on the day of disembarkation offers her a three month temporary contract.
This new series is very similar to that of Hope Callaghan, but I just can't get enough of the ship background. As Ellie stands at the railing under the full moon, I can almost feel the gentle Caribbean breeze. So many wonderful memories, even though I have to admit that there was never a murder on any of our cruises......at least that I know of.
June 12, 2024
This was a really fun, light hearted mystery with great characters.
**************************
Ellie Tappet’s retirement plans were put on hold when her beloved husband Ronnie passed away. Two years later, with her children grown and the rest of her life ahead of her, she’s ready to have the adventure she’d planned before her life was turned upside-down. It's time to take her very first cruise! When she comes aboard the SV Adventurous Spirit , Ellie’s surprised to be assigned a cabin inside the cruise line’s singles club at sea, but she can tell her fellow travelers could use some advice. Unfortunately, her matchmaking efforts are interrupted when a passenger finds a finger with a big diamond ring on it in her Sangria Surprise! Guests are scandalized and tongues are wagging all around the ship. The ship's security chief seems eager to brush the crime under the rug while others point fingers at Ellie’s favorite bartender. After thirty years married to a small town police chief, Ellie’s picked up some sleuthing skills of her own, and she knows justice demands honest answers to the questions rocking the ship. Who does the finger belong to? How did it end up in the boozy drink special of the day? And what other shocking secrets lurk beneath the Caribbean sun? It’s all hands on deck for a cozy mystery adventure with this matchmaking sleuth! Ellie Tappet doesn’t know when to quit, even when her persistence gets her into a boatload of trouble
**************************
Ellie Tappet’s retirement plans were put on hold when her beloved husband Ronnie passed away. Two years later, with her children grown and the rest of her life ahead of her, she’s ready to have the adventure she’d planned before her life was turned upside-down. It's time to take her very first cruise! When she comes aboard the SV Adventurous Spirit , Ellie’s surprised to be assigned a cabin inside the cruise line’s singles club at sea, but she can tell her fellow travelers could use some advice. Unfortunately, her matchmaking efforts are interrupted when a passenger finds a finger with a big diamond ring on it in her Sangria Surprise! Guests are scandalized and tongues are wagging all around the ship. The ship's security chief seems eager to brush the crime under the rug while others point fingers at Ellie’s favorite bartender. After thirty years married to a small town police chief, Ellie’s picked up some sleuthing skills of her own, and she knows justice demands honest answers to the questions rocking the ship. Who does the finger belong to? How did it end up in the boozy drink special of the day? And what other shocking secrets lurk beneath the Caribbean sun? It’s all hands on deck for a cozy mystery adventure with this matchmaking sleuth! Ellie Tappet doesn’t know when to quit, even when her persistence gets her into a boatload of trouble
August 24, 2020
Ellie Tappet is an over 60 widow who decides to go on a cruise. She is through mourning and wants to enjoy life as a single. She doesn't want to interfere in other people's lives, but she can see when they need help, especially in the contained area of a ship.
The missing finger? Oh, yes, that's the puzzle she is determined to solve. What makes this story so enjoyable, I think, is the chance of people in authority seeing the value of older people, so much so, that the Captain offers her a job aboard ship.
All of us older people want to be valued for who we are and for the knowledge that we have accumulated throughout the years.
Thank you, Cheri, for offering the book for free. I don't think I would have read it otherwise and then I would have missed a very entertaining story.
The missing finger? Oh, yes, that's the puzzle she is determined to solve. What makes this story so enjoyable, I think, is the chance of people in authority seeing the value of older people, so much so, that the Captain offers her a job aboard ship.
All of us older people want to be valued for who we are and for the knowledge that we have accumulated throughout the years.
Thank you, Cheri, for offering the book for free. I don't think I would have read it otherwise and then I would have missed a very entertaining story.
April 20, 2023
Finally freed from her devastating grief and able to fulfil her promise to her late husband, Ellie Tappet buys a ticket for a Caribbean cruise with the hopes of enjoying life again. Accidentally booked into the singles section, she makes the best of it and throws herself into meeting new people. This is derailed when another guest finds a finger in her cocktail and Ellie is dragged into the mystery.
I wasn't sure what to expect from the title: would the story be simplistic or even worse, juvenile? But, no, happily, this is not so. The Case of the Missing Finger is as fun as a cruise itself with well-written characters and a rich plot - a beautiful start to a new series. Recommended for cosy lovers.
