The Widow's Cruise - Nicholas Blake (May/June 2020)

[Susan]

Welcome to the 13th Nigel Strangeways mystery, published in 1959.

Renowned sculptor, Clare Massinger, is in a bit of a creative slump. To provide a little inspiration, Nigel Strangeways books them a relaxing cruise on the Aegean Sea. Filled with Greek temples, swimming pools, and sandy beaches, this scenic vacation should be the perfect getaway. But when they meet the other passengers, Nigel and Clare realize the cruise may not be as peaceful as planned.

It seems everyone knows everyone else’s business: a schoolteacher recovering from a nervous breakdown is confronted by a former student; a scholar is embarrassed by a scornful reviewer; a seductive temptress is known to a Bishop, and, to top it off, two busybodies are keeping tabs on everyone.

As the passengers' lives become increasingly intertwined, it seems a plot for revenge may be afloat. Amidst steamy assignations, false accusations, and suicide threats, Nigel’s holiday doesn’t last long, and he must take charge to uncover the truth before the passengers have something more bloody to gossip about…

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

[Judy]

Who is reading this one? I'm looking forward to it - haven't started yet, but I have downloaded it on Kindle and will get started soon! Great to get back to Nigel. I also like Claire and the cruise setting should be fun.

[Susan]

I haven't finished this yet - I am about a third of the way through and really enjoying it. I think Cecil Day-Lewis/Nicholas Blake had a second wind with the last couple of books. I enjoyed the previous title, set in a publisher's office, and cruise's always work well in crime novels, don't they?

[Sandy]

I've read this one and agree that this and the prior book have been very good.

[Susan]

I spent some time reading this yesterday and hope to finish it today. Very enjoyable.

[Judy]

I've started this, but have only read a few pages so far. I'm enjoying the cruise setting and am pleased that Clare is in this book. I'm rather surprised, though, that Nigel and Clare have separate cabins (each sharing with a stranger!) and claim to be "just good friends" - I thought they were a couple by now.

[Rosina]

I noticed that! It is possible that in 1959 if you didn't have the same name on your passport, you couldn't book to share a cabin (or hotel room) with a person of the opposite sex. In hotels in the UK, where you didn't need a passport, you just registered as Mr and Mrs Cholmondeley Smith.

I never asked my parents if they shared a room when they went on holiday together in late August 1939. I know they got engaged on 3rd September - "Well, we're at war, I'll be out of a job, we might as well get married" - and were married on 24th December that year. I suspect that they did.

[Susan]

Nigel has mentioned, in a previous book, that he couldn't live with Clare as she is too messy! Perhaps they felt they were too well known to get away with posing as a couple, in case someone knew one of them? I thought it was strange as well.

Also, we always see the 'past' as some glorious place, where people had a lot of luxury, but, as we've seen from so many GA books, people regularly shared with strangers on ships and trains.

[Judy]

I'm about a third of the way through now and enjoying it - very readable, and I do like Claire. Also, nice to read about tourism at the moment. I wish I knew what all the places they visit look like, though!

[Susan]

I am pleased you are enjoying it, Judy. I think virtual travelling is all we will be doing for a while. As someone who, personally, prefers to stay at home, I am fine with that :)