Author: Dawn Brookes

This author has written 46 articles
Read more about the article Into the Eye of the Storm: exploring the world of ‘Cruise into Darkness’

Into the Eye of the Storm: exploring the world of ‘Cruise into Darkness’

by Dawn Brookes Introduction Cruise into Darkness plunges readers straight into the heart of a savage midnight storm aboard the luxury Coral Queen cruise ship. With deafening thunder and towering waves battering its hull, the vessel is thrown into chaos as a sudden blackout leaves it sailing blind. Security Chief Rachel Jacobi-Prince and senior nurse Sarah Bradshaw emerge as steadfast sentinels amid flickering lights and mounting panic. As power returns only to reveal a gruesome discovery in the laundry conveyors, what begins as a fight against the elements quickly transforms into a high-stakes investigation under the cover of darkness. In this post, we'll sail into the Coral Queen's storm-tossed corridors to meet the key players: Rachel, Sarah, Jason Goodridge, and Captain Peter Jenson. We'll explore the isolated maritime world that sets the stage for Dawn Brookes's taut murder mystery. Into the Storm: a ship adrift In the first pages I've painted the unflinching portrait of the Coaral Queen under siege. A tempest of wind and rain batters the ship, tossing it like a toy on the ocean's wrathful surface. In the dead of night, the power surges and dies, plunging corridors into inky blackness. Seasick passengers clutch walls and even seasoned crew members exchange panicked glances. The blackout feels like the force of nature rather than the opening chord of a sinister orchestration. As the vessel lists and creaks, you sense that every dark hallway and maintenance tunnel holds a secret waiting to surface. Rachel Jacobi-Prince: security chief on the front line Rachel Jacobi-Prince is the newly appointed indomitable security chief. Thrown from her bed by a violent wave, she refuses medical aid for a gash above her temple and glues it together herself. When power returns only to reveal a uniformed woman's body on the laundry conveyor belt, Rachel takes…

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Cozy Mysteries that take Place on a Cruise Ship List

For the uninitiated, cozy mysteries are a sub-genre of crime fiction where the violence is downplayed and the sleuthing takes centre stage. They often take place in a small, socially intimate communities, including cruise ships which act almost as locked-door cozies. If you're already a fan, then you know the unparalleled pleasure of curling up with a good 'cozy'. If you're new to the genre, then you're in for a delightful surprise. Let's delve into why reading cozy mysteries, particularly the Rachel Prince Mysteries, is not just a treat for the imagination but also a tonic for the soul. Let's talk feelings. Cozy mysteries are warm, comforting reads. You can sit in an armchair by a crackling fire with a mug of your favourite beverage in hand, and a cozy mystery book like 'A Murder Mystery Cruise' from the Rachel Prince series on your lap. As you journey along with the characters, you experience a range of emotions that provide a gentle workout for your heartstrings. The best part? This series, like most cozy mysteries is a feel-good read that always ends on a high note, in contrast to the reality of daily news. Spoiler alert: good triumphs and the bad guy gets caught! Dawn Brookes: Rachel Prince Mysteries Sumptuous Cozy Mysteries set on board the Coral Queen, a fictional cruise ship. Rachel Prince is the main protagonist who solves murder mysteries with the help of her best friend and cruise ship nurse, Sarah Bradshaw. A Cruise to Murder Deadly Cruise Killer Cruise Dying to Cruise A Christmas Cruise Murder Murderous Cruise Habit Honeymoon Cruise Murder A Murder Mystery Cruise Hazardous Cruise Captain's Dinner Cruise Murder Corporate Cruise Murder Treacherous Cruise Flirtation Toxic Cruise Cocktail Cruise into Darkness Cruise Fountain Finale Escapism: Cozy mysteries offer an escape. They are a portal…

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Edna’s Complete Guide to Wig Styling and Confidence

Inspired by Edna Parkinton's fearless approach to reinvention Introduction: Why Edna Gets It Right In the Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe mysteries, no character embodies confidence (or lacks filter) quite like Edna Parkinton! After losing her hair to chemotherapy, Edna didn't retreat—she transformed her challenge into an opportunity for daily reinvention. Her collection of wigs isn't just about covering hair loss; it's about expressing mood, personality, and refusing to let circumstances define her. Whether you're dealing with hair loss due to medical treatment, aging, or simply want to experiment with new looks, Edna's approach offers a masterclass in confidence and style. The Edna Philosophy - Your Hair, Your Rules "I reserve the right to change it to whatever's appropriate" - Edna's motto applies to more than just shortening people's names. Edna's key principles: Your appearance is your choice, not society's Confidence comes from feeling authentic to yourself Hair (or lack thereof) doesn't define your worth Change can be empowering, not just necessary Age is no barrier to experimentation Building Your Wig Wardrobe Like Edna The Mood Collection: Blonde (Edna's "good mood" choice): For days when you want to feel attractive, optimistic and sociable Brunette: Professional, sophisticated, perfect for dinner out Red: Bold, dramatic, for when you're feeling fiery Black: Classic, elegant, timeless Purple: Edna's rebellion wig - for when you need to feel defiant, unconventional, or want to shake things up When to Reach for Purple:  Edna discovered that purple gave her courage to speak her mind and stand her ground. It's perfect for: Days when you need to have difficult conversations Moments when you want to challenge expectations Times when you're feeling rebellious against ageist assumptions Situations where you need an extra boost of "I don't care what others think" As Edna puts it: "Sometimes a woman needs to feel a bit dangerous, and…

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Read more about the article The Poisoner of Henley

The Poisoner of Henley

When undertaking research for my book, 'Murder at the Regatta,' my characters visited St Mary's Church in Henley. It was while researching the church online that I discovered a real-life Henley murderer was buried in the grounds of the church. I didn't have space in the book, neither would it have fitted with the story, to include Mary Blandy's tale. It does, however, make for an interesting blog post. So here it is. For those amateur detectives among you, the question is: guilty or not guilty? The Poisoner of Henley: A Tale of Love, Deception, and Disputed Innocence Used under CCL National Portrait Gallery On the morning of April 6th, 1752, at the age of 32, a young gentlewoman named Mary Blandy ascended the steps of Oxford Castle's gallows, her face pale but composed. As the crowd gathered to witness her execution, she made one final declaration: "For the sake of my father's memory and my mother's name, I declare that I am innocent!" This was not the first time Mary Blandy had proclaimed her innocence, nor would it be the last – her ghost, some say, still haunts parts of Henley, endlessly protesting her guiltlessness in one of the most notorious poisoning cases of the 18th century. The Beginning: A Father's Pride Mary was the only surviving child of Francis Blandy, a respected attorney and town clerk of Henley-on-Thames. Educated, witty, and accomplished, she was her father's pride and joy. Francis Blandy frequently boasted that his daughter would come with a dowry of £10,000 – a fortune that attracted many suitors to their handsome Georgian home on Hart Street. Enter the Captain In 1746, Captain William Henry Cranstoun, a charismatic Scottish noble's son, swept into Mary's life. Despite his aristocratic connections, Cranstoun hid dark secrets: he was already married to…

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Raffles Hotel, Singapore

In Toxic Cruise Cocktail, Rachel and family kick off their cruise holiday by staying overnight at the famous Raffles Hotel. Here, Rachel encounters a bombastic man named Bigham who creates an unpleasant atmosphere. Bigham turns out to be an old friend of Rachel's father, Brendan Prince. There the mystery begins! Raffles Hotel is an iconic and historic luxury hotel located in Singapore. It is one of the most famous and prestigious hotels in the world, known for its colonial architecture, impeccable service, and rich history: Raffles Hotel was built in 1887 by Armenian hoteliers, the Sarkies Brothers. The hotel is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. Over the years, it has become synonymous with the city's colonial past. Architecture: The hotel features distinctive colonial architecture with a blend of Victorian and Moorish influences. The main building is white and adorned with tropical gardens, creating a unique and elegant atmosphere. The Long Bar and the Singapore Sling: Raffles Hotel is famous for being the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, a cocktail created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in the early 20th century. The Long Bar at Raffles is where visitors can enjoy this iconic drink. Rachel and family spend an hour or so in the Long Bar sampling Singapore Slings when they meet fellow cruisers. Guests and Cultural Significance: The hotel has hosted numerous celebrities, dignitaries, and royalty over the years, contributing to its cultural significance. Writers such as Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling have stayed at Raffles, adding to its literary allure. I couldn't send Rachel to Singapore without including a stay at Raffles, it wouldn't have seemed right. I visited the hotel during a three month SE Asian tour in 1982. My uncle asked me to visit as he'd been there for a while during WWII.…

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Read more about the article Travel Journal Asia 1982 Day 15

Travel Journal Asia 1982 Day 15

Wednesday June 30th 1982 With me feeling slightly better, the three of us decided to head further north and boarded a bus heading to a fishing village called Krabi. The white-knuckle journey lasted four and a half hours. The bus driver didn't appear to have a will to live, and we had several near-misses throughout the drive. He eventually stopped and let us off the bus in the middle of nowhere. We were around 5km outside of the village. We waited for a while wondering what to do next and decided to start walking. A little while later a pickup truck offered us a lift although we could only communicate through sign language and had to trust these people would take us to where we wanted to go – not that we were sure where that was! I was still feeling weak when we arrived, and the realisation dawned that I was a long way from home in a country where people didn't speak my language, or I, theirs. My head felt muddled. Thankfully the truck dropped us in Krabi and we headed to a small hotel mentioned in my guidebook called Veung Thong. After a fair bit of sign language, we managed to secure two rooms. Krabi, Thailand Our fisherman tourguide! We walked around the village, people smiled but it felt a little oppressive. The village consisted of tiny wooden homes (shacks). Black and white televisions appeared to be the only luxury these people had. We paid a fisherman to take us for a ride on the river. Falcons soared in the skies above. The wonders of nature made me feel glad to be alive. Everywhere we went we were followed by curious people who obviously hadn't seen many foreign tourist before. I can't say I like being centre of…

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