I wasn't sure what to expect from the title: would the story be simplistic or even worse, juvenile? But, no, happily, this is not so. The Case of the Missing Finger is as fun as a cruise itself with well-written characters and a rich plot - a beautiful start to a new series. Recommended for cosy lovers.
January 9, 2020
I absolutely enjoyed reading The Case of the Missing Finger. Cheri is an excellent, seasoned writer and the plot is great—I couldn’t solve the mystery up until the (surprising but believable) end, which is often not the case with cozies. Ellie is a really good character, again totally believable in the way she makes friends with very different people and with her curiosity that pushes her into sleuthing. I am excited to see where this series is going. Oh, and I loved reading about all these warm and sunny destinations while it was cold and rainy outside. Totally recommend for fans of clever cozies!
August 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, but…
I really did enjoy this book and I would’ve given it at least one more star, except for the fact that, especially towards the end, it looked like whoever was copy editing the book stopped copy editing. Sometimes a sentence was repeated. Other times two sentences right after another contradicted each other. It might not bother other people, but for me, it was incredibly annoying, especially since I thought it was quite a good story. Other than that I would’ve given it four stars.
I really did enjoy this book and I would’ve given it at least one more star, except for the fact that, especially towards the end, it looked like whoever was copy editing the book stopped copy editing. Sometimes a sentence was repeated. Other times two sentences right after another contradicted each other. It might not bother other people, but for me, it was incredibly annoying, especially since I thought it was quite a good story. Other than that I would’ve given it four stars.
September 23, 2020
Brilliant first novel
I read this story in one sitting and I was rapt from the second chapter. If you like elderly female sleuths then you’re going to love this story. Ellie decides to take a cruise alone and makes a few friends. A day into the cruise a guest is having a drink when she suddenly screamed there was a finger in her glass. To find out what else happened you need to read the book. Wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
I read this story in one sitting and I was rapt from the second chapter. If you like elderly female sleuths then you’re going to love this story. Ellie decides to take a cruise alone and makes a few friends. A day into the cruise a guest is having a drink when she suddenly screamed there was a finger in her glass. To find out what else happened you need to read the book. Wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
May 24, 2021
Wonderfully fun
Ellie's husband Ronnie has passed away and after grieving for a couple of years Ellie takes the last bit of advice he gave her and decides to be adventurous and go on a cruise. Whilst on the cruise she helps other passengers with little things like friendly advice. Then a finger is found in a passengers drink. Ellie gets her new friends to help find out who the finger belonged to. I liked this book a lot and can't wait to see what else is in store for Ellie.
Ellie's husband Ronnie has passed away and after grieving for a couple of years Ellie takes the last bit of advice he gave her and decides to be adventurous and go on a cruise. Whilst on the cruise she helps other passengers with little things like friendly advice. Then a finger is found in a passengers drink. Ellie gets her new friends to help find out who the finger belonged to. I liked this book a lot and can't wait to see what else is in store for Ellie.
June 1, 2021
Ellie has been widowed for 2 years and feels the need to stretch her wings and enjoy life, as she promised her late husband. She always wanted to take a cruise, so she books her trip and us ready for an adventure. Boy does she get it when the first day she help a a woman who finds a finger in her drink! Young adults, crew members, and others help as Ellie tries to solve the mystery. A delightful cozy
mystery!
mystery!
September 1, 2021
Ellie grieved for two years after her husband Ronnie died and then decided to put her life back together and books a cruise for herself to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Things don't go the way Ellie thought they would when a bad event turns her into an amateur sleuth. I thought is was a great book and it even gave me a few laughs along the way. This is the first book I have read by this author but after finishing this one I am really looking forward to reading more of them.
April 23, 2023
A Very Entertaining Mystery
Cheri Baker is a new author for me and now I'm a fan. The Case of the Missing Finger was a very intriguing mystery. With a Cruise Ship full of people it was very difficult to find the victim. Ellie was determined that either there was a murderer on board or someone was missing a finger from a freak accident. It took ingenuity from Ellie and her team of new friends to find out the truth. Loved it.
Cheri Baker is a new author for me and now I'm a fan. The Case of the Missing Finger was a very intriguing mystery. With a Cruise Ship full of people it was very difficult to find the victim. Ellie was determined that either there was a murderer on board or someone was missing a finger from a freak accident. It took ingenuity from Ellie and her team of new friends to find out the truth. Loved it.
