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Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery)
by Michelle L. Clifton
Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in the Series
Setting – On Board a cruise ship and Cartagena, Colombia
Publisher : Salty Inspirations (April 8, 2025)
Hardcover : 277 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8990881730
Publisher : Salty Inspirations (April 8, 2025)
Language : English
Paperback : 277 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8990881747
Digital ASIN : B0F3Z14WPJ
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Trapped in a sinister plot with a vengeful drug cartel is a killer vacation.
Taryn wanted sun, cocktails, and relaxation. Instead, she and Alex found themselves tangled in yet another deadly puzzle.
After months of chaos and a near-death experience, Taryn and Alex are desperate for a break. A romantic cruise seems like the perfect escape. Adventurous excursions, tropical drinks, and uninterrupted passion. But their dream vacation takes a dark turn when a danger from the past resurfaces, and bodies start piling up.
Trapped in the middle of a sinister plot, Taryn must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again. With a vengeful drug cartel lurking in the shadows, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Taryn’s sharp instincts be enough to outmaneuver the enemy, or will their dream getaway become a deadly nightmare?
Fans of Janet Evanovich and rom-cozy mysteries will love this fast-paced escape filled with murder, romance, and laugh-out-loud moments.
Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses is the second book in the Taryn O’Kelly Mystery series—but it can be read as a standalone. Perfect for readers who love strong female sleuths, tropical twists, and a splash of snark.
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Solve a Mystery and Sip a Spicy Bloody Mary!
When you board a cruise ship, you expect a few things: good food, warm sun, fruity drinks, and maybe a little harmless adventure. You don’t usually expect murder. But that’s exactly what Taryn O’Kelly faces in Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses. My latest mystery features amateur sleuthing, unexpected twists, and just enough danger to keep you guessing until the very last chapter.
While Taryn navigates suspicious deaths, secret agendas, and a few heart-pounding surprises, she also manages to enjoy one of cruising’s greatest traditions: the cocktail hour. And let me tell you, no drink captures the spirit of danger and vacation shenanigans quite like a Spicy Bloody Mary.
In fact, here’s a little sneak peek from Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses that shows just how important the right cocktail can be. Even when you’re investigating a murder:
“The guest service guy gave me a different number than the one he shared with Sara,” I said, sipping my Spicy Bloody Mary.“These Bloody Marys are good,” I gushed. “I need this recipe!”
“It’s spicy V8 and Sriracha vodka that makes these so good,” Robert pointed out, taking a sip of his.
“How do you know?” I questioned.
“One, I have very refined taste buds, and two, I asked the first morning I was here,” he grinned.
I started to punch him but controlled myself. He was a turd. Instead, I smiled, because turd or not, he was funny and sometimes cute.
Inspired by that scene (and a few personal adventures), I’m sharing a cocktail recipe that’s become a family tradition for me during our annual trips to Lake Powell. Every year, my husband’s family and I gather on the lake, and the Spicy Bloody Mary is the drink that gets things started. It’s become a ritual a little spicy, a little savory, and the perfect way to toast to a new adventure.
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Spicy Bloody Mary Recipe
Serves: 1
This Bloody Mary isn’t your standard Sunday brunch fare. It’s bold, spicy, and just a little bit mysterious. Perfect for chasing clues or relaxing with a good book.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Sriracha vodka
- 4 oz Clamato juice or Spicy V8
- 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes hot sauce (like Tabasco)
- Pinch of lemon pepper
- Pinch of garlic salt
- Pinch of regular salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of celery salt
- Ice cubes
Garnishes:
- Lime wedge
- Green olives
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add the Sriracha vodka, Clamato juice, fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon pepper, garlic salt, regular salt, black pepper, and celery salt.
- Shake gently to mix all the flavors without over-diluting.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and green olives.
Trust me, after one sip, you’ll understand why Taryn couldn’t resist asking for the recipe. Even while untangling lies, secrets, and danger.
Why the Spicy Bloody Mary?
Choosing the Spicy Bloody Mary for Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses wasn’t random. This drink has a history. It’s classic yet endlessly customizable, much like the mysteries I love writing. It’s spicy, savory, and carries just a hint of danger. Will it be too hot to handle? Will you need another round to settle your nerves after a shocking twist?
Plus, Bloody Marys are practically a cruise tradition. There’s something about salty sea air, deck chairs, and a tall glass of spicy goodness that sets the stage for fun… or maybe a little bit of trouble. Taryn certainly finds a little of both.
A Toast to Adventure (and Murder)
So next time you’re looking for your next read and your next cocktail, consider this a sign. Mix up a Spicy Bloody Mary, curl up somewhere comfortable (preferably with a view of the water, but a backyard chair works just as well), and dive into the high-seas mystery of Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses. Because let’s be honest, everything’s better with a good drink, a juicy murder, and just a little bit of sass.
Cheers to adventures that don’t always go as planned, cocktails that might be a little too delicious and mysteries that keep you guessing long past the last sip!
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Enjoy this peek inside:
‛The other guests were fleeing the scene with their drinks still in their hands. At $10 a drink, you can’t waste those babies.’
‛That man needed coffee or something. Good grief, I barely touched him. He should not have been standing so close to my door. What right did he have to stare me down? Beginning to feel annoyed with the encounter, I took a moment to breathe and tell myself this was not worth my energy. He can not control my feelings or my day.’
‛I had never been so happy to see them standing together. My heart leaped; no one had been snatched or killed. Yay! What has my life come to?’
‛The ECS team did not want to panic the other passengers. Probably to keep the appearance that cruising is safe and people don’t die.’
“Who said anything about wasting it? If I am going to die, I am not going down without my drink. I’ll finish it. To justice!” She gulped the Aguardiente and coughed again. “It burns,” she wheezed.
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About Michelle L. Clifton
Michelle L. Clifton is the author of the Taryn O’Kelly series, which mixes laugh-out-loud humor, steamy romance, and gripping mysteries. Her books are perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, offering a modern twist on cozy mysteries with amateur sleuth Taryn O’Kelly at the helm.
Michelle was raised in Southwest Colorado in the great valleys of the Rocky Mountains. There she married the love of her life and raised two beautiful kids, a cat, two dogs, and chickens! She has worked in the dental field, dance and theater industry, athletics, and event coordinating. She created Salty Inspirations to pursue her passion for writing.
However, her favorite job is being MOM. Her family made a major move to Cape Coral, Florida, just in time for Hurricane Ian. When not crafting tales of intrigue, Michelle can be found spending time with her family hiking and camping in Colorado and boating and beaching in Florida. Oh! And writing of course!
Author Links: Website / Instagram / Facebook / Amazon
Purchase Links
Amazon Bookshop.org B&N Kobo
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