June 10, 2020
What a sweet mystery!
I really enjoyed this story. I liked the main characters and how they interacted with each other. The plot was smartly written and it kept my attention right till the end. It was clean throughout with no fowl words. Thank you for writing this and I looked forward to the next book in the series.😃
I really enjoyed this story. I liked the main characters and how they interacted with each other. The plot was smartly written and it kept my attention right till the end. It was clean throughout with no fowl words. Thank you for writing this and I looked forward to the next book in the series.😃
November 16, 2020
Good job!
My first book in this series! The storyline was great. Loved Ellie and her way of doing things! To travel on her own opened up so many things for her! She is a strong woman who wants to make everything right for all! The story was fun and the ups and downs of the mystery were totally not what I expected at the end! Definite recommendation!
My first book in this series! The storyline was great. Loved Ellie and her way of doing things! To travel on her own opened up so many things for her! She is a strong woman who wants to make everything right for all! The story was fun and the ups and downs of the mystery were totally not what I expected at the end! Definite recommendation!
July 4, 2021
Couldn't put it down
This is a delightful and hopeful story with mystery and intrigue mixed in. I loved the characters and the story, everyone seemed realistic and the description of the ship took me back to my first cruise. Wonderfully fun read. Definitely recommended. Now I am off to find the next book in the series of this talented writer.
This is a delightful and hopeful story with mystery and intrigue mixed in. I loved the characters and the story, everyone seemed realistic and the description of the ship took me back to my first cruise. Wonderfully fun read. Definitely recommended. Now I am off to find the next book in the series of this talented writer.
September 25, 2022
Well, that was a nice read, just long enough. Good travel site descriptions, interesting characters, weird plot. But dear author, you really need to find a good proofreader: a few sentences were repeated, and Paul and another man's names were switched in a few paragraphs, confusing. Otherwise, an interesting exploration of characters searching for their next self.
May 18, 2023
This was a really good read. It has a mix of character types that all bring something new to the story. The main character of Ellie Tappet feels very real - her thoughts and emotions are relatable and you find yourself wishing her the best. I felt the ending was a little rushed perhaps, but I still enjoyed the outcome. Really looking forward to continuing the Cruise Ship Mysteries collection.
August 7, 2023
Ellie is taking a Caribbean cruise as a way to end her mourning after her husband died and as a new life as single woman. She is a curious woman so when she hears that a partial finger was found in a drink she wants to know what happened. She’s a sleuth on the loose. The length of the story was good, the writing was enjoyable. I would recommend this as a quick read in an evening.
May 19, 2020
Good
This was a really fun mystery to read. It was fun reading a really good clean mystery. It is about new beginnings , trusting God amidst the chaos of life and the mysteries life brings. I will read more of this author's books.
This was a really fun mystery to read. It was fun reading a really good clean mystery. It is about new beginnings , trusting God amidst the chaos of life and the mysteries life brings. I will read more of this author's books.
June 8, 2020
This was an entertaining story about a widow taking her first cruise and taking it alone. She isn't the kind of person that would remain alone however and she ends up making quite a few friends while solving a mystery.
June 8, 2020
Wonderful read
I loved this book as I cruise a lot and like thinking about other passengers
And possible different scenes for them. This book was very entertaining and
Brought back many memories
I loved this book as I cruise a lot and like thinking about other passengers
And possible different scenes for them. This book was very entertaining and
Brought back many memories
June 23, 2020
FUN!!!!
Sick with COVID 19, I picked up a book to keep my mind off it. Well, this book not only accomplished my goal, but had me laughing and even provoked a stray tear as it ended. Can’t wait to read more!
Sick with COVID 19, I picked up a book to keep my mind off it. Well, this book not only accomplished my goal, but had me laughing and even provoked a stray tear as it ended. Can’t wait to read more!
August 25, 2020
Cruise on the sea of change
A book that is enjoyable as we follow Ellie on her first cruise. I liked that she felt out of her element in board, but was a real people's person. Ellie was a real character, and I liked her. I am going to get the next Ellie book.
A book that is enjoyable as we follow Ellie on her first cruise. I liked that she felt out of her element in board, but was a real people's person. Ellie was a real character, and I liked her. I am going to get the next Ellie book